10 best London attractions and London landmarks 2023

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. 

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.

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!

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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 unmissable London 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.

Delve into the ancient capital’s most horrible history at the London Dungeon – experience live actors, thrilling rides and exciting special effects. Step back into the darkest of times… are you brave enough to face 90 minutes of London’s dark past?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.