London Attractions: 20 Places to Visit
It is easy to squeeze distant neighbourhoods into the same London day. This guide helps you balance landmarks with free museums, markets and outdoor breaks. Explore twenty stops in four themes, then choose where to spend your time, which interiors need tickets and what to combine nearby. Card images are editorial illustrations, not photographs of the locations.
Jump to the 20 places ↓How should first-time visitors explore London?
Westminster, one major museum and the Thames make a useful first selection. Choose one long interior visit per day, then nearby outdoor stops: Westminster and the palace area; the Tower, Tower Bridge and Borough; South Kensington museums and the parks. Keep separate half-days for Greenwich and Kew. This is a selection, not a ranking or checklist. Use our mapped three-day itinerary if you want a ready-made day structure.
Which places in London can you visit for free?
General collections at the British Museum, National Gallery, V&A and Natural History Museum help balance a budget; special exhibitions can differ. Parks, squares and the South Bank walk are flexible choices unless you add paid activities. Free entry does not always mean no booking: check Sky Garden availability ahead. Crossing Tower Bridge and visiting its upper walkways are different experiences. Compare current official prices and judge city passes against the places you genuinely intend to enter.
How many days do you need, and what about rain or children?
Three days can introduce a few landmarks and a chosen museum; they are not enough for all 20 entries. Consider five days or more for a slower visit with Greenwich or Kew. In rain, anchor the day around a major museum and use brighter intervals for outdoor breaks. With children, choose a few sections at a place such as the Natural History Museum and allow park and meal stops. Travel by area and check TfL for accessible routes and disruptions. Our durations are editorial suggestions, not guarantees about queues or travel times.
20 Must-See Places in London
British Museum
Choose two collections rather than trying to cover world history in one visit; pause in the Great Court.
Tower of London
An unhurried history visit for the walls, courtyards and Crown Jewels.
Tower Bridge
Enjoy the landmark from the riverbank or visit its high-level walkways.
Westminster Abbey
Explore Gothic architecture and layers of British history in one building.
Big Ben and Parliament
See London’s familiar skyline between Parliament Square and Westminster Bridge.
Buckingham Palace
View the palace from the Victoria Memorial area before a park walk.
St Paul’s Cathedral
Discover the cathedral that shapes the City skyline, inside or on a riverside walk.
National Gallery
A flexible painting-focused museum stop on Trafalgar Square.
Tate Modern
Combine contemporary art in a former power station with a Thames-side break.
Victoria and Albert Museum
A museum experience built around fashion, design and the stories of objects.
Natural History Museum
Natural history, fossils and a grand hall make this a rewarding stop for curious families.
Borough Market
Browse the stalls and add a food break to your Thames day.
Covent Garden
Experience central London around the piazza, shops and surrounding streets.
Camden Market
Explore the canal, yards and different market areas for another side of London.
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
Take a long green break between lakeside paths and tree-lined walks.
Greenwich
Maritime history, park slopes and the river offer a day away from the central circuit.
Kew Gardens
Set aside time away from the centre for plant collections and extensive gardens.
Sky Garden
Plan ahead for a view across London from high above the City.
Notting Hill and Portobello Road
Combine colourful streets and market life in one neighbourhood walk.
South Bank
Combine river views, cultural venues and outdoor breaks beside the Thames.