Category · Attractions
Attractions
54 places · 19 areasCenturies of history and innovation come together in London to create an unforgettable tapestry of iconic landmarks and hidden gems. As you explore the city's bustling streets and winding alleys, you'll uncover a treasure trove of captivating stories, awe-inspiring architecture, and unforgettable experiences. From royal palaces and ancient towers to modern marvels and immersive exhibits, London's tourist attractions beckon you to embark on a journey of discovery that transcends time and tradition, leaving you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.
Westminster
9
Big Ben
Big Ben is the famous clock bell housed inside the Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster in London. The iconic landmark overlooks the River Thames and is one of the most recognisable symbols of the UK.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, London's iconic royal landmark, serves as the official residence of the King and stands as a testament to the city's rich history. Constructed in 1703, its renowned facade attracting millions was added between 1847 and 1850.
Churchill War Rooms
Churchill War Rooms is the preserved underground bunker beneath Westminster where Winston Churchill and his ministers ran Britain's war effort from 1939 to 1945. Sealed up at the end of the Second World War and reopened to the public in 1984, the site is now part of the [Imperial War Museums](/places/imperial-war-museum) and pairs the original Cabinet War Rooms with the dedicated Churchill Museum.
Green Park
Green Park is one of the eight Royal parks and covers approximately 40 acres between Buckingham Palace to the south, Piccadilly to the north, and the ceremonial avenue of The Mall to the southeast.
Horse Guards Parade
Between Whitehall and St James’s Park, Horse Guards Parade London is the city’s ceremonial centre. Famous for the daily Changing of the Guard, the annual Trooping the Colour parade and the Household Cavalry Museum, it is a must-see landmark linking political London with royal tradition.
Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster is one of the most iconic landmarks in London, with Big Ben at one end of the palace. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
St James's Park
St James's Park is the oldest Royal Park in London, located between Buckingham Palace and Horse Guards Parade. The central feature of the park is St. James’s Park Lake.
The National Gallery
The National Gallery is London's third most popular museum. Its collection includes over 2300 European artworks since the 1300s. The museum is right next to Trafalgar Square, in the borough of Westminster.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is a historic church and major landmark in Westminster, London, next to the Houses of Parliament. Its history spans more than 1,000 years, and it has served as the coronation church of English and later British monarchs since 1066. Today, Westminster Abbey is an active Anglican church and one of Britain’s most important historic monuments.
City of London
5
Leadenhall Market
Located in the heart of London's financial district, Leadenhall Market is a stunning historic marketplace built in 1881. Its roots date back to the 14th century. Skyscrapers and office buildings surround the marketplace, making it easy to miss, but you’ll recognise it easily when you get to the entrance.
Sky Garden
Sky Garden is a free public observation deck in London, located at the top of the Walkie Talkie, 20 Fenchurch Street in the City of London. Set 155 metres above ground, it offers panoramic 360-degree views of the Thames, The Shard and the London skyline. Entry is free, but tickets must be booked in advance online.
St Paul's Cathedral
St. Paul's Cathedral, located in the financial area of the City of London, is one of London's most well-known destinations. The cathedral was the tallest building in London from its completion in 1711 until 1967.
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is a Victorian bascule bridge over the River Thames in East London, famous for its twin towers, opening roadway and glass walkways.
Tower of London
The Tower of London is an iconic landmark in the heart of London. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, attracting millions of visitors every year.
Greenwich
5
Cutty Sark
Cutty Sark is a historic 19th-century clipper ship museum located in Greenwich, London, on the River Thames. Built in 1869, it is one of the world’s last surviving tea clippers and a key attraction for visitors interested in maritime history. Today, Cutty Sark is part of Royal Museums Greenwich and can be explored both above and below deck, with exhibitions, river views and a unique walk beneath its copper-clad hull.
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park is the oldest of London’s eight royal parks. This iconic park boasts panoramic views sweeping over the River Thames, the Isle of Dogs, and the iconic City of London skyline.
National Maritime Museum
Located in the Greenwich area on the banks of the River Thames, the National Maritime Museum Greenwich is part of the Royal Museums Greenwich group. The museum opened in 1937 and houses an extensive collection that explores Britain’s maritime history.
Old Royal Naval College
The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich is an impressive historic site known for its classical architecture, featuring the magnificent Painted Hall and beautiful chapel. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers breathtaking views of the Thames, with stunning gardens perfect for a peaceful stroll. The spectacular ceiling frescoes in the Painted Hall and the historic Nelson Room make for an unforgettable visit.
Royal Observatory, Greenwich
The Royal Observatory Greenwich is where East meets West at Longitude 0°, the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and the Prime Meridian.
Bankside
4
HMS Belfast
HMS Belfast is a historic Royal Navy light cruiser that is now a museum ship moored on the River Thames in London. It is part of the Imperial War Museum, including the Churchill War Rooms and IWM Duxford.
Millennium Bridge
Millennium Bridge is a 325 m long steel suspension bridge crossing the Thames between St. Paul’s Cathedral and Tate Modern. It was initially opened to the public in 2000.
