Topping our list of must-see London attractions is the iconic Buckingham Palace. The official London residence of Britain’s sovereigns since 1837, Buckingham Palace boasts a priceless art collection and 775 rooms, 78 of which are bathrooms. Want to know if the King’s inside? Look at the flag above the Palace: when the Royal Standard is flying, he’s there.

Address: Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA

If walls could talk, Westminster Abbey would have plenty to say! The site of every Coronation since 1066, this Gothic church is the final resting place for 17 Monarchs, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, Sir Laurence Olivier, and many, many others. It’s also a favourite for royal weddings. In 2011 Prince William married Kate Middleton here.

Address: 20 Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA

The Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster, is the seat of Britain’s political power. Completed in 1870, the Gothic-style building, and its Elizabeth Tower (housing the 13-ton bell Big Ben) is one of the most iconic London attractions.

Address: London, SW1A 0AA

Among the most fascinating and evocative of London's historic sites is the perfectly preserved nerve-centre from which Prime Minister Winston Churchill directed the British military campaigns and the defence of his homeland throughout World War II. Their spartan simplicity and cramped conditions underline the desperate position of England as the Nazi grip tightened across Europe. You'll see the tiny cubicle where Churchill slept and the improvised radio studio where he broadcast his famous wartime speeches. Simple details, such as Clementine Churchill's knitting wool marking the front lines on a map of Europe, bring the era to life as no other museum could possibly do.

Address: Clive Steps, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AQ

Keeping watch over the Thames since 2000 (when it was known as the Millennium Wheel), the London Eye boasts breathtaking views of London’s skyline and beyond. From the comfort of your climate-controlled pod, you’ll gently rise 135 metres above the Thames and back down to terra firma in half an hour.

Address: County Hall, London SE1 7PB

Go wild and climb atop one of Trafalgar Square’s enormous bronze lions. The big cats guard Nelson’s Column, a memorial to Admiral Horatio Nelson who died in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. With its glorious fountains and close proximity to The National Gallery, the square is always buzzing with activity.

Address: London WC2N 5DN

It's almost impossible to visit London without catching a glimpse of the impressive National Gallery. This iconic, columned museum is set at the edge of Trafalgar Square, home to incredible masterpieces that make it one of the best attractions in London. Ranking among the top art museums in the world, London's National Gallery represents an almost complete survey of European painting from 1260 until 1920. The museum's greatest strengths are in its collections of Dutch Masters and Italian Schools of the 15th and 16th centuries. Among its highlights are a cartoon (preliminary sketch) of the Madonna and Child by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo's The Entombment, Botticelli's Venus and Mars, Van Gogh's Sunflowers and The Water-Lily Pond by Monet.

Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN

Two million years’ worth of artefacts, sculptures and antiquities—including Egyptian mummies, the Elgin Marbles and the hieroglyph-busting Rosetta Stone call the British Museum home. A must visit, The British Museum holds the title of the most visited attraction in all of the United Kingdom.

Address: Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG

Completed in 1894, Tower Bridge is one of the world’s most famous bascule (a French term for “see-saw”) bridges: It opens in the middle to allow tall boats on the Thames to pass through. Catch a glimpse of the bridge opening (the Concierge can advise the bridge opening times) and walk across its high-level glass floor walkways 42 metres above the Thames.

Address: Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2UP

Named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the V&A wears the crown as the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design. Its priceless collection includes sculptures, paintings, ceramics, fashion, drawings, and books from ancient times to present day.

Address: Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL

Established in 1754, London's spectacular Natural History Museum remains one of the most-visited such attractions on the planet. Many of the museum's original exhibits are still on display centuries later, and together comprise an enormous collection of more than 80 million items showcasing everything from botany to zoology, plus pretty much everything in between. A highlight of a visit is seeing the preserved specimens that Charles Darwin collected on his epic journeys.

Address: Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD

Home to the Crown Jewels, the iconic Beefeaters, and (allegedly) several ghosts, the Tower of London’s history dates back nearly 1,000 years. Standing guard by Tower Bridge and the River Thames, the medieval compound has served as a royal palace, prison, and execution site.

Address: London EC3N 4AB

London’s most famous store with its iconic green awnings has been offering luxury goods to its customers for over 160 years. Across seven floors and 330 departments, shoppers will find only the best fashions, accessories, and homewares. Shopped out? Toast your purchases with some bubbly at the Champagne Bar, or a box of rainbow hued Ladurée macarons.

Address: 87-135 Brompton Road, London SW1X 7XL

Completed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1710, St. Paul’s Cathedral stands at the highest point in the City of London. Visit the crypt, share a secret in the dome’s spectacular Whispering Gallery, and stroll down the aisle that was walked by Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer on their wedding day.

Address: St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD

Tate Modern is a must for contemporary art lovers. Housed in the former Bankside Power Station, the vast collection includes works by Picasso, Warhol, Dalí, and Matisse. For a decidedly British take on modern art (1500 AD to the present day, that is), Tate Britain will be your cup of tea. Located up the Thames from Tate Modern (there’s a boat that ferries passengers between the two galleries every 40 minutes), Tate Britain is where you’ll find pieces by Turner, Hirst, and Bacon.

Address:
Tate Modern: Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Tate Britain: Millbank, London SW1P 4RG

Established in 1536 by Henry VIII, Hyde Park is one of London’s largest green spaces, with more than 4,000 trees, vibrant flower gardens, and a large meadow which plays host to many public concerts and celebrations. Visit the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, enjoy a bite in the Royal Park’s lakeside restaurants, or rent a rowboat for a leisurely paddle on the Serpentine.

Address: Hyde Park, London W2 2UH

This period-perfect reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre allows you to experience Shakespeare’s classics the way they would have been performed in the 16th century. Not into the Bard? The playbill also includes works by acclaimed contemporary playwrights.

Address: 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT