For many travelers, London easily ranks high on their list of must-visit cities across the world. The city is rife with history, culture, and architecture. London is well known for many of its historic landmarks, some of them dating as far back as a thousand years. From museums to palaces, to ancient fortresses, the city is steeped in stories and legends, many true, some not.
If you are visiting London for the first time and are wondering where to visit, here are some of the best places to visit
5 Best Places To Visit In London
1. The Tower of London
2. Buckingham Palace
3. Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
4. The London Eye
5. Westminster Abbey
Best Places To Visit In London
1. The Tower of London
Officially known as His Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London. The Tower of London is a castle with nearly a thousand years of history behind its stone walls. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has witnessed the full lineup of British history from royal triumphs to political betrayal and some of the nation’s darkest moments. It is not just a castle but a fortress, a palace, a prison, and a powerful symbol of monarchy, all rolled into one.
At the heart of this citadel is the White Tower, an 11th-century Norman stronghold commissioned by William the Conqueror. Today, the tower still dominates London’s skyline, just on the north bank of the River Thames. Its thick walls and imposing presence tell a tale of England’s turbulent medieval past.
Within the tower walls are the Beefeaters, also known as Yeoman Warders, who care for the tower and guide tourists through bloody tales of rebellion, imprisonment, and execution. The Tower is also home to the famous British Crown Jewels. Located inside the Jewel House are about 23,528 gemstones, St Edward’s Crown, the Coronation Spoon, and the Imperial State Crown. All of which represent symbols of royal power and wealth.
Other must-see features include the Ravens, a pair of at least six ravens that are believed must stay within the tower walls lest the monarchy fall. The writings of the prisoners imprisoned within the bloody tower, the Line of Kings Exhibit, complete with a display of armor and arms at the white tower. Lastly, your tour is incomplete without the Ceremony of the Keys, a nightly ritual to lock the tower gate that has been done for 700 years.
Location: Tower Hill, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, London, United Kingdom.
Hours Open: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (Tuesday – Saturday)
10:00 am – 5:30 pm (Sunday – Monday)
Price Range: £33 – £39
£17 – £19
2. Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace has served as the official residence of the British monarch since 1837. It serves not just as a home, but as a stage for state affairs, ceremony, and centuries of royal tradition. While the Palace itself isn’t open to the public year-round, its State Rooms allow for visitors during the summer opening season. This takes place usually around July to September. On select days during the rest of the year, the palace is open to a group of small guided tours.
Inside the palace, Guests will find ornate reception halls and rooms like the Throne Room, King’s Gallery, and Royal Ballroom. Glittering chandeliers, grand staircases, and a breathtaking collection of portraits, art, and historic furnishings fill the palace. Every room echoes the presence of monarchs, both past and present.
But even when the gates are closed, the Changing of the Guard outside is reason enough to stop by. The display is world-famous for its precision, pageantry, and ceremonial pomp that draws a large crowd daily. With the guards in scarlet uniforms, bearskin hats, and stirring music from military bands, it’s one of London’s most beloved free spectacles.
This year, Buckingham Palace will be open to visitors for the summer from July 10 to September 28.
Location: Buckingham Palace, Westminster, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 9:30 am – 7:30 pm (July – August)
9:30 pm – 6:30 pm (September, Thursday – Monday)
Price Range: £32 – £25 (For Adults)
£16 – £17.50 (For Children)
3. Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament
Officially known as the Palace of Westminster, the palace was built in 1097 by King William II. The sprawling complex is home to the United Kingdom Parliament, the two chambers at the center of the UK’s politics, the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
The building itself is breathtaking, a Gothic architecture made up of intricate stonework, soaring spires, and countless statues. The Palace boasts about 1,100 rooms and 11 courtyards. It features historic treasures like Westminster Hall and the Parliamentary Archives, which store records of over 500 years.
The most famous and recognisable feature of the Westminster Palace is Big Ben. Built in 1859 and now known as the Elizabeth Tower, it is one of the most accurate and largest four-faced clocks in the world. The Clock itself weighs about 5 tons, while the Bell weighs about 13 tons; both are set atop a tower that rises 315 ft over the London skyline. Big Ben and its chimes are as much a part of London’s staples as the red buses and phone booths.
The House of Parliament is only open for guided tours on days when parliament is not in session, but the Elizabeth Tower is open every day, just not for children below the age of 11.
Location: Palace of Westminster, Westminster, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Every Saturday)
10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Monday-Friday, July to August)
Price Range: Adults (£35), Children (£20) for Big Ben Tours
Adults (£33 – £35) Children (£17 – £19) for Palace of Westminster Tours
4. The London Eye
Located just above the South Bank on the River Thames, the London Eye is one of the city’s most iconic modern landmarks. The massive cantilevered observation wheel offers a bird’s-eye view of the whole capital, architecture, history, and people in one spin.
Each of the 32 glass capsules represents one for each London borough and holds about 25 people. Visitors are free to walk about or sit as the capsule glides slowly around the wheel, giving visitors around 30 minutes to soak up the views. On a clear day, you can spot major sights like St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard, Buckingham Palace, and the Houses of Parliament, all laid out in breathtaking detail. The ride is smooth, spacious, and climate-controlled. It is ideal for snapping photos, pointing out landmarks, or just enjoying a rare moment of calm above the city bustle.
Location: Riverside Building, County Hall, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 10:00 am – 8:30 pm
Price Range: £29 – £44
5. Westminster Abbey
Standing just a couple of steps from the House of Parliament and Big Ben is one of Britain’s most sacred buildings and places of worship, the Westminster Abbey. Formally known as the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, the Abbey has been known as the royal church for centuries. The church has served as the coronation site for every British monarch since the time of William the Conqueror in 1066.
But more than a coronation site, the church has hosted many royal weddings and funerals. It is the final resting place of 18 British monarchs. This is alongside the tombs and memorials of remarkable cultural and scientific British figures like Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, Stephen Hawking, Elizabeth I, and Mary Queen of Scots, more than 3,300 people in total.
Architecturally, the abbey is a masterpiece and became a UNESCO Heritage site in 1987. Built in Gothic style, the abbey is home to several artefacts, including intricate vaulted ceilings, the glowing stained glass, and delicately carved chapels. The church also boasts several unique features like the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Gallery, displaying many of the abbey’s treasures, and the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
The abbey contains about 10 different ambulatory chapels, including St John the Baptist Chapel, St Paul’s Chapel, and many others. Apart from the Abbey Tour itself, guests can visit the Cellarium Cafe and Terrace for refreshment and the Westminster Abbey Shop. The Abbey also hosts a number of events every year. It could range from concerts to lectures and family events, many of which these open to the public for free.
Location: Westminster Abbey, Dean’s Yard, Westminster, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm (Monday-Friday)
9:00 am – 3:00 pm (Saturday)
Price Range: £27 – £30 (For Adults)
£13 (For Children)
Conclusion
London has a lot of places to visit, from historical and cultural sites to modern landmarks. From Parks to buildings, ancient fortresses to botanical gardens. Not all of the best places are listed here. Others include: The British Museum, Sky Garden, Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Hyde Park, Tate Modern, and many more. The truth? There is an overabundance of places to visit in London, as the city is steeped in history. However, I am fairly confident that the list above is one you definitely do not want to skip.
