Things to Do in London
50 curated spots from London itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Borough Market
Wander street stalls for local cheeses, oysters, and baked goods; evening vibe calmer.
2h · $15-25
British Museum
Huge collection of world history including the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon sculptures, free to enter.[3][7][8]
2h 30m · Free
National Gallery
Explore world-class paintings from Van Gogh to Turner in a grand building overlooking Trafalgar Square.
2h · Free (special exhibitions extra)
Portobello Road Market
Browse antiques, vintage items, and food stalls along the famous Portobello Road, especially lively on Saturdays.[1]
2h 30m · Free to enter (shopping extra)
Natural History Museum
See dinosaur skeletons, blue whale model, and interactive exhibits in a dramatic Victorian building.[2][3]
2h · Free
Covent Garden Market
Explore elegant piazza for shopping (Neal Street boutiques), street performers, and market stalls; photography highlight at floral displays and architecture; 15-min Tube from Westminster (Jubilee line)
2h · Free
London Eye
Ride the giant observation wheel at sunset or early evening for panoramic views over Westminster, the Thames, and central London.[2]
1h · $40-50
Camden Market
Explore the stalls, street food, music-focused shops, and edgy market atmosphere.
2h 30m · Free to browse; food extra
Old Spitalfields Market
Covered market with fashion stalls, crafts, and food vendors under a Victorian roof.[6]
1h 30m · Free (shopping extra)
Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens Walk
Enter near Kensington Palace and wander through tree-lined paths, the Italian Gardens, and around the Serpentine for relaxed photos and people-watching.[1][3]
1h 30m · Free
Leadenhall Market
Harry Potter Diagon Alley spot, Victorian glass roof.
45m · Free
Buckingham Palace & St James’s Park
Walk through St James’s Park to view Buckingham Palace and, if timing fits, the Changing of the Guard.[1]
1h 30m · Free (outside viewing)
Churchill War Rooms
Visit the underground bunker where Churchill directed Britain’s WWII strategy, now a detailed museum.[3][8]
2h · $30
Covent Garden Piazza & Apple Market
Stroll the historic piazza, watch street performers, and browse Apple Market’s crafts and antiques for photos and light shopping.
1h 30m · Free
Gordon’s Wine Bar
Head to this atmospheric, candlelit cellar bar a short walk from Covent Garden to share a wine tasting flight or a couple of glasses with cheese and charcuterie.
1h 15m · $25-40 per person
National Gallery & Trafalgar Square
Explore world-class art collections (free entry) including works by Botticelli, Van Gogh, Turner. Trafalgar Square offers people-watching and street performer culture. Optional: climb Nelson's Column steps for city views.
2h · Free (optional donation)
Borough Market Browse
Explore the market stalls before lunch and look for seasonal produce, baked goods, and ready-to-eat dishes from different cuisines.
1h 15m · Free to browse; food $10-25
Buckingham Palace
Watch Changing of the Guard (check schedule), stroll palace exterior.
1h · Free
Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard
Watch the 11 AM ceremony then stroll St. James's Park.
1h 30m · Free
Camden Market & Canal Walk
Browse vintage shops, independent designers, and street food stalls around the canal and market halls.
2h · Free (shopping/food extra)
Covent Garden
Street performers, market stalls, Apple Market crafts.
1h 30m · Free
Kew Gardens
Explore Victorian glasshouses, treetop walkways, and themed gardens; consider focusing on the Palm House and Temperate House.
2h 30m · $20-30
Notting Hill & Portobello Road Market
Spend the afternoon wandering Portobello Road’s antique stalls, vintage shops, fruit and veg stands, and pastel side streets.
2h 30m · Free entry (shopping extra)
Regent's Canal Walk
Take a scenic walk along the canal for a calmer, photogenic break from the market crowds.
1h · Free
Regent's Park
Walk the formal gardens and broad paths; the outer edges and rose areas are especially photogenic near golden hour.
