32 must-see places to visit in London

This list of the best places to visit in London will help you prepare for a trip to one of the most cosmopolitan and interesting cities for any traveller.

With an endless cultural and leisure offer, museums with incalculable collections, street markets to lose yourself in for hours, impeccable green spaces and neighbourhoods full of charm; this city is perfect for a few days or a week's getaway, with no chance of getting bored at any time. Not only that, but as well as visiting all the tourist attractions and shopping on some of the city's most popular shopping streets, London is also home to delicious, sometimes overlooked, traditional cuisine and endless international options including some of the best restaurants in the country.
It is important to keep in mind that, although fewer days are also recommended to visit the city, to see all the sights and the most emblematic neighbourhoods we recommend spending 4 or 5 days in London.

Based on the number of times we have visited this city, the last time we spent more than a month living in a flat in Notting Hill, during which we wrote this guide of tips for travelling to London, we have compiled this list of 32 must -see places in London. Let's get started!

1. Camden Town

Spending a morning in the surprisingly entertaining neighbourhood of Camden is one of the best things to do in London.
Famous for having the largest market in the city with over 1000 stalls and alternative shops, this neighbourhood is perfect for finding a unique gift, eating at one of its street stalls or simply listening to live music.
Although it's open every day and many people recommend visiting on Sundays, we recommend visiting Camden Town during the week so you don't get overwhelmed by the crowds at the weekend and don't have to queue to eat in one of the most recommended places such as The Cheese Wheel, Arepazo Bros or Haché Burgers Camden and Chin Chin Labs, the latter specialising in ice cream.
One of our favourite shopping areas, in addition to the stalls at Camden Stables Market, is Camden High St, where you'll find a concentration of shops with colourful themed facades and where you can find everything from gothic clothing to tattoo parlours.

To get to Camden you'll need to take the Northern line tube and get off at the Camden Town stop. Another option we love is to take a boat from Little Venice, which will drop you off at the market in less than an hour.

Camden Town

2. Big Ben, one of the must-see places in London

In the Palace of Westminster you will find the British Parliament and Big Ben, its famous Clock Tower, which has become over time one of the icons to visit in London.
This tower is more than 100 metres high and was built in 1858 in the Gothic style and stands out for the four clocks located on each of its faces.
Although Big Ben is usually referred to as the Clock Tower, this name is not quite accurate, as Big Ben is actually a huge 14-tonne bell inside the tower, which, along with the Victorian Gothic Palace of Westminster, is a World Heritage Site on the banks of the Thames.

One of the best photos of Big Ben and the British Parliament can be taken by crossing Westminster Bridge and taking the stairs down to The National Covid Memorial Wall (marked on the map below).

Visiting hours: Saturdays between 9.15am and 4.30pm with a guided tour. August and September open Tuesday to Friday.

A good way to learn more about the history and not miss anything important in London is to book this full tour with tickets or this free tour, both with an English speaking guide.

Big Ben

3. Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge, built in 1894 over the River Thames, is the most famous bridge to see in London and is named after its proximity to the Tower of London, which is just a few metres away.
On this stone drawbridge you can enter to see how the steam engine that lifts it up works and climb to the top to walk on a transparent glass walkway while enjoying excellent views of the city. You can book your ticket in advance from this page.
We recommend visiting this photogenic bridge by day and by night and seeing it from both sides.
Entry is included if you have a London Pass or London Explorer Pass.

These two cards allow you to save time by skipping the queues and quite a few pounds if you plan to visit the most touristy spots in London. The difference between the two cards is that the London Pass is for days, while the Explorer Pass has the flexibility of being able to choose at the last minute entry to 3, 5 or 7 of the main attractions, saving up to 40%.

Visiting hours: from April to September from 10h to 18h and the rest of the months from 9:30h to 17:30h.

Tower Bridge

4. Hyde Park

One of the best things to do in London for free is to stroll or play sports in its many well-kept parks such as Hyde Park, the oldest in the city and our favourite.
As well as strolling along its paths and lying on its manicured lawns, this park has numerous points of interest such as the Serpentine Lakes and the Round Pond, monuments such as the Princess Diana Memorial, the Albert Memorial and the Peter Pan Statue as well as gardens such as the Rose Garden and the Italian Gardens, which are definitely worth a visit.

