Top 10 London attractions and places to visit in 2025

A trip to the capital wouldn't be complete without seeing the top London attractions. Plan ahead so you don't miss out on these top things to do in London.
Hannah Cornish
Written by Hannah Cornish Edited by Chantal Welch 01 May 2025
View of the London Eye on the river Thames at sunset.
The London Eye. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

Spring has officially sprung and it's time to enjoy the city's milder temperatures and longer daylight hours at some of London's top attractions. Spring is the perfect season to explore iconic attractions, see vibrant blooms come to life and avoid the crowds of the peak summer tourism season.

From the modern London Eye to the historic Tower of London, here we list the top 10 tourist attractions in London for May 2025, curated by this month's most popular ticket sales for attractions.

The top 10 free London attractions list is based on visitor numbers. Start your sightseeing in London now with these popular spots – see the London attractions map to find them all! You may need to book tickets in advance, even if entrance is free.

10 best places to visit in London and top attractions in 2025

Top 10 bookable attractions 

Learn about 1,000 years of history at the Tower of London and hear about the days when it was known as the Bloody Tower. © London & Partners/Michael Barrow

Explore the Tower of London and discover more than 900 years of fascinating history and stories of intrigue at one of London's most iconic landmarks.


Marvel at the dazzling Crown Jewels, explore the oldest part of the Tower and the Royal Armouries in the White Tower, visit Tower Green to learn about the famous historic executions, including of Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey, and learn about the infamous Traitor's Gate used for prisoners.


Don't forget to look out for the legend of the Tower's ravens, which are believed to protect the monarchy!

Where:

Tower Hill, City of London, London, EC3N 4AB

Price:

From £35.80

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London The Making of Harry Potter. Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.

Have a magical day out with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Harry Potter films at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. See firsthand the sets, costumes and props used in each of the Harry Potter films and step inside some of the films' locations, including the Great Hall, Dumbledore's office and Hagrid's hut.


Don't forget to check out the Triwizard Tournament takeover this summer, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Discover how filmmakers brought action-packed moments from the famous Harry Potter Triwizard Tournament to life, as new behind-the-scenes secrets are revealed. It's the ultimate Harry Potter experience!

Where:

Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7LR

Price:

From £119.00

View from the London Eye © Shutterstock. Image courtesy of Golden Tours.

Climb aboard one of the 32 glass capsules of the London Eye for unforgettable views of some of London's most famous landmarks. Take in amazing 360-degree views as the capsule slowly rotates over the river Thames.


From the top, spot iconic landmarks like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, The Shard and St Paul's Cathedral. Capture stunning photos of London's skyline with unrivalled panoramic views from the world's largest cantilevered observation wheel.

Where:

Riverside Building, London, SE1 7PB

Price:

From £36.00

Travel back in time with a visit to Buckingham Palace. Credit: Jon Reid. Image courtesy of visitlondon.com.

Enjoy a glimpse into the life of royalty with a visit to Buckingham Palace for a limited time each summer.

 

Experience a unique opportunity to experience the grandeur of the British monarchy up close, with exclusive access to areas usually reserved for royal ceremonies and events.

 

Wander through the grand State Rooms and explore 19 opulent rooms adorned with treasures from the Royal Collection. See the Throne Room, a majestic space often used for ceremonies and photographs, and marvel at the Ballroom, where grand banquets are held. See this summer's special exhibition, The King's Tour Artists, featuring more than 70 works of art from His Majesty's own collection, many on public display for the first time.

 

Finish your self-guided tour in the quaint gardens, where you can see the famous lake.

Where:

London, SW1A 1AA

Price:

From £32.00

Enjoy the best views of the city from atop London's Hop-On Hop-Off bus. ©London & Partners/Michael Barrow

Make the most of your trip to London with a hop-on hop-off bus tour – a fantastic way to explore the city!

 

With bus routes designed to cover all major landmarks, jump on board and spot iconic buildings with a live guide (or audio guide) and hear fascinating insights into London's history and culture.

 

Explore London at your own pace – hop off at any stop to visit attractions and hop back on when you're ready to continue the tour. Spot famous attractions from the comfort of your seat, including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye and St Paul's Cathedral.

 

Enjoy unobstructed panoramic views of the city's skyline and landmarks on the open-top buses, perfect for capturing memorable photos.


Where:

London, SW1W 9SR

Price:

From £39.00

Visit Westminster Abbey, a historic London landmark and site of many royal events. Credit: Shutterstock. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

Immerse yourself in more than a thousand years of history of British history and culture at one of London's most important Unesco World Heritage Sites, Westminster Abbey.

 

Explore the coronation church for British monarchs since 1066 and marvel at the impressive architecture and towering arches. Wander the living monument and learn of its cultural richness including playing host to royal weddings, funerals and other national ceremonies.

 

The self-guided tour gives a glimpse into the Royal Tombs, the Lady Chapel and the Coronation chair. See the resting places of kings and queens past and visit Poets' Corner where some of the UK's most famous writers, such as William Shakespeare and Jane Austen, are buried.

