Things to do in London for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in London
All self-guided activities
This in-app audio tour will introduce you to the highlights of the Natural History Museum and Hyde Park. Note! The entrance to the museum is free. With this in-app audio tour, you get the audio commentary on your phone along a planned route, and a reserved time entry ticket that guarantees your admission. Start the tour from the central entrance on Cromwell Road and explore the wonders of biodiversity viewing amazing collections of dinosaur skeletons, plants, insects, and much more. Feel like an archaeologist examining the museum's famous collection of dinosaur skeletons or take a trip through time by wandering around the full-sized animatronic model of a Tyrannosaurus rex. Learn about your own planet with the Aurora Pyramid of Hope, a spectacular collection of 296 diamonds, and immerse yourself in the mysteries of the universe studying a vast collection of meteors. Hear about the evolution of life on Earth and travel through continents with botanical, entomological, and zoological collections of millions of unique exhibits. With the Natural History Museum, you can feel the real thrill of a pioneer unraveling amazing secrets about our universe! From there, you'll stroll through Hyde Park, passing peaceful lakes, memorials, galleries, and historic buildings. Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Natural History Museum but is provided by an independent creator.
Skip the lines and embark on a captivating journey through the world-renowned British Museum with entry reservation and a self-guided audio guide on your phone. Note! The entrance to the museum is free. With this in-app audio tour, you get the audio commentary on your phone along a planned route, and a reserved time entry ticket with which you’ll bypass the regular entry lines and gain quick, direct access to the museum, giving you more time to explore the vast collection. The in-app audio tour includes maps, photos, scripts, and audio commentary that cover 32 points of interest and reveal the hidden stories behind the must-see exhibits. It brings each display to life, offering fun facts, historical context, and intriguing details you might otherwise miss. Find out the secrets of ancient Egypt with the Rosetta Stone – the key that unlocked ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and the colossal bust of Ramesses the Great weighing 7.5 tonnes. Wonder at the precious figurine of the Ram in the Thicket, created about 4500 years ago, and the beautiful Statue of Tara from Sri Lanka. Gaze in wonder at the Aztec serpent made of 2,000 pieces of turquoise and the ancient moai statue from Easter Island. In the British Museum, you can fully immerse yourself in the mysteries of human civilization and feel like a real discoverer. Note! This tour is not affiliated with the British Museum but is provided by an independent creator.
Skip the lines and embark on a captivating journey through the world-renowned National Gallery with entry reservation and a self-guided audio guide on your phone. Note! The entrance to the National Gallery is free. With this in-app audio tour, you get the audio commentary on your phone along a planned route, and a reserved time entry ticket with which you’ll bypass the regular entry lines and gain quick, direct access to the gallery, giving you more time to explore its collection. After exploring the National Gallery, we invite you on a stroll around the city. You will see such famous landmarks as the Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and more, concluding your journey by the iconic Big Ben. The in-app audio tour includes maps, photos, scripts, and audio commentary that cover 56 points of interest. In the gallery's vast collection, you can find masterpieces from different countries and epochs. This audio tour will help you travel through time and observe the evolution of art with its various movements. Dive into the Renaissance with da Vinci's "Virgin of the Rocks." Be amazed by van Eyck's "Arnolfini Portrait" or learn about Dutch Golden Age with Vermeer's "Lady Standing at a Virginal." Explore Post-impressionism with Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" and feel like a real architect analyzing the building's style and elements. Note! This tour is not affiliated with The National Gallery but is provided by an independent creator.
Embark on an exciting journey through London’s iconic landmarks starting from the Science Museum! Note! Museum admission is free. With this in-app audio tour, you get the audio commentary on your phone along a planned route, and a reserved-time entry ticket to the museum that guarantees your admission. Begin your adventure with a visit to the Science Museum, where you will explore its fascinating exhibits. Wander through the museum’s diverse galleries, marvel at its vast collection of over 300,000 items. The tour will lead you through the highlights, from historic steam locomotives and pioneering aircraft to space exploration, groundbreaking inventions, medical innovations, and hands-on interactive exhibits that showcase humanity's scientific achievements. Once you’re ready to step outside, the self-guided audio tour will lead you through London’s key landmarks, offering fascinating insights and stories along the way. Continue your journey at the iconic Royal Albert Hall, a masterpiece of Victorian architecture, before heading to the majestic Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British monarch. Stroll through the picturesque St James’s Park, a serene oasis, and continue on to Trafalgar Square, a bustling hub of history and culture. Conclude the tour at the Churchill War Rooms, an underground bunker tucked beneath the streets of Westminster, which stands as a silent witness to some of the most pivotal moments of the Second World War.
