All citiesLondon Things to do and walking itinerary
United Kingdom London travel guide
32 things to do in London, where to stay, airport transfers, 8 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in London
- British Museum — national museum in London, United Kingdom (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Buckingham Palace — official London residence and principal workplace of the British monarch (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Westminster Abbey — Gothic abbey church in London, England, UK (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Big Ben — tower of the Palace of Westminster, London containing the bell Big Ben (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Tower of London — castle in central London, United Kingdom (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Tower Bridge — bascule and suspension bridge in London (visit ≈ 15 min)
- London Bridge — road bridge across River Thames in London, opened in 1973 (visit ≈ 15 min)
- London Eye — observation wheel in London, England (visit ≈ 30 min)
- St Paul's Cathedral — cathedral in the City of London, England, UK (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Trafalgar Square — public space and tourist attraction in central London (visit ≈ 15 min)
- National Gallery — art museum in London, England, UK (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Hyde Park — Royal Park in London, England, UK (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Tate Modern — modern art gallery located in Bankside, London, England (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Victoria and Albert Museum — museum in London, England, United Kingdom (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Royal Opera House — opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London (3rd theatre on the site, opened 1858) (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Natural History Museum — museum in London, England, UK (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Kensington Palace — royal residence set in Kensington Gardens, London, England, UK (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Royal Albert Hall — concert hall in South Kensington, London, England, United Kingdom (visit ≈ 20 min)
- St James's Palace — royal palace in London, England (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Tate Britain — Free museum at Millbank covering British art from 1500 to now, with the Turner collection and Pre-Raphaelites. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Camden Market — Sprawling market in old canal-side stables: vintage clothes, records, street food and alternative culture. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Westminster Bridge — bridge over the River Thames in London (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Londinium — London during the Roman era (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Millennium Bridge — bridge in London (visit ≈ 15 min)
- National Portrait Gallery — art museum in London, England, United Kingdom (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Science Museum — science museum in London, United Kingdom (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Westminster Cathedral — Catholic cathedral in London, England, UK (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Globe Theatre — former theatre in London, England, associated with William Shakespeare (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Palace of Whitehall — former building in the City of Westminster, London (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Charing Cross — area of London, England (visit ≈ 15 min)
- London Zoo — world's oldest scientific zoo, in London, England (visit ≈ 150 min)
- St James's Park — Royal Park in central London (visit ≈ 45 min)
3-day London walking itinerary
Starting point: Covent Garden / Soho. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 2.0 km · 2,630 steps · 26 min on the way): British Museum
- Day 2 (≈ 9.3 km · 12,570 steps · 2 h 4 min on the way): Tower of London → Tower Bridge → London Bridge
- Day 3 (≈ 6.0 km · 8,120 steps · 1 h 20 min on the way): London Eye → Big Ben → Westminster Abbey → Buckingham Palace
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in London
- Sir John Soane's Museum — The architect's house crammed with antiquities, casts and paintings; a free, spellbinding time capsule. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Postman's Park — Small park with a wall of ceramic plaques honouring ordinary people who died saving others. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Leadenhall Market — Victorian covered market under a painted iron roof; a photogenic corner in the heart of the City. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Sky Garden — Free garden viewing deck atop a skyscraper; book a free timed ticket in advance. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Leake Street Tunnel — Legal graffiti tunnel under Waterloo station whose walls change constantly. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Columbia Road Flower Market — Sunday-morning-only flower market, colourful and loud with traders' calls. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Borough Market — London's most famous food market by London Bridge, with street food and local produce. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Portobello Road Market — Long street market through colourful Notting Hill, packed with antique dealers on Saturdays. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Churchill War Rooms — Underground headquarters from which the government ran WWII, preserved as it was. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Somerset House — Neoclassical palace on the Thames: fountains in the courtyard in summer, ice skating in winter, plus the Courtauld. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Hampstead Heath — Wild-feeling heath in north London with city views from Parliament Hill and open-air swimming ponds. (visit ≈ 120 min)
- British Library — Next to King's Cross; its free Treasures gallery displays Magna Carta and historic manuscripts. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- The Monument — Column raised after the Great Fire of 1666; climb 311 steps for a wide view over the City and the Thames. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Brick Lane — Lively East End street known for street art, Sunday market stalls and its multicultural character. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- V&A East Storehouse — The museum's huge open store in the Olympic Park: wander floor-to-ceiling racks and watch conservators at work. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- The Wallace Collection — Free private collection in a Marylebone mansion: 18th-century French art, armour and Old Master paintings. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Little Venice — Quiet canal junction with colourful narrowboats and a towpath along Regent's Canal towards Camden. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Barbican Conservatory — Tropical greenhouse hidden inside the brutalist Barbican; open on selected days, free but booking needed. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Richmond Park — The city's largest royal park, roamed by hundreds of wild deer, with a protected view to St Paul's. (visit ≈ 150 min)
Where to stay in London
- Covent Garden / Soho: Theatres, restaurants and bars; walking distance to many museums.
