Things To Do In London: The Ultimate Guide
One place that will always be on travelers’ bucket lists is London. You can spend days exploring the magnificent city’s iconic attractions. They all provide a long list of fun activities. Without further ado, take a look at the...
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One place that will always be on travelers’ bucket lists is London. You can spend days exploring the magnificent city’s iconic attractions. They all provide a long list of fun activities. Without further ado, take a look at the 12 best things to do in London!
12 Best Things To Do In London: Top Sights To Visit
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British Museum
| 📌 Location | Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG. Find on map |
| 🚌 Getting There | Bus 14 will get you there |
| 👀 Why Visit? | It features a vast collection of the human history, all under one roof |
| 🛏️ Stay Nearby | Grange Beauchamp | Check Availability |
Located in the Bloomsbury area, the British Museum is famous for being the oldest national public museum. It showcases eight million works that document human history, art, and culture. Collection themes include the Americas, Animals, China, Death and memory, Desire, love and identity, Africa, and Egypt.
There are several tours you can choose from – Around the World in 90 minutes, Desire, love, identity: an LGBTQ tour, Eye-opener tours: 40 minutes, Hands on desks: 11.00–16.00, Friday night spotlight tours: 20 minutes.
Hyde Park
| 📌 Location | London, United Kingdom. Find on map |
| 🚌 Getting There | Take the Red Line to Lancaster Gate or Marble Arch station |
| 👀 Why Visit? | It offers a green escape with boating on the Serpentine, iconic Speakers’ Corner, and beautiful gardens |
| 🛏️ Stay Nearby | Corus Hotel Hyde Park | Check Availability |
Among the four stunning Royal Parks, Hyde Park is the biggest one. It’s a Grade I-listed park in Westminster and home to numerous statues, fountains, and memorials. The most famous ones are the Diana Memorial Fountain, the Joy of Life Fountain, the Pan statue, the Apsley Gate, the Queen Elizabeth Gate, and the Reformer’s Tree.
A special feature of the park is the Speaker’s Corner, a common location for public speeches and discussions since the middle of the 19th century. The park also has children’s playgrounds and offers a place for fun activities like horse riding, swimming, and tennis.
Natural History Museum
| 📌 Location | Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD. Find on map |
| 🚌 Getting There | South Kensington tube station is just a 5-minute walk away |
| 👀 Why Visit? | From giant dinosaurs to microscopic creatures, you can explore and trace the natural wonders of our planet |
| 🛏️ Stay Nearby | Queen’s Gate Gardens | Check Availability |
Visit the Natural History Museum and explore 4.6 billion years of Earth’s history. There are a couple of self-guided tours like the Family Favorites with dinosaurs, whales, and volcanos, Exhibits with Impact for adults and solo travelers, Hidden Treasures for lesser-known gems, and an audio-guided tour of Hintze Hall with Sir David Attenborough’s voice. After you’re done roaming the galleries, refuel at one of the museum’s cafes and enjoy the food and beverage of your choice.
Buckingham Palace
| 📌 Location | London SW1A 1AA. Find on map |
| 🚌 Getting There | Take the Yellow or Green Line to St James’s Park station |
| 👀 Why Visit? | You’ll get a good peak into the heart of the British royalty. |
| 🛏️ Stay Nearby | Best Western Buckingham Hotel | Check Availability |
London’s iconic royal residence, Buckingham Palace is nestled in the City of Westminster. Exclusive guided tours of the State Rooms are available during spring and winter, and 10 weeks in summer. See the luxurious chambers and the Changing of the Guard ceremony, and learn more about the British Royal Family. Tickets must be reserved in advance! Taking photographs within the State Rooms is not allowed. Eating and drinking are also not permitted.
Victoria And Albert Museum
| 📌 Location | Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL. Find on map |
| 🚌 Getting There | Take the Yellow or Green Line to South Kensington station |
| 👀 Why Visit? | It’s the world’s leading museum of art and design, housing a massive collection spanning over 5,000 years |
| 🛏️ Stay Nearby | The Rembrandt | Check Availability |
The largest museum dedicated to decorative and applied arts and design is found in London and is called the Victoria and Albert Museum. It has over 2 million objects and admission is free! Discover collections of postmodernism, illustration, and craft and design of the book.
London Eye
| 📌 Location | Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB. Find on map |
| 🚌 Getting There | Take the Brown, Grey, Black, or Turquoise Line to Waterloo Station |
| 👀 Why Visit? | You’ll get unrivaled 360° views of London’s iconic landmarks |
| 🛏️ Stay Nearby | Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London | Check Availability |
Also known as the Millennium Wheel, London Eye is the world’s largest cantilevered observation wheel. It has won many awards and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London. Keep in mind that visitors need to have a ticket ready before joining the queue and the ride lasts 30 minutes (one rotation). Enjoy the spectacular views!
