9 Best Tourist Attractions in London, UK

Updated On: March 19, 2024 by   Ciaran Connolly

Searching for things to do in London? London is a fantastic city with so much to see and do that we couldn’t miss the opportunity to go there and check out all the popular tourist attractions, from Big Ben to the London Eye to Chinatown. We have it all covered here.

Big Ben

It might be one of the city’s highlights and one of the buildings that people pose in front of when they visit; Big Ben is the most famous old building in the city that still carries its charm. It is undergoing some renovations, but hopefully, it will be restored to its full glory soon. Check out our video of The Big Ben at night above.

Chinatown

One of the most unique attractions you must check out is Chinatown, located in the city’s centre. Here, you will experience a part of London that East Asia inspires. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another country entirely and get a natural, authentic Chinese feel. From beautiful Asian-styled decorations as you walk along the streets.

The fantastic selection of restaurants and bars will offer you a taste of Asia that’s not to be missed. It has everything you could think of, souvenir shops, health clinics, and barbers. This is considered the getaway place for Londoners who are bored with ordinary places and wish to try something.  Also, tourists should add this to their list of the best attractions in the city.

London Eye View:

No trip to London is complete without seeing and even being on a London Eye trip/tour. You can see around the South Bank of the River Thames on a good day. It was sometimes called the Big Wheel – or the Millennium Wheel – when installed in 1999. It has become a top-rated attraction. The structure is 443 feet (135 m) tall, and the wheel has a diameter of 394 feet (120 m). It opened publicly in 2000 and was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. It is now known as the Coca-Cola London Eye due to a specific sponsorship deal!

There are 32 sealed air-conditioned ovoidal passenger capsules representing the 32 London boroughs. Each capsule holds 25 people; you can walk around it while it moves. The rotation is very slow!

The Tussaud’s Group, British Airways and Marks Barfield, the original architects, owned the original wheel. But Tussaud’s bought their partners out in 2005 and 2006. The Blackstone Group bought Tussaud’s out in 2007 – but the London Eye has stayed true to the core as a principal tourist attraction for anyone visiting the city for a weekend shopping or sightseeing trip.

National History Museum:

The Natural History Museum is a world-class visitor attraction that exhibits various specimens from various segments of natural history. This museum is a different experience because life and earth science specimens are found there. Almost 80 million items have five main collections: botany, entomology, mineralogy, palaeontology, and zoology.

We felt we had been transported back when we stood in front of the museum building. It’s a marvellous old building that has indeed been restored to host this museum and welcome all those visitors. As much as this building and its architecture are different and elegant, it has been referred to as “the cathedral of nature”.

It seems that the history of the building is also related to the items found inside since there are those collections with historical and scientific importance, such as those specimens collected by Charles Darwin that you could see inside the museum.

If you’re into history and discovering something new, you will enjoy the Natural History Museum. The Museum aims to challenge you about the natural world; hopefully, it will! Make sure it’s on your list of tourist attractions.

Sky Gardens:

Sky Garden in London is one of the top restaurants in the city not just because of what it serves but also because of the views of the city that it will provide visitors. This attraction is a unique public space that spans three storeys. It offers incredible 360-degree views across the city of London. It’s considered the highest public garden in the city, allowing visitors to wander around the landscaped gardens, observation decks and an open terrace.

There is a fantastic selection of the city’s most exclusive restaurants and bars. If you’re celebrating something or want a great experience, you can’t go wrong with Sky Gardens.

Tower of London:

The history of the Tower of London was written first when William the Conqueror built a mighty stone tower at the centre of his London fortress in the 1070s and was defeated. The attraction is steeped in history and has been known as one of the world’s most famous fortresses. It has served many things, from the royal palace to a prison.

Tour the Tower and discover the fantastic Crown Jewels on display since 1669. Also, check out the restored chambers past the kings and queens once used. The Tower is worth a visit for its history and for exploring its fantastic architecture.

London Aquarium:

The London Aquarium is an excellent break from the hustle and bustle of the London traffic. So well worth an escape

The sea life aquarium has multiple sections, including the intense Shark Walk, the Atlantic Coasts section, the Ray Lagoon, Seahorse Kingdom, Conservation Cove, Ocean Invaders (jellyfish), Rockpool, and Ocean Tunnel. You can see everything from Octopus, Ray’s, Penguins, and more through each location—a fantastic family attraction for anyone who loves sea life.

The Sea Life London Aquarium is located on the ground floor of County Hall on the South Bank of the River Thame. It is in central London, near the London Eye. It opened in March 1997 as the London Aquarium and hosts about one million visitors yearly. It is a fun attraction in the city that both young and old will enjoy.

Buckingham Palace:

There are different reasons for visiting Buckingham Palace. It might be for checking out this old building in general. It might be for visiting the city residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Or it could be for watching the change of the Guards that happens there. Everyone might have different interests, but eventually, all the travellers heading to this city must stop by Buckingham Palace at some point.

Buckingham Palace is located in the City of Westminster, initially known as Buckingham House. The palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality, and it has been a focal point for the British during national rejoicing and mourning. It is one of the most well-known attractions, and no trip would be complete without a visit to Buckingham Palace.

HMS Belfast:

London Bridge, Big Ben, and many other tourist places are always at the top of the list when visiting London. But people should get creative and see places many might not think about. We have a great suggestion, which is HMS Belfast.

HMS Belfast is the city’s most significant surviving Second World War Royal Navy warship beside Tower Bridge. HMS Belfast allows visitors to go through all nine decks of the ship and discover the life of the crew on board back then during the war. Put this on your list of things to do in the city, and you won’t regret it.

Have you ever visited London? What are your picks for the best tourist attractions to visit in the city? We would love to know!

Also, don’t forget to check out some of our other blogs that might interest you, such as Sky Gardens, National History Museum, Best Things To Do in London For Couples, Top 10 Things To See in London This Summer, Top 10 Free Things To Do In London.