The Ultimate London Bucket List: 30+ Things to Do for First-Time Visitors

Last updated on October 2nd, 2026

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Packed with iconic sights, unique experiences, and must-do activities here’s the ultimate London bucket list you need to plan the perfect trip.

After living in London for 3 months, I still feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface. With its extensive list of free museums, incredible West End shows, picturesque parks, and cozy pubs, London has so much to offer that it can almost be overwhelming to know where to begin.

This ultimate London bucket list is the perfect starting point. It brings together the classic sights, neighborhoods, food, coffee shops, and experiences I’ve tested and think are actually worth adding to your first trip. Plus, the “London highlights” everyone recommends, and my honest opinion for you to decide if they are worth it or not.

After multiple trips to London, and a recent 10-day Europe trip with my mom and aunt, these are the things I consider a must for a quintessential London visit.

So let’s get started…

The Ultimate London Bucket List: 30+ Things to Do for First-Time Visitors

How to use this London bucket list

Depending on how long you spend in London will depend on how many of these bucket list items you’ll get to check off. While I think these are all quintessential London things, I wouldn’t stress too much on checking out all of them if you only have a day or two.

It’s always better to prioritize the activities that matter to you, and leave some space in the itinerary for aimless wandering, stopping for coffee or slowing down with a G&T at a pub. That’s how you actually get to experience a city.

Here’s an idea of how you could spread most of the bucket list items into a few days:

• One day in London: Classic London section + Borough Market + Covent Garden
• Two days in London: Kensington + Natural History Museum + Afternoon Tea + Soho/West End Show
• Three days in London: Notting Hill + Marylebone + Covent Garden
• Four days in London: St. Paul’s + Shoreditch + Camden

Classic London

Stop by Buckingham Palace

• Best for: Royal history lovers

One of the top things to do for anyone visiting London for the first time has to be stopping to admire the royal Buckingham Palace. Honestly, this only takes a couple of minutes, since there’s not much to do but to stare at the palace behind the golden gates.

If you’re lucky you might get to see the change of the guards, which some people might find interesting.

Bucking Palace is a great starting point for a day of exploring classic London, since from here you can make your way to Big Ben through the charming St. James Park.

See Big Ben & Houses of Parliament

• Best for: Essential for firs-time visitors

A highlight of any trip to London is seeing Big Ben for the first time. Even after visiting multiple times, I still feel all giddy everytime I see this iconic landmark.

Take a walk on Westminster Bridge to admire the famous Elizabeth Tower up close, and get some cool pictures.

While visiting Big Ben, you will also get a look at the Houses of Parliament. This impressive building is one of the main centers of political life in the United Kingdom and is featured in many movies—like Sherlock Holmes, where Robert Downey Jr. is seen jumping out of one of the windows.

Take the iconic photo of the phone booth with Big Ben in the background

• Best for: The perfect London photo

Another top-tier item in the ultimate London bucket list has to be to snap that photo of you standing next to the iconic red phone booth with Big Ben in the background.

And yes, travel is not only about the photos, but it’s still nice to have them!

These photogenic phone booths are hard to miss, with people lining up to take a photo with them across the street from Parliament Square Garden.

The first phone booth, closer to Big Ben, always has a line; the second one tends to be emptier, and you still get a pretty good shot.

Visit the historic Westminster Abbey

• Best for: History lovers

Honestly, seeing Westminster Abbey from the outside is impressive enough, and that’s how I normally visit it, since I’m personally not a fan of spending that much money for an attraction—entrance fee is £31.

However, if you’re ready to spend that to see the inside of this historic building make sure to book your Westminster Abbey entrance tickets in advance.

I have to admit, one of my favorite things about the Abbey was the gift shop, they have so many cute souvernis. Here I got my sister a pin of a corgi with a crown. I mean, how cute is that?

Admire the London Eye

• Best for: Quintessential London photo opp

An unmissable item on a London classics list is the famous London Eye, the Ferris wheel by the River Thames.

Whether it’s by just admiring it and snapping a picture of it across the river, or taking a ride on the London Eye if you’re more adventurous than I am—the idea of a Ferris wheel looks so romantic, but it also kind of terrifies me—stopping to admire the iconic wheel is a must.

