by David Diliff / CC BY-SA 3.0

A Global Center of Business, Finance, and Culture

A. About London

Nickname:  The Old Smoke

London, the United Kingdom's capital, is a global center of business, finance, and culture.

You will find contemporary architecture alongside historic monuments like the Tower of London, several outstanding museums, famous churches, parks, and palaces.

Fortunately, several of London's top things to do, including the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the Victoria and Albert Museum are free to enjoy.

Best Things to do in London

➕ The Good 

As for sights — only very few cities count as many in total — London represents absolute world-class.

Furthermore, the city is safe, easy to get around with great public transportation, and delights visitors with glorious shopping and vibrant nightlife.

âž– Negative Aspects

Most noteworthy, a still extremely high price level (though it is getting a tad better with the weaker pound) hinders London to finish higher on our list.

In addition, the city lacks a dedicated center.

 

B. Best Things to Do in London in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count a very impressive total of more than two hundred sights in London. The following sights contribute to an extraordinary score of 8.85/10 in this most important category:

# British Museum 8 4.1 out of 5 stars

Founded in 1753 this world-class museum, dedicated to human history and culture, is one of London's best free attractions with an impressive collection of more than seven million objects from all over the globe. 

Highlights include the fabulous Elgin Marbles (originally part of the Parthenon in Athens), the colossal horse from Halikarnassos, the world-famous Rosetta Stone, the Sutton Hoo mask, the Lewis Chessmen, and an Easter Island statue.

Show top 15 treasures (click here)

Archaeological Museum Free Gallery Space: 25,000 m2 / 277,000 ft2 | Galleries: 94 | Artworks on Display: ca. 80,000 | Established: 1753 | Visitors [2018]: 5.8 million

# National Gallery 8 4.1 out of 5 stars

Situated at Trafalgar Square the National Gallery features one of the world’s greatest collections of 13th to 19th-century Western European paintings.

Among the highlights of this free museum are masterpieces by Van Eyck, Velázquez, Rubens, Caravaggio, Bronzino, Van Gogh, da Vinci, Seurat, and Holbein the Younger. 

Show top 20 paintings (click here)

Art Museum Free Gallery Space: 13,000 m2 / 140,000 ft2 | Galleries: 72 | Artworks on Display: ca. 2,300 | Established: 1824 | Visitors [2017]: 5,229,192

(click on images to open in lightbox)

# Tower Bridge 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

This iconic drawbridge was built in 1894 in Victorian Gothic style.

Enjoy the wonderful views from the walkway between the two bridge towers.

Bridge Completed: 1894 | Style: Victorian Gothic

Best things to do in London | Best Cities | No. 16: London | Tower Bridge

# Victoria and Albert Museum 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Affectionately known as the V&A this huge museum of decorative art objects represents more than 3,000 years of human creativity.

The outstanding free permanent collection contains over 4.5 million objects, predominantly furniture, ceramics, photography, sculpture, silver, ironwork, jewelry, and paintings.

Show top 5 treasures (click here)

Art and Archaeological Museum Free Gallery Space: 30,658 m2 / 330,000 ft2 | Galleries: 145 | Artworks on Display: ca. 56,800 | Established: 1852 | Visitors [2018]: 3,967,566

(click on images to open in lightbox)

# WESTMINSTER ABBEY 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Constructed in the 11th century this remarkable mainly Gothic church, located just next to the Houses of Parliament, is where the most important British church ceremonies take place.

It is also a burial site of important people such as Charles Darwin or Sir Isaac Newton, William Shakespeare, Princess Diana, or Winston Churchill.

Church 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1987

by Amandajm / CC BY-SA 3.0

# St Paul's Cathedral 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Completed in 1711 featuring one of the largest domes in the world the exterior of this extraordinary cathedral shares many similarities with St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Visitors are advised to climb the 560 steps to the top of the dome for breathtaking views. With a height of 111 meters (365 feet), St Paul's Cathedral was the tallest building in London from 1710 to 1967. 

