The 17 Best Things to Do in London

London is one of my favourite cities – I visit at least once a year. There’s always something happening, always something new to do. In this guide, I’ll show you 20 of the most exciting things to do in London, from big tourist attractions to spots you may not know about yet.

1. See Big Ben

Big Ben is easily London’s most iconic landmark, so of course it should be on your itinerary! Even if you don’t plan on seeing the inside, it’s worth visiting.

Entry to Big Ben was, until recently, limited to UK residents only. It is now possible to visit the clock tower as an international tourist. Children under 11 aren’t allowed, though, so if you’re traveling with younger kids, you might have to skip this one.

Tickets are only available on the UK Parliament website. They’re released every second Wednesday of the month at 10:00 (UK time). The tickets sell out very quickly, so make sure you book well in advance.

If you plan on taking a tour of Big Ben, remember to wear comfortable shoes. The climb is long – over 300 steps. And food and beverages aren’t allowed inside, so drink some water beforehand!

2. Check out The Making of Harry Potter

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, a day trip to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour is a must for your London trip. It’s considered the home of the beloved franchise, as it’s one of the filming locations.

On the tour, you’ll come across actual sets, costumes, and props from the movies. You’ll also get a great behind-the-scenes look into the making of the movies, from special effects makeup and costume art to all the different animal actors who were part of the story.

Midway through your tour, you’ll even get to try Butterbeer!

I’d recommend planning this as a day trip, because it’ll take you about 45 minutes to an hour to get there from central London (it’s technically not IN London anymore), and the tour itself is HUGE so it’ll take at least 4 or 5 hours to get through it all.

To help you plan the perfect trip from London, check out my ultimate guide to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Here, you’ll find out exactly how to get there, what you can see there, and how to buy tickets.

3. Eat Your Way Through the Food Markets

London is known for its amazing markets. And don’t worry, it’s not all fish and chips.

The city’s culinary scene is incredibly diverse. And some of the best foods in London can be found at its markets.

Here are some of the best markets to check out on your trip:

Borough Market

Borough Market is by far my favourite market in London – it’s the one I always come back to. The stalls are always brimming with fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and delicious ready-to-eat meals.

Some must-try foods at Borough Market include:

• Risotto at Wild Mushroom Risotto
• Filled Doughnuts at Bread Ahead
• Fresh Oysters at Richard Haward’s Oysters
• Tacos and tostadas at El Pastor

The market has a great location too, being situated very close to many of London’s most iconic sights. So you can grab breakfast or lunch and follow it up with sightseeing at the London Eye, Big Ben, and Tower Bridge – all in just a few hours.

Camden Market

Camden Market is London’s most famous market. It has a hip and trendy vibe, with many little craft stalls alongside food. It’s always very crowded, so it might not be for everyone.

Despite its popularity, I don’t think it’s a tourist trap. You will find genuinely good food spots in Camden, and it’s a great place to shop for souvenirs.

Here are some of my favourite food spots at Camden Market:

• Handmade pasta at The Cheese Wheel (and yes, it’s prepared in a Parmesan wheel)
• Cheesy Naan Melts at Khaao Karachi
• The famous Yorkshire Burrito
• Liquid nitrogen ice cream at Chin Chin Labs

Seven Dials Market

Seven Dials Market is an indoor market that is always brimming with people. It has plenty of places to sit down and enjoy your food (unlike many other markets).

Some of the must-try food spots include:

• Burger at Bleecker (apparently the best burger in London)
• Bao Buns at Yum Bun
• Guava-Glazed Fried Chicken at El Pollote

This market is also situated in the West End, so it’s the perfect place to grab some food before seeing a show.

Here are some other markets to check out in London:

• Maltby Street Market: A smaller, more local market specialising in craft drinks and small snacks.
• Broadway Market: A trendy, creative market with a lot of international cuisine.
• Mercato Metropolitano: A more urban market with great Italian food and German craft beer.
• Old Spitalfields Market: A modern market with stalls selling food and crafts.

4. Grab a Beignet at Fortitude Bakehouse

Fortitude Bakehouse has recently gained popularity online – and it’s for a good reason.

Their most famous products, by far, are the beignets – specifically the mocha beignets. They’re filled with a delicious coffee cream and dipped in a rich chocolate glaze.

If you want to try the beignets, make sure you arrive between 11:00 and 12:00. Although it opens earlier, the beignets are brought out at 11:00 and are usually sold out relatively quickly.

There will be a line outside – but DON’T LET IT SCARE YOU OFF. The line moves quickly – it’s unlikely to take more than 15 minutes to get inside – and trust me, it’s worth it.

I can’t tell you exactly what to get when you go, because the products vary from day to day – and season to season. When we visited, it was St Patrick’s Day weekend, so we got a Danish with Guinness cream and a beignet with coffee cream and matcha.