Hyde Park

5. Kensington Palace

Opposite the Round Pond, on one side of Hyde Park, is Kensington Palace and its beautiful gardens, among the best places to visit in London.
This palace, the residence of the British monarchy for over 300 years and of the famous Princess Diana between 1981 and 1997, preserves the old rooms with original royal furnishings and decorative objects such as the Queen's and King's flats, as well as an exhibition on Queen Victoria and the Princess of Wales.
You can book entry to the palace in advance on this page.

Visiting hours: from March to October from 10am to 6pm and the rest of the months from 10am to 4pm.

6. Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey, a World Heritage Site, is the oldest and most famous religious temple to see in London. It has been the site of almost every coronation ceremony of kings, English monarchs, weddings such as that of the current princes and funerals such as that of Princess Diana of Wales since 1066.
Inside the beautiful Gothic-style interior (no photos allowed), you will find the tombs of kings and illustrious figures such as David Livingstone, Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, Laurence Olivier and Charles Darwin, as well as some of its most outstanding corners such as the Lady Chapel, the cloisters, the poets' corner, the Chapter House, the High Altar and St. Edward's Throne. You can book your ticket in advance from this page.

You can find more information in this guide to visiting Westminster Abbey.
Visiting hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am-3.30pm and Saturday 9am-1pm. Sundays open for mass only.

Westminster Abbey

7. Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus is a small square at the intersection of several streets and the most famous meeting point for locals and tourists visiting the city of London. The square is notable for its large video screens, neon billboards and the famous fountain with the sculpture of Eros.
One of the best things to do in London is to sit on the steps of the fountain and enjoy the great atmosphere or a live performance by a street musician.
In addition, this area, along with the charming Leicester Square and Shaftesbury Avenue, is home to some of London's most famous theatres.
One of the most popular tours with a guide in English for travellers visiting the city and passing through this square is this evening stroll through the London of today.

Piccadilly Circus

8. London Eye

The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel and inaugurated in 2000, is an enormous 135-metre high Ferris wheel located on the banks of the River Thames, which, due to its characteristics, has become another of the must-visit places in London, thanks to the incredible views of the city.
During the half an hour it takes to go round each of the 32 glass cabins you will have fantastic panoramic views of the Thames, Big Ben, Parliament and in the background the whole city of London.
We recommend you book a skip-the-line ticket to avoid wasting too much time and follow this guide to the London Eye.

London Eye

9. British Museum, one of the best places to see in London.

The British Museum, opened in 1759, is one of the most important museums in the world and another of the most interesting places to see in London.
With an extensive collection of key works in the history of mankind, in the museum you can see the Rosetta Stone in the Egyptian Room, the marbles of the Parthenon in Athens or a Moai from Easter Island.
A good way to make sure you don't miss out on any important pieces is to follow this list of must-sees at the British Museum.

Although the museum is free to visit, we recommend you book this guided tour in English or this free tour, both with an English-speaking guide who is an expert in art and history.
Another option is to rent an audio guide in Spanish for 7 pounds, buy a small book with the 10 best works for 2 pounds or another more complete book for 6 pounds.

Visiting hours: daily from 10am to 5.30pm (Fridays until 8.30pm).

The British Museum

10. Notting Hill

Strolling around Notting Hill, famous for the Portobello Market and its beautiful colourful houses, is another of the things to do in London.
Incredibly popular after the premiere of the film Notting Hill, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, it is now one of the busiest places in the city, both for its colourful houses and for the locations of the film, such as the main character's house or the bookshop, which have become real tourist attractions in the neighbourhood.
The best day to visit Notting Hill is Saturday morning, when all the stalls are set up on Portabello Street and the market is at its best.
Every day is also the perfect time to visit the less crowded neighbourhood, pop into some antique shops and bookshops, have a coffee in one of the original places or try the traditional food at the Duke of Wellington, one of the best restaurants to eat in London.
neighbourhood
Remember that the streets adjacent to Portabello Road such as Lancaster Road, St Luke's Mews, Uxbridge Street, Ladbroke Grove, Rosmead Road, Denbigh Terrace and Colville Terrace are home to the most photogenic coloured houses in the neighbourhood, but it is very important to show respect to the neighbours and never climb the stairs to have your photo taken. Another less touristy area, but also with fairytale houses, is Hillgate Place.

