We share the must-see places in London, the ones you absolutely have to visit when you come to the English capital. If you’re wondering what to see in London, it’s a city with countless things to see and do. We’ve selected the top 12 must-see attractions in London for you to explore, so enjoy your trip!
Big Ben, a must-see in London, is a large clock tower located beside the River Thames in the Westminster area. This tower, over 100 meters tall, was built in 1858 and is known for the four clocks on each of its faces.
Next to the tower is the Palace of Westminster, the iconic seat of Parliament. Right beside it is Parliament Square Garden, a perfect park for taking photos with Big Ben.
At night, the tower lights up, offering an impressive visual spectacle for visitors. Every year, millions of tourists come to admire and photograph this incredible building in the British capital.
Next to Big Ben, crossing the bridge over the River Thames and walking a few meters to the left, you will find the London Eye. This enormous Ferris wheel stands 135 meters tall and was the tallest in the world until 2006. The London Eye is composed of 32 glass capsules, and the price to ride is approximately €70. Each year, this famous attraction receives around 3.5 million visitors. To buy tickets, click the following link: Get your London Eye tickets.
Nearby the Ferris wheel, there is a large park where you can lie down to rest or enjoy the views of the river. Additionally, there are several places to eat.
Following the River Thames east from Big Ben or the London Eye, you will find two more historic landmarks in London. The Tower of London is a fortress built in 1078. If you wish to visit, the entrance costs approximately €41. However, it is not very recommended for teenagers, as it often isn’t very appealing to them; at least in my case, I didn’t find it very interesting. Nevertheless, if you decide to visit, here is the link where you can buy tickets: Get your Tower of London tickets
Next to the Tower of London is Tower Bridge, one of the city’s most famous bridges. Built between 1886 and 1894, this suspension bridge is distinguished by its two imposing towers. If you’re lucky, you might see the bridge lifted to allow a boat to pass through.
Near the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, you’ll find a good spot to sit or eat, although it tends to be quite crowded, and it can get very hot in the summer.
Buckingham Palace is a palace located in the Westminster area, in one of the parks to see in London, called St. James’s Park. This palace is known for being the official residence of the country’s king or queen. However, the monarch is not always present in the palace. To find out if they are there, you can look at the roof and check for the Union Jack.
The palace hosts the Changing of the Guard, a ceremony that attracts many people. This event takes place daily at 11:00 during July and June, and the rest of the year, every other day, except on rainy days.
As mentioned, Buckingham Palace is located in St. James’s Park. If you arrive tired, remember that you can lie down anywhere in the park to rest.
Camden Town is a neighborhood located in the north of London and is a must-visit due to its famous market, considered one of the most renowned in the world. If you’re wondering what to see in London, Camden Town should definitely be on your list. When you exit the subway, you’ll find yourself on the main street, lined with small shops. As you continue walking, you’ll come across numerous food stalls, many of which are expensive but highly recommended. This area also features a river where small boats sail, making it a great place for a stroll.
These two parks are the most well-known in the city. Especially St. James’s Park, which is very famous because it is in the heart of London and is home to Buckingham Palace. However, Hyde Park is larger and a bit further away. Still, in my opinion, both are worth visiting as both can be easily reached by subway.
Speaking from my experience, as I mentioned, I am a teenager, and since it was very hot, I was craving an ice cream. Both parks have many small ice cream shops. Be aware that most of them only accept card payments, not cash.
On the other hand, if you visit in summer and it has been very hot, the parks might be quite dry, which could slightly affect the experience.
Piccadilly Circus is a small square located 5-10 minutes’ walk from Trafalgar Square. It is known for the large screens on the buildings.
Next to it is Regent Street, one of London’s most important streets, which features many shops, including Hamleys, the largest toy store in the world, and Levi’s.
Following Regent Street from Piccadilly Circus, you will arrive at a square called Oxford Circus, where Regent Street intersects with Oxford Street. Oxford Street is the most famous street in London due to all the shops it has, from Nike to JD. It is a street where you can spend many hours, as it is very long and has many major global stores. It is recommended to visit many of them, even if just to see them.
St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of London’s most iconic churches, famous for its impressive dome, the second largest in the world. Built in 1675 after the Great Fire of London in 1666, it is noted for its Baroque architecture and cross-shaped floor plan.
The 34-meter dome offers panoramic views of London. The cathedral has hosted historic events, such as the funeral of Winston Churchill and the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana Spencer. The cathedral is also known for its organ, one of the largest in England. Saint Paul Cathedral
