London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a 21st century city with a rich history that dates back to Roman times. At its center are the majestic Houses of Parliament, the iconic “Big Ben” clock tower and Westminster Abbey, home of the coronations of British monarchs. Across the River Thames, the London Eye observation wheel offers breathtaking panoramic views of the South Bank cultural complex and the entire city. The Tower of London is one of the oldest tourist attractions in the world and for good reason.
The tower and its surrounding buildings are awe-inspiring and you could spend hours wandering through its narrow corridors and grand halls imagining what life was like in the tower almost 1000 years ago. You can't visit London without taking a tour to see the official residence of The Queen. Buckingham Palace is open to visitors from July to September and you have the opportunity to explore its state halls as well as its royal gardens. The state rooms are exquisitely decorated with luxurious ornaments and are still used by the royal family to entertain their guests.
If you want to see London from a different perspective, you can't miss riding the London Eye. At 135 meters high, it is Europe's tallest Ferris wheel and the most popular paid attraction in the United Kingdom. The best time to ride the London Eye is at dusk, so you can experience the city in that enchanting “magic hour” perfect for photography. You'll also see London come alive at night when all its lights start to twinkle.
With so many remarkable tourist attractions and captivating activities to do, it's no wonder that London is one of the most visited places in the world, drawing more than 20 million tourists every year. Hampton Court, another major attraction along the Thames, is one of the most renowned and grandest royal palaces in the world, and a truly extraordinary place to visit in London. This iconic columnar museum is located just outside Trafalgar Square and houses incredible masterpieces that make it one of London's best attractions. Possibly one of the most spectacular buildings in all of London, St.
Paul's Cathedral stands as an iconic monument in the center of the city. Europe's most popular natural history museum is located in South Kensington, near the Science and Victoria & Albert museums. Officially called the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is located in South West London, on the south bank of the Thames, and offers visitors a tranquil escape from central London's hustle and bustle as well as a pleasant breath of fresh air. With just under seven million visitors a year, The British Museum is not only one of London's most visited attractions but also one of the most visited museums in the world, competing with other museums such as Paris' Louvre.
Not only does this masterpiece of Gothic architecture have England's tallest Gothic nave (102 feet), but it's also one of London's most popular tourist attractions, drawing more than a million visitors every year. The tenth most popular attraction in London is also located furthest from central London, in Richmond (Zone 3). Two of London's best-known tourist spots, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square, are not far apart and mark the gateway to Soho, London's bustling theater and entertainment district.
