London: the sights that are really worth it

There are endless things to do in London – but not all of them are worth it. So here is our honest list: what we saw ourselves, how much time you should allow and what you can safely skip.

London has more sights than fit into a week, and almost every one of them charges admission. We spent five days in the city in August and only paid for two things. Our days were still full. Here is the list we recommend, with time needed, prices and honest verdicts.

The top list at a glance

All prices are approximate adult prices, as of 2026. Current prices and time slots are on the providers’ official websites, as they change frequently.

Our favourites in detail

Westminster and Big Ben early in the morning

We were there early, before the tour groups arrived. Then you get Big Ben, Parliament and Westminster Bridge in your photo without a wall of people, and the place still feels like a city rather than a film set. From late morning there is hardly any room to stop. So plan Westminster as the first thing of the day.

Along the Thames to Tate Modern

From Westminster you can walk to Tate Modern in about 2–3 hours, including breaks and photo stops. It’s only about 3 km, but the riverside promenade keeps offering new views of bridges and skyline. For us it was the best part of our London visit – and it costs nothing. Tate Modern is a good end point: entry is free, there are places to sit and a view across the river.

The Battle of Britain Monument on the Victoria Embankment

This memorial isn’t on any “top 10”, but it’s one of the most impressive we know. It commemorates the Battle of Britain and stands right on the bank of the Thames – exactly on your way. Take a few minutes to look at the details instead of just taking a photo.

Camden Town and Notting Hill

Camden Town is loud, busy and colourful. We went for the street food and the street art, and both deliver. Come hungry, with cash or a card for small stalls. Notting Hill is the opposite: quiet streets with pastel-coloured houses. It’s a neighbourhood for strolling, not for a programme. The earlier you come, the fewer people end up in your photos.

Museums: London’s best money-saving tip

The British Museum, the National Gallery and the Tate galleries are free – a rarity among world cities. That makes them your emergency plan when it rains and a break for tired feet. When it’s busy or for special exhibitions, a timed ticket may be needed. Check on each museum’s website beforehand.

Pay or not? The Tower, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey

Everything else in London costs money. The Tower, the London Eye and Westminster Abbey each cost about £25–35 per adult (as of 2026). With a family it adds up quickly. We limited ourselves to two paid attractions. That’s enough to see what makes London special without blowing the budget.

• Tower of London: with about three hours, you get the most for your money here. It’s the clearer recommendation if you like history.
• Westminster Abbey: impressive, but only worth it if the interior really interests you. You see the outside for free anyway.
• London Eye: you pay for a ride of about 30 minutes plus waiting. You get similar views along the Thames for free.

If you’re travelling with a child, decide by age: many kids are more excited by the armour and ravens at the Tower than by a church. Family tickets and discounts are on the official websites. Booking online in advance often saves waiting time and sometimes money.

What is overrated

This is our assessment based on value and effort – not a call to skip something that matters to you:

• Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace: you stand in the crowd for a long time and often see little. If you want to see it, be there early and don’t plan more than an hour.
• London Eye: a high price for a short ride (see above).
• Madame Tussauds and similar indoor attractions: the price is high, the queues are long, and you lose time for the city outside.
• Piccadilly Circus: a photo and five minutes are enough. It doesn’t work as a destination.
• More than two or three paid attractions per visit: after that you’re mainly paying to queue.

Suggested route for 3 to 5 days

This is a suggestion based on our route, with the classics added:

• Day 1: Westminster and Big Ben early in the morning, the Battle of Britain Monument, then along the Thames to Tate Modern.
• Day 2: Tower of London (approx. 3 hrs), then a walk by the river.
• Day 3: British Museum and National Gallery – ideal to swap in on a rainy day.
• Day 4: Camden Town in the morning for food and browsing, rest of the day free.
• Day 5: Notting Hill at leisure, then a buffer or a second paid attraction.

Getting around London: Oyster card or Wise card

You don’t need a paper ticket. At the Tube barriers you pay with an Oyster card or simply a contactless card – we used our Wise card. The daily cap applies automatically: once you’ve travelled a lot in a day, nothing more is charged. It’s important to always use the same card or device for your journeys, otherwise trips are charged individually. Child discounts are set by Transport for London – check the current rules there before your trip.

What London costs

Accommodation is the biggest item. A room in Zone 2 was the more sensible solution for us than a hotel in a central location. Pub lunches and street food keep food costs down.

Typical mistakes when planning London

• Too many paid attractions: the costs add up, and the city itself is the real sight.
• Visiting Westminster at midday: that’s when it’s packed. Go early.
• Switching cards: mixing your phone and your card can mean missing the daily cap.
• Underestimating distances: distances look short on the map, but in reality you walk a lot. Good shoes are worth it.
• Bringing a dog without checking first: many museums and attractions don’t allow dogs (assistance dogs excepted). Check for each item on your itinerary beforehand.

Entry and safety: general

Since Brexit, the UK has its own entry rules. Currently, EU citizens generally need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in addition to their passport. This can change, so check your government’s travel advice and the official UK government website before you book. There you’ll also find information on safety, rules for bringing pets and customs questions if you arrive by car. In crowds such as in Camden or at the hotspots, the same applies as in any big city: keep your valuables safe.

Combining London and the countryside

We’ve travelled to England twice: in April 2025 with our own car via Calais–Dover into the countryside, and in August by plane for five days in the city. We really liked the combination of city and cottage. In the countryside we stayed in a cottage in Northamptonshire, with an old sandstone manor house next door, a pond with swans, ducks at the window and horses in the paddock. How the drive works, what the first roundabouts on the left feel like and what else we experienced is in our story England by car: a country house in Northamptonshire, London days and the ferry from Calais.

Frequently asked questions

Last updated: 20 Oct 2026. Prices and rules change – please check with the official sources before you travel.

Things to do in London: our verdict

Our verdict on things to do in London: plan less and take your time for the places you really like. It also pays to visit the most famous sights early in the morning or in the evening, because it is quieter then. You’ll find more places we have been to ourselves in our travel stories; general background on the city’s history is on Wikipedia.