Hey guys, I was in London a couple of days back and as you all know London is one of the most diverse cities in the world, with a rich history with diverse cultures.

The City of London is the smallest city in England, split into the vibrant and distinctive areas of North, West, South and East London – as well as the commercial and tourist hub of Central London – every district has its recognizable neighborhoods. There is always something to see and do in London. With some of the world’s best art, entertainment, shopping, dining, and history, it’s impossible to be bored in the city.

Here are my top 5 must-visit tourist attractions in London:

London Eye

London Eye is one of the modern landmarks of London. The London Eye is a Ferris wheel built in the year 2000 to mark the millennium celebrations in London and right from the first day it has been London’s foremost attractions. The individual glass capsules on the wheel rise above the Thames resulting in fantastic bird-eye views of the city. The London Eye is the world’s tallest observation wheel that allows you to see up to 40kms in any direction and makes it a perfect place to admire the city from above.

Buckingham Palace – Changing of the Guards Ceremony

Built-in the 1800s, Buckingham Palace is one of the most iconic royal buildings in London. It is the London residence of Her Majesty the Queen and is one of only a few working royal palaces in the world. It features 775 rooms and the largest private garden in London.

Some of the palaces are open so you can get a glimpse of the royal lifestyle. The visitors can watch the world-famous Changing of the Guards ceremony.

The change of guards takes place several times in a day attracting tourists with a free to watch display of precision marching. The guards that look after Buckingham Palace are called The Queen’s Guard and is made up of soldiers on active duty from the Household Division’s Foot Guards. This event is very popular and free to watch. People flock in thousands to watch this ceremony. 

Tower Bridge London

The Tower Bridge is yet another iconic landmark of London, built on Thames River the Victorian Gothic style constructed bridge is connected with two walkways. The most interesting fact about the bridge is that being on the bridge you get a spectacular view of London. It is located very close to the Tower of London and is often confused by London Bridge.

The Tower Bridge has been a shooting location for various Bollywood movies like Salaam-e-Ishq and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham.

Baker Street

One of the cultural staples of London is Baker Street, best known as the street that Arthur Conan Doyle’s infamous detective Sherlock Holmes lived on.

The street is filled with cafes and shops. With its fame stemming originally from its link to the popular Sherlock Holmes series, at present, you can find a Sherlock Holmes museum near the Underground station. Madame Tussauds is just around the corner, the famous wax museum where you can pose with your favorite celebrities. Bakers Street is worth the visit at least once on your London trip, the street reflects the rich cultural history reflecting London through the ages.

Westminster

Westminster has a long association with the British royal family and has an old connection with Christianity since the 7th Century. Out of all the famous attractions in London, Westminster Abbey has been the most interesting one. The abbey has witnessed the burials and coronations of many and is a must-visit. You can get free audio guides with the entry tickets and take a 1-hour tour. Most recently Westminster Abbey has been known for hosting royal weddings.

Overall I found London to be a vibrant center of culture, art, and music, a magnificent place full of amazing attractions, from royal palaces to cathedrals and castles, and this number is not even close to the real number of attractions which are a must-see in London. 

The city is vibrant both in the day & at night and is full of life, there is always something happening even in the dark, from events to nightlife, it covers all. Exploring the city on a hop on hop off bus and taking free walking tours to various famous tourist attractions was a mesmerizing experience for me.

In all the traveling that I have done, I’ve realized that traveling to different countries and cities opens your mind and lets you absorb new cultures and meet new people and know about their history. London is one such city with a diverse culture and rich history that you would want to visit again and gain.