London Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
London offers a captivating mix of history and modernity. Visit the iconic Tower of London, stroll through Hyde Park, and explore world-class museums like the British Museum. Don't miss the vibrant neighborhoods and the culinary delights of Borough Market.
With 304+ hand-picked places to explore, London rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Here's our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for.
Must-See Attractions in London
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with The Cenotaph — ideal for history enthusiasts and those seeking to pay their respects, this memorial is a poignant site. Just as worthwhile is The View from The Shard: experience London's skyline from 32 London Bridge St, where The Shard offers breathtaking views. Berkeley Square completes the picture: the ancient London plane trees in Berkeley Square have stood for centuries, offering a glimpse into London's history.
The Cenotaph
London • Monuments & Statues
Ideal for history enthusiasts and those seeking to pay their respects, this memorial is a poignant site.
The View from The Shard
London • Scenic Viewpoints & Lookouts
Experience London's skyline from 32 London Bridge St, where The Shard offers breathtaking views.
Berkeley Square
London • Historic Squares & Plazas
The ancient London plane trees in Berkeley Square have stood for centuries, offering a glimpse into London's history.
Buckingham Palace
London • Famous Landmarks
A key stop on any London itinerary, showcasing royal history and modern monarchy.
Museums & Culture in London
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is St. Paul's Cathedral: the striking dome of St. Paul's Cathedral defines London's skyline and showcases English Baroque architecture. Locals will also point you to The Painted Hall — ideal for art enthusiasts and history buffs, The Painted Hall features the UK's largest painted ceiling. And for something different, there's Tower of London: the Crown Jewels and centuries of royal history define this historic castle on the River Thames.
St. Paul's Cathedral
London • Historical Sites
The striking dome of St. Paul's Cathedral defines London's skyline and showcases English Baroque architecture.
The Painted Hall
London • Historical Sites
Ideal for art enthusiasts and history buffs, The Painted Hall features the UK's largest painted ceiling.
Tower of London
London • Historical Sites
The Crown Jewels and centuries of royal history define this historic castle on the River Thames.
National Theatre
London • Theaters
A cornerstone of British theatre, known for its diverse range of productions and commitment to innovation.
Best Things to Do in London
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Lee Valley White Water Centre — ideal for thrill-seekers and adventurous families, this centre offers a unique rafting experience outside London. Electric Shuffle London earns its reputation too — a lively indoor shuffleboard venue that merges technology with traditional gameplay. Round out the shortlist with HintHunt London — one of London’s premier escape room venues, known for its diverse and challenging themes.
Lee Valley White Water Centre
London • Outdoor
Ideal for thrill-seekers and adventurous families, this centre offers a unique rafting experience outside London.
Electric Shuffle London
London • Indoor
A lively indoor shuffleboard venue that merges technology with traditional gameplay.
HintHunt London
London • Indoor
One of London’s premier escape room venues, known for its diverse and challenging themes.
London Kayak Tours
London • Outdoor
Experience London from its waterways with guided kayak tours showcasing historic landmarks.
Where to Eat in London
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with La Dame de Pic London — a refined spot for French cuisine that fits well into a day exploring London’s historic sites. Just as worthwhile is The Ledbury: ideal for couples and food enthusiasts seeking a refined dining experience in London. Baba G's Bhangra Burger completes the picture: a flavorful stop in Camden Market, perfect for a casual meal while exploring the area.
La Dame de Pic London
London • Fine Dining
A refined spot for French cuisine that fits well into a day exploring London’s historic sites.
The Ledbury
London • Local Cuisine
Ideal for couples and food enthusiasts seeking a refined dining experience in London.
Baba G's Bhangra Burger
London • Street Food
A flavorful stop in Camden Market, perfect for a casual meal while exploring the area.
Core by Clare Smyth
London • Fine Dining
Contemporary British dining on Kensington Park Road, led by a pioneering female chef.
London After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is The Connaught Bar: ideal for capping off a day in London with expertly crafted cocktails in a refined setting. Locals will also point you to Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club — a renowned live jazz venue in Soho, known for its intimate performances and rich history. And for something different, there's Boundary Rooftop: a rooftop bar featuring a retractable roof and sweeping views of London’s skyline, perfect for summer evenings.
The Connaught Bar
London • Cocktail Bars
Ideal for capping off a day in London with expertly crafted cocktails in a refined setting.
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
London • Live Jazz Venues
A renowned live jazz venue in Soho, known for its intimate performances and rich history.
Boundary Rooftop
London • Rooftop Bars
A rooftop bar featuring a retractable roof and sweeping views of London’s skyline, perfect for summer evenings.
Oriole
London • Cocktail Bars
Ideal for those seeking a lively nightlife experience with inventive cocktails and live music.
Where to Stay in London
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Shangri-La The Shard, London — start your London experience at this luxury hotel, offering stunning views and a prime location for exploration. The Goring Hotel earns its reputation too — spend a day in London and unwind at this luxurious hotel with royal connections and a private garden. Round out the shortlist with The Savoy — located along the Strand, this iconic hotel features timeless elegance and exceptional service.
Shangri-La The Shard, London
London • Luxury Hotels
Start your London experience at this luxury hotel, offering stunning views and a prime location for exploration.
The Goring Hotel
London • Luxury Hotels
Spend a day in London and unwind at this luxurious hotel with royal connections and a private garden.
The Savoy
London • Luxury Hotels
Located along the Strand, this iconic hotel features timeless elegance and exceptional service.
Claridge's
London • Luxury Hotels
Located on Brook Street in Mayfair, this historic hotel combines Art Deco elegance with modern luxury.
Shopping in London
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with The Vintage Showroom — a stop for vintage fashion lovers exploring Covent Garden, especially during fashion week. Just as worthwhile is Bicester Village: this outlet shopping center features over 160 boutiques in a charming village-like atmosphere. Bond Street completes the picture: a prestigious shopping destination in Mayfair, Bond Street features a remarkable array of luxury boutiques and flagship stores.
The Vintage Showroom
London • Vintage & Thrift Shops
A stop for vintage fashion lovers exploring Covent Garden, especially during fashion week.
Bicester Village
London • Outlet Shopping
This outlet shopping center features over 160 boutiques in a charming village-like atmosphere.
Bond Street
London • Luxury Shopping
A prestigious shopping destination in Mayfair, Bond Street features a remarkable array of luxury boutiques and flagship stores.
Greenwich Market
London • Markets
One of London's oldest markets, featuring a blend of history, crafts, and local food stalls.
Parks & Green Spaces in London
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground: ideal for families, this playground immerses children in a world inspired by Peter Pan. Locals will also point you to Richmond Park — spanning over 2,500 acres, this expansive park features historic landscapes and a notable population of wild deer. And for something different, there's Greenwich Park: this historic park suits families and couples looking for a mix of leisure and history.
Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground
London • Playgrounds
Ideal for families, this playground immerses children in a world inspired by Peter Pan.
Richmond Park
London • Parks
Spanning over 2,500 acres, this expansive park features historic landscapes and a notable population of wild deer.
Greenwich Park
London • Parks
This historic park suits families and couples looking for a mix of leisure and history.
Hampstead Heath
London • Parks
Panoramic views of London await from the heights of Parliament Hill in this sprawling natural park.
80 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in London that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the London list:
- The Royal Opera House· Theaters
- Restaurant Gordon Ramsay· Fine Dining
- Clos Maggiore· Secret Foodie Spots
- Barbican Conservatory· Local Hangouts
- Borough Market's Secret Supper Club· Secret Foodie Spots
Planning where to stay in London?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
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