Last Updated on December 13, 2022
Millions of people around the world flock to London to visit its suave tourist destinations. Featuring ancient and contemporary architecture with a vibrant culture, London draws globetrotters from all walks. In 2018, this megacity attracted 20.42 million international visitors.
When in London, there are countless corners to explore, creative ideas to ponder upon, and gastronomical delights to savor. If you are overwhelmed by the things to do in London, we are here to guide you. Whether you are a novice or an experienced traveler, our list, the top things to do in London, will help you make the most of this city.
#1. Warner Brother Studio Tour – To The Magical World
If you are awestruck by Harry Potter’s spell and want to witness the behind-the-scenes of its magical creation, you must visit Warner Brother Studio in London. Explore the authentic sets of the entire Harry Potter anthology and recall the original scenes.
The Iconic Hogwarts Great Hall and the Forbidden Forest speak for themselves. You can explore these places before catching Hogwarts Express at 9¾ and wander the streets of Diagon Alley. Relive the magic through the eyes of the creators by exploring the Studios.
Timings & Tickets: You need to book tickets in advance. Children’s tickets costs €80.00 per ticket, and €85.00 per adult. This tour runs almost every day. For the 9.00 am the entrance, you need to check-in before 7:15 am. For the 10:00 am the entrance, you need to be in before 7:45 am. For every hour, the entrance is open until 6 pm.
Address: Studio Tour Drive Leavesden WD25 7LR
Departure Point: 4 Fountain Square, 121-151 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SH
Transport: Public transport is available. You need to board a train from London Euston to Watford Junction, which takes 20 minutes. From Watford Junction, you can take a regular shuttle bus directly to the Studio Tour in 15 minutes.
If you are traveling by road, travel by junctions 19 0r 20 of the M25, or junctions 5 or 6 of the M1, to reach the Studios, which is off the A405.
Telephone/Email: +44 (0)34 5084 0900; [email protected]
Website: https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/travel-partners
#2. Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour – Rove Over The Marvels of The London
London has many iconic landmarks. Visiting these places by foot can be tiresome. Take a hop-on-hop-off bus tour across London. The bus tour is one of the top things to do in London.
You can buy a bus ticket for a one or two-day-long journey and travel unlimited within the chosen period. With this ticket, you can get a free walking[1] and river tour.
Top Sights To Be Covered
The Hop-on-hop-off bus tour covers many famous places in London. These buses ply across more than 60 stops. You can explore the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Oxford Street & Regent Street, Shakespeare’s Globe, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey on these buses.
You can hop on and off as many times as you want.
Tour Guide
A live tour guide is available in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazilian) and Russian throughout the tour. Free Wi-Fi is also available on the bus, you can take pictures and upload them right away.
Ticket: Ticket costs €26.00 per head
#3. HM Tower Of London – Traverse The Castle
The Tower of London is one of the best places to visit in London. Learn the history of the royal palace, visit the Royal Beast, and other animals inhabiting the Tower. Watch the glory of the Crown Jewels unfold. Learn the bloody tales from Beefeater on a tour. Inspect the places where famous heads rolled and strolled through the battlements, touch the swords and armors and other interesting activities at the Tower.
Tickets & Timings
Tickets for children cost €13.10 per child, and €27.50 per adult (exempt from VAT). The Tower is open around the year, except from 24–16 December and on 1 January.
Address: Tower Hill, City of London, EC3N 4AB
Telephone/Email: 0844 482 7777; [email protected]
Website: http://www.hrp.org.uk
Transport: Catch a tube train, London Hill Train, to London Bridge or Fenchurch Street.
#4. The View From The Shard – Scenic Spot
The best thing to do in London is to get on top of its tallest building. The View From The Shard is a skyscraper in London. From there you can see the beautiful panorama and vast vistas of the city. The Shard stands at 1,000 ft (300 meters), which is twice the tallest skyscraper in London.
You can climb by the fastest lifts. Indoor viewing platforms are at levels 68 and 69. At level 72 you can catch a breathtaking, unobstructed birdseye view of the place. Don’t miss this iconic modern building!
Tickets & Timings
Entry is allowed 7 days a week, from 10:00, am to 10:00 pm. It is closed only on Christmas day. Tickets cost €27.00 per adult and €21.00 per child.
