25 Best Things to Do in London
London rewards both first-time visitors and people coming back for the fifth time. The city has more free world-class museums than anywhere on earth, a food scene that has changed beyond recognition in the last decade, and neighborhoods with completely different personalities 10 minutes apart on the Tube. Here are the 25 best things to do — from the landmarks everyone should see once to the spots locals actually go.
Iconic Landmarks
1. Tower of London
A 1,000-year-old fortress that has been a royal palace, prison, and execution site. The Crown Jewels are here — the queue moves faster than it looks. The Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tours are free with admission and are the best storytelling you will get at any London attraction. Book morning entry to avoid afternoon crowds. Allow 3-4 hours.
2. Westminster Abbey
Every coronation since 1066 has happened here, and it holds the tombs of 17 monarchs, Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, and Charles Dickens. The Poets' Corner alone is worth the entry fee. Audio guide included. Sunday services are free but you cannot tour the building during worship. Book timed entry online — walk-ups face long queues.
3. Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard
The Changing of the Guard happens most days at 11 AM (check the official schedule — it varies by season). Stand at the Victoria Memorial for the best view. The State Rooms open to visitors during summer (late July through September) with timed entry. The surrounding St James's Park is one of London's prettiest green spaces — walk through it afterward.
4. Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
The Palace of Westminster is best seen from Westminster Bridge or the South Bank. Guided tours of the interior run on Saturdays and during parliamentary recesses — book well ahead. Big Ben (the bell, technically — the tower is the Elizabeth Tower) is the most photographed landmark in London. The view from the bridge at sunset is the classic shot.
5. St Paul's Cathedral
Christopher Wren's masterpiece and the site of royal weddings and state funerals. Climb the 528 steps to the Golden Gallery for one of London's best panoramic views (the Whispering Gallery at the halfway point is worth a stop — whisper against the wall and someone on the opposite side can hear you). Entry includes a guided tour and audio guide.
Free Museums
6. British Museum
The Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, Egyptian mummies, and 8 million other objects spanning human history. You cannot see everything in a day — pick 3-4 galleries and go deep. The Great Court (the glass-roofed central hall) is worth seeing as architecture alone. Free timed-entry tickets are recommended but not always required. The museum shop is excellent.
7. National Gallery
Over 2,300 paintings from the 13th to 20th century, including works by Van Gogh, Monet, Turner, Rembrandt, and Leonardo da Vinci. Sits on Trafalgar Square, making it easy to combine with a walk through the West End. The Impressionist rooms (upstairs, east wing) are the most popular. Free lunchtime talks run most weekdays.
8. Tate Modern
A former power station on the South Bank now housing one of the world's best modern art collections — Warhol, Rothko, Picasso, Hockney. The Turbine Hall hosts massive temporary installations that are free and often spectacular. The viewing platform on the 10th floor has panoramic views across the river to St Paul's. Walk across the Millennium Bridge from St Paul's to get there.
9. Natural History Museum
The building itself — a Romanesque cathedral of terracotta — is as impressive as its collection. The blue whale skeleton in Hintze Hall, the earthquake simulator, and the dinosaur gallery are the highlights. Timed-entry tickets are free but required on weekends and school holidays. In South Kensington, a short walk from the V&A and Science Museum.
Neighborhoods and Markets
10. Borough Market
London's oldest food market (1,000+ years in some form). Over 100 stalls selling everything from British cheese and sourdough to Ethiopian injera and Spanish paella. Go hungry. Thursday through Saturday is the full market; Wednesday is a smaller version. Arrive before 11 AM or after 2 PM to avoid the worst crowds. Nearby: the Shard, Southwark Cathedral, and the start of the South Bank walk.
11. South Bank Walk
Walk along the Thames from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge — one of the best urban walks in the world. You pass the London Eye, Southbank Centre, the National Theatre, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, Borough Market, and City Hall. The full walk takes about an hour without stops but plan half a day with diversions. Best in the afternoon when the light hits the north bank.
12. Notting Hill and Portobello Road
Portobello Road Market runs Saturday mornings with antiques, vintage clothing, street food, and the pastel-colored houses that made the neighborhood famous. The antiques section is at the Notting Hill Gate end; street food stalls cluster under the Westway flyover. Wander the surrounding streets for independent bookshops, cafes, and the filming locations from the Hugh Grant movie.
