As one of the biggest cities in the world, London has more than its fair share of stunning attractions and exhilarating activities. You can retrace the steps of royals one sec and then become immersed in magical experiences the next. From royal castles and football stadiums to world-class theatres and impressive museums, the English capital has something 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 20 of the best things to do in London:
- Escape to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour
- Ride the London Eye
- Go on a hop-on hop-off bus tour of London
- Visit Windsor Castle
- Meet celebs at Madame Tussauds
- Get an in-depth tour of the Arsenal Football Club
- See aquatic creatures at SEA Life Aquarium
- Cross Tower Bridge
- Explore St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Discover treasures at the British Museum
- Visit Buckingham Palace
- Travel back in time at Hampton Court Palace
- Watch a show at West End
- Have afternoon tea at The Savoy
- Shop at Oxford Street
- Marvel at Westminster Abbey
- Have a picnic at Hyde Park
- Enjoy fish and chips at Poppie’s
1. Escape to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Go on a stroll through Diagon Alley. Credit: szabina.bella
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. See movie magic in action as you see how they made the films’ special effects and impressive props. Tickets run out fast, so make sure to secure your entry online!
2. Ride the London Eye
Marvel at London Eye, one of the city’s most famous icons. Credit: biancas.tostes
The London Eye is the UK’s most attraction for a reason: the views must be seen to be believed. At 135 metres high, you can soak up the sights of the London skyline as far as 25 kilometres away. London Eye offers unrivalled views of the city from different angles, so you can really admire London in its full glory.
3. Go on a hop-on hop-off bus tour of London
Get a great view of Tower Bridge from the top of the double decker bus.
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.
4. Visit Windsor Castle
Channel your inner royal when you explore Windsor Castle. Credit: floralvoidz
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 favourite weekend home. Inside the castle, you’ll find gilded rooms and walls decorated with artworks by Rembrandt, Rubens, and more. There’s also the mediaeval St. George’s Chapel, the venue of many royal weddings.
Interested in what more the country has to offer? Find out about other cool places in the UK with the Eurail Pass.
5. Meet celebs at Madame Tussauds
Rub elbows with the royal family at Madame Tussauds. Credit: swe_etcharm
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.
6. Get an in-depth tour of the Arsenal Football Club
Get to know the red and white on your visit to the Emirates Stadium. Credit: omaraelsherif
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.
7. See aquatic creatures at SEA Life Aquarium
Admire manta rays, penguins, jellyfish and loads of other aquatic creatures at the aquarium. Credit: rainbowglobetrotters
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.
8. Cross Tower Bridge
Get a fantastic photo of the bridge by the side of River Thames. Credit: casandrait
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.
9. Explore St. Paul’s Cathedral
Marvel at St. Paul’s Cathedral’s impressive interior. Credit: jeannie._.junuem
It doesn’t just boast a stunning dome, 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.
Keen to save money and time on the city’s finest sights? Book the London Attraction Pass 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.
10. Discover treasures at the British Museum
See important pieces of history in person on your visit to the British Museum. Credit:Nicolas Lysandrou
With artefacts dating back to two million years, the British Museum is an absolute must for history lovers. 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.
11. Visit Buckingham Palace
Built in 1703, Buckingham Palace began as a plantation for mulberries before becoming a royal residence. Credit: amaliemlassen
When in the city, why not drop by the Queen’s home? Visit Buckingham Palace 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.
12. Travel back in time at Hampton Court Palace
Discover the manicured lawns and stunning fountains of the palace. Credit: Tom Podmore
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.
13. Watch a show at West End
Watch multi-award winning-shows like & Juliet at West End. Credit: therollingexplorer
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, and Hamilton. Have the kids with you? Treat them to musicals like Frozen and Wicked for some family-friendly fun.
If you have some time to spend in the continent, check out this two-week Europe itinerary with Eurail to get the most out of your time.
14. Have afternoon tea at The Savoy
Have the ultimate British afternoon tea at The Savoy. Credit:deedraoxa
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.
15. Shop at Oxford Street
Shops, restaurants, celebrations—Oxford Street has them all. Credit:jeni_davos
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.
Klook tip: Avoid the big crowds and come early on the weekdays.
16. Marvel at Westminster Abbey
Stop by Westminster Abbey, the site of coronations and royal weddings for centuries. Credit: rufaidaslocation
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.
17. Have a picnic at Hyde Park
Revel in the natural beauty of the 350-acre Hyde Park. Credit: Simon Hurry
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.
If you want to see more of Europe's natural gems, get the Eurail Pass to explore the continent while saving money and time. Here's how:
18. Enjoy fish and chips at Poppie’s
Eat like a local when you munch on some crispy fish and chips at Poppie’s. Credit: sandymakessense
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.
19. Smell the flowers at the Royal Botanic Gardens
Sudden rain? Head to the Glass House at the gardens. Credit: titus.delightus
Spend time at the Royal Botanic 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.
20. See the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London
Before you enter, make sure to take some photos of the colourful wildflowers outside the tower. Credit: sianhockridge
Interested in history? The Tower of London has got it in spades. This millennium-old towerhas 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.
Written by: Alyssa Dela Cruz
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