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London is an incredible city to visit, and a place that is equally packed with culture, amazing neighborhoods, beautiful palaces to visit and of course oodles of amazing history to explore. That being said, if it’s your first time in the city, it can be difficult to narrow down all the great things to do in Central London before you arrive.
You will be spoiled for choice!
So, to help you plan your trip to London, and get the most out of the city, we want to share with you some of our favorite spots that are perfect for your first trip to Central London.
With these, you can see many of the top spots in London and see the character of different central London neighbourhoods. Like Camden Town, or the beautiful Covent Garden (to name a few).
Check out some of the best things to do in central London below before you visit. This way, you can book your favorite London tours and admission tickets and take all the faff out of planning when you arrive in London.
1.) Explore Westminster
Westminster is probably one of the most famous places in London. Housing buildings such as Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament (actually called the Palace of Westminster) and more.
Now, one of the best ways to explore Westminster is on foot, and booking guided tours of the places you want to visit.
To avoid the queues, book this guided tour of Westminster Abbey that takes you straight inside. Not only that, but you’ll also have a certified guide explaining some of the most important pieces of history within the Abbey itself.
Alternatively, if you don’t need a guide, book these Westminster Abbey tickets before entering London. This way, you can be guaranteed entry and you won’t have to worry about getting the tickets once in London.
If you need a little extra help seeing the best places in Westminster, book this guided walking tour that takes you through the main attractions. you will see
Additionally, it includes access to the Churchill War Rooms, the treasures that Winston Churchill and the government kept safe during World War II.
Read more: Best places to visit in London
2.) Visit the city of Camden
Remember when we said that London has some amazing neighborhoods? Well, visiting Camden is one of the best things to do in central London if you’ve never been.
What makes this area unique is the hive of activity filled with hundreds of market stalls, canals, and various other places and stores.
For a better time, book these tickets to travel on canal boats from Little Venice and get straight into Camden town centre.
Make sure you visit all the markets while you’re here (Camden Lock and Camden Market are the biggest) totally cool.
You can find anything and everything to buy. Also, keep your eyes peeled for the Amy Winehouse statue and stop by Poppy’s Fish and Chips for some of the tastiest food you’ll find in town.
Finally, don’t forget to catch a gig at Camden Roundhouse. It’s one of our favorite places in London and well worth a visit if you plan your dates well.
Read more: Best things to do in Camden
3.) Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guards
Trust me, no one visiting the city of London for the first time wants to miss the famous changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
It’s one of the best things to do in Central London, especially if you plan to go to Buckingham Palace. To make things easier, book this tour change tour that will get you to the right place at the right time. Plus, it gets you into Buckingham Palace.
Alternatively, book these Buckingham Palace admission tickets that will get you into the state rooms where you can see one of the most famous palaces in the world.
Read more: Best London palaces to visit
4.) Explore Piccadilly Circus
So people seem to love or hate Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square – opinion is divided. That being said, it’s one of the most popular places to visit in central London and is very easy to visit while you’re here.
Of course, you’ll see the flashing billboards of Piccadilly Circus (the inspiration for Times Square in New York).
On your way around, be sure to catch a Westend show at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square itself. They sell tickets available for shows (on the day) at discounted prices. What’s more, they are the official seller and you won’t be priced out of other places that sell tickets on the same day.
5.) Visit the Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge (not to be confused with London Bridge) is easily one of the world’s most famous bridges.
Within walking distance, a visit to Tower Bridge is not to be missed after visiting the Tower of London or going to the top of the Shard.
Before you arrive, book this money-saving London Pass that gives you access to over eighty different attractions in the city. It’s one of the best things to do in central London if you want to save money on your visit.
It takes you right through Tower Bridge, to the top of the Shard, inside the Tower of London and more.
6.) See London from a double decker bus
Perhaps one of London’s most famous forms of transport, the double-decker bus is an iconic part of central London.
Book this hop-on hop-off tour to ride on an open-top bus, saving you tons of time and taking you to some of London’s most popular spots. You can walk around all areas of London and jump back to the next location.
This works great if you’re only staying in London for a few days – it saves a lot of time!
Alternatively, book our favorite London Black Taxi Tour. Fully customizable and personal, meaning it’s just you and the driver. We loved our tour and it’s great to discover all the hidden gems in London (along with some of the city’s most popular spots).
Make sure you book the black cab ride in advance. Tours can fill up quickly.
7.) Visit the Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of the most famous places in central London. It is world famous and has a history of thousands of years.
Not only is it beautiful and steeped in history, but the Tower of London is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for all of us to see.
Be sure to book this Tower of London entrance ticket before it arrives. You can even see the crown jewels, one of the largest diamonds and crowns in the world.
After that, cross the Tower Bridge and book these tickets to visit the top of the Shard. It is one of the tallest buildings in Europe and you can see views across London.
Read more: Best places to visit across London
9.) Travel on the London Eye
The original… and the best! Heading to the London Eye is easily one of the best things to do in central London. Especially if it’s your first visit to the city.
Standing at a height of 135 meters, the London Eye is one of the largest wheels in Europe. At the top of the wheel you can enjoy an aerial view of London.
To avoid the queues, book these fast London Eye tickets that will get you inside the capsule in no time. Top tip: Time it for sunset and watch London bathed in orange hues that transform the Houses of Parliament.
10.) Visit Covent Garden
Covent Garden is probably one of the most famous areas of London. Complete with the historic shopping mall and the Royal Opera House, it’s one of the best things to do in central London no matter what year you visit.
While exploring the best spots in Covent Garden, check out the London Transport Museum, stroll through the Jubilee Market and stop at the small shops and restaurants lining the streets.
Is it making a profit? We absolutely love eating at Clos Maggiore, which serves some of the most delicious French fusion cuisine in London.
Oh, and don’t forget, you can walk directly from Leicester Square to Covent Garden in around 10-15 minutes. No taxi or tube needed to get here.
Read more: Best things to do in Covent Garden
11.) Visit the Harry Potter Studio Tour
The Harry Potter Studio Tour might just be the best place in the world for Harry Potter fans! And it’s based here in London.
Yes, it might not be a surprise in Central London, but booking these Harry Potter Studio Tour tickets including transfers from Central London is super easy. That way, by booking these tickets, you won’t have to worry about doing everything to get there on your own.
One step into the film studios takes you into the beating heart of the magical world of Harry Potter. From legendary rooms to offices, there’s a lot to look for and it’s completely magical.
Once here, you can go to platform 9 ¾ and hop on the Hogwarts Express (which is epic). Plus, you can walk down Diagon Alley!
Trust me, if you’re a Harry Potter lover, you’ll be totally happy to get into this studio tour.
12.) Visit London’s museums and galleries
The museums in London are huge, housing collections and a variety of art and artifacts that are all freely accessible. Unlike many cities, the UK does not charge admission to museums.
All this means you can visit the Natural History Museum, the British Museum, Tate Modern and more for free.
Be sure to plan your visits in advance, you could just spend hours and hours exploring one of these museums. They are incredible.
13.) Take a Thames River Cruise
Whether it’s your first, fifth or fiftieth time in London, booking a river cruise in London is fantastic. Easily one of the best things to do in central London, it runs the length of the city.
Be sure to book this Westminster to Greenwich ferry trip. It’s a great way to explore London and walk under the Tower of London.
We absolutely love this evening cruise that pairs champagne and nibbles.
Read more: Best places to visit in London
15 best places to visit in London
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