London is one of those cities where you could stay a month and still have a list of places you missed. Royal palaces, world-class museums (many of them free), ancient churches, buzzing markets, and some of the best theater on the planet are all packed into one sprawling, walkable, endlessly surprising city. Here are the 25 best things to do in London, with tips on when to go for each.
Museums and Galleries
1. The British Museum
Where: Bloomsbury. Best time: Weekday mornings or late afternoons.
The British Museum holds around 8 million objects telling the story of human history, from Egyptian mummies and Greek sculptures to the Rosetta Stone. Entry to the permanent collection is free, so you can pop in for an hour and come back another day. Don't miss the glass-roofed Great Court.
2. The National Gallery
Where: Trafalgar Square. Best time: Weekday mornings.
More than 2,000 paintings from the 13th to the early 20th century, including works by Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Turner, and Monet. It is free and right in the center of the city.
3. Tate Modern
Where: Bankside. Best time: Weekday afternoons.
Modern and contemporary art in a converted power station on the South Bank, with works by Picasso, Warhol, and Rothko. The vast Turbine Hall hosts huge installations, and the viewing level of the Blavatnik Building has free views across the Thames.
4. The Natural History Museum
Where: South Kensington. Best time: Weekday mornings, outside school holidays.
The cathedral-like building alone is worth a visit. Inside, you will find a blue whale skeleton suspended in Hintze Hall, dinosaur galleries, and an earthquake simulator. Free to enter.
5. The Victoria and Albert Museum
Where: South Kensington. Best time: Weekday afternoons.
The V&A is the world's leading museum of art and design, covering 5,000 years of fashion, jewelry, ceramics, furniture, and sculpture. Have a coffee in its ornate Victorian café rooms.
6. The Science Museum
Where: South Kensington. Best time: Weekday mornings.
Hands-on galleries, Stephenson's Rocket, the Apollo 10 command module, and plenty for kids. The museum is free, though some exhibitions and the interactive Wonderlab charge.
7. The Churchill War Rooms
Where: Westminster. Best time: First thing in the morning.
Walk through the underground bunker where Winston Churchill and his government directed the Second World War. The Map Room has been left almost exactly as it was in 1945.
Royal and Historic London
8. The Tower of London
Where: Tower Hill. Best time: Weekday mornings, straight to the Crown Jewels.
Founded by William the Conqueror after 1066, the Tower has been a royal palace, a prison, and an execution site. Today it guards the Crown Jewels. Join a free tour with a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) and look out for the ravens, which legend says must never leave.
9. Buckingham Palace
Where: Westminster. Best time: Changing of the Guard days, arriving early.
The King's official London residence. The Changing of the Guard usually starts around 11 AM on set days of the week, so check the schedule before you go. The State Rooms open to visitors in summer.
10. Westminster Abbey
Where: Westminster. Best time: Early morning on a weekday.
The Gothic abbey has hosted coronations for almost a thousand years and many royal weddings. Inside are the tombs of monarchs, poets, and scientists, including Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.
11. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
Where: Westminster. Best time: Any time, but dusk is the most photogenic.
The Palace of Westminster is a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture. Big Ben is technically the bell inside the Elizabeth Tower. UK residents can tour the tower, and anyone can book a guided tour of Parliament on Saturdays and during recess.
12. St Paul's Cathedral
Where: City of London. Best time: Early morning, or attend Evensong.
Christopher Wren's masterpiece has one of the largest domes in the world. Climb more than 500 steps to the Golden Gallery for city views, and test the Whispering Gallery on the way up. Attending a service, such as Choral Evensong, is free.
13. Tower Bridge
Where: Tower Hill. Best time: Weekday mornings.
London's most famous bridge is free to walk across. The Tower Bridge Exhibition takes you up to the high-level walkways, where glass floors let you look straight down at the traffic and boats below, and into the Victorian engine rooms.
14. Royal Museums Greenwich
Where: Greenwich. Best time: A sunny day, arriving by river boat.
