19 Iconic Things to Do in Westminster, London

Visiting London and not sure where to start with sightseeing? You’re in the right place! As a frequent visitor since 2017, I learned that it’s best to visit London one borough at a time. Today, we’ll go over the best things to do in Westminster — one of the most famous boroughs in London, packed with historic landmarks, royal attractions, and cultural highlights

If this is your first time visiting London, one thing you need to keep in mind is that London is not a regular big city like Rome or Madrid. It’s more like Tokyo — a large metropolitan area made up of 32 boroughs, including the City of London.

I share this right away so you know what to expect and avoid building an itinerary that jumps from one attraction to another without realizing how far they might be.

Because of this, this list is roughly in geographical order to help with your itinerary building (while I write up my full itinerary—coming soon 😉).

Without further ado, here are the top things to do in Westminster, London — from palaces to cultural hubs, parks, and beyond!😍👇

Disclaimer: This post has affiliate links that can help me earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. If you click through and purchase with these links, thank you in advance for the extra support.💖😊

19 Iconic Things to Do in Westminster London

Westminster Bridge

• 📍 Location: Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7GL

What better way to start the London adventures than by crossing the Westminster Bridge and entering the iconic borough?

Connecting Lambeth and Westminster, and crossing over the River Thames, this is one of the most famous bridges of London. From this bridge you’ll see the Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, and the parallel London Eye – London’s cantilevered observation wheel.

This makes Westminster Bridge one of the best free viewpoints in London, perfect for photos of the Thames and iconic London landmarks.

This bridge we see today dates back to 1862, but the original bridge was built in 1750 – making it the oldest surviving road bridge to cross River Thames in Central London. A cool fact is that it’s painted green to match the leather seats in the House of Commons.

You can cross this bridge by foot, and I highly recommend it. It’s free (obviously). Many people stop here to take pictures, making this a probable spot for pickpockets. As long as you are aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings near and in front of you, you will be fine.

Palace of Westminster (The Houses of Parliament)

• 📍 Location: Westminster, London SW1A 0AA
• 🕰️ Opening Hours: Tours typically offered Sat 9:00 AM–4:30 PM, and some weekdays during parliamentary recess.
• 💷 Price: Prices vary. Self-guided tour is £27, regular guided tour is £34. See all prices here.

Sitting right in front of the Westminster Bridge is the beautiful and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Palace of Westminster, in which the Houses of Parliament are located.

The Palace and its intricate “Perpendicular” Gothic architecture we see today dates back to the late 19th century, and is the result of major reconstruction (after the 1834 fire).

Something really cool is that this palace is much more historic than its “new” look. 

It dates back to the 11th century and its oldest surviving room is the Westminster Hall, which was built in 1097!🤯

The Palace of Westminster offers a variety of guided tours and experiences. For example, you can tour the Palace itself, the State Apartments of Speaker’s House, and the Big Ben. 

This is a place you must (at least) say hi to. It’s a great landmark to visit if you love architecture and want to dive deeper into the history, politics and government — take a guided tour to see the House of Commons, House of Lords, and Westminster Hall!

Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben)

• 📍 Location: At the north end of the Palace of Westminster
• 🕰️ Opening Hours: Tour times vary, limited availability
• 💷 Price: £35

Famously known as the Big Ben, the Elizabeth Tower is nothing short of a London icon and the clock tower attached to the Palace of Westminster.

This tower, a beautiful work of Perpendicular Gothic architecture, dates back to the mid-19th century and was named the Clock Tower until 2012, when they renamed it to Elizabeth Tower. 

From ages 11 and above, people can climb the Big Ben. The total tour of the Big Ben lasts 1.5 hours and it’s recommended visitors arrive 30 minutes before their visit, at minimum. 

It has 334 steps and it’s recommended that people who visit are comfortable with high noise levels – as the clock mechanisms and bell are quite loud. You will receive ear protection, but it’s still something important to keep in mind.

Let me just say… I’m so happy that they finally finished the renovation work on Big Ben!! It was hidden under scaffolding between 2017-2022 and thankfully I was able to see it right before the renovation began. 

