What to See in London

In addition to being the capital of the United Kingdom, London is a megacity and a world center for trade, arts and entertainment, fashion, media, education, research, science, tourism, transport, and everything else.

With more than 2,000 years of constantly evolving history, London has become the largest city in Europe and one of the most important in the world.

What to See in London

Some cities have so much to offer that the only way to truly know them is to have been born there, while the rest of us, who know it from movies or books, can only get a small taste of the grand feast.

Here’s a taste of the places and things to do in London that you shouldn’t miss. Not sure where to start? No problem: the Essential London Free Tour will help you get your bearings, discover things you didn’t even imagine, and get invaluable travel tips.

Piccadilly Circus

 

Piccadilly Circus is where several major avenues intersect and is the ultimate meeting point, just a stone’s throw from Soho and the West End. The square is dominated by a statue of Eros, always surrounded by excellent street musicians.

What better way to discover London’s most famous square than by taking the Harry Potter Free Tour in London? This fun tour starts at Piccadilly Circus and covers other locations from the Harry Potter series in London.

Every day, thousands of people pass through here, captivated by the giant billboard displays in Times Square style. Now, we don’t know if Piccadilly Circus is the British version of Times Square or if Times Square is the American version of Piccadilly Circus, but what we do know is that Piccadilly Circus is the heart of London.

Another way to discover Piccadilly Circus, Chinatown, Leicester Square, and more is by joining the London Night Tour. Let a guide share the secrets, stories, and timeless gossip of London’s celebrities as you enjoy the beautiful nighttime lights.

Big Ben and Parliament

 

Almost everyone makes the mistake of calling the Clock Tower “Big Ben,” when in fact Big Ben is the enormous bell inside the tower.

The Clock Tower is over 100 meters tall, was built in 1858, and is part of the Palace of Westminster, home to the British Parliament. The entire complex is Victorian with Gothic influences and is perhaps one of London’s most recognizable icons.

Westminster Abbey and Cathedral

 

Not far from Parliament, you’ll find Westminster Abbey, where kings and notable figures like Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, and Charles Dickens are buried. The Abbey, together with the Cathedral, are the most important religious landmarks in London.

Westminster Abbey is one of London’s most visited monuments, perhaps because it’s where most British kings have been crowned, because it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or simply because it was the location of Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding to the Duke of Edinburgh in 1947.

If you’re tired of walking around London and don’t feel like walking, you can comfortably reach Westminster Abbey and other landmarks on a panoramic London tour with transportation.

Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard

 

Buckingham Palace is typically the official residence of the kings and queens of England. However, currently, neither the King nor any member of the British royal family resides there due to ongoing intensive conservation and renovation work inside the palace.

Nevertheless, the British Royal Guard continues to perform the famous Changing of the Guard in London to maintain tradition and for the enjoyment of visitors. The ceremony takes place daily at 11:00 a.m. during the months of April through July. From August to March, it is held every other day.

You can witness this iconic celebration with a Spanish-speaking guide by signing up for the Must-See Free London Tour.

If you’re short on time and visiting London for three days, this is one of the top places that should be at the top of your list.

Tower Bridge

 

Tower Bridge, also known as the London Tower Bridge, is one of the most visited sites in London and an icon of the big screen. From James Bond to a visiting Spider-Man from NYC, many have passed over this 244-meter-long suspension bridge.

From here, you can get one of the best views of the Tower of London and the buildings that make up the City. Walking across the bridge as a pedestrian is quite an experience, but if you want to be even more amazed, we recommend going up and visiting the “Tower Bridge Exhibition.”

Join the Free Tour along the Thames River and learn all about the famous bridge, as well as St. Paul’s Cathedral, the City of London, Tate Modern, Borough Market, The Shard, and much more!

The Tower of London

 

The Tower of London is a structure with over a thousand years of history, much of it rather bloody, as it was used as a place of imprisonment and torture, though it has also served as a palace and even a zoo.

Every night at 9:30 p.m., the “Ceremony of the Keys” takes place here, a tradition held for over 700 years, where the “Chief Yeoman Warder,” head of the Tower Guard, locks the gates and hands over the keys to the Tower’s “Resident Governor.” Legend has it that the day the ravens abandon the Tower of London, the British monarchy will end.

Sign up for this complete London tour by bus with a Spanish-speaking guide and visit the Tower of London with the Crown Jewels, as well as St. Paul’s Cathedral, a cruise along the Thames, and much more.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

 

St. Paul’s Cathedral is second in size only to St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Its Baroque towers and immense dome, which give the church its name, are truly impressive. Inside, you can climb stairs to a spot that offers incredible views.

St. Paul’s Cathedral is also famous as the site of the funerals of Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher, as well as the spectacular wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Di.

Tate Modern

 

Tate Modern is the popular name for the British Museum of Modern Art. The “Tate” part of the name comes from Sir Henry Tate, who donated his vast art collection to the state and contributed significant funds to start the museum project.

Today, it is the most visited modern art museum in the world. Tate Modern is located in the renovated Bankside Power Station on the south side of the Millennium Bridge.

The Millennium Bridge

 

Norman Foster is one of the world’s most renowned architects, and the Millennium Bridge is undoubtedly one of his most controversial creations. The Millennium Bridge is the first bridge built in central London over the Thames since Tower Bridge.

It’s a pedestrian bridge that had to be closed the same day it opened because the entire structure swayed from side to side, to the surprise and fear of pedestrians. Despite the delays and the immense amount of money spent on its repairs, the Millennium Bridge is now one of London’s main attractions.

London Eye

 

Can you imagine overlooking the city of London while rotating on one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world? That’s exactly what the London Eye offers. At 135 meters tall, it’s the highest Ferris wheel in Europe and the most visited tourist attraction in London, with over 3.75 million visitors annually.

Until 2013, it was the tallest public viewpoint in all of London (it was surpassed by the observation deck on the 72nd floor of The Shard, at 275 meters). Even so, if you’re not afraid of heights, it’s an experience you have to try.

The City of London

 

The City is the name given to London’s financial district. It covers an area of 2.6 square kilometers, coincidentally situated on the same land that medieval London once occupied.

One of the City’s most unique spots is Leadenhall Market, the chosen location for recreating the iconic Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter series, which you can explore on the popular Harry Potter tour of London.

It’s the most important financial district in the world, even surpassing Wall Street in transaction volume. Here you’ll find skyscrapers and the most modern architecture in the entire city, including the famous 30 St Mary Axe (nicknamed The Gherkin).

Leicester Square, Soho, and Covent Garden

Leicester Square and the West End Theatre District

 

Leicester Square lies between Soho and Covent Garden, two of London’s most charming districts. In Leicester Square, you’ll find crowds moving among giant screens announcing movie premieres and London’s most famous musicals.

Soho is perfect for exploring at night, having drinks, and immersing yourself in London’s vibrant nightlife. Meanwhile, Covent Garden is known for its market, theaters like the Royal Opera House, and many entertainment options.

Other Places to Visit in London

If you still have time, there are many other must-see spots in London that we highly recommend, such as Camden Market, Chinatown, Hyde Park, the British Museum, Shoreditch, Oxford Street, Brixton Academy, Electric Avenue, Harrods, Kew Gardens, Notting Hill, the famous Abbey Road crossing… and hundreds more places in this city that never stops reinventing itself.

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Don’t miss the chance to experience London through unique experiences with our recommended tours and excursions in London.