- South Bank: Riverside walk on the Thames, the London Eye and arts venues.
- King’s Cross: Six Tube lines and Eurostar; a regenerated, safe area.
- Shoreditch: Street art, bars and markets; young and buzzing.
- South Kensington: Near the big museums and Hyde Park; quiet and elegant.
- Paddington: Heathrow trains leave from here; plenty of affordable hotels.
Getting from the airport to London
- Heathrow (LHR): Heathrow Express ≈ 15 min or Elizabeth line ≈ 30 min
- Gatwick (LGW): Gatwick Express train ≈ 30 min
- Stansted (STN): Stansted Express train ≈ 50 min
Getting around
Tap a contactless card or phone on the Tube and buses; a daily fare cap applies automatically. Central distances are short and walking is often quicker.
Classic places to eat
- Rules: London’s oldest restaurant, since 1798; game and puddings.
- Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese: Dim, maze-like historic pub rebuilt in 1667.
- Lamb & Flag: One of Covent Garden’s oldest pubs; ideal for a pint.
- M. Manze: Pie and mash since 1902; a classic East End meal.
- Poppies Fish & Chips: Classic fish and chips served in newspaper-style wrapping.
- The Golden Hind: Fish and chips in Marylebone since 1914.
- Beigel Bake: Open 24 hours; get the salt beef beigel.
- Bar Italia: Espresso in Soho since 1949; open late into the night.
- Maison Bertaux: London’s oldest pâtisserie, open since 1871.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Core by Clare Smyth — 3 MICHELIN stars, Modern British
- Restaurant Gordon Ramsay — 3 MICHELIN stars, French
- Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester — 3 MICHELIN stars, French
- Hélène Darroze at The Connaught — 3 MICHELIN stars, French
- The Ledbury — 3 MICHELIN stars, Modern British
- Sketch (The Lecture Room & Library) — 3 MICHELIN stars, French
- Ikoyi — 2 MICHELIN stars, West African-inspired
- Kitchen Table — 2 MICHELIN stars, Creative
Romantic views
- Primrose Hill (Sunset): The hilltop gives a broad view of the London skyline.
- Waterloo Bridge (Sunset): Westminster on one side, the City on the other, the river full of lights.
- South Bank Promenade (Evening): A walk along the Thames with buskers and lit-up trees.
- Kyoto Garden, Holland Park (Early morning): A peaceful Japanese garden with a waterfall and peacocks.
- Greenwich Park (Sunset): From the Observatory hill you see the Thames and Canary Wharf.
Football stadiums in London
- Stamford Bridge: Home of Chelsea F.C.
- Emirates Stadium: Home of Arsenal F.C.
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: Home of Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
- London Stadium: Home of West Ham United F.C.
Day trips
- Windsor Castle — 33 km from the centre
- Royal Observatory — 9 km from the centre
- Hampton Court Palace — 19 km from the centre
- Kew Gardens — 12 km from the centre
- The Crystal Palace — 10 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting London
- Fine: Carrying pepper spray or certain knives (locking or over 3 inches) is illegal.
- Fine: Smoking is banned in pubs, restaurants and enclosed workplaces.
- Warning: Traffic drives on the left — look right first when crossing.
- Warning: Drones over 250 g or with a camera need CAA registration; much of London is restricted.
- In London tap in and out with the same contactless card or Oyster every time.
- Stand on the right on escalators; people walk on the left.
- Emergency: 999
- Plugs: G, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink.
- Tipping: Restaurants often add 10–12.5% service; no tip is expected at a pub bar.
Sources: GOV.UK — Visit the UK, City of Edinburgh Council — Visitor levy, Wikivoyage — United Kingdom, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
London travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in London?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 3 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Windsor Castle and Royal Observatory).
- What are the top things to do in London?
- Highlights: British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Tower of London. The map has 32 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in London?
- Covent Garden / Soho: Theatres, restaurants and bars; walking distance to many museums. Other options: South Bank, King’s Cross, Shoreditch, South Kensington and Paddington.
- How do you get from the airport to London city centre?
- Heathrow (LHR): Heathrow Express ≈ 15 min or Elizabeth line ≈ 30 min · Gatwick (LGW): Gatwick Express train ≈ 30 min · Stansted (STN): Stansted Express train ≈ 50 min
- How do you get around London?
- Tap a contactless card or phone on the Tube and buses; a daily fare cap applies automatically. Central distances are short and walking is often quicker.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in London?
- According to the last known data there are 8 starred restaurants: Core by Clare Smyth (3 stars), Restaurant Gordon Ramsay (3 stars), Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester (3 stars), Hélène Darroze at The Connaught (3 stars), The Ledbury (3 stars) and 3 more. Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in London?
- Emergency: 999.
- Do you tip in London?
- Restaurants often add 10–12.5% service; no tip is expected at a pub bar.
Nearby cities
Oxford · Bath · Bruges · Manchester · Ghent · Liverpool · The Hague · Antwerp
United Kingdom travel guide: all cities · All cities