Top 10 Attractions in London

From the modern London Eye to the historic Tower of London, below are London's most visited tourist attractions.

Many of London's top 10 attractions are free, making them affordable places to soak up some culture – you can book to visit others via the buttons below. Whether you prefer history or modern art, you'll find it at one of these must-visit spots.

The list below is in order of popularity based on the latest available visitor numbers.

1.British Museum

Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history. Enjoy a unique comparison of the treasures of world cultures under one roof, centred around the magnificent Great Court.

World-famous objects such as the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and Egyptian mummies are visited by up to six million visitors per year. In addition to the vast permanent collection, the museum’s special exhibitions, displays and events are all designed to advance understanding of the collection and cultures they represent.

Prices:

Entrance to the Museum is free. A donation of £5 is recommended. There are admission charges for special exhibitions and some events - book online now to avoid missing out.

Opening Times:

Open daily 10.00-17.30

Open late on Fridays until 20.30

2. National Gallery

The National Gallery displays over 2,000 Western European paintings from the middle ages to the 20th century. Discover inspiring art by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Turner, Renoir and Van Gogh. The pictures in the collection belong to the public and admission to see them is free. There are special exhibitions, lectures, video and audio-visual programmes, guided tours and holiday events for children and adults.

Prices:
Entrance to the National Gallery is free.

Opening Times:
Daily 10:00 - 18:00

Friday 10:00 - 21:00

3. Natural History Museum

Hundreds of exciting, interactive exhibits in one of London’s most beautiful landmark buildings. Highlights include the popular Dinosaurs gallery, Mammals display with the unforgettable model blue whale and the spectacular Central Hall, home to the Museum’s iconic Diplodocus skeleton.

Don’t miss the state-of-the-art Darwin Centre Cocoon where, on a self-guided tour, you can see hundreds of fascinating specimens and look into laboratories where scientists are at work.

The Museum offers a wide-ranging programme of temporary exhibitions and events, including chances to join experts in the Darwin Centre’s high-tech Attenborough Studio in topical discussions about science and nature.

Prices:

Entry to the Natural History Museum is free. There are admission charges for some of the special exhibitions and events.

Opening Times:
Open daily 10.00 - 17.50. Last admission 17.30

Open late on the last Friday of each month. 

Closed 24 - 26 December.

4. Tate Modern

A visit to London isn't complete without a trip to Tate Modern.

Britain's national museum of modern and contemporary art from around the world is housed in the former Bankside Power Station on the banks of the Thames. The awe-inspiring Turbine Hall runs the length of the entire building and you can see amazing work for free by artists such as Cézanne, Bonnard, Matisse, Picasso, Rothko, Dalí, Pollock, Warhol and Bourgeois.

Prices:

Entrance for the gallery is free, charges for events/special exhibitions.

Opening Times:
Sunday – Thursday, 10.00–18.00

Friday and Saturday, 10.00–22.00

Tate Modern is open as normal on bank holidays. It closes on 24, 25 and 26 December but opens on 1 January.

5. Coca-Cola London Eye

The Coca-Cola London Eye is centrally located in the heart of the capital, gracefully rotating over the River Thames opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. At 135 metres, the Coca-Cola London Eye is the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel; a feat of design and engineering, it has become the modern symbol representing the capital and a global icon. The experience showcases breathtaking 360-degree views of the capital and its famous landmarks and has been the number one visitor experience in the city for the past decade.

The gradual rotation in one of the 32 high-tech glass capsules takes approximately 30 minutes and gives you an ever-changing perspective of London. Within each capsule, interactive guides allow you to explore the capital's iconic landmarks in several languages.

An experience on the Coca-Cola London Eye will lift you high enough to see up to 40 kilometres on a clear day and keep you close enough to see the spectacular details of the city unfolding beneath you.

Make the most of your time with us by visiting our London Eye 4D Experience, free with every ticket. See London come to life through unique perspectives and multi-sensory special effects, including wind, bubbles and scent. The four-minute show is perfect to watch at the start of your visit.

Prices:

Adult Ticket:     From £20.70 (INR1,898.41)  per ticket
Child Ticket:     From £14.00 (INR1,283.95)  per ticket

*Children under 4 are free.

