What To See In London As A First Timer

London is a popular destination for several reasons. As one of the most populated cities in the world, London inspires millions of visitors with its images of royalty, crown jewels, British culture, fashion, famous museums, and pubs. If you are getting ready to visit London for the first time, you might be overwhelmed with the countless things to do. 

We put together this guide on what to see in London, which includes an array of diverse activities suitable for every budget.

Whether backpacking around Europe or taking a luxury getaway to this outstanding capital city, London will impress you. Beautiful landmarks you have undoubtedly seen on TV, world-famous museums, hipster hangout spots – London is all of this and much more. Follow our suggestions and tips to plan a perfect first-time visit to London, UK.

Favorite Things To Do In London

Aside from iconic shopping on Oxford Street and at the famous department stores Harrods and Selfridges, or at the eclectic Borough Market and Portothere are plenty of things to do in London.

Here, we present you with a well-thought-out list of things to do in London that will make your first trip to the city unforgettable.

#1 Big Ben

This is your first-time visit to London, so there is one sight where you should start your exploration of the city, Big Ben. London’s most iconic landmark, featured in more movies than it is possible to count, the Big Ben is symbolically England.   

You might not know that Big Ben isn’t the name for the famous tower with the ornate clock, as we all thought. On the contrary, it is the name of the largest of the five bells of the Elizabeth Tower at the Houses of Parliament. It is still being determined why the bell has been called Big Ben; what is sure is that this beloved attraction became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. 

You might now wonder how to tour the Elizabeth Tower to see Big Ben. Unfortunately, you can’t. The tower is currently under restoration, and before, you could only enter it if you were a UK resident.

However, you can glimpse Big Ben from various points throughout the city. Our favorite viewpoints are from the Westminster Bridge and the London Eye. For the best experience, go admiring Big Ben during the day and at night when the building, clock, and tower are illuminated. 

#2 Westminster Abbey

Another London sight that you have surely seen, even if this is the first time you have stepped foot in the city, is Westminster Abbey. This is because the stunning church is where official religious ceremonies of the Royal Family take place, from crownings to marriages to funerals.  

Right across from the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey dates back to 960 CE. Originally a Catholic church, it has belonged to the Church of England since the reign of Elizabeth I.

Westminster Abbey, featuring a richly decorated Gothic style, is particularly worth visiting inside. The central nave is outstanding, and walking it, you will pass by the Quire, where the choir sings during services. Behind the Quire, you can admire the High Altar Screen and Cosmati Pavement, which is made of stonework, colored glass, and marble. 

Something unmissable to see in the church’s interior are the tombs of notable personalities buried here. These include scientists (like Charles Darwin to Sir Isaac Newton), poets (for instance, Charles Dickens and Geoffrey Chaucer), and most of the Kings and Queens of England.  

While strolling around Westminster Abbey, you can see other awesome venues. Don’t miss the Henry VII Lady Chapel, located on the church’s eastern end, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries, and the Cloisters.

#3 London Eye

The London Eye is something else you will see strolling around London City. As the fourth tallest structure in London, you can’t miss it! 

This huge Ferris wheel is located right on the shore of the River Thames. It is the perfect spot to enjoy unparalleled views of London’s iconic landmarks. When constructed, the London Eye was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, a record that now goes to the High Roller in Las Vegas.

The London Eye is so big that it isn’t built as a regular Ferris wheel. In fact, you won’t ride it on traditional bench seats, but you will enter pods that can fit up to 25 people. This allows you to hang out with all your travel companions as the wheel turns.  

The entire ride takes about half an hour, and during the slow turn, you get a bird’s eye view of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and St Paul’s Cathedral. To access the London Eye, you can choose from two ticket options, the regular one and the fast track, that will allow you to do the ride without queuing. 

Expansive city views and millions of fantastic photo opportunities make riding the London Eye one of your best London experiences. 

#4 British Museum

London is a fabulous city to travel to if you are a museum lover. Even if you are not fond of museums, one is so epic that you should definitely visit when in London: the British Museum.

One of the world’s top museums, the British Museum’s permanent collection is massive, so much so that you can spend an entire day here! The over 50 galleries are divided into periods of human civilization, displaying artifacts that showcase human history, art, and culture.

You will be in awe of cultural and artistic masterpieces from across the world, including the Rosetta Stone, parts of Athens’ Parthenon, Lewis Chessmen, and the Mummy of Katebet. 

First opened to the public in 1759, the museum’s expansion over the following two centuries was largely a result of British colonization – as it is for many other museums across Europe. 

