As with other articles about “Top 10” of anything articles, this should be taken with a grain of salt. Think of this as a starter kit. The pizza base, if you will, and you can add as many toppings as you want (or, in this case, things you want to see instead of pineapple and things in London instead of extra cheese). Feel free to tweak this list, use as many as you like, nod and agree, or disagree because it’s overrated, but it’s a starter point based on my own travels through London!

For those going to London for the first time, this is a list of ten things that if you end up seeing, you’ll likely have done the typical things people expect out of a trip to London.

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London Eye

One of the first of its kinds, the London Eye is difficult to miss. It’s right on the Thames and while you might think it’s an eyesore, it does give you a view of the city from its centrally located placement that’s hard to find anywhere else. You can buy tickets here for your journey, but do keep in mind that it won’t come as cheap as you might like.

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Tower of London

History, jewels, guards, and more. The Tower is a unique visit because there’s something for everyone. If you enjoy history, it’s full of it (in all its gory reality, given the beheadings and imprisonments that took place). There’s current royalty glories in the Crown Jewels, there’s the beefeaters (aka, the guards who won’t react no matter what you do, but please don’t be rude to them), and there’s even the ravens (and a raven master). It’s a great way to spend an afternoon or even a full day in London.

Check out more details about the Tower of London from my post on it here! If you’ve already decided you want to go, get your tickets here.

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Tower Bridge

Right by the Tower of London is an oft-misrepresented bridge. Many people think that this is London Bridge, but it’s actually Tower Bridge, made famous by plenty of television shows and movies. It’s a great stop, especially if you want close proximity to the Tower of London or to the Thames cruises that stop nearby. Get your tickets here.

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St. Paul’s

When you’re in London, you’ll be able to see St. Paul’s from anywhere you are, when you’re downtown. Since the 1930’s, there’s been a rule in London that in certain spots of the city, you cannot build over a certain height so as to not obstruct the view of St. Paul’s. Inside, you’ll discover Wellington & Nelson’s tombs, chapels, artwork, a fantastic view from the Dome, and more. Check the website here to get your tickets.

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British Museum / Victoria & Albert Museum

True, you might know the British Museum more by the memes about how much they steal (…an accurate statement), but if you’re going to be in London, and you do want to see these items, it’s not likely that they’re going home anytime soon (though we’d all love to be proven wrong). So, if you’re wanting to see some of these items, this is your chance. The Victoria & Albert is also at least a day’s worth of exploration (they have multiple locations, but the most well-known is South Kensington). Between the two, you’ll get your fill of art, history, fashion, and culture.

Get tickets for the British Museum here.
Get tickets for the V+A here.

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Portrait Gallery

As the name implies, the Portrait Gallery offers just that — portraits and paintings. In this gorgeous museum, the architecture of the halls is reason enough to visit, but inside, you’ll discover self-portraits, famous paintings that range between eras, and may even find a new favourite artist. Get your tickets here.

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See a show in the West End

There’s always something to see in the West End, and you can have your pick of the shows available. The West End does sprawl a fairly large area, but you can grab last minute tickets at a TKTS booth and find your theatre (and a place to eat, as there’s lots of restaurant options to pick from!)

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Westminster Abbey

Home to the resting places of many famous monarchs and the site of key events like royal weddings and coronations, Westminster Abbey is basically like a crash course of British History just with a tour of its hallow grounds. If you’re religious, they also offer daily services where you can rest and reflect for a while. For more details on your visit and to avoid missing out on something you may want to see (like the Royal Tombs, including Elizabeth I’s resting place or the coronation chair or the cloisters), check the website here.

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Globe Theatre

If you’re a fan of Shakespeare, then a must-do is going to the recreation of the Globe theatre, whether you’re going to buy a ticket and become a groundling for a day (but don’t expect a seat for that cheap price), see the costumes of various shows, or simply tour the theatre when it’s not being used for a performance. For a few more details, check out my post on the Globe Theatre. For details on your visit, check out the website here.

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Changing of the Guard

A ceremonial affair, the changing of the guard can be seen daily outside of Buckingham Palace, where you can see soldiers being relieved of their duty. It’s a lot of pomp and circumstance and quite the show for something that’s, admittedly, likely put on because of the crowd it draws at this point. For more details and to ensure you don’t miss it if this is something you’re eager to see, check out the timetable and location here.

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Will you have conquered London if you do these ten things? Not even close, but you’ll be able to check a few things off the bucket list that people always talk about when London’s in the conversation and that’s a start!