Tate Modern has over a hundred years of art, from modernism in the early 1900s, to exciting works created today. This includes paintings, sculptures, and more made by artists all over the world such as Pablo Picasso, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, and Jenny Holzer. Experience Tate’s iconic Turbine Hall with a self-guided audio tour. In the Natalie Bell Building, you can see how artists create new ideas. In the Blavatnik Building, you can explore the underground Tanks, dedicated to performances, installations and video works. This tour will focus on the gallery's perhaps most famous permanent display, "In the Studio". The close engagement between the individual and the work of art, whether an artist's process of making or a viewer's experience of looking, is the focus of this display. It includes depictions of artists' studios as well as abstract works that draw attention to the complex nature of perception. You will listen to curators, conservators, and artists themselves talk about key artworks in this display. *This tour was created by WeGoTrip using the materials that were kindly provided by Tate Modern. We respect Tate's guide to copyright and donate 20% from each tour sale to the Tate for caring for the collection and the Tate Learning Programme.
Get ready to see the history of rock ‘n’ roll, to touch the legends who have departed to heaven, and the eternally living idols, to walk in the footsteps of rock avant-garde, and be where rock ‘n’ roll was born and became a most rebellious teenager. Welcome to Rockin’ London, the starting point of the new and best era. Find out where the now world-famous rock bands started their way to fame, which studios recognized the potential at the beginning of their careers and agreed to record their first albums. Visit the most famous and popular at the time clubs, bars, and pubs where the rock legends used to spend their free time, discuss their music, listen to each other's performances, and just enjoy themselves. Don’t miss your chance to find out all about it!
Follow the footsteps of the infamous maniac and try to reveal the mystery of Jack the Ripper. This in-app audio tour is not for the faint-hearted! In 1888, the East End of London was shaken by a series of bloody murders of women committed by Jack the Ripper. Disregarding all the efforts by the police, the murderer has never been found and remains unknown to these days. Start from the impressive Royal London Hospital Museum and lies along the bloody path of the "canonic five" murders of Jack the Ripper. You will walk off the beaten tracks of historical Whitechapel District through narrow lanes securing dark creepy stories and plunge into the melting pot of the lively arteries of Spitalfields and Aldgate areas. On your way, you may pop over to the old pubs where Jack the Ripper targeted his victims or enjoy delicious food in the Brick Lane where the best curry restaurants of London are concentrated. The background of victims and suspects, including surprising ones, are to be revealed during the walk. Exploring the murder sites amidst rising skyscrapers such as Gherkin Tower, green gardens and century-old churches, you will be amazed how the poorest and the ugliest part of London of the late Victorian Era changed within a century. You may follow through the history of Whitechapel murders in Jack the Ripper Museum where the tour ends. Jack the Ripper is waiting for you! Catch him "when you can"! Warning! Disturbing content. Age 18+
No one really knows why Stonehenge was built on the Salisbury plain 5,000 years ago, but you'll love coming to your own conclusions on this day trip from London. See the World Heritage site with a guide, stop for lunch in Bath and then visit the ancient Roman Baths, all in one historical and very British day.
Have you always dreamed of joining the Fab Four or the Rolling Stones? Today is your chance — during this tour, you will visit all the places which played a vital role for these two legendary bands. Start your trip at the famous Abbey Road from the Beatles album cover. See the Abbey Road Studios and go to the Beatles House on Cavendish Avenue, bought by Paul McCartney when the Fab Four became popular. Go further and look at Ringo Starr's house, where not just all the Beatles members lived for some time but also famous Jimi Hendrix squatted for a while. Explore from the outside the Prince of Wales Theatre, where The Beatles gave a concert in 1963 and a legendary moment took place. Which one? You will learn from this tour. Continue your journey and gaze at the place of the historical event: the Beatles' story ended here on 31 January 1969. You will have a chance to look at the roof where they gave their last spontaneous concert. See the Marquee club, which hosted such rockstars as Pink Floyd, David Bowie, and even Metallica, who gave a secret concert on the night of its closing. Observe Studio 51, the jazz club where Lennon and McCartney met Andrew Oldham, who was the Stones manager at that time — people say that the Rolling Stones recorded "I Want to Be Your Man" right after that. Finish your tour near the Regent Sounds Studio, where The Rolling Stones recorded their most famous album. Get ready to dive into the history of Rock'n'Roll!
