What are the best things to do and see in London right now? Find out our top picks, latest prices and Covid news to make the most of London post-lockdown.
London has so much to offer travellers, especially after an uber-stationary past few years.
In fact, the attractions and places of interest have never looked so appealing after months spent indoors.
Even Londoners like us are seeing our home city with a fresh perspective.
For us personally, we can see how the incredible architecture, sheer variety of food, and endless amount of unique activities brings people from all over the world – even in difficult times like these.
So what are the best ways to spend your time, and what do you need to know to explore London safely?
Scroll down to find out our best picks for things to do and see in London, how to get there, and what the latest Covid updates are.
Iconic Landmarks You Must See
1. Take a postcard picture at Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
The image of London, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben are seriously impressive to see with your own eyes. It’s also one of the most famous sights of all the top European cities.
Going inside the Abbey is quite expensive, but can be quite a rewarding experience for those interested in learning more about the history and culture. It’s also important to note that Big Ben is currently undergoing refurbishment, and so you may not be able to get the full iconic view.
Tip: This area sees a lot of crowds usually, but you can get great pictures near the London Eye along the bank
Price: Adults £18, Children £7
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Nearest tube station: Westminster
2. Marvel at the incredible St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral is a beautiful piece of architecture and the famous domed roof can be seen across London. While it is interesting to go inside and find out more about it’s history, just walking around the surroundings is also really pleasant. Nearby you’ll also find the Tate Modern and Millenium Bridge.
Tip: One New Change rooftop terrace close by also gives you a fantastic view, and it is generally accepted for tourists to go up for some pictures. There are also restaurants and a bar there, but they aren’t cheap.
Price: Adults £17, Children £7
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Nearest tube station: St. Paul’s
3. Wave at the Queen outside Buckingham Palace
You can’t go to London and not visit the home of the queen – well you could, but Buckingham Palace is actually a good place to start a day of sightseeing.
Start off by grabbing those obligatory selfies, and then you are free to explore Hyde Park or Trafalgar Square close by.
Tip: Changing of the guards takes place daily from June to July, and from August to May on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. You can check the confirmed times here.
Price (The State Rooms): Adults £26, Children £14
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Nearest tube station: London Victoria
4. Shop and eat at Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street and Oxford Circus
These connected streets in the centre of London will cover all your shopping needs, although don’t expect to find anything that unique. The atmosphere is usually quite exciting though, and it can be quite impressive to walk around this area, especially at Christmas. More importantly, however, there are countless fantastic restaurants slightly off the path.
Tip: Carnaby Street offers a less crowded route from Picadilly Circus to Oxford Circus, and we’d really recommend Dishoom for a mid-range restaurant.
Price: Free
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Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus or Oxford Circus
5. Dodge pigeons at Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a common stop for tourists, partly because it sits between many of the major landmarks – Piccadilly Circus, Chinatown, Westminster and Buckingham Palace are all within walking distance.
You’ll often find the square rammed with people and pigeons alike, with many people using the iconic Nelson’s Column platform and lion statues as a glorious seating area.
It’s also a common spot for protests, as seen recently with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Tip: The National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery are also right next door, so you can hit two birds with one stone (sorry).
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Nearest tube station: Charing Cross
6. See London from the top of the London Eye
The London Eye divides people as a landmark, as essentially it is just a huge Ferris wheel. That said, the views from the top (when you eventually get there) can be really impressive. Just don’t go on a cloudy day, for obvious reasons.
Tip: Queues for this can be enormous. Make sure you book online and get there early. There are also some combination offers (e.g. London Eye + River Cruise) which can help you save some money.
Price: Standard Ticket £25, Fast-Track £36
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Nearest tube station: London Waterloo
7. Wander through history at the Tower of London
Full of a dark but fascinating history, the Tower of London is quite a bit more appealing to visit now it’s no longer used as a prison. It’s also the place where the crown jewels are stored, opening up plenty of joke opportunities. This area also offers some great opportunities for photos of London Bridge and the River Thames.
Tip: Sky Garden nearby is quite a beautiful and unique setting if you find it all a little depressing and want an alcoholic pick-me-up
Price: Adults £25, Children £12.50
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Nearest tube station: Tower Hill
Museums
8. Question Britain’s history in the British Museum
Britain has a pretty questionable past ethically speaking. This also means that over the centuries, they have “borrowed” an endless amount of fascinating artefacts and items from cultures all around the world. Enjoy going and finding the section from your own culture, and then wondering why it’s in Britain at all!
Price: Free
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Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court Road
9. Get your modern art fill at the Tate Modern
If modern art is your thing, you’ll struggle to find a more comprehensive collection than in the Tate Modern. In fact, this is one of the biggest modern and contemporary art in the world, and could take days to properly explore. It’s also free entry, although some temporary exhibits may need to be paid for.
