London is a dreamy tourist spot because it has everything a traveler wishes for on his tour, including brilliant architecture, vibrant shops, riveting gardens, sky-touching towers, and magnificent historical sites. Due to such diverse tourist attractions, travelers often get confused when choosing the places to include in their trip because they have limited time within which they want to make the most out of it. Below are the "Top 10 Best Places to go in London," which are incredibly fascinating, and your tour will be incomplete without visiting them.
Are you one of those who think museums are boring and they are only ideal for history enthusiasts? The British Museum will prove you wrong because it is one of the most interesting museums you will ever visit. This museum houses the world's largest permanent collection of eight million artifacts from different continents and oceans, depicting human history, art, and culture and offering all fields of knowledge. This museum operates from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week, except Friday when it closes at 8:30 p.m. It is one of London's most highly visited tourist attractions, so you must include this in your plan.
The Tower of London, officially called "His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London," is the heart of historic London and attracts millions of tourists from all across the globe. It is an ancient castle that served as a royal residence at its commencement. In addition to its architectural brilliance, one of the biggest reasons for its tourism potential is the "Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom (Crown Jewels of England)." It is a collection of royal ceremonial Jewel House objects used at the coronation ceremony. It allows visitors from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day of the week, except Sunday and Monday when they open at 10 a.m.
London Eye, also called "the Millennium Wheel," is London's most interesting tourist spot. It is Europe's tallest cantilevered observation wheel and the United Kingdom's most prominent paid tourist spot. This giant wheel gives you a magnificent 360° view of the city and its recognized landmarks, such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and St. Paul's Cathedral. It is situated at the Riverside Building opposite the Houses of Parliament. It allows visitors from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. from Monday to Sunday. Their visiting fee costs from $8 to $32 depending on the age of the tourist.
A trip is incomplete without tasting the staple delicacies of the place you visit. So, you must include a food spot in your plan, and when deciding on a food market, nothing would be better than the "Borough Market." It is a wholesale and retail market hall, one of London's most extensive and ancientest food markets. It is a beacon for sustainable food production, social connection, and supply chains. You can find multiple restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops offering you a wide variety of food items, including sweets, seafood, beverages, and much more. It is situated in London Southwark and stays closed on Mondays.
Buckingham Palace is a famous tourist spot, royal residence, and the administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. It is a focus place of national and royal celebrations and the backdrop to the regular "Changing the Guard Ceremony." The primary reasons for it being such a significant tourist attraction are its architectural brilliance, royal parks, and fascinating-designed rooms. It opens at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 7:30 p.m., from Monday to Sunday. Furthermore, the cost of the visiting ticket is highly pocket-friendly, ranging from $10 to $45.
Tourists generally love to explore the culture of different places, and besides food, artistry is another way to explore a place's traditions. The National Gallery is one of the most prominent art museums in London, and it is home to one of the world's greatest collections of paintings. These art pieces depict the European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. You will view a catalog of more than 2,300 paintings in this gallery, comprising artworks like Virgin and Child with Two Angels (Cimabue), The Vision of Saint Eustace (Pisanello), The Entombment (Dieric Bouts), and many more. It opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 6 or 9 p.m., depending on the day of the week.
Enjoy your time away from the hustle and bustle of the city in the "Sky Garden." It is a three-story glass building that provides a 360° view of the city, just like the "London Eye," at the top of this skyscraper, Sky Garden is situated, London's highest public garden. What is more exciting is that this building has three restaurants and two bars on its floors, like Fenchurch Restaurant (an award-winning restaurant), Sky Pod Bar, etc. Entry to this place is free; however, you are required to book a time slot at their website. They allow visitors from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. or 12 a.m., depending on the day of the week. On Mondays, it opens from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The National History Museum is located at Crownwell Road in South Kensington. It is one of the major museums, exhibiting a wide range of specimens from natural history, including dinosaur skeletons and ornate architecture. It is a home to life and Earth science specimens, consisting of 80 million items with five major categorizations: (i) Entomology, (ii) Botany, (iii) Mineralogy, (iv) Zoology, and (v) Palaeontology. This museum is open for tourists from 10 a.m. to 5:50 p.m., seven days a week. Moreover, the intellectual architectural structure is another reason for the high tourism of this museum.
Who does not love shopping, especially on their trip? Camden Market is the best place for shopping enthusiasts because it is the fourth-most visited tourist spot and one of the most extensive marketplaces in London. It comprises various adjoining markets and stalls that offer varied products. Some of the most prominent markets, which it includes, are Inverness Street Market, Buck Street Market, Electric Ballroom, and many more. Visitors can find a massive variety of products, including garments, fast food, crafts, and many other items. This marketplace is open throughout the week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Shard is London's tallest building, and "The View from the Shard" is an observation deck located between the 68th and 72nd floors of this building. It offers two types of galleries: (i) A triple-level indoor gallery on the 69th floor and (ii) A partial outdoor gallery on the 72nd floor. Both these floors offer 360° views of London from different altitudes. The outdoor gallery is partially open-air, offering views of the building's pinnacle and
360° views around the building. This tourist spot stays closed on Tuesdays; the rest of the days, it opens at different operating hours.
Are you planning a short London trip? The biggest challenge you will face regarding your tour planning is selecting places because the minimal duration limits the number of places you can explore conveniently. For those looking to expand their European adventure, be sure to check out our ultimate guide to the 19 best places to visit in Europe! Do not worry if you are facing the same problem. Refer to the suggestions above, which discuss the best tourist spots in London. Go through these destinations and pick the ones that you find the most attractive and suitable according to your preference.