Welcome to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a world-famous botanical garden. This self-guided audio tour is ideal for nature enthusiasts and those interested in botanical science and architecture. Your adventure starts at the Victoria Gate, the main entrance on Kew Road. From here, enjoy a scenic walk through diverse landscapes, visiting landmarks like the Palm House, Temperate House, Great Pagoda, and more. Experience tropical glasshouses, the tranquil Arboretum, and the Rose Garden, ending at the Princess of Wales Conservatory. As you explore Kew Gardens, discover its rich 18th-century history and its development into a global hub for plant science and conservation. Key highlights include The Hive, the Shirley Sherwood Gallery's botanical art, and the Japanese Gateway, merging natural beauty with historical insights. After Kew, continue to the London Steam and Water Museum via Kew Bridge. Here, delve into the intriguing history of steam power and waterworks, enhancing your experience. This tour seamlessly combines nature's wonders with historical insights for an unforgettable outing. Enjoy your exploration!
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About London
The best tours to do in London with kids are:
The must-see attractions in London for a first visit are:
Insider tips for visiting London
Alexandra Sam is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2020 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of London on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to London.
When I’m in London, I always mix the big attractions in London with places locals actually linger. I love starting early on the South Bank, then slipping into Borough Market for a bacon naan roll before the crowds build. If friends ask me what to see in London, I usually send them to Sir John Soane’s Museum, which feels wonderfully eccentric, and then up to Hampstead Heath for the skyline from Parliament Hill. In east London, I like wandering Columbia Road on Sunday for flowers and coffee. For people comparing tours in London, I’d say build time for small details: mews streets in Kensington, canal walks in Little Venice, and sunset by Tower Bridge.
When I visit London for a night out, I usually choose Soho if I want variety, but Dalston feels more exciting right now. In Soho, I can move from old-school pubs like The French House to tiny jazz bars and late cocktails within a few streets. In east London, Dalston gives me warehouse-style venues, excellent Turkish food on Kingsland Road, and a more local crowd. If friends ask me before they visit London, I say pick Soho for classic energy and Dalston for edge. In any travel guide London should include both, because they’re among my favorite things to do in London after dark.
On a first trip to London, I recommend getting your bearings on foot rather than rushing between attractions. I usually start in Westminster early, before the crowds, then walk through St James’s Park to Trafalgar Square and on to Covent Garden. It’s one of my favorite things to do in London because you get a real feel for London’s layers. For what to see in London beyond the obvious, I’d add a pause in Neal’s Yard, then finish along the South Bank at dusk. If you’re weighing tours in London, I’d still leave room for wandering; some of the best attractions in London are the small details—church lanes, pub corners, and riverside views.
In my travel guide London advice, I always say use a mix of the Tube, buses, and walking. The Tube is fastest for longer hops, but in central London I often prefer buses because I can actually see the city between stops—especially routes through Westminster, the Strand, and St Paul’s. When I visit London, I tap in with a contactless card and avoid peak rush if I can. For many things to do in London, walking is honestly best: Covent Garden to Soho, or South Bank to Borough Market, are short and far more enjoyable on foot. Black cabs are useful late at night, but not for everyday getting around.
When I’m choosing where to spend time in London, I usually suggest three very different areas. South Kensington is ideal if you want classic attractions in London, but I like wandering its quiet mews and finishing at a café near Thurloe Square rather than staying on the main roads. For what to see in London with more character, I love Marylebone for Daunt Books, small galleries, and Chiltern Street. Then I’d add Shoreditch, especially if you walk beyond the busiest corners into Arnold Circus and the backstreets around Boundary Estate. Even if people look at tours in London, I think these parts of London are best explored slowly, neighborhood by neighborhood.
When I visit London, I tell people not to stop at fish and chips, even though a proper version with malt vinegar is still worth having. London is really known for its mix: Sunday roasts with Yorkshire pudding, salt beef bagels on Brick Lane, Indian curries that reflect the city’s history, and excellent pies in old pubs. In my travel guide London notes, I always include a full English breakfast done well, not the greasy kind. One of my favorite things to do in London is build a day around food neighborhoods—Dim Sum in Chinatown, Turkish grills in Green Lanes, then pastries in east London. That’s the London locals actually eat.
For couples, one of my favorite things to do in London is a long, unhurried evening walk. I usually start in Marylebone, browse Daunt Books, then wander through Regent’s Park as the light softens and end with dinner in Primrose Hill. It feels far more intimate than queueing for the biggest attractions in London. If friends ask me what to see in London together, I often suggest the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park too, especially on a weekday morning when it’s quiet. Even if people look at tours in London, I think London is most romantic in its in-between moments: hidden mews, canal paths, and skyline views just after sunset.
In my travel guide London advice, I usually suggest staying in Bloomsbury for a first trip. When I visit London, I like that it feels central without being too frantic, and I can walk to Covent Garden, Soho, and the British Museum while still having quiet garden squares around me. It’s especially good if your list of things to do in London mixes museums, theatre, and easy food options. If you already know London a bit, I’d choose Marylebone for a more polished feel or South Bank for river access. But for most people who visit London, Bloomsbury gives the best balance of transport, atmosphere, and pace.