A good option to learn more about the history and not miss anything in the neighbourhood is to book this free tour with a guide in English.

Notting Hill

11. Tower of London

The Tower of London, surrounded by a moat and located on the banks of the Thames, is another of the most beautiful places to visit in London.
This castle, built by William in 1078 to defend the city from enemy raids, as well as to control river traffic, has had different uses depending on the stage of its history.
Once you cross the walls surrounding the castle you can visit important sites such as the White Tower, the Medieval Palace, the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula and the enclosure which houses the Crown Jewels, one of the most valuable treasures in the world.
Entry is included in the London Pass or you can book this ticket in advance.
You can find more information in this guide to visiting the Tower of London.
To learn more about the ancient history of the city and this tower, we recommend you to book this free tour, which is one of the best free tours in London.

Visiting hours: from March to October from 9am to 5.30pm and the other months they close at 4.30pm. Open at 10am on Sundays and Mondays.

The Tower of London

12. St James's Park

St James's Park, surrounded by Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace and Westminster Palace, is the oldest royal park and our favourite thing to see in London.
You can start your tour of this central London green lung at the Queen Victoria Memorial, which commemorates the Queen's death in 1901, and then walk along a lake filled with swans and ducks to cross the Blue Bridge, a fantastic viewing platform overlooking Buckingham Palace.

St James's Park

13. The Shard

Among the best viewpoints in London, if we had to choose one, it would be The Shard, an imposing building of more than 310 metres that offers spectacular 360-degree panoramic views from the 68th, 69th and 72nd floors.
Designed by the prestigious architect Renzo Piano and considered the tallest skyscraper in the UK and the sixth tallest in Europe, it is almost a must to go up at sunset to see the sun set and the city light up.
Once at the entrance of the building you can buy the standard ticket at the ticket office or book this ticket in advance which will allow you to save a few euros and not be left without a place for the time you choose to go up.
In addition, the tickets are time-guaranteed, which means that in the event of poor visibility, something very common in London, you can re-enter for free within the following three months.
You can find out more about the viewing platform by reading this guide to visiting The Shard.

Visiting hours: Thursday to Saturday from 10am to 10pm; all other days from 10am to 7pm (last admission one and a half hours before closing).

Views from The Shard

14. St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral impresses with its massive dome and 111-metre-high dome, making it the second largest cathedral in the world and another of London's must-see sights.
Its cross-shaped interior and beautiful frescoes have been the setting for major events such as Winston Churchill's funeral, Queen Elizabeth's 80th birthday and the wedding of Prince Charles to Diana of Wales.
As well as visiting the interior, you can go up to the dome for great views of the centre or down to the crypt where the remains of Nelson and the Duke of Wellington lie, both of which are among the best things to do in London.
You can skip the queues if you have a London Explorer Pass or book this fast-track entry.

For more information about this church you can consult this guide to visit St Paul's Cathedral.
Visiting hours: Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

St Paul's Cathedral

15. Strolling around Soho, one of the things to do in London

In addition to Notting Hill, another important neighbourhood to visit in London is Soho, full of shops, boutiques, art galleries, trendy cafés and pubs where you can have one last pint with live music.
Although it's ideal to wander aimlessly around the neighbourhood, a route through Soho should include a stroll along photogenic Carnaby Street, Soho Square, Old Compton Street and Dean Street, which has some of its most iconic venues in The Photographers Gallery, the Riflemaker Gallery and House of Minalima, the latter of which is inspired by the Harry Potter universe.
Finally, there's nothing better than a nighttime stroll through the Chinatown neighbourhood, located in Soho, full of red lanterns and Chinese restaurants.

