Things to Do in London
50 curated spots from London itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
British Museum
See the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, Egyptian mummies, and artifacts from across the world.
2h · Free
National Gallery
Explore masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet, Turner, and more in this world‑class art museum overlooking Trafalgar Square.
1h 30m · Free
Portobello Road Market
Browse antiques, vintage pieces, and weekend market stalls; focus on the main road and side lanes.
2h · Free entry; shopping extra
Natural History Museum
Discover dinosaur skeletons, human biology exhibits, and the famous Hintze Hall with its grand blue whale.
2h · Free
Covent Garden Market
Street performers, boutiques, live music; shop crafts and photography.
1h 30m · Free
Camden Market
Explore stalls, street art, vintage shopping (Tube from City: 20 min).
1h 30m · Free
London Eye
Ride the riverside observation wheel for sweeping views over Westminster, the City, and beyond.[1][2]
1h · $40-55
Old Spitalfields Market
Covered Victorian market with fashion, design stalls, and food vendors; great for browsing and people-watching.
1h 30m · Free (shopping/food extra)
Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens Walk
Gentle loop from Notting Hill Gate or Lancaster Gate through tree-lined paths, the Serpentine, and Kensington Palace exterior.
2h 30m · Free
Leadenhall Market
See the ornate covered market and its photogenic Victorian architecture.[1]
45m · Free
Buckingham Palace & St James’s Park
See Buckingham Palace from the outside and stroll through St James’s Park; time your visit to catch the Changing of the Guard on select mornings.[2][4]
2h · Free
Churchill War Rooms
Descend into the WWII bunker museum near St James’s Park.[1][2]
2h · $30-40
Covent Garden
Spend the early evening browsing street performers, arcades, and attractive historic streets, then look for a low-cost live music set or busker performance nearby.
2h · Free
Covent Garden Piazza & Apple Market
Stroll the historic piazza, watch street performers, browse Apple Market’s crafts and prints, and explore nearby boutiques like the covered market hall.
1h 30m · Free (shopping extra)
Gordon’s Wine Bar
Head to this atmospheric, candlelit cellar bar a short walk from Covent Garden to share a wine tasting flight or a couple of glasses with cheese and charcuterie.
1h 15m · $25-40 per person
National Gallery & Trafalgar Square
Explore world-class art collections (free entry) including works by Botticelli, Van Gogh, Turner. Trafalgar Square offers people-watching and street performer culture. Optional: climb Nelson's Column steps for city views.
2h · Free (optional donation)
Borough Market Browse
Arrive early, sample a few affordable bites, and photograph the market stalls, railway arches, and surrounding streets.
2h · Free to browse; food extra
Brick Lane
Explore vintage shops, street art, and South Asian restaurants; if it’s Sunday, browse the Brick Lane Market.
1h 30m · Free (excluding shopping and food)
Buckingham Palace
Tour State Rooms if available or stroll gardens; prime photography spot.
1h 30m · $35 or Free
Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard
Watch the ceremony (daily ~11 AM), stroll St. James’s Park
1h 30m · Free
Camden Market & Canal Walk
Browse alternative fashion, crafts, and food stalls; then stroll along Regent’s Canal towpath.
2h · Free (shopping extra)
Kew Gardens
Explore Victorian glasshouses, treetop walkways, and themed gardens; consider focusing on the Palm House and Temperate House.
2h 30m · $20-30
Millennium Bridge & Tate Modern
Walk across the Millennium Bridge for St Paul’s views, then explore Tate Modern’s contemporary art in the former power station.[1]
2h · Free
Notting Hill & Portobello Road Market
Explore colorful residential streets, then browse Portobello Road’s antiques, vintage stalls, and food stands (best on Saturdays, but shops still open other days).
2h 30m · Free to browse
Brick Lane & Spitalfields Market
Street art, curry houses, market stalls.
2h · Free
British Library Treasures Gallery
Visit the free Treasures Gallery to see historic manuscripts, maps, and documents.
1h 30m · Free
Camden Market & Regent’s Canal
Shop for vintage clothes, records, and crafts around Camden Lock, then stroll along the canal towpath for photos.
