London is one of the world's great cities — the capital of England and the United Kingdom, a former heart of a global empire, and today a cosmopolitan metropolis of nine million people drawing visitors from every country. The city holds more UNESCO-listed sites, Michelin-starred restaurants, and free world-class museums than almost any other capital. From the medieval Tower of London and the palaces of Westminster to the street food of Borough Market, the theatres of the West End, and the galleries of Tate Modern, London offers an almost inexhaustible range of experiences across its 33 boroughs.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in London.
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1
Tower of London
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2
British Museum
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3
Tate Modern
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4
Buckingham Palace
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5
Natural History Museum
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6
National Gallery
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7
St Paul's Cathedral
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8
Westminster Abbey
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9
Hyde Park
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10
Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
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Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
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- Photography is permitted at all outdoor attractions; most free museums allow non-flash photography of permanent collections. The Tower of London allows photography of the Crown Jewels but not through the bullet-proof glass display cases., Accessibility: London's Tube network is only about 26% step-free. A full list of step-free stations is at tfl.gov.uk/accessibility. Above-ground buses are fully accessible. The Elizabeth line (Crossrail) is entirely step-free from street to train., Opening hours change on UK bank holidays (particularly Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, and Good Friday). Always check attraction websites before visiting on public holidays., Queues at the Tower of London and Natural History Museum peak between 10:30 and 15:00 on summer weekends. Arrive at opening time or in the last 90 minutes before close.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Pre-booking online saves time at the Tower of London, St Paul's, and Kensington Palace — physical queues can add 45–60 minutes in summer
The London Pass (£89/day / approx USD 113 for 1-day) covers 80+ attractions but only makes financial sense if you plan 3+ paid attractions per day
Most major museums (British Museum, Natural History, V&A, Science Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern) are free — build your itinerary around these before paying for attractions