20 essential places to visit in London

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This list of the best places to visit in London It will help you prepare a trip to one of the most essential cities for any traveler.

With an endless cultural and leisure offer, museums with incalculable collections, street markets to get lost, impeccable green spaces and neighborhoods full of charm, this city is perfect to make a weekend getaway or more days, without being able to get bored in any moment.
In addition to visiting all tourist attractions and shopping in some of its most commercial streets, in London you can enjoy the best cuisine in every corner of the world.

Based on the three times we have visited the city, in the last one we spent more than a month living in an apartment in Notting Hill, during which we wrote this guide to travel to London, we have made this list of places to see in London essential. We start!

1. Camden Town

Spend a morning in the amazing and entertaining neighborhood of Camden is one of the best things to do in London.
This neighborhood, famous for having the largest market in the city with more than 1000 stalls and alternative stores, is perfect for finding a unique gift, eating at one of its street stalls or simply listening to live music.
Although it is open every day and many people recommend going on Sunday, we recommend visiting Camden Town on weekdays so as not to overwhelm yourself with the large number of people that accumulate during the weekend.
One of our favorite areas to buy, in addition to the stalls of the Camden Stables Market, is Camden High St Street, where stores with more picturesque themed facades are concentrated and where you can find everything from Gothic clothes to locals to make you a tattoo.

To get to Camden you will have to take the subway, the Northern line and get off at the Camden Town stop. Another option that we love is to catch a boat in Little Venice, which will leave you in the market in less than an hour.
If you want to know better the history of the neighborhood and not miss anything you can book this visit with a guide in Spanish.

Camden Town


2. Big Ben

In the Palace of Westminster you will find the British Parliament and Big Ben, its famous Clock Tower, which has become over time one of the icons to visit in London.
This tower over 100 meters high was built in 1858 in Gothic style and stands out for the four clocks located on each side.
Although generally when we talk about Big Ben we refer to the Clock Tower, this denomination is not quite accurate, since Big Ben really is a huge 14-ton bell that is inside the tower, which next to the Palace Westminster Victorian Gothic style, are a World Heritage Site and are located on the banks of the Thames.
The two buildings can only be visited by residents of the United Kingdom, although in summer the visit to the palace is allowed by booking in advance on this page.
Visiting hours: Saturdays between 9:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. with guided tour. August and September is open from Tuesday to Friday.

A good way to learn more about the history and places of interest in London is to book this complete tour with tickets or this essential free London tour Free!, Both with a guide in Spanish.

Big ben

3. Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge or Tower Bridge, built in 1894 over the River Thames, is the most famous bridge to see in London and its name is due to its proximity to the Tower of London, which is right next door.
In this stone drawbridge you can enter to see the operation of the steam engine that lifts it and climb to the top to walk on a transparent glass walkway while enjoying excellent views of the city.
We recommend approaching this photogenic bridge day and night and see it from both banks.
Admission is included if you have the London Pass or the London Explorer Pass.

These two cards allow you to save time by skipping the lines and enough pounds if you plan to visit the most tourist spots in London. The difference between both cards is that the London Pass goes by days, while the Explorer has the flexibility to choose until the last moment the entrance for the 3, 5 or 7 of the main attractions, saving up to 40%.
If you do not have a card you can reserve the entrance to the tower without queues here.
Visiting hours: from April to September from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the rest of the months from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Tower bridge

4. London Parks

One of the best things to do in London for free is to walk or play sports in its many and well-kept parks.
Among the most famous parks to visit in London are:

  • Hyde park: It is the largest and most famous park in the city where you will find everything from a huge lake, several monuments, a rose garden, the gardens and the Kensington Palace, to endless trails for walking or running. You can book the entrance to the palace in advance here.
  • St James's Park: located near Buckingham Palace is one of the Royal Parks of London and the most beautiful in the city.
  • Regent's Park: another one of the perfect parks to walk in which its lakes stand out and in spring, its beautiful garden of Roses.
  • Kew Gardens: This Royal Botanical Garden located in a neighborhood away from the center impresses with its greenhouses full of flowers and exotic plants. You can book the ticket here.
  • Primrose hill: Located on a hill near Camden, it is perfect for a picnic with beautiful views of the city skyline.

