17 Iconic London Sights You Can’t Afford to Miss
London provides a fun, vibrant pulse of history, culture, and groundbreaking innovation. Its mix of iconic landmarks and hidden treasures will undoubtedly hold the minds of millions of visitors every year.
According to a Statista report, in 2023, a whopping 20.28 million overseas tourists visited London, making up for more than 50 percent of UK visitors.
From the historic grandeur of the Tower of London to the new old building of The Shard, you will be lacing up your walking shoes and ticking off your ultimate London bucket list! In this detailed guide, we explore 17 must-see sights in London that encapsulate what it means to be an extraordinary city.
Big Ben
The superstar of London is Big Ben! Spoiler alert: it’s not the tower, but the biggest of the five bells that reside inside, that makes one of the UK’s most distinctive, graceful, and refreshing religious monuments. Mind blown yet?
As Earth Trekkers states, the Elizabeth Tower, commonly called the Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament, is best viewed from Westminster Bridge or a classic hop-off, hop-on bus tour.
PS. Do not forget to snap that perfect photo of a Londoner in the posture of pretending to check the time — why not?
Tower of London
History lovers, gather around! Thanks to what we are talking about in this article, this gigantic fortress has done it all: a royal palace, a prison, and a zoo (yes, really)!
Today, it houses the crown jewels, but the real jewels are the stories on a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour: picture dramatic escapes, eerie executions, and all the gossipy medieval information. Also, don’t miss the kingdom’s unofficial security team—the legendary ravens ( strongly related to the Norse religion).
Tower Bridge
You’ve seen it on postcards a million times, but there is no thrill quite like walking up the glass-floored walkway across Tower Bridge – 42 meters above the River Thames.
According to the Institute of Civil Engineering(ICE) report, this Victorian engineering masterpiece was constructed between 1886 and 1894. It is a confluence of technology and nature that comes together in a beautiful contrast and may even cause your heart to skip a beat (not to be read if you suffer from vertigo!).
Depending on how many selfies you must take, the whole trek across can take up to two hours on foot or less. Not a fan of heights? No worries. Take a breezy stroll along its base, snap epic photos of this iconic landmark, and leave the ground.
Buckingham Palace
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to live like royalty, walk into Buckingham Palace, the King’s crib. When the State Rooms are open for tours in the summer, swing by and walk about in the bling and pretend that you are a member. Or, if you’re more into royal drama, check out the iconic “Changing the Guard” ceremony outside.
Pro tip: Arrive mid-morning; this is when you’ll find the best view—unfortunately, no one wants to be standing behind a tall tourist with a large camera.
The London Eye
Got 30 minutes? For the price, you could do a spin on the London Eye, Europe’s tallest observation wheel, and it would be worth it. Get ready to have sights you won’t, and then some, believe in those shiny glass pods.
There, you can spot St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard, or even that one building you can never remember its name (it happens to the best of us). If you’re curious about a sunset ride, this bicycle isn’t only suitable for you but also ideal. It’s a vibe; oh, it’s not just one.
Covent Garden
Not only is Covent Garden a place, it is an experience. Though you’ll find mainstream shopping and brimming restaurants, this is also a place where boutique shopping and street performers (who appear to be statues until they blink) abound.
Wander through the covered market, enjoy some live entertainment, or enjoy a wine in the so charming yard you may never want to leave. Oh, and history buffs? In addition, the London Transport Museum is also here—it’s only natural that they would feature vintage buses and the design curiosities of long ago. Go on, treat yourself.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Feeling iconic? St. Pudding Lane has been a part of London since 604 AD when the legendary Sir Christopher Wren created it. It stands proudly in London and is called St. Want a workout with a reward? Check out 80.40 views, making your Instagram jealous by climbing all 528 steps to the dome.
Do you prefer to keep your feet on the ground? The Millennium Bridge is prime for that perfect exterior sample—postcard gold. Oh, and here’s a fun fact for the history buffs: this is where Princess Diana and Prince Charles said, “I do.” Fancy, right?
