Top 10 Things to Do in London: The Ultimate Guide

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London is one of those cities that’s constantly changing. It’s also always busy, full of cultures from all over the world and suitable for visiting any time of year. These are some of the reasons that I love it so much and why the top 10 things to do in London are some of my favourite things to do in any city! 

Another of the best things about London is that it never leaves anyone out. Anyone can enjoy it and it’s suitable for travelling as a couple, with kids, with teens or on a solo trip.

The top 10 things to do in London

When it comes to the best things to see in London, it’s almost impossible to narrow it down to just 10.

However, many people only travel to London for a few days (perhaps on a business trip or you’re seeing London before exploring the other gorgeous cities in Europe).

So, if you’re just searching for the top 10 things to do in London, then these tips should give you some inspiration.  

For the perfect day in the English capital, here are the best things to do in London.

1. Climb the O2 

If you fancy doing something a little different from the usual best things to do in London, then why not strap on a harness and scale the side of the famous O2 Arena? The views from the top are spectacular and it’s undeniably a unique way to see the city! 

When you book, you can select which time of day you’d like to make the climb. The views at sunset are always so dramatic that this is definitely my favourite option, however, daytime and twilight give amazing panoramic views as well.

It’s suitable for adults and children, so can be a great activity for families (provided you’re not scared of heights of course). Tickets cost up to £39, and you have to book in advance, but it will definitely be an unforgettable experience and a bit of a hidden gem.

✅ Book tickets to climb the O2

2. Wander Around Camden 

Camden is one of my absolute favourite places in London. Whenever I visited the city with my mum when I was younger, she’d always take me to Camden market. I’d spend hours wandering around and leave with armfuls of grungy t-shirts, canvas paintings, jewellery and cheap knock-off trainers.

Then, we’d get to the food. Camden Market has some of the best selections of food in the city. The selection is incredible – delicacies from all over the globe. It’s super affordable too and one of the best places to eat if you’re travelling on a budget.

I always made a beeline for Chinese cuisine and usually picked a help-yourself stuff-it-as-high-as-you-can box for £5. It was delicious and filled me up for the rest of the day.

Nevertheless, if Chinese isn’t your thing (does anyone actually not like Chinese), or you simply don’t fancy it, there’s plenty more to tempt you. This includes giant slices of pizza, Mexican burritos, traditional fish and chips, authentic Indonesian street food, and so much more. It’s making me peckish just thinking about it!

For more delicious English cuisine, check out the cheapest places to eat in London.

3. Visit Buckingham Palace

The gorgeous 16th-century mansion is home to possibly the most famous Royal Family across the globe. Any trip to London would be incomplete without a glimpse of this royal masterpiece.

The palace has been home to the English Monarchy since 1837 and the Queen still resides there sometimes (you can tell because a flag will fly above the palace whenever she is there). Inside there are a whopping 775 rooms, which you can visit yourself via a guided tour available in the summer months.

From the outside, you can watch the famous changing of the guard, which occurs every other day (most of the time) at 11 am. It’s become a bit of a tourist attraction because the guards are famous for not moving a muscle. Some comedians have even done acts where they’ve tried to trick the guards into moving. If you want to see the chance, you can check the schedule here.

Another great way to see Buckingham Palace is by taking a stroll through Green Park. The Royal Park is a tranquil triangle of grass and trees right next to the palace. It offers great views without the crowded hustle and bustle of getting too close. 

✅ Book tickets to tour Buckingham Palace now.

4. Visit Platform 9 ¾

If you’re unsure of the meaning of the phrase ‘Wingardium Leviosa’ then this top London attraction probably isn’t for you!

King’s Cross is one of the busiest train stations in London and has served the city since 1852. But for many of the Potterheads around the world, King’s Cross Station has a completely different meaning: it’s the place where Harry Potter will catch the Hogwarts Express and start a new year at wizarding school.

For many dreaming of the day they receive their letter and are whisked off on a magical adventure, King’s Cross Station now offers the next best thing: its very own Platform 9 ¾!

Post beside the luggage trolly disappearing into the wall or pay a visit to the shop next door equipped with exclusive Harry Potter merchandise. Both will most likely have pretty long queues, so you will probably have to wait, but, if you’re a fan, then it’s worth it.

The next best thing is a trip to the Harry Potter Studios, which is a 20-minute bus ride (or an hour by train) outside of central London. You can spend hours wandering around the film sets here (they recommend 4), and entrance costs £45, but is once again, worth every penny.

