Introduction
What’s up, guys! We’re here in London, and in this article, we will show you our top things to do there. I have lived in London for 6 months, so we’re very excited to share some hidden gems and local sights. We hope you enjoy it! London is England’s capital and sits on the banks of the River Thames in the southeast of the United Kingdom. This bustling city blends ancient sites with modern architecture, including world-renowned attractions like the Big Ben.
However, as one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, London’s magic goes far beyond its iconic landmarks. Whether it’s your first promise or endless exploration, this article highlights our 15 favourite things to do in London. And at the end, we’ll also share a few travel tips to help you get around. Now let’s dive in! We are Zac and Ine. We make helpful articles about destinations worldwide so you can easily plan your adventures.
15 Best Things To Do In London
1. Explore London’s West End
London’s West End is the prime shopping and entertainment district. Dive into Oxford Street’s busy atmosphere, with iconic brands and department stores. Neighbouring Regent Street offers a step up in luxury with designer labels, while Bond Street has more tranquillity and luxury boutiques. But the West End isn’t just about shopping. You can soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Piccadilly Circus with its dazzling neon lights, head to Leicester Square for movie premieres, or immerse yourself in Soho’s lively nightlife scene. Our favourite area is Covent Garden, with its unique market and numerous theatre options, where you can catch a magical play.
2. Walk Along Regent’s Canal
Escape the London rush with a stroll or scenic boat ride along Regent’s Canal. Winding through the city’s north, this waterway offers a different perspective of London’s hidden corners. Start your journey in the vibrant neighbourhood of Camden near the market. Then, follow the towpath to see houseboats, colourful street art, and bird life. End the walk at Little Venice in Paddington, a picturesque area known for its colourful canal boats and beautiful architecture. This section of the canal is about 4 km or 2.5 miles if walked one-way and takes about an hour to complete.
3. Visit London‘s Museums
London boasts over 170 museums, many with free entry to their permanent collection. This makes exploring art, history, and culture an incredibly budget-friendly option. South Kensington is home to some of the most prestigious museums in London, like the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Victoria & Albert Museum. But for a unique experience, consider the Tate Modern, housed in a former power station. Immerse yourself in famous artists’ modern and contemporary art pieces or marvel at panoramic city views from the upper platform. Another one of our favourites is the Frameless Immersive Art Experience. This is near Hyde Park and transforms static paintings into dynamic visual experiences.
4. Enjoy Panoramic Views
Unveil London’s grandeur from a high vantage point. The iconic Shard, London’s tallest building, is known for its 360° views. Take an elevator to the viewing platform, which is also called “The View”, at the top of the building. You can admire the River Thames, Tower Bridge, and other essential landmarks from here while unwinding with a glass of champagne.
For a free alternative, head to the Sky Garden, a lush public space within a skyscraper. To enter, you must reserve a time slot with available tickets up to three weeks in advance. You can also book a table at one of its restaurants, which combines panoramic views with upscale dining.
5. Tower of London Experience
Sitting on the north bank of the River Thames, the Tower of London is one of the most significant historical monuments in the city. Founded nearly 1,000 years ago, this fortress served as a Royal Palace, a prison, and an execution ground. You can explore its various towers and walls with unique exhibits. Make sure to see the Crown Jewels, a collection of royal crowns and other ornaments symbolising the power and wealth of the monarchy.
One of the enjoyable things to do here is a Yeoman Warder’s tour. We just finished it ourselves and they gave us some really unique stories about this place. They run every 30 minutes and are allowed in your entrance ticket free of charge.
6. Discover Shoreditch
Situated in London’s East End, Shoreditch is a hip neighbourhood known for its vibrant street art, creative culture, trendy bars, and alternative atmosphere. Explore Brick Lane, a haven for artists and foodies. While creative types will appreciate the murals by renowned artists, foodies will love it for its diverse culinary scene.
7. St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Designed after the Great Fire, this magnificent cathedral symbolises London’s resilience. Step inside to admire the intricate carvings, mosaics, and impressive dome. But what makes this cathedral truly unique is that you can climb to the top of it.
A set of stairs first takes you to the Whispering Gallery, where even the slightest whisper travels across the vast space. From there, you can continue to the top of the dome and enjoy panoramic views of London. Book your entry ticket in advance via the link in the article below.
8. Visit Greenwich
Greenwich is a historic borough southeast of London with many things to do. The Royal Observatory is its star attraction, which played a significant role in the history of astronomy and navigation. Here, the Greenwich Prime Meridian bisects the globe so that you can straddle the eastern and western hemispheres. It also houses a collection of historic astronomical instruments, including globes, telescopes, and clocks.
As it’s located on a hill in Greenwich Park, you can enjoy stunning views of London from here. You should plan to visit the park and the observatory for at least half a day. However, a full day will allow you enough time to explore the other sites like the National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark, the Queen’s House, the Old Royal Naval College and Greenwich Market.
9. London’s Food Scene
London’s food scene is a delightful mix of tradition and global influence. Indulge in an Afternoon Tea with finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries, or check out a historic pub for a classic British pint and some hardy pub fare, like fish and chips. But London’s true culinary strength lies in its diversity. From Mexican tacos and Sri Lankan kotthu to various Indian curries, you can embark on a delicious world tour without leaving the city. London is a true melting pot of cultures, so you can find any cuisine you want, and we’re going to check out one of my favourite Indian restaurants right now.
