Things to do · London
Best Things to Do in London
The best things to do in London, what each is actually like, and how to group them into your days without wasting time in transit.
Updated 2026-07-01
What London is worth your time for
London's sights cluster along the Thames, and the single most useful planning rule is to walk the river rather than criss-cross it. Westminster to Tower Bridge is about 5 km along the South Bank and takes in a remarkable share of the city's landmarks. The major national museums are free, which changes how you plan: an hour in the British Museum costs nothing, so short visits are entirely reasonable.
London packs world-class museums, food from every continent and centuries of history into a network of walkable neighbourhoods.
The British Museum
The Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and eight million objects, all free to enter under Norman Foster's Great Court roof.
Where
Bloomsbury
Good to know
Free, but book a timed slot online for peak periods. Enter via the Montague Place door to skip the main queue. Late opening on Fridays.
Time needed
2–3 hours for a focused route
Tower of London
Nearly a thousand years of fortress, prison and palace, plus the Crown Jewels — the one paid landmark almost everyone rates worth the ticket.
Where
City of London
Good to know
The most expensive major sight in London; book online for a discount and arrive at opening to see the jewels before the queue forms. Yeoman Warder tours are included and excellent.
Time needed
3 hours
Westminster, the Abbey and the Houses of Parliament
Coronations, Poets' Corner and the Gothic Revival riverfront that defines the city's image.
Where
Westminster
Good to know
The Abbey charges admission and closes to visitors on Sundays for services. Parliament tours run on Saturdays and during recess; the exterior and Westminster Bridge view are free at any hour.
Time needed
2 hours for the Abbey, plus a walk
Tate Modern and the South Bank walk
Free modern art in a converted power station, with the Millennium Bridge to St Paul's outside and the whole riverside walk in either direction.
Where
Bankside
Good to know
Free permanent collection; paid exhibitions. The viewing level at the top of the Blavatnik Building is free and one of the best skyline views in the city.
Time needed
2 hours, or a half day with the river walk
Borough Market
A thousand-year-old food market that is now the best single lunch in central London.
Where
Southwark
Good to know
Fullest Wednesday to Saturday; much quieter Monday and Tuesday. Go before noon or after 15:00 to avoid the crush, and bring a card — most traders are cashless.
Time needed
1–2 hours
A West End show
The deepest theatre programme in the world, from long-running musicals to new work at the National and the Old Vic.
Where
Theatreland, Covent Garden and Shaftesbury Avenue
Good to know
The TKTS booth in Leicester Square sells same-day discounts; day seats released at box-office opening are cheaper still. Matinees on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Time needed
An evening
Passes, closing days and practicalities
The national museums — British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, V&A, Natural History, Science Museum, Imperial War Museum — are free to enter, and together they cover most of a rainy week at no cost. The paid landmarks (Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's, the London Eye) are all cheaper booked online in advance. The London Pass only pays off if you are visiting three or more paid attractions a day, which is a punishing pace. Most museums have one late opening evening a week, which is by far the quietest time to visit.
Booking tours and experiences
Timed-entry sights and small-group tours in London sell out first in peak season. Booking the two or three experiences you care most about before arrival usually costs the same and protects the dates you want.
London FAQs
How many days do you need in London?
Three days covers the Thames landmarks, one big museum and a show. Five days lets you add the East End, Greenwich or a day trip to Windsor, Oxford or Bath.
Are London museums really free?
Yes — the permanent collections of the national museums charge nothing, though special exhibitions are ticketed and donations are invited. It is the single biggest saving available to visitors.
What is the best view of London?
The free viewing level at Tate Modern for the St Paul's panorama, the Sky Garden for a free booked slot over the City, or Greenwich Park if you want the skyline from a distance.
Ready to book your London trip?
Everything in this guide is bookable through Marhaba's licensed partners.
