London attractions

Guildhall has served as the center of government for the City of London since the Middle Ages, and it hosts banquets, ceremonies, meetings, and special events. As the only surviving secular medieval building in the City, it’s known for its Great Hall, atmospheric crypts, and the remains of a Roman amphitheater beneath it. Visitors also come to see the adjoining Guildhall Art Gallery.

Banksy, Andy Warhol, and Tracey Emin are among the headline artists represented at London’s Moco Museum, a glossy, bubblegum-esque, central London gallery dedicated to modern, contemporary, digital, and immersive art— the kind of bold, colorful art that sets your social media feed ablaze. Opened amid much buzz in 2024, the London Moco is the sister site to Moco’s Amsterdam and Barcelona outposts, following their lead and appealing to a younger generation of modern art fans.

Home to basements so deep they're below sea level, the British Library has every book and magazine published in the UK since 1911. It boasts two copies of the Magna Carta (one burnt to a crisp); the 17th-century leather Klencke Atlas, one of the world's largest; and Shakespeare's First Folio—one of 80,000 rare manuscripts in the glass-cabineted King’s Library.

An icon of Brutalist architecture, the Barbican Center is where nature, music, art, and culture intersect. As well as being the largest multiarts venue in Europe, it's the official home of the London Symphony Orchestra, and its two art galleries host rotating exhibitions exploring fashion and contemporary art. It also boasts a library, a 2,000-seat concert hall, a theater, bars and restaurants, and a botanical garden.

In the shadows of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament and just across the water from the London Eye and Southbank, you can’t get more central than Westminster Pier. Easy to access and surrounded by world-famous attractions, the pier is a popular starting and ending point for sightseeing cruises along the Thames River, and it sits along the Thames Clippers ferry route.

The Crown Jewels are considered the United Kingdom’s most precious treasures. Comprising more than 100 objects and a staggering 23,000 gemstones—including some of the world’s largest diamonds—they’re considered priceless ceremonial artifacts, particularly the Coronation Regalia. The Crown Jewels are displayed within the UNESCO-listed Tower of London.

Built by the ancestors of Princess Diana, Spencer House is a lavishly decorated 18th-century townhouse in St James’s, one of London's most affluent boroughs. Decor, artwork, and furniture reflect the classical taste of Earl Spencer, who wanted the house to be a temple of hospitality, love, and the arts. Highlights include the grandiose Painted Room, the Dining Room, and the Library.

An affluent residential neighborhood at the confluence of the Grand Union and Regent's canals, Little Venice oozes the sophisticated style typical of West London. The former home of poet Robert Browning, Little Venice is full of quaint cafés, canal boat cocktail bars, and grand white townhouses along leafy avenues.

One of London’s most innovative entertainment venues, the ABBA Arena was purpose-built in 2022 specifically for ABBA Voyage—a live concert that features the digital avatars of Swedish pop icons ABBA, known as ABBAtars. These virtual performers are paired with the band’s original vocals and supported by a live 10-piece band. The arena holds up to 3,000 fans, and its hexagonal design ensures great views from every vantage point.

A corner of London to brighten your social media feed, Neal’s Yard has become one of the capital’s most aesthetic sites. The boldly painted buildings in this little nook are home to a handful of boldly priced eateries and independent shops that attract camera-toting travelers and Londoners alike. A wander through will take no more than a few minutes of your time—unless you plan to shop or eat.

The Charles Dickens Museum takes visitors on a journey into the life of one of the world’s greatest storytellers. Housed in the Georgian townhouse where Dickens lived in the 19th century, it’s where he wrote classics such as Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby. Carefully preserved to resemble its appearance in the 1830s, the museum displays his personal possessions, original manuscripts, and rare editions of his novels.

One of Premier League’s most storied and beautiful venues, London’s Craven Cottage is a top attraction for football (soccer) lovers. The home of Fulham Football Club for more than a century, the stadium is located on what were once royal hunting grounds. Today, the riverside venue is situated next to the scenic Bishop’s Park, right on the River Thames.

Shrouded by woodland and home to ivy-covered monuments, Highgate Cemetery is an atmospheric Victorian graveyard in North London. Some of the cemetery’s most famous residents include Karl Marx, whose grave stands in the East Side of the grounds; the author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams; and musician George Michael, buried in the West Side.

One of London’s main transport hubs, Liverpool Street Station is the gateway to some of the capital’s top attractions. On one side of the 19th-century station you’ll find the medieval streets and sleek skyscrapers of the City of London. To the other, you’ll stumble into street-art filled Shoreditch. Wherever you plan to visit in London, you’ll likely pass through this Monopoly station at some point.

With its grand domed roof and Viennese Baroque–style architecture, Central Hall Westminster is a striking Grade II–listed multi-purpose venue in London. Once the UK headquarters of Methodism, it still acts as a Methodist church, as well as a conference center. Visitors come here for all sorts of events, including concerts, exhibitions, and even public inquiries.

