Top 5 Most Popular Destinations in London You Must Travel

These are the top 5 tourist attractions in London that KnowInsiders.com users find to be most appealing and well-liked.

1. Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard

The most well-known show of pomp and circumstance in London, the Changing of the Guard, takes place at Buckingham Palace, one of the most iconic buildings in the United Kingdom. This vibrant and free show of exact marching and music also happens at St. James's Palace, drawing large crowds at 11:30 am all year round. After the show, you can follow the band as they march between locations along The Mall.

The Royal Family has called Buckingham Palace, which was constructed in 1837, their London home ever since Queen Victoria took the throne. If the royal standard is flying day and night on the flagpole atop the building, you can determine if the Queen is there. She may even appear on the central balcony with members of the Royal Family on special state occasions.

Tickets for tours of the State Rooms, the Queen's Gallery, and the Royal Mews are available for purchase while the Queen is away at her summer palace in Scotland.

A 4.5-hour Buckingham Palace Tour Including Changing of the Guard Ceremony and Afternoon Tea is one of the best ways to explore the palace, witness the Changing of the Guard, and enjoy a traditional afternoon tea. This tour is a very effective way to see the highlights in a short amount of time, and first-time visitors will find the entire experience much more enjoyable and relevant when their knowledgeable guide explains the history.

2. The Tower of London and Tower Bridge

Throughout the centuries, the magnificent Tower of London has served a variety of purposes, including prison, palace, treasure vault, and private zoo. Known as one of the most iconic buildings in Britain, this magnificent World Heritage Site captivates tourists interested in learning about the history of the nation for hours on end. After all, a great deal of it took place here. William the Conqueror constructed the imposing White Tower in 1078. Inside is the 17th-century Line of Kings, which features amazing exhibits of royal weapons and armor.

Highlights also include the Royal Mint, the famed Crown Jewels exhibition, the Beefeaters, and graphic displays detailing the executions that occurred on the premises. One of London's most famous landmarks is the nearby Tower Bridge, with its two enormous towers rising 200 feet above the River Thames (enjoy the fascinating behind-the-scenes tours).

Get the Tower of London Entrance Ticket Including Crown Jewels and Beefeater Tour in advance to avoid the ticket office lines and make the most out of your time, especially in the busy summer months. This ticket helps you avoid the crowds, saves time and hassle, and guarantees the lowest price.

3. The British Museum

The British Museum. Photo: Planet Ware

With over 13 million ancient artifacts, the British Museum boasts one of the best collections of antiquities in the world. It's difficult to know where to start with so many priceless artifacts from Assyria, Babylonia, China, Europe, and other places. The controversial Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon, the Rosetta Stone, the enormous bust of Ramesses II, the Egyptian mummies, and the magnificent collection of 4th-century Roman silver known as the Mildenhall Treasure are the museum's most well-known displays, though, and draw the majority of visitors.

Apart from a fully stocked on-site bookshop with a vast selection of books on art history, archaeology, and ancient history, there's a store selling souvenirs and games for kids, as well as one selling jewelry and replica sculptures. The museum has a restaurant and café, as well as a range of talks and workshops, for those who can stay longer.

Address: Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London

4. Big Ben and Parliament

Big Ben and Parliament. Photo: Planet Ware

There's nothing that says "London" like the 318-foot tower that holds Big Ben, the enormous clock with its loud bell. Big Ben is a globally recognized landmark, equally iconic as Tower Bridge, and its tolling is recognized as the BBC's time signal. Beneath it, elongating the Thames, lie the Houses of Parliament, the long-standing headquarters of the British government and the original location of William the Conqueror's regal Westminster Palace.

Taking a tour of the parliament buildings is a unique opportunity to witness heated political debates taking place in real time. Whitehall is so closely lined with government buildings from Parliament Square that the name Whitehall has come to represent the British government.

5. National Gallery

The National Gallery in London, one of the best art museums in the world, offers a nearly comprehensive survey of European painting from 1260 to 1920. The museum's holdings of Italian Schools and Dutch Masters from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries are its greatest assets. Highlights include an early sketch of Leonardo da Vinci's Madonna and Child, Michelangelo's The Entombment, Botticelli's Venus and Mars, Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers, and Claude Monet's The Water-Lily Pond.

Address: Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, London

National Gallery. Photo: Planet Ware

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