If you’re planning to visit London, you may have seen online articles with lists of London tourist attractions. But if you wanted to visit them all, it would cost you a fortune! I have now lived in London for over 5 years and have had a chance to visit most of those popular places. So today, I’m going to review them and share my thoughts, to help you make an informed decision when choosing where to spend your hard-earned money. Naturally, this is a subjective guide, so take it with a pinch of salt!

Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds Museum of wax figures is one of the iconic places I learnt about many years ago, from English textbooks in school. I had always had high hopes for it and planned to visit it ever since I moved to London, but I only managed to do it a couple of years ago.

First things first: the Museum is usually very busy. This famous location is visited by tourists from all over the world, so expect it to be crowded. During my visit, I had to wait in queues to take pictures with some of the most popular figures, but it usually moved pretty quickly.

When it comes to the figures themselves, most of them look incredibly real, but there were a few cases where I didn’t think the figure looked exactly like the respective celebrity does in photos. Still, it was really interesting to get so close to the people I’ve seen on TV many times. It mostly enjoyed learning how tall – or short – some of the celebrities are.

I had mixed feelings about the selection of figures on display. Before my visit to the museum, I fully expected to see the most iconic British stars – from the Beatles, to Harry Potter actors in their school uniforms, and of course – the Royal Family. Sadly, my impression was that the exhibition was catered towards young and international audience, with many figures of contemporary pop starts whose names I didn’t even know. There were a few models I loved seeing, like the one of Freddie Mercury or xxx, and some famous athletes. However, some of the figures were clearly made many years ago and didn’t depict the stars as they look right now.

There were impressive figures of the whole Royal Family, but there was a catch. You could only get close to those figures to get a quick photo done by the Museum staff – a photo you then needed to pay for if you wanted to get it printed, and it wasn’t cheap. It felt quite greedy, considering that the Museum entry tickets were already pretty expensive.

I don’t believe the list of figures currently on display is available publicly, so keep in mind that there’s no guarantee what models you will have a chance to see during your visit. Just because you saw photos of a specific figure online doesn’t mean that it will be on show when you come to visit.

The final part of the tour includes a fun indoor ride and a small exhibition about the Museum’s history. Those were probably my favourite elements of the whole visit.

I spent about 2 hours at the Madame Tussauds Museum.

Pros:

• You’ll be able to say that you visited this famous museum and check it off your bucket list
• You can stand next to celebrities and see who’s taller
• You may trick someone into thinking that your photo with a celebrity was taken with the real person – some of the figures are very realistic

Cons:

• You don’t know what figures you’ll see – you may get disappointed if your favourite celebrities aren’t on display
• The Museum is fairly crowded
• Some of the figures don’t look very realistic

Would I recommend it: Maybe. It’s not a place I would visit frequently, but it’s certainly interesting to visit this famous museum once. Just remember to manage your expectations and remember that the figures you hope to see may not be on display.

How much is it: Standard adult tickets start from £29 as of January 2025, if booked online in advance.

Website: https://www.madametussauds.com/london/

Tower of London

This famous former prison witnessed a rich history and now visits thousands of tourists every year. Visitors are greeted and guided by Yeoman Warders, also known as Beefeaters – retired and accomplished members of the British Armed Forces. They run guided tours around Tower of London – included in the price of your ticket – and will shower you with anecdotes about the landmark. Guided tours only take you around the outdoors areas. You can visit the indoor exhibitions on your own.

Tower of London is also home to the Crown Jewels – a collection of gemstones and royal regalia, still used by monarchs in official ceremonies. The display is located in a highly secure vault and even if your heart is pure, it might skip a beat when you step through the sets of reinforced doors. The gemstones in the collection are truly impressive – you won’t find diamonds of that size in your average museum. If you can, try to visit that part of Tower of London as early in the day as possible. A long queue usually forms later in the day, when Tower of London is most crowded.

Overall, Tower of London is full of rooms or exhibitions to visit. As you walk around the premises, you’ll keep finding places that you haven’t yet entered. I thought it would take me a couple of hours to see everything, but I actually spent closer to 5 or 6 hours there.

Pros:

• There’s a lot to see and you can spend quite a few hours inside, which makes the ticket a good value for money.
• You can learn a lot of fun facts from the Yeoman Warders running the guided tours, which is an engaging way of learning about Tower of London.

Cons:

• Probably not too interesting for kids and those with no interest in history.
• It’s a mixture of indoors and outdoors sightseeing, which may be problematic on a rainy day.

Would I recommend it:

How much is it: Standard adult tickets start from £34.80, as of January 2025.

Website: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/

London Zoo

I love visiting Zoos, but it wasn’t until 2023 that I finally visited the London Zoo, located in the north part of Regent Park. The Zoo isn’t enormous as far as the area goes, but it’s filled with a variety of animals and you can easily spend a whole day there. My favourite parts of the London Zoo were primate enclosures which you could enter to see the animals up close.

There were lots of talks and shows happening around the Zoo throughout the day. For example, we spectated the feeding of penguins and watched a really entertaining show featuring two large and beautiful macaws doing synchronised tricks.

I probably spent around 7 hours in the London Zoo. There’s enough to do and see to stay there from the opening time all the way to the closing hour.

Pros:

• There’s a good variety of animals and lots to see.
• Considering how many hours you can spend there walking around, the ticket is good value for money.

Cons:

• Naturally, it’s mainly outdoors – not a great option for a rainy day.
• Expect to walk a lot, which might be a problem for some.

Would I recommend it: If you like animals – absolutely! It’s not cheap if you visit as a large family, but there’s plenty to see and you can easily spend the whole day.

How much is it: Standard adult tickets start from £27 as of January 2025, for off-peak days.

Website: https://www.londonzoo.org/

Westminster Abbey

This famous church has seen some of the most important events in the British history, including 40 coronation ceremonies of new monarchs. Naturally, it’s one of the most popular attractions amongst tourists.

The Abbey isn’t huge, compared to some of the British cathedrals I had been to, but you get to walk around the main chamber and some of the less known chapels and areas of the Abbey. You can pick up an audio guide and listen to stories about the different parts of the church as you walk around. The architecture of that place is beautiful, though not surprising if you’ve visited other medieval churches in the UK. The stained glass windows were stunning.

One of the most intriguing parts of Westminster Abbey was its Poet’s Corner – an area where the remains of many famous figures were placed for rest, including Charles Dickens. There are also sculptures commemorating famous poets buried elsewhere.

Overall, it didn’t take me a very long time to complete the tour – probably about an hour and a half.

Pros:

• Not many places in the world have witnessed so many historic events. You can feel the grandeur of the Abbey.
• The architecture and stained glass were stunning.
• The audio guide is a great way to learn about the Abbey at your own pace.

Cons:

• Small children will probably be bored.
• Expect to have to queue before you can enter the Abbey.

Would I recommend it: Whilst it’s not the lightest form of holiday entertainment, Westminster Abbey is worth a one-off visit – especially when there are no small children travelling with you.

How much is it: Standard adult tickets start from £30 as of January 2025.

Website: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us/

St Paul’s Cathedral

Another famous church in London, after Westminster Abbey, is St Paul’s Cathedral. The characteristic dome of the Cathedral can be seen on the horizon from many places in London.

I spent a couple of hours at St Paul’s Cathedral.

for free: sunday

Pros:

• Beautiful, gilded decor on the ceiling under the dome
• You can go out onto the outside terrace at the dome to enjoy spectacular views of London
• There was a good variety of things to see around the Cathedral: from the outside terrace, to the inside balcony under the dome and the crypt.

Cons:

• Small children will be bored.
• The building itself is much younger than, for example, Westminster Abbey. If you’re looking to view some truly historical architecture, there are better places in London.

Would I recommend it: I’m not sure it’s the best choice if you want to visit the most famous London landmarks but only have a couple of days. Choosing between St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, I would probably recommend the latter. That being said, I found the visit at St Paul’s really interesting and particularly enjoyed the panoramic views of London from the terrace. If you need to pick one out of the two, you need to decide whether you prefer a place of higher historic significance (Westminster Abbey), or a more diverse and entertaining visit at St Paul’s Cathedral.

