See London from the Tower to the West End without burning out. Covers iconic landmarks, free museums, markets, neighborhoods, pub culture, and day trip options with transport and money-saving tips.
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Iconic Landmarks
Tour the Tower of London
Home to the Crown Jewels, which are the main draw — go straight there when you enter to beat the crowds. A Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour is included with admission and runs every 30 minutes. Allow 3 hours for a thorough visit.
See the Crown Jewels (head here first)
Join a free Yeoman Warder guided tour
See the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
Big Ben is the bell inside the Elizabeth Tower, not the tower itself. The best photo spot is from Westminster Bridge. UK residents can tour Parliament for free via their MP; international visitors can book paid tours on Saturdays and during recesses.
Visit Westminster Abbey
The coronation church for British monarchs since 1066. Seventeen monarchs are buried here, plus Darwin, Newton, and Hawking. Entry is around £29 — audio guide included. Evensong services are free (5 PM weekdays) and let you experience the interior without the ticket price.
Walk across Tower Bridge
Free to cross as a pedestrian. The Exhibition (paid entry) includes a glass-floor walkway 42 meters above the Thames and the Victorian engine rooms. Check the bridge lift schedule online — the road opens about 800 times per year.
Ride the London Eye
One rotation takes 30 minutes with views up to 40 km on a clear day. Book a fast-track ticket online to avoid the standard 30-60 minute queue. Sunset tickets cost more but are worth it. Skip it on overcast days — the views are disappointing.
Museums (All Free)
Explore the British Museum
One of the world's greatest museums — and completely free. The Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies are the star attractions. The Great Court atrium is stunning. Allow 3-4 hours minimum; you could spend days here.
See the Rosetta Stone (Room 4)
Explore the Egyptian mummy galleries
Visit the Natural History Museum
Free entry. The Hintze Hall with its blue whale skeleton is jaw-dropping. The wildlife garden is open in summer. Weekday mornings are least crowded; weekend queues to enter can stretch 30+ minutes.
See modern art at Tate Modern
Housed in a converted power station on the South Bank — free permanent collection includes Warhol, Picasso, and Rothko. The viewing platform on the 10th floor has free panoramic views of St. Paul's Cathedral and the Thames.
Browse the Victoria and Albert Museum
The world's largest museum of decorative arts and design. The Cast Courts have full-size plaster replicas of Trajan's Column and Michelangelo's David. The café in the Morris, Gamble & Poynter Rooms is one of London's most beautiful.
Markets & Neighborhoods
Eat your way through Borough Market
London's oldest food market (1,000+ years). Open Wednesday to Saturday; Thursday-Saturday are the fullest. Try scotch eggs, raclette cheese melted onto bread, and fresh oysters. Arrive before 11 AM to browse without the lunch rush.
Browse Camden Market and the Lock
Over 1,000 stalls of vintage clothing, street food, and crafts along the canal. The street food section has cuisines from 30+ countries. Camden Town tube station is the closest — use Chalk Farm station to approach from the quieter north end.
Walk the South Bank from Westminster to Tower Bridge
A 3 km riverside walk passing the London Eye, Royal Festival Hall, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, and Borough Market. Street performers and book stalls line the route. One of the best free experiences in London.
Stroll through Notting Hill
Famous for Portobello Road Market (busiest on Saturdays), colorful pastel houses, and independent bookshops. Walk the residential streets around Lancaster Road and Westbourne Park Road for Instagram-worthy facades.
Explore Shoreditch and Brick Lane
East London's creative hub with street art on every corner, vintage shops, and some of London's best curry houses on Brick Lane. Sunday's Upmarket in the Old Truman Brewery has food stalls and crafts.
Experiences & Culture
See a West End show
London's theater district rivals Broadway. Day-of tickets at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square sell at 20-50% off — the booth opens at 10 AM. Matinee performances (usually Wednesday and Saturday) are often cheaper.
Have a pint at a traditional London pub
Order at the bar — table service is rare in traditional pubs. A pint of ale costs £5-7 outside Zone 1, £7-9 in central London. Historic pubs with original Victorian interiors: The Lamb (Bloomsbury), Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (Fleet Street).
Try afternoon tea
A quintessential London experience with sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and pastries. Upscale hotels charge £50-80 per person. More affordable options at department store cafés run £25-35. Book at least a week ahead.
Spend time in Hyde Park
One of London's eight Royal Parks — 350 acres in the center of the city. Speakers' Corner (northeast corner) hosts public speakers every Sunday. Rent a rowboat on the Serpentine lake in summer. The Diana Memorial Fountain is on the south side.
Day Trips
Day trip to Stonehenge and Bath
Stonehenge is 90 minutes by car or coach from London. Combine it with the Roman city of Bath (30 minutes further west) for a full day. Pre-book Stonehenge timed tickets online — walk-ups are turned away when capacity is reached.
Book timed Stonehenge tickets in advance
Visit the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey
Day trip to Oxford
1 hour by direct train from London Paddington. Walk between the colleges (Christ Church and Bodleian Library are the highlights), browse the Covered Market, and have a pint at one of the oldest pubs in England. No car needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days should I spend in London?
Four to five days covers the major museums, palaces, and a couple of neighborhoods thoroughly. Many of London's best museums are free, including the British Museum, Tate Modern, and National Gallery, so you can spread visits across multiple days without extra cost. Add a day for a side trip to Stonehenge or Oxford if time allows.
What is the Oyster card and do I need one?
The Oyster card is a reusable transit card for the Tube, buses, and Overground. It caps daily charges at 8.10 GBP for Zones 1-2, saving up to 50% over single tickets. Contactless bank cards now work identically with the same fare caps.
How expensive is London compared to other European capitals?
London runs about 20-30% more expensive than Paris or Berlin for accommodation and dining. A pint of beer averages 6-7 GBP, a mid-range dinner is 25-40 GBP per person, and a Zone 1 hotel room starts around 150 GBP per night. Free museums and parks offset some costs since you can fill entire days without spending on attractions.
What is the best area to stay in London for first-time visitors?
South Kensington and Bloomsbury offer central locations near major museums with good Tube connections. Covent Garden and Soho put you in the theater and dining heart but cost 30-40% more per night. Bankside near the Tate Modern is increasingly popular and slightly cheaper than north-of-the-Thames equivalents.
Do I need to tip in London?
Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated. Restaurants often add a 12.5% service charge to the bill so check before adding more. For taxis, rounding up to the nearest pound is standard. Pub drinks at the bar require no tip; table service at pubs warrants 10% if you received food.