London receives almost 30 Million visitors every year, making it the most visited city in Europe.
Many tourists planning a trip, wonder, “What to do in London?” well, there are lots of fun things to do in London.
We have listed below the top things to do in London, with detailed description and links to buy the entry tickets or book tours.
Discover the top tourist attractions in this elegant city with our list of the things to do in London.
Table of contents
- London Eye
- Tower of London
- Madame Tussauds
- St Paul’s Cathedral
- Kew Gardens
- Harry Potter Studio Tour
- Windsor Castle
- Stonehenge
- London Zoo
- Whipsnade Zoo
- The Shard
- Kensington Palace
- O2 Arena Roof Climb
- London Dungeon
- London Transport Museum
- Chessington World of Adventures
- Chelsea FC Stadium Tour
- Free things to do in London
London Eye
London Eye is a giant Ferris Wheel at the heart of the capital and is one of the iconic symbols of modern London.
On a clear day, from the top of the London Eye, visitors can see up to 40 Kms (25 Miles) on all sides.
Every year, London Eye attracts more than 3.5 million visitors.
Tower of London
With centuries of bizarre stories about execution and imprisonment, the Tower of London offers insights into London’s rich yet complex history.
The Tower, built as a Royal residence, has been a political prison, a royal mint, a royal menagerie, and most importantly, a place of execution.
Madame Tussauds
Inaugurated in 1884, Madame Tussauds in London displays wax statues of celebrities from all over the World.
Over the years, Madame Tussauds wax Museums have come up in many cities, but Madame Tussaud in London remains the most popular of them all.
St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most famous sights in London, with a dome that has dominated the London skyline for over 300 years.
The Cathedral is dedicated to Paul the Apostle and dates to AD 604.
More than 1.5 million tourists visit this attraction in London every year.
Kew Gardens
Declared as a UNESCO world heritage site, Kew Gardens houses the world’s most diverse and exotic plants.
It offers a wide range of attractions, including the iconic palm house with its exotic rainforest and The Princess of Wales Conservatory, with ten climatic zones.
Harry Potter Studio Tour
After all the Harry Potter movies got filmed, Warner Bros decided to develop the studio section where they shot them into a permanent tour.
More than 6000 Harry Potter fans visit the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London daily, making it a must-visit family attraction.
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. William, the Conqueror, built the castle in the 11th century, and since then, it has hosted 39 Monarchs.
The British Queen prefers to spend her weekend at this castle which gets more than 1.5 million tourists annually.
Stonehenge
The mystical Stonehenge is one of the most iconic symbols of English history and culture, captivating tourists because of its mysterious beauty and soothing calm.
The curiosity to understand our past makes this site one of the most popular tourist attractions of London.
London Zoo
London Zoo was opened to the public in 1847, making it the world’s oldest scientific zoo. Since the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) manages the London Zoo, locals also refer to it as ZSL London Zoo.
It is home to 755 species of animals and attracts more than 1.1 million tourists every year.
Whipsnade Zoo
Set in 600 acres of the beautiful Chiltern Hills, Whipsnade Zoo is one of the two zoo managed by Zoological Society of London, the other being London Zoo.
It is home to more than 3,600 animals and was earlier known as the Whipsnade Wild Animal Park.
Not sure which wildlife attraction to visit? Check out our comparison – London Zoo or Whipsnade Zoo
The Shard
The Shard, also referred to as ‘The View from The Shard,’ is the highest viewing platform in London.
From its three observatories – on floors 68, 69, and 72 – visitors can see mesmerizing 360-degree views of London for up to 65 Km (40 miles).
It stands at the height of 256 meters (840 feet).
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace has stood by the British Royal family since the 17th century.
Today Kensington Palace serves as home to various royal families of England including, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
O2 Arena Roof Climb
Up At The O2 is an adrenaline-pumping climb over the O2 Arena’s roof via a fabric walkway.
The walkway is 380 meters (1250 feet) long and at its highest point is 52 meters (170 feet) above ground level.
At the end of the climb, the participants can see spectacular views of London.
London Dungeon
The London Dungeon is a thrilling walk-through experience that takes you back in history by recreating scenes from London’s scary past.
The live actors, thrilling rides, and exciting special effects make the London Dungeon a worthwhile attraction.
London Transport Museum
London Transport Museum explores the heritage of London and its transport system over the last 200 years.
The Museum has 12 galleries featuring the world’s first underground steam engine, electric trains, classic London buses, trams, iconic posters of the transport department, etc.
Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington World of Adventures is a theme park with ten themed lands, 40 thrilling rides, 1000+ animals in the zoo, and a Sea Life center.
This attraction also offers fantastic Live Shows and Events and is an ideal full-day outing for adults and kids. Two million tourists visit annually.
Chelsea FC Stadium Tour
The Stamford Bridge stadium has been Chelsea Football Club’s home for more than a century.
During the Chelsea Football Club’s stadium tour, a guide takes you through the Dressing Room, Press Room, Player’s Tunnel, etc., after which you visit the Museum and take in the club’s history.
Free things to do in London
If you are looking for free things to do in London, you are in luck.
London has a lot of free Museums, free art galleries, free to enter parks and other attractions.
You can enjoy the below given London sites without buying an admission ticket –
Free Museums in London
1. Natural History Museum
2. Sir John Soane’s Museum
3. Victoria and Albert Museum
4. Museum of London
5. Bank of England Museum
6. Museum of London Docklands
7. Grant Museum of Zoology
8. Horniman Museum
9. British MuseumImperial War Museum
Free Parks in London
1. Wimbledon Common Park
2. Hyde Park
3. Park Vista
4. Richmond Park
5. Bushy Park
6. Kensington Gardens
7. St James’s Park
8. Barbican Conservatory
9. Holland Park
10. Phoenix Garden
Free kids activities in London
1. Push Harry Potter’s trolley on Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross
2. See farm animals at Mudchute Farm and Vauxhall City Farm
3. Go up the singing elevator in the Royal Festival Hall
4. Watch skateboarders perform death-defying acts at Southbank Centre
5. Visit Covent Garden and enjoy the street performers
6. Get onto Captain Hook’s pirate ship at the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground
7. See Apollo 10 command capsule and Stephenson’s Rocket at Science Museum.
8. Go up the singing elevator in the Royal Festival Hall
9. Watch skateboarders perform death-defying acts at Southbank Centre
10. Visit Covent Garden and enjoy the street performers
11. Get onto Captain Hook’s pirate ship at the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground
12. See Apollo 10 command capsule and Stephenson’s Rocket at Science Museum.
If all of the above isn’t enough, check out the change of guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace – yes, it is free!