This means that if you’re reading this blog, you’ll for sure be getting a beautiful glance of Big Ben in its full glory – and I’m so happy for you!🥹

Westminster Abbey

• 📍 Location: 20 Deans Yd, London SW1P 3PA
• 🕰️ Opening Hours: Mon–Fri from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Sat from 9 AM–3 PM. Sunday is for worship only.
• 💷 Price:

Westminster Abbey, located right behind the Palace of Westminster, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and royal church with over 1000 years of history. 

This is where royal weddings and coronations are held, and is also where some of Britain’s most important people throughout history are buried or commemorated – including Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. 

I mean, how cool is it that we can visit such a historic monument but also the same site where so much history has happened?

The Westminster Abbey is a Gothic masterpiece that dates back to the 13th century, and was completed in the 16th. Its history though, goes even farther back — to the 11th century when the first coronation took place.

You can visit the Westminster Abbey, and to visit the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries you’ll need to book a separate ticket. The entry ticket includes a multimedia guide so you can learn all about this UNESCO Site. 

Want to visit Westminster Abbey? Book your entry tickets before they sell out!👇

Churchill War Rooms

• 📍 Location: Clive Steps, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AQ
• 🕰️ Opening Hours: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm daily; last entry at 5:00 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, opens earlier from 9:00 am.
• 💷 Price: £33 for standard tickets

Winston Churchill, often seen as one of the best prime ministers in British history, is a man who lived many lives and roles.

One of the things he is most recognized for was leading Britain to victory in World War II and fighting against fascism. 

The Churchill War Rooms are the subterranean rooms from which Churchill worked during the war, and these rooms remain untouched. 

As you explore the historic war rooms and the rest of the Churchill Museum, you’ll get to learn secret stories of those who worked in the war rooms but also learn more about Churchill, his leadership and his legacy.

If you want to take things to the next level, you can even enjoy afternoon tea in the Churchill War Rooms.😅

If you’re someone who has a strong interest in history and WW2, this stellar-rated guided tour is perfect for you! It lasts 3 hours, including a visit to the Churchill War Rooms and a guided walking tour of Westminster as you learn about WW2 in London. Book your spot before it sells out!👇

St. James’s Park

• 📍 Location: London SW1A 2BJ, United Kingdom
• 🕰️ Opening Hours: 5 AM – 12 AM
• 💷 Price: Free

Located right in front of Buckingham Palace is the dreamy St. James’s Park – the oldest royal park in London.

The park is free to visit and is most certainly worth visiting! Here you’ll find everyone – from locals to tourists – enjoying the simple things in life: walking, children playing, people reading or relaxing in the tree shade, and so forth.

This park has a large lake with a duck “island” and is inhabited by many beautiful birds. In March there’s even cherry blossoms trees blooming.😍

I highly recommend visiting this park and letting yourself get lost and slow down. 

There’s a very serene atmosphere that will give you time for some nice deep breaths as you take on the immense and busy city. 

Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard

• 📍 Location: Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA
• 🕰️ Opening Hours:
• 💷 Price: £32 for regular tickets booked in advance. £35 if booked the day of.

Does this palace even need an introduction?😆😍

Buckingham Palace is the King’s official London residence and a working royal palace.

If you want to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, it usually takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 11:00 AM and is free to watch. (Changing Guard)

Want to visit Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms? Book your tickets before they sell out!👇

The Mall

Despite the name, no – this is not a mall. It’s the grand and ceremonial route that goes from Buckingham Palace through Admiralty Arch all the way to Trafalgar Square. 

Fun fact: this roadway has a red color to, in a way, act like a red carpet that leads to Buckingham Palace.

Something nice about this roadway is that it’s closed to traffic on Sundays (as well as public holidays and ceremonial events) so you can enjoy a peaceful stroll. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a royal carriage or see majestic horses.

Trafalgar Square

Welcome to one of the most famous squares in London! 

Trafalgar Square commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar (1805). When walking around this square you will see several fountains and landmarks, including Nelson’s Column (in the center), the Trafalgar Square Fountains and Lions.