How much is it: Standard adult tickets start from £26 as of January 2025.

Website: https://www.stpauls.co.uk/

Greenwich Observatory

Greenwich Observatory is famous around the world due to the meridian line marking the division between West and East hemispheres. Not everyone knows, though, that it was also a significant place of research a few centuries ago, where timekeeping and astronomy was studied.

Now, Greenwich Observatory is home to a Planetarium, as well as a Museum focused on timekeeping and astronomy. But the main reason why most visitors decide to get their ticket, is to stand on the meridian line, with each foot on a different hemisphere. If that’s the only reason why you’re considering visiting Greenwich Observatory, think twice. The meridian line is marked on the ground in many places in London and you can take an equivalent photo elsewhere, without paying £20.

But, if you’re at least somewhat interested in the old-fashioned ways of measuring time, you might find the museum interesting.

The Greenwich Observatory also offers fantastic panoramic views of the City of London – slightly better than the hill just outside of the Observatory.

You can read about my visit to the Greenwich Observatory in this post.

Pros:

• Great panoramic view of the City of London.
• You can take a trendy photo, standing on a different hemisphere with each foot.
• Great piece of history for those interested in timekeeping.

Cons:

• There isn’t too much too see inside. As a museum, it’s much smaller than many of the London’s free-to-visit museums.
• The panoramic view of London and the meridian line are also available outside of the Observatory, just slightly less ideal.

Would I recommend it: Probably not if you’re on a budget and need to pick a few of the best tourist attractions. You can see the meridian line for free and enjoy a nice panoramic view of London just outside of the Observatory. But, I’ve you’re greatly interested in timekeeping and astronomy – it might be perfect for you!

How much is it: Standard adult tickets start from £24 as of January 2025.

Website: https://www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory

Sea Life

If you love animals but the weather forecast isn’t ideal for a visit at the London Zoo, the Sea Life Aquarium can be a good alternative. Located right next to the London Eye, this aquarium is home to a large variety of marine creatures.

Pros:

Cons:

Would I recommend it:

How much is it: Standard adult tickets start from £27.50 as of January 2025, if booked in advance.

Website: https://www.visitsealife.com/london/

London Eye

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Pros:

• Alright views.

Cons:

• Pretty expensive for just 25 minutes. You can choose a different attraction from this list for the same price and spend a whole day there.
• In peak times, expect to queue for a longer time than the ride itself lasts.

Would I recommend it: Not really. Overpriced and overrated, if you ask me. The views are nice, but you can find other panoramic viewing spots in London that don’t cost a penny.

How much is it: Standard adult tickets start from £29 as of January 2025, if booked in advance.

Website: https://www.londoneye.com/

Shrek’s Adventure

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Pros:

• It has elements of immersive theatre and magic tricks. Children might love it, some adults might too.

Cons:

• Entirely catered to children. People who watched Shrek as kids who are now adults fond of the franchise won’t be that amused.
• There isn’t even one opportunity to take a selfie with a fake statue of Shrek and other characters! The only photo opportunity is at the end of the tour, where a member of staff wearing a Shrek costume is happy to pose with you for photos taken by other staff members. But if you want to get that photo, you need to pay extra to get it printed.

Would I recommend it: Only if you’re with small kids who adore Shrek. Adult fans of the franchise probably won’t enjoy it as much as they’d expect.

How much is it: Standard adult tickets start from £21 as of January 2025, if booked in advance.

Website: https://www.shreksadventure.com/

Kew Gardens

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Pros:

• The Gardens are huge. You can easily spend a whole day there and make the most of your ticket.
• There are endless things to see. Kew Gardens have…

Cons:

• Kew Gardens are located some distance from Central London, so it might take you a while to get there.
• Given the size of Kew Gardens and how much there is to see, it’s best if you’re able to dedicate a whole day to that visit. If it’s your first time in London and you only have a couple of days, it’s probably best to check off the obvious places, like the Big Ben and Tower Bridge. Unless you love plants, in which case skip the Big Ben and visit Kew Gardens instead.