✅ Book a Warner Bros Studio Tour from London.

5. Ride the London Eye 

No trip to London is complete without a ride on possibly the most famous Ferris Wheel in the world. The iconic wheel was constructed to celebrate the millennium (hence why it was once known as the Millennium Wheel) and now offers travellers gorgeous panoramic views across the city from the inside of one of its 32 capsules. 

Each pod contains up to 25 people, which can get a little crowded. To beat this, you can either hire the pods out for yourself (the champagne experience is especially cool and a pretty romantic option for that special someone) or get there early to beat the crowds.

If you don’t have unlimited time in London, I suggest booking the Eye in advance as it can get pretty busy with queues backing up into the streets. 

Moving at just 0.6 miles per hour, you can get some stunning pics from the top so be sure to bring your camera. The London Eye is also the centrepiece of the London New Year’s Eve fireworks, which are absolutely spectacular.

✅ Book tickets to the London Eye

6. Explore Westminster and See Big Ben 

Not to be confused with the tower that it sits in, Big Ben is the name of the giant bell that chimed every hour since 1859 (except for a few times when it broke). Another of London’s classic icons, no trip to the city would be complete without a visit and it’s well deserved on the top 10 things to do in London. 

Next to Big Ben, you’ll find the City of Westminster. Westminster is an inner London city and borough and is the political hub of London. It also contains Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street (home to the current Prime Minister of England), and most of the West End. 

You can easily spend a good few hours exploring Westminster, but be sure to see the Abbey as it really is spectacular. Parliament Square is also worth a visit and contains statues of famous British icons such as Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill.

7. Visit Madame Tussauds

One of London’s top attractions, Madame Tussauds is a wax museum in the centre of London. It’s a pretty incredible museum and, you’ll come face to face with many life-size wax figures of celebrities, sports icons, the Royal Family, and historical figures like William Shakespeare and Winston Churchill.

Madame Tussauds is great fun for all the family and one of the best things to do in London if you have children. There are interactive parts too – you might end up sitting on a chair for The Voice or sitting on a bicycle with E.T. in your basket!

✅ Book tickets for Madame Tussauds

8. Explore the British Museum

For a step back into Britain’s glorious, but sometimes pretty dark history, a trip to the world-famous British Museum is one of the top 10 things to do in London. The (surprisingly) free London attraction was created in 1753 and the contents span a remarkable two million years.

The British Museum opens daily from 10 am until 5:30 pm but I’d recommend getting there early before it starts getting too crowded. Some of the most famous artefacts you can find inside include the Rosetta Stone (this is the museum’s most popular exhibit and can be found in Room 4), Egyptian mummies, Parthenon sculptures and much, much more.

9. Go Shopping!

London is a shopaholic’s dream come true. There are so many different places to go shopping in London, whether you’re looking to bag a bargain or purchase some high-end designer gear.

Possibly the most famous place is Oxford Street. The 1.2-mile high street (one of the longest in the world) contains a whopping 300 shops, ranging from Gucci to Primark. 

Whilst I’m definitely a fan of designer gear, I must admit, their Primark is pretty amazing. Two enormous floors of fashion bargains and a dedicated Harry Potter section where you can get some seriously cute pyjamas.

As well as Oxford Street, you can also hit the shops at Westfield, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden (check out the Jubilee Market for gorgeous antiques and clothing) and Bond Street. Don’t forget to check out the markets too for even more bargains.

10. Relax in Hyde Park

Perfect for some downtime after exploring these top 10 things to do in London, Hyde Park offers 350 acres of trees and greenery. It’s both one of London’s eight Royal Parks, one of the most famous parks and one of the largest parks in the city. It’s London’s equivalent of Central Park in New York.

The park has a lot of significance both historically and throughout the modern-day as many events have been held here. This includes historic protests by the Suffragettes, the modern British Summertime Festival, and Winter Wonderland, one of the best Christmas events in London. However, the park’s infamous ‘speaker’s corner’ still holds protests and debates to this day!

A few of the best things to do in the park include going paddle boating on the Serpentine Lake and visiting the memorial statues – including the Princess Diana Memorial, the Holocaust Memorial, the 7th July Memorial and the Statue of Achilles. It’s also a great place simply to chill with a picnic lunch and watch the world go by.

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