In a nutshell
- We introduce you to our favorite activities in London beyond classic sightseeing — and also show you what’s great when you’re visiting London with kids.
- Feeling adventurous? Climb 52 meters on a guided tour and enjoy the spectacular 360-degree views from the roof of the O2 Arena.
- For a great evening out, a historic pub tour with delicious beer and a cozy atmosphere is seriously hard to beat.
- The perfect family outing: exploring London on the trail of Harry Potter. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour lets you experience the original filming locations and special effects up close.
Sports and Fun Activities in London
If you’ve already seen the best sights in London and you’re up for some action, we’ve got a few activities here that you absolutely have to try.
Climbing Tour Up at The O2
You probably know the O2 Arena as one of the most popular event venues in the world. But we’re not going to suggest you go to a concert — because there’s something way more action-packed on offer!
On a guided climbing tour, you can scale the roof of the O2 Arena, and at the top you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular 360-degree panorama of London’s skyline. The tour takes 90 minutes in total, so there’s plenty of time up top to snap some great photos.
You’ll be climbing to a height of 52 meters, so you shouldn’t have a fear of heights. But don’t worry — you don’t need to be a climbing pro, as the ascent isn’t all that difficult. Before you set off, you’ll watch an introductory video and get a thorough safety briefing.
Our tip: You can climb the O2 Arena both during the day and in the evening — the ascent is especially beautiful at sunset! Either way, you should definitely book the tour online in advance, as spots are limited.
Book the climbing tour on the roof of the O2 Arena
Visit a Soccer Stadium
Stadium Tour
If you’re into soccer, visiting a stadium in London is an absolute must. No other European city has so many well-known and successful soccer clubs — Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, and West Ham United, to name just a few.
If you’ve opted for a London City Pass, a stadium tour is often already included, so you won’t have to spend any extra money on this one.
The most famous and largest stadium in England is Wembley Stadium, which hosts matches for the national team as well as major concerts.
On a guided tour of Wembley, you can go behind the scenes of this legendary venue and get access to the players’ tunnel, the press room, and the national team’s locker room.
Watch a Soccer Match
If you want to dive even deeper into the world of British soccer, you can also catch a live match at one of the many famous stadiums. The English Premier League isn’t just the best league in the world — the atmosphere in English soccer stadiums is truly one of a kind!
Getting tickets isn’t always easy. In our article about soccer in London, we explain exactly which clubs and stadiums the city has to offer and how to get your hands on match tickets.
Still looking for a great place to stay for your London trip? We’ve got the best tips for every type of traveler.
Here you’ll find all of our hotel tips for London
We introduce you to 11 beautiful boutique hotels in London
Tips for budget accommodations in London can be found here
London Evening Activities
In London, there’s tons to do not just during the day — the city has plenty to offer after dark too. If you’re wondering what to do in London once the sun goes down, we’ve got you covered.
Watch Musicals in London
It’s not just Hamburg or New York that are famous for their musicals — London can absolutely hold its own. The West End neighborhood is called “Theatreland” for a reason.
Seeing a musical is pretty much a must for any London trip. You’ll have your pick of a huge range of top-notch shows. And if you’re lucky, a famous actor might even be starring in one!
Our tip: It’s better to buy tickets for your favorite musical in advance, as affordable seats in good locations sell out fast. We recommend the platform London Theatre Direct, the largest ticketing portal for London’s musicals — you’ll get a great overview of what’s currently playing and where.
Here you’ll find everything about musicals in London:
Visit a London Pub
No city trip to London would be complete without a visit to a proper pub. In a cozy atmosphere, you can work your way through all kinds of beers or enjoy something delicious to eat.
There are pubs on practically every street corner in London. If that feels a little overwhelming, just join one of the coolest tours in London: a pub tour.
With a fun English guide who shares interesting stories about each location, you’ll visit four historic pubs in a small group. If you’re lucky and your guide is in a particularly good mood, the 3.5-hour tour might just get extended by a pub or two.
Book the historic pub tour through London
Activities with Kids in London
Looking for cool things to do in London with kids? Here are a few recommendations for your family vacation.
Boating in Hyde Park
One activity that’s perfect if you’re traveling with kids is boating in Hyde Park. At the beautiful Serpentine Lake right in the middle of the park, you and your kids can rent a paddleboat for 30 or 60 minutes and set off at a leisurely pace.
It’s a great place to unwind, since Hyde Park is a peaceful oasis in the middle of hectic London. It stays exciting for the little ones, though — there are all kinds of birds to spot around the lake, including swans, herons, ducks, and more.
Around the lake there are kiosks and cafés if your kids feel like a drink or an ice cream after your boat ride. The paddleboat rental is open from April through October, every day from 10 AM until sunset.
Admittedly, it’s not exactly cheap — a ride for a family of two adults and up to three children costs around 30 British pounds for one hour. But it’s seriously worth it to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a while.
In the Footsteps of Harry Potter
England is basically the mecca for all Harry Potter fans. Count yourself among them? Then you absolutely have to visit the Warner Bros. Studios near London. Whether you’re young or old — the studios are fun for the whole family!
On the studio tour, you’ll walk through the original filming locations, experience special effects, and go behind the scenes. Sitting in the Hogwarts Express, strolling through Diagon Alley, or getting spooked in the Forbidden Forest — it’s all possible here. You can really tell that a genuine passion went into creating this place.
