17 best sightseeing tours in London in 2025

Visit London's most famous landmarks on one of these top London sightseeing tours.
If you purchase via visitlondon.com, we may receive commission which supports our work creating jobs for Londoners.
Two yoeman warders dress in red and gold tunics with a black hat stand in front of the tower of london.
Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London. Image courtesy of HRP.

Take a sightseeing tour of London to explore the city's best attractions and famous landmarks with an expert guide or at your own pace. See the capital from a different perspective on a walking tour, a double-decker bus tour, or a river Thames tour. Or book a one-day hop-on hop-off bus tour to explore the sights at your own pace. Pick from any of the best tours in London.

Golden Tours hop-on hop-off bus at the London Eye. Image courtesy of Golden Tours.

See London from the top deck of an open-top doubledecker bus. The hop-on hop-off bus tour ticket allows you explore London at your own pace, even at night, and you can enjoy added extras including free walking tours and a 24-hour Thames river pass.

 

Price: From £39
Where: Travel along four routes and 70 stops across London

Where:

London, SW1W 9SR

Price:

From £42.00

Discover the Tower of London with a Beefeater. © Shutterstock
Explore the Tower of London with a Beefeater guide and learn about the bloody history that dates back over many centuries. See the Crown Jewels, the famous black ravens, the Mint at the Tower and the iconic White Tower. Prepare yourself for tales of royalty, treachery and torture. 
Where:

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

Price:

From £35.80

Venture into the Forbidden Forest at Warner Bros. Studio. Image courtesy of TM & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.
Take the Warner Bros. Studio Tour for an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at filmmaking. The tour features sets, costumes and props from the Harry Potter film series and showcases the British artistry, technology and talent that produced world-famous movies at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. You can also visit during one of the tour's takeovers that happen throughout the year, including Magical Mischief, The Dark Arts and Hogwarts in the Snow.
Where:

London, SW1W 9SR

Price:

From £119.00

London by Night Open Top Bus Tour. Image courtesy of Golden Tours.
See iconic London landmarks lit up against the backdrop of the night sky on a London by night bus tour. Learn about the capital’s darker secrets and enjoy a glittering night-time view of the city’s famous sights, such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.
 
Where:

London, SE1 7NA

Price:

From £29.00

The Egyptian Sculpture Gallery at the British Museum. Image courtesy of London & Partners
One of the world's oldest and finest, the British Museum is filled with thousands of historical artefacts and ancient treasures. Your expert guide will show you the very best of the collection as you uncover the secrets of the Rosetta Stone, admire the controversial Parthenon Sculptures of Athens, and much more.
Where:

London, WC1B 3DG

Price:

From £58.00

Take a guided tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and marvel at the grand stage where many of Shakespeare's plays were performed over the decades. ©London & Partners/Michael Barrow
Explore the authentic reconstruction of Shakespeare's original theatre on a guided tour of Shakespeare's Globe. Learn more about the history of the original playhouse in a special exhibition packed full of interactive exhibits and artefacts, before entering the auditorium with a guide who brings the Bard's stories to life.
Where:

London, SE1 9DT

Price:

From £27.00

Learn about the history of London on a walking tour. Credit: London & Partners/Michael Barrow.
Hear untold stories of the royal family on a Royal London Walking Tour and visit some of the city’s most significant regal attractions. Journey through the heart of the capital and discover iconic sites such as St James's Palace and Buckingham Palace, as well as witnessing the Changing the Guard ceremony.
Where:

London, SW1A 1AA

Price:

From £15.00

Create long lasting memories abord one of City Cruises sightseeing tours in London. ©London & Partners/Michael Barrow
Go on a sightseeing tour on the Thames with City Cruises. Sit back, relax and enjoy London's top sights and attractions from the river. You can also indulge in a special lunch, dinner or an afternoon tea with a view you'll never forget.
Where:

Victoria Embankment, Westminster, London, SW1A 2JH

Price:

From £13.95

See locations in London that were featured in the show. Image courtesy of Golden Tours.
Relive some of your favourite moments from Downton Abbey on a special walking tour taking in London filming locations from the hit series. Discover the Crawleys' London home, Grantham House, plus other locations including the Lotus Jazz Club, Caxton Hall and The National Gallery, which all feature in the show.
Where:

OHQ, EC4Y 0HQ

Price:

From £17.00

Experience the feeling of match day on a tour of Arsenal Stadium. Image courtesy of Golden Tours.
Take a look behind the scenes at one of the world's finest sporting arenas. The tour offers you the opportunity to get a sense of what the Arsenal stars feel like on a match day. Enjoy the luxurious changing room and take a walk down the tunnel before taking the manager's seat in the dugout.
Where:

Emirates Stadium, London, N7 7AJ

Price:

From £35.00

Jack The Ripper Walking Tour London. Image courtesy of Golden Tours.

Join the Jack the Ripper walking tour only if you dare! This guided walk around the spooky streets of east London delves into the famous unsolved murders that took place in 1888. This gruesome trail is not for the faint at heart.

Where:

London, EC3N 4DX

Price:

From £15.00

Follow Paddington Bear's footsteps. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.
Get the family together and follow in the footsteps of London's most beloved bear on a Paddington Bear Walking Tour. Led by an expert guide, see the iconic Paddington Station, discover spots from the character's many adventures around the city and tick off top filming locations from the hit movies.
Where:

London, W2 1HB

Price:

From £17.00

Westminster Abbey. Image courtesy of Westminster Abbey

Tick off the capital's famous landmarks by day or night, and explore some hidden gems with Big Bus London Tour on the hop-on hop-off route, which includes a Thames river cruise. Choose from 24- or 48-hour tickets to spot the likes of Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, The London Eye and more.

 

Price: From £38
Where:
Start your tour at any Big Bus Tour stop

Fly over the capital on a ride with The London Helicopter. © Chris Johnson Photography/The London Helicopter.

Make memories for a lifetime as you see the city from above on a London helicopter tour. Choose your departure point and take your pick from shorter or longer flights, which allow you to spot landmarks such as the river Thames and Tower Bridge from the air during this special experience.

 

Price: From £175 per person
Where: Start your helicopter tour from multiple departure points across London

Pick up dishes from stalls serving food from around the world. Image courtesy of Visit London.

A trip to London wouldn't be complete without a visit to the bustling Borough Market. Eat your way around this iconic foodie hot spot as your guide shares stories and fun facts about each dish. Savour a classic full English breakfast, taste the best British cheeses, sip on a cold pint of British beer, and much more.

Where:

London, SE1 2SS

Price:

From £89.00

Step back in time on a Beatles London Walking Tour. Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash.
Uncover iconic locations across the city where the band recorded, partied, performed, and more, on a Beatles Walking Tour of London. Hear tales of the Fab Four's humble beginnings and their journey to superstardom.
Where:

London, W1J 9HR

Price:

From £17.00

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

A great way to see the city is to join one of the best tours of London. Whether you would like to take part in a walking tour, go by bus or explore the city from a cruise on the river Thames, there is plenty to explore. The best London tours include food and film location tours, as well as opportunities to visit the famous landmarks of London or discover the capital's hidden gems. Some tours offer an insight into the gruesome past of London, while others provide a glimpse into Shakespeare's London, filled with art and spectacle. 

What is worth touring in London?

What to see will depend on each individual's interests, but it is always worth seeing the most iconic landmarks in London, such as Buckingham Palace, St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, Borough Market and the Tower of London.