Walk over the iconic Tower Bridge & see Tower of London

• Best for: History lovers & quintessential London photo

Visiting Tower Bridge (not to be confused with London Bridge) is a must for any first-time visitor to London, as it is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Once you cross the bridge from South to North you’ll find yourself at the Tower of London, a medieval castle housing the Crown Jewels.

If you’re interested in history, you can book a Medieval history guided tour to learn more about the Tower of London, the bridge and other parts of London.

Ride an iconic red double-decker bus

• Best for: Experiencing London

This is both for tourist and practical reasons, as chances are you’ll need to ride a bus anyway to get across the city, but it’s also a London bucket list item—so that’s two birds with one stone.

The N9 bus route is the one I regularly take as it goes from Kensington through Piccadilly and to Covent Garden, all of my favorite areas.

Make sure to get the second-floor seat, and obviously, try to get the first row for the best view of the city.

Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral

• Best for: Royal history lovers

Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, a city architectural landmark and a significant religious and cultural venue for important events such as Prince Charles’s wedding to Diana.

I’ve personally never been inside, since I just don’t care too much for it, so I wouldn’t consider this one a must, but if you’re more knowledgeable about the British Royalty, you’ll surely find this stop more interesting.

Stop by Piccadilly Circus on your way to somewhere

• Best for: Bright lights & street performers

Some people like to compare Piccadilly Circus to Times Square, but honestly, it is not; there are only a handful of LED screens here, a few billboards, and some street performers at times.

While normally considered a “must-visit spot”, you’ll probably get to see Piccadilly Circus while on your way to somewhere, like Covent Garden, so I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to see the small intersection.

Best London neighborhoods to explore

Wander the shops in Covent Garden

• Best for: Shopping, eating & coffee shops

Covent Garden is London’s shopping and entertainment hub, one of my favorite neighborhoods, and a must on our ultimate London bucket list.

It’s such an easy and beautiful area to stroll around, leisurely popping in and out of shops.

On most days off from work, we end up in this area as it truly has it all: some of my favorite shops, great coffee spots, and some of the best places to eat in London.

Walk the beautiful streets of Kensington

• Best for: Fancy, movie-like London vibes

My favorite thing about working in London with our circus show had to be the location we were living in: Kensington—I know!

Kensington is a gorgeous neighborhood, with swoon-worthy architecture and serene residential streets with the cute, little private parks you always see in movies.

Living in this area and walking through it every day to get to work made me think that anyone visiting London should take the time to explore this neighborhood to get that movie-like, quintessential London feel.

See the colorful houses of Notting Hill and explore the Portobello Road Market

• Best for: Iconic colorful houses, cute cafés & shops

Notting Hill is an iconic London neighborhood known for its streets lined with colorful houses, cute cafés, local shops, small restaurants, and of course, the Portobello Road Market.

Exploring this London neighborhood is a must for anyone wanting to see that unique colorful, residential area that looks straight out of a movie.

Speaking of movies, if you’ve seen the Notting Hill movie, you know what else is in this area of town: the cute little travel bookshop where Julia Roberts’ character meets Hugh Grant’s character.

See the street art of Shoreditch and the East London vibe

• Best for: Edgy vibes & street art

If you have extra time in the city to explore a little bit more off the beaten path, then you might want to add Shoreditch to your itinerary, an East London neighborhood known for its grungy vibe and vibrant street art.

To be completely honest, it’s not necessarily my vibe, but if you tend to enjoy the edgier, less posh side of town, this might be up your alley.

Eat your way around Camden Market

• Best for: Younger crowds & street food stands

This one I would leave up to you. Camden Market is considered a must-see tourist attraction for anyone visiting London for the first time, but to be honest, I am not a big fan of it.

Camden Market is a big open-air market packed with street food stands from all over the world, souvenir shops, and small independent shops, but it feels a bit tourist-trappy to me, or like it’s meant for younger audiences. The place was packed with local teenagers when we were there, and the food we had was just average.

If you don’t have the time to go all the way to Camden Market, I would recommend skipping it and doing Borough Market instead.

Food & coffee experiences

Enjoy afternoon tea at a beautiful, fancy hotel

• Best for: Classic British foodie experience

The only way to have the ultimate London experience is to indulge in afternoon tea, preferably at a high-end hotel—if we are doing it, let’s do it right.

Brown Hotel is perfect for a classic high-end afternoon tea in a cozy, antique-filled drawing room. I’ve been here three times already, and I would always come back.

