London is one of those cities that somehow feels historic and modern at the same time. You can spend the morning touring a royal palace, the afternoon eating street food at a market, and the evening watching a world-class theater performance in the West End. Whether it’s your first trip or your fifth, there’s always something new to experience.
Here are 15 of the best things to do in London, along with costs, the best times to visit, ticket websites, and a few personal tips that make the experience even better.
1. Visit The National Gallery
If you only visit one art museum in London, make it The National Gallery. Located in Trafalgar Square, it’s home to masterpieces from Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt, and Da Vinci.
The best part? General admission is completely free.
Cost: Free (special exhibits extra)
Best Time to Go: Weekday mornings before 11 AM
Official Website: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Tip: Don’t try to see everything. Pick a few famous works and enjoy them slowly. The museum café also has surprisingly good desserts.
2. See a West End Show
London’s theater scene rivals Broadway, and seeing a show in the West End is an absolute must. Whether you want something classic like Les Misérables or something fun like Mamma Mia!, there’s a show for everyone.
Cost: £25–£150 depending on seats and show
Best Time to Go: Evening performances year-round
Official Website: https://officiallondontheatre.com
Tip: Same-day discount tickets can often be found at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square. We saw Phantom of the Opera at the Kimg’s Theater and it was amazing!
3. Climb St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of London’s most recognizable landmarks. The inside is stunning, but the real highlight is climbing to the top of the dome for panoramic views of the city.
Cost: Around £26 adults
Best Time to Go: Early morning or sunset
Official Website: https://www.stpauls.co.uk
Tip: There are over 500 steps to the top, so wear comfortable shoes.
4. Tour Parliament and See Big Ben
Seeing Big Ben in person somehow never gets old. You can also tour the Houses of Parliament and walk through the historic chambers where British laws are debated.
Cost: £28–£35 depending on tour type
Best Time to Go: Saturdays and summer opening periods
Official Website: https://www.parliament.uk/visiting
Tip: The best photos of Big Ben are from Westminster Bridge at sunset.
5. Explore Westminster Abbey
This famous church has hosted royal coronations, weddings, and burials for centuries. Walking through Westminster Abbey genuinely feels like stepping into British history.
Cost: Around £30 adults
Best Time to Go: Midweek mornings
Official Website: https://www.westminster-abbey.org
Tip: Audio guides are included and definitely worth using. Be sure to check sunday and religious holiday schedules as it is a working church, and tours are closed during these times.
6. Spend Time at The British Museum
The British Museum is one of the best museums in the world, filled with ancient artifacts like the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.
Cost: Free
Best Time to Go: Weekday mornings
Official Website: https://www.britishmuseum.org
Tip: It’s huge. Focus on a few sections instead of trying to see everything.
7. Have Traditional Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea in London feels like a full experience rather than just a meal. Think finger sandwiches, warm scones, pastries, and endless tea.
Some of the most popular places include The Ritz, Fortnum & Mason, and Sketch. We booked ours at the British Museum, and it was decently priced and really yummy.
Cost: £40–£95 per person
Best Time to Go: Afternoon reservations between 1–4 PM
Official Websites:
https://www.theritzlondon.com
https://www.fortnumandmason.com
https://sketch.london
Tip: Reservations often book weeks in advance.
@travel.town.trish Afternoon Tea in London #britishmuseum #afternoontealondon
♬ 360 (Arr. For Cello Obligato and String Quartet) – Peter Gregson
8. Tour the Tower of London and See the Crown Jewels
The Tower of London is one of the most fascinating historical sites in the city. It has served as a fortress, palace, prison, and execution site. The Crown Jewels alone are worth the visit.
Cost: Around £35 adults
Best Time to Go: Right at opening time
Official Website: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london
Tip: Join one of the Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tours included with admission. They’re entertaining and full of history. Sorry, no photos allowed in the Crown Jewels area, or I would share.
9. Walk Across Tower Bridge
Many people confuse Tower Bridge with London Bridge, but Tower Bridge is the famous one with the towers. The glass floor walkway gives incredible views over the Thames.
Cost: Around £13 adults
Best Time to Go: Sunset or early morning
Official Website: https://www.towerbridge.org.uk
Tip: Check the bridge lift schedule online beforehand.
@travel.town.trish Tower Bridge tour in London! A must see while you visit. #towerbridge🇬🇧 #london
10. Eat Your Way Through Borough Market
Borough Market is heaven for food lovers. You’ll find fresh pastries, fish and chips, international street food, cheese stalls, and some of the best sandwiches in London.
Cost: Free entry; food varies
Best Time to Go: Thursday–Saturday lunchtime
Official Website: https://boroughmarket.org.uk
Tip: Go hungry. Portions are generous, and you’ll want to try multiple things.
@travel.town.trish Lunch at Borough Market #boroughmarketlondon
11. Take a Day Trip to Bath and Stonehenge
If you have extra time, a day trip outside London is completely worth it. Bath is known for its beautiful Georgian architecture and Roman Baths, while Stonehenge is one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments.
Cost: £80–£150 for guided tours
Best Time to Go: Spring or early fall
Official Websites:
https://www.visitbath.co.uk
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge
Tip: Guided tours make transportation much easier than trying to organize trains and buses yourself.
@travel.town.trish Day trip to Bath, England! Lots of Bridgerton has been filmed here. Such a fun day exploring the baths and the town. #bathengland #bridgertonfilminglocations
12. Watch the Changing of the Guard
This classic London experience takes place outside Buckingham Palace and is surprisingly fun to watch in person.
Cost: Free
Best Time to Go: Around 10:30 AM on scheduled ceremony days
Official Website: https://changing-guard.com
Tip: Arrive early if you want a good viewing spot.
13. Visit the Natural History Museum
Even adults love this museum. The giant dinosaur skeletons, gemstone collections, and earthquake simulator make it one of London’s most entertaining museums.
Cost: Free
Best Time to Go: Weekday mornings
Official Website: https://www.nhm.ac.uk
Tip: The building itself is beautiful, so don’t rush through the entrance hall.
14. Explore Kensington Palace and Gardens
Kensington Palace was once Princess Diana’s home and still houses members of the royal family today. The surrounding Kensington Gardens are perfect for a slower afternoon.
Cost: Around £24 adults
Best Time to Go: Late morning or early evening
Official Website: https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace
Tip: Combine this with Hyde Park for an easy walking day.
@travel.town.trish A splendid day in Kensington! #kensingtonpalace #southkensington
♬ Sunset Waltz – From “Downton Abbey” – John Lunn & The Chamber Orchestra Of London
15. Shop at Harrods and Take a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Harrods is probably the most famous department store in the world, and even if you don’t plan to buy anything, it’s worth walking through the luxury food halls and designer sections.
A hop-on hop-off bus tour is also one of the easiest ways to see London quickly, especially on your first day.
Harrods Cost: Free entry
Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Cost: £35–£50
Best Time to Go: Morning for buses; evenings at Harrods
Official Websites:
https://www.harrods.com
https://www.bigbustours.com
Tip: Sit on the upper deck of the bus if the weather is nice. London looks completely different from above street level.
Final Thoughts
London is one of those cities where every neighborhood feels different. One minute you’re standing beside a thousand-year-old church, and the next you’re eating street food beside skyscrapers. The city can feel overwhelming at first, but that’s part of what makes it exciting.
If it’s your first visit, try not to overpack your itinerary. Leave time to wander through parks, stop at random cafés, and simply enjoy the atmosphere. Some of the best memories in London happen between the big attractions.