Cathedral Completed: 1711 | Style: Baroque

by David Diliff / CC BY-SA 3.0

# PALACE OF WESTMINSTER with "BIG BEN" tower 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Widely referred to as the Houses of Parliament and located on the banks of the River Thames, this famous building is one of the largest in the world (containing around 1,200 rooms).

It comprises the House of Lords and House of Commons as well as The Elizabeth Tower, which is often referred to by the name of its main bell, Big Ben. While the iconic clock tower is not publicly accessible, you can take a tour of the House of Commons, House of Lords, and Westminster Hall.

Historic Building and Tower 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1987 | ⚠️Pre-booking advised

Things to do in London | Best Cities | No. 16: London | PALACE OF WESTMINSTER with "BIG BEN" tower

# TOWER OF LONDON 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Constructed at the beginning of the eleventh century, this huge, fortified complex, situated on the north bank of the River Thames, served as a prison, a treasury, and a royal palace.

Marvel at the world-famous Crown Jewels exhibition, on display in the Jewel House.

Palace and Fortress 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1988

Things to do in London | Best Cities | No. 16: London | TOWER OF LONDON

# Buckingham Palace 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

This lavishly decorated palace is the official residence of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom since 1837. It is open to the public each year only in August and September when the Royal Family is away.

Of the 775 rooms of the palace, only nineteen rooms can be visited. Highlights of the tour include the impressive Throne Room, the Green Drawing Room, the Silk Tapestry Rooms, the Picture Gallery, the State Dining Room as well as the Blue and the White Drawing Room. 

Palace Open to the public: Aug. and Sept. | Rooms: 775 in total / 19 accessible Pre-booking advised

by Diliff / CC BY-SA 3.0

# The Shard 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

This stylish glass-clad pyramidal tower was designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano and completed in 2013.

Skyscraper Total Height: 309 m / 1,016 ft | Observation Deck Height: 244 m / 801 ft| View Type: Glass Windows (also Outdoor) | Completed: 2013 | Architect: Renzo Piano

Original photograph by Oliver25, Derivative by Keraunoscopia / CC BY-SA 3.0

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in London

#11 | Tate Modern 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Based in the former Bankside Power Station, Tate Modern is one of the largest and most important museums of modern and contemporary art in the world. 

The museum is especially known for its outstanding temporary exhibitions. From the terrace of the new Blavatnik Building, you can enjoy wonderful 360-degree views of London. 

      • Important Masterpieces: 8
      • Highlight: Self Portrait with Model by Christian Schad (1927), 76 Ă— 62 cm (30 in Ă— 24 in)

Show top 5 paintings (click here)

Fine Arts Museum

by Victor Grigas / CC BY-SA 4.0

#12 | Tate Britain 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Tate Britain, the national gallery of British art, displays the largest collection of British art in the world from 1500 to the present day in chronological order.

Highlights include masterpieces by John Everett Millais, John William Waterhouse, and J. M. W. Turner.

      • Important Masterpieces: 7
      • Highlight: Ophelia by John Everett Millais (1851), 76.2 cm Ă— 111.8 cm (30.0 in Ă— 44.0 in)

Show top 6 paintings (click here)
Fine Arts Museum

Best Museums in the World | Tate Britain

by Tony Hisgett / CC BY-SA 2.0

#13 | ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS (Kew Gardens) 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Established in 1759, Kew Gardens spans over 300 acres and houses one of the largest and most diverse collections of plants in the world.

Visitors to Kew Gardens can explore various themed gardens, glasshouses, and iconic attractions such as the Palm House and the Temperate House.

Park đźŚŤ World Heritage Site: since 2003

by Diliff / CC BY-SA 3.0

#14 | GREENWICH 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Greenwich, a historic district in London, is celebrated for its role in establishing GMT and hosts iconic landmarks like the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian Line, attracting visitors with its UNESCO sites and lively cultural scene.

Visitors flock to Greenwich to explore its UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Old Royal Naval College with its stunning baroque architecture, and the Cutty Sark, a preserved 19th-century clipper ship.