Hyde Park, one of the places to see in London

5. Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey, a World Heritage Site, is the oldest and most famous religious temple to visit in London. It has been held since 1066 almost all the coronation ceremonies of kings, English monarchs, weddings such as the current princes and funerals such as Princess Diana of Wales.
In the beautiful interior of Gothic style (you can not take photos), you will find the tombs of kings and illustrious characters such as David Livingstone, Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, Laurence Olivier or Charles Darwin in addition to some of its most prominent corners such as Lady Chapel , the cloisters, the corner of the poets, the Chapter House, the High Altar and the Throne of San Eduardo.
You can find more information in this guide to visit Westminster Abbey.
Visiting hours: Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays open only for mass.

Westminster Abbey

Our recommended hotels in London

Our first recommended accommodation is the Victor Hotel, a small, family-run Victorian hotel located very close to Victoria Station. In addition to its excellent location it has a very complete breakfast and a great quality / price ratio.
On our last trip we stayed at the Garden Court Hotel, located very close to the Notting Hill neighborhood and Hyde Park. For us it is very advisable, since in addition to being in a beautiful neighborhood with a wide range of restaurants, the yellow line (Circle Line) of Bayswater and the Queensway (Central Line) metro line are very close, allowing you to visit Most important places in the city.

6. Piccadilly Circus

Picadilly Circus is a small square that intersects several streets and the most famous meeting point between locals and tourists visiting the city. This square stands out for its large video screens, neon advertising posters and for the famous fountain with the sculpture of Eros.
One of the best things to do in London, is to sit on the stairs of the fountain and enjoy the great atmosphere or a live performance of a street musician.
In addition, in this area next to the charming Leicester Square and Shaftesbury Avenue, several of London's most famous theaters are concentrated.
One of the guided tours in Spanish most valued by travelers visiting the city and passing through this square is this night walk through the current London.

Picadilly Circus

7. British Museum, one of the best places to visit in London

The British Museum, opened in 1759, is one of the most important museums in the world and another of the essential places to see in London.
With an extensive collection of key works in the history of mankind, in the museum you can see the Rosetta Stone in the Egyptian Hall, the marbles of the Parthenon of Athens or a Moai of Easter Island.
A good way to not miss any important piece is to follow this list of works to see in the essential British Museum.

Although the visit to the museum is free, we recommend you book this guided tour in Spanish with an art and history expert or book this free tour for free!
Another option is to rent an audio guide in Spanish for 7 pounds, buy a small book with the 10 best works for 2 pounds or another more complete book for 6 pounds.

Visiting hours: every day from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Fridays until 8:30 p.m.).

The British Museum

8. Notting Hill

Notting Hill, famous for the Portobello Market and its beautiful colorful houses, is our favorite neighborhood to visit in London.
Incredibly popular after the movie premiered Notting hill, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant is currently one of the busiest places in the city, both for its colorful houses and for the locations of the film, such as the protagonist's house or the bookstore, which have become true attractions Tourists in the neighborhood.
The best day to visit Notting Hill is Saturday morning, at which time all the stalls are built on Portabello Street and the market reaches its maximum splendor.
The days of each day are also perfect for visiting the neighborhood with fewer people, entering some antique stores and bookstores, having a coffee in an original place or trying traditional food at the Duke of Wellington, one of the best restaurants to eat in London.

Remember that in the streets adjacent to Portabello Road like Lancaster Road or St Luke's Mews, there are the most photogenic colored houses in the neighborhood and it is very important to show respect to the neighbors and never climb the stairs to take pictures. Another less touristy area, but also with fairytale houses, is Hillgate Place.

A good option to learn more about history and not miss anything about the neighborhood is to book this free tour for free! With guide in Spanish.

Notting hill

9. Tower of London

The Tower of London, surrounded by a moat and located on the bank of the Thames, is another of the most beautiful places to see in London.
This castle built by Guillermo in 1078 to defend the city from enemy incursions, in addition to controlling river traffic, has had different uses depending on the stage of its history.
Once you cross the walls that surround the castle you can visit important places such as the White Tower, the Medieval Palace, the Royal Chapel of San Pedro ad Link and the enclosure that houses the Crown Jewels, one of the most valuable treasures in the world.
The ticket is included in the London Pass or you can book this ticket in advance.
You can find more information in this guide to visit the Tower of London.
Visiting hours: from March to October from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the other months close at 4:30 p.m. Sundays and Mondays open at 10am.

