London rewards a plan. Its biggest museums are free, its best views cost nothing but a booking, and a few sights run on rules that can catch you out on the day. These twelve picks mix the headline sights with markets, parks and neighbourhoods, so you can build a weekend that fits.
The best things to do in London
1. British Museum, England
Two million years of human history sit under one glass roof in Bloomsbury, and the permanent collection is free. Book a free timed ticket online: it isn’t required, but it gets you priority entry when the queues build. The headline this year is the Bayeux Tapestry, on show in Room 30 from 10 September 2026 to 11 July 2027 with timed, paid entry. Slots for 2026 have sold out; tickets for January to March 2027 go on sale on 21 October 2026.
Best for: first-timers and history lovers.
2. Tower of London, England
Nine centuries of royal power, prison and pageantry, plus the Crown Jewels. The Yeoman Warder tours are included with entry and are the best way to get your bearings; the last one leaves at 3:15pm. Allow at least three hours. Large bags and suitcases aren’t allowed, and there’s no left luggage, so drop them at your hotel first.
Best for: families and anyone who wants the full royal story.
Tip: Arrive for opening and head straight to the Crown Jewels before the tour groups do. Then come back for a Yeoman Warder tour.
3. Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square, England
Coronation church, royal wedding venue and resting place of monarchs, poets and scientists. The Abbey opens to sightseers Monday to Saturday only; on Sundays it’s open for worship, not tours. Book ahead in busy periods. Afterwards, walk past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben and across Westminster Bridge for the classic river view.
Best for: architecture and royal history.
4. National Gallery and Trafalgar Square, England
Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Turner, Titian and Velázquez, all free to see. You don’t need to tackle it all: pick a wing, spend an hour, then step out onto Trafalgar Square. The National Portrait Gallery is round the corner if you want more.
Best for: a free hour of world-class art.
5. The South Bank and Tate Modern, England
Walk the river from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge and you pass the London Eye, the Southbank Centre, Shakespeare’s Globe and Tate Modern. The collection at Tate Modern is free, and the gallery stays open until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The Turbine Hall commission is always worth a look. Cross the Millennium Bridge for the view of St Paul’s.
Best for: a long, easy walk with plenty of stops.
6. Borough Market, England
London’s best-known food market sits under the railway arches by London Bridge. It’s closed on Mondays, open Tuesday to Sunday, and Saturday is the longest and busiest day. Graze rather than sit down: cheese, oysters, toasted sandwiches, pastries, then coffee to walk off along the river.
Best for: food lovers and a long lunch on foot.
7. Sky Garden, England
A three-storey garden at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street, with views across the City to the Shard and Tower Bridge. Entry is free, but you need a timed ticket, released up to three weeks in advance. Visits last up to an hour. Walk-ins are sometimes possible but are not taken after 5pm on weekdays, so book.
Best for: skyline views without a ticket price.
8. Natural History Museum and South Kensington, England
The dinosaurs, the blue whale in Hintze Hall and the building itself make this one of London’s best free days out. Galleries are free; booking a free ticket guarantees entry and skips the queue at weekends and in school holidays. The V&A and the Science Museum are next door.
Best for: families and rainy days.
9. Columbia Road and Shoreditch, England
On Sundays, Columbia Road in east London turns into a narrow, noisy flower market from 8am until roughly 3pm. Go early for the best stems, or late for the traders’ end-of-day deals. Then walk to Shoreditch and Brick Lane for street art, vintage shops and a bagel.
Best for: a Sunday morning with a local feel.
10. Hampstead Heath, England
Open grassland, ponds and woods in north London, free to wander. Climb Parliament Hill for one of the best views of the city skyline, then walk across to Kenwood House on the northern edge. Finish in Hampstead village for a pub lunch.
Best for: a breath of air and a slower afternoon.
11. V&A East, England
London’s newest major museum opened on 18 April 2026 in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. The two permanent galleries, under the theme Why We Make, are free and show more than 500 objects from the V&A collection, from fashion to design. The opening exhibition, The Music is Black: A British Story, is ticketed.
Best for: design fans and repeat visitors who’ve done the classics.
12. A West End show, England
London’s theatre district is the main reason many people come back. Long-running musicals and new plays fill Soho and Covent Garden every night. Check the official box office for your show before buying, and leave time for a pre-theatre dinner nearby.
Best for: an evening plan that feels like an occasion.
Tip: For eating and drinking between sights, see our guides to the best restaurants in London and the best pubs in London.
How to choose
On a first visit, pair one big ticketed sight a day (the Tower, the Abbey or the Bayeux Tapestry) with a free museum and a walk. Group things by area: Westminster and Trafalgar Square in one half-day, the South Bank and Borough Market in another, South Kensington on a third. Save Columbia Road for a Sunday and the Abbey for any day but Sunday. Travelling with children? Our UK with kids guide has more ideas. Visiting in winter? Read our London Christmas market guide, and check this weekend for event picks.
Tip: Contactless bank cards and phone wallets work on the Tube, buses and trains across London, so you don’t need a separate travel card for a short stay.
FAQ
What is the number one thing to do in London?
For most first-time visitors it’s the Tower of London, closely followed by the British Museum. Between them they cover the royal story and world history.
Is the British Museum free?
Yes, the permanent collection is free. Booking a free timed ticket is recommended but not required. Special exhibitions, including the Bayeux Tapestry, need a paid ticket.
Can you visit Westminster Abbey on a Sunday?
Not for sightseeing. The Abbey opens to visitors Monday to Saturday. On Sundays you can attend a service.
How many days do you need in London?
Three days covers the main sights at a comfortable pace. Two days works if you pick one area per half-day and accept you’ll be back.
What can you do in London for free?
Plenty: the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern and Natural History Museum collections, the Sky Garden (with a booking), Hampstead Heath, Columbia Road and the South Bank walk.
