Explore London Like a Local
London, the United Kingdom's vibrant capital, rewards visitors with an unmatched mix of royal history and modern energy. Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, then ride the London Eye for a bird's-eye view of the Thames and Big Ben's iconic clock tower. Wander through the British Museum's world treasures for free, cross Tower Bridge, and explore the Tower of London's crown jewels. Theatre lovers flock to the West End for world-class musicals, while Camden Market and Borough Market serve up street food and quirky finds. Hop on a red double-decker bus or the Underground to hop between neighborhoods, from chic Notting Hill to buzzing Shoreditch. With centuries of history around every corner and something new always opening, London never runs out of ways to surprise you.
London Landmarks & Walking Course Map
Click any marker to preview the landmark, or select a course below to trace its step-by-step route on the map.
Recommended Walking & Transit Courses in London
Follow ready-made routes with exact walking distances, transit lines, and estimated durations.
The Tower, its bridge, and Shakespeare's stage on the Thames
Tower of London, London → Tower Bridge, London → Shakespeare's Globe, London
Modern art, a Baroque dome, and treasures of the British Museum
Tate Modern, London → St Paul's Cathedral, London → British Museum, London
A tea clipper, the meridian line, and royal parkland in Greenwich
Cutty Sark, London → Royal Observatory, Greenwich → Greenwich Park
Dinosaurs, engines, and design along Exhibition Road
Natural History Museum, London → Science Museum → Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Notting Hill's colours, a palace garden, and London's largest park
Notting Hill, London → Kensington Palace, London → Hyde Park, London
Royal Westminster to buzzing Piccadilly, and the nation's art
Big Ben, London → Westminster Abbey, London → Buckingham Palace, London → Piccadilly Circus → Trafalgar Square → National Gallery, London
Places to Visit in London (27)
Click any landmark for opening hours, ticket prices, walking routes, and nearby attractions.
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is the most famous public square in Britain and the symbolic heart of London — a grand civic space at the very centre of the capital, dominated by the 52-metre Nelson's Column topped by the statue of Admiral Horatio Nelson, hero of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 where the British fleet decisively defeated the combined French and Spanish navies, flanked by four bronze lions and surrounded by fountains, statues, and the neoclassical facade of the National Gallery that closes the north side of the square. The square was designed by John Nash and completed in the 1840s as part of a comprehensive replanning of central London, occupying the site of the former Royal Mews and positioned at the junction of the Mall, Whitehall, the Strand, and Charing Cross Road — the exact geographic and symbolic centre of London from which all distances in the capital are traditionally measured, the zero point of the city's road network. Trafalgar Square has been the traditional gathering place for London's great public events — New Year's Eve celebrations, political demonstrations, victory celebrations after major sporting events, and the annual Christmas tree donated by Norway in gratitude for British support during World War II. The four plinths at the corners of the square were intended to carry equestrian statues, but the fourth plinth remained empty for over a century and since 1999 has hosted a rotating programme of contemporary art commissions, making it one of the most prominent public art spaces in the world. The National Gallery on the north side contains one of the greatest collections of Western European paintings in the world, with masterpieces by Leonardo, Raphael, Rembrandt, Velazquez, Turner, and Van Gogh accessible free of charge.
National Gallery, London
The National Gallery houses one of the greatest collections of Western European paintings in the world. It includes masterpieces from artists such as Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci, and Turner.
Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is one of the most famous road junctions in the world and the beating commercial heart of London's West End — a busy public space where five major streets converge in a swirl of traffic, neon advertising screens, and perpetual crowds that have made it the Times Square of London, the place where the city's entertainment district announces itself most emphatically. The circus — from the Latin word for circle — was created in 1819 as part of John Nash's grand replanning of central London, forming a junction between Regent Street and Piccadilly, and quickly became one of the most fashionable addresses in the city, lined with theatres, restaurants, hotels, and shops catering to the wealthy residents of Mayfair and St James's to the west. The iconic illuminated advertising screens on the curved building on the north side — the Monico building and its successors — have been a feature of Piccadilly Circus since the 1890s, when the first electric advertising signs appeared, and the constantly changing billboards have become as associated with London as the red double-decker buses and black taxis that stream through the junction. At the centre of the circus stands the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, known universally as the Eros statue, designed by Alfred Gilbert and erected in 1893 to commemorate the philanthropist Lord Shaftesbury — the winged aluminium figure was one of the first statues to be cast in aluminium and has become one of the most photographed landmarks in London. The surrounding area includes the Criterion Theatre, the Trocadero entertainment complex, and Theatreland stretching along Shaftesbury Avenue to the northeast.
