Is London worth visiting as a tourist? Absolutely. The food, the history, the sights, the coffee—London is always calling. In my opinion, it’s one of the best cities in the world and an ideal introduction to international travel. If you’re asking yourself, “Is London worth visiting as a tourist?”, this post is here to help you decide. London is packed with iconic attractions and seriously delicious eats. (Ignore anyone who says English food isn’t good—they clearly haven’t been to the right places.) This essential guide covers the very best of London and is the perfect starting point to plan your visit. Keep reading for everything you need: where to stay, where to eat, and the top things to do—all aimed at helping you answer that big question: Is London worth visiting as a tourist?
At Pragmatic Travelers, we only recommend experiences, destinations, and food we’ve actually tried and loved. We stand by what we’ve enjoyed and share it with you—straightforward and practical. Happy travels!
As a Booking.com and Tripadvisor affiliate, I may earn a small commission on some links—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend places I’ve personally experienced, so you know it’s all genuine, not just internet research.
Is London worth visiting as a tourist?
So, is London worth visiting as a tourist? 100% yes. It’s one of those cities that truly has a little bit of everything—world-class museums, incredible food, cozy pubs, iconic landmarks, and more green spaces than you’d expect. It’s walkable, well-connected, and full of charm (and history) around every corner. Whether it’s your first big trip or your tenth, London is always a good idea.
Why trust us on travel to London?
I’ve been going back and forth to London my entire adult life. I married into an English family and have spent many weeks exploring both the city and the surrounding countryside. This guide (and my other posts on England) come from real experiences and local insight. Just a heads-up: this is more of a running list of my personal recommendations, so be sure to check back often—I’m always adding more!
Tips and Tricks
- Learn the Tube. Love the Tube. The Tube is quick and easy, but avoid rush hour (7–9 a.m. and 5–7 p.m.) unless you love being packed like a sardine. Always stand on the right side of the escalator—Londoners are serious about this.
- Make sure you are familiar with tap and pay. Basically, you just tap your credit card to get in and out of the tube.
- It’s worth staying somewhere connected to a Tube line. Don’t worry if you’re not in central London—as long as you’re near a station, it’s super easy to get around.
- London has some of the best food in the world but do your research. Don’t expect every pub to be good. Had quite the misadventure with nachos in a pub…the horror!
- Leave the city. So many amazing day trips just a train ride away.
- Summer in London is busy. If you can, travel during the shoulder seasons.
- Book the major attractions ahead of time or get to them early. Thank me later.
- Keep an eye on your belongings. Plenty of pickpockets in the city.
- The weather is unpredictable. So make sure you have a rain jacket with you.
Where to stay in London?
- hub by Premier Inn London Westminster Abbey: Compact rooms, affordable, clean and great location for exploring the city. Rooms are modern and weirdly cozy. Highly recommend.
- London Marriot Hotel Grosvenor Square: Beautiful hotel, clean, comfortable, central to everything. Very much enjoyed my stay here.
- Richmond Hill Hotel, Richmond: This beautiful hotel is just outside the center of the city. The tube makes it every easy to get in and out of the center. I loved this hotel. It was attractive, cozy and comfortable. Richmond is an amazing place to go out and explore. Highly recommend.
Best Things to do in London
- Wander along South Bank: My absolute favorite thing to do in London. Grab a coffee in the morning and walk up and down the Thames.
- Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Tower Bridge: I mean these are pretty obvious choices. The iconic sights of London and absolute must while visiting.
- Buckingham Palace: If this is your first visit, make sure you wander by the palace. If you are keen, check out the changing of the guard.
- London Eye: The London Eye is a beacon on the Thames-just pulling you in. Book your tickets ahead of time (paid experience) will make your life so much easier to not wait in line. Also, riding at night is really something special.
- The British Museum: Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, Elgin Marbles, Sutton Hoo Ship Burial Helmet, Enlightenment Rooms, an Easter Island Statue and so on. It is free. As always, go early when visiting the British Museum.
- Imperial War Museum: Churchill War Rooms– Calling my WW2 history buffs! This is your future favorite attraction. JUST WOW. I learned so much about that time period and about Churchill. This is a must visit attraction.
- Westminster Abbey: The Westminster Abbey one of the first places I visited on my first international trip. Holds a special place in my heart. Incredible. You can visit the graves of people like Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens and Sir Isaac Newton. If you skip this, you are really missing out. Book your tickets ahead of time so you won’t waste time in lines.
- Explore and go shopping at:
- Harrods: Beautiful architecture, fun to explore, very expensive
- St. Christopher’s Place: Vibrant selection of big-name stores and small boutiques.
- Regent Street/Oxford Street: Has all the big-name stores. Very pretty street to wander.
- St. James: Really beautiful and feels like you stepped back in time.
- Bond Street-LUXURY.
- Liberty Department Store: Amazing architecture (“tutor revival”).
- Covent Garden: Plenty of places to shop and eat at. Very touristy. Go early.
- Daunt Books: A gorgeous Edwardian travel bookshop with oak galleries and skylights.
- Tate Modern: This is an excellent modern art museum. I have loved all of my time exploring this museum. And, it’s free!
- Little Venice Canal Walk: Skip the Tube and walk from Little Venice to Camden along the canal—peaceful, pretty, and full of quirky boats and café stops.