Venue Address: London Bridge, SE1 9SG
Telephone/Email: +44 (0)844 499 7111; [email protected]
#5. Sea Life London Aquarium – Jewel In The Crown
If you can’t decide on a place to visit in London, then we suggest visiting the Sea Life London Aquarium. You can spot some of the most diverse global marine species at this aquarium. A visit to this aquarium will tell you why it is called the ‘jewel in the crown of the 28 SEA LIFE attractions in the UK and Europe’.
Venture out on an immersive journey along the Great Oceanic Conveyor and stroll underneath a tropical ocean. Feed the stingrays and interact with sea animals diving through touch pools and discovery zones. You will find clownfish, octopus, seahorses, zebra sharks, and more.
Sea Life London Aquarium is successfully preserving marine life in the heart of the capital.
Timings: The aquarium is open Monday to Friday, between 10 am to 6 pm. On Saturdays, it is open between 9:30 am to 7 pm. You can visit the aquarium on Sundays between 10 am to 6 pm.
Address: County Hall, Riverside Building, London SE1 7PB
Telephone/Email: +44 (0)20 7967 8000; [email protected]
Transport: You can board a tube from Waterloo to the Shell Centre and walk toward Queens Walk Riverfront.
#6. Madame Tussauds – Celebrity Stunning Wax Figures
We all wished to meet our idols and celebrities. But you may not always get the opportunity to meet them in person. But there is a way you can meet their look-alikes At Madame Tussauds, London, you can come face to face with the stunning wax figures of your favorite celebrities and royals. At Madame Tussauds, you will experience a beautiful encounter with glitz and glamour.
You can find more than 300 fax figures at Madame Tussauds. There are statues of music icons, A-list celebrities from across the globe, sportspersons, and royal family members. You can also experience the Marvel universe through the Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie. Meet the heroes and villains of Star Wars.
Timings: Madame Tussauds is open 7 days a week on different timings. On Mondays, it is open from 9 am and 4 pm. From Tuesdays to Fridays, it is open between 9 am and 5 pm. On Sundays, it is open between 9 am and 6 pm.
Address: Marylebone Road, London NW1 5LR
Telephone/Email: 0870 4003000; [email protected]
Transport: Get on a tube; Baker Street Train to Marylebone
#7. The London Dungeon – Not For The Faint-Hearted
London’s history is reflected in almost everything, be it architecture, b, or fashion. If you want to harness the entertaining and nerve-wracking part of this city, visit The London Dungeon. If you are brave enough, The London Dungeon is the best thing to do.
Live actors will take you back to the dark times of London with their acts. Get on the thrilling, adrenaline-fueled rides and enjoy the mesmerizing special effects. The smell, hear and feel the chillingly amusing plays. Go on a heart-pacing ghost hunting.
Timings
We suggest you pre-book to avail exciting discounts on entry fares. If you are in a group, then you will get more offers. The London Dungeon is open 7 days a week throughout the year except for Christmas.
Venue Details: The London Dungeon, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7403 7221
Tickets: Follow this link https://www.thedungeons.com/london/en/tickets/ to book your tickets
#8. ZSL London Zoo – Amazing Animal Species
Visiting ZSL London Zoo is one of the top things to do in London. Discover fascinating facts about various animal species. The ZSL London Zoo is home to more than 750 species. From kids to adults, the ZSL London Zoo attracts people of all ages; packed with wonder and amazement.
In the Land of Lions, come face to face with Asiatic lions. In other parts of the zoo, you can watch lemurs, varieties of spiders, and monkeys. The Penguin Beach, Gorilla Kingdom, and Tiger Territory are top attractions.
Tickets & Timings
The zoo is open every day from 10:00 am. The ticket costs €14.90 per child, €20.60 concession ticket, and €22.90 per adult.
Address: ZSL London Zoo, Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY
Telephone: 0344 225 1826
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.zsl.org/
Transport: You can take a tube, Camden Road Train to Euston or King’s Cross
#9. Westminster Abbey – Eternal Living Pageant
If you want to explore British history —tales of kings, queens, knights, poets, and heroes— then you must visit Westminster Abbey. Millions of visitors from around the world flock to this 700-years-old building. Free audio guides are available in more than 11 languages with the tour ticket.
The one-hour-long tour of Westminster Abbey is the best thing to feed knowledge-seeking minds. The ancient living pageant has many legends and lore attached to it. From royal weddings and solemn funerals to a coronation, Westminster Abbey has hosted them all.