Carnaby Street

16. Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II and the site of many of London's and the UK's historic moments, as well as another of London's must-see sights.
One of the best things to do in London is to watch the Changing of the Guard which takes place in front of the palace, although there are so many tourists that on most days it is difficult to watch in comfort and clarity. The Changing of the Guard takes place every day at 11.30am from May to July and every other month.
To visit the beautiful rooms of the Palace you have to book well in advance as you are only allowed to enter from 23 July to 2 October from 9:15am to 7:45pm.

If you don't have a lot of time in the city it may be handy to book the London sightseeing bus which stops at the main attractions and has recorded commentary in English about each one.

Buckingham Palace

17. Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is one of the most popular squares to visit in London, featuring the 50-metre high Nelson's Column built in honour of the admiral and his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.
This square is, along with Piccadilly Circus, one of the busiest places in the city for locals and tourists.
In addition to enjoying the atmosphere, the square has on one side the National Gallery, a museum with one of the most important art collections in the world, which we will talk about later.

Trafalgar Square

18. Brick Lane

If it's Sunday, one of the best things to do in London is to take the tube to Brick Lane to enjoy its impressive market (open from 10am to 5pm) and the street art of some of the best graffiti artists such as the famous Banksy.
Brick Lane is home to a multitude of shops, galleries and covered markets, where you can find all kinds of second-hand furniture, souvenirs, decorative items, books, vinyl, magazines, vintage clothes (The Vintage Market) and gastronomic spaces such as Boiler House and Sunday UpMarket where you can try food from all over the world such as the delicious baos, bagels and dumplings.
After you've had your fill of bargains in the various markets, we recommend a trip to Rivington Street and the Shoreditch area to see the murals.

This area was also the scene of the crimes of Jack the Ripper, the world's most famous serial killer and one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in history. You can book this tour to find out more about his story.

Brick Lane Market

Recommended travel cards

Remember that to avoid paying commissions and to always have the current exchange rate we recommend you to use the Revolut card and the N26 card, they are the ones we use, they are free and they will save you a lot of money.
You can find more information in this article on the best cards for commission-free travel.

19. Oxford and Regent Street

If you love shopping, you can't miss Oxford and Regent Street, the two most famous shopping streets in London, where the shops that are usually open from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm and on Sundays from 12pm to 6pm, are stacked next to each other.
A stroll from Marble Arch to Piccadilly Circus will take you past shops selling almost every international brand, fantastic shopping centres such as Liberty and even Ben's Cookies, where you can refuel by devouring their delicious biscuits.
On the curving part of Regent Street, you'll see the most beautiful historic buildings and the most luxurious shops.
Remember that one of the best experiences in London at Christmas is to walk along these two streets decorated with Christmas lights and motifs.

Regent's Street

20. Covent Garden, another of the neighbourhoods to visit in London.

Covent Garden, popular for its beautiful covered market and great atmosphere enlivened by street performers, is another must-visit neighbourhood in London.
After exploring the inside of the market, especially the ground floor where the Apple Market is located, you can go to the Jubilee Market second-hand market and stroll around the surrounding streets discovering shops such as Benjamin Pollock's Toy Shop and photogenic pubs like The Churchill Arms and Crown & Anchor.
Another place not to be missed is one of our favourite spots in Convent Garden: Neal's Yard, a colourful oasis full of charm and perfect for a healthy breakfast at the popular 26 Grains.

Neal's Yard

21. Natural History Museum

Enter the Natural History Museum for free to gawp at the incredible reproductions of dinosaur skeletons and a blue whale is another London must-do.
Located near the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, it is housed in a spectacular classical building and boasts an extensive collection of over 70 million specimens and objects, divided into five main groups: mineralogy, entomology, zoology, palaeontology and botany.

Visiting hours: daily from 10am to 6pm.

Natural History Museum

22. Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall is one of the most famous theatres in the world and another place to visit in London.
This building, built in red brick, has a design similar to the old amphitheatres, and even if you don't go inside, it's worth a visit to see the outside.
We visited it the first time we were in London and we loved it, as it coincided with the rehearsals of a performance and we were able to check out its magnificent acoustics.
To visit the interior you have to book a guided tour in English which takes you through the main rooms such as the Queen's Box and the impressive stage.
Another option is to buy a ticket for one of the classical, pop, rock, opera or ballet concerts, in which all the great artists of the moment perform.