Opening Times:
1 October - 31 March: 10:00 - 20:30 daily.
1 April - 30 June: 10:00 - 21:00 daily.
1 July - 30 September: 10:00 - 21:30 daily.
Closed Christmas Day.

6. Science Museum

The Science Museum is the most visited science and technology museum in Europe. There are over 15,000 objects on display, including world-famous objects such as the Apollo 10 command capsule and Stephenson’s Rocket.

Our interactive galleries bring to life first scientific principles and contemporary science debates. Plus, you can experience what it’s like to fly with the Red Arrows or blast off into space on an Apollo space mission in our stunning 3D and 4D simulators or watch a film on a screen taller than four double-decker buses in the IMAX 3D Cinema.

Prices:

Entry is free, but charges apply for the IMAX 3D Cinema, simulators and some special exhibitions.

Opening Times:
Open 10.00-18.00 daily.

7. Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum is the world's greatest museum of art and design, representing more than 3,000 years of human creativity, with collections unrivaled in their scope and diversity.

In recent years, the V&A has undergone a dramatic programme of renewal and restoration. Highlights include the Medieval Renaissance galleries containing some of the greatest surviving treasures from the period, the breathtaking Jewellery gallery and the stunning British Galleries, illustrating the history of Britain through the nation’s art and design. In addition to its outstanding free permanent collection, the V&A offers a programme of temporary exhibitions and an extensive events programme.

Prices: 

Admission is free.

Opening Times:
Opening times 10.00-17.45 daily, Friday 10.00-22.00
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December.

8. HM Tower of London

Despite the Tower of London's grim reputation as a place of torture and death, within these walls you will also discover the history of a royal palace, an armory and a powerful fortress. Don’t miss Royal Beasts and learn about the wild and wondrous animals that have inhabited the Tower, making it the first London Zoo.

Discover the priceless Crown Jewels newly displayed in 2012, join an iconic Beefeater on a tour and hear their bloody tales, stand where famous heads have rolled, learn the legend of the Tower's ravens, storm the battlements and get to grips with swords and amour and much more!

Prices:

Adult Ticket:     From £22.00 (INR2,017.64)  per ticket

Child Ticket:     From £10.00 (INR917.11)  per ticket

Concession Ticket:     From £17.00 (INR1,559.08)  per ticket

*Children 5-15 years, under 5 free.

Opening Times:

Open all year. 

Summer: 1 March - 31 October: Tuesday - Saturday 09:00-18:00 / Sunday - Monday 10:00-18:00. Last admission 17:00. 

Winter: 1 November - 28 February: Tuesday - Saturday 09:00-17:00 / Sunday - Monday 10:00-17:00. Last admission 16:00.

9. Royal Museums Greenwich

In 2012, the National Maritime Museum, the Queen's House, the Royal Observatory (incorporating the Peter Harrison Planetarium) and the Cutty Sark joined together under a new name: Royal Museums Greenwich.

Located in the beautiful World Heritage Site of Greenwich, these four top attractions welcome thousands of visitors each year.

10. Madame Tussauds London

With 14 interactive areas, Madame Tussauds London combines glitz, glamour and incredible history with more than 300 stunning wax figures.

Walk down the red carpet with Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Depp, before exploring our sports zone alongside Usain Bolt and David Beckham. Enjoy with an audience with Her Majesty The Queen and Will and Kate before stepping on stage with music icons including Miley Cyrus. Then, after a behind-the-scenes look at how our sculptors work, ride in a taxi and relive the rich history of London.

Step up to your favourite Marvel Super Heroes and immerse yourself in the Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie, before meeting heroes and villains from Star Wars (From May 2015).

Prices:

Adult Ticket:     £15.00 to £30.00 (INR1,375.66)  per ticket
Child Ticket:     £15.00 to £25.80 (INR1,375.66)  per ticket
Family Ticket:     £81.00 to £108.00 (INR7,428.57)  per ticket


Opening Times:

Madame Tussauds is open seven days a week. 

Normal opening hours are 09:30 – 17:30. 

Peak opening hours are 09:00 - 18:00. Peak times are every weekend and UK school holidays. 

Christmas Eve 09:00 - 14:30, closed Christmas Day, 

Boxing Day 10:00 - 18:00 and 

New Years Day 10:30 - 18:00.

source: Visitlondon