https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/london/best-things-to-do/100000001232
Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do in London [2025]
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The British Museum
4.8
/5
3241 reviews
10
Based on 74,825 reviews
Bloomsbury | 1.2 km from downtown
Phone +442073238000
Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
See precious ancient Egyptian artifacts
Greek architecture & modern atrium
Saved by 2178 users1724 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It was a very pleasant trip. The museum was really impressive and the guide was very patient and interesting. If there was no one to guide the tour, I would have missed many places worth visiting.
One day at the British Museum is definitely not enough! Every treasure is worth a careful inspection! If you're traveling independently, and time permits, give it three days! Even after seeing everything, you'll still feel like you haven't seen enough!
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Westminster Abbey
4.8
/5
1286 reviews
10
From AU$ 61.24
Based on 29,797 reviews
Buckingham Palace | 1 km from downtown
Phone +442072225152
Address: Dean's Yard, London SW1P 3PA, United Kingdom
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
A historical coronation site of the British royal family
World Heritage & Royal Coronations
Saved by 1391 users792 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I consider Westminster Abbey to be the most worthwhile church in the UK. It's not only a London landmark but also a microcosm of British history. This magnificent Gothic structure has witnessed the coronations of successive kings, royal weddings, and state funerals, and is the final resting place of great figures such as Newton and Dickens. Its exquisite dome, magnificent stained glass windows, and "Poets' Corner" are all breathtaking. A visit there is like traveling back through millennia, immersing you in a rich tapestry of history and culture. It's an absolute must-see. We recommend purchasing tickets in advance and allowing ample time to fully savor the experience.
It's best to print out your tickets in advance and have them at the church entrance for staff to check. If you can book a specific time, do so to avoid waiting in line. We booked a Monday morning free-time ticket and waited in line for about 35 minutes before entering. After checking in, ask a staff member to lead you to the browser, then pick up a Chinese map nearby. Inside, you'll be surrounded by a sea of monuments and plaques. Newton's statue stands out, while Darwin and Hawking's are easily missed on the ground. It's best to do some research before visiting Westminster Abbey; there's so much information to be found.
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Buckingham Palace
4.6
/5
2047 reviews
9.8
From AU$ 65.33
Based on 30,154 reviews
Buckingham Palace | 1.4 km from downtown
Phone +443031237300
Address: London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Experience 19 magnificent royal palaces
Watch the musical guard change
Saved by 1839 users942 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I was so lucky that my trip to London coincided with Buckingham Palace's open day. Booking tickets on Ctrip was very convenient. I chose the 2pm show, watched the Changing of the Guards in the morning, and had lunch nearby. I was just in time to enter the palace. You can't take pictures of the magnificent interior, but you can take pictures of the Royal Gardens as much as you want!
The permanent residence of the British royal family. No photography is allowed inside. Tickets are 310 yuan. You need to print out a paper ticket and make an appointment before booking online. Ticket revenue is used for maintenance.
No.
4
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London Eye
4.7
/5
2884 reviews
9.7
From AU$ 59.21
Based on 91,270 reviews
Waterloo | 722m from downtown
Phone +442079678021
Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-1.5 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
London Eye Champagne Experience at Night
London Eye New Year's fireworks
Saved by 1914 users1433 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
As a landmark, I must come and visit. I bought an afternoon ticket a day in advance. That time period was the cheapest. I ended up arriving 2 hours early and went in. I walked around for a long time. When I got off, I took photos to take to Big Ben. There were more than 20 people in a carriage and almost all of them went to check in.
When you come to London, you must go to the London Eye, especially at night when the lights of the London Eye change color, which is very beautiful. Tickets for the London Eye must be booked in advance. On a sunny day, you can clearly see the Thames, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Millennium Bridge, and the Shard from the London Eye.
No.
5
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Windsor Castle
4.7
/5
1293 reviews
9.5
From AU$ 63.29
33.3 km from downtown
Phone +443031237304
Address: Windsor SL4 1NJ, United Kingdom
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Tour the opulent halls and admire the royal collection
Art & artifacts in suites
Saved by 606 users555 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Windsor Castle, the favorite home and final resting place of the late Queen Elizabeth II, is definitely worth a visit. The castle's interior is incredibly luxurious, though unfortunately, photography is prohibited. However, it offers a true glimpse into the vast financial resources of the British royal family. Personally, I think it's even better than Buckingham Palace, though perhaps Buckingham Palace's limited public access means you won't be able to see its finest treasures.