Where:

Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, SW1P 3PA

Price:

From £30.00

Meet His Majesty King Charles III at Madame Tussauds. © Merlin Entertainment

Check out the world-famous attraction Madame Tussauds for a unique and immersive experience in the city!

Come face to face with some of the world's most famous celebrities, from Shakespeare to Taylor Swift, and interact with more than 150 influential lifelike figures from showbiz, sport, politics and even royalty. Pose for selfies, hug your favourite celebrities or strike a dramatic pose with historical icons.

Journey through fame, history and imagination. Explore special zones like the Marvel Universe 4D cinema and the Star Wars experience, making it a perfect day out for fans of movies and comics.

Where:

Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5LR

Price:

From £29.00

The Great Wave by Hokusai at FRAMELESS. Image courtesy of FRAMELESS/© Antonio Pagano

See artwork from the world's greatest painters brought to life at FRAMELESS, the ultimate immersive digital art experience.


Step inside iconic artworks and see masterpieces from the likes of Dalí, Monet and Van Gogh enhanced using motion sensors and virtual technology and paired with specially composed tailored music – and immerse yourself in some of the world's most famous paintings.


Explore surreal and dreamlike worlds in Beyond Reality, interact with vibrant brushstrokes and colours in Colour in Motion, immerse yourself in landscapes, cityscapes and seascapes in The World Around Us and dive into abstract art in The Art of Abstraction.

Where:

FRAMELESS, W1H 7AP

Price:

From £28.00

Visit Tower Bridge, one of London's most iconic landmarks, and enjoy a unique blend of history, engineering and stunning panoramic views of London's skyline, including landmarks such as St Paul's Cathedral, The Shard and Canary Wharf.


Learn about the bridge's history and construction in the Tower Bridge Exhibition and experience the thrill of walking on glass floors 42 metres (137ft) above the River Thames. Don't forget to explore the Engine Rooms, home to the original Victorian machinery that powered the bridge lifts.


This cultural icon is a symbol of London, featured in countless films, photos and postcards of the vibrant city.

Where:

Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UP

Price:

From £16.00

Learn about British history while visiting magnificent St Paul's Cathedral. Credit: Jon Reid. Image courtesy of visitlondon.com.

Explore the magnificent interior of St Paul's Cathedral and uncover the fascinating history of a site that has stood for more than 1,400 years, witnessing key events in British history.


Discover iconic spaces inside St Paul's Cathedral such as the Cathedral Floor, Crypt and the Dome Galleries. Climb 528 steps to the Golden Gallery for panoramic views of London's skyline from its iconic dome, and marvel at the stunning architecture and decorative details of the iconic cathedral.

Where:

London, EC4M 8AD

Price:

From £26.00

Top 10 free attractions

Tate Modern and the Millenium Bridge
Sitting grandly on the banks of the Thames is Tate Modern, Britain's national museum of modern and contemporary art. Its unique shape is due to it previously being a power station. The gallery's restaurants offer fabulous views across the city. Some exhibitions require tickets.
Where:

Bankside, London, SE1 9TG

Price:

Free

National History Museum © visitlondon.com/Jon Reid. Image courtesy of visitlondon.com/Jon Reid

As well as the permanent (and permanently fascinating!) dinosaur exhibition, the Natural History Museum boasts a collection of the biggest, tallest and rarest animals in the world. See a life-sized blue whale, a 40-million-year-old spider and the beautiful Central Hall. Some exhibitions require tickets.

Where:

Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD

Price:

Free

British Museum - Great Court
The world-famous British Museum exhibits the works of man from prehistoric to modern times, from around the world. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and the mummies in the Ancient Egypt collection. Some exhibitions require tickets.
Where:

Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG

Price:

Free

Explore the iconic National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Credit: National Gallery. Image courtesy of the National Gallery.
The crowning glory of Trafalgar Square, London's National Gallery is a vast space filled with western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Find works by masters such as Van Gogh, da Vinci, Botticelli, Constable, Renoir, Titian and Stubbs. Some exhibitions require tickets.
Where:

Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London, WC2N 5DN

Price:

Free

The John Madejski Garden at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Credit: V&A. Image courtesy of V&A.
The V&A celebrates art and design with 3,000 years' worth of amazing artefacts from around the world. A real treasure trove of goodies, you never know what you'll discover next: furniture, paintings, sculpture, metalwork and textiles... the list goes on. Some exhibitions require tickets. 
Where:

Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL

Price:

Free

The Science Museum. Credit: Science Museum Group. Image courtesy of the Science Museum Group.

From the future of space travel to asking that difficult question: "who am I?", the Science Museum makes your brain perform Olympic-standard mental gymnastics. See, touch and experience the major scientific advances of the last 300 years; and don't forget the awesome IMAX cinema. Some exhibitions require tickets.

Where:

Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD

Price:

Free

Somerset House is home to London's Courtauld Gallery with its collection of Old Masters, Impressionist and Post-impressionist paintings and The Embankment Galleries, hosting a rotating programme of exhibitions dedicated to art, design, fashion and photography. Some exhibitions require tickets.
Where:

Strand, London, WC2R 1LA

The South Bank. Image courtesy of India Roper-Evans

Located by the river Thames, the centre offers sweeping views of the capital from the London Eye to St Paul's Cathedral. Southbank Centre is a unique metropolitan arts centre, with acres of creative space and an extraordinary history. Includes the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Hayward Gallery. Some exhibitions require tickets.