The best part of the British Museum is that it is free, which is great if you are not interested in spending too much time inside. Moreover, if you don’t have time to go through the British Museum, we recommend just stepping inside its splendid neoclassical edifice, Norman Foster’s Great Court. This building is dominated by a glass-roofed foyer, which is absolutely astonishing.  

#5 Churchill War Rooms

This next entry on this ‘places to see in London’ list is for you if you are interested in World War 2 history. Tucked underneath a complex of buildings in Whitehall, the Churchill War Rooms are usually overlooked by those visiting London, but it’s a fantastic way to learn more about Britain’s history.

Now part of the Imperial War Museum, the Churchill War Rooms used to be a secret bunker used by the British government between 1939 and 1945. It’s from these very rooms that Prime Minister Churchill led the country and worked on military strategists during the war.

Among the things Churchill did in the bunker was have secret telephone calls with President Roosevelt, film broadcasts to update British citizens on war events, and declare war on Germany. 

Get ready to stroll around maze-like hallways and see the rooms where all the actions took place, like the Map Room and the Transatlantic Telephone Room. Inside the Churchill War Rooms, visitors find lots of informative reading material about Churchill’s life and Britain’s involvement in the war.

#6 Camden Town

A must-do in London for first-timers is visiting the iconic Camden Town. This is the hipster neighborhood of London, full of street art, colorful houses, bars and pubs, and the unmissable Camden market.

You can spend hours strolling around this vibrant and always-busy neighborhood. It’s a great spot in London for enjoying a different vibe. One of the best things to do in Camden Town is to hunt for artsy and creative graffiti.

Famous artists make many, but there are also cool pieces whose artists are anonymous or known by their nicknames, like the mysterious Bambi. Some of the streets where you can find awesome street art are Castlehaven Road, Hawley Street, and Miller Street.

But the main reason everyone gets to Camden Town is its incredible market. This is a series of markets strung along Camden High Street and Chalk Farm Road. All slightly different, Camden Market is London’s best quirky shopping venue. Here, you will find everything from Punk Rock fashion to vintage furniture to Mexican groceries.

Camden Market also features great eateries where you can taste delicious international cuisine – Chinese, Mexican, Greek, and American; you will indeed find what you like.

When night falls, Camden Town is a fantastic spot in London to explore. Catch a concert at famous venues like The Roundhouse and the Electric Ballroom, or hang out with your travel companions at one of the old-school pubs and bars. Many of these places once were the haunt of London’s musical renegades, like the incredible Amy Winehouse.

#7 Hyde Park

It might surprise you to know London is an incredibly green city. London is among Europe’s greenest cities, with 3,000 parks and green spaces, covering a total area of about 35,000 acres. 

When it comes to which park to explore, visitors are spoiled with choice. But if there is one you shouldn’t miss, it is famous Hyde Park. The largest of the four royal parks in central London, Hyde Park was first established by Henry VIII in 1536. However, it was only opened to the public a century later. The Royal Parks were the green spaces where the Kings and Queens enjoyed their leisure time, doing activities like hunting, horse riding, and idle recreation. 

In 1851, Hyde Park hosted the Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace, centered around cultural and technological inventions from across the globe. Today, Crystal Palace is occupied by sports pitches, including football and tennis.

Hyde Park features many spots to discover. At its heart is the artificial Serpentine Lake, with panoramic paths, waterfront cafés, and the Lido, the oldest swimming club in Britain, where Londoners enjoy summer swims. 

Wandering around the park, you will pass a meadow, rose gardens, and the Diana, Princess Wales Memorial Fountain. Another spot not to miss in Hyde Park is Speakers’ Corner, which is dedicated to lively public speeches and debates. Historically, this corner had seen radical and revolutionary personalities, including Karl Marx and George Orwell, presenting their ideas to Londoners.

#8 Tower of London

One of our favorite spots in London for its historical importance, the Tower of London is not to be mistaken for London Bridge. This historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames traces back to 1066 CE.

Over time, the original structure of the castle was enlarged with more defensive structures, walls, and buildings. Given its long history, the Tower of London served different roles, and it was a royal residence, a prison, an armory, a treasury, and even a zoo.

Among the places to see in the Tower of London are the Torture Tower, hosting an unsettling exhibition with replicas of torture instruments, and the Jewels House, housing ceremonial treasures and royal jewels.