- The Courtauld Gallery: Smaller and quieter than the National Gallery, but full of Impressionist gems. Great if you love art but want to avoid the crowds.
- Take in a show on the West End– I had a wonderful theater experience seeing Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theater.
- The Hunterian Museum: Recently reopened and totally fascinating—think preserved specimens, surgical tools, and medical oddities. A weird, wonderful spot you won’t forget.
- Enjoy the parks and say hello to the ducks: Wander around Hyde Park and St. James Park. St. James Park has a lovely café to enjoy a coffee.
- Visit Richmond: Richmond is a very charming area just outside London. It is right on the River Thames. Just a short train/tube ride away from the city and close to Heathrow. The walks along the Thames in Richmond are just a delight.
- Ted Lasso Filming Locations: If you are (like me) a fan of the show, Richmond is filled with filming locations. Head to the Prince’s Head for the iconic pub Ted and Beard visit. Then walk along Paved Court the street Ted lives on. It is so cute.
Excellent Day Trips from London
- Harry Potter Studio Tour: This was one of my absolute favorite things I’ve done in England—ever. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, it’s a must! You can get there easily by train to Watford or hop on one of the shuttle buses from Central London.
- Windsor: Not only will you visit Windsor Castle but the town of Windsor is adorable. This is an easy train ride away.
- St. Albans: St. Albans is just a quick minute train ride from London and totally worth the trip. It’s incredibly charming, with a stunning cathedral, a medieval clock tower, and even Roman ruins in the park. You’ll also find plenty of great places to eat and little lanes to wander.
Best Places to Eat in London
Great Coffee in London
- Monmouth Coffee: Excellent coffee with a great location near Covent Garden.
- Caffe Nero: I know, a chain. BUT when you need a fix, you need a fix!
- Chez Nous, Fitzrovia: Nice place to grab a coffee.
- Treelogy Specialty Coffee: This is just outside of Paddington Station. Perfect after a long red eye. Pretty good coffee.
- Prufrock: Great coffee. Loved my Americano. Highly recommend.
- Rosslyn Coffee: Several locations in the city with excellent coffee.
- Ironclad Coffee Roasters, Richmond: Excellent coffee while exploring the area.
- Eileen’s at Buccleuch Gardens Café, Richmond: Adorable café right along the walking path on the Thames River. Excellent coffee. Nice spot for breakfast as well.
Affordable Bites in London
- Mercato Metropolitano (Elephant and Castle): Excellent food court. Amazing selection for both food and drinks. Worth the journey. Close to Borough Market but far enough away from the crowds. Check out the Syrian joint!
- Mercato Mayfair: This food hall is located in an old church so the vibes are excellent. As well as the food choices. I am a big fan of the gelato!
- Seven Dials Market: Yup, another food court! But this one has cheese that physically rotates around the corner, and you pick what you want. So it is amazing. This is close to Covent Garden.
- Borough Market: Wander along the stalls and try ALL OF THE FOOD. It is, definitely, a must eat, see and do place! (Just a heads up that it has gotten a bit touristy so expect crowds.)
- Kingly Court: This is located in Soho and is three floors of shopping and dining. A great spot to find a wide range of food.
- Wagamama: Yes, I am recommending a chain restaurant but I LOVE their noodles. Yaki Udon, always! Tasty, affordable and quick.
- Busaba, Multiple Locations in London: Excellent Thai food.
- The Shakespeare Pub, Westminster: Good place for a pint but not so great for food.
- The Sherlock Holmes Pub, Near Charing Cross: Upstairs has a recreated Sherlock Holmes’s apartment. Kitschy and fun.
- Chinatown London: This area is just beautiful and has so many great options for a quick snack. Check out places like Bun House for steamed buns or Dumplings’ Legend for soup dumplings. Social media is filled with great places to try. My recommendation is to just wander around snacking as you go.
Midrange and/or Expensive Bites in London
- Cahoots: This is a 1940s-themed bar and restaurant. The inside is very themed to the period and a load of fun. The cocktails are excellent. The apps were solid. Overall, a fun place to spend an evening.
- Kitchen at Holmes: Excellent cocktails, great atmosphere and wonderful food. I highly recommend this restaurant.
- Chamuyo: This is an Argentinian Steakhouse and the steak is great. There is also an extensive wine list.
- Belgo, London: Belgian food and beer. Great mussels and fun vibes.
- Otto’s French Restaurant, London: Charming and cozy. Amazing food. Their beef tartare still appears in my dreams. Expensive.
- Restaurants at the Shard in the Shangri-La Hotel. Make a reservation. Views are amazing but hard to get a table. Cocktails/food are expensive.
- L’Escargot, Soho: Fantastic French food and atmosphere. Loved their Soho Bramble and Dark Chocolate Tart. Expensive
- The Woolpack, near Borough Market: Great place for a pint, pleasing aesthetic and excellent food. Enjoyed their Sunday roasts.
- Orient London, Chinatown: DIM SUMMMMM! Get in my belly. Could fall under affordable it all depends on how much you eat.
Exploring England?
Check out more of our travel guides for England.
- Discover South Downs National Park: Best Things to do and Places to eat
- 6 Best Things to do in Winchester, England in 2025
- Essential Guide of Cornwall, England: Best Things to Do and to Eat
Your Thoughts
Is London worth visiting as a tourist? 100% yes. I hope we have convinced you with this running list of places that we love in the city. What should I add to this list? Comment below!