Tip: This is a good stop before or after St.Paul’s Cathedral, and means you can cross the unique Millenium Bridge.
Price: Free
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Nearest tube station: Blackfriars
10. Become a kid again in the National History Museum
The National History Museum houses over 80 million specimens for you to explore – and yes there are dinosaurs. I loved coming here as a kid, and exploring the huge number of colourful sections. The architecture of the building as a whole is also seriously beautiful.
Tip: Ever seen Night at the Museum and thought “That looks like serious fun”? Well they now have adult sleepovers at the museum (although these may be on pause due to the pandemic)
Price: Free
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Nearest tube station: South Kensington
11. Explore the fascinating Science Museum
The Science Museum is right next to the National History Museum, so seeing both at the same time makes most sense. Full of fascinating galleries exploring the major scientific inventions that brought us to these modern times, it’s another great attraction for anyone really.
Just like the other museums at the moment, you also need to pre-book a free ticket if you are visiting when Covid restrictions are in place.
Price: Free
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Nearest tube station: South Kensington
12. Discover a masterpiece at the National Gallery
Everything about the National Gallery is a work of art.
The building itself arguably outshines the rest of Trafalgar Square, with its’ iconic pantheon-style pillars and then the collections of art found inside will also amaze and astound.
Even if art doesn’t usually interest you, this museum is worth a look as the entrance is free and it is super convenient for tours of major landmarks.
Price: Free
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Nearest tube station: Charing Cross
Parks and Gardens
13. Immerse yourself in nature in Kew Gardens
You know this garden is worth a visit when it pops up in all “best things to do in London” lists, even though it is a pain to get to.
However, if you are willing to spend the journey time you’ll quickly see it was worth the effort.
Boasting to be home to the “largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world”, hours can fly by here. Kew Gardens is also perfect for the more “mindful traveller” drawn to more natural and scenic attractions.
The cost of entry is also super reasonable compared to other major buildings like the London Eye.
Tip: Our 4-day itinerary dedicates an entire day to the gardens, so you get the most from the experience. However, you can just visit for a few hours if you prefer.
Price: Adults £17.50, Child £5.50
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Nearest overground station: Kew Gardens
14. Get active at Hyde Park
Hyde Park is one of London’s biggest parks, and overflowing with natural beauty.
Even better though, there’s also always something to do here. From boating on the Serpentine, to attending a concert or “that” World Cup game against Croatia (I’m not crying, you’re crying)… This is just a really fun place, especially if you like a more active day out.
For a list of what’s on, click here.
Price: Free
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Nearest tube station: Hyde Park Corner
15. Have a day out at Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill
Regent’s Park is like a brainchild of the serene, picturesque Kew Gardens and activity-filled Hyde Park.
In Regent’s Park you can walk around and wonder at the mini waterfalls and fountains, and then make use of the huge number of sports pitches and largest outdoor sports facility in London.
Literally something for everyone!
Tip: Baker Street is also the closest tube station, where you can check out the Sherlock Holmes Museum (and Madame Tussauds if you REALLY have too much time on your hands…)
Price: Free
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Nearest tube station: Baker Street
Areas and Markets
16. Fill up on street food at Borough Market
Everyone loves to wander through a lively food market right? Maybe less so since social distancing became a thing, but still…
Borough Market is a fantastic place to get some street food for lunch, or buy some high-quality products (I mean cheese, honey, that sort of thing and not white powder).
Enjoy walking around and being enticed by every food you see, only to keep moving as you hope to find something better.
Inevitably you’ll then spend the next 15 minutes trying to relocate that first stall that had you salivating.
Tip: If you aren’t in the mood for street food, Padella’s legendary and affordable pasta is just around the corner.
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Nearest tube station: London Bridge
17. Feel wonderfully overwhelmed at Camden Market
Camden Market is a feast for the senses.
You’ve got the exhilarating combo of huge crowds of people, weird and wacky shops and mouth-watering food stalls. The smell of something more “herbal” is usually not far either.
It’s this variety and atmosphere that makes Camden Market such a fun place to come. When you go you’ll also discover it’s quite an “interesting” place to shop.
Tip: Camden is a lot safer than it used to be, but avoid travelling alone and at night in the surrounding areas especially.
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Nearest tube station: Camden Town
18. Eat to your heart’s content in Chinatown
We LOVE Chinatown. It’s just great value for two people who love Asian food, snacks and elaborate desserts. It’s also within walking distance of what feels like half of London’s best-value restaurants.
Whilst sometimes the streets are decorated with colourful lanterns like above, don’t come specifically for the visuals.