Where:

Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX

Colour: The Rainbow Revealed © Gareth Jones. Image courtesy of Horniman Museum and Gardens
More than a century old and dedicated to anthropology and natural wonders, this family-friendly south London museum delights with stunning exhibits, and is a popular venue for workshops, events and festivals. Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill is one of south London's best hidden gems. Some exhibitions require tickets.
Where:

Horniman Museum & Gardens, 100 London Road, London, SE23 3PQ

Price:

Free

Walter Sickert Brighton Pierrots 1915. Image courtesy of Tate, Purchased with assistance from the Art Fund and the Friends of the Tate Gallery 1999
Explore the world's biggest collection of British art at Tate Britain. Spanning pieces by renowned artists, including JMW Turner, Lucian Freud, David Hockney and more, you can enjoy the museum independently or on a guided tour. After admiring the artworks, refuel at the Djanogly Café or pick up souvenirs from the museum shop. Some exhibitions require tickets.
Where:

Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG

Price:

Free

Frequently asked questions about London attractions

What are the top places to visit in London?

The must-visit London attractions to have on your list are:

1. Westminster Abbey: Experience the impressive architecture and discover memorials for more than 30 kings and queens buried at Westminster Abbey, one of London's most important Unesco World Heritage Sites. See the awe-inspiring vaulted ceiling and discover ancient murals during your visit.

2. National Gallery: Explore some of the greatest collections of paintings in the world and discover many artistic treasures at the National Gallery. The National Gallery is free to visit and includes access to the permanent galleries.

3. Buckingham Palace: During the summer, and on selected dates from November to December and at Easter, you can explore one of the few working royal palaces in the world. Visitors can tour the 19 State Rooms, the magnificent Grand Staircase and special exhibitions curated each year.

4. Big Ben: The Houses of Parliament's iconic clock tower, commonly known as Big Ben, is one of London's most famous landmarks. The clock tower looks spectacular during the day and at night, the four clock faces are illuminated and glisten against the backdrop of the London skyline. Tours can be booked by visiting the official UK Parliament website.

5. St Paul's Cathedral: Visit St Paul's Cathedral and explore the working cathedral steeped in history, experience breathtaking views across London from the Stone and Golden Galleries and marvel at the marble architecture throughout the historic landmark.

What is the number one London attraction?

There are so many incredible attractions to explore in the city, it can be hard to choose the best places to go to first!

London's oldest tourist attraction The Tower of London, built in 1078 AD, featured in a recent report on London's top attraction to visit. In 2022, The Tower of London welcomed two million visitors from around the world to explore nearly 1,000 years of history, the glistening Crown Jewels and to learn about its famous residents, the ravens.

Source: Statista

What is the best way to see the sights of London?

The best way to see the sights of London is by bus tour, walking tour, bike tour or Thames river cruises! A sightseeing tour is the perfect way to experience London's top attractions and explore lesser-known areas of the city. There are so many exciting ways to explore the city and experience London sightseeing at its very best.

What are some of London's modern landmarks?

London's skyline is home to some of the world's most striking modern architecture, and in the last 50 years many landmarks have been designed and built, five of which include:

1. The Shard: Located next to London Bridge station, The Shard opened in 2013 and is Europe's largest skyscraper. The 1,017ft (309.6 meters) building contains 11,000 panes of glass and houses a hotel, several bars and restaurants, office space and a public observation deck on the 72nd floor, offering unrivalled panoramic views across London.

2. The London Eye: Opened on New Year's Eve 1999 and open to the public from March 2000, The London Eye was built in celebration of the new millennium. The idea was chosen from a host of entries to a competition held back in 1993 to create a new landmark to signify the turning of the century. Today, The London Eye is one of London's most popular attractions visited each year, offering 360-degrees of London from a cantilevered observation wheel.

3. 20 Fenchurch Street – The Walkie Talkie: 20 Fenchurch Street opened in 2015, and was soon nicknamed the "Walkie Talkie" building due to its aesthetic similarity. The glass front building curves subtly towards the Thames and unparalleled views can be enjoyed from Sky Garden situated at the top of the building. Experience the naturally ventilated garden over three levels, and visit one of the Fenchurch restaurant, Darwin Brasserie or Sky Pod Bar for delicious food and drink.

4. The Gherkin: Designed by Norman Foster, The Gherkin opened in 2004 and is primarily used for commercial office space. The unique building has a rotating glass pattern on the building's exterior, and each floor rotates by five degrees compared to the one below. Enjoy 360-degree city views in the restaurant and cocktail bar, Searcys, located on level 40 of The Gherkin.

5. Tate Modern: Since its opening in 2000, Tate Modern has become a London landmark for the stunning architecture of the building and the art from around the world that it homes. The building was originally used to house electricity generators for the Bankside power station, and now the space has been transformed into gallery spaces, from paintings and film to performance and discussions.