Visiting London for the first time? Here are the 10 most iconic things to see in London, from royal palaces to free museums. For each one you will find the address, price, time needed, nearest Tube station and one practical tip.
The list runs from the Tower in the east to Westminster and the museums in the west, so neighbouring sights sit together.
Please note: prices were checked in November 2026 and can change, so check the official website before you go.
1. Tower of London
Founded by William the Conqueror almost a thousand years ago, the Tower has been a royal palace, a fortress and a prison. Today it is home to the Crown Jewels, the famous ravens and the Yeoman Warders, better known as Beefeaters.
- Address: Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB
- Price: £38 adult (18 to 64), £19 child (5 to 15), under-5s free; an optional donation is added if you choose it
- Time needed: 3 to 4 hours
- Nearest Tube: Tower Hill (District and Circle lines)
- Tip: Go straight to the Crown Jewels when the gates open, before the queue builds, then join a free Yeoman Warder tour.
2. Tower Bridge
Often mistaken for London Bridge, this Victorian bridge is a symbol of the city. Walk across for free, or buy a ticket for the glass-floored high walkways and the original engine rooms.
- Address: Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2UP
- Price: Free to walk across and see from outside; for the inside exhibition, check the official website (towerbridge.org.uk) for the current price
- Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hours inside; 20 minutes to walk across
- Nearest Tube: Tower Hill, or London Bridge on the south side
- Tip: The exhibition is open daily from 09:30, with last entry at 17:00. Check bridge lift times online to watch one from the glass floor.
3. The View from The Shard
The Shard is the tallest building in the UK, and its viewing galleries on levels 68, 69 and 72 give you a view of up to 40 miles on a clear day.
- Address: Joiner Street, London SE1 9QU
- Price: From £28 standard ticket (age 13 and over) booked online, child (4 to 12) from £10, under-4s free; prices vary by date and time
- Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Nearest Tube: London Bridge (Northern and Jubilee lines)
- Tip: Book a slot about an hour before sunset to see London by day and by night.
4. St Paul’s Cathedral
Sir Christopher Wren’s great domed cathedral was built after the Great Fire of 1666 and has hosted state funerals, royal weddings and national celebrations ever since. You can climb to the Whispering Gallery and the outdoor galleries above.
- Address: St Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD
- Price: £27 adult, £10.50 child (6 to 17), under-6s free (summer prices are slightly lower)
- Time needed: 1.5 to 2 hours, including the dome climb
- Nearest Tube: St Paul’s (Central line)
- Tip: Sightseeing is Monday to Saturday, usually from 08:30 with last entry at 16:00. Save some energy for the dome: it is more than 500 steps to the top.
5. Westminster Abbey
Every coronation since 1066 has taken place in Westminster Abbey, and it is the resting place of monarchs, poets and scientists, including Elizabeth I and Isaac Newton.
- Address: 20 Dean’s Yard, Westminster, London SW1P 3PA
- Price: £32 adult, £14 child (6 to 17), under-6s free; one adult with one child £32
- Time needed: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Nearest Tube: Westminster or St James’s Park
- Tip: The Abbey is open to visitors Monday to Saturday only; book online and check the day’s times.
6. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
The Palace of Westminster, with the Elizabeth Tower and its great bell Big Ben, is the most photographed building in London. On tour days you can walk through the Commons and Lords chambers.
- Address: Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA
- Price: Free to see from outside; self-guided audio tour from £31 adult with one child free, guided tour from £40 adult, Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower) tour £55 adult, age 11 and over
- Time needed: 30 minutes outside; about 1.5 to 2 hours with a tour
- Nearest Tube: Westminster (Jubilee, District and Circle lines)
- Tip: Tours run on selected days only, mostly Saturdays and parliamentary recesses, and Big Ben tours sell out early.
7. The London Eye
Directly across the river from Parliament, the London Eye turns slowly enough that one rotation takes around 30 minutes.
- Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB
- Price: From £29 adult online (£39 on the day), child (2 to 15) from £26 online, under-2s free; online prices vary with demand
- Time needed: 30 minutes on the wheel, plus 30 to 60 minutes for queuing and security
- Nearest Tube: Waterloo, or Westminster across the bridge
- Tip: Booking ahead saves up to £10 per adult.
8. Buckingham Palace
The King’s official London residence is the backdrop for royal balcony appearances and the Changing the Guard ceremony. The State Rooms open only in summer, but the palace front and The Mall impress all year.
- Address: Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA
- Price: Free to see from outside, and the Changing the Guard ceremony is free to watch; the State Rooms open in summer (8 July to 26 September in 2027), so check the official website (rct.uk) for ticket prices. Between November 2026 and January 2027 an East Wing guided tour runs on selected days at £100 per person.
- Time needed: 1 hour outside including the guard ceremony; 2 to 2.5 hours for the State Rooms
- Nearest Tube: Green Park, St James’s Park or Victoria
- Tip: The Changing the Guard ceremony does not happen every day. Check the official schedule the day before and arrive at least 30 minutes early for a place by the railings.
9. The British Museum
Two million years of human history under one roof, and entry is free. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and the Egyptian mummies.
- Address: Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
- Price: Free (some special exhibitions are paid)
- Time needed: 2 to 3 hours for the highlights
- Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road, Holborn or Russell Square
- Tip: Open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with later opening on Fridays. Book a free timed ticket online to skip the general queue.
10. The Natural History Museum
A Victorian terracotta landmark with a blue whale skeleton in the main hall. The dinosaurs make it a favourite for families with children.
- Address: Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD
- Price: Free (some exhibitions are paid)
- Time needed: 2 to 3 hours
- Nearest Tube: South Kensington (District, Circle and Piccadilly lines)
- Tip: Open daily from 10:00 to 17:50. Book a free entry ticket for weekends and school holidays, and visit the dinosaurs first before the crowds arrive. The Science Museum and V&A are next door.
How to fit them into 1, 2 or 3 days
One day: Start at Buckingham Palace in the morning, walk through St James’s Park to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, then cross to the London Eye. Finish the afternoon at the Tower of London and walk over Tower Bridge at dusk. Choose one paid visit and see the rest from outside.
Two days: Day one covers Westminster: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Parliament and the London Eye. Day two covers the City and the river: the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and The View from The Shard at sunset.
Three days: Follow the two-day plan, then spend the third day on the museums: the British Museum in the morning and the Natural History Museum in the afternoon.
See London with a private chauffeur
London’s sights are spread out, and taking the Tube with children or shopping bags can eat into your day. With hourly chauffeur hire from Happy Transfers, your driver collects you from your hotel, waits while you visit and takes you straight to the next stop, so you can see several sights in one day.
Our Mercedes-Benz V-Class seats up to 7 passengers, with room for luggage, pushchairs and shopping. We also cover airport transfers and city-to-city trips.
Tell us which sights you would like to see and we will plan the day with you. Call 07472 106118, email hello@happy-transfers.co.uk or contact us online for a quote.