London Eye, London
The London Eye is a giant observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames. It offers panoramic views of central London and is one of the most popular modern attractions in the city.
Big Ben, London
Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster. It is one of the most iconic landmarks in London and a symbol of the United Kingdom.
Westminster Abbey, London
Westminster Abbey is a historic Gothic church and one of the most important religious buildings in the United Kingdom. It has been the coronation church of British monarchs since 1066 and contains the tombs and memorials of many notable figures.
Buckingham Palace, London
Buckingham Palace is the official London residence and administrative headquarters of the British monarch. It is one of the most iconic royal buildings in the United Kingdom and is well known for the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
British Museum, London
The British Museum is one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive museums, dedicated to human history, art, and culture. Its collection includes millions of objects from ancient civilizations across the globe.
Tate Modern, London
Tate Modern is a leading museum of modern and contemporary art, housed in a former power station on the south bank of the River Thames. It is famous for its large-scale installations in the Turbine Hall and its international art collections.
Shakespeare’s Globe, London
Shakespeare’s Globe is a modern reconstruction of the original Elizabethan theatre associated with William Shakespeare. It presents traditional-style performances and guided tours that focus on Shakespeare’s life and theatrical history.
St Paul’s Cathedral, London
St Paul’s Cathedral is an iconic Anglican cathedral famous for its large dome and its role in major national events. It is one of the most important religious and architectural landmarks in London.
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of London’s largest and most famous Royal Parks. It is well known for the Serpentine lake, wide open green spaces, and Speakers’ Corner, and is a popular place for walking, cycling, and outdoor events.
The Shard
The Shard is the tallest building in the United Kingdom and offers one of the best observation decks in London. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city from its upper floors.
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The Victoria and Albert Museum is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design. It houses millions of objects covering fashion, sculpture, photography, and global art history.
Natural History Museum, London
The Natural History Museum is one of the most famous museums in the world, featuring extensive collections covering biology, geology, and natural sciences. It is especially known for its impressive central hall and large dinosaur and blue whale exhibits.
Tower of London, London
The Tower of London is a historic royal fortress on the north bank of the River Thames and one of the most important landmarks in London. It is best known for housing the Crown Jewels and for its long history as a royal palace, prison, and execution site.
Science Museum
The Science Museum sits on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, part of the same museum quarter as the Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, and traces the history of science and technology through galleries covering space exploration, steam power, computing, and medicine. Its permanent collection includes early Stephenson locomotives and a full-scale model of the Apollo 10 command module, alongside a hands-on Wonderlab gallery aimed at younger visitors. Unlike many of Britain's national museums, entry to the main galleries remains free, though its IMAX cinema and special exhibitions charge separately.
Tower Bridge, London
Tower Bridge is one of London’s most recognizable landmarks and a combined bascule and suspension bridge crossing the River Thames. Visitors can access the high-level walkways and the historic engine rooms through the Tower Bridge Exhibition.
Camden Market
Camden Market is one of London’s most famous street markets, known for its diverse range of food, fashion, crafts, and alternative culture. It attracts millions of visitors each year.
Kensington Palace, London
Kensington Palace is a historic royal residence that has been home to members of the British royal family for more than 300 years. It is well known for its state apartments and exhibitions about royal life and fashion.
Notting Hill, London
Notting Hill is a famous district in London known for its colorful houses, Portobello Road Market, and vibrant cultural atmosphere. It is one of the most popular areas for visitors and photography.
Cutty Sark, London
Cutty Sark is a historic British clipper ship built in 1869 and one of the fastest ships of its time. It is now preserved as a museum ship in Greenwich and is one of London’s most famous maritime attractions.
Royal Observatory, Greenwich
The Royal Observatory in Greenwich is famous as the home of the Prime Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). It is one of the most important scientific heritage sites in the United Kingdom and offers exhibitions related to astronomy, navigation, and timekeeping.
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park is one of the Royal Parks of London and is famous for its panoramic views over the River Thames and the Canary Wharf skyline. It is also closely associated with the Prime Meridian and the Royal Observatory.
Wembley Stadium, London
Wembley Stadium is the largest stadium in the United Kingdom and the home of the England national football team. It is famous for its distinctive arch and major sporting and entertainment events.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most important botanical research centres. It is famous for its vast living plant collections, historic glasshouses, and landscaped gardens.
Hampton Court Palace, London
Hampton Court Palace is a historic royal palace associated with King Henry VIII. It is famous for its grand Tudor architecture, beautiful gardens, and historic state apartments.
