30 major tourist attractions in London

London, as a world capital of culture, art and entertainment, is visited by 15 million tourists a year. Every city in the world is unique in its own way, but there aren’t many that can compete with London for the sheer number of tourist destinations. in its amount of tourist sights.

We’ve gathered them into one big map where you’ll find descriptions, addresses and prices.

Big Ben and the British Parliament

There are few things more iconic of London than the huge 97-meter-tall clock tower. Big Ben is the name for the bell, which is quite large and weighs more than 13 tons. Its name is used to refer to the whole tower as well. The bell’s ring is famous all over the world as the BBC radio theme. The tower is especially pretty at night when all four clock faces on each side light up. Right in front of Big Ben along the Thames, is the British Parliament building, Westminster palace.

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The address is Palace of Westminster, Old Palace Yard, London SW1.

The nearest Underground station is Charing Cross, Victoria or Waterloo.

You can go on a tour of the parliament building on Saturdays.

Tickets cost 18.50 pounds.

Attention! Big Ben is currently under renovations and the clock faces are being redesigned. The entire tower is covered by scaffolding.

London Eye

The London Eye Ferris wheel is one of the newest attractions in the city, but, it’s already beloved by residents and tourists alike. Alongside the older tourist sites in the city, the London Eye is considered a cultural symbol. The Ferris wheel was built in 2000 to celebrate the new millennium. It’s now hard to imagine London without this impressive attraction. The Ferris wheel cars are made from glass so that the daredevils riding in them could see the city from every side. Before getting in, you’ll be shown a short 4D film.

» See more – How to get into the London Eye without lines

The address is The London Eye, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB.

The nearest Underground stations are Waterloo, Embankment, Charing Cross and Westminster.

It’s open from 11 am to 6 pm.

Tickets cost 27 pounds. You can get a ticket using this link.

Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guard

Buckingham Palace was built in 1837 and started being used as a royal residence as soon as Queen Victoria took the throne. If you want to know if the queen is home, you just have to look at the flagpole on the roof. If the royal flag is flying, then the queen is in the palace. If you’re lucky enough to be in London during special events, then you may even get to see the queen and her family members on the balcony where they go to greet the people.

Whether or not the queen is home, Buckingham Palace is visited by thousands of people a day, especially in the morning. During this time, people can watch the changing of the guard: a ritual that’s become a popular tourist sight. The ceremony starts at 10:45 and lasts about 45 minutes. You can see it for free every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Keep in mind that on days with large events in London the ceremony is canceled.

The address is Buckingham Palace.

The closest Underground stations are Victoria, Green Park, St James’s Park and Hyde Park Corner.

The palace is open from 9:30 am to 6:30 or 7:30 pm depending on the season.

Tickets for the palace cost 23 pounds. You can get tickets for various parts of the Buckingham palace here.

Double-decker buses

The famous London double-decker buses aren’t just a colorful tourist sight, but a quick, comfortable and readily-available way to see and study the city and its streets, palaces, museums and monuments. The 9, 14, 15, and 22 routes are especially good for tourist trips. The buses drive around London 24/7, so you can plan your trip at any time. It’s important to remember that you can’t pay to get on the bus with cash. You’ll need a transport card like Visitor Oyster Card, Oyster Card or Travelcard, or you can pay with a contactless card.

» See more – How to use London’s double-decker buses

Telephone booths

Even in this century of mobile phones, it’s hard to imagine London’s streets without the famous telephone booths. Alas, these bright red symbols of London are gradually disappearing from the city’s streets, but you can still find them around the city. Many of the telephone booths have been preserved in the central areas like Strand where you’ll definitely be able to take a picture with these disappearing icons of London. And if you’re a fan of the long-running British series Doctor Who, then you’re probably looking for the blue police booth: you can find it outside the Earl’s Court Underground station.

Tower of London

The Tower is one of the world’s greatest buildings. Its walls house the secrets of a 900-year-old history and in that time, it’s served as a royal palace, a prison, an execution ground, an arsenal, a vault and even a zoo. You’ll need at least a couple hours to study the secrets of the magnificent tower. You have to see the invaluable collection of royal jewels, learn about the Tower’s guardians the Beefeaters, learn the legend of the Tower ravens, and don’t forget to take a picture with the fortress in the background.

The address is City of London.

The closest Underground station is Tower Hill.

It’s open from 9 or 10 am to 5 or 6 pm depending on the day and season.

Tickets cost 24.75 pounds and can be bought here.

