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United Kingdom
Things to do in London
2,234 attractions · United Kingdom
Photo: Fuzzypiggy, CC BY-SA 3.0
Greater London, United Kingdom · 51.507, -0.128
About London
London serves as a global hub of finance, culture, and political history, defined by its blend of Roman foundations and contemporary architecture. The city spans both sides of the River Thames, home to iconic landmarks like Big Ben and the historic Tower of London. Visitors can explore deep academic collections at The British Museum or enjoy expansive city views from the Sky Garden. It functions as one of the world's most significant cultural capitals, anchored by centuries of royal tradition and diverse modern neighborhoods.
Good to know
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London is legally classified as a forest under ancient regulations because more than 20% of its land area is covered by trees.
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The city's 'Square Mile', the City of London, maintains its own police force, unique voting rights for businesses, and a ceremonial head known as the Lord Mayor.
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Archaeological regulations require significant construction projects in the city center to fund excavations, leading to constant new discoveries of Roman Londinium.
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The London Underground was the world's first subterranean railway, opening its first line between Paddington and Farringdon in 1863.
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London houses over 170 museums, many of which remain free to the public due to long-standing government funding mandates.
Plan your visit to London
Best time to visit
May to September offers the most temperate weather and the longest daylight hours for outdoor sightseeing.
How many days
4-5 days to balance major museum visits with exploring diverse neighborhoods and central historical sites.
Getting around
The city is best navigated using the extensive London Underground network, supplemented by iconic red buses and the river-based Uber Boat services.
Where to stay
Stay in Westminster or South Bank for immediate proximity to major landmarks, or choose Bloomsbury for a quieter atmosphere near central cultural institutions.
Budget
London is an expensive destination, particularly regarding accommodation and dining, though many major museums offer free general admission.
Highlights of London
The places our editors single out - and why they're worth your time.
Tower of London
Explore the medieval fortress that has served as a royal palace, prison, and the secure vault for the Crown Jewels.
Big Ben
View the world-famous Great Clock and the Elizabeth Tower, the seat of the British Parliament.
Tower Bridge
Walk across this Victorian bascule bridge to witness the high-level walkways that offer panoramic views of the Thames.
The British Museum
Browse a collection of millions of human history artifacts, including the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles.
Sky Garden
Access an observation deck set within a lush, tiered indoor garden located at the top of a distinctive skyscraper.
Tate Modern
Visit a former power station that now houses one of the world's largest collections of international modern and contemporary art.
Buckingham Palace
Observe the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the official residence of the British monarch.
London Eye
Ride a giant cantilevered observation wheel for a 360-degree perspective of the city's skyline.
Top things to do in London
The 2,234 most popular places in London.
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211
Venues Popular
Southwark Playhouse Borough
Southwark Playhouse Borough is a renowned fringe theatre venue known for staging challenging new writing, innovative rev...
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212
Venues Popular
Battersea Arts Centre
Battersea Arts Centre is a multidisciplinary performance space housed within the former Grade II* listed Battersea Town...
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213
Museums Popular
Grant Museum of Zoology
The Grant Museum of Zoology is one of the oldest natural history collections in the UK, founded in 1828 by Robert Edmond...
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214
Museums Popular
The Clink Prison Museum
The Clink Prison Museum is built upon the original site of the Clink Prison, which operated from 1144 until 1780. It is...
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215
Parks Popular
St James's Square Garden
St James's Square is a private residential garden square in London dating back to the late 17th century. The square is e...
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216
Places of interest Popular
The Crown Jewels
The Crown Jewels are housed within the Jewel House at the Tower of London, forming a collection of 142 objects including...
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217
Venues Popular
The Vaults Theatre
The Vaults Theatre is an immersive arts and performance venue located entirely within the disused Victorian railway arch...
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218
Historical places Popular
County Hall
County Hall is a Grade II* listed building located on the South Bank of the River Thames, serving as the former headquar...
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219
Museums Popular
The Golden Hinde
The Golden Hinde is a full-scale, seaworthy reconstruction of the 16th-century galleon used by Sir Francis Drake to circ...
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220
Museums Popular
The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities Fine Art & Natural History The Last Tuesday Society
The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities is a private collection housed in a compact subterranean space in Hackney, London....
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221
Venues Popular
The Den
The Den, officially known as The New Den, is the home stadium of Millwall Football Club in Bermondsey, South East London...
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222
Parks Popular
Myatt's Fields
Myatt's Fields Park is a 14-acre Victorian-style public park located in the London Borough of Lambeth. The park features...
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223
Parks Popular
Priory Park
Priory Park is a 14-acre Victorian-style public park located in Hornsey, North London. The site features a mix of formal...
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224
Parks Popular
Telegraph Hill Upper Park
Telegraph Hill Upper Park is a sloped Victorian-era public space in the London Borough of Lewisham, known for its expans...
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225
Museums Popular
The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret is the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe, dating back to 1822...
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226
Museums Popular
Wellcome Collection
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227
Venues Popular
Almeida Theatre
The Almeida Theatre is a converted 19th-century lecture hall known for high-profile, critically acclaimed productions of...
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228
Parks Popular
Stave Hill Ecological Park - TCV
Stave Hill Ecological Park is a 5.7-acre man-made nature reserve located on the former site of the Surrey Commercial Doc...
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229
Places of interest Popular
The Lookout
The Lookout is a public viewing space situated on the 50th floor of 8 Bishopsgate in the heart of London's financial dis...
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230
Playgrounds Popular
Hyde Park Playground
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231
Museums Popular
Institute of Contemporary Arts
The Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) is a non-collecting multidisciplinary arts centre situated in the Nash-designed...
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232
Places of interest Popular
BT Tower
The BT Tower is a 189-metre telecommunications landmark located in Fitzrovia, London. Originally known as the Post Offic...
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233
Museums Popular
Apsley House
Apsley House, known as Number 1 London, serves as the historic townhouse museum of the first Duke of Wellington. The sit...
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234
Parks Popular
Postman's Park
Postman's Park is a tranquil public garden in the City of London best known for the Watts Gallery, a memorial wall comme...
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235
Temples Popular
Holy Trinity Brompton
Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) is the influential London Anglican church where the Alpha Course was founded in 1977. The si...
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236
Places of interest Popular
180 Studios
180 Studios is a major contemporary arts and culture venue located within the brutalist 180 Strand complex in central Lo...
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237
Venues Known locally
Arcola Theatre
Arcola Theatre is a leading independent fringe venue in Dalston, London, recognized for its commitment to sustainability...
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238
Historical places Known locally
Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain
The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain is a Grade I listed Victorian monument located at the center of Piccadilly Circus in L...
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239
Parks Known locally
Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens
Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens is a public park located on the site of a historic 17th-century pleasure garden famous for its...
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240
Temples Known locally
Muslim World League
The Muslim World League office in London serves as the United Kingdom branch of the Makkah-based non-governmental intern...
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Frequently asked
How many attractions are there in London?
Aventuro lists 2,234 curated attractions in and around London, sorted by popularity.
What's the top attraction in London?
Tower Bridge is the most popular place to visit in London right now.
What kind of attractions does London have?
The largest category is temples, with 664 places to explore.
Which other cities are worth visiting nearby?
Travellers also explore North Kensington, Manchester, Birmingham.
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