Welcome to London
Known for its rich history and architecture, London has bridged the gap to become a vibrant cultural hub with world-class museums, eateries, and performances.
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Things to do in London
Top 10 attractions in London
#1
Stonehenge
An archaeological marvel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the world’s most enigmatic tourist attractions, Stonehenge draws up to 1.3 million visitors annually. The site itself—a circle of gigantic stones standing in the heart of the English countryside—is made even more impressive by its mysterious history. Although Stonehenge’s original purpose remains unknown, onlookers gather to admire the 3,500-year-old structure and ponder its astronomical, spiritual, or even supernatural meaning.More
#2
Tower of London
From medieval torture to grim executions and infamous royal prisoners, the Tower of London has long found itself at the center of the city's dark history. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, the historic castle has served as a Royal Menagerie, Her Majesty's prison, an execution site, a royal observatory, a Royal Mint, and a military storehouse over the course of its existence.More
#3
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence and administrative office of the British royal family since the 19th century and is one of the few remaining working royal palaces in the world. Access for the public is limited and exclusive but worthwhile for those who arrange a visit.More
#4
London Eye
The London Eye offers unparalleled views of central London's world-famous landmarks from its prime location on the Thames River waterfront, opposite Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. The gigantic, 443-foot-high observation wheel was built to mark the millennium in 2000 and quickly became one of the most popular paid attractions in the United Kingdom.More
#5
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is the largest occupied castle in the world that is still used by the monarchy. Since William the Conqueror built a wooden fortress here over 900 years ago, this has been a royal palace and residence. Despite its daily use for royal business, much of the palace is open to the public and well worth a visit.More
#6
Westminster Abbey
A UNESCO World Heritage site, with a legacy dating back more than 1,000 years, Westminster Abbey is among London’s most historic landmarks. The Gothic church is best known for hosting headline-grabbing events involving the British royal family, such as the Queen’s coronation, Princess Diana's funeral, and Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding.More
#7
Houses of Parliament & Big Ben
Few landmarks epitomize central London as perfectly as Big Ben, the iconic clock tower of the Houses of Parliament that's officially known as Elizabeth Tower after Queen Elizabeth II. Heralding Great Britain's political nucleus in Westminster, Big Ben stands as the striking centerpiece of the Thames waterfront and is backed by the historic Palace of Westminster, home to the Houses of Parliament.More
#8
Tower Bridge
With its Gothic towers and central bascule flanked by dramatic suspension bridges, Tower Bridge is both a remarkable feat of engineering and one of London’s most instantly recognizable landmarks. The famous bridge is a popular subject of London postcards, leading many to mistake it for London Bridge, which is actually the next one upstream.More
#9
St. Paul's Cathedral
An architectural masterpiece with a magnificent dome, St. Paul's Cathedral is one of London’s most recognizable sites. The 17th-century cathedral boasts a rich history as host of the jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II, the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill.More
#10
Thames River
Flowing right through the heart of central London, the Thames River offers a dramatic backdrop to the city's famous skyline with landmarks lining its shores. Walk along the riverfront from Westminster to Tower Bridge and you'll pass London icons such as the London Eye, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral, Southbank, Shakespeare's Globe, and the London Bridge.More
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Things to do in London this...
London is moodily romantic in the fall—it's a great time to get cozy in a traditional pub, visit a museum (or several), or attend a candlelit classical concert. Don't forget to catch the Bonfire Night fireworks in early November.
London's gardens—from UNESCO-listed Kew to the Royal Parks—burst with blossoms in the spring. In between the April showers, stroll among the cultural attractions of the South Bank, embark on a Thames boat tour, and attend the annual Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race.
There's no shortage of things to do in London in the summer—from buzzing pub gardens to open-air theater, from park picnics to culinary walking tours, from Pride to the Notting Hill Carnival, the city is at its jubilant best.
Christmas is a magical time in London—from twinkling light displays and festive markets to choral performances and shopping excursions—while New Year's fireworks set the city aglow. In between, indulge in museum excursions, go ice skating, or catch a West End show.
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All about London
When to visit
Weather is unpredictable in London, but summer can bring the odd heatwave. When the weather's nice, expect crowds to spill out onto the streets outside Soho's pubs (even more so than usual) and outdoor attractions like the South Bank, Trafalgar Square, and the city's parks to be even busier than usual. This is typically the high season for tourism, so airfare and hotels tend to be pricier.
Fall is the wettest season in London, with October seeing the most rain and mist. Plan for indoor activities like the Tate Modern, or if the sun is out, check out Shakespeare’s Globe open-air theatre.