Tower Bridge

This is another of London’s traditional tourist destinations. The Tower Bridge was originally built in 1894 has been rebuilt many times since for the comfort of residents and tourists. It has a wonderful view of London and the Thames.

It’s open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. On the third Saturday of every month it opens at 10 am.

Tickets cost 9.80 pounds and you can buy tickets with a discount here.

Westminster Abbey

This place is where kings and queens, soldiers and politicians, poets and holy men, and heroes and traitors find peace. Westminster Abbey is visited by over one million guests every year who want to go down into the depths of this multi-storey building where one of the most emotional secrets is held: the coronation of British monarchs. You can learn about the Westminster Abbey’s history using audio guides that are offered for free with your entrance ticket. We recommend listening to your audio guide in English if possible, since it’s narrated by the famous British actor Jeremy Irons. Audio guides are available in many languages, including all major western European languages.

The address is Westminster Abbey.

The closest Underground stations are Westminster and St James’s Park.

It’s open from 9:30 am to 1:30, 3:30 or 6:00 pm depending on the day and season.

Tickets start at 20 pounds and you can get a ticket with an audio guide using this link.

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is the geographic center and main city square. The 50-meter-tall Nelson’s column is in the middle. It’s worth coming here for the National and Portrait Galleries, the wonderful fountains and the spontaneous London artist stands.

National Gallery

The National Gallery is right on Trafalgar Square which is quite convenient. You can always come here while walking around London. The National Gallery has an excellent collection of Western-European paintings from the 13th through the 19th centuries. Additionally, on the last Friday of every month, there are interesting master classes and lectures here that will help you learn more about the history of the pieces in the gallery.

The address is Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN.

The closest Underground stations are Charing Cross and Leicester Square.

It’s open from 10 am to 6 pm and to 9 pm on Fridays.

Entrance is free.

National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery is right around the corner from the National Gallery and contains portraits of prominent figures from all times and peoples. You’ll find members of royal families, celebrities, soldiers, politicians, artists, athletes and more. Every day they have a “portrait of the day” lecture about one of the portraits in the gallery, and you can attend for free.

The address is St Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE.

The closest Underground station is Charing Cross.

It’s open from 10 am to 6 pm and to 9 pm on Fridays.

Entrance is free.

Musicals

It’s not enough to just see London: you need to hear it too! The West End is the best place to go for theatre and it will  satisfy the needs of even the most insatiable fan of musicals. You can see famous Broadway musicals like “The Book of Mormon” and “Kinky Boots” as well as successful British shows starting from “The Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Weber, as well as comparatively new hits like “Matilda” and more. Of course, going to see musicals in London is an expensive night, but the ticket booth on Leicester Square sells tickets with discounts that will help you save money on this cultural experience.

Shakespeare’s Globe

This Globe is a copy of the one that saw the first performances of the works of the most famous English playwright and writer. The open air theater’s current schedule includes a huge number of William Shakespeare’s productions.

The address is Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London, SE1 9DT.

The closest Underground stations are Blackfriars, Mansion House, London Bridge, and Southwark.

It’s open from 9:30 am to 6 pm.

Madame Tussauds

Where can you see famous politicians, athletes, artists, models, musicians and other celebrities from various times all in one place? Only in Madame Tussauds. Take a picture with your idols in this famous museum. You can meet Charlie Chaplin and Marilyn Monroe, members of the royal family, the legendary athletes Muhammad Ali and Lionel Messi and young stars of the 21st century like Kendall Jenner and Cara Delevingne here. The museum currently has about 300 characters on display. But it’s not just looking at statues: the museum also has various activities for guests. Among the recent ones are a 5-minute adventure in the spirit of Sherlock Holmes and the impressive “Star Wars” zone. There’s something for the whole family here.

The address is Marylebone Rd.

The closest Underground station is Baker Street.

It’s open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Tickets start at 33 pounds and you can find them here.

British Museum

When the British Museum opened in 1959, it was the first of its kind. It was a national museum accessible to everyone in the world. It’s always offered free entry, to let inquisitive and curious minds immerse themselves in the secrets of human history. Today the British Museum has the most valuable findings by British researchers like the Rosetta Stone and the Pantheon sculpture from the Athenian Acropolis. It’s easy to find your way around the museum, and its spacious galleries are organized according to geography and time from ancient Iran, Greece and China to Roman Britannia and more.

The address is 44 Great Russell Street.

The closest Underground station is Tottenham Court Rd, Holborn or Russell Square.

