One of the most-visited cities in the world, London is a constantly changing landscape that just keeps getting better with every visit. One of the cultural capitals of the world, London has something for everyone — be it food, history, architecture, or theatre. To explore this stunning city, your best bet is to pick from the many different London tours.
Visit West End for live performances that rival Broadway, or sit back and enjoy a river tour along the magnificent Thames. Explore historical attractions and learn about the stories of this city and the monarchy. You can also head to Oxford Street or Notting Hill to shop till you drop, or head to one of the many verdant parks and gardens for some fresh air. And if you’re looking to take a trip back in time, head to one of the many museums London has to offer. Experience the best of the city through the best tours in London.
London sightseeing tours are a great way to discover the city and everything beyond, and include day trips, tours, and attractions. Here are some of the best sightseeing tours London has to offer:
Can't decide between guided or self-guided London tours? Here are some pointers to help you decide what suits you better:
London is unlike any other city you’ve ever seen. It’s vibrant, it’s cosmopolitan, it’s alive. A city that is a complete melting pot of cultures, London is where the past and present coexist. Be it the castles, the towers, or the churches; you will see the city holding on to its history. But at the same time, London remains a hotspot for all things fashion, food, and football, among others. Whether you decide to go to the theatre or experience a live football game, or spend some quite time in its museums or parks, London embraces you and gives you exactly what you are looking for.
To make the most of your visit, you need to take an organized London tour, because you will be able to:
Given the benefits of a guided tour, it is no wonder that people prefer to book guided tours when visiting a city like London, where there’s so much to do. As there are so many places to book London tours from, here are some of your best options:
While a London hop on hop off tour is your best bet to explore the city and cover all attractions at your own pace, guided walking tours are also a great way to discover the city. Being a tourist in London can get overwhelming, but walking tours, and even river cruise tours, will help you appreciate the beauty of this sprawling city.
While a guided tour may seem like a more expensive option, it is worth your money and time. An experienced guide will take you around the city and give you interesting facts and information about it, and answer any questions you may have. Additionally, transportation is usually taken care of, ensuring you have a hassle-free experience.
Some of the best tours in London include a Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour, London City tour, and the London at Night tour, which shows London in all its splendour.
Windsor, Stonehenge, and Bath are some popular day trip destinations from London. Find out more about day trips from London here.
Hop on Hop off tours are the best bus tours in London, as they give you the freedom to explore the city at your own leisure.
Yes, absolutely. London is a very pedestrian and bicycle-friendly city. Be it a group tour or an individual visit, it is safe.
As part of the London Harry Potter tour, you will get to see the real sets, costumes, and props used in the filming of the franchise. Some of the sets you will get to see include Dumbledore's Office, Gringotts Bank, Diagon Alley, Platform 9 and 3/4, and the Cupboard under the Stairs, amongst others.
When in London, you can typically take 1-2 hours to tour an attraction. Some attractions you can cover in 1-2 hours include London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Madame Tussauds, and Westminster Abbey. Please ensure you purchase skip the line or fast track tickets for attractions. Theatre fans can also spend time watching a show on West End.
To experience London on a budget, you can either head to free attractions such as Sky Garden (needs to be booked in advance), British Museum, Hyde Park, and Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. You can also look for cheap London attractions such as St. Paul’s Cathedral (£20), Tower of London Tickets with Crown Jewels (£25), Kensington Palace (£21.5), and Westminster To Greenwich River Thames Sightseeing Cruise (£13).
Some of the best London tours for couples include Tower of London and Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and The View from the Shard. You can also head to Hyde Park, Borough Market, Covent Garden, or Camden Market.
Day tours from London are usually done in significantly smaller groups, so you can opt for those. Or you can opt for a Hop on Hop off tour where you can manage social distancing and take your own time exploring all attractions.
Some of the best London tours for groups include city walking tours, food tours, river cruise tours, and Warner Bros. Studio tour.
Some kid-friendly attractions in London are KidZania, London Zoo, London Eye, Madame Tussauds, and Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio tour.
There is so much to see and experience in London, that it is almost impossible to pick the best. Some popular attractions include the Tower of London, London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, British Museum, Buckingham Palace, and Big Ben.
