22 Best Things to Do in London From Royal Visits to Magical Experiences

Klook Team

Last updated 10 May 2024

Must-see London attractions for first-time visitors

As one of the biggest cities in the world, London has more than its fair share of stunning attractions and exhilarating activities.

Retrace the steps of royals or check out modern and contemporary art, then immerse yourself in the magical world of Harry Potter! From royal castles and football stadiums to world-class theatres and impressive museums, there's an endless number of things to do in London — for history buffs, film lovers, sports fans, and everyone else in between.

Make up the itinerary that suits you best and enjoy a jolly good holiday with 22 of the best things to do in London:

1. Visit Buckingham Palace

If it's your first time visiting London, you shouldn't skip Buckingham Palace. It's one of the world's most famous landmarks! Visit and explore the State Rooms, walk up the Grand Staircase, and view the Queen's Gallery.

Check out the schedule before you go, so you can watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony, one of the best things to do in London.

Nearest station: St James's Park Station (Circle and District Lines)

2. Escape to the world of Harry Potter

Be transported into the world of Harry Potter on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour! Relive your fave scenes from the films as you ride the Hogwarts Express, explore the Gryffindor Common Room, walk down the Great Hall, and more.

Even if you haven't caught the Harry Potter films (you should), it's still fun to see movie magic in action from behind-the-scenes of special effects to impressive props. Tickets run out fast, so make sure to secure your entry online!

Nearest station: Watford Junction (West Coast Main Line)

3. Discover treasures at the British Museum

With artifacts dating back to two million years, the British Museum is an absolute must for history lovers. It was also featured in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb!

Its permanent exhibition, which boasts eight million works, is one of the biggest collections in the world. Inside the museum, you'll find the Rosetta Stone, the Bust of Ramesses the Great, Tree of Life, among other incredible historical pieces.

Klook Tip: Entry to most museums in London is free! This includes the British Museum, Natural History Museum, National Gallery, Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Just book your ticket on the official website in advance to secure your slot!

Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road (Northern and Central Lines)

4. Watch a show at West End

You don't need to fly to New York to watch stellar theatre performances. Located near Leicester Square and Covent Garden, West End boasts amazing shows like The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia! and Hamilton — all of which are within walking distance of one another!

Have the kids with you? Treat them to musicals like Frozen and Wicked for some family-friendly fun.

Nearest station: Leicester Square (Piccadilly and Northern Lines), Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly and Bakerloo Lines)

5. Soak in epic views from Sky Garden

Sky Garden is one of the best places to see the London's iconic skyline! It's the city's highest public garden, located on the 43rd floor of a building nicknamed "the walkie talkie" due to its odd shape. There are huge floor-to-ceiling glass windows, so you can spot all of London's attractions. The best part? Entry is free!

Klook Tip: Entry to the Sky Garden is free, so tickets get snapped up quick! Head to their website at least a month before your trip, in order to secure a slot.

Nearest station: Monument Station (District and Circle Lines)

6. Cross Tower Bridge

Visiting Tower Bridge is one of the best things to do in London. As one of the city's defining landmarks, it's a must-see! While you can cross the bridge for free, you'll need a Tower Bridge ticket if you want to access the 43-metre tall glass walkways, where you can take in panoramic views of the city. You'll also see the original Victorian steam engines used to raise the bridge along with interactive exhibits about its long history.

Nearest station: London Bridge Station (District and Circle Lines)

Keen to save money and time on the city's finest sights? Book the Klook Pass London and enjoy savings of up to 50% while enjoying access to the London Zoo, Tower Bridge, and of course, St. Paul's Cathedral. There's also the option to add day trips like Stonehenge and the Warner Bros Studio Tour.

7. Ride the London Eye

The London Eye is one of the top London attractions for a reason: the views must be seen to be believed. Over in the South Bank area at 135 metres high, you can soak up the sights of the London skyline as far as 25 kilometres away!

The London Eye offers unrivalled views of the city from different angles, so you can admire London in its full glory.

Nearest station: Waterloo Station (Jubilee, Bakerloo and Northern Lines)

8. Visit Windsor Castle

Get a glimpse of how the royals lived when you visit Windsor Castle. For over a millennia, the estate has served as the residence of the British monarchy, including Queen Elizabeth II, who calls it her favorite weekend home. Inside the castle, you'll find gilded rooms and walls decorated with artworks by Rembrandt, Rubens, and more. There's also the medieval St. George's Chapel, the venue of many royal weddings.

Nearest station: Windsor & Eton Central Station (Windsor Line)

9. Get an in-depth tour of the Arsenal Football Club

For footy fans, one of the unmissable things to do in London is an Emirates Stadium Tour, where you can get a behind-the-scenes look at the home of Arsenal FC. See the stadium, learn about Arsenal's history, and relive the best moments of the club at the museum. You can explore the area at your own pace as you listen to the audio guide available in 10 languages.

Psst. Did you know you could buy football tickets on Klook? Catch your favorite teams like Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace play while you're in London!