The Shard
Love skyscrapers? The Shard is London’s tallest and a show-stopper. Designed by the legendary Renzo Piano (yes, the guy who shaped the skyline) and open to wow the public since 2013, according to a Forbes Travel report, it towers over just about everything else in the city.
Hop up to the 72nd-floor observation deck for unreal views in the paltry hues of this highly unjealous Instagram. Feeling fancy? Enjoy dinner at one of the city’s ritzy restaurants or a cocktail with the city sparkling out below. Life’s short; you’re on top of the world, so go on, live a little.
Westminster Abbey
This Gothic gem was built in 960 AD and has seen every coronation since William the Conqueror—talk about a VIP guest list! The final resting places of Charles Darwin, Queen Elizabeth I, and Stephen Hawking are scattered inside.
And don’t leave without taking in the jaw-dropping Rose Window in the South Transept, which is so blinding that you may feel pressed to ask why the hell the bloody hell windows in your living room do not look this good.
SEA LIFE London
SEA LIFE London plunges underwater into a wonderland. TripAdvisor says it is home to more than 5,000 fascinating creatures (many fishy friends), where penguins strut their stuff, sharks glide like kings of the underwater, and rays perform under your feet on the Shark Walk.
A visit there is perfect and unforgettable, even better if you are traveling with the little ones. Indeed, it is no whale of a time!
Parks and Green Spaces
Are you in need of a break from the bustle? London is also home to some gorgeous parks; go to parks like Hyde Park or Regent’s Park for a relaxed stroll through nature. Just a fun fact: Parks in London are so much loved that the locals have rated them 9.4 out of 10 for satisfaction.
It’s also the highest of any other attraction in the city! Therefore, pick a tea and a cozy bench, and become the ultimate people watcher. You could even discover a squirrel residing in its most excellent life.
London Transport Museum
Have you ever wondered how the red double-decker buses became London’s icon, which became a global symbol? Spoiler alert: It did not happen overnight. London Transport Museum in Covent Garden offers 200 years of transport history, spectacular designs, incredible stories, and horses (yes, literally horses).
This place has everything from the old hilltown nostalgia of the old school rides to the new-fangled modern Tube train innovation. One is time travel, without the Victorian outfits.
Ghost Tour
Plenty of places in the city are hauntingly spooky, and it will surely give you a visit or two from the paranormal. You can go on the eeriest of Jack the Ripper tours that whisk you from the crime scenes in London’s East end to moonlit walking tours where everything seems to come to life before your eyes, and to a pub with a macabre name, named the ‘Bucket of Blood,’ with stories to scare you.
If you are a history buff or a thrill seeker, you must have goosebumps for these spooky attractions.
The Apprentice Building & Gothic “Gotham City”
Calling all architecture buffs! The skyline of London is truly giving you eye candy. Ever heard of 40 Leadenhall Street? Locals lovingly call it “Gotham City,” and honestly, Batman wouldn’t look out of place there. And swing by the slick new 8 Bishopsgate, a little taste of the future stuck into the center of town. Modern Marvels, anyone?
The Crown Jewels
The Crown Jewels are jaw-dropping for their sparkle (although, WOW, do they shine!) and tucked away inside the Tower of London. According to the New York Times, the collection of over 23,500 gemstones has been dazzling visitors for nearly 400 years.
Among their treasures is the infamous Koh-i-Noor diamond, surrounded by as many stories as the jewels are glittering and dramatic. There is always a bit of history when it comes to bling.
London’s New Food Scene
No trip to London is complete without heading into London’s foodie playground with your head first. Whether you’re indulging in Michelin star magic or just picking up bistro chuck with the funky food lorry, this city counter composes flavors from all over the world.
Pro tip? Borough Market is another; you’ll be tempted to move in. However, you won’t be blamed if you leave with a suitcase full of artisan cheese.
British Museum
The British Museum is so bursting with treasures that it would be on any greatest hits history album. It was established as far back as 1753, but it has all the wow factor. The Museum, housing over eight million works, gathers you from the Rosetta Stone, the jaw-breaking Parthenon sculptures, to the ages.
This is one place you must stop for anyone interested in history or history stories. Where else can you time travel without leaving London?
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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