For a modern, fun twist on the classic afternoon tea, Sketch provides a delicious, super cute tea service, perfect for a girl’s day.

When in London, do as Londoners do and visit a pub

• Best for: Casual local foodie experience

If you’re running low on time but still want to make it to a pub to do as locals do, you can always just stop by for a drink.

If you have a bit of time, make sure to find a pub and settle in for a pub dinner, like a hearty pie or fish and chips, for the ultimate London experience.

My go-to pub is The Lamb & Flag in Covent Garden; the vibe is so cozy, and the food is amazing!

Grab a snack at Borough Market under the railway lines

• Best for: High-quality street food stands

A destination that can’t be missed on the ultimate London bucket list is the historic Borough Market, one of the oldest food markets in London, dating back to the 12th century.

Nowadays, it’s still a popular spot with locals looking for fresh, quality ingredients and tourists who come here for a delicious snack, such as fresh sausage rolls, sandwiches, and tasty chocolate-covered strawberries. A place you definitely want to visit while hungry.

One of my favorite spots here is The Black Pig for delicious pulled pork sandwiches.

Enjoy the best hot chocolate of your life at Knoops

• Best for: Chocolate lovers

I used to be a Hotel Chocolat girly on my past trips to London, but that changed very quickly this time around after trying Knoops.

The concept of Knoops is that you can choose the percentage of chocolate you want and then add unique extra flavors, like ginger, salt, mint, etc. If, like me, you have no idea where to begin, the employees are very helpful.

The first time I entered Knoops, the lovely girl working there helped me decide on a 54% with a touch of sea salt. I added a marshmallow, and I created a recipe for addiction. It became my go-to for the rest of my almost three-month stay in the city.

Explore the incredible coffee scene in London

• Best for: Coffee lovers

Exploring the incredible coffee scene in London is an absolute must-do for coffee enthusiasts.

From tiny coffee shops where you can barely stand in to coffee shops housed in a Victorian men’s “loo”, to Japanese-inspired minimalist ones, there are just so many amazing coffee shops to try.

Check out my guide to the best coffee shops in London for a full run-through of my favorites.

If I had to pick one London coffee shop to recommend to travelers, though, it would be Watch House, due to their spacious cafés, great coffee, extensive food menu, and convenient locations.

Have dinner at the most popular Indian restaurant in town: Dishoom

• Best for: Unique foodie experience

Before going to London, everyone kept telling me I needed to try Dishoom, and after finally doing so, I get the hype.

Dishoom is a super fun, delicious restaurant, but you need to set expectations straight. It’s a highly social restaurant, meaning the lights are dim, the music is a bit loud, and if you have to wait for a table, you’ll first be sent to grab a drink at their bar.

It’s a really fun concept. I just did not know what I was walking into, but once you understand the vibe, you know what to expect.

If you’re traveling with a group of friends or a partner, I think it’s a very fun place to visit during your trip to London for a fun and delicious dinner.

Visit the modern food court at Seven Dials Market

• Best for: Trying different cuisines in a casual setting

Seven Dials Market is a fun, modern food court in the heart of Covent Garden, offering a variety of cuisines in a very casual format, from a little sushi stand to a taco stand, a conveyor belt cheese bar, and more.

Sometimes it can be a bit intimidating to decide on a place to eat, especially in a city as big as London, where lots of times you won’t even make it inside a restaurant without a reservation. For that, visiting places like the casual Seven Dials Market is the perfect plan.

Culture & entertainment

Watch at least one of the many incredible musicals on the West End

• Best for: Musical lovers

No London bucket list would be complete without a visit to the West End to enjoy one of the many incredible productions.

If you only have time for one, Les Misérables is a classic and my all-time favorite. I have seen it twice, and it never disappoints.

If you’re booking last-minute, make sure to download the app TodayTix, where you can check for discounted last-minute tickets to some of the best shows in the West End.

Stroll through Leicester Square: London’s location for movie premieres

Chances are you will probably end up here at one point on your way from Covent Garden, but in case you don’t, do make a point to pass by it.

Who knows? You might accidentally run into a movie premiere as I did, and get to see Zendaya walking down the stairs. Just saying.

Visit the iconic Natural History Museum and say hello to Hope

• Best for: Museum lovers

One of my absolute favorite things about London is that lots of museums are free; it really helps leverage the travel costs for tourists in such an expensive city.