The tower of London

10. London's best viewpoints

Another of the best things to do in London It is to climb at sunset to one of the best viewpoints to see the sunset over the city.
Among our favorite viewpoints to visit in London are:

  • The shard: This building of more than 300 meters offers spectacular 360-degree panoramas from the 68, 69 and 72 floors. You can book your ticket here in advance to save a few euros and not run out of space for the time you choose to climb. You can expand the viewpoint information by reading this guide to visit The Shard.
  • London Eye: From the huge glass cabins of this 135-meter ferris wheel you have incredible views of the River Thames and Big Ben. We recommend you reserve the ticket without queues to avoid wasting much time and follow this guide to visit the London Eye.
  • Sky garden: This free viewpoint with a botanical garden inside, is the most beautiful when combining the fantastic views of the city with a perfect space for a drink or dinner. To access the viewpoint you have to make a reservation on this page

Other of the best viewpoints in London are the last floor of the Tate Modern and the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral.

Views from The Shard

Book the best rated Spanish tours in London by travelers:

- Excursion to Oxford and Stratford
- Windsor Castle Tour
- Route of Jack the Ripper
- Excursion to Stonehenge

- Many more excursions and tours in / from London here

11. St. Paul's Cathedral

St. Paul's Cathedral impresses with its great dome and its 111 meters high, which makes it the second largest cathedral in the world and another of the most essential places to see in London.
Inside in the form of a cross and beautiful fresco paintings, great events have been celebrated such as the funeral of Winston Churchill, 80 years of Queen Elizabeth and the wedding of Prince Charles with Diana of Wales.
In addition to visiting its interior, you can climb to the dome from where you will have very good views of central London or go down to the crypt where the remains of Nelson or the Duke of Wellington rest.
You can save your queues if you have the London Explorer Pass or book this quick ticket.

For more information on this church you can consult this guide to visit the Cathedral of St. Paul.
Visiting hours: Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

San Pablo's cathedral

12. London Neighborhoods

In addition to Notting Hill, London has countless neighborhoods to walk around and enjoy the most authentic atmosphere of the city.
Between the most charming neighborhoods to visit in London, each with its particularities, are:

  • Soho: original shops, art galleries and historic pubs that are filled every afternoon, form one of the most popular neighborhoods in the city. Among its most prominent places are the small neighborhood of Chinatown and the Carnavy Street shopping.
  • Covent Garden: Around a beautiful covered market you can find from street artists, theaters in which the great musicals are performed, to surprising corners like Neal's Yard.
  • Marylebone: a residential neighborhood with Victorian architecture full of boutiques, small bookstores, charming alleys (mews), quality restaurants and trendy cafés.
  • Mayfair: an exclusive neighborhood where wealthy people live with elegant Georgian houses, luxury shops and expensive restaurants.

Marylebone Neighborhood

13. Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II and the place that has hosted many of the historical moments of London and the United Kingdom, as well as another of the places to visit in London.
One of the best things to do in London It is to observe the Changing of the Guard that takes place in front of the palace, although so many tourists congregate that most days it becomes difficult to see it comfortably and clearly. The Changing of the Guard takes place every day at 11:30 a.m. from May to July and the rest of the months every two days.
To visit the beautiful rooms of the Palace, you have to book well in advance as it is only allowed from July 23 to October 2 from 9: 15h to 19: 45h.

If you do not have much time in the city it can be very practical to book the London tourist bus that stops at the main attractions and has comments recorded in Spanish about each of them.

Buckingham Palace

14. Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is one of the most popular squares to see in London, which highlights the 50-meter-high Nelson Column built in honor of this admiral and the victory in the battle of Trafalgar.
This square is, next to Picadilly Circus, one of the places with more movement of locals and tourists from all over the city.
In addition to enjoying the atmosphere, the square has on one side the National Gallery, a museum with one of the most important art collections in the world, which is another of the most recommended places to visit in London.

Trafalgar Square

15. London markets

In addition to the Camden and Portobello markets, London has a wide variety of markets, all of them different and surprising.
Among the best markets in London are:

  • Brick lane: large covered and street markets with all kinds of items and food stalls are spread across a neighborhood where graffiti is also protagonist. Open every Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
  • Leadenhall: the most beautiful covered market to visit in London and that inspired the creation of Harry Potter Diagon Alley.
  • Columbia Road: It is the main flower market in the city where all kinds of plants and garden tools are sold. Open every Sunday from 8am to 3pm.
  • Borough: On Tuesdays and Mondays they open all the stalls of this amazing food market where you can try all kinds of local and international dishes.
  • Maltby Street: another of the best food markets in the city that only opens on Sundays.
  • Broadway: market with more than 100 stalls in which farmers sell their fresh produce and local artists their most personal works. Open every Saturday from 9am to 5pm.