The Tower of London is a special place also for still being where the beefeaters live with their families. Historically, they were the guards of the Tower of London, but today only have a symbolic role, performing ceremonial functions. If you get a chance, witness the changing of the guard and Ceremony of the Keys, which has existed for over seven hundred years.

#9 Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

Shakespeare’s fan or not, the Globe Theater is among the unmissable places to see in London. This old-world-looking theater has been the epicenter of London’s entertainment in the past, in business for hundreds of years.  

What you see today is not the original theater of 1599, which stood about 200 meters from where it now stands. The modern Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is a rebuilt replica in oak-and-thatch. 

The Globe Theater was erected by Shakespeare’s playing company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, and it is even said that the great poet himself sat inside to watch his plays performed.

Today, the theater is an open-air playhouse where you can watch Shakespeare’s works. You can assist at numerous performances throughout the year, including plays, operas, comedy shows, and candlelit concerts, also from authors other than Shakespeare.

Watching a play at the Globe Theater is a beautiful experience, but the theater also offers a permanent exhibition showcasing Shakespeare’s life, information about the original playhouse, and how the Southwark would have looked during Elizabethan times. In addition, the theater proposes tours to discover its history and hidden gems.

#10 St. Paul’s Cathedral

Standing tall in the heart of London’s City district, St. Paul’s Cathedral is such an iconic landmark that it needs to be on your bucket list. Away from the ritz and glitz of the city’s West End, St. Paul’s Cathedral and its surroundings feel as if they’ve been trapped in time.

London’s cathedral, the second largest in the world after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, has a colorful history. Looted, burned, and destroyed, St. Paul’s Cathedral had to be rebuilt no less than four times between the 7th and 17th centuries.

Throughout its long history, the cathedral has been the site of important events in British history, such as the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles in 1981 and the funerals of Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. 

Besides its historical relevance, St. Paul Cathedral boasts stunning architecture. With decorated chapels, wonderful galleries, and a state-of-the-art dome, this church will surely leave you speechless. 

The best area of the cathedral is the first floor. Vast and luminous, it is a perfect example of the Baroque aesthetic. The Whispering Gallery is particularly impressive. Situated above the nave, it features a majestic acoustic – a whisper from one side of the gallery can be clearly heard on the opposite side, 111 feet away!

#11 National Gallery

Every list of ‘places to see in London’ you will find online includes at least a few museums. It’s impossible not to visit a museum when figuring out the best things to do in London. Among the many museums you can visit, the National Gallery is the ideal venue for admiring fine art masterpieces.

One of the most famous art museums in the world, the National Gallery is located in Trafalgar Square, which means you will pass by it multiple times during your London visit. So why not enter the museum, even considering that it is free?

The National Gallery showcases some of the planet’s biggest and most diverse painting collections. Even if you are not fond of fine art, you should visit this museum at least just to browse its highlights. Among the permanent collection’s greatest paintings are Jan Van Eyck’s ‘The Arnolfini Portrait’ and Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Virgin Of The Rocks’.

If you don’t want to spend too much time visiting the National Gallery, you can follow one of the three recommended “Art Routes” proposed by the museum, which will take you on thematic walks around half an hour long to discover awesome masterpieces. 

#12 Natural History Museum

Call to action for dinosaur lovers of all ages! When in London, you cannot avoid stepping inside the Natural History Museum.

Hosted in a beautiful Romanesque building intentionally designed to complement the museum’s exhibitions, the Natural History Museum used to be known for the well-loved Diplodocus plaster skeleton that took the space of an entire room. Affectionately called Dippy, it was replaced in 2017 by a real skeleton of a huge blue whale named Hope, which is indeed as impressive.

Housing over 70 million specimens, the Natural History Museum boasts many exhibits. Among the best are the world’s first discovered T-Rex fossil, a meteorite as old as our solar system, and the Charles Darwin collection. The Darwin Centre Spirit Collection is particularly interesting. It includes star wonders like Archie the Giant Squid and the famous cursed amethyst. 

But that’s not all. The Natural History Museum is also a fully functional laboratory with expert scientists working in biology and geology.

Where To Stay In London

When in London, securing accommodation that is well-located and within your budget will have a huge impact on the outcome of your trip.

Closing Thoughts

London truly offers a mixed bag of experiences. You will never want to leave London if you love history, art, shopping, entertainment, and eating.

When planning your first trip to London, it can be challenging to decide things to do. We have compiled a comprehensive list of what to see in London, including unmissable attractions and some of our favorites. 

Depending on your budget and length of stay, pick from it and be ready for a wonderful vacation – London is calling you!

Frequently Asked Questions