London is one of the world’s largest cities, with a population of eight million people. It is a prominent worldwide city in culture, fashion, finance, politics, and trade, and it is still one of the most visited cities in the world. It’s only natural that London has a plethora of things to do as one of the world’s top tourist attractions.
Getting around is simple the famed London Underground, commonly known as the Tube, is one of the world’s largest subway networks. London also has a rich culture, which can be seen in the city’s public squares, markets, and performing arts venues. The many public parks are ideal gathering places for locals and tourists alike, and they allow easy access to many of London’s major tourist attractions, such as Buckingham Palace.
1. Westminster Abbey
Whether it’s your first time in the city or not, the traditional London sights are always worthwhile. A must-see is Westminster Abbey, a Gothic-style abbey that has hosted 16 royal weddings since 1100. The abbey, one of England’s most important buildings, is the final resting place of kings, statesmen, poets, scientists, soldiers, and artists ranging from Isaac Newton to Charles Darwin.
After seeing Westminster Abbey, go to the Houses of Parliament (Palace of Westminster).
2. Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is stunning. The palace, located in the City of Westminster in the center of London, was erected in 1703 as a grand mansion for Duke Buckingham but was purchased by King George III in 1761.
When Queen Victoria assumed the throne, she made Buckingham Palace her official house, and it today serves as the queen’s London residence and administrative headquarters. While you are unlikely to see Her Majesty, the Queen, in person, you can still marvel at the palace’s iconic Changing of the Guard.
3. London Tower Bridge
This bridge was built some 130 years ago and is still considered the world’s greatest architectural masterpiece. Aside from providing the ultimate observation experience, this bridge will wow you with its adjustable lanes that slide up and down to accommodate ships of all sizes. The exhibition, which is roughly 137 feet high and has a glass floor, is located at the top of the London Tower Bridge. If you’re planning a trip to London, you absolutely can’t miss out on Tower Bridge! And while you’re there, make sure to swing by The Kings Arms restaurant for a delicious meal.
4. Camden Markets
This is a treat in more ways than one. You will be able to purchase in this massive marketplace that brings together multiple markets with multiple product types, beginning about 10 a.m. Souvenirs, fashion items, furnishings, ethnic cuisines, leather products, and home décor items are available.
Camden Markets are the place to go if you want to try local delicacies as well as foods from all around Europe. It has around 200 stalls open at any given time, as well as many air-conditioned eateries between and around the stalls.
5. Big Ben
The 150-year-old Big Ben Clock Tower is one of London’s most famous tourist attractions. The moniker Big Ben really refers to the 13-ton bell housed within the clock tower and is derived from Sir Benjamin Hall, the man who first ordered the bell.
The current Big Ben bell was built in 1858 after a 16-ton bell fractured catastrophically two years before. The clock has become a renowned tourist attraction and has appeared in a number of films. In the film Mars Attacks!, for example, a UFO attack destroys Big Ben.
6. British Museum
The British Museum houses one of the world’s best collections of antiquities, with approximately 13 million artifacts. The artifacts date from many periods of our ancient world’s history, including Babylonia, Assyria, early Europe, and China.
The huge museum deserves plenty of time, but where should you start? The bust of Ramses the II, the Parthenon’s Elgin Marbles, Egyptian mummies, and the Rosetta Stone are among the best permanent displays.
The British Museum also includes a large bookshop with ancient history literature as well as souvenirs and reproductions of your favorite artifacts.
7. The Shard
Since 2013, tourists visiting London may see the city from an entirely new perspective: the top floor of the legally highest skyscraper in Western Europe! The Shard (German: Scherbe) is a pyramid-shaped skyscraper in the London district of Southwark that has become one of the city’s most important landmarks since its completion. You want to get to the very top of this building to see it. The View from the Shard observation deck is located on levels 68 to 72 of the structure.
8. The Coca-Cola London Eye
The Coca-Cola London Eye is ranked fourth among the finest tourist attractions in London. The capital’s most magnificent cantilevered observation wheel rotates just opposite the Houses of Parliament, right over the River Thames. The wheel is 135 meters tall, making it the highest of its kind in the world, and it turns 360 degrees.
It is divided into 32 glass capsules, each of which takes around a minute to rotate from one perspective to the next. Within a 40-meter radius, you will have seen all of the city’s main landmarks within 30 minutes.
9. National Gallery
One of London’s most famous tourist attractions, the National Gallery Museum, houses an almost complete collection of European paintings from 1260 to 1920. The museum’s amazing collection includes works by some of the world’s most famous painters, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Child, Botticelli’s Venus and Mars, Monet’s The Waterlily Pond, and Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, among many more.
10. St Paul’s Cathedral
the cathedral of St. Paul is one of the most gorgeous architectural structures in London. The city’s largest and most known church is perched on a historic Roman temple. The ancient church was burned in the Great Fire of 1666, but the reconstruction is quite beautiful.
St. Paul’s Cathedral, with its twin Baroque towers and enormous dome, ranks alongside other notable churches from around the world. While the view from the church is spectacular, the interior is equally memorable. Ascend the steps to witness the incredible internal detail and the famed Whispering Gallery.