🌟 Windsor: A Symphony of Royal Secrets and Gothic Romance
📜 Thousands of Whispers Within the Stone Walls
The town of Windsor, nestled on the Thames, is a living fossil of Britain's millennia-long royal history. In 1121, Henry I built his first wooden hunting lodge here, and today it's the largest still-inhabited castle in the world. As sunlight paints a golden rim on the Gothic towers of Windsor Castle, the stained windows of St. George's Chapel cast a medieval light on the cobblestone streets.
⛪ Five Secret Drawers of St. George's Chapel
1️⃣ Secret Ritual of the Order of the Garter
Every June, the Queen presides over the investiture of the Knights of the Garter in this 15th-century Perpendicular Gothic building. The most interesting detail? Behind each new knight's chair hangs a blue velvet banner embroidered with their family's coat of arms. Beneath the chair, hidden in an oak drawer, lies a medieval embroidery kit—a testament to the age-old admonition to "maintain perfect stitches."
2️⃣ The Wars of the Roses in Stained Windows
The interwoven red and white roses of the Houses of York and Lancaster in the east window embody the wisdom of the Tudor dynasty. To end the Wars of the Roses, Henry VII deliberately displayed the coats of arms of the two houses side by side. Even the lead joints in the stained glass are designed in an S-shaped curve, symbolizing the intertwining of the bloodlines of the two feuding families.
3️⃣ The Ghost of the Organ in the Basement
A 17th-century organ rests in the basement of the chapel. Musicians often recount the mysterious legend of the night before Charles I's execution: someone heard the strains of "Have Mercy" emanating from the basement, and the next day, water stains were discovered on the organ bellows.
4️⃣ A Royal Wedding Schemed to Replace the Original
For Princess Elizabeth II's wedding in 1947, the royal jeweler spent three months quietly replacing the ordinary stained glass in St. George's Chapel with gold-infused Venetian glass. When sunlight filters through, it casts a Tudor rose-shaped pattern across the nave.
5️⃣ The Unique Indentations in the Choir Stalls
A close look at the undersides of the oak pews reveals numerous irregular indentations. These are the marks left by successive royal children, secretly kicked with their heels while attending services. Even during George VI's stuttering years, he would leave new scratches before rehearsing his speeches.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding took place here. The tombs of Edward IV and Henry VIII within the chapel hold the bloody gossip of the Tudor dynasty.
As dusk casts a purple-gray cloak over Windsor Castle, the evening bells of St. George's Chapel chime six times. Legend has it that each chime contains a vowel, which, when combined, represents the ancient Tudor motto: "Dieu et mon droit" (My right is granted by God). Standing beneath the animal-headed drainpipe at Henry VIII's Gate, you can almost hear the gargoyles exchanging five hundred years of royal secrets in the moonlight.
No.
6
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Phantom of The Opera
4.7
/5
128 reviews
9.3
From AU$ 72.10
Based on 7,147 reviews
St James | 435m from downtown
Phone +4402070877763
Address: 57 Haymarket Her Majesty's Theatre, London SW1Y 4QL England
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Enjoy the classic Phantom show in a London theater
Listen to the beautiful sounds of "The Music of the Night"
Saved by 575 users119 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
A performance that moved me to tears. Although I have watched it many times, the feeling of coming to a London theater is still very different. The Phantom of the Opera is performed at Her Majesty Theatre. The interior of Her Majesty Theatre is very classical. The entire theater is only for The Phantom of the Opera. There is a bar with a lot of atmosphere before entering the theater. You can buy a glass of wine or soft drinks. You are allowed to take a highball glass to watch the performance in the theater. The emotional value is full. After entering the theater, I also saw a box, but it is estimated that the price is not cheap. It is not something I can enjoy for the time being. Haha.
The actors performed very well throughout the performance, and the stage design was amazing. The atmosphere was full when the chandelier rose at the beginning, and the various exquisite props that followed were even more dazzling. The props that impressed me were the elephant, Christine's dressing room, and the scene where Christine's fiancé jumped into the water on the suspension bridge to find Christine. I was really shocked and curious about what was underneath to catch this actor.
Regarding the singing clips, I used to only have a filter for the male and female protagonists. Today, I feel that many supporting roles sing well, such as the two new bosses are very interesting, and the chorus clips are also very contagious.
