Places · London · Updated guide
The Best Places to Visit in London
London combines more than two thousand years of history with world-class museums, parks, markets, neighbourhoods and entertainment. This guide ranks some of the best places to visit in London based on visitor appeal, cultural importance, value, location and overall experience.
Our top picks
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 14 January 2026
- Updated
- 30 August 2026
- Sources
- 4 sources
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
Written by
- Rank 1Tower of LondonWATTB Pick— Best for historyWATTB96/100From £34.80
- Rank 2British Museum— Best free museumWATTB96/100Free
- Rank 3Westminster Abbey— Best historic churchWATTB94/100From £29.00
- Rank 4Greenwich— Best half-day tripWATTB94/100Mostly free
- Rank 5Hyde Park— Best green spaceWATTB94/100Free
- Rank 6Tower Bridge— Best landmarkWATTB92/100From £13.40
- Rank 7Borough Market— Best for foodWATTB92/100Free entry
- Rank 8St Paul's Cathedral— Best city viewsWATTB92/100From £25.00
- Rank 9Covent Garden— Best atmosphereWATTB90/100Free entry
- Rank 10Camden Market— Best alternative neighbourhoodWATTB88/100Free entry
The WATTB Score is our own research-based editorial assessment out of 100 — not a customer-review average.
The picks in depth
Tower of London
Home to the Crown Jewels
Superb, included Yeoman Warder tours
Riverside location by Tower Bridge
Trade-off: Peak-season queues can be long
British Museum
Free entry
Genuinely world-class collection
Central, rain-proof day out
Trade-off: Overwhelming if you try to see everything
Westminster Abbey
Extraordinary Gothic architecture
Included multimedia audio guide
Steps from Parliament and Big Ben
Trade-off: No photography inside
Greenwich
Great river-boat approach
Best panoramic city view
Lots free to do
Trade-off: A trek from central London
Hyde Park
Free and open daily
Boating and cafes
Links to Kensington Gardens
Trade-off: Very large — wear comfortable shoes
Tower Bridge
Glass-floor walkways
Great value
Iconic Thames views
Trade-off: Small exhibition
Borough Market
Free to wander
Superb street food
Central, by the Shard
Trade-off: Very busy on Saturdays
St Paul's Cathedral
Panoramic dome views
Architectural landmark
Audio guide included
Trade-off: Lots of stairs to the top
Covent Garden
Free entertainment
Central and walkable
Great for an evening out
Trade-off: Tourist-priced dining
Camden Market
Free to explore
Excellent street food
Canal walks to Regent's Park
Trade-off: Crowded and hectic
Compare at a glance
| Name | WATTB Score | Best for | Typical cost | Time needed | Nearest station |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank 1Tower of LondonWATTB Pick | WATTB96/100 | history | From £34.80 | Half a day | Tower Hill |
| Rank 2British Museum | WATTB96/100 | free museum | Free | 2–3 hours | Tottenham Court Road |
| Rank 3Westminster Abbey | WATTB94/100 | historic church | From £29.00 | 1.5–2 hours | Westminster |
| Rank 4Greenwich | WATTB94/100 | half-day trip | Mostly free | Half a day | Cutty Sark (DLR) |
| Rank 5Hyde Park | WATTB94/100 | green space | Free | 1–2 hours | Hyde Park Corner |
| Rank 6Tower Bridge | WATTB92/100 | landmark | From £13.40 | 1 hour | Tower Hill |
| Rank 7Borough Market | WATTB92/100 | food | Free entry | 1–2 hours | London Bridge |
| Rank 8St Paul's Cathedral | WATTB92/100 | city views | From £25.00 | 1.5 hours | St Paul's |
| Rank 9Covent Garden | WATTB90/100 | atmosphere | Free entry | 1–2 hours | Covent Garden |
| Rank 10Camden Market | WATTB88/100 | alternative neighbourhood | Free entry | 2 hours | Camden Town |
Costs are indicative adult prices and change with season — always check the latest before booking.
Map of London
How we ranked this list
We rank attractions on visitor appeal, cultural importance, value for money, ease of access and overall experience — informed by public visitor data, official information and aggregated traveller feedback. Commercial relationships never affect the order of this list.
Read our full ranking methodWhy you can trust WATTB
Independent & unbiased
We rank on merit. Commercial links never change which picks make a guide or where they rank.
In-depth research
Official information, specifications and aggregated expert and user reviews — compared, not guessed.
Clear pros & cons
Every pick gets its real advantages and at least one honest trade-off, so you can weigh it.
Transparent sourcing
We show how we rank and the sources behind each guide, and re-check them as things change.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one place to visit in London?
For a first visit, the Tower of London tops our list — a thousand years of history, the Crown Jewels and the Yeoman Warder tours in one riverside site. If you want something free, the British Museum is our top pick.
How many days do you need to see the best of London?
Three to four days lets you cover the major landmarks, one or two museums, a market and a park without rushing. A single day is enough for a tight highlights loop around Westminster and the South Bank.
What are the best free places to visit in London?
The British Museum, Hyde Park, Borough Market, Greenwich Park and Covent Garden are all free to enter. London has an exceptional range of world-class attractions that cost nothing.
What is the best way to get around London's attractions?
A contactless card or phone on the Tube and buses is cheapest and easiest — daily fares are capped automatically. Many central sights are also within walking distance of each other.
Sources & further reading
4The information and claims in this guide draw on the references below. We check these when a guide is published or updated.
- Official informationPrimary source
Historic Royal Palaces — Tower of London (opens in a new tab) — Historic Royal Palaces
Supports: Opening times, admission and visitor information
- Official informationPrimary source
The British Museum — visit (opens in a new tab) — The British Museum
Supports: Free admission, opening hours and galleries
- Official informationPrimary source
Plan a journey (opens in a new tab) — Transport for London
Supports: Nearest stations and getting around London
- Official information
Visit London — official visitor guide (opens in a new tab) — Visit London
Supports: Attraction overviews and what's on
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