2h · Free (shopping extra)
Columbia Road Flower Market
Sunday market (if aligns) or street art walk; vibrant stalls and murals
1h 15m · Free
Covent Garden & Seven Dials Stroll
Wander Covent Garden’s covered market, street performers, and boutiques, then loop through nearby Seven Dials and Neal’s Yard for colorful photos and window shopping.[2][3]
2h · Free (shopping extra)
Covent Garden and Seven Dials Walk
Walk through Covent Garden’s piazza, market halls, and side streets up to Seven Dials, browsing shops and street performers.
2h · Free (excluding shopping)Restaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Dishoom Covent Garden
Bombay-style café; go for the bacon naan roll and chai to start your first morning.
1h · $20-30 per person
Borough Market
Build a tasting lunch from market stalls; look for British cheese, oysters, pastries, or a seasonal hot dish.
1h 30m · £20-45 per person
Dishoom Shoreditch
Bombay-style café serving flavorful curries and grills; share a couple of small plates or a curry with rice to keep costs down.
1h 30m · $14-18 per person (share dishes to save)
Flat Iron Covent Garden
Simple, modern steak restaurant with a stripped-back menu; order the signature flat iron steak, sides like chips and creamed spinach, and confirm they avoid any shellfish ingredients in sauces.
1h 15m · $20-25 per person
Padella
Fresh handmade pasta near Borough Market; book if you can, and order a classic pasta plus a simple starter.
1h 15m · £20-35 per person
Padella Borough
Small, stylish pasta spot a few minutes’ walk from Borough Market; order the pappardelle with beef shin ragu or cacio e pepe and a glass of house wine.
1h · $20-35 per person
Regency Cafe
Old-school art deco café serving full English breakfasts near Westminster and Pimlico.
1h · $15-20 per person
Bancone Covent Garden
Sleek pasta restaurant with clean lines and counter seating; choose meat or vegetarian pastas and clearly tell them you cannot have shellfish so they steer you away from any seafood options.
1h 15m · $20-25 per person
Borough Market Stalls
Pad Thai salad, cheese toasties, fresh oysters—pick favorites.
1h · $15-30 per person
Camden Market Food Stalls
Arrive late morning and build a meal from global street-food stalls—try anything from Venezuelan arepas to Korean fried chicken.
1h · $15-25 per person
Caravan Bankside
Light-filled, modern café with concrete floors and open kitchen; choose grain bowls, grilled chicken, or plant-based plates clearly marked without shellfish, and confirm your allergy with staff.
1h · $18-25 per person
Brick Lane Beigel Bake
24‑hour bakery famous for salt beef and smoked salmon bagels; vegetarian options too.
30m · $5-10 per person
Dishoom King’s Cross
Enjoy Bombay‑style comfort food like house black daal and grilled meats in a beautifully designed, atmospheric space.
1h 30m · $18-25 per person
Duck & Waffle
Iconic British brunch: pan-roasted duck with waffle, poached eggs, and foie gras hollandaise. Arrive 11 AM to avoid crowds; signature cocktails available.
1h 30m · $60-80 per person
Farm Girl Notting Hill
Bright, plant-filled café with a tropical-inspired menu—try the açai bowl, rose latte, or coconut BLT for a colorful, photogenic brunch.
1h 15m · $18-25 per person
Granger & Co. Notting Hill
Aussie-style brunch favorites like ricotta hotcakes and avocado toast.
1h · $25-35 per person
Mildreds Camden
Plant-based restaurant with contemporary interiors; choose burgers, curries, or salads, and still inform them of your shellfish allergy to ensure safe prep.
1h 15m · $18-22 per person
Banana Tree Soho
Casual Southeast Asian chain with curries, noodles, and vegetarian options in the heart of Soho.
1h 15m · $20-25 per person
Bao Soho
Trendy Taiwanese spot known for its soft bao buns and small plates; go early or expect a short wait.
1h 15m · $30-45 per person
Clos Maggiore
2-Michelin-star French fine dining with a wisteria-adorned garden room. Exceptional wine list; multi-course tasting menu showcasing seasonal ingredients.
2h 40m · $220-280 per person (with wine pairings)