Nearest station: Arsenal Station (Piccadilly Line)

10. See aquatic creatures at SEA Life Aquarium

Go on an underwater adventure at SEA Life Aquarium! Come face to face with clownfish, eels, octopuses, penguins, jellyfish and other aquatic creatures. Take a stroll down the Shark Walk, where only a suspended glass display is separating you from 10 shark species swimming beneath your feet. You can even take it to the next level with the Snorkel with Sharks Experience to get close with the marine animals.

Nearest station: Waterloo Station (Jubilee, Bakerloo and Northern Lines)

11. Explore St. Paul's Cathedral

It doesn't just boast a stunning dome, St. Paul's Cathedral is one of London's most iconic landmarks. The wedding of Lady Diana and Prince Charles took place in this cathedral!

St Paul's Cathedral also has the largest crypt in Europe where you can pay respects to the resting places of British greats like Lord Admiral Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, and the architect of the cathedral himself, Sir Christopher Wren. Stop by the Golden Gallery and bask in the view of the River Thames, Tate Modern, and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

Nearest station: St Paul's Station (Central Line)

12. Feast at Borough Market

Head to Borough Market in central London for some local grub! Situated amidst the historic Southwark Cathedral and the vibrant River Thames, this bustling market is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. From artisanal cheeses to freshly baked pastries, the market showcases a diverse array of gourmet delights sourced from local producers and international vendors.

Nearest station: London Bridge Station (Jubilee Line)

13. Travel back in time at Hampton Court Palace

Can't get enough of opulent residences? Head to Hampton Court Palace, where Henry VIII used to live. There, you'll find impressive treasures and well-manicured gardens. Discover the grandeur of the Tudor times as you explore the State Rooms and Apartments, Base Court, and Tudor kitchens. If you want a bit of a thrill, visit the Haunted Gallery, where the ghost of Catherine Howard has allegedly been spotted.

Nearest station: Hampton Court Station (Hampton Court Branch Line)

8. Meet celebs at Madame Tussauds London

Don't miss out on the chance to snap photos with the Royal Family and A-list celebs like Kate Winslet, Kim Kardashian and more at Madame Tussauds. With 14 themed zones, you can come face to face with Darth Vader in one room and rub shoulders with kings from the Tudor period in another.

Nearest station: Baker Street Station (Bakerloo, Circle and Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Metropolitan Lines)

15. Have afternoon tea at The Savoy

Fancy a cuppa? Have some afternoon tea at one of the most iconic destinations in the UK. As the first luxury hotel in Britain, The Savoy is known for serving great tea alongside a wide array of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and other pastries. The best of all? There are vegan and vegetarian options available, so everyone can join in.

Nearest station: Charing Cross Station (Bakerloo and Northern Lines)

16. Shop at Oxford Street

London isn't just full of stunning attractions, it's also a great shopping destination. Spice up your wardrobe and buy some souvenirs at Oxford Street. From high-street brands like River Island and Gap to iconic department stores like Selfridges and House of Fraser, you'll never run out of options.

Nearest station: Oxford Circus Station (Central, Victoria and Bakerloo Lines)

17. Marvel at Westminster Abbey

With heaps of impressive towers and spires, Westminster Abbey impresses even from afar. But it doesn't just have a pretty face. The mediaeval church is one of the most important London sites, having served as the coronation site for all British monarchs since 1066 and the location for royal weddings, including the 2011 union between Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Nearest station: Westminster Station (Jubilee, District and Circle Lines)

18. Have a picnic at Hyde Park

In the mood for a change of scenery? Take a break from London's cloud-scraping peaks and spend time at Hyde Park. Spanning 350 acres, the park is blessed with grassy fields and vibrant plants, making it the ideal place for a picnic. It also has lakes, art galleries, and historical monuments, so there's always something for everyone.

Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner Station (Piccadilly Line)

19. Enjoy fish and chips at Poppie's

No London holiday is complete without enjoying some fish and chips and there's no better place to try it than at Poppie's, one of the most iconic restaurants in the city. The almost 70-year-old restaurant only uses the freshest fish delivered first thing in the morning, so you're sure to have great fish and chips every day.

There are now four branches all over London, but the original shop is located in Spitalfields.

20. Smell the flowers at the Royal Botanic Gardens

Spend time at the Royal Botanic Gardens, also known as Kew Gardens — the largest UNESCO World Heritage site in London. Boasting the world's largest botanical collections, it provides a welcome reprieve from the city's towering buildings and busy streets. Visit greenhouses, like the Palm House, where you can snap photos and marvel at exotic plants.

Nearest station: Kew Bridge Station (South Western Railway Line)

21. See the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London

Interested in history? The Tower of London has got it in spades. This millennium-old tower has served as a stone fortress, zoo, royal residence, and even a prison, is one of the unmissable things to do in London. Inside, you'll meet the ravens protecting the tower and see the Crown Jewels, which are still used by the Royal Family today.

Nearest station: Tower Hil Station (District and Circle Lines)

22. Go on a hop-on hop-off bus tour of London

Only have limited time in London? Get the hop-on hop-off bus pass to see the essential London attractions all in one tour. With stops at Westminster Bridge, Tower of London, Buckingham Gate, and more, you can discover the English capital at your own pace. Take it up a notch and add a river cruise down the Thames, so you can see the city by land and water for the ultimate experience.

🇬🇧 London Travel Essentials 🇬🇧

Top things to do in London