1h 30m · Free
Brick Lane
Walk the street for vintage shops, street art, and one of London’s best-known market corridors.[5]
1h 30m · Free
Brick Lane & Spitalfields Market
Street art, curry houses, vintage stalls
2h · $10-30
British Library Treasures Gallery
Visit the free Treasures Gallery to see historic manuscripts, maps, and documents.
1h 30m · Free
Buckingham Palace & The Mall (exterior walk)
After breakfast, walk through Green Park to the front of Buckingham Palace, then down The Mall toward Trafalgar Square, taking photos of the palace façade, Victoria Memorial, and tree‑lined ceremonial avenue; if timing allows, watch the Changing of the Guard from outside.
1h 30m · Free
Camden Market & Regent’s Canal
Shop for vintage clothes, records, and crafts around Camden Lock, then stroll along the canal towpath for photos.
2h · Free (shopping extra)Restaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Dishoom Covent Garden
Bombay-style café known for its bacon naan rolls and chai; arrive soon after opening to avoid long queues.
1h 15m · $20-30 per person
Dishoom Shoreditch
Bombay‑style café in a converted warehouse; order the bacon naan roll and house chai.
1h · $20-30 per person
Regency Café
Go classic with a full English breakfast in a traditional setting.
1h · $12-20 per person
Padella
Tiny, hugely popular fresh pasta spot by Borough Market; share a few plates like the pappardelle with beef shin ragu and a carafe of house wine.
1h 15m · $25-35 per person
Flat Iron Covent Garden
Casual, great‑value steak spot just off the main piazza; order the signature flat iron steak with sides of dripping fries and creamed spinach.
1h 15m · $25-40 per person
Padella Borough
Compact pasta spot; order the pappardelle with beef shin ragu or changing specials.
1h 15m · $15-20 per person
Regency Cafe
Old-school art deco café serving full English breakfasts near Westminster and Pimlico.
1h · $15-20 per person
Borough Market Stalls
Graze on cheese toasties, pies, or falafel from vendors (open Wed-Sat).
1h · $10-20 per person
Camden Market Food Stalls
Choose from dozens of global street-food stalls along the canal and within the Stables Market area.
1h 15m · $15-25 per person
Bancone Covent Garden
Sleek pasta restaurant with clean lines and counter seating; choose meat or vegetarian pastas and clearly tell them you cannot have shellfish so they steer you away from any seafood options.
1h 15m · $20-25 per person
Brick Lane Beigel Bake
24‑hour no‑frills bakery; order the salt beef bagel with mustard for a classic start.
30m · $5-10 per person
Caravan Bankside
Modern, industrial-chic café with a minimal aesthetic; go for their baked eggs, sourdough toast, or house-roasted coffee to fuel a full walking day.
1h · $18-30 per person
Dishoom King’s Cross
Bombay-style café in a restored Victorian building with a clean, retro-modern interior; go for house black daal, grilled kebabs, and naan.
1h 15m · $25-40 per person
Duck & Waffle
Signature duck & waffle, breakfast all day views.
1h · $20-35 per person
Farm Girl Notting Hill
Trendy cafe with healthy bowls, salads, and brunch dishes; sit in the courtyard if the weather is good.
1h · $20-30 per person
Mildreds Camden
Plant-based restaurant with burgers, curries, and seasonal mains.
1h 30m · $18-25 per person
Bao Soho
Trendy Taiwanese spot with fluffy bao buns, small plates, and a compact, lively dining room.
1h 15m · $25-40 per person
Clos Maggiore
Romantic French restaurant with a flower-filled conservatory; consider the pre-theatre set menu for good value in a very elegant setting.
2h · $45-60 per person (set menu)
Coppa Club Tower Bridge
Riverside restaurant with views back to Tower Bridge; order modern European dishes and, if available, book one of the clear domes for a special feel.
1h 30m · $30-45 per person
Granger & Co. Notting Hill
Order the ricotta hotcakes or a lighter brunch plate before shopping.
1h 15m · $20-35 per person