10. Notting Hill Exploration
Located in West London, Notting Hill is a charming neighbourhood away from the bustling city centre. It’s famous for the Portobello Road Market, where you can find antiques and vintage clothing. But the street is also lined with pastel-colored houses and a range of excellent restaurants, cozy cafés, independent bookstores, and art galleries. Portobello Road also holds a special place for fans of Notting Hill.
11. London’s Royal Parks
London’s wealth of parks and green areas carves peaceful spaces into the city’s bustling heart. The town has eight Royal Parks. Perhaps the most iconic and central one is Hyde Park, home to a stunning Rose Garden, bustling with colour, and the Serpentine Lake filled with swans.
Adjacent to Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens offers a more formal and structured landscape. St. James Park and Green Park have huge lawns ideal for a picnic. But our favourites of the Royal Parks are Greenwich Park and Regent’s Park. If you’re looking for a nice view of the city, then come to Primrose Hill. It sits right above Regent’s Park.
12. Warner Bros Studio Tour
Step into the world of movie magic at the Warner Bros. Studio, just outside of London. The making of Harry Potter is an unforgettable interactive experience that takes you through the filmmaking process behind this beloved film series. Explore iconic sets like The Great Hall, The Forbidden Forest, the Hogwarts Express, Diagon Alley, the Ministry of Magic, and Dumbledore’s office, all meticulously recreated to capture the wonder of the wizarding world.
You’ll even see interesting exhibits showcasing original costumes and props used in the films. Our favourite part of the tour was learning more about the model Hogwarts Castle and trying a classic butterbeer at their on-site restaurant facility. Keep in mind that tickets sell out months in advance.
13. London’s Food Markets
London’s vibrant food scene thrives in its numerous markets. With over 100 scattered across the city, this abundance offers an irresistible mix of global flavours. Dive into the vibrant atmosphere of Camden Market, a labyrinth of stalls overflowing with delicious international cuisine. Head to Borough Market for fresh local produce, where artisanal cheeses, cured meats, and seasonal delights are plentiful. For a more local scene, explore Pop Brixton, a trendy food hall bustling with global street food flavours and cozy seating areas.
14. Westminster Highlights
Westminster is the heart of London’s government and the central tourist hub thanks to a concentration of iconic landmarks. Towering above the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben is the world-famous clock tower. Across the street, Westminster Abbey is a stunning Gothic church that has witnessed coronations and royal weddings for centuries. The church is decorated with intricate stained-glass windows and exquisite tombs of kings, queens, and historical figures.
A short walk away, Trafalgar Square is a bustling plaza by Nelson’s Column, a tribute to the naval hero. Finally, Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British monarch. Here, you can watch the fascinating Changing of the Guard ceremony. We visited all these highlights as part of a guided tour, and left a link in the article’s description below if you want to book the same one.
15. Thames River Experience
Our favourite thing to do in London was exploring the River Thames. First, we embarked on a cruise from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge, taking in sights from the banks of the river while a guide explained the different highlights. We then got off the boat at Butler’s Warf Pier near the Tower Bridge. From here, we returned to Westminster Bridge to complete our loop around the river. This walking part of the route was about 5 km or 3.1 miles one-way and took us about 2 hours to complete, including photo stops. The route was flat, almost the entire way, which is suitable for most fitness levels.
Sights that you see along the way include the iconic Tower Bridge; the imposing HMS Belfast, which is a World War II Cruiser turned into a museum; Hay’s Galleria, with its upscale shops; the Golden Hinde, which is a replica of explorer Sir Francis Drake’s ship; open-air theater and museum of Shakespeare’s Globe; the iconic London Eye; and finally, the view of the Big Ben and grand Houses of Parliament from the bridge.
16. Travel Tips: Transportation
As promised at the beginning of the video, we’ll now share three travel tips for London. First, the Underground in London is also called “The Tube”, and it’s a fantastic way to navigate the city quickly. There are many different routes and lines, and we generally use them as much as possible. Other public transportation options include buses and trains. Trains are usually suitable for travelling to the suburbs or places outside London.
Get yourself an Oyster Card for a convenient contactless payment option for all public transportation. This card can also be easily topped up at the Underground stations. We also suggest downloading the Transit App to navigate the city and check connections.
17. Travel Tips: Accommodation
For a stress-free stay, prioritise a hotel near a tube station. Look for areas that are well-connected on multiple lines, like Finsbury Park. We stayed here, and the neighbourhood has great budget-friendly accommodation options. This area has the Victoria and Piccadilly lines and a mainline train station. Another well-connected area is Paddington, with easy access to Heathrow Airport. And finally, King’s Cross has fantastic Eurostar and train connections to the north. Check the underground map when looking into accommodation options.
18. Travel Tips: Booking Tickets
Finally, London is a vibrant city, so expect crowds at popular attractions. Pre-book your tickets for major sights like the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Warner Bros. Studios tour to avoid long queues. We included links to all the attractions you need to pre-book in the description below the article. Many museums offer free timed entry, so reserve your time slots online. And of course, there are many other things to do in London that we haven’t mentioned. We’ve listed other highlights on the screen here for you.
Conclusion
If you’re planning your London trip, we recommend keeping things organised with our interactive travel planner. Find a discount code in the article’s description below. We also included other vital links in the description that will help you with your London experience, such as an interactive map to get to each place we mentioned. We’ll catch you on the next adventure!