Best 10 London attractions 2023

A trip to the capital wouldn't be complete without seeing the top 10 attractions in London. Plan ahead so you don't miss out on these top things to do in London.
View of the London Eye on the river Thames at sunset.
The London Eye. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

From the modern London Eye to the historic Tower of London, the top 10 tourist attractions in London are a must-see on any London sightseeing trip. Even better, many London landmarks are free to visit. Use the London attractions map to find them all.

There are also plenty of kid-friendly places to visit in London. Get up close and personal with underwater creatures at SEA LIFE London Aquarium or explore the Science Museum, London's interactive hub of science and technology. Both are perfect for fun family days out in London.

You could also soak up some culture at London museums, visit Buckingham Palace, or take the perfect picture with Big Ben, just some of the many iconic places to go in London.

The top 10 free London attractions list is based on visitor numbers: start your sightseeing in London now with these popular spots. Book tickets with visitlondon.com for the top 10 bookable London attractions.

You may need to book tickets in advance, even if entrance is free.

Top 10 bookable attractions 

Buckingham Palace

Visit Buckingham Palace with a special opening each summer. Credit: Jon Reid. Image courtesy of Jon Reid.

Enjoy a glimpse into the life of royalty with a visit to this iconic London palace for a limited time each summer. Wander through the grand State Rooms, discovering many treasures and artefacts, and marvel at a special exhibition. Finish your self-guided tour in the quaint gardens, where you can see the famous lake. 

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Prices from £30.00 Book now

The London Eye

View from the London Eye at night. Image courtesy of Pablo Martinez on Unsplash.

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.

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Prices from £32.50 Book now

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

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 first-hand the sets, costumes and props used in all the Harry Potter films, and step inside some of the films' locations, including the Great Hall, Dumbledore's office and Hagrid's hut. It's the ultimate Harry Potter experience!

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Prices from £89.00 Book now

Tower of London

Take a tour with one of the Yeoman Warders around the Tower of London, one of the world's most famous buildings. Discover its 900-year history as a royal palace, prison and place of execution, arsenal, jewel house and zoo! Gaze up at the White Tower, tiptoe through a medieval king's bedchamber and marvel at the Crown Jewels.

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Prices from £28.90 Book now

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey. Copyright: Shutterstock. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

One of London's most important UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Westminster Abbey plays host to many special ceremonies including coronations and royal weddings. Marvel at the impressive architecture, see the resting places of kings and queens passed and visit poets corner where some of the UK's most famous writers, such as William Shakespeare and Jane Austen, are buried. 

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Prices from £27.00 Book now

Churchill War Rooms

The Cabinet Room at the Churchill War Rooms. Photo: Richard Ash. Image courtesy of IWM.
Discover the underground headquarters where Churchill and his wartime government directed the course of the Second World War. Situated in the heart of London, close to Westminster Station. Read More
Prices from £25.00 Book now

Madame Tussauds London

Image courtesy of Madame Tussauds London.
At Madame Tussauds London, you'll come face-to-face with some of the world's most famous faces. From Shakespeare to Taylor Swift, you'll meet influential figures from showbiz, sport, politics and even royalty. Strike a pose with Usain Bolt, get close to Beyoncé or enjoy the Marvel Universe 4D Experience. Read More
Prices from £33.50 Book now

Houses of Parliament

Discover the fascinating history and heritage behind the doors of the Houses of Parliament. Experience a guided tour of the grand building including the House of Commons and Westminster Hall, or explore the grounds at your own pace on a multimedia tour. Read More
Prices from £22.50 Book now

IFS Cloud Cable Car

IFS Cloud Cable Car. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.
Glide high above the Thames with the IFS Cloud Cable Car, which provides stunning views of the city, departing every 30 seconds from the Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks. See the sights by day or admire the city as it twinkles at night on a flight which lasts five to 10 minutes, depending on the time of day. Read More
Prices from £5.00 Book now

SEA LIFE London

SEA LIFE London aquarium. Image courtesy of Merlin Entertainment Group.
Get a taste of the deep blue sea at SEA LIFE London. Spot up to 400 species including sharks, stingrays, moray eels and clown fish at the aquarium. See stunning green sea turtles and test your nerve on the glass "shark walk". Learn more at daily talks and feeding times. Read More
Prices from £27.00 Book now

Top 10 free attractions

Tate Modern Free

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. Read More

Natural History Museum 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.

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British Museum 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. Read More

National Gallery Free

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. Read More

Victoria and Albert Museum Free

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 Read More

Science Museum Free

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.

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Somerset House

Somerset House is home to London's Courtauld Gallery (currently closed for refurbishment) with its collection of Old Masters, Impressionist and Post-impressionist paintings, and The Embankment Galleries with a rotating programme of exhibitions dedicated to art, design, fashion and photography. Some exhibitions require tickets. Read More

Southbank Centre

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.

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Horniman Museum and Gardens Free

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. Read More

Tate Britain Free

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. Read More