Our tip: Tickets through the studios’ own website often sell out far in advance. That’s why we recommend booking through GetYourGuide — you’ll even get transfers from London included, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
Book the Warner Bros. Studio Tour
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Boat Tour Through London
No London trip is complete without a boat ride on the Thames. There are many different boat tours available, but if you’re traveling with kids, we especially recommend the classic cruise from Westminster Pier to Tower Bridge.
The ride lasts half an hour, making it just the right length for kids. You’ll pass by major highlights like The Shard, Tate Modern, and the Tower of London — all brought to life with live, humorous commentary from the ship’s captain. And the best part: the ride costs just 12 pounds!
Book the classic boat tour on the Thames
If you want to explore what other great boat tours are available, check out our article about the best boat tours in London.
Hop-on/Hop-off Bus Tour Through London
It’s not just boating that’s a thrill for kids — riding the bus is too, especially the iconic red hop-on/hop-off double-decker.
The tour takes you past London’s most important attractions, so you and your kids don’t have to walk everywhere or constantly figure out which public transit gets you where. Super convenient!
There are four different hop-on/hop-off providers in London. With all of them, children under five ride for free. From age five, discounted family tickets or dedicated children’s tickets are available.
We think the provider Tootbus is the best option when you’re in London with kids, because the little ones get an exciting audio guide specifically designed for children.
Book your hop-on/hop-off bus ticket with Tootbus
In our article about hop-on/hop-off in London you’ll find a detailed comparison of the four providers.
Budget and Free Activities in London
London isn’t a cheap city — no question about it. But there are also some low-cost or even free things to do in London that are absolutely worth your time. There’s sure to be something here for you!
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
London is home to one of the most famous ceremonies in the world: the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. And best of all, you can watch it for free!
It’s truly a spectacle when the royal family’s guards march in perfect sync to the beat of the drums in their bearskin hats and red jackets. You’re in for a real show!
You can watch the Changing of the Guard year-round on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. It starts at 11 AM, but you should arrive at the palace by 10:30 AM to get a good view. You can also double-check the schedule on the Household Division website.
Our tip: If you want to learn all about the history and fascinating background of the guard change, a tour with a local guide is the way to go. You’ll be on the move the whole time and get to watch the parade from different vantage points — meaning you’ll always have the best possible view!
Book the Changing of the Guard tour with a guide
Visit London's Markets
London has a huge variety of beautiful and unique markets. There’s something genuinely enjoyable about strolling through one and just going wherever the mood takes you.
For us, Borough Market is one of the most beautiful markets in London. It’s one of the city’s oldest food markets and also the most famous. What we love most about it is the unique atmosphere, the wonderful historic architecture, and the enormous selection of delicious street food from around the world.
You can visit Borough Market every day except Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. On Saturdays it opens two hours earlier.
Stroll Through Chinatown
Alongside London’s markets, you can also lose yourself in a very special neighborhood: Chinatown! It’s one of the highlights of London — here you’ll feel like you’ve landed right in the middle of an Asian vacation.
Chinese characters are everywhere, and iconic red lanterns adorn the streets and shops. It’s a fantastic London photo spot! And you can eat your way through the Far East: you’ll find dishes from China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Japan.
If you’re lucky, a special event might be happening during your visit — Chinese New Year, for example. You’ll find all the details on the Chinatown website.
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Day Trips from London
There’s not only a lot to do in London itself — you can also take some great day trips into the surrounding area. Here are our top picks for excursions from London.
Thorpe Park Amusement Park
If you’re craving an adrenaline rush on your city trip, Thorpe Park amusement park in the town of Chertsey is the place for you.
If you love roller coasters, you’ve come to the right place! If you prefer something a little less wild, there are also water rides and 4D experiences to enjoy. There’s plenty for kids too.
You can easily reach Thorpe Park by train. Take the train from London Waterloo and ride 30 to 50 minutes without transfers to Staines station. From there, shuttle bus number 950 runs regularly to the park.
A train ticket will cost you around 9 pounds each way, plus another 4 pounds (round trip) for the bus.
Windsor, Stonehenge & Oxford
A day trip from London that we highly recommend is a full-day tour with GetYourGuide to three particularly exciting destinations.
First up is Windsor, where you’ll see the main residence of the royal family. Next is the mysterious stone circle at Stonehenge, and the third stop is the university city of Oxford. All three places are fascinating in their own unique way!
Plan a full day for this one — the tour takes 11.5 hours in total. Along the way, an audio guide keeps you entertained with fascinating information.
Book the day trip to Windsor, Stonehenge, and Oxford
Chalk Cliffs and Canterbury
Experience pure nature on the day trip to the world-famous white chalk cliffs in Dover. On the 10.5-hour tour with transfers from London, you’ll head to the White Cliffs, which stretch for over 13 kilometers along the coast.
The highest point rises 110 meters — the view is breathtaking as you walk along the cliffs! On a clear day, you can even see all the way to France.
But that’s not all — the second stop is the historic city of Canterbury. Here you’ll stroll through picturesque alleyways and visit the cathedral on a guided walk. Your guide will share fascinating facts about this charming city along the way.