The National Gallery
| 📌 Location | Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN. Find on map |
| 🚌 Getting There | Buses 12, 24, 88 or 453 will get you there |
| 👀 Why Visit? | To see one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world, for free! |
| 🛏️ Stay Nearby | Zedwell Piccadilly Circus | Check Availability |
If you find yourself roaming around Trafalgar Square, pay a visit to The National Gallery. It’s an art museum that was founded in 1824. View over 2,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, and photographs. Collection highlights include David with the Head of Goliath by Andrea del Castagno, The Fortress of Königstein by Bernardo Bellotto, The Voyage of Life: Youth by Thomas Cole, and many more.
London Bridge
| 📌 Location | London EC4R 9HA. Find on map |
| 🚌 Getting There | London Bridge is served by served by the Northern and Jubilee lines |
| 👀 Why Visit? | It’s a vibrant riverside location near iconic landmarks and cultural hotspots |
| 🛏️ Stay Nearby | Mercure London Bridge | Check Availability |
The oldest river crossing in London is London Bridge. The riverside area is full of fantastic restaurants and lively bars. Make sure to visit Borough Market, the Bridge Theater, and the Fashion and Textile Museum.
Bermondsey Street
| 📌 Location | London, UK. Find on map |
| 🚌 Getting There | Buses 1, 188, 21, 42, or 78 will get you there |
| 👀 Why Visit? | For a vibrant mix of independent shops, delicious food markets, and historic charm. |
| 🛏️ Stay Nearby | The Bermondsey Square Hotel | Check Availability |
In Central London, Bermondsey Street has an abundance of cafes, shops, and restaurants. To get away from the bustle, head to Tanner Street Park, visit the local market, and try some mouthwatering street food at pop-up food stalls.
Tate Modern
| 📌 Location | Bankside, London SE1 9TG. Find on map |
| 🚌 Getting There | Buses 133, 149, 21, or 344 can get you there |
| 👀 Why Visit? | To experience some of the world’s most exciting modern and contemporary art |
| 🛏️ Stay Nearby | Premier Inn London Southwark (Tate Modern) | Check Availability |
From early 20th-century modernism to fascinating pieces made today, Tate Modern houses artwork spanning more than a century. This comprises works created by painters, sculptors, and other artists from around the world, including Pablo Picasso, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, and Jenny Holzer.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
| 📌 Location | St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD. Find on map |
| 🚌 Getting There | Take the Red Line to St Paul’s station |
| 👀 Why Visit? | To experience stunning architecture, rich history, and panoramic views of London. |
| 🛏️ Stay Nearby | Leonardo Royal London St. Paul’s | Check Availability |
St. Paul’s Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of London. You can take daily guided and self-guided tours in a number of languages that will take you from the Crypt to the breathtaking Stone and Golden Galleries.
Trafalgar Square
| 📌 Location | Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5DS. Find on map |
| 🚌 Getting There | Take the Bakerloo and Northern lines and get off at Charing Cross |
| 👀 Why Visit? | Trafalgar Square is London’s vibrant heart, offering history, art, and a buzzing atmosphere. |
| 🛏️ Stay Nearby | The Trafalgar St. James London, Curio Collection by Hilton | Check Availability |
Trafalgar is a bustling square in the City of Westminster. It was created in 1830 to honor the British victory in the Battle of Trafalgar. The surrounding area features coffee shops, restaurants, museums, and street artists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any free things to do in London?
Absolutely! Many museums have free entry days or specific free exhibits. Explore beautiful parks like Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, and St. James’s Park. The British Library and National Gallery also offer free entry to their permanent collections.
What are some historical things to do in London?
Explore the Tower of London, a medieval fortress that housed prisoners and crown jewels. Visit Churchill War Rooms, the underground bunker where WWII strategies were planned. And take a walking tour to discover hidden historical gems.
What are some offbeat things to do in London?
Explore vibrant neighborhoods like Camden Town with the quirky Camden market, Portobello Road Market for antiques, or Brick Lane for trendy street art and curry houses. Take a day trip to Windsor Castle, home to the British Royal Family, or Greenwich to stand on the Prime Meridian of the World.
What are some things to do in London with kids?
Take the kids to see the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Ride the iconic London Eye for panoramic city views. Explore the exhibits at the Natural History Museum or the V&A Museum of Childhood. Or catch a family-friendly show in the West End.
