10 Best Things to Do in London

It doesn’t matter how many times you've visited London—Borough Market is always a go-to spot. Bring your appetite (and stretchy pants) as you'll want to try everything offered at the food stalls: think olive oil tastings, cheese-wheel shaved grilled cheese, and other delights.

Borough Market is open every day but Sunday (although there are a limited number of traders on Mondays and Tuesdays). The closest tube stop is London Bridge.

Some people might consider Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guard a tourist trap, but you really can't experience the pomp and circumstance of British royalty anywhere else. Take a tour of the Royal Mews, Queens Gallery, and State Rooms—schedules and opening times vary by season, so it's best to check online before visiting.

The changing of the guard takes place in three locations: Buckingham Palace, St. James' Palace, and Wellington Barracks. Some tours will let you "walk with the guards" and take you to the three locations at the right time to see each ceremony. Check the Changing the Guard website to confirm the time of the ceremony at each location, because the schedule changes seasonally.

Whether you get to see the State Rooms or just a great photo-op, visiting Buckingham Palace and seeing a changing of the guard ceremony are some of the best things to do in London.

The Sky Garden is one of the best free things to do in London, especially when compared to the views and prices of the Shard. There are plenty of things to do once you've reached the glass dome at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street. The public garden space spans three stories with observation decks and an open air terrace. While tickets are free, there are only a certain number of tickets released daily, and you're limited to one hour at the top; visit the Sky Garden website to book up to three weeks in advance.

There are also two restaurants along with three popular bar and lounge areas that you can visit with a reservation or Sky Garden ticket; walk-ins are taken only during certain hours at some of the bars and are based on availability. For something different, look to events like sunrise yoga and live music sessions. The closest tube stop is Monument.

If you're traveling with kids, visiting the Tower of London and Tower Bridge is one of the best things to do in London. Children of all ages—and adults—will love the White Tower, fortress, Medieval Palace, Crown Jewels, and tour led by a Yeoman Warder.

Don't leave the area without a walk across London's most famous bridge. You can even climb one of the towers and opt to walk across the suspended glass-floor walkways. The closest tube stop is Tower Hill.

There's nothing quite like shopping in London. Whether it's along luxurious Regency Street or sifting through records at market stalls, shopping is one of the best things to do in the city.

For high-end shopping in London, head to the city's famous department stores: Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, and Liberty. Upscale shopping streets include Regency Street, Oxford Street, Sloane Street, Mount Street, Bond Street, Carnaby Street, and Kings Road. Also check out St. James's, Covent Garden, High Street Kensington, and The Royal Exchange.

Wondering what to do in London for shopping if you're on a budget? Look no further than the city's endless markets. Favorites include Camden Lock and Old Spitalfields, but there are many more throughout the city: Brick Lane, Portobello Road, Greenwich, Alfies Antique, Columbia Road Flowers, and Southbank Centre markets, to name a few.

The city of London and greater London make up just over 600 square miles—that's almost double the area of New York City. That means there are nearly an unlimited number of neighborhoods to explore when you visit London.

One of the best things to do is just explore the neighborhood you're staying in. While most tourists flock to Westminster, West End, St. James's, and South Bank, consider staying in a nearby area that has a neighborhood feel to it, like Earls Court, Chelsea, Kensington, Mayfair, and Knightsbridge. For artistic things to do in London, look to Brixton, Camden Town, Clapham, Fitzrovia, Notting Hill, and Shoreditch, all of which offer a unique cultural experience. Check out Urban Adventures' London tours, like Camden Art Crawl or Locals on Tap in London for a true Londoner's perspective.

Somewhere along the way, London gained an undeserved reputation for bad food. And sure, black pudding and meat pies aren't pleasing to all, but London's diversity is reflected in its cuisine. From Indian restaurants to a bustling Chinatown to high tea at Claridge's, you can certainly eat your way around the world in London.

At a loss for of what to do in London for food? Here are some recommendations:

If you want a meal fit for a queen, head to Bellamy's. It's the restaurant-brasserie most frequented by Her Majesty. The Bluebird Chelsea has great ambiance and modern European fare. And don’t miss Da Mario, a no-fuss Italian gem in South Kensington that was rumored to be Princess Diana's favorite restaurant.

One advantage of staying in a more residential neighborhood is discovering the local pub. In Kensington, Builder's Arms and Queen's Arms are popular local hotspots and serve delicious pub fare and frothy pints. You'll find large crowds gathered outside in the mews after work on any nice (non-rainy) weekday.

While it's one of the stereotypical things to do in London, the London Eye is a must-do, especially with your significant other or family. Get a "fast track ticket" so you can skip the line and fit more into your busy sightseeing schedule.

The best thing about the London Eye is its location; you can easily add on a river cruise, head over to Westminster and Big Ben, walk along the riverbank to the Globe Theater and Tate Modern, or cross the Millennium Bridge to St. Paul's Cathedral once you've finished.

London has a lot of green space, so exploring the eight Royal Parks is a great thing to do alone, with the family, or with friends. You can use the city's public bikes to get around and follow the paths in Hyde Park, or relax on the deck of the Serpentine Bar and Kitchen. Another great Royal Park is Kensington Gardens, which has Kensington Palace, the Italian Gardens, Peter Pan Statue, and Serpentine Galleries all within its grounds.

About 10 miles outside of Central London is the Kew Royal Botanical Garden, which is one of the most underrated things to do in London. Take the tube to Kew Gardens Station and you're transported to an entirely different world. Visit gorgeous Victorian greenhouses, walk in the trees on a canopy tour, see Queen Charlotte's private cottage, and find an iconic Henry Moore sculpture—there's no shortage of things to do on the grounds.

Most of the public museums in London are free, making the city's cultural landmarks one of the best free things to do in London.

The most popular museums are: Victoria & Albert Museum, known for its decorative arts collections; The British Museum, one of the world's oldest museums; Museum of London, which tells the history of the city; the Science Museum, home to many interactive exhibits; the Natural History Museum, a must-do with kids; The National Gallery, which hosts more than 2,000 works from all European schools of art; the Tate Modern, known for its incredible temporary installations; and the Royal Museums Greenwich, which houses the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory.