Things to Do in London | Ride the Eye & Tour Castles on River Thames!

It’s hard to pinpoint the best things to see in London when the U.K.’s capital city features attractions that include historic castles, lovely parks and the River Thames (pronounce it like “Tims,” and you’ll be fine). These five top tourist attractions in London will get any itinerary rolling, and sightseers can count on finding more London activities along the way!

1. London Eye

Besides a bird’s-eye view of the Thames River and historic downtown London, the London Eye offers an educational tour of some of the city’s most historic landmarks. London Eye rides last about 30 minutes. Guests stand (or can stay seated) in giant glass gondolas and are treated to unique views of the city plus digital guides explaining many of the attractions that can be seen from the “Millennium Wheel”. Depending on the weather, queues can get long, so buying tickets in advance is recommended.

Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Ticket prices: tickets start at 27.50 GBP (34 USD) for a standard tour; fast track tickets and River Thames Cruise tickets also are available for additional fees

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2. Buckingham Palace

Even if visitors opt out of a tour of Buckingham Palace, they should try to catch the changing of the guard. The fanfare gets going at 10:45 a.m. daily during June and July. From August to May, tourists can catch the fanfare on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Visitors wanting to get a spot up front should arrive in front of Buckingham Palace about an hour before the ceremony begins. Guests who want to tour the palace, which has served as the official residence of the royal family and administrative headquarters of the monarch since 1837, can view some of the state rooms and other galleries during summer months, on Easter and for select times in December and January each year.

Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Ticket prices: 26.50 GBP (32.50 USD) for State Room tour; 49 GBP (60.50 USD) for Royal Day Out tour (includes state rooms, the Royal Mews and The Queen’s Gallery)

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3. Tower of London

A magnificent castle that stands in the center of London’s bustling metro district, the Tower of London was built in 1078 by William the Conqueror, an indulgent gesture to the common citizens who lived outside the castle walls. The grand structure sits on the north bank of the River Thames between historic London Bridge and Tower Bridge and once played host to the ruler’s own private wildlife zoo. In addition to being the headquarters for London’s elite, the Tower of London also served as a prison and now houses the exquisite Crown Jewels collection, a can’t-miss exhibit during the tour.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday (summer); 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
Ticket prices: 28.90 GBP (36 USD) for adults and 14.40 GBP (17.75 USD) for children

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4. Museums in London

Many of London’s best museums are free to visit and located within walking distance of each other. For some of the best free museums in London, visitors should head to the area near Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park.

Must-see museums in London

• The British Museum – contains more than 8 million exhibits documenting the history of human culture
• Natural History Museum – science museum featuring collections and exhibits focused on botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology and zoology
• Victoria and Albert Museum – world’s largest museum of applied and decorative arts, design and sculpture
• National Gallery – an art gallery in Trafalgar Square containing more than 2,000 paintings that date from the mid-1200s to 1900

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5. Hyde Park

Depending on the time of year, an afternoon in Hyde Park can be one of the most pleasant things to do in London. The park is an oasis of green space, often hosting public events, Royal gun salutes and political speeches. On sunny days, tourists will find locals sunbathing, playing Hacky Sack and picnicking around The Serpentine, the park’s long-stretching lake. Hyde Park is not only a popular place to spend an afternoon in London, but it also is next door to several of London’s top attractions, like Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace and Harrods department store.

More popular parks in London

• Kensington Gardens
• St James’s Park
• Victoria Park
• Greenwich Park

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Where to Stay in London

London’s world-famous metro system, known as “The Underground” or “The Tube,” makes it easy for visitors to get around the city from any area. Tourists wanting to do much of their London sightseeing on foot, however, should choose a hotel from one of the more centrally located neighborhoods in London.

• South Bank (Waterloo & Southwark) – close to the River Thames, Big Ben, the London Eye and Westminster Abbey.
• Soho – home to Palace Theatre and next door to Chinatown, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus.
• Chelsea (South Kensington) – family-friendly neighborhoods between Hyde Park and the River Thames.
• Westminster – historical riverfront area within walking distance to Westminster Abbey, St. James’s Park and Parliament Square.
• Kings Cross & Camden – find the cheapest hotels in London in this northern suburb near The Regent’s Park, Camden Market, ZSL London Zoo and The Sherlock Holmes Museum.

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Hotels in London

Best Western London Peckham Hotel

The Morton Hotel

Generator London

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