London is one of the most visited cities in Europe, with over 40 million tourists visiting every year. It is in the United Kingdom, which sits on the ninth largest island in the world.
London is the capital of England as well as its largest city with a population of almost 10 million. The Romans founded the city in 43 and named it Londinium. After the fall of the Roman Empire in the early 5th century, London came under the British rule and by the 11th century had become the most important city on the island. Between 1831 and 1925 it was the most populated city in the world, and today it is still one of the most important cities globally.
Buckingham Palace is London’s royal residence. It was originally built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham and was expanded and renovated in the early 19th century. Since 1837 it has been the administrative seat of the United Kingdom monarch. You can visit the palace only in the summer, but the changing of the guard happens every day. You can find the schedule for any specific day on their website.
The Palace of Westminster is home to the UK Parliament, which has two chambers: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. It was built as a royal residence in the 11th century. The palace had its first fire in the 16th century, and a much more serious fire in 1834 that destroyed most of the building. After more than 30 years of construction, the current palace was completed in 1876. The most recognisable part of the building is the Elizabeth Tower, better known as Big Ben.
The Tower of London is a historic castle and fortress on the north bank of the River Thames. The first tower was built in 1078. The palace was originally a royal residence, while the castle served as a prison until the mid-20th century. The tower has had lots of different uses over the years. It was often under siege and controlling it was important for the country. The crown jewels of the United Kingdom are kept there.
Tower Bridge is a suspension and drawbridge over the River Thames that leads to the Tower of London. It was completed in 1894, stretches 240 metres and has two towers each 65 metres tall. More than 40,000 people cross the bridge every day, and the two sets of bascules open for ships when needed. You can explore inside the bridge and enjoy great views of the city at the same time.
Westminster Abbey is a Gothic abbey church built in 960, originally a Benedictine church and an Anglican church since 1560. The church is best known as the traditional place for the coronation and burial of British monarchs. Six royal weddings have also taken place there.
St Paul’s Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of London. The building was completed in 1710 after the previous cathedral was destroyed by fire. It is the second largest church in the UK and is best known for its dome, which is one of the tallest in the world. It stands at 111 metres tall and was the tallest building in London from 1710 to 1963.
The London Eye is a 135-metre-high panoramic wheel along the River Thames. When it opened in 2000 it was the tallest in the world, and it remains the tallest in Europe today. The wheel offers one of the most beautiful views of London, but even higher popular viewpoints are Sky Garden and The Shard.
Around 40 percent of London is green, with more than three thousand parks. Eight of these are considered royal parks. Hyde Park is one of the biggest parks in London and often hosts all kinds of events and fairs. Inside the park are the Kensington Gardens, next to Kensington Palace, which has been a royal residence since the 17th century. St James’s Park sits right by Buckingham Palace, while Regent’s Park is up north in the city. It’s also home to the London Zoo. Greenwich Park is best known for the Royal Observatory, where the Prime Meridian runs through.
London has lots of museums you can visit for free, including the biggest ones in the city. Those who love history should head to the British Museum, the largest and oldest museum in the city. If you're a fan of science, you'll most enjoy the Natural History Museum. The best art museums in the city are the National Gallery, the Tate Modern, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Borough Market is one of the biggest and oldest markets in the city, where local vendors mainly sell food. It has been running since the 12th century. Camden Market is located in the picturesque Camden Town, an area full of canals. Portobello Road Market is also located in a special area of Notting Hill. In the city centre you’ve got Covent Garden, and nearby the popular shopping streets like Oxford, Bond, Regent and Carnaby. The Harrods department store is one of the most visited in the world.
In the West End, there are many theatres where you can see some of the most popular shows like Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Lion King, Wicked, and Mamma Mia. There is also the Shakespeare’s Globe which is a 1997 reconstruction of the theatre where William Shakespeare staged his plays in 1599.
One of the great things about London is how easy it is to reach, with six airports that many budget airlines fly to. Travelling to London became more complicated for EU citizens in 2020, when the UK left the European Union. Today, you need a passport to travel, and since April 2025 you also need to get an electronic travel authorisation or ETA. You can get it through the website or the mobile app. It is valid for two years and costs 16 British pounds.
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