London Travel Forum

What are the must-sees in London? The list on VT is big and I will have only 3 days.
Thanks everybody!

Obviously you will get information based upon everybodies own interests, so with that said here is what we did and saw during our 4 days last September will some commentary.

Day 1 - We walked through the Soho and Covent Garden areas of London on our way to Buckingham Palace (if you are there when it is open late July to late September) I would spend the 2 to 2 1/2 hours visiting. Walked around several of the English Parks around the palace and then did window shopping on our way back to the Covent Garden area.

Day 2 - Walked along the Thames (didn't get to do a Thames River Cruise, but I would do that when I go back). Spent 4 hours at the Tower of London (if you have 3 to 4 hourse this is a Must See in my book). Walked across Tower Bridge to South Bank and then went to one of the markets, browsed had dinner and went back to the Tower of London for the Ceremony of the Keys (9:40 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at night - interesting, free, must get tickets ahead of time)

Day 3 - Big Ben and Parliament, Westminster Cathedral will take several hours. Have lunch in a crypt like St. Martin in the Fields. National Gallery (2 to 3 hours) and saw a play

Day 4 - St Paul's Cathedral (walk to the top if you can - again 2 to 3 hours), British Museum (must see 2 to 3 hours). Strolled around town.

I would take a guided walking tour which we did not get a chance to do. Some people will say go to the London Eye, but I think we saw as much of London by getting to the top of St. Paul's Cathedral.

I personally recommend a hop off/hop on bus tour. They are expensive but they give you a good overview of the sights and then you can go back to whatever interests you and/or hop off/hop on where you please. Some companies also include a river trip in the price. I love Greenwich, with the Royal Observatory, Old Royal Naval College, Maritime Museum, Queen's House, Ranger's House, Fan Museum, and the village itself. A lot to see in a relatively small area. Wonderful parkland. Also the trip by DLR through Docklands gives you a totally different view of London, plus there's a great view up/down the Thames. If you're up in the St Paul's area, go to the Museum of London - excellent (and free). The guided walks are good.

Based on personal interests of course; I would say St Paul's Cathedral, Winston Churchill's museum and the war rooms, the pubs (see the CAMERA / Campaign for Real Ales book), walk the Thames, use the tube.

taking a boat ride on the river thames is a good way to get a view of some of the main sights in a quick and comfortable way.
many boats leave right across from the london eye.

I don't know what your interests are, but would definitely second the Thames river cruise suggestion. You can visit the Tower (if that's on your list) then take a boat right back to Westminster (London Eye/Houses of Parliament), or the other way round. We did this when we had an overseas visitor staying with us and it worked very well, as you get to see a lot of London from the river.

Based on years of answering VT questions, must-sees seem to be (in no particular order):

1. British Museum.

2. Tower of London.

3. Buckingham Palace (exterior and/or interior in summer), Changing of the Guard.

4. Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Tower Bridge.

5. Westminster Abbey.

6. Picadilly Circus/Oxford Street.

7. The London Eye.

8. A market....Camden seems to be very popular for visitors.

9. Harrods, Madam Tussauds, London Dungeon.....I would not go to any of these, but they are very popular with visitors.

All these place have their own websites with opening times/entrance fees etc.

I'll second Leics recommendations, although I'd personally trade the changing of the guard at Buckingham for the British Library. And as she said, do skip Harrods, Madam Tussauds and London Dungeon - they're just time and money-wasters and there are so many other wonderful things to see in London!

Some of the museums are open into the evenings on certain days so check their websites - saving those for late in the day or an evening can free up more time to explore sites only open during peak visitor's hours. Have fun!!!

Have to say they are not necessarily my personal recommendations.....I'd add the Natural History Museum, Greenwich, Tate, St Pauls and many more, and drop the shopping/market bits entirely...but they are the things most often mentioned.

Madam Tussauds/London Dungeon/London Eye are hugely popular but, imo, grossly over-priced and with no reason for their existence other than to gather money from tourists. Harrods is just a big shop with pretensions....plenty of those in London...although it does have some nice interior decoration in some parts.

Leics' list is excellent, though if time is short, it's probably not worth bothering with the interior of Buckingham Palace unless you are a huge royalty or art fan (in the latter case the Tate Modern, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Britain etc. are all possibilities).

I“m interested in Modern Arts, but not a specialist. Thanks each and everyone of you! All tips were great!

Frommers has a helpful 3 day itinerary that can help you organize a short visit, I don't agree with everything on this list (for example I don't think the London Eye is worth the time or money) but it might be a useful starting point to map out an itinerary

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/london/0055020766.html

My personal must sees would include the Tower of London (a must if you like royal history), a visit to one of the markets if you are there on the weekend (Camden, Portobello Road, Borough Market if you are a foodie), a stroll through one of the lovely parks, an evening at the theater, at least a walk by Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace, fish and chips for lunch or dinner.

Things I find to be a waste of time: Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace, you can't really see much with the large crowds and it's really not that exciting; The London Eye; London Dungeons. I haven't been to Madame Tussauds so can't comment on that one. I have to disagree about Harrod's though, I'm not a big shopper and Harrod's is expensive but I love the Food Halls there, just to look at the over the top decor. And get a little Neuhaus chocolate :-)

The museums in London are top notch, which ones you choose should be based on your interest. I love the V&A, the British Museum and the Museum of London, my husband loves the Imperial War Museum. The suggestion to look for ones with late opening hours is a good one, esp. if you have nice weather, it's a pity to be indoors while it's sunny in London.

Another fun thing to do in the evening besides museums and theater is London Walks, they do a terrific Jack the Ripper walk, lots of interesting neighborhood walks and pub walks.

If you want to take a bus ride past a lot of the main sights but don't want to pay for the Hop on Hop off bus, you can buy a 1 or 3 day travelcard and hop on the buses, the #11 and #15 go by a lot of the best sights and you can get on and off at your whim. Climb up to the top deck and try to get the front window seat. You can take the #15 all the way from Paddington to the Tower of London, it's slower than the tube of course but if you are not a big walker, it's a great way to see the city.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/central_bus_map.pdf

A couple of people have mentioned the hop-on buses. There are two companies, with slightly differing routes and prices:

http://www.theoriginaltour.com/

http://www.bigbustours.com/eng/london/default.aspx

Theres so much to see in London - it basically depends what you're own interests are - in terms of tips I would definitely recommend an excursion out to Hampstead Hearth - the area is very lively, lots of niche cool shops and the heath is great for a picnic - superb views of the London from parliament hill (where all the kite flyers gather) - what sort of things would you be interested in seeing?

I recommend the Tate Modern - great art, architecture and fabulous location - and it's free! If you can afford it, treat yourself to a meal in the restaurant - views are amazing : )