In this article, we present the 20 best things to do in London, this enchanting English city that is well worth visiting.
1. Visiting Buckingham Palace in London
When it comes to London, the royal family is undoubtedly one of the first things that comes to mind. With that in mind, we open this list of the 20 best things to do in London with Buckingham Palace, which is home to the British royal family.
The palace can be seen “from the outside” for most of the year, but during the summer vacations, when the royals go on vacation, it is possible to enter some rooms. However, even if you only see the outside of the palace, it’s well worth the experience, as the air of the old monarchy is still preserved there.
In addition, it is in front of the palace that the famous changing of the royal guard takes place, every day in May and July, in front of the palace. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best things to do in London.
Important tip: London is a city that has many museums, attractions and tours. Always buy the tickets in advance. We always buy everything on this website that has the best price.
2. Admire the Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of the great symbols of the city and began to be built in 1078 by William of Normandy, the first Norman king in England. The tower houses a wide variety of relics, such as the British Crown Jewels.
It was also used as a prison and place of execution, where Queen Anne Boleyn was beheaded on charges of treason against her husband, King Henry VIII, founder of the Anglican Church.
3. Going to the British Museum in London
This incredible museum holds one of the most important collections on the planet, with more than 7 million objects dating from Ancient Egypt to Renaissance art.
The British Museum was founded in 1753 and receives countless visitors every year. One of the museum’s treasures is the Rosetta Stone, which contains interesting Egyptian hieroglyphics. Best of all, admission is free.
It’s also worth remembering that you can take photographs of the whole place, as long as they are all without flash.
- Planning a trip? Then find out where to stay in London, with tips on the best areas and how to find excellent accommodation in England’s capital.
4. Visit the National Gallery in London
The National Gallery is one of the most famous and visited museums in the world. It is free to enter and houses a rich collection of more than 2,300 paintings, dating from the 13th century to the early 20th century.
You’re sure to be enchanted by the richness of the National Gallery, which houses works by the iconic Monet, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, Jan van Eyck, Toulouse-Lautrec, Botticelli, Renoir, Gauguin, Rubens, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Pablo Picasso and many others.
5. Visit Westminster Abbey in London
This famous place in the English capital was built in the 10th century and marks the country’s history as the church where Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953 and where the royal family weddings take place. In addition, the place has many works of art.
That’s why a visit to Westminster Abbey is a must on your trip to learn more about the history and culture of the English people.
The entrance is open from Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. But it’s important to remember that you have to get to the Abbey early, as it’s one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city and there are always long queues in the morning.
Important tip: To make the most of your trip is to stay in the best region. If you want, see our article here that explains the best area, hotels and how to save a lot on accommodation.
6. Riding the London Eye Ferris wheel in London
This other postcard of the English city is also one of the 20 best things to do in London. The London Eye Ferris wheel was inaugurated in 2000 and is 121 meters high, making it a symbol of the modernity of England’s capital.
A ride on this delightful Ferris wheel takes around 30 minutes and the view of the city from the top is simply incredible, plus its cabins can hold up to 25 people. And don’t forget to take lots of photos as souvenirs.
7. Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral in London
This church is one of the most beautiful in the entire capital of England and is a great architectural icon of the city. St. Paul’s Cathedral in London dates back to the 17th century and is located on Ludgate Hill.
The Cathedral is enchanting for its history and beauty, and even houses the second largest dome in the world (surpassed only by St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican).
8. Visit the Tate Modern Museum in London
Among the top 20 things to do in London is the Tate Modern. The museum is considered to be one of the largest modern art museums in Europe. It is part of a complex made up of 4 galleries and has 7 floors, having been created in the structures of a disused power station.
The Tate Modern features works of art by incredible painters such as Picasso, Mondrian, Monet and many others. Something really cool about the museum is that it offers a free exhibition of most of the permanent pieces and, to see the temporary pieces, you have to buy a ticket.
9. Walking around Big Ben Tower in London
Still close to Westminster Abbey, you can take the opportunity to visit one of the city’s most famous landmarks: Big Ben.
The tour of Big Ben starts from the outside, where you can photograph the building and the River Thames. A great thing about this tourist attraction is that you can visit the sections of Parliament for free, as long as there is a plenary session on the day.
Also, if you visit the English capital in the summer, our tip is to take a guided tour inside Big Ben to learn about its history and importance for the whole of the United Kingdom, passing by the Royal Gallery and Westminster Hall.