13. Shoreditch and Brick Lane
East London's creative quarter. Brick Lane has the best curry houses in London (and the best bagels — Beigel Bake, open 24 hours). The surrounding streets are covered in street art that changes weekly. Sunday is the Brick Lane Market (vintage, vinyl, food). Boxpark Shoreditch and Spitalfields Market are nearby for more food and shopping.
Experiences and Tours
14. West End Theatre
London's theatre district rivals Broadway and tickets are often cheaper. Long-running shows (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked) run alongside new productions. The TKTS booth in Leicester Square sells same-day discounted tickets. Matinees (Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday) are usually cheaper than evening shows. Book at least a week ahead for popular shows.
15. Walking Tours
London's best-value activity. Harry Potter walking tours cover filming locations across the city. Jack the Ripper tours explore Whitechapel after dark. Royal London tours cover the palaces and parks. Ghost tours, pub tours, and Beatles tours are all available. Most run 2-3 hours and cost less than a museum entry fee. See our Harry Potter walking tour guide and browse our walking tours page.
16. Afternoon Tea
A proper afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and pastries is a quintessentially English experience. The Ritz, Claridge's, and The Savoy are the most famous (book months ahead). More affordable options include The Orangery at Kensington Palace and Sketch (known for its pink Gallery room). Budget around £50-80 per person at the high end, £30-45 at mid-range spots.
17. Thames River Cruise
See London from the water — cruises run between Westminster, the Tower of London, and Greenwich. The Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is the commuter version (cheapest, no commentary, Oyster card accepted) and covers the same route. Evening dinner cruises add a different perspective with the city lit up. Greenwich-bound services pass through the Thames Barrier.
Parks and Green Spaces
18. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
350 acres of green space in central London. Hyde Park has the Serpentine lake (rowing boats in summer, the Serpentine Gallery for free exhibitions), Speakers' Corner (Sunday mornings), and the Diana Memorial Fountain. Kensington Gardens has Kensington Palace (where Princess Diana lived) and the Albert Memorial. A full loop walk takes about 90 minutes.
19. Hampstead Heath
The most "countryside" feel you can get in London — 790 acres of rolling hills, ancient woodland, and swimming ponds. Parliament Hill gives the best panoramic view of the London skyline. The mixed and single-sex bathing ponds are open year-round (serious swimmers only in winter). Kenwood House at the top of the Heath has a free art collection including a Vermeer. Take the Northern Line to Hampstead.
Food and Drink
20. Pub Culture
A London pub is not just a bar — it is a living room, a meeting point, and often a building with 200+ years of history. The Lamb and Flag in Covent Garden, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese near Fleet Street, and The Churchill Arms in Kensington are among the most atmospheric. Sunday roast in a pub is one of the best meals in England. Check our pub tours page for guided options.
21. Street Food Markets
Beyond Borough Market: Maltby Street Market (smaller, less crowded, Saturday/Sunday), Camden Market (food stalls alongside vintage shops), Broadway Market in Hackney (Saturday, local favorite), and Mercato Metropolitano near Elephant & Castle (daily, diverse cuisines under one roof). London's street food scene is one of the best in Europe.
Day Trips
22. Stonehenge and Bath
The most popular day trip from London combines Stonehenge (timed entry, book ahead) with the Roman Baths in Bath (a UNESCO World Heritage city). Guided coach tours cover both in a single day. Self-drive or train to Bath (90 minutes from Paddington) with a Stonehenge detour works too. Bath's Georgian architecture, the Royal Crescent, and the Thermae Bath Spa are all worth time. Read our day trips from London guide.
23. Oxford
One hour from Paddington. The Bodleian Library, Christ Church college (Harry Potter's Great Hall), and the covered market are the highlights. A guided walking tour is the best way to access the colleges and hear the stories behind them. See our Oxford vs Cambridge comparison.
24. Cambridge
Fifty minutes from King's Cross. Punting on the River Cam past King's College Chapel is the signature experience. The Fitzwilliam Museum is free and rivals many London galleries. A combined walking and punting tour covers the highlights in half a day. See our Cambridge punting guide.
25. Windsor Castle
The oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and the late Queen's preferred weekend residence. The State Apartments, St George's Chapel (where Harry and Meghan married), and the Changing of the Guard (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) are the highlights. Windsor is the shortest day trip from London — 30 minutes by train from Paddington.
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