Shakespeare's Globe
Shakespeare’s Globe is located on the south bank of the River Thames in the South Bank area, close to the site where the original Globe Theatre operated in the 16th century. The first Globe was built in 1599 for William Shakespeare’s acting company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men.
Tate Modern
Tate Modern is London's premier museum of modern and contemporary art. It is Britain's second most popular museum, with over five million visitors annually.
South Kensington
4
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of London's most popular museums. It houses a collection of over 80 million items related to natural history.
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall in South Kensington, London, is one of the UK’s most iconic venues. Opened in 1871 in honour of Prince Albert, it has hosted world-class events ranging from classical music and rock concerts to film screenings and charity galas.
Science Museum
The Science Museum in South Kensington is one of many museums in the surrounding area. It displays items and machines from many areas of science, such as space exploration, medicine, mathematics, computer science, and chemistry.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum is a leading museum of arts and design in South Kensington. Its collection includes over two million items from five millennia of art and design, including sculpture, fashion, textiles, and jewellery.
Covent Garden
3
Jubilee Market
Located in the heart of Covent Garden, Jubilee Market is a vibrant market hall known for its diverse collection of stalls. The market offers everything from handcrafted items and vintage pieces to souvenirs and jewelry.
London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum, located in vibrant Covent Garden, showcases an extensive collection that highlights 200 years of London’s transport evolution.
Royal Opera House
London's Royal Opera House is a historic theatre that combines architecture with world-class opera and ballet performances. The venue features stunning interiors, a young opera program for accessible pricing, and a rooftop restaurant with beautiful views over Covent Garden. While visibility from higher-tier budget seats may be limited, the artistic excellence and atmosphere are unmatched.
Chelsea
2
Chelsea Physic Garden
One of the oldest and most renowned botanic gardens in Europe. Established in 1673, it is situated near the Thames with a microclimate that allows for uncommon plants in the UK to be grown.
Saatchi Gallery
Gallery which is home to works created by many emerging artists from around the world, mainly showcasing contemporary art. The gallery recently became a registered charity.
South Bank
2
London Eye
London Eye is a Ferris wheel located in Southbank on the southern side of the Thames. Its impressive height of 135 metres and striking views of the city skyline make it a popular attraction in London.
Southbank Centre
Southbank Centre is a diverse cultural centre along the Thames and one of the largest in the UK. It hosts a range of events throughout the year, from music concerts and festivals to art exhibitions and theatre productions.
West End
2
Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is an iconic area in the West End of London, instantly recognisable from the prominent advertising displays and gorgeous architecture surrounding it.
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a central public square in London, located between Whitehall, the Strand and the West End. It is best known for Nelson’s Column, its bronze lions, and its role as a gathering place for events, celebrations, and demonstrations. The square was designed in the 1840s to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) and is surrounded by major landmarks, including the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, and St Martin-in-the-Fields church.
Battersea
1
Belgravia
1
Camden Town
1
Fitzrovia
1
Kensington Gardens
1
Knightsbridge
1
London Bridge
1
Marylebone
1
Soho
1
Strand
1
Other places
8
Alexandra Palace
Known affectionately as Ally Pally, Alexandra Palace is an iconic venue on a hill in north London, with panoramic views across the city. The hill that Ally Pally sits on top of is about 100 meters high, so it's worth arriving early just for the vista. The area is also known as the birthplace of television, and the old TV masts are still visible on the roof. There’s a rooftop adventure where you can climb to the roof of the building at an altitude of 130 meters above sea level.
British Museum
Centrally located in London's Bloomsbury district, the British Museum is a testament to human history, art, and culture. Established in 1753, it is the world's first national public museum.
Camden Market
Established in 1974, Camden Market is one of London’s most vibrant and popular tourist attractions, renowned for its eclectic mix of shops, eateries, and stalls.
London Zoo
Located in Regent’s Park, London Zoo, established in 1828, is the world’s oldest scientific zoo. It is part of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), whose mission is animal conservation and research. Originally, the zoo was intended for scientific purposes only, but it opened to the public in 1847.
National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery, located beside Trafalgar Square, offers a unique opportunity to see the faces and stories of people who have shaped British history over the centuries. The gallery focuses on portraits and photographs of influential British and global figures.
Richmond Park
Richmond Park, located in southwest London, is one of the most significant and historic royal parks in the United Kingdom. Covering 2,500 acres, it is the largest of London's Royal Parks.
The O2
O2 is located in North Greenwich, on the opposite side of the river from Canary Wharf. The arena hosts the largest indoor concerts, numerous restaurants, cinemas, and design outlet shops.
Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium is currently the biggest stadium in Europe, with a capacity of 90,000. The stadium hosts many sports events, from football to the NFL, as well as concerts featuring some of the biggest stars in the world.
Not quite what you wanted?
Three closely-related themes
People who browse Attractions often look at these themes too — pick one to keep exploring.
Shopping
177London is a shopper's dream, offering an unrivalled variety of retail experiences to suit every taste and budget, from high-end luxury brands to the latest in cutting-edge fashion.
Food & Drink
81Museums & Galleries
22London's museums offer a journey through time, culture, and the human experience, from the masterpiece of the National Gallery to the ancient treasures of the British Museum.