Visiting hours: daily from 10am to 4pm.

Royal Albert House, one of the places to visit in London.

23. Sky Garden

The Sky Garden, a free viewing platform with a botanical garden inside, is another of the most spectacular places to see in London.
Located on the top floors of a 160-metre high modern skyscraper, this expansive observation deck offers fantastic 360-degree views of the city and some of its tourist attractions such as Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, among others.
Although you can go at any time of the day, the best time to go is one hour before sunset as it allows you to enjoy a fantastic sunset while you have a bite to eat or a drink.

Sky Garden

24. Markets to see in London

In addition to Camden Market and Portobello Market, London has a wide variety of markets, all of which are different and surprising.
Some of the best markets in London include:

• Leadenhall: the most beautiful covered market to visit in London and the inspiration for Harry Potter's Diagon Alley.

• Columbia Road: the city's main flower market selling all kinds of plants and gardening tools. Open every Sunday from 8am to 3pm.

• Borough: on Tuesdays and Mondays all the stalls are open in this amazing food market where you can try all kinds of local and international dishes.

• Maltby Street: another of the best food markets in the city that is only open on Sundays.

• Broadway: a market with over 100 stalls where farmers sell their fresh produce and local artists sell their personal work. Open every Saturday from 9am to 5pm.

Leadenhall Market

25. Harry Potter Studios

Another of the best things to do in London is to set aside a day for a visit to Warner Studios, where many of the scenes from the 8 Harry Potter films were filmed. Although the visit, including transport, can take around 7 hours, it's totally worth it to see the inside of these magnificent studios and remember great scenes and original props from the films.
The studios are located about 30 kilometres from the city and you can go on your own with a combination of underground, train and bus or on an organised tour.
As we said, if you don't want to hassle with transfers, a very convenient option is to book this Harry Potter tour at Warner Studios, where you can choose to book the transfer from central London or the transfer and entrance.
Remember that it is very important to book your ticket well in advance to avoid being left without a place, as this is one of the most popular attractions in London.

For more information on this tour you can check out this guide to visiting the Harry Potter Studios in London, based on our experience.

Harry Potter Studios

26. London Parks

If you are a park lover and you haven't had enough of strolling through Hyde Park and St. James's Park, other parks to visit in London include:

• Regent's Park: another of the perfect parks to stroll around with its lakes and in spring, its beautiful Rose Garden.

• Kew Gardens: this Royal BotanicGardens, located in a neighbourhood far from the centre, impresses with its greenhouses full of flowers and exotic plants. You can book your ticket here.

• Primrose Hill: located on a hill near Camden, it is perfect for a picnic with beautiful views of the city skyline.

27. Marylebone in London

Marylebone, a residential neighbourhood of Victorian architecture full of boutiques, small bookshops, charming mews, quality restaurants and trendy cafes, is another gem to see in London.
Located south of Regent's Park, this quiet neighbourhood, where celebrities such as Madonna, Paul McCartney and John Lennon have lived, has managed to stay away from mass tourism and although it has some points of interest such as Langham Place, the Sherlock Holmes Statue, John Lenon's house or St. James Catholic Church, the best thing to do is to stroll around it. Although it has some points of interest such as Langham Place, the Sherlock Holmes Statue, John Lenon's house or St. James Catholic Church, the best thing to do is to stroll around its streets such as Marylebone High Street and visit its most emblematic shops such as the Edwardian-style bookshop Daunt Books, the Paul Rothe & Son delicatessen or the Wilkin & Sons jam jar shop.

Marylebone Quarter

28. Little Venice

Having a delicious cake for breakfast at Clifton Nurseries' greenhouse café and then strolling along the banks of the canals of Little Venice is another of the best things to do in London.
This area, formed by the confluence of the Grand Union Canal and the Regent's Canal, has numerous boats moored here, which are used as homes, cafes or tourist accommodation, including the Puppet Barge, which houses a puppet theatre, and the Waterside Canal Boat Cafe.
After the walk, we recommend taking a boat to Camden Market in about 50 minutes for a unique perspective of Little Venice.