A day in London can end up getting chaotic, unless you plan it out well. Here's an itinerary that you can use. In the morning, head to St. James Park, Buckingham Palace, and then Westminster Abbey. After lunch, you can head to the Big Ben, take a Thames River Cruise, and visit St. Paul's Cathedral. Post this, you can visit Tower of London and the Shard, and end the day after visiting Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. Just ensure you purchase skip the line tickets so you get enough time at the attractions.
This depends solely on the sightseeing tour, but some popular attractions include St. Paul's Cathedral, London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Wembley Stadium, and Tower of London.
The London tube and bus system are both extensive networks that cover the entire city. You can get a Visitor Oyster card, which covers the bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail, River Bus, and most National Rail services.
That depends on which attractions you will be visiting. If you’re looking at a budget vacation, you may need £60 per day. For midrange spending, you’ll be looking at £150 per day. And for a luxury vacation in London, you may need approximately £420 per day.
There are many different options for London sightseeing tours. You can choose from Hop On Hop Off bus tours, walking tours, food tours, city tours, Harry Potter tours, ghost tours, helicopter tours, and bike tours.
London usually has mild and pleasant weather. That being said, it's always best to carry a light raincoat or umbrella in case of rain. During summer, ensure you carry sunglasses and sunscreen. In Winter, be sure to dress warm.
Train and coach services are an efficient and inexpensive way to get to your destination from London. You can also drive down to your destination, but keep in mind that in some places, parking can be really expensive.
This year, the Shard's Christmas lights, based on four carols, are out of this world!
Inclusions
Entry to The Shard
Christmas lights display at The Shard
Expert London guide
4 digital photos
Access to:
Indoor viewing platforms L-68 & L-69
Outdoor viewing platform L-72
Flexible 1- to 3-day tours with 3 routes, live guide & optional Thames cruise and walks.
Inclusions
Thames River cruise
From Westminster Pier
From Tower Pier
Inclusions
Get premium seating, fewer crowds, and all the London must-sees on day/night tours.
Inclusions
1-day or 24/48-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off bus tour
Access to Red, Blue & Green routes
40-min Thames River cruise (based on option selected)
2-hour evening bus tour (based on option selected)
3 guided walking tours (based on the option selected)
English-speaking guide (on the cruise)
Pre-recorded commentary in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin & Brazilian Portuguese (on the bus)
Free Wi-Fi & headphones onboard
Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking
Thames River cruise From Tower Pier (starts near stop 16 & concludes at Waterloo Pier and Westminster Pier)
From Westminster Pier (starts near stop 18 & concludes at Tower Pier)
Evening tour
Watch the London Eye's festive transformation as it's lit up with Christmas lights
Inclusions
Entry to the London Eye
30-min ride on the London Eye
London Eye guide
Priority boarding through fast-track entrance (as per option selected)
Glass of chilled champagne or non-alcoholic alternative
Private host
Experience the world-famous Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace with expert commentary.
Inclusions
Changing the Guard Ceremony outside Buckingham Palace (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays)
Changing the Horse Guard Ceremony (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday)
Expert English-speaking tour guide
Small group tour
Audio headsets
Additional paid upgrades:
1.5-hour walking tour around Buckingham Palace
Entry to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms
Guided tour of Westminster Abbey
What's not allowed
Additional information
Inclusions
3-hour Harry Potter walking tour from Westminster Station
Expert English-speaking guide
18 real-life film locations
Personal audio headset
Inclusions
Expert English-speaking tour guide
3-hr walking tour
Personal audio headsets
Fish & chips
Ride on superior coach with free WiFi
Exclusions
Inclusions
A history buff guide, full of fun facts, figures & insights
See key London locations in the case, including Spitalfields Market, Brick Lane, and the Ten Bells Pub
Inspect press cuttings and photographic evidence
A quiz to test your serial killer knowledge
Exclusions
This ticket has the following options you can choose from:
Inclusions
Expert, English-speaking tour guide
Admission ticket and reservation fee for Churchill War Rooms
Audio headsets
Exclusions
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 72 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