It’s open from 10 am to 5:30 pm and from 10:30 am to 8:30 pm on Fridays.

Entrance is free.

Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A Museum)

The V&A Museum is considered a temple of creativity and design. It has one of the largest collections of decorative art in the world and you can see impressive examples of modern masterpieces, textile goods, furniture, ceramics, photographs, jewelry and other types of fine arts. When you need a break, head to the inner courtyard where there is an alluring cafe that serves wonderful sweets and coffee. The V&A Museum has another secret: along with all the interesting exhibits, there is also a small pet cemetery that is home to the pets of Sir Henry Cole, the museum’s first director.

The address is Cromwell Rd.

The closest Underground station is South Kensington.

It’s open from 10 am to 5:45 pm and from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm on Fridays.

Entrance is free.

Science Museum

The best way to get a child to love school and science is by taking him to one of London’s most beloved museums. The Science Museum has 7 floors that are filled with; over 15,000 entertaining and educational exhibits. You can see the birth of foundational scientific principals for yourself in the museum’s interactive galleries, feel like you’re in space and see exciting movies on huge 3D screens. When Queen Elizabeth started using Twitter, her first tweet was sent from the Science Museum where Her Majesty opened a new technology exhibit.

The address is Exhibition Rd.

The closest Underground station is South Kensington.

It’s open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Entrance is free.

Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is in one of London’s most beautiful buildings and has hundreds of interactive animated exhibits of dinosaurs, mammals, an unforgettable 30-meter-tall model of a blue whale and giant Diplodocus’s skeleton.

The address is The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD.

The closest Underground station is South Kensington.

It’s open every day from 10 am to 5:50 pm.

Entrance is free.

Sherlock Holmes Museum

Welcome to 221B Baker Street, where according to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s works, the great detective Sherlock Holmes lived along with his friend Doctor Watson. And even though they’re just made-up characters, the unending stream of visitors who want to see the house proves that for many people, Arthur Conan Doyle’s characters are real enough. Visiting the Sherlock Holmes museum will give you the opportunity immerse yourself in the Victorian Era and even let you imagine being in the famous detective’s place. The souvenir shop has amusing gifts that come from Arthur Conan Doyle’s works.

The address is 221B Baker Street.

The closest Underground station is Baker Street.

It’s open from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Tickets cost 15 pounds.

Warner Bros. Studio

Harry Potter fans know a lot about this place because this is where the movies about the wizard and his friends were filmed. You can fully immerse yourself in behind-the-scenes stuff and see original decorations and costumes that were used during filming. In addition, you’ll learn secrets about making the magical items and the various effects used to create the magical atmosphere. And if you or your children are really Harry Potter fans then the tour of his magical adventures will be perfect.

» See more – How to Visit Warner Bros. Studio

The address is Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden.

The closest Underground station is Watford Junction.

It’s open from 10 am to 4 or 6:30 pm depending on the season.

Tickets are 64 pounds for children and 69 for adults. You can order a tour with a transfer from London using this link.

Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus is one of London’s most popular places. Crowds of tourists come here, and Londoners love to come here for meetings and dates and just sit outside the famous statue of Eros. Piccadilly circus never sleeps, which isn’t surprising since its at the intersection of several important streets: Piccadilly, Regent, Haymarket and Shaftesbury. It’s no accident that Londoners say “it’s like Piccadilly Circus” when they want to describe something as especially noisy and crowded.

The address is Piccadilly Circus.

The closest Underground station is Piccadilly Circus.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden, London: book hotel in

Covent Garden is a beautiful part of London and is famous primarily for the Covent Garden market and as the location of the Royal Opera Theater. But there’s more to the allure of Covent Garden that just those famous landmarks. It also has many restaurants, as well as souvenir shops, kiosks and artisan stands that create a unique atmosphere here. The central Covent Garden square often has street musicians that entertain crowds with their songs, play musical instruments or dance. It also is the home of the London Transport Museum where you can see interesting examples of old buses, trolleys and trams.

The address is Covent Garden.

The closest Underground station is Covent Garden.

The Shard

Do you want to be 310 meters high in 30 seconds? Then welcome to the London Shard! Here you can see famous tourist sights in detail. Both floors have several binoculars that let you study different locations in the city for two minutes.

The address is The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG.

The closest Underground station is London Bridge.

It’s open from 10 am to 7 or 10 pm depending on the season.

Tickets start at 24.95 pounds.