Surrounding the square are several other landmarks and main attractions of Westminster, including the National Gallery.

As one of the busiest squares it’s important to note that there may be pickpockets – so as always, keep your belongings in front of you and stay aware of your surroundings. 

The National Gallery

• 📍 Location: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, United Kingdom
• 🕰️ Opening Hours: Every day from 10 AM to 6 PM, but closes on 9 PM on Fridays.
• 💷 Price: Free

Welcome to one of London’s most important art museums! 

With a collection of over 2,600 masterpieces that span over 700 years, dating all the way to the Middle Ages, the National Gallery is a world-renowned museum to not miss out on.

Some of the most famous works of art include Sunflowers by Van Gogh and the Execution of Lady Jane Grey by Paul Delaroche. 

To properly visit this art museum you need at minimum 3 hours due to how large it is. This makes it an extra-incredible thing to do on rainy days! 

One of the coolest things about London? Is that most of its museums, including the National Gallery, are free to enter! 

The National Gallery is completely free to visit, but if you’re an art lover looking to dive deeper into the art – this best-rated guided tour could be perfect for you! Led by an art expert guide, this tour lasts about 1.5 hours. Book your tickets here!👇

Covent Garden

Welcome to one of London’s most lively neighborhoods – particularly famous for shopping and entertainment!

One thing you must do when in Covent Garden is visit the Market Building and the Piazza. The Market Building dates back to 1830, but Covent Garden has been a frequented market space since earlier centuries. In fact, the Market Building was built to help better organize Covent Garden’s market.

Inside the building there are 3 main floors, about 25 restaurants, the beautiful Apple and Jubilee Markets, and several stores.

If you’re someone who loves shopping, whether its window shopping or spending-money-kind-of-shopping, you will love Covent Garden! This neighborhood is a shopaholic’s dream, full of endless stores with all different types of brands from all over the world.

Covent Garden is also home to the Royal Ballet and Opera, shop (or window-shop), dine at one of their spectacular restaurants, watch a West End Musical.

To be fully transparent, I used to think Covent Garden was the name of the famous Market Building, so I am here to confirm that Covent Garden is strictly the name of the neighborhood!😅 With that said: yes, Covent Garden is free to the public – and so is the Market Building.

If you’re a fan of walking tours, good drinks and historic pubs, this stellar-rated tour is perfect for you! It is essentially a walking tour of Central London that stops at four of London’s most historic pubs and taverns. Lasting 3.5 hours, this tour starts in Southwark and ends in the West End, including the Covent Garden.

If it sounds like your pint of beer – oh sorry, cup of tea – book your spot here!

See a West End Show

Located in the Covent Garden neighborhood, the West End is essentially what Broadway is to New York – it is where you go to enjoy phenomenal theatre and musicals. Attending a show here is one of the most iconic things to do in Westminster at night.

I went with my brother to watch the West End’s Matilda musical and it couldn’t have been a more incredible production. The children were all phenomenal performers.

Here are all the West End shows! For the opportunity of discounted West End show tickets, check out TodayTix.

Seven Dials Market (Food Hall)

• 📍 Location: 35 Earlham St, London WC2H 9LD
• 🕰️ Opening Hours: Hours vary. Mon – Tues from 12PM-10PM. Weds – Fri: 11AM-11PM.
  Saturday: 11AM-11PM. Sunday: 11AM-9PM.

One incredible food hall to visit in Westminster and West End (remember the Matryoshka dolls 😂) is the Seven Dials Market!

My brother and I happened to stumble upon this market/food hall right after we attended the Matilda musical and were so happy with this find. In here there are 20 independent traders and 2 bars – all of incredible and high-quality cuisines.

Leicester Square

Described as a “cultural hub and entertainment epicenter” Leicester Square is a spot full of entertainment and sits at the very heart of the West End.

Something fun is that this square is home to Europe’s biggest sweet shop, M&M’s World, and the biggest LEGO Store on the planet. There is also Japan Centre, London’s largest Japanese food hall.

