Tower of London
A Norman fortress housing the Crown Jewels and 900 years of prison history.
- Category
- Historic site
- Duration
- 2.5 h
- Price
- $$$
- Best time
- Early morning
Tip: Join a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour, included in the ticket.
Show on mapCulture – London
London's culture is shaped by royal ceremony, theatre tradition and multicultural street life. Thousand-year-old buildings live alongside today's vibrant festivals.
Historic sites
- Tower Bridge – The Victorian bascule bridge over the Thames, opened in 1894.
- Hampton Court Palace – Henry VIII's Tudor palace, famous for its hedge maze.
- London Wall (Roman) – Remains of the Roman city wall of Londinium, near Tower Hill.
Traditions
- Royal Ceremonies – Parades such as Trooping the Colour take place every year.
- Pub culture – Pubs are the heart of social life; you order at the bar and wait your turn.
- Tea time – Afternoon tea is an everyday yet elegant London ritual.
Festivals
- Notting Hill Carnival – Held over two days in late August with Caribbean music, costumes and parades.
- Bonfire Night – On 5 November fireworks and bonfires light up the city.
- London Marathon – Each spring tens of thousands of runners race along the Thames to The Mall.
Etiquette
- Stand on the right on escalators and leave the left free for people walking.
- Queue patiently; jumping the queue is considered rude.
- Tipping is about 10 to 12.5 percent; skip it if a service charge is already on the bill.
Map
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Places
Westminster Abbey
A thousand-year-old Gothic church hosting coronations and royal weddings.
- Category
- Religious site
- Duration
- 1.5 h
- Price
- $$
- Best time
- Early morning
Tip: Do not miss Poets' Corner and the audio guide.
Show on mapPalace of Westminster and Big Ben
The Houses of Parliament and the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben), a symbol of British democracy.
- Category
- Landmark
- Duration
- 1 h
- Price
- $$
- Best time
- Afternoon
Tip: Westminster Bridge gives the best photo angle.
Show on mapChanging of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
A ceremony where guards in red tunics and bearskin hats change duty to a band.
- Category
- Palace
- Duration
- 1 h
- Price
- Free
- Best time
- Early morning
Tip: The schedule varies, so check the calendar beforehand.
Show on mapSt Paul's Cathedral
Christopher Wren's cathedral, whose dome is a symbol of the London skyline.
- Category
- Religious site
- Duration
- 1.5 h
- Price
- $$
- Best time
- Early morning
Tip: Climb 257 steps to the Whispering Gallery in the dome.
Show on mapShakespeare's Globe
A faithful reconstruction where Shakespeare's plays are staged in an open-air theatre.
- Category
- Performance
- Duration
- 2 h
- Price
- $$
- Best time
- Spring to summer
Tip: Standing 'groundling' tickets are very affordable.
Show on mapPortobello Road and Notting Hill Carnival
A street known for its antiques market and colourful houses, and for Europe's biggest street festival each late August.
- Category
- Festival
- Duration
- 2 h
- Price
- Free
- Best time
- Late August
Tip: The antiques market is at its busiest on Saturdays.
Show on mapRoyal Opera House
One of London's most prestigious stages for opera and ballet in Covent Garden.
- Category
- Performance
- Duration
- 2.5 h
- Price
- $$$
- Best time
- Evening
Tip: Same-day cheap tickets and free lunchtime concerts are often available.
Show on mapSpeakers' Corner
A tradition since 1872 of open-air public speaking in Hyde Park, where anyone may speak.
- Category
- Tradition
- Duration
- 45 min
- Price
- Free
- Best time
- Sundays
Tip: The liveliest debates happen on Sunday afternoons.
Show on map
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Please verify with official sources before your visit.
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