Tickets & Timings
Westminster Abbey is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. On Wednesdays, it is open from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. On occasions such as celebrations and commemorations, the Abbey is closed on short notice. Check their website before visiting.
Address: Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London SW1P 3PA
Telephone/Email: +44 (0)20 7222 5152; [email protected]
Website: http://www.westminster-abbey.org
Transport: Buses: 11, 24, 88, 148, 211 will go to Westminster. You can also get onboard a Westminster tube.
#10. Coca-Cola London Eye – ‘World’s Tallest Cantilevered Observation Wheel’
You can catch the most incredible views of the most famous spots in London atop Coca-Cola London Eye. Located in the heart of the city, Coca-Cola London Eye is the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel. Opposite to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the giant wheel rotates over the River Thames.
The breathtaking 360-degree view atop the wheel will be one of the best things you will experience in London. No wonder this spot is recorded as the number one tourist destination in London from the past decade and has become a global icon.
From the slowly rotating 32 high-tech glass capsules, you will observe the ever-changing shades of the beautiful city of London.
You can unfold iconic landmarks of the London city to a distance of 40 km from this observation wheel. The natural effects – wind – multi-sensory special effects and unique perspectives of the city will melt your heart.
Opening Timings
The timings vary throughout the year. Typically, it opens at 10 am and closes between 6 pm and 8:30 pm.
Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB
Telephone: 0870 5000600
Transport: Take a Westminster or Embankment Train to Waterloo or Charing Cross
#11. God’s Own Junkyard – Neon Wonderland
If you are looking for quirky things to do in London, we suggest visiting God’s Own Junkyard. It is a salvage yard that people say is London’s answer to Las Vegas. The funky art store showcases brilliant works of popular artists, such as Chris Bracey’s personal collection.
The art pieces look more interesting under the neon lights. If you are an avid Instagrammer, this place is apt for clicking and posting pictures on your profile. The louche cave looks and feels like a psychedelic paradise with neon lights and vintage artworks.
Europe’s largest neon collection is also preserved and exhibited at God’s Own Junkyard.
Entry: Free
Address: Unit 12, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Walthamstow, London E17 9HQ
Transport: Take a tube Walthamstow Central/Wood St rail
Website: http://www.godsownjunkyard.co.uk/
#12. Jack The Ripper Tour – Gut-wrenching Walking Tour
Jack The Ripper Tour is the most exciting and scary thing to do in London. Retracing the footsteps of the infamous and elusive 19th-century serial killer Jack The Ripper, exploring the crime scenes in the darker recesses of the London streets, including the historic East End, is a spine-chilling experience.
The tales Jack The Ripper’s diabolical exploits in the 19th century will send shivers down your spine. This tour will definitely test your sleuthing skills. Wear comfy shoes and clothes on this 2-hour riveting walking tour. You will be guided by an expert throughout the tour. Decipher the facts and conspiracies surrounding the murders.
Ticket: € 5.73 per person
#13. Chinatown – The Chinese Food
Chinatown is an ethnic enclave located between Soho and Theatreland, London. The place is often misjudged due to its crowded facade. However, it is a melting pot of culture. If you love Chinese cuisine, then Chinatown is the place to experience everything Chinese.
The colorful pagodas lift the spirits, bilingual street signs may remind some of China. It is easy to get lost in the crowd, so be careful! Sandwiched between Leicester Square and Shaftesbury Avenue, Chinatown is packed with authentic restaurants. Buy your favorite products from Asian-run shops and eat your favorite dishes.
Recommendations: You can find delicious Chinese food at a reasonable cost in Chinatown Bakery. Try the meals at Four Seasons, which is open till 4 am. Xu is a must-try restaurant and has an interesting piece of history attached to its establishment.
Address: Near Leicester Square, London WC2H 7JS
Transport: Take a tube Leicester Sq.
Apart from these, there are plenty of English restaurants, art galleries, museums, parks, and amusements to try out.
London has something for everyone—food, arts, architecture, history, and culture. Every nook and corner of the city has a legend or history behind it.
While there are many things worth doing when in London, there are a handful of things one shouldn’t miss at any cost. Our list will help you prioritize. London is not only a city but an experience, one which you will remember for a lifetime.
Please rewrite this part. Sounds a bit off.
