Things to do
Things to do in London: 25 best sights, free museums and day trips
The classic sights worth paying for, the world-class museums that are free, the best neighbourhoods and easy day trips.
By Traveljin Editorial Team · Updated · 2 min read
Quick answer
- Many of London's best museums are free, including the British Museum, the National Gallery, Tate Modern and the Natural History Museum.
- The paid sights most worth booking ahead are the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour.
- Allow four to five days for the highlights, and use a contactless card or phone to tap in on the Tube and buses.
| Days needed | 4–5 for the highlights |
|---|---|
| Best free museums | British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern |
| Book ahead | Tower of London, Harry Potter studio tour, West End shows |
| Getting around | Tap a contactless card or phone; daily fare cap |
| Best time to visit | May–September; December for the lights |
Royal London and Westminster
Start at Westminster: Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, then Westminster Abbey, where monarchs have been crowned for almost a thousand years. Walk through St James's Park to Buckingham Palace; the Changing of the Guard takes place on set days, so check the schedule. The palace's State Rooms open to visitors in summer.
The Tower of London, home of the Crown Jewels, deserves half a day. Join a Yeoman Warder tour, then walk across Tower Bridge.
Free museums
London's national museums have free general admission, so you can drop in for an hour. Some special exhibitions charge.
- British Museum: the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies and the Parthenon sculptures.
- National Gallery: Van Gogh, Turner and the Old Masters, on Trafalgar Square.
- Tate Modern: modern art in a former power station on the South Bank.
- Natural History Museum and Science Museum, next to each other in South Kensington, and the V&A for design and fashion.
Views, markets and neighbourhoods
For views, ride the London Eye or book a free slot at the Sky Garden. Walk the South Bank from Westminster to Borough Market for street food, then on to Shakespeare's Globe.
Spend time in neighbourhoods as well as at sights: Covent Garden and Soho for theatres and restaurants, Notting Hill and Portobello Road market on Saturdays, Camden for its markets and music, and Greenwich for the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian.
Shows and the Harry Potter studio tour
Seeing a West End show is a London highlight; same-day discounts are often available at the official TKTS booth in Leicester Square. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour, The Making of Harry Potter, is outside the city near Watford and sells out, so book well ahead and include transport.
Day trips from London
- Windsor Castle: about an hour by train, with State Apartments and St George's Chapel.
- Oxford or Cambridge: about an hour, for colleges, punting and bookshops.
- Stonehenge and Bath: a long but popular day, easiest on a tour.
- The Cotswolds: honey-stone villages, best by tour or hire car.
Where to stay
For a first visit, stay near the centre: the South Bank or Westminster for sights, Covent Garden or Soho for theatres and nightlife, South Kensington for museums and a calmer feel, or King's Cross for trains to Paris and the rest of the UK. Shoreditch suits a younger, livelier stay.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top 5 things to do in London?
The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, the British Museum, a walk along the South Bank, and a West End show.
What can you do in London for free?
Visit the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern and Natural History Museum, watch the Changing of the Guard, walk the parks and South Bank, and book a free slot at the Sky Garden.
How many days do you need in London?
Four to five days covers the main sights and a day trip. With three days, focus on Westminster, the Tower, one big museum and the South Bank.