10. Go to London Bridge
Tower Bridge is a great symbol of the city that has appeared in films and song lyrics. This bridge was inaugurated in 1894 with the aim of connecting the west and east of the city without hindering maritime traffic.
This is one of those tourist spots where taking a camera is essential! Get ready to take lots of pictures and videos of the beautiful landscape and this is one of the top 20 things to do in London.
11. Visit the Natural History Museum in London
This is another of the 20 best things to do in London that you must see. Strolling through the Natural History Museum, you and your family will be able to learn a lot about dinosaurs, the Animal World and the history of Man.
The museum was founded in 1881 and has a rich collection of over 70 million items, one of the most memorable being a specimen of the Tyrannosaurus Rex.
12. Visit Kensington Palace in London
The royal residence is located in Kensington Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London. The Palace was opened in 1605 and has hosted generations of the royal family since 1689. Among its residents are Princess Margaret, sister of Queen Elizabeth II, and the royal couple Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Secure your ticket here.
13. Visit Oxford Street in London
Oxford Street is a London street with the best department stores in the English capital, as well as restaurants, pubs, nightclubs and cafés. It’s very busy and typical, the kind where you can walk around, take lots of photos and feel one of the city’s most vibrant areas. Without a doubt, it’s an indispensable item on the list of the 20 best things to do in London.
14. Eat at Borough Market in London
Borough Market is one of London’s oldest and largest markets. It’s perfect for those who like to enjoy the cuisine of different countries, where you can find typical sweets, jams, cold cuts, sausages, seafood, drinks and much more.
15. Shopping in London
Another tip for enjoying the city is to go shopping in London. You can start by going to the city’s largest department store, Harrods, which has been in business since 1849 and is located in the Brompton Road area.
This giant store has five floors with incredible brands such as Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Just Cavalli, Stella McCartney, Vera Wang, ToyWatch, Paul Smith, Princese TamTam and Creme de la Mer.
Another department store not to be missed is Selfridges, which opened in 1909 and carries incredible products from Miu Miu, Alexander McQueen, Nine West, Vivienne Westwood, Stella Mc Cartney, Billabong, Michael Kors, Burberry, Prada and Helmut Lang.
16. Walking through Hyde Park in London
Among the 20 best things to do in London, don’t miss Hyde Park, one of the most beautiful parks in the whole of England. There you can walk, play sports and admire the beautiful scenery.
The park was opened in 1637 and is one of Londoners’ favorite places to enjoy the sun, have picnics, take their children and pets for a walk.
One of the great things about Hyde Park is that it has a great infrastructure, with cafés and restaurants. Another attraction is that you can go horseback riding, carriage rides and even pedalos. And, if you wish, you can rent reclining chairs to relax and enjoy the scenery.
17. Walking through Regent’s Park in London
The park is located right in the center of London and is very popular in the city. There you’ll find a lake with boats, a bike track, an open-air theater and the interesting London Zoo.
18. Going to Trafalgar Square in London
Trafalgar Square is one of the most famous squares in all of London. It is located right in the center of the city and was created as a tribute to the victory of the British Royal Navy at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Right in the center of the square, you’ll find a huge column, which is called Nelson’s Column because at the tip is a statue of Admiral Nelson. He was the leader of the British navy off the coast of Cádiz, Spain, where the Cape of Trafalgar is located.
As well as being an important landmark in history and one of the top 20 things to do in London, Trafalgar Square is home to various events in the city, such as the erection of the city’s Christmas Tree.
19. Stopby Piccadilly Circus in London
One of the 20 best things to do in London is to walk around Piccadilly Circus. This square is well known in the city and is a tourist attraction that has appeared in several films. It is where Regent Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Piccadilly and Haymarket intersect.
20. Visit the Warner Bros Harry Potter studios in London
If you’re traveling with the family or if you’re a passionate fan of the Harry Potter saga, a visit to the Warner Bros studios is a great idea. There you’ll see preserved sets from the films and many other objects used in the shootings, as well as revealing various secrets and curiosities about the filming of this classic.
Save money on tickets to attractions in London
A very good tip for planning your London sightseeing is to list all the museums, indoor parks and other attractions you want to see. From there, just go to this London Ticket Site and check the price of the tickets.
Save money on your trip to London:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to London cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: We always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in London. You will find out the best area, the hotels that we have stayed there and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one, from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
