Ah, London. Just the name sounds fashionable and luxurious. London. It’s a city that’s at the top of many travelers’ to-do lists, and for good reason. With its unique blend of history and modernity, culture and innovation, London ranks among the greatest cities in the world. It is certainly one of my favorite cities, and despite having been several times, I always find new reasons to go back.
With endless things to see and do, you could never possibly experience everything London has to offer in one trip. I’ve been dozens of times, and still feel like I have only scratched the surface. I am not an expert on London by any stretch, and this post is not a be-all-end-all guide to the city; nor is it an “off-the-beaten-path” guide. Instead, it is a list of the top attractions that shouldn’t be missed on your first visit.
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
Well, obviously no trip to London would be complete without a picture of the iconic bell tower. I mean, without that Instagram, did you even go? But seriously, this structure is stunning. I like to recommend it as a first stop after you arrive because when you look at the clock, you can’t help but think, “Wow, I’m really in England!” Big Ben is actually the name of the bell. The tower is called the Elizabeth Tower after the queen herself.
For the best view of the Houses of Parliament (in my opinion), cross Westminster Bridge, then turn right (the opposite side of the London Eye) and go down the stairs. For whatever reason, this side of the bridge is way less crowded than the other side, and is a great picture spot.
Westminster Abbey
Right next to the Houses of Parliament is the spectacular Westminster Abbey. This abbey church has a remarkable history, dating all the way back to the Norman Conquest, and is the burial site for many of England’s greatest monarchs, writers, scientists, and other memorable figures. This is also where most of England’s monarchs have been coronated and married. At the time of writing, entrance into the abbey costs 27 GBP (34 USD), but if you attend one of their daily worship services, you can enter for free.
Walk along South Bank
When you have had enough history, cross Westminster Bridge and spend some time strolling along South Bank. This is one of my favorite spots in all of London. Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, it’s touristy, but I love it anyway! With the Thames on your left and a number of restaurants, theaters, and galleries on your right, this is a great spot to people watch and simply enjoy being in a new place. Along the way, you’ll pass the London Eye, the Tate Modern, and Shakespeare’s Globe. An art gallery and a theater. No wonder I love if so much!
Tower Bridge and the Tower of London
If you’re up for it, you can cut through Borough Market (maybe grabbing a snack while you’re there!) and continue your walk all the way to Tower Bridge. Cross this magnificent bridge and stop by the Tower of London. The Tower is a history lover’s dream. Built by William the Conqueror in the early 1080’s, the Tower of London is your venue to see ghastly torture rooms, walls of armor and weapons, and the Crown Jewels. Get the full grisly history of the Tower with a guided tour led by the “Beefeaters” (included in the admission price). Tickets cost 30 GBP (38 USD).
Buckingham Palace
You can’t leave London without visiting the royal family. Buckingham Palace is only open to the public during the summer when the royals are not home. I finally got the chance to tour the palace on my most recent visit to London in 2022, and it was a really special experience! I don’t follow the royal family super closely, but I still really enjoyed it.
If you are visiting London at other times of the year, you can still visit the exterior of the palace and see the Changing of the Guard every day at 11:00. Now, I’ll be honest, the Changing of the Guard isn’t really that exciting, yet hundreds of people will stand outside the Palace for over an hour to get a good view. It’s up to you whether you think it is worth it to battle the crowds.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is an oasis of grass, trees, and flowers when you need to get away from the sprawling city. London has lots of great parks, but Hyde Park is my favorite. Bring a picnic and spend some time enjoying the lush gardens and idyllic fountains. Don’t miss the Princess Diana memorial fountain or Kensington Palace if you can’t get enough of the Royals.
Visit a museum
All of London’s most famous museums are totally free (woohoo!), so definitely visit some or all of them. The Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Science Museum are all within steps of Hyde Park. The National Gallery and the Tate Modern are the top two art galleries. And definitely don’t miss the British Museum, which is one of the largest and most spectacular museums in the world. In fact, it’s so big, it can be a little overwhelming. You could easily spend an entire day here or more, but if that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, the British Museum recommends hitting up these 14 artifacts if you only want to spend an hour in the museum. Personally, my favorite exhibit is the Sutton Hoo ship burial.
Take in the views
Whenever I visit a new city, I try to find a high spot to get a bird’s eye view. In London, the most famous places to get this panorama are the London Eye and the Shard. However, these attractions are both really expensive and not particularly exciting. I recommend the Sky Garden instead. Book your ticket online for free, then take the elevator up 35 floors to their beautiful garden above the city. Sip on a drink from one of the bars while you take in the views, or reserve a table at one of the restaurants for a full meal.
See a show
London has some of the best theater in the entire world. Seeing a show is an absolute must! West End typically puts on the most spectacular and well-known productions, but there are countless other options for theater enthusiasts. For a truly unique experience, see a show in Shakespeare’s Globe. For only 5-10 GBP, you can stand with the groundlings and see one of the Bard’s masterpieces as it was meant to be seen!
Phew! If this isn’t enough to keep you busy during your trip to London, I haven’t even mentioned all the great shopping and eating to be done. London is one of my favorite cities in the world, and I’m always excited to go back and discover a little bit more.
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