10 unmissable things to do in London for first-time visitors
London is one of those cities that really does have something for everyone. From royal palaces and historic churches to world-class museums, sweeping skyline views, and a river to cruise along, it packs an incredible amount into a relatively compact area.
If it’s your first visit, it can feel a little overwhelming deciding where to start. This is exactly why this post brings together 10 of the very best attractions and things to do on a visit to London to help you with your planning.
Whether you’re coming for a short city break or a longer stay, these highlights will give you a brilliant introduction to the capital. They cover the must-see landmarks, a few unforgettable views, and some classic London experiences that you won’t regret making time for.
10 top things to do in London for first-time visitors
– See Buckingham Palace & watch the Changing of the Guard
– Look up at Big Ben & see the Houses of Parliament
– Visit Westminster Abbey
– Step inside the Tower of London
– Take a ride on the London Eye
– Admire St. Paul’s Cathedral
– Cruise down the River Thames
– Visit a London museum
– See the city from up high
– Stroll around one of London’s Royal Parks
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10 top things to do in London for first-time visitors
This post outlines some of the top things to do in London as a first-time visitor. If you decide you want to visit several of them, consider buying one of the London passes that are available, as you may find this helps to reduce overall costs.
London cards & passes
– Depending on which London card you purchase, you’ll get discounts on various sights – some of which are covered here – as well as hop-on hop-off buses and river cruises
You can buy the cards & passes for different durations
The cards can be good value for money if you intend to see and do a lot of things during your trip
You can take a look at the different passes & cards that are available here
10 top things to do in London
See Buckingham Palace & watch the Changing of the Guard
Home to the British Royal Family since the 1830s, you can’t leave London without at least seeing Buckingham Palace. In fact, I’d say it is an absolute must.
The neoclassical building is a vast complex with nearly 800 rooms inside. In front of it is the massive 82-feet high Queen Victoria Memorial, and not far away, there’s St. James’ Park, one of the eight Royal Parks.
During the summer (early July to late September), you can go inside and explore some of the rooms. You’ll get to see the State Rooms, the Ballroom, the Grand Staircase, and the Palace Garden, among other things.
Top tip: If want to go inside a royal palace during your London trip but Buckingham Palace is not open, an alternative is to visit Kensington Palace. This has been home to the Royal Family since the turn of the 18th century and was once home to Princess Diana.
The Changing of the Guard
If time permits, visit the Palace at a time when you can watch the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony. Signifying the changeover of the King’s Guard at Buckingham Palace to the new guards, it’s quite a spectacle to watch.
The ceremony takes place around St James’s Palace, Buckingham Palace, and the Wellington Barracks on selected days and is a popular thing to experience when you’re in London. Try to arrive early to get a spot as near to the front of the crowd as possible.
Or you can book a tour that will take you to the best spot.
Top tip: The Changing of the Guard generally takes place at 11 am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. If you plan to go, check this website to confirm it’s going ahead and avoid disappointment.
Look up at Big Ben & see the Houses of Parliament
Situated by the River Thames and Westminster Abbey, you’ll find Big Ben (officially, the Elizabeth Tower, with Big Ben being one of the bells inside). This is apparently one of the most photographed landmarks in the world.
Big Ben is part of the Houses of Parliament (the Palace of Westminster), a grand building that is home to the British government. Also situated on the banks of the River Thames, it’s a stunning Gothic building that’s worth seeing from both sides.
You can also get great views of both Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from the London Eye on the other side of the river.
The Houses of Parliament is a popular tourist destination, with large numbers of visitors each year. You can book guided tours to explore the historic chambers where laws are made and see the magnificent Gothic architecture.
Even if you don’t have time to go in and explore, it’s worth seeing this stunning building.
Top tip: You can go inside Big Ben and climb over 330 steps to the belfry. However, tickets are often hard to come by, and it is advised that the experience is not suitable for everyone. Check this website before deciding if this is for you.
Visit Westminster Abbey
A short walk from the Houses of Parliament, there’s another grand sight that you must see – Westminster Abbey.
The Gothic abbey was founded in the 11th century and has since been the site of many important events in British history. These include the wedding of the Queen to Prince Philip and the Queen’s Coronation in 1953. More recently, it hosted the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton.
In addition, the Abbey is home to the tombs of many famous British figures, including Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, and Isaac Newton.
It is still an active church, and you can go inside and explore the beautiful architecture. You can look at the medieval Lady Chapel with its stained glass windows and vaulted ceiling, the cloisters, and the Chapter House, where the monks once met.
Whether you’re interested in history or simply looking for a beautiful place to visit, Westminster Abbey is well worth a stop on your trip to London.
