[takeaways] • London's must-do attractions include the Tower of London, Hyde Park, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Covent Garden, Buckingham Palace, and the Sky Garden.
• The London Museum has been closed since December 2022 and will reopen at a new Smithfield location on 28 November 2026 — visitors before then should look elsewhere for London history.
• The Tower of London is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the Crown Jewels and the famous ravens and Yeoman Warders.
• London's street food scene spans Whitecross Street Market, Southbank Centre's Food Market, and Seven Dials Market in Covent Garden.
• Many of London's best galleries and museums are completely free to enter — always check before you travel.
• A UK eSIM keeps you connected to the best possible networks across London and beyond, with no need to hunt for local SIMs. [/takeaways]
London is one of the most iconic cities not just in Europe, but on the planet. From red buses to Big Ben tower, modern art galleries to football stadiums as far as the eye can see, the city center and the broader boroughs make for some of the most memorable weekends away. But, knowing exactly where to start with all those iconic attractions and landmarks isn't easy.
So, in this guide, we're breaking down the biggest must-do things in London, ensuring you make the most of your time in the English capital even if you're heading here for a short stay. Use this as a launching pad for longer trips and add some of your own! At the end of the guide, we also explore some top travel tips that will come in handy if you're new to visiting the UK.
Top things to do in London
Everyone's dream trips to London will likely be pretty different, but we recommend checking out the following attractions, landmarks, and walks if you really want to get the most out of the city before heading home.
[numbered title="The London Museum" pill="Reopening Nov 2026"]Regardless of whether or not you're a history buff at heart, the London Museum is absolutely packed full of fascinating curiosities, and you must check it out when it reopens. The museum has been closed since December 2022 ahead of a major relocation, and its new permanent home in Smithfield opens to the public on 28 November 2026, marking the culmination of a decade-long restoration of the historic General Market building. If you're visiting before then and want a taste of London's riverside trade history in the meantime, the separate Museum of London Docklands at Canary Wharf remains open and covers centuries of dockside history.[/numbered] [numbered title="Tower of London" pill="UNESCO site"]Did you know that the Tower of London is recognized by UNESCO? Well, now you do — and it's also home to the world-famous Crown Jewels and famous raven and yeoman guards! The Tower was, of course, infamously used as a prison and a fortress in centuries past, but nowadays, it's a full-on London attraction.[/numbered] [numbered title="Hyde Park" pill="Royal Parks"]Hyde Park is a fabulous outdoor space that's replete with things to do, whether you're planning to play tennis, ride pedalos, or check out some monuments to some of history's greatest minds. Hyde Park is also famously home to a wide array of different live outdoor events, meaning if you really want to take in a show, head here in the summer months for the best weather and optics. It's just one of several of London's Royal Parks, but we recommend prioritizing this one for the sheer array of different things to do.[/numbered] [numbered title="London street food" pill="Markets & food halls"]Yes, believe it or not, London is absolutely bursting with street food scenes, whether across its historic marketplaces or within food halls in the boroughs or the city itself. For a tasty lunch or snack on the go as you check out other attractions on this list, we highly recommend that you check out Whitecross Street Market, the Food Market at the Southbank Centre, and the food hall at Seven Dials Market in Covent Garden (more on that area of London shortly).[/numbered] [numbered title="Westminster Abbey" pill="Gothic landmark"]Alongside Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the long-standing Westminster Abbey is certainly one of London's most enduring and iconic landmarks. It's well worth booking tickets here in plenty of advance so that you can enjoy its stunning Gothic architecture, learn more about the famous people who have been laid to rest here, and even take a cruise tour along the Thames to see it all by the waterside.[/numbered] [numbered title="The London Eye" pill="Iconic viewpoint"]The London Eye is one of the city's most popular modern attractions, and again, it really does pay to book tickets in advance. More than just a ferris wheel, this superb landmark takes you high above the city, offering amazing views of some of London's best-loved buildings. Some say it's the best way to enjoy the city, and while it might not be the longest experience out of those we've listed here, it will certainly last long in your memory.[/numbered] [numbered title="Covent Garden" pill="West End shopping"]Covent Garden is a luxurious day out that you'll find nestled into London's world-famous West End. Home to opera shows, open-air shopping, cobbled streets, and street performances, it's also a great spot to get a pint of beer or whatever you fancy in some of London's best-loved pubs out of the city centre. The Seven Dials monument alone is a landmark you'll want a photo of before you head home.