Would I recommend it: Absolutely! It may not be the best choice if you’re only in London for a couple of days and want to visit as many famous landmarks as possible, but if you have a whole day to spare and enjoy green spaces, Kew Gardens are one of the best locations to visit.

How much is it: Standard adult tickets start from £12 as of January 2025, for the winter season. The prices increase to about £20-£25 in warmer months.

Website: https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens

London Cable Car

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Pros:

• It’s the cheapest attraction on the list.
• The views aren’t spectacular, but you still get to have a glimpse of the City of London from high up.

Cons:

• It’s located far from the main London landmarks, so you won’t get to see many of them from above.
• It’s located in a place without many other attractions nearby. If you’re on a tight schedule, it’s not worth a trip.
• It’s cheap, but the ride is also pretty short – therefore, it’s not great value for money.
• One-way trip will likely be pointless – as a tourist, you’re likely to set off from Greenwich, and will probably want to get back there. This means having to pay for a round trip ticket.
• Sometimes, a queue forms outside of the stations, so you may need to wait before you get on the cable car.

Would I recommend it: Maybe. It’s by far the cheapest attraction on this list, and if you happen to be in the neighbourhood, you might as well do a round journey – it won’t break a bank. But don’t expect a phenomenal adventure.

How much is it: Standard adult one way tickets are £6 as of January 2025.

Website: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/london-cable-car/

Chelsea Physic Garden

Chelsea Physic Garden isn’t a very well known tourist attraction, but may be an interesting option for individuals particularly interested in unconventional medicine. It’s located fairly close to central London – closer than Kew Gardens, at least – and a quick visit can be incorporated on a busy sightseeing day.

The Garden is focused on plants used in medicine. The herbs may not look spectacular, but they sure have interesting properties. If you’re a passionate botanist, you may enjoy a visit to the Chelsea Physic Garden.

The Garden is much, much smaller than the famous Kew Gardens. Don’t expect vast green spaces filled with exotic plants and vibrant flowers. In all honesty, if you didn’t know that the herbs in the Garden have unique properties used in medicine, you may think that it looks like an average house’s back yard.

Pros:

• It’s a unique place on London’s map of tourist attractions.
• It’s not very well known, and shouldn’t be crowded.
• It’s cheaper than other attractions on this list.

Cons:

• It’s a niche choice, probably not great if you’re visiting London for the first time.
• The Garden is small, though it does have a large variety of plants.
• The plants themselves have intriguing properties, but don’t look spectacular. Don’t expect to take fun Instagram selfies there.

Would I recommend it: Probably not, unless medicinal herbs are your greatest passion. The Garden includes some interesting specimen, but overall it’s rather small – don’t expect to spend the whole day there.

How much is it: Standard adult tickets start from £10 as of January 2025.

Website: https://www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/

How to get cheaper tickets for the popular tourist attractions in London

Tickets for tourist attractions in London can be very expensive, but it’s possible to find good deals.

First of all: always try to book in advance. Some of the most popular places can sell out and you may not be able to get a ticket on the day. Others might offer walk-in tickets, but at a higher price than advance tickets booked online. Try to research the prices before you go.

It’s also worth noting that some of the attractions may offer cheaper tickets on weekdays than weekends.

There are also some multi-attraction passes available online. If you plan to visit a lot of them, it might be cheaper to get the pass. Make sure to search for those online, and note that not all places reviewed in this post are part of multi-attraction passes.

Finally, there are sometimes temporary promotions available that may get you cheaper tickets. For example, some cereal boxes, sold in all major supermarkets, may have promo codes that will let you get two tickets for the price of one. There was also a similar promotion with National Rail – if you travelled to your chosen attraction by train and had a ticket to prove it, you could get two walk-in tickets for the price of one. Those seasonal campaigns change frequently, so make sure to do your research!

Closing thoughts

link to things you need to know before you visit

link to free viewing spots

x Of course, there are many more tourist attractions in London. This list only covers some of the most popular ones. Let me know if you’d like me to cover anything else in particular! x

Also see:

• Travel