You can book tickets for Westminster Abbey here.
Top tip: if you’re walking from the Houses of Parliament to Westminster Abbey, stop off briefly in Parliament Square to see the statues. These include those of former British Prime Ministers such as Winston Churchill and Benjamin Disreali, as well as other significant world figures – Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandella among them.
Step inside the Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London, and another must-see sight on your first trip to London.
A visit to this iconic landmark is a real treat. You can experience some fascinating sights and learn about the Tower’s complex history throughout the centuries. It has been a palace, a menagerie, and the home of the Royal Mint and Crown Jewels.
It has also been used to imprison a number of famous figures, including Elizabeth I before she became queen, Lady Jane Grey, Guy Fawkes, and Sir Walter Raleigh.
When you visit, you can go into The White Tower. This is one of the city’s oldest buildings and was originally intended to be a royal palace. It is now home to the Royal Armouries and contains a range of exhibits related to the history of warfare.
You can also marvel at the Crown Jewels, a collection of regalia and jewels that the monarch of the United Kingdom uses during coronations and state ceremonies. History lovers will be in their element!
The Tower of London is very popular, so I’d book tickets in advance, especially if you’re visiting during the school holidays. You can buy tickets here.
And for more information on a visit to the Tower of London, see my separate post.
Top tip: If you’re visiting the Tower of London, you’ll see the striking 19th century suspension bridge that is Tower Bridge. If you have time, you can walk across the glass walkways and look 42 metres down to the river, as well as visit the engine rooms to learn more about the history and mechanics of the bridge. Tickets for this experience are available here.
Take a ride on the London Eye
The London Eye – or Millennium Wheel – is one of the most recognisable landmarks in central London. The giant ferris wheel offers stunning views across the city and has become a symbol of the capital.
It opened on New Year’s Eve in 1999 and, since 2000, has carried millions of passengers in its 32 capsules.
The experience of riding the London Eye is a unique one, as you slowly rotate high above the city.
You can see all the major sights from 135 metres up, and you get a birds-eye view of the River Thames as it winds its way through the heart of London. On a clear day, you can apparently see up to 25 miles away.
And if you fancy an extra special treat, you can book a champagne ride. You get a fast-track ticket (handy, since this is a popular attraction, and it can get very busy), plus a glass of Moet and Chandon champagne.
Admire St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral was built in the late 17th century and early 18th century and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. It is apparently the fifth church to be built on its site, and the dome at the top is among the highest in the world.
Having lived in London for many years, I’d seen the cathedral many times, but confess I only recently ventured inside. To say I wasn’t disappointed is an understatement. It’s absolutely stunning, with ornate features, beautiful murals, and wonderful marble floors.
When you visit, you can wander around the ground floor admiring your surroundings (make sure you look down at the flooring, as well as up to the ceilings).
You can go into the American Memorial Chapel to see the stained-glass windows and down to the crypt. Among the famous people laid to rest here are Sir Christopher Wren, Lord Nelson, and the Duke of Wellington.
You can also go up to the Dome Galleries. These include the Whispering Gallery, famous for its acoustics, and the Golden Gallery with its fantastic views over the area.
Book entrance tickets to the Cathedral here.
Top tip: If you want to learn about the history and architecture of the Cathedral, you can book guided tours (free for ticket holders) when you visit. These need to be booked on the day and are subject to availability.
Cruise down the River Thames
A cruise along the River Thames is another top thing to do in London and a great way to sightsee, especially if time is limited.
Depending on the route, you’ll get to see iconic sights, including the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Globe Theatre, the Shard, HMS Belfast, and Tower Bridge.
You can hop on boats in the Westminster area and near the Tower of London. So it would be easy to connect a visit to some of the top London attractions with a boat trip.
I did this on a City Cruises boat trip, which took me from the Tower of London back to Westminster. The boat cruise lasted about 25 minutes (allow for about 40 minutes, including getting on and off).
Alternatively, you could book a different kind of boat cruise for your trip.
- This 90-minute cruise follows the Tower of London to Westminster route in both directions and includes a traditional English afternoon tea.
- And this evening tour includes a 3-course dinner, a glass of bubbly, and live music.
- Or you could instead opt to zoom along the Thames on a speedboat!
Visit a London museum
London has an incredible wealth of museums to visit, and there’s something for everyone. And the best thing is that many of them are free (though specific exhibitions may incur a fee or require pre-booking).
The most popular museum is the British Museum in Bloomsbury. This is apparently the most visited tourist attraction in the UK, so is clearly worth a visit!
Showcasing artefacts from throughout history and from all around the world, you have the chance to see the famous Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon Sculptures when you visit.
