Things to Do in London
50 curated spots from London itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
British Museum
See the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and global artefacts in an iconic museum with a striking glass-roofed courtyard.[1]
2h 30m · Free
National Gallery
Explore European masterpieces from Van Gogh to Turner in a compact, easily navigable layout. Focus on highlights on the main floor to keep this visit to 1.5–2 hours.
2h · Free (special exhibitions extra, ~$12-25)
Portobello Road Market
Explore antiques, vintage stalls, and street food along this iconic Saturday market street.
3h · Free (shopping extra)
Natural History Museum
Visit the grand Hintze Hall, dinosaur gallery, and Earth galleries housed in a stunning Romanesque building.
2h 30m · Free (charges for some special exhibits)
Covent Garden Market
Explore street performers, artisan stalls, and apple market.
1h · $10 or Free
London Eye
Ride the giant observation wheel at sunset or early evening for panoramic views over Westminster, the Thames, and central London.[2]
1h · $40-50
Camden Market
Explore stalls, street art, vintage shopping (Tube from City: 20 min).
1h 30m · Free
Old Spitalfields Market
Covered market with fashion stalls, crafts, and food vendors under a Victorian roof.[6]
1h 30m · Free (shopping extra)
Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens Walk
Stroll from Marble Arch through Hyde Park to Kensington Gardens and the Round Pond.
2h · Free
Leadenhall Market
Walk through this ornate Victorian covered market with wrought-iron and glass ceilings, now filled with shops and eateries.[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
Visit the underground bunker where Churchill directed Britain’s WWII strategy, now a detailed museum.[3][8]
2h · $30
Covent Garden Piazza & Apple Market
Wander the historic covered market, street performers, and surrounding cobbled lanes; good for photos and browsing small shops.
1h 30m · Free (shopping extra)
National Gallery & Trafalgar Square
Explore masterpieces inside the free National Gallery, then shoot the square, fountains, and views down Whitehall.[1]
2h 30m · Free
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
Buckingham Palace
See the royal residence and, if timing aligns, the Changing of the Guard photo moment.[1]
1h 15m · 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 vintage stalls, then follow the Regent’s Canal towpath for a calmer perspective on London.
2h 30m · Free (excluding shopping/food)
Covent Garden
Street performers, market stalls, Apple Market crafts.
1h 30m · Free
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
Cross the pedestrian Millennium Bridge for iconic Thames views. Enter Tate Modern (housed in a converted power station) to explore contemporary art across 10 levels. Free entry; exhibits change seasonally.
2h 30m · Free
Notting Hill & Portobello Road Market
Wander pastel streets, browse antiques stalls, and check out street-food vendors along Portobello Road’s famous market.[2]
2h 30m · Free (shopping extra)
Regent's Canal Walk
Take a scenic walk along the canal for a calmer, photogenic break from the market crowds.
1h · Free
Brick Lane
Explore the area for street art, vintage shops, and the eclectic urban feel that defines this side of London.
1h 30m · Free
Brick Lane & Spitalfields Market
Street art, curry houses, vintage stalls
2h · $10-30
British Library Treasures Gallery
See original manuscripts from Shakespeare, the Beatles lyrics, and historical documents in the free Treasures gallery.
1h · Free
Buckingham Palace & The Mall (exterior walk)
After breakfast, walk through Green Park to the front of Buckingham Palace, then down The Mall toward Trafalgar Square, taking photos of the palace façade, Victoria Memorial, and tree‑lined ceremonial avenue; if timing allows, watch the Changing of the Guard from outside.
1h 30m · Free
Camden Market & Regent’s Canal
Take the Tube to Camden; browse alternative fashion stalls, grab safe street snacks after allergy checks, and walk along the canal for photos.
2h 30m · Free (shopping/food extra)
Columbia Road Flower Market
Sunday market bustle (if aligns) or weekday vibe; flowers and antiques.
1h 30m · $15 or Free
Covent Garden & Seven Dials Stroll
Wander the piazza, watch street performers, and browse small shops; great for candid street photography and light shopping.
1h 30m · Free (shopping extra)Restaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Dishoom Covent Garden
Bombay-style café with excellent small plates and curries; try the black daal and chicken ruby.
1h 30m · $30-40 per person
Borough Market
Legendary food market with street-style global eats; try a grilled cheese, fresh pastries, or British pies at the stalls.[1][2]
1h · $12-20 per person
Dishoom Shoreditch
Stylish Bombay café–inspired restaurant; share small plates and a house black daal in a softly lit, uncluttered space.
1h 30m · $20-25 per person
Regency Café
Classic art deco café serving a hearty full English breakfast; go for the set breakfast with eggs, sausage, bacon, beans, and tea.
45m · $15-20 per person
Flat Iron Covent Garden
Casual, great‑value steak spot just off the main piazza; order the signature flat iron steak with sides of dripping fries and creamed spinach.
1h 15m · $25-40 per person
Padella
Go for handmade pasta after the market; try one sharing starter plus a pasta each if there is a wait-free window.
1h 15m · £15-25 per person
Padella Borough
Compact, hugely popular fresh pasta spot; order the pappardelle with beef shin ragu and share a couple of small plates.
1h · $20-30 per person
Regency Cafe
Classic London greasy-spoon with art deco details; have a full English breakfast and tea.
45m · $15-20 per person
Bancone Covent Garden
Modern Italian with excellent fresh pasta; try the silk handkerchiefs or ragù dishes.
1h · $25-35 per person
Borough Market Stalls
Historic street market with vegetarian stalls offering falafel wraps, cheese platters, halloumi fries, and veg pasties; focus on vendors like Bread Ahead or Pieminister veg pies
1h 30m · $20-35 per person
Camden Market Food Stalls
Choose from dozens of global street-food stalls along the canal and within the Stables Market area.
1h 15m · $15-25 per person
Caravan Bankside
All‑day restaurant and roastery in a converted metal‑and‑brick space; try small plates and house‑roasted coffee or cocktails.
1h 30m · $30-45 per person
Brick Lane Beigel Bake
Iconic 24-hour bagel bakery; grab a salt beef bagel to share.
15m · $5-10 per person
Dishoom King’s Cross
Return to London for a comforting, flavorful dinner in a spacious, beautifully designed branch of Dishoom.
1h 30m · $30-45 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
Trendy café with Aussie-inspired brunch; build a halal-friendly meal from vegetarian dishes like avocado toast, açai bowls, and specialty coffees.
1h 15m · $25-35 per person
Granger & Co. Notting Hill
Aussie-style brunch favorites like ricotta hotcakes and avocado toast.
1h · $25-35 per person
Mildreds Camden
Colorful vegetarian and vegan restaurant; try the burgers, curries, and seasonal small plates.
1h · $25-35 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
Romantic French restaurant with a flower-filled conservatory; consider the pre-theatre set menu for good value in a very elegant setting.
2h · $45-60 per person (set menu)