Harrods

As fashion fans say, if you’ve never been to Harrods then you’ve never been to London! This department store was founded in 1849 by Charles Harrod and is in the trinity of the most famous tourist sites in London along with Parliament and Big Ben. Today it’s considered one of the most luxurious stores in the world and justifies its motto “Omnia Omnibus Ubique” which means “all things for all people, everywhere.”

The address is 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7XL, United Kingdom.

The closest Underground station is Knightsbridge.

It’s open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.

St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral is the largest and most famous church in London and is considered one of the greatest cathedrals in the world. A different cathedral was here in the past, but it was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. We have the talent of the famous English architect Sir Christopher Wren to thank for the current design. It has two Baroque towers with magnificent domes and is considered a masterpiece of English architecture. If you’re physically able, we recommend going up the stairs to enjoy the inner space of the dome.

The address is St Paul’s Churchyard.

The closest Underground stations are St Paul’s, Bank and Mansion House.

It’s open from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Tickets start at 16 pounds. You can get a ticket without waiting in lines in advance by using this link.

The Churchill War Rooms

This used to be the Prime Minister’s headquarters, where Churchill commanded troops and steered the course of history. Now this building is a museum and military bunker that anyone can visit. The museum’s collection also has some of the great 20th century military leader’s personal items.

The address is Churchill War Rooms, Clive Steps, Kin Charles Street, London SW1A 2AQ.

The closest Underground stations are St James’s Park and Westminster.

It’s open from 9:30 am to 6 pm.

Tickets cost 23 pounds.

Royal Observatory Greenwich

Time zones around the world are based on Greenwich Mean Time, which is the time here at the Greenwich prime meridian. You can see the line that goes through the cobbled courtyard of Greenwich park. There are several museums here including the 120-seat Planetarium, the home-museum of the royal astronomer John Flamsteed and the National Maritime Museum. If you go to the statue of General Wolfe, you’ll have an excellent view of London.

Don’t forget to take a picture standing with one leg in the Eastern hemisphere and the other in the Western hemisphere!

The address is Greenwich Park, Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich, London SE10 8XJ.

The closest stations are Cutty Sark DLR, Greenwich rail station, Maze Hill rail station, Greenwich Pier (a port if you’re arriving on a ferry).

It’s open every day from 10 am to 5 pm and the ticket offices are open until 4:30 pm.

Tickets cost 16 pounds for adults and 8 pounds for children. You can buy tickets here.

Cutty Sark

The English are famous for being very reverent of their history, and that’s supported by many unusual and interesting museums. The Cutty Sark is a museum ship and a witness to the great history of Great Britain in the 19th century. It’s currently the only ship of its kind in the world and made history just three years after it set sail. Having left the Shanghai port with holds full of tea, the clipper lost its wheel on its way home. The sailors tried to steer manually using the wind, and the ship somehow made it back to Britain. Now you can see the cabins and the full holds in the museum.

The address is Cutty Sark, King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9HT.

The closest Underground stations are Greenwich and DLR Cutty Sark.

It’s open from 10 am to 5 pm.

Tickets cost 13.50 pounds. We recommend buying combined tickets for the Royal Observatory and the Cutty Sark Museum, which costs 26.25 pounds, saving you 3.25 pounds.

Hyde Park

Hyde park is a 350-acre park, the largest in London. It earned its popularity long ago as one of the capital’s famous places back in 1635. Hyde Park has the so-called “Speakers’ Corner” where you can speak freely. The park also has the Apsley House, the residence of the first Duke of Wellington, who bought it after his famous victory in Waterloo. Now the house is a museum that has a wonderful collection of paintings that were once owned by the Duke.

» See more – London’s 5 most famous parks

The address is Hyde Park.

The closest Underground stations are Knightsbridge, Lancaster Gate and Marble Arch.

London Zoo

The London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo and was opened in 1828. It isn’t as large as the zoos in Paris or Barcelona, but it’s very cozy and has many interesting things. You’ll find 720 different animal residents in different habitats, including a real tropical forest. You can see nocturnal animals in the Night Life zone, and you have to go to the “Penguin Beach” to see how they waddle, swim and feed. Of course, it’s often rainy, butthe London Zoo has covered enclosures, so don’t let some rain keep you from visiting.

The address is Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY.

The closest Underground station is Camden Town station on the Northern Line.

It’s open from 10 am to 5 or 6 pm depending on the season.

Tickets cost 14.90 and 22.90 pounds for children and adults respectively, and they can be bought here.

We hope that this list will help you during your visit! Tell us what you liked the most in London!