Leadenhall Market


Recommended travel cards

Remember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.

16. Oxford and Regent Street

If you are a shopping lover you cannot miss Oxford and Regent Street, both most famous shopping streets to see in London, where shops that usually open from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm and Sundays from 12am to 6pm, accumulate side by side in these two streets.
On a walk from Marble Arch to Piccadilly Circus you will see stores of almost all international brands, fantastic shopping centers such as Liberty and even Ben's Cookies stalls, where you can regain strength by devouring their delicious cookies.
In the part of Regent Street that ends in curvature, you will see the most beautiful historic buildings and the most luxurious shops.

Remember that one of the best things to do in London at Christmas It is to walk these two streets decorated with Christmas motifs and lights.

Regent's Street

17. Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall is one of the most famous theaters in the world and one of the places to visit in London.
This building, built in red brick, has a design similar to the ancient amphitheaters, and although you do not enter, it is worth approaching to contemplate its exterior.
We visited it the first time we were in London and we loved it since we also agreed with the rehearsals of a performance and we could verify its magnificent acoustics.
To visit the interior you have to book a guided tour in English that passes through the main rooms such as the Queen's box and the impressive scenery.
Another option is to buy the ticket for one of the concerts of classical music, pop, rock, opera or ballet, in which all the great artists of the moment perform.
Visiting hours: every day from 10am to 4pm. Entrance included in the London Pass.

Royal Albert House, one of the places to visit in London

18. London Museums

In addition to the magnificent British Museum, the city has other museums with large collections and authentic references in their fields.
Among the best museums in London, mostly free, are:

  • Museum of Natural History: one of ours Favorite museums to visit in London, its dinosaur reproductions and the blue whale skeleton will leave you speechless.
  • National Gallery: the great collection of paintings by great geniuses such as Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Velázquez, Goya, are sufficient reasons to enter.
  • science Museum: it has objects and inventions inside that changed history such as the Apollo X module, the Foucault pendulum, the Boulton and Watt steam engine, the Earl of Rosse telescope and a large aircraft exhibition.
  • Tate Modern: It is the most visited modern art museum in the world, in addition to its extravagant works it has an incredible viewpoint on the top floor.
  • Madame Tussauds: It is the most famous wax museum in the world and its reproductions of famous people are so real that you will doubt if they really are not them in person.

Museum of Natural History

19. Harry Potter Studios

Another of the best things to do in London It is to reserve a day for a visit to Warner Studios, where much of the scenes of the 8 Harry Potter films were shot. Although the visit, including transportation, can take you about 7 hours, it is totally worth it to see these magnificent studios inside and remember great scenes and original objects from the movies.
The studios are located about 30 kilometers from the city and you can go on your own with a combination of metro, train and bus or on an organized tour, considered one of the best excursions in London.
As we say, if you do not want to complicate yourself with transfers, a fairly comfortable option is to book this Harry Potter tour at Warner Studios, with which you can choose the option to book the transfer from central London or the transfer and entrance.
Remember that it is very important to book your ticket well in advance, to avoid running out of space, as this is one of the most popular attractions in London.

For more information about this tour you can consult this guide to visit the Harry Potter studios in London, based on our experience.

Harry Potter Studios

20. Other more original places

After completing the list of most famous places to visit in London, we recommend you look for other less touristy corners.
Among the ones we liked the most are:

  • Leake Street Tunnel: a tunnel located near the Waterloo train station that has its walls full of graffiti.
  • Neal's Yard: an oasis of color full of charm.
  • St Dunstan in the East: a magical garden located among the ruins of an old church.
  • Daunt Books: an old Edwardian bookshop located in the beautiful neighborhood of Marylebone.
  • House of Minalima: a colorful Soho store that is related to the Harry Potter universe.
  • The churchill Arms and Crown & Anchor: If you are looking for a historic pub with an amazing facade these two will not disappoint you.
  • Warren mews: one of the most beautiful alleys to see in London.
  • Ebury street: In this street you will find shops decorated with flowers like Peggy Porschen's and designed to accumulate likes in your instagram account.
  • Clifton Nurseries: Do not leave London without trying the cakes in this greenhouse cafeteria.

Neal's Yard

If you feel like helping us complete the list of the 20 places to visit in London, add yours in the comments.

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