Winter starts out bustling with a festive holiday season. However, once the New Year rolls around, London sees its slowest two months. Those who brave the colder temperatures can avoid the crowds and get the best rates for London’s most popular activities.
Spring weather is sunny and rainy in equal measure, but that doesn’t stop Londoners from making the most of the long "bank holiday" weekends for Easter and at the beginning and end of May. The London Marathon also takes place in April, so avoid the streets—it may be your best time to take a Thames River boat tour.
Getting Around
Walking: London’s streets are long and windy, often with pedestrian alleys and paths branching off. This makes for a fun way to explore the city, with lots of hidden gems tucked away on side streets. But if you’re used to cities with grid layouts, you may want to bring a map to navigate your way around.
London Underground: Colloquially called the Tube, London’s subterranean train system is color coordinated, affordable, timely, and far-reaching. Pick up an Oyster Card, which you can load with money, and use for contactless payments in all of London’s Tube stations.
Bus: You’ve seen them in photos. London’s iconic red double-decker buses are a practical choice for getting around if you’d like to see the streets of London on your commute. Similar to the Tube, the London bus system operates on a color-coded line system and accepts Oyster Cards for quick boarding and payment. Top tip: Buses are cashless, so be sure to top up your Oyster Card or buy a ticket from a Tube or train station in advance.
Taxi: London’s black cabs can be found throughout the city and at major Tube stations and airports. These spacious cabs can fit up to five passengers in the back, as the cabs have two fold-down seats that face backwards.
Traveler tips
London’s city limits are vast, and there is so much to see in each part. Staying in a hotel or accommodation close to central London is your best bet for easy access to all the city has to offer.
While far from India, London has a large Indian community, which means that Indian cuisine is among the best food you can get in the city. To sample the best of the best, head to Brick Lane, a street in the East End famed for its curry houses. But before you dine out, don’t forget that the United Kingdom has its own currency, the British Pound, so put away those Euros for another time.
Time Zone
BST (UTC +1)
A local’s pocket guide to London
Emma Knock
One of those rare Londoners actually born in London, Emma is a writer who’s only two degrees of separation from both Kate Moss and the Queen.
The first thing you should do in London is...
get an Oyster card—buses are cashless and there’s no time to faff around with paper tickets at the tube station.
A perfect Saturday in London...
starts with brunch (Caravan in King’s Cross is my go-to), involves a trip to a museum (make it the V&A if there’s a special exhibition), and ends in Soho for dinner and drinks.
One touristy thing that lives up to the hype is...
St. Paul’s Cathedral. It’s beautiful inside and the view from the dome is worth the 550-step climb.
To discover the "real" London...
go to a market. I love Broadway Market in Hackney for its Victorian history and proximity to the Regent’s Canal.
For the best view of the city...
head to Primrose Hill or Greenwich Park to see the skyline, but walk along the South Bank for an up-close perspective.
One thing people get wrong...
is thinking Londoners are rude because we walk fast and avoid eye contact on the tube. Start a conversation outside a pub and you’ll find it’s generally not the case.
People Also Ask
What should you not miss in London?
London has many unmissable sights, including UNESCO-listed attractions such as Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and Big Ben. Go on a Thames River boat or hop-on hop-off bus tour to glimpse the highlights, and save time to visit other icons like the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye.
...MoreWhat is the most famous attraction in London?
Arguably the most famous attraction in London is Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, which stand overlooking the Thames River. That said, the city boasts many other iconic attractions, from Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London to Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, and Tower Bridge.
...MoreWhat do Londoners do for fun?
There are many ways Londoners like to let loose, from visiting in-demand restaurants in Soho to unwinding over pints in one of the city's historic pubs. Centrally located attractions like Borough Market and the Tate Modern are ever-popular, though residents also head to East London to discover the city's hippest neighborhoods.
...MoreWhat attractions can I see outside of London?
Many attractions are just a short distance outside of London. Discover royal landmarks such as Windsor Castle, Blenheim Palace, Hever Castle, and Leeds Castle, or plan a seaside excursion to Brighton, Whitstable, or Margate. Other highlights within day-trip distance include Stonehenge, Oxford, Cambridge, the Cotswolds, Bath, and Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare's birthplace).
...MoreIs 2 days enough for London?
Yes, two days is enough to discover London's highlights if you sightsee efficiently: Embark on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, a Central London walking tour, or a Thames boat trip to see more of the sights in less time. However, London's wealth of tourist attractions makes planning a longer visit worthwhile.
...MoreWhat attractions are free in London?
London offers a wealth of free attractions, including cultural destinations such as the British Museum, Tate Modern, National History Museum, and Victoria and Albert Museum. The city's Royal Parks are also free to explore, as are highlights like Trafalgar Square. Don't miss the free-to-view Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
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