13 Best Things to See & Do in London

London is such a large and fast-paced city, with so much to see and do. If you’re struggling with where to start, these are the best things to see and do in London!

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British monarch and is one of the most iconic landmarks in London. Since 1837 it has been home to the British Royal Family, and contains 775 rooms and the largest private garden in London. Visitors can watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony, take tours of the palace’s State Rooms, or stroll through the palace’s gardens.

The London Eye

Originally constructed to celebrate the millennium, the London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel that offers stunning views of the city from above. Each rotation takes about 30 minutes, and visitors can book private capsules or even a champagne experience.

The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben

The Houses of Parliament is the seat of the UK government and is a stunning example of Gothic architecture. The iconic clock tower known as Big Ben is one of London’s most recognizable landmarks. You can also find Westminster Abbey here.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

St. Paul’s Cathedral is an iconic church that was designed by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666. Visitors can take guided tours of the cathedral and climb the 528 steps to the top of the dome for panoramic views of the city.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden is a popular shopping and entertainment district that is home to some of London’s best restaurants (try the pasta at Bancone), theaters, and street performers. Browse the shops, see a show, or simply soak up the atmosphere of this bustling district.

Hyde park

Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in London, and over the years has hosted a number of demonstrations and protests. The park’s famous Speaker’s Corner is still used today. It’s a beautiful park to walk around. Head to the Serpentine water area and walk by the swans.

Camden Markets

A must-visit for foodies, you’ll find so many great eateries at Camden Market. Along with street food from international cuisines, there are also lots of stalls selling trinkets, vintage clothing and artwork. After you’ve explored, walk down to Camden Lock to relax by the canal. You can also walk along the water all the way to King’s Cross.

Visit the Museums

London has so many great museums, many of which are free. Lot’s of them are located on Exhibition Road in South Kensington.

The British Museum is a world-renowned museum that is home to over 8 million artifacts from all over the world. Some of its most famous exhibits include the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, and the mummies from ancient Egypt. This is a must-visit museum in London!

The National Gallery is one of the world’s most famous art museums and is home to over 2,300 paintings from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Some of the museum’s most famous works include Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Botticelli’s Venus and Mars, and Leonardo da Vinci’s The Virgin of the Rocks.

The Tate Modern is a popular museum of modern and contemporary art, and is located in a former power station on the banks of the River Thames. It features works by some of the most important artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The Natural History Museum is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in the natural world. It is home to a collection of over 80 million specimens, including dinosaur skeletons, animal specimens, and plant specimens.

Tower of London

The Tower of London is an iconic fortress that has served as a palace, prison, and place of execution throughout its history. It is home to the Crown Jewels, and visitors can take guided tours of the tower and its grounds. It get’s busy, so we’d recommend heading straight to the Crown Jewels as soon as you get in.

Kings Cross

King’s Cross train station has been around since 1852, and is one of the city’s busiest stations. But of course, it’s known best as the station from the Harry Potter series. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, visit Platform 9 ¾ in real life here.

Oxford Street

Oxford Street is one of the best places to shop in London. It’s also the busiest, and receives over 500,000 visitors every day across the hundreds of shops there. Here you’ll find the department stores like Debenhams and Selfridges, along with various boutiques. Make sure you continue to Bond Street, which is another popular shopping street and is home to a lot of the designer stores.

Walk along South Bank

No trip to London would be complete without a walk along the south side of the Thames. Start at Big Ben and cross Westminster Bridge, looking back as you go to see some of the best views of the Houses of Parliament. Walk past the London Eye and up to Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe theater. Here you’ll get some great views across the river of St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. Take a lunch break at Borough Market where you’ll fund some great food stalls. Just go early or prepare for crowds!

Visit Harrods

Harrods is the one of the most famous department stores in the world, and you’ll find it right in the heart of London, situated in Knightsbridge. It’s been around for almost 200 years, and is a shopping-lovers dream. The store is huge, and even if you’re not into shopping, it’s worth a walk through just to admire the floors of designer clothing and accessories, along with the delicious food options. It contains over 20 restaurants and cafes, and the Food Hall is definitely worth a visit.

Enjoy London!