And even though London has so many different museums to explore, one that should absolutely be on your ultimate London bucket list is the Natural History Museum. It’s a classic.

The building itself is gorgeous, and the main hall of the museum is just so impressive. I love to spend time in this area. Sometimes I don’t even go into the exhibitions; I just spend time in the main hall, going up the stairs, and admiring Hope, the museum’s famous resident, a four-tonne whale skeleton hanging from the roof.

Admire European masterpieces at the stunning National Gallery

• Best for: Art lovers

The National Gallery is such a beautiful building that just visiting the museum for the sake of seeing the building is completely acceptable, but luckily, it also houses some of the best European art.

Visiting the National Gallery is completely free, but I would advise you to make a reservation in advance so you don’t have to wait in line, since it can take a while.

Don’t miss out on the Impressionist exhibition, my favorite section of the museum.

While you’re already in the area, pay a visit to the Trafalgar Square feline residents, the seven-tonne bronze lions which surround Nelson’s column.

There is a legend that if Big Ben chimes thirteen times, the four lions would come alive, so make sure to snap a picture of them before that happens, and they run away forever.

Shopping & markets

Go window shopping on Oxford and Regent Street

• Best for: Architecture lovers & shopping

Whether you are window shopping or real shopping, taking a stroll through the busy Oxford and Regent Streets is a must while visiting London.

Packed with a variety of flagship stores, there is nothing you can’t find here, and if you can’t fit anything else into your suitcase, strolling through the street to admire the architecture is still worth it.

Visit the beautiful Daunt Books in the heart of Marylebone

• Best for: Book lovers

Daunt Books is a locally loved independent bookshop with different locations around the city, with the one in Marylebone being one of the most iconic.

The Marylebone location is housed in a beautiful, original Edwardian bookshop with oak rooms, skylights, and lots of room to roam around and get lost in the location-based bookshelves.

Definitely one of the cutest bookshops in London, specializing in travel books in the posh neighborhood of Marylebone. Get their cute tote for a practical London souvenir.

Get some delicious souvenirs at the popular Tea House Fortnum and Mason

• Best for: Foodie souvenirs

Food is one of my favorite souvenirs to take back home, and what better souvenirs to bring from England than some fancy tea and biscuits to go along with it?

Fortnum and Mason is a famous tea house, selling an incredible array of teas, as well as delicious biscuits packaged in the most beautiful tins that make a great souvenir once the biscuits have been devoured.

Go shopping at the famous Liberty’s department store

• Best for: High-end shopping in a historic building

Another fun item to add to your London bucket list is shopping at Liberty’s, the iconic London department store founded in 1894.

You can find anything in this luxury department store, from the trendiest high-end skincare to up-and-coming fashion brands, to many items showcasing the store’s famous floral Liberty print, which would make a lovely souvenir.

Parks & pretty London spots

Take a walk through lush Hyde Park and visit the aggressively cute squirrels

• Best for: Animal lovers

Hopefully, Hyde Park will be lush by the time of the year you decide to visit London. I arrived in January, so it was not the greenest it has ever been, but it was still an enjoyable winter walk.

One of the most memorable and iconic elements of Hyde Park has to be the aggressively cute squirrels, both because they are actually aggressive and cute.

These squirrels have never heard about personal space in their lives, and it’s hilarious to see. If you stare at them for more than one split second, they will come straight to your feet.

Stop by the picturesque Neal’s Yard

• Best for: Colorful corner in the heart of London

Another classic London bucket list item that you can’t miss is the picturesque Neal’s Yard courtyard.

Neal’s Yard is a quaint and colorful courtyard, home to a variety of independent cafes, restaurants, and wellness brands, and is one of the most colorful little corners of central London.

It is also home to one of my favorite pizza places in London, Homeslice, a great spot to stop for a quick lunch or dinner.

Final thoughts on the ultimate London bucket list

From free museums and world-class theater productions to elegant afternoon teas and beautiful parks, London provides never-ending entertainment for first-time visitors.

Narrowing down the items that are actually worth your time during a first trip, this ultimate London bucket list should help you make the most of your time in this buzzing city, ticking off the main sights, unique shops, and even places to eat and drink.

After spending almost three months living in London, these are all the places I’d recommend for anyone visiting London for the first time looking for the quintessential London experience.

Which of these items are you most looking forward to doing on your trip to London? Let us know in the comments.