[/numbered] [numbered title="Buckingham Palace" pill="Royal residence"]Buckingham Palace is, of course, the official residence of His Majesty The King, Charles III. Not only can you marvel at the grounds from the outside, you'll even be able to explore the State Rooms during specific months of the year. The one thing that can't be guaranteed, of course, is that the King himself will be there! It's well worth checking out State Room dates before you travel so you can make the most of your time here.[/numbered] [numbered title="Sky Garden" pill="Highest green space"]London's Sky Garden is the tallest green space in the area, standing high above the skyscrapers and buildings below while offering an amazing view across most of the best-loved landmarks. It's home to bars and restaurants as well as plenty of vantage points and photo opportunities, too. It's a great way to finish a day of sightseeing across the city.[/numbered] [esim flag="🇬🇧" label="United Kingdom" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$8.50" href="/products/united-kingdom" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Stay connected to the best networks across London and beyond[/esim]
Tips for traveling to the UK
Regardless of where you go in the UK, there are always a few travel tips you should keep in mind so that your adventure goes as smoothly as possible. Here are just a few that you can put to good use when you're exploring London.
[tip title="Cashless payments are widely accepted, but keep coins handy"]Cashless payments are available across much of the UK and London is certainly included. That means services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely supported. However, it's still worth keeping change on hand if you want to use public restrooms or buy from a market stall.[/tip] [warning]London is relatively safe compared to many cities in the UK and Europe, but always avoid holding your phone out in public to avoid theft.[/warning] [tip title="Pack layers and waterproofs for changeable weather"]British weather is infamously interchangeable, meaning it's always a good idea to pack layers and waterproofs just in case the weather catches you unawares.[/tip] [tip title="Check whether galleries and museums are free before you go"]There are plenty of galleries, museums, and exhibitions across London and the UK that are actually free! If you find an exhibit you'd like to explore in person, always check to see if you have to pay to enter before you travel.[/tip] [tip title="Seek out independent pubs for authentic British food"]If you want a genuine slice of authentic British food and drink, look for traditional pubs and restaurants rather than fast food chains. Independent pubs are the best places to start — and in London, you're likely to find more than a few.[/tip] [faq] [q]What are the best things to do in London for first-time visitors?[/q] [a]First-time visitors to London should prioritize the Tower of London, Hyde Park, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Covent Garden, Buckingham Palace, and the Sky Garden. London's street food markets — including Whitecross Street Market and Seven Dials Market — are also well worth exploring for a quick, tasty bite between sights.[/a] [q]Is the London Museum open right now?[/q] [a]No — the London Museum has been closed since December 2022 while its new permanent home in Smithfield is completed. It's set to reopen to the public on 28 November 2026. In the meantime, the separate Museum of London Docklands at Canary Wharf remains open and covers centuries of riverside trade history.[/a] [q]Is the Tower of London a UNESCO World Heritage Site?[/q] [a]Yes — the Tower of London is recognized by UNESCO and is home to the Crown Jewels, the famous ravens, and the Yeoman Warders. It served as a prison and fortress for centuries before becoming one of London's most visited attractions.[/a] [q]Can you visit the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace?[/q] [a]Yes — Buckingham Palace's State Rooms are open to visitors during specific months of the year, typically in summer. It's worth checking official opening dates before you travel, as access varies depending on royal engagements throughout the year.[/a] [q]Are there free museums and galleries in London?[/q] [a]Yes — many of London's best galleries and museums offer free entry. Always check individual venue websites before you travel, as some special exhibitions may still require a paid ticket even at otherwise free institutions.[/a] [q]Do I need an eSIM for visiting London?[/q] [a]A UK eSIM is a convenient way to stay connected to the best available networks throughout your trip to London and beyond — useful for navigating the city, booking tickets on the go, and staying in touch. It means no hunting for a local SIM card on arrival.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇬🇧" label="United Kingdom" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$8.50" href="/products/united-kingdom" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Get connected before you land in London[/esim]