Dating back to the 12th century, Temple Church is renowned for its fascinating history: it was founded by the Knights Templar, has links to the negotiations of the Magna Carta, was bombed during the Blitz, and featured in the Da Vinci Code. Beyond its historical significance, Temple Church remains an active place of worship, hosting regular services. It’s also a big draw for architecture fans thanks to its distinctive round design, which is characteristic of Templar churches.

The Port of Southampton is the UK's most frequented cruise port, welcoming some of the largest cruise ships in the world, including those owned by Cunard, P&O, and Royal Caribbean. The port also runs passenger ferries to the Isle of Wight and across the channel to France, as well as serves as the gateway to London and wider South East England.

One of the major theaters in London’s West End, the Palace Theatre has been welcoming visitors since 1891. Originally the Royal English Opera House, the theater has expanded its repertoire over time and hosted many notable plays and musicals, including Les Misérables, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Spamalot. Most recently, it’s been known for being home to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

St. Dunstan-in-the-East is a peaceful retreat hidden in the City of London, not far from London Bridge and the Tower of London. Originally built in the 12th century and later redesigned by celebrated architect Christopher Wren, the church was badly damaged during World War II. Rather than rebuilding it, the shell was transformed into a leafy public space—now a favourite local spot for reading, lunch breaks, and a pause from the city rush.

Visitors flock to this Edwardian-era distillery in Kennington to sample award-winning gin made with a 19th-century recipe—but you don’t have to be a gin lover to enjoy a tour. Exploring the Beefeater Gin Distillery is also an opportunity to learn the history of gin in London, while on a campus that features everything from original Victorian pot stills to rooms overflowing with fragrant fresh botanicals, tasting rooms, and “secret” bars.

Housed in a grand 18th-century building in London's financial center, the Bank of England Museum explores the past, present, and future of money and Britain's economy. Exhibits include tubes containing half a million pounds of granulated money, a gallery of banknotes, screens showing short films, and swords and costumes worn by officers in the Bank Volunteer Corps.

Since its debut in advance of the London 2012 Olympics, Westfield Stratford City has become a go-to shopping destination in East London, and it’s also one of the biggest urban shopping centers in the UK. The complex has more than 200 shops, 100 dining destinations, and entertainment options such as a movie theater, a bowling alley, a casino, and go-karting. It attracts more than 51 million visits from shoppers every year.

Islington is an area in north London that’s a fun place for strolling and experiencing authentic London life, where you can explore market stalls, browse independent boutiques, or eat at one of its many great pubs and restaurants. With a wide range of eateries, plus plenty of unique shops, Islington makes a welcome change from some of the city’s more typical tourist hot spots, plus you’ll spot pretty Georgian architecture while wandering its streets.

As Europe’s largest airport, London Heathrow (LHR) serves more than 70 million air travel passengers annually. It’s the UK’s busiest airport, serving as the gateway to London for most of the world and offering currency exchange facilities, accommodation, luggage storage, and VIP lounges.

At the bright and bustling Columbia Road Flower Market in East London, vendors have been selling plants and flowers for generations. You can buy everything from cut flowers to cacti here, for a much cheaper price than in London’s plant shops. And the flower market isn’t Columbia Road’s only draw; this lovely street is lined with colorful, independent boutiques selling art, jewelry, and clothing, too.

One of London’s most playful entertainment venues, Swingers Crazy Golf invites visitors to play mini-golf (or crazy golf, as it’s known in the UK) in style. Housed in a sprawling venue that’s based on the glamour of a 1920’s British seaside resort, there are several 9-hole courses, as well as a carnival area with vintage games, street food options, and a terrace area to relax in between rounds with a cocktail.

A standout venue in London’s West End, the Apollo Victoria Theatre opened in 1930 as a cinema and later transitioned into a live performance venue. Known for its distinctive art deco architecture and capacity of over 2,300, it has hosted a range of major musicals. Past productions include The Sound of Music and Fiddler on the Roof, but it’s now best known as the long-running home of Wicked, which opened here in 2006.

Established by King James I in 1606, the Port of Dover in Kent remains one of country’s busiest and most important transit hubs. The closest port to France—located 21 miles (34 kilometers) across the English Channel—Dover in southeast England is frequented by ferries, cruise ships, and an array of cargo services.

Spanning 680 acres (275 hectares) of rugged countryside, Hampstead Heath feels worlds away from London’s manicured Royal Parks. Here you can spot locals flying kites and walking dogs, hang out where scenes from Notting Hill were filmed, take a dip in a rural swimming pond, or savor a London skyline view from Parliament Hill. Be sure to bring a picnic.

The Adelphi Theatre hosts theatrical shows, concerts, and plays throughout the year, attracting Londoners and visitors alike. While the theater’s site dates back to the early 19th century, today’s Adelphi Theater was constructed in the 1930s. Hit shows and popular past productions include Sunset Boulevard, The Lion King, Les Misérables, and Evita—written by the theater’s current co-owner, British theatrical producer Andrew Lloyd Webber.