Leicester Square is like the smallest Matryoshka doll, that sits inside the West End, both sit in Covent Garden, then Westminster, and finally – they all fit into the largest Matryoshka, London. Let me know if this simile made any sense.😂

With that said, around Leicester Square you’ll find all sorts of incredible West End shows and restaurants!

Chinatown

Visiting Chinatown in London never gets old!😍

The Chinatown we see today dates back to the 1950s, but the original Chinatown – which was in the East End – had origins dating to the 18th century!

In London’s Chinatown there are over 70 authentic restaurants, shops, and cafes ranging from East to Southeast Asian cuisine.

In the mid-1980s the Westminster City Council recognized the importance of Chinatown and collaborated with the Chinese community on various initiatives to improve the area. Then in the late 1980s, Chinatown was pedestrianized and received its beautiful Chinese gates and Chinese pagoda. (Chinatown.co.uk)

If you’re visiting between February and March, you’ll get to enjoy the Chinese New Year decorations and maybe even witness the celebrations – which expand to Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square.

If you’re a foodie who loves both Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, this best-rated guided tour brings you to the best eats of London’s Chinatown and SoHo. It lasts 2.5 hours and you have the option between a regular or private group tour. Book your spot before it sells out!👇

Piccadilly Circus

Welcome to London’s most famous square!

Home to large billboards, stores, and restaurants Piccadilly Circus is (in its own way) to London what Times Square is to New York.

Regent Street

Welcome to one of the most beautiful streets of London!

This street becomes extremely crowded every late November and December as people gather to admire the street’s spectacular Christmas lights. The picture above was taken in November – can you spot the street light angel?🌟

Regent Street is lined with incredible stores, including the Burberry flagship store, ranging from high-fashion to wellness and lifestyle, and restaurants.

For those who wonder which is the better street between Regent Street and Oxford Street: I personally believe that, Regent Street is unbeatable. With its architecture and visual merchandising, this street is simply a stunning street to walk along.

It’s mainly high-end stores, so on my end it’s all window shopping — but if it’s in your budget and you’re looking for a high-end British souvenir, this is the street to shop on!😍

Oxford has a large selection of stores for all budgets, but isn’t a street I’d walk for the views or architecture like with Regent Street. It also tends to be much busier.

Carnaby Street

Sitting just a few steps from Regent Street is the beloved Carnaby Street!

This street is famous for its shops, restaurants and hidden food hall, and lights. As a celiac, one spot I love for gluten free burgers in London is Patty&Bun and they have a location on Carnaby Street.

The hidden food hall on Carnaby Street is the Kingly Court. Here you will find a three-floor courtyard with 21 culinary businesses ranging from international restaurants to bars and cafes.

Fellow celiac or gluten intolerant? Here are the Best Gluten Free Restaurants in London 😋

Hyde Park

• 🕰️ Opening Hours: 5 AM – 12 AM

Welcome to London’s most famous, and world-renowned, park!😍

Hyde Park felt immense to walk through, but in the best way possible. I genuinely thought it would be around the same size to Central Park in New York and it’s not even half its size.😅

Besides peaceful strolls or bike rides, there is a lot to admire and do in the Hyde Park! One place to visit is the Diana Memorial Fountain, a landmark dedicated to the one and only, Princess Diana.

There’s a large lake Serpentine, as well as the the Serpentine Lido for summertime swims. Starting in mid-November there is also the famous Winter Wonderland Ice Rink.

If you enjoy morning bike rides and want to explore London’s palaces and parks, this is an activity to not miss out on! Book your spot for this best-rated tour before it sells out.👇

Westminster London FAQs

Is Westminster a nice part of London?

Westminster could not be a more lovely part of London! While it’s a borough, it is also recognized as a city due to its importance.

As you’ve seen in this article, Westminster is home to the majority of Royal and governmental landmarks and some of London’s most famous icons.

Which airport in London is easiest to get to Westminster?

London is home to 6 airports, and I’ve been to 3 of them so far: Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted.

To get to Westminster, the easiest airport to fly into is either Heathrow (London’s largest airport) or London City Airport (London’s most central airport). From both these airports you have roughly a one hour long commute on the tube.

If you’re looking for an