I don’t think it matters what you get, because the baked goods are all AMAZING, and I’ve never seen a negative review of the place.

5. Check out an Event

London is one of those cities that ALWAYS has something happening. Because of its diverse population, almost every month is a celebration of some sort of cultural event.

One of the most famous London events is the New Year’s Eve firework display and the spectacular New Year’s Day Parade the next day.

In February, Chinese New Year is celebrated and in March, it’s St Patrick’s Day.

During summer, the city is full of festivals, the West End LIVE (for my fellow musical theatre fans), and of course, Pride.

During December, you’ll find Christmas-themed events and markets all of London.

And believe it or not, many of these events are completely free!

Check out this Events Calendar to find out exactly what’s happening when you’re visiting.

6. See a West End Show

Watching a West End Show is ALWAYS one of my favourite things to do when I visit London.

Of course, it’s not for everyone, but the theatre scene is one of the main things that makes London so special to me. I just love the theatre-going experience.

If you’re not a musical theatre fan, but want to see a musical in London, check out shows like The Lion King or the Tina Turner musical.

You can also watch more well-known musicals that have been running for a while, like Hamilton, Wicked, and Les Misérables.

London is also home to some more famous shows, including Matilda the Musical and SIX the Musical (a shorter, more concert-vibey show). Alternatively, consider checking out Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

For something really unique, check out the Choir of Man. This show involves 9 guys dancing and singing in a pub setting.

If you’re not a fan of musicals, you can always find an interesting play in London.

I book all my tickets on the TodayTix app for easy checkout and great last-minute deals for shows.

7. Visit Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is one of the symbols of Great Britain. It serves not only as a home of the British royal family, but also as an art gallery and a tourist attraction.

When King Charles is not in London, usually from July to September, the palace is open to the public for tours and visits. To buy tickets and view the exact opening dates and times, check the official website.

You’ll have to book online ahead of time – tickets are NOT sold at the door!

The main reason people visit Buckingham Palace is to see the Changing of the Guards. It usually takes place every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11 a.m., but the schedule is subject to change. Check the Household Division website to find out the times for your visit.

Pro Tip: People start arriving for the Changing of the Guard up to an hour beforehand. Make sure you’re early (I’d suggest at least 30 minutes before it starts) if you want to find a good spot.

8. Play Mini Golf at Swingers Golf Club

Swingers has recently become a popular spot on social media. It’s a great place to go if you’re traveling with a partner or a small group of friends.

It’s a mini indoor golf club that has exciting, innovative courses. The course consists of nine holes that include obstacles like a windmill and a Ferris wheel.

Swingers Golf has two locations: London City and West End. Right now, the City location is being renovated, but West End is still operating.

Besides mini golf, Swingers also has a ‘Carnival’, where you can play classic carnival and arcade games. They also have a bar that serves delicious cocktails and drinks, so make sure to stop by before you start playing.

Tickets have to be booked on the website, where you’ll choose a time slot. There are also packages available that include both mini golf and carnival, or food and/or a drink.

9. See the Art at the Tate Modern

The Tate Modern is a must for anyone interested in art. At the gallery, you can find pieces by some of the most famous artists, including Picasso, Warhol, and Hockney.

It also hosts special exhibitions that change regularly. Though you may need tickets for these, entry to the regular part of the Tate Modern is completely free!

Check the Tate Modern website for details on the exhibitions, events, and opening times.

I only visited the main collection, and it took me about an hour to see everything. If you’re an art fanatic though, it’ll probably take you a bit longer.

10. Explore Chinatown

Chinatown is one of my favourite spots in London. I go every time I’m in the city. It’s situated between Soho and Theatreland, and is instantly recognizable by the rows of red Chinese lanterns hanging across the streets.

It’s the perfect place to find good food, from bao buns and dumplings to sweet baked goods and bubble tea. Just stroll around and stop by whatever looks good.

Most restaurants and shops serve food to take away, but in the centre of Chinatown, there’s a square where you can sit. I’d suggest getting small portions from 3 or 4 different restaurants, then sitting down to enjoy them all together.

Because of its location, Chinatown is near many of London’s theatres, so it’s the ideal spot to find dinner or lunch before or after seeing a show in the West End.

11. Visit the LEGO Store

The LEGO store in London is situated in Leicester Square. It’s the second biggest LEGO store worldwide, and was the biggest for about 7 years.

It spans 2 stories and has tons of giant models and sets built out of LEGO bricks. Of course it sells all kinds of LEGO sets, including ones that are exclusive to this store location.

But my favourite part was the interactive section on the second floor, where you can design and build your own LEGO figures.

The LEGO store often hosts events – check the website to find out details about upcoming events.