City District đźŚŤ World Heritage Site: since 1995/2008

by Shawn M. Kent / CC BY-SA 4.0

#15 | Wallace Collection 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Comparable to the Frick Collection in New York, this small but impressive collection highlights French and Dutch paintings, furniture, and decorative objects from the 15th-18th centuries in an elegant former estate home.

The collection opened to permanent public view in 1900 in Hertford House and remains there to this day. A condition of the request was that no object should ever leave the collection, even for loan exhibitions.

      • Important Masterpieces: 4
      • Highlight: The Swing, Jean-Honore Fragonard (1767), 81 cm Ă— 64.2 cm (​31.9 in Ă— ​25.2 in)

Show top 5 paintings (click here)

Fine Arts Museum

by Anthony O'Neil / CC BY-SA 4.0

#16 | Natural History Museum 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

The Natural History Museum in London, founded in 1881, boasts an extensive collection of over 80 million specimens, featuring iconic dinosaur skeletons and ongoing research initiatives, offering interactive experiences for visitors.

The museum's architecture, characterized by its grand Victorian design, adds to the overall experience of exploring its collections and exhibitions.

Natural History Museum

by jhlau / CC BY-SA 2.0

#17 | Sky Garden 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Sky Garden London is a breathtaking urban oasis atop a skyscraper, boasting gardens, observation decks, dining options, and a variety of events for visitors to enjoy while taking in the stunning views of London.

Skyscraper

by Colin / CC BY-SA 2.0

#18 | Hyde Park 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Hyde Park is one of London's largest and most famous parks, spanning over 350 acres in the heart of the city.

It boasts iconic landmarks such as the Serpentine Lake, the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, and the Speaker's Corner.

Park

by LondonNPC / CC BY-SA 2.0

#18 | London Eye 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

The London Eye, standing at 135 meters tall, is a giant Ferris wheel located on the South Bank of the River Thames.

Offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city, the London Eye has 32 sealed and air-conditioned passenger capsules, each capable of holding up to 25 people.

Giant Ferris Wheel

by Diliff / CC BY-SA 3.0

#19 | Regent's Park 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Regent's Park spans over 395 acres and is one of the Royal Parks of London.

Designed by architect John Nash in the early 19th century, Regent's Park boasts stunning formal gardens, wide open spaces, and a picturesque lake.

Giant Ferris Wheel

by Umezo KAMATA / CC BY-SA 3.0

#20 | Imperial War Museum 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

The Imperial War Museum, established in 1917, offers comprehensive exhibits, detailing Britain's military history and personal wartime stories.

The collections include military vehicles, personal letters, and artworks depicting wartime experiences.

War Museum

by Peter Trimming / CC BY-SA 3.0

    • Churchill War Rooms 5
    • Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (Museum) 5
    • National Portrait Gallery 5
    • Covent Garden 5
    • Harrods 5
    • London Zoo 5
    • St James's Park 5
    • Borough Market 5
    • Science Museum (Museum) 5
    • 🌍 SAINT MARGARET'S CHURCH (World Heritage Site: since 1987) 5
 

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from London

Stonehenge (141 km from London) 8 

Windsor Castle (41.4 km from London) 7

Blenheim Palace (101 km from London) 7

🌍 BATH (city, 185 km from London) 6

Oxford (city, 90.6 km from London) 6

Hampton Court Palace (25 km from London) 6

Brighton (city, 85.7 km from London) 6

Cambridge (city, 105 km from London) 6

Bristol (city, 190 km from London) 6

Canterbury (city, 99.6 km from London) 5

Birmingham (city,191 km from London) 5

Margate (city, 124 km from London) 5

Downton Abbey Locations (105 km from London, Highclere Castle) 5

E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in London (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting London for at least four entire days.

British Museum 8

 National Gallery (museum) 8

Tower Bridge 7

Victoria and Albert Museum 7

🌍 WESTMINSTER ABBEY  7

St Paul's Cathedral 7

🌍 PALACE OF WESTMINSTER with "BIG BEN" tower 7

🌍 TOWER OF LONDON 7

Buckingham Palace 6

The Shard (Skyscraper, total 306 m) 6

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