10 best photo spots and Instagrammable locations in London

From neon-lit Piccadilly Circus to iconic Tower Bridge, here are 10 top London photography spots you just can't miss during your trip.

The capital is packed with photo opportunities waiting to happen! In this list of the most Instagrammable photo spots in London, you’ll come across must-see famous landmarks, spectacular buildings and hidden gems that may not have caught your attention before.

Discover interesting photo locations for capturing the city's most iconic views, from Tower Bridge to Big Ben, plus quaint streets and secret hideouts in the most exciting neighbourhoods.

Induce FOMO among your friends, as you tick some of the most Instagrammable places in London off your list and fill your grid with picture-pretty sights. Happy snapping!

1. Houses of Parliament from the South Bank

Riverside facing Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament on a sunny day
Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament © Jon Reid visitlondon.com. Image courtesy of Jon Reid visitlondon.com

Make the most out of this fantastic location and bag a load of London icons for your Instagram feed or photo album. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben look striking from the South Bank, and you can cross Westminster Bridge for a close up (plus look back to capture the London Eye and South Bank). While here, take a flight on the London Eye for some panoramic pictures of London.

2. Tower Bridge at More London

Continue further down the river to More London where you’ll get a great angle for the obligatory photo of Tower Bridge, a hit with Instagrammers. From here, you can also snap the Tower of London as well as some of the more recent additions to London's skyline such as The Gherkin, buildings in the City of London and The View From The Shard – where you can ascend to Europe's highest viewing platform for more panoramic views.

3. St Paul's from Millennium Bridge

Views of St. Paul's Cathedral and the City of London from Millennium Bridge in the evening
The view from Millennium Bridge leading to St. Paul's Cathedral © Shutterstock

Stroll a little further down the river, via South Bank or Victoria Embankment, until you reach the pedestrian-only Millennium Bridge. Running between Tate Modern and St Paul's Cathedral, the bridge offers magnificent shots of both.

4. Abbey Road

Two people walking across the famous Beatles zebra crossing.
Walk across the famous Beatles zebra crossing. Image credit: London & Partners/ Michael Barrow.

Round up four friends to recreate the iconic Beatles album cover on the Abbey Road zebra crossing. The crossing has become somewhat of a pilgrimage point for fans of the Fab Four. While there, you can also take a tour of the world-famous Abbey Road Studio Two. Other famous names who have recorded here include Pink Floyd, Kate Bush, Elton John, Oasis and Adele.

5. Richmond Park for the long view

Autumn views of London's skyline in the distance from Richmond Park on a sunny day
Views of London from Richmond Park © Jon Reid visitlondon.com. Image courtesy of Jon Reid visitlondon.com

London looks great from a distance. Take yourself up King Henry VIII’s Mound in Richmond Park for a view of St Paul's that is so splendid it's protected by urban planning laws. Or if you're in North London, try Parliament Hill at Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill or Alexandra Palace.

6. Iconic lights in Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus at dusk, with the statue of Eros in the foreground, and a red London bus and the iconic wall of LED lights in the background.
Piccadilly Circus and the statue of Eros. ©Jon Reid/Visit London.

Famous for its neon-lit advertising hoardings, Insta-worthy Piccadilly Circus is one of the most photographed areas of London. The thoroughfare's Statue of Eros is another popular selfie hotspot.

7. Wax figures at Madame Tussauds London

Strike a pose with your favourite celebrity at wax figure museum Madame Tussauds London. From Prince William and King Charles III to Usain Bolt and David BeckhamRihanna and One Direction, or Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela, there are a huge variety of wax figures to get snapped alongside.

8. Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace

Guards, dressed in red tunics, black trousers and bearskin hats, line up outside Buckingham Palace.
Changing the Guard in London. Image courtesy of Visit Britain.

For lashings of British pomp and ceremony, get your camera poised to snap a new guard exchanging duty with the old guard at Buckingham Palace. See Changing the Guard dates and times.

Secret photography spots in London

9. Leake Street graffiti tunnel for street art

Looking along an empty Leake Street Tunnel, which is decorated with colourful street art on the walls and ceiling, with daylight visible at the end of the tunnel.
Leake Street Tunnel © Antoine Buchet. Image courtesy of South Bank BID.

If you want to capture London’s urban vibe for your Instagram feed, you could do a lot worse than snapping some of the ultra-cool street art you’ll find around the capital. A great place to start is Leake Street Tunnel near Waterloo Station, often called the "Banksy Tunnel". Find it among our list of the best public art and street art in London.

10. Insta-worthy spots in Greenwich

Two people look at at the ceiling in the Painted Hall, which is decorated in colourful frescoes, within the Old Royal Naval College.
Gaze up at frescoes in the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College © London & Partners / Michael Barrow.

Grab your gear and head to Greenwich, an Instagrammer's haven for architectural gems, film locations and epic views of London. Snap a shot on the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory Greenwich; on deck or beneath the hull of Cutty Sark; among the cherry blossom in Greenwich Park; or from under The Painted Hall's ceiling at the Old Royal Naval College.

Take in more Greenwich Instagram hotspots for unique sights and stunning views. 

Share your photos with visitlondon.com

Once you've snapped your perfect picture don't forget to share it with us by tagging #VisitLondon on FacebookXInstagram or Flickr.

If you're looking to switch up your Zoom background, take your pick from a selection of iconic London landscapes.