In terms of special effects, the moment when the lights fell was really exciting! And the fire-breathing scene!
This play is worth savoring for a long time, Listen to the music of the night!
Watching tips: It is recommended to book tickets one to two days in advance. The viewing angle of the royal circle I bought is good. Although it is not on the first floor, the field of vision is close, and the whole stage can be seen clearly, even the actors on the bridge or stairs on the stage can be seen clearly. The stage of this play is very three-dimensional, and it is estimated that some of it cannot be seen on the first floor.
Friends who like musicals are strongly recommended not to miss it when they come to London. There are many good plays in London, all near Chinatown.
I've been to the 24-year tour, and now I'm experiencing the Phantom's hometown. To be fair, the equipment, props, and scale of the resident show are not as good as those of the tour, but WHO cares, I still cried my eyes out
No.
7
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Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
4.5
/5
287 reviews
9.2
From AU$ 44.84
28.6 km from downtown
Phone +448006404550
Address: Studio Tour Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LR, United Kingdom
Recommended sightseeing time: 4-5 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Harry Potter film set transformed
Explore Harry Potter film sets
Saved by 1212 users190 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It was really worth the trip. I really can't get it. If you really believe in Ctrip, you will realize your dreams and wishes. It happened to rain heavily in London that day when I was traveling, but the atmosphere in Harry Potter was still joyful and was not affected at all. I highly recommend it. The bus back and forth chose King Cross as the gathering point, which was very convenient
I will write about the experience and not the prices, because you expect tours like Harry Potter to be a bit overpriced in everything.
No.
8
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Tower Bridge
4.7
/5
2323 reviews
9.2
From AU$ 26.14
Based on 40,446 reviews
3.5 km from downtown
Phone +442074033761
Address: Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP, United Kingdom
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Enjoy London's night views along the River Thames
Tower Bridge lifts for ships
Saved by 1966 users1431 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
London is said to be a foggy city, but the weather was beautiful the few days I was there, so I went to visit Tower Bridge. At first glance, it resembled the scenery along the Huangpu River in Shanghai. But a closer look revealed a stronger sense of history in the surrounding buildings. The bridge itself is short, taking only about 10 minutes to walk. Its neo-Gothic exterior looks solemn and beautifully preserved. From the bridge, you can also see the London Eye Ferris wheel, and I even encountered a cute little squirrel on my way down. It's said that the bridge deck rises at certain times, but I didn't see it. It seems to be for the passage of large ships. It seems that the bridge appears to be made of stone, but it's actually mechanically constructed, though I'm not entirely sure. The Thames flowing beneath the bridge bears witness to the long history of the British Empire.
London Tower Bridge, with its long history, spans the Thames and is one of London's landmarks, connecting not only London's north and south districts, but also witnessing the city's historical changes. Walking on the bridge, I feel the history and cultural heritage of this bridge, leaving unforgettable memories here.
No.
9
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St. Paul's Cathedral
4.7
/5
860 reviews
9.1
From AU$ 53.08
Based on 17,886 reviews
Bank | 2 km from downtown
Phone +442072468350
Address: St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, United Kingdom
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Explore Church Crypts and Celebrity Tombs
Whisper Gallery's unique acoustics
Saved by 948 users543 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It is a church worth visiting. There are beautiful murals inside. St. Paul's Cathedral is majestic and has the most beautiful British power in the Renaissance. Those who want to go there are recommended to take a look.
The cathedral is really worth visiting. Its designer is amazing. The dome and the whispering gallery give people a strong shock, especially climbing up to the highest outer balcony to see the panoramic view of London 😎
No.
10
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The National Gallery
4.7
/5
697 reviews
9.0
Based on 40,987 reviews
Theatreland | 200m from downtown
Phone +442077472885
Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, United Kingdom
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Featured in 2025 Global 100 - Best Things to Do
Highlights:
Choose from a variety of themed routes
Free world-class art & Micro Gallery
Saved by 1050 users401 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I was lucky to meet the beautiful girl Feifei, who patiently explained the treasures in the museum to the children. She helped us sort out the painting styles and characteristics of painters from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and the rise of Impressionism. Great explanation, great girl! The partner chosen by Ctrip is still reliable!
It was a great trip. The beautiful tour guide was professional and explained very well. She talked about the history of European painting, schools, techniques, materials, and metaphors in the paintings. I just regretted that the time was too short. It is true that this trip is a journey that broadens your horizons.
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