There’s always a long queue outside the store, so I’d recommend visiting shortly after it opens. But if you DO end up in line, don’t worry too much – we almost didn’t go because it was so long, but we only ended up waiting about 10 minutes.

And when you’re done, check out the M&M store right across from the LEGO store to design your own M&Ms!

12. Visit the Natural History Museum

Surprisingly, the Natural History Museum was one of the highlights of my most recent trip to London. I say surprisingly because I’m not usually a museum person.

But the Natural History Museum was amazing! It’s one of the biggest museums I’ve ever visited, and the exhibitions were fantastic. And the best part? Entrance to the museum is free!

There’s something for everyone, from a dinosaur gallery (which houses many actual skeletons and fossils) to the spirit collection, where you can see the preserved form of Charles Darwin’s pet octopus.

Before even entering the Natural History Museum, you’ll walk through the gardens and see the cast of a Diplodocus skeleton (a long-necked dinosaur) named ‘Fern’.

Upon entering, you are greeted by the 25-metre skeleton of a blue whale, ‘Hope’.

We spent about 2 hours exploring the museum, but only because we were short on time – we skipped several exhibits. I’d recommend taking at least 3-4 hours to see everything without rushing.

13. Spend a Spring Day in a Park

If you want to get a break from the big city, you don’t even have to leave it! All over London, there are beautiful parks to explore.

They’re especially magical on early spring days. Grab a snack or enjoy a small picnic (meal deals are great for picnics) under a tree while people- and dog-watching.

Here are some of the best parks to visit during spring in London:

• Regent’s Park
• Hampstead Heath
• St James’ Park
• Hyde Park
• Kensington Gardens

14. See a Show at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre is one of the most interesting things to do in London, especially if you’re a fan of Shakespeare.

The theatre is a reconstruction of the original playhouse where many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed back in the day.

Of course, the theatre is still active, so you can watch a play on your visit. It’s also not expensive, with standing tickets costing as little as £5. Visit the website to see what plays are showing and to buy tickets.

When there are no performances, you can also tour the theatre and learn about its history, as well as Shakespeare’s life.

15. Try Traditional British Food

I know, I know – British food is bland. But I genuinely believe it doesn’t deserve the hate that it gets. Here are some of the traditional foods you can’t miss on your trip:

Sunday Roast

A Sunday roast is a must and is usually eaten, as the name suggests, on Sundays. Most traditional London pubs serve a Sunday roast.

It consists of a roasted meat, roast potatoes and vegetables, gravy and yorkshire pudding, as well as a condiment that complements the meat.

Because it’s such a beloved British tradition, restaurants usually fill up quickly for Sunday lunch. So definitely make a reservation in advance.

Savoury Pies

This is more of a category than a specific food. But the UK has several types of pies you should try, and they’re always one of my top options.

My favourite pies are chicken and mushroom (puff pastry with a saucy chicken and mushroom filling), fish pie (the same but with a fish filling), and cottage pie (flavourful beef topped with a mashed potato crust).

Though it’s a great option at just about every restaurant, pies are a popular grab-and-go food. You’ll find pie stations at almost every supermarket and at many cafés. One of my favourite places to get a pie is Gregg’s.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

One of Britain’s most beloved desserts is sticky toffee pudding. It’s a moist cake made with dates, drenched in toffee sauce, and served with clotted cream or custard.

One of the top places to try sticky toffee pudding is Hawksmoor, a restaurant with several locations across London.

Some other foods to try include fish and chips, Scotch Egg, Full English Breakfast, and Bread and Butter Pudding.

16. Admire the View of the City from the London Eye

As one of London’s most famous landmarks, the London Eye is a must-visit spot for your first visit to the city.

If you plan to ride the London Eye, book tickets well ahead of time. As one of the most popular things to do in London, it’s always packed and there’s usually a long line. It’s one of the few spots I’d even recommend paying extra for a skip-the-line ticket.

Visit the website to buy tickets, but don’t forget to check the combination tickets, which will help you save money if you want to go on a river cruise or visit Madame Tussauds, for example.

I personally think a ride on the London Eye is too expensive – the cheapest tickets are £33! So if it’s not actually on your bucket list, I’d skip it.

Instead, try visiting Tattershall Castle. It’s a restaurant on a permanently docked ship located on the other side of the River Thames, right across from the London Eye – so it has a great view of the landmark.

If you have a drink or eat something at Tattershall Castle, you’ll probably still end up spending less money than if you ride the London Eye.

17. Visit the London Dungeons

Visiting the London Dungeons is a perfect thing to do if you like haunted houses or spooky movies.

It’s an immersive 90-minute experience that involves live performances of historical events, with dark humour and interactive scenes.

It might even be slightly scary for little kids, but it’s perfect for teens and adults.

Tickets can be bought on the London Dungeon website.