Stand on the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory, board the tea clipper Cutty Sark, and explore the free National Maritime Museum. Finish with the view from the top of Greenwich Park.
Views and the River
15. The London Eye
Where: South Bank. Best time: Sunset.
A full rotation in a glass capsule takes about 30 minutes, with views of Big Ben, St Paul's, and, on clear days, far beyond the city. Book online to save money and time.
16. The Shard
Where: London Bridge. Best time: Sunset or after dark.
The UK's tallest building has viewing galleries on levels 68, 69, and 72, around 240 meters up. For a free alternative, book a slot at the Sky Garden in the City.
17. A Thames river cruise
Best time: Year-round, but summer evenings are best.
See Parliament, the Tower, and Tower Bridge from the water. Sightseeing cruises add commentary, while Uber Boat by Thames Clippers river buses use normal contactless fares.
Markets, Theater, and Neighborhoods
18. Camden Market
Where: Camden Town. Best time: Weekends for atmosphere, weekdays for space.
A sprawl of street food, vintage clothing, and alternative fashion beside Regent's Canal. It has been a hub for creatives since the 1970s, and the area's pubs and venues still host live music most nights.
19. Covent Garden
Best time: Weekends for street performers.
The historic market building is full of shops, cafés, and stalls, with street performers in the piazza. Wander over to the colorful courtyard of Neal's Yard nearby.
20. A West End show
Best time: Midweek for the best ticket deals.
London's Theatreland rivals Broadway, with long-running musicals, new plays, and big-name stars. Book ahead for popular shows, or check the TKTS booth in Leicester Square and ticket apps for same-day deals.
21. The Royal Opera House
Where: Covent Garden. Best time: Book as early as you can.
Home to the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera. Even if you don't see a performance, you can visit the café and terrace, and some tickets are surprisingly affordable.
22. Shakespeare's Globe
Where: Bankside. Best time: The summer season, when the open-air theater is in full swing.
A faithful reconstruction of the theater where Shakespeare's plays were first performed. Standing "groundling" tickets in the yard are some of the cheapest theater seats in London.
Parks and Gardens
23. Kew Gardens
Where: Richmond. Best time: Spring and summer.
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew spread over more than 300 acres, with Victorian glasshouses such as the Palm House and Temperate House, a treetop walkway, and plants from around the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
24. Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park
Best time: Spring and summer.
Walk, rent a pedal boat on the Serpentine, visit Kensington Palace, and find the Peter Pan statue and the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain. In winter, Hyde Park hosts Winter Wonderland.
25. Trafalgar Square
Best time: Any time.
Nelson's Column and its four bronze lions anchor London's central square, which often hosts free events and is great for people-watching. Look for the changing modern artwork on the Fourth Plinth.
Tips for Visiting London
- Use contactless: Tap a contactless card or phone on the Tube, buses, and river buses. Daily fares are capped.
- Book ahead: Tower of London, the London Eye, the Shard, and popular shows are cheaper and quicker online.
- Visit free museums often: You don't have to see everything in one go.
- Walk: Many sights are closer together than the Tube map suggests.
- Stay connected: Maps, tickets, and bookings all need data. An egoViet UK eSIM connects as soon as you land, with no roaming fees.
Need a plan? Try our 3-day London itinerary, find out how many days you need in London, or see the city's hidden gems.
FAQs: Things to Do in London
What is the number one thing to do in London?
For most first-time visitors, the Tower of London and the British Museum top the list, along with seeing Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from Westminster Bridge.
What can you do in London for free?
The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, V&A, and Science Museum are all free, as are the parks, Trafalgar Square, the Changing of the Guard, and walks along the South Bank.
How many days do you need to see London?
Three days covers the main sights. Five days or more lets you add Greenwich, Kew, and different neighborhoods at a relaxed pace.
Is London expensive for tourists?
Hotels and dining can be pricey, but free museums, capped transport fares, markets, and parks help keep costs down.