Little Venice

29. London Museums

In addition to the magnificent British Museum and the Natural History Museum, there are other museums to visit in London with great collections and true benchmarks in their fields.
Among the best museums in London, most of which are free of charge, are:

• National Gallery: the large collection of paintings by great geniuses such as Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Velázquez, Goya, are reason enough to enter.

• Science Museum: it contains objects and inventions that changed history, such as the Apollo X module, Foucault's pendulum, Boulton and Watt's steam engine, the Earl of Roses telescope and a large exhibition of aeroplanes.

• Victoria and Albert Museum: the world's largest museum of art and design has an impressive collection of curious and valuable objects from all corners of the world.

• Tate Modern: the most visited modern art museum in the world, in addition to its extravagant works, it has an incredible observation deck on the top floor.

• Madame Tussauds: the world's most famous waxwork museum and its reproductions of famous people are so lifelike that you'll wonder if it isn't them in person. You can book your ticket here.

Tate Modern

30. Leake Street Tunnel

Behind the London Eye, underneath Waterloo train station, is the Leake Street Tunnel, an abandoned railway tunnel with walls full of graffiti that has become one of the most curious sights to see in London.
Although the tunnel is a bit abandoned and we don't recommend going at night because of the poor lighting, we found it to be a different place with some of the most spectacular street art in the city, such as the huge graffiti that covers the ceiling and that we're sure will fill your Instagram with likes.

Leaker Street Tunnel

31. St Dunstan's in the East

Taking a picnic on one of the benches at St Dunstan in the East, a magical garden set among the ruins of an old church, is another of London's best experiences.
This church, which suffered the misfortune of the Great Fire of London and after its reconstruction was hit by a German bomb during World War II, was left in its current state, something that has turned it into an oasis of peace thanks to its photogenic ruins and greenery.

As you leave the church, you can walk within minutes to the monument dedicated to the Great Fire of London, a 61-metre Doric column that honours the 1666 disaster that destroyed the centre of the city.

St. Dunstan's in the East

32. Thames Cruise

To end this list of must-see places to visit in London in a relaxed way, we suggest you take a cruise on the Thames to enjoy a unique perspective of the city.
These cruises departing from the pier near Westminster Bridge allow you to cruise along a stretch of the river and see buildings located near the shore such as the London Eye, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, The Shard, the Millennium Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral.
One of the best options is to book this sunset cruise which includes canapés, champagne and live music, or this one with dinner and live music.
If you want the option of getting off at a stop, you can take the 24-hour sightseeing boat.

Thames River Cruise

Frequently asked questions about London

How much time do I need to see London?
Although London is a never-ending city with long distances between the different points of interest, we think that 4 or 5 days are enough to enjoy the best London experiences and have a good first contact with the city.

How to get around London?
The quickest and most convenient way to get around London is by tube, which stops close to all the most important places to see in London, although buses and taxis are also practical depending on the time of day and destination. To pay on the tube, we recommend using a contactless N26 or Revolut card, which costs a maximum of £6.50 per day (valid for zones 1-2) and you can make as many journeys as you like, so just 3 journeys a day will give you a good return on your money.

What's the most beautiful thing about London?
If you have less time and can't complete this list of the 32 most beautiful places in London, our top 10 would be: Camden, Notting Hill, London Bridge, Big Ben, Hyde Park, Westminster Abbey, British Museum, Trafalgar Square, St Paul's Cathedral and The Shard.

Where to stay in London

On our last trip we stayed at the Garden Court Hotel, located very close to Notting Hill and Hyde Park. For us it is highly recommended, as well as being in a nice neighbourhood with a wide range of restaurants, it is very close to the Circle Line (Bayswater) and the Queensway Line (Central Line), which allows you to visit most of the important places in the city.
Two other excellent accommodations near Notting Hill and Paddington Station are the Lancaster Gate Hotel and the NOX Notting Hill.
Two other good value-for-money options close to Victoria Station are The Belgrave Hotel and the Victor Hotel.

For more information about the best hotels and neighbourhoods we recommend you to check this post about where to stay in London.