24 Places to Visit in London

Traveling to London soon? Be sure to include a few of these popular sites in your visit. We have added a few off the beaten path spots that we enjoyed too! The listing is in no particular order. Do you have a place we forgot or didn't include? Send it to us in our chat or to our contact form.

#1- Buckingham Palace

The Buckingham Palace is truly a regal and historic site to visit. It was built in 1703 and the Royal family has resided in it since 1837. Lavishly decorated, it has sweeping staircases, stunning rooms, fine art decorates its walls. Tours are available usually in late July through early October when the Royal family are vacationing.

#4- Tower Bridge

This bridge is often confused with the London Bridge, which has no towers. The Tower Bridge has a walkway joining the two towers, which you can view with entrance tickets and learn more about its history. Go to the top to stand on the glass bottom and see great views of London.

#7 - Westminster Abbey

This amazing historic site is a beauty with Gothic style architecture and stained glass windows. Built in 1065, every monarch has been crowned while sitting in the famous wooden Coronation Chair in St. George's Chapel. Many British monarchs' tombs are here and 16 royal weddings have also taken place within these walls. Tour lines can be long, so purchase your tickets in advance.

#10 - SOHO Neighborhood

Bordering SOHO is Oxford Street, one of the busiest streets in London due to the many shops that line it. You can find stores from affordable high street fashion chains to exclusive designer names, sometimes with lower prices than you’ll find elsewhere. This is where you come to do some serious shopping!

#13 - Hyde Park

Hyde Park is where you come to reconnect with nature. The park spreads across 350 acres and has a history of political rallies and marches. It is also a great place to get some exercise whether walking, cycling, swimming, roller skating or ice skating in the winter. Several cafes are available for eats too.

#16 - St. Paul's Cathedral

This is the place of Princess Diana's royal wedding. The cathedral has been around since the 1600s. It has an impressive dome to visit if you can climb the 259 steps to the Whispering Galley, then 117 more to the Stone Gallery and another 150 steps to the Golden Gallery. It houses many religious arts and fresco ceilings.

#19 - Windsor Castle

Home to King Charles, and final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II, Windsor Castle celebrates a 950-year history. Tours are available to see many State Rooms, Queen Mary's Dollhouse - the largest in the world, The Moat Room and St. George's Chapel. See many works of art found in the Royal Collection and view the gardens.

#22 - Speakeasies

Speakeasies are becoming all the rage in many cities across the world and London is no exception. Try the Discount Suit Company, Happiness Forgets, Callooh Callay, and the Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town. Other cool spots include Tonight Josephine - Shoreditch, Eastcheap Records, Nightjar-Shoreditch, Swift Soho, The Cocktail Club, The Connaught Bar and Sexy Fish.

#2 - The London Eye

The London Eye is still a very popular attraction 24 years after its inauguration in December 1999. The gigantic wheel is 443 feet tall and has 32 enclosed glass pods. It takes about 30 minutes for a full rotation. It's best to get your tickets for this attraction ahead of time.

#5 - Tower of London

The Tower of London is a must-see and it's the first of all the palaces to be built in London. It has several components including the torture chambers, the Traitor's Gate, the Bloody Tower, a chapel, and home to the Crown Jewels. Make sure to get your tickets to tour this historic majestic site.

#8 - Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus is a buzzing neighborhood with shops, restaurants and bars. This place is lively day and night, and also is where several theaters are located. The Shaftesbury Memorial Statue sits in the middle of the main section of Piccadilly Circus. Go to shop, eat, catch a show or just people-watch.

#11 - British Museum

The British Museum is huge! It houses more than 8 million objects which celebrating history, culture and art. To see everything would take hours. This museum also is home to the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles.

#14 - The National Gallery

One of the best museums in London is The National Gallery. Located in Trafalgar Square, it houses the National Portrait Gallery along with other great works of art from a variety of painters and artists and artwork from the 13th - 19th centuries. And best of all, it's free to enter.

#17 - Sky Garden

The Sky Garden is a great place to visit for a view of London in a cool atmosphere. Sitting atop the Fenchurch Building, it offers three restaurants and two bars surrounded by a beautiful rooftop garden. Book in advance as entry may be difficult especially on the weekends.

#20 - Leicester Square

This bustling square has been around since 1670 and is known for its movie theaters and shows. It hosts more than 50 celebrity-filled red carpet events a year. And is also known for the kid-friendly shops like the M&M store and the LEGO store.

#23 - Restaurants

Who said London had bad food? The folks of Great Britain have flipped this reputation as there are many fabulous restaurants with great food offerings in London today. Some we recommend: sketch, Shack-Fuyu Soho, Amazonico, Dishoom, Sa7ra, The Breakfast Club, 14 Hills, Circolo Popolare, Inamo, and The Ivy Asia House. Call ahead for reservations to be sure you can get a seat.

#3 - The Shard

The Shard is the tallest skyscraper in London. It has indoor observation points on the 66th and 68th floors, and open air observation deck on the 72nd floor. There are also several bars and restaurants, which you should make reservations to beforehand, but offer walk-ins. You will need to purchase tickets to see the observation levels.

#6 - Tate Modern

The Tate Modern is one of the four Tate galleries in the United Kingdom. It features both modern and contemporary work from artists worldwide. Turbine Hall runs the length of the building and displays very large art installations and sculptures. If you love modern art, you will want to visit this museum.

#9 - Big Ben

Big Ben and the House of Parliament are both quite iconic and a signature of the London skyline. Tours are available for the House of Parliament, and you can now climb the 334-step spiral staircase to the top of the Elizabeth Tower (aka Big Ben).

#12 - Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum is one of the more eclectic museums and is home to more than 4 million works of art. There are many examples of decorative art and the museum celebrates human creativity. Be sure to set aside a few hours to visit this museum.

#15 - Trafalgar Square

Named after the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar when the British defeated Napoleon's army, a statute commemorating Horatio Nelson stands in the middle of the square with two large fountains and four lion statues. It is also home to The National Gallery. It's a great place to people-watch!

#18 - Borough Market

The Borough Market is the oldest and largest market in London dating back to the 13th century. Offering all types of international cuisine from cafes, restaurants, food stalls and food trucks, it is definitely a foodie's paradise! This market open daily until 5pm and is closed on Sundays. A great place to visit for lunch!

#21 - Uber Water Taxi

Take a ride down the Thames River via the Uber Boats. With the London card, you can purchase tickets at a discount. The water taxi stops at several popular destinations along the river and is a convenient way to get around.

#24 - Somerset House

An elegant eighteenth-century landmark and cultural hub. It sits on the north side of Waterloo Bridge and hosts several art exhibitions and live gigs, fountains in the summer. It includes the Courtauld Gallery and temporary exhibitions in the Embankment Galleries. Grab a great cup of coffee at the WatchHouse.