Come for the dim sum, gyoza and bubble waffle!
Tip: Wan Chai Corner and New Funloon are our favourite dim sum places
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Nearest tube station: Leicester Square
19. Uncover hidden gems in Spitalfields Market
It’s easy to overlook Spitalfields on a trip to London, as it’s located in unassuming Aldgate.
However, the food options available here are some of the tastiest in all of London. The market also offers some hidden gems and artisan goods for very reasonable prices.
Tip: To this day, one of our meals at Som Saa was the best meal we’ve had in London.
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Nearest tube station: Aldgate
Best Activities
20. Attend a mind-blowing event at The O2
The O2 is one of the best venues in London hosting music concerts and sporting events. We’ve seen everything from ATP tennis matches and Kevin Hart stand-up, to Ed Sheeran and Queen here, and it’s always been fantastic. Tickets are usually pretty reasonable too, and you can check what’s on here.
Tip: You can use an app like Stubhub for even cheaper last-minute options.
Price: Varies
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Nearest tube station: North Greenwich
21. Get goosebumps at a West End musical
London is home to some of the most spectacular shows in the world. The Lion King, Wicked, Hamilton, Book of Mormon… there is something for everyone. Prices obviously range depending on your budget and the tier of seating, but the experience is unforgettable.
Tip: Check the review of exact seats at Seatplan to avoid paying a pretty penny and finding out you can only see half the stage
Price: From £30
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Nearest tube station: Many
22. Float down the Thames on a River Cruise to Greenwich
London has so many landmarks and so much history that it can be overwhelming to cover it all in a short trip. City tour buses are one solution, but sitting in London traffic for hours is also not a great way to spend your valuable time.
These river cruises are far from a tourist trap. Reasonably priced, you can float down the Thames while getting some super interesting facts from the crew/ tour guide. The narration is also really funny, and much better than the recorded stuff on the buses.
Tip: Stay on the boat until Greenwich for a beautiful area full of greenery and things to do – it’s also one of the best areas to grab some proper Fish & Chips!
Price for Westminster to Greenwich: £13.50 Adult, £9 Children (City Cruises)
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Nearest tube station: Westminster
23. Go behind the scenes at the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studios
The magical world of Harry Potter has enchanted people all over the world… but how did the studio actually manage to bring the books to life so well?
This huge exhibition may take some of the magic away, but it astounds all on its own. When you see how much care and creativity went into the creation of the films, we bet you’ll have an even greater appreciation for the films.
The studio is also in Watford, so you’ll need to get a bus, train or taxi quite a distance
Tip: Unsurprisingly, all of the merch at the shop is very overpriced, so don’t expect to be coming home with some cheap souvenirs and a full wallet. Also, you are welcome to try the Butterbeer (we did), but it’s basically soda and foam…
Price: Adult £47, Child £38 (Book here)
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Nearest tube station: North Watford
24. Stroll around Covent Garden
We consider Covent Garden as one of the most charming places in London.
On the face of it, there isn’t an awful lot here – lots of high-end retail shops, some restaurants and occasionally some performers.
However, this area is perfect for a romantic evening wander after dinner, or to grab some dessert. The architecture is really impressive, and around Christmas, the decorations are super pretty.
The performers also add a really nice vibe and spectacle to go with your stroll.
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Nearest tube station: Covent Garden
25. Balance drinking and activities in Shoreditch’s super fun bars
British culture is 50% alcohol-based. So it maybe comes as no surprise that an area so full of bars is so popular, particularly among young people.
Where Shoreditch is different though is the variety and creativity of the bars it offers:
Bar Kick (football), Bounce (ping-pong), Flight Club (darts), The Book Club (board games). These activities all make alcohol something to complement a night out with friends, rather than the main activity. You can also open up your bar options by taking your own travel games to one of the many bars.
BoxPark is also already legendary for its street food and hipster vibe.
Tip: Expect the bars to be very crowded once normality returns, and book over a month in advance for the more popular bars like Flight Club and Bounce
Price: £8-12 for a cocktail
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Nearest tube station: Old Street
Other Ideas If You Have Time
Catch a sports game at an iconic stadium
Snap some selfies at Madame Tussauds
Catch a fright at the London Dungeon
Make it a classy trip with afternoon tea
Uncover the legend of the notorious Jack the Ripper
Shop at the enormous Westfields centre
Explore the HMS Belfast battleship museum
Have dinner at The Shard
Get your game on at novelty gaming bars
Want to know how to get around London, the best time to visit, or the typical costs of a trip?
Read our “Ultimate London Travel Guide from a Londoner” for all the information you need, or for a detailed plan there is our London 4-day itinerary.
Read our “Best Romantic Things to do in London” for all of your next date’s ideas.
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