The big museums in the South Kensington area of the city are also popular and worth visiting (and are also free). Here you have three outstanding museums to experience: the Natural History Museum (one for dinosaur lovers!), the Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
There are too many museums in London to list them all here. But I guarantee there’s something for everyone, regardless of your interests:
- more history museums (e.g. the Imperial War Museum, and the Churchill War Rooms)
- art galleries (e.g. the Tate Britain and Tate Modern museums, and the National Gallery)
- more niche and specialist museums such as Madame Tussauds, the Florence Nightingale Museum, and the Bank of England Museum.
You can explore the range of museums in London here.
And for more free things to do in London, check out my separate article.
See the city from up high
Another popular thing to do when you’re visiting London is to take in the city from one of the viewing platforms.
There are different places to choose from, depending on the type of experience you’re looking for and your budget.
The Shard
The Shard is London’s tallest building. It towers more than 1,000 feet over the city and offers some of the best views across the capital, including of Tower Bridge.
You can go inside and enjoy the views from its viewing platforms at the top of the building. There are two indoor platforms on the 68th and 69th floors and another outdoor Skydeck on the 72nd floor.
You can book tickets to go to the viewing platforms here.
If you fancy it, you can also stop for a cocktail or a meal. If you want a drink with a view, Aqua Shard is the place to go. This stylish bar on level 31 has an extensive list of cocktails, as well as wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.
The 52nd-floor Gong cocktail lounge also provides panoramic views from even higher up in the building.
The Sky Garden
If you fancy a cocktail with a view, but don’t want to pay an entry fee to the viewing platform, then you might prefer to visit the Sky Garden.
The Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden and is located on the 43rd floor of a building at 20 Fenchurch Street (otherwise known as the ‘Walkie Talkie’ building). It offers spectacular views over the city and river from 155 metres up, all while allowing you to wander through a garden containing a variety of plants from around the world. There are also some bars and restaurants inside.
You can visit for free for 1 hour (the website states that these tickets need to be booked 3 weeks in advance). I visited one evening at dusk and got incredible views of the city as the sun went down.
Horizon 22
Similarly, you can go to Horizon 22, “London’s highest free viewing platform” in Bishopsgate. As with the Sky Garden, you can book a free ticket to experience this (tickets are released every Monday for the following two weeks, but they can get snapped up quickly).
Your ticket allows you to ride a high-speed lift to a 58th-level viewing platform. From here, there are 300-degree views through the massive glass windows – including of The Shard itself!
Stroll around one of London’s Royal Parks
London has eight Royal Parks, all of which are great places to get out into the fresh air.
Some of these are a little further out of London, however, so if you’re focusing on the main centre during your first visit to London, I’d choose to visit one (or all!) of either St. James’ Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and Regent’s Park.
St. James’ Park
St James’ Park is the oldest Royal Park and, in my opinion, is one of the most attractive ones. It’s a beautiful green space to wander around, with a large lake and a fountain.
There’s also a lot of wildlife to see here, including pelicans, ducks, and swans.
You can get into the park from near Westminster Abbey, or at the other end, right by Buckingham Palace. So its location makes it a good place to add onto your sightseeing if you’re in these areas.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park covers an area of 350 acres, and includes the Serpentine Lake. Near the Serpentine is the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, a modern structure which was opened in 2004.
Further on – towards Green Park and near Buckingham Palace – you can go to the famous Speakers’ Corner. This is where people come to debate and discuss politics. It is said to be “the oldest living free speech platform in the world”.
Kensington Gardens
Not far from Hyde Park are Kensington Gardens. These surround Kensington Palace, where Queen Victoria was born and more latterly, Princess Diana lived.
The gardens cover 265 acres and contain some interesting things to see, including the Round Pond, an ornamental lake constructed in the 18th century. Kids will no doubt love this, as it always has crowds of ducks and geese wandering around the path surrounding the lake.
Regent’s Park
Regent’s Park covers an area of just under 400 acres, and there are a number of attractions and events that make it worth a visit.
These include ZSL London Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the world and which is home to almost 20,000 animals in a 360-acre area. There’s giraffes, gorillas, and hippos; lions, tigers, and monkeys; penguins, flamingoes, and tortoises…lots to see!
Regent’s Park also has an Open Air Theatre. This often puts on Shakespeare plays, so it’s an ideal place if you’re a fan and want a unique experience during the summer months.
The gardens within Regent’s Park are also pleasant areas to wander around and are beautiful in all seasons. These include Queen Mary’s Rose Garden, which has 12,000 roses, the biggest collection in the capital.
You can get more information on these London parks, as well as others in the capital here.
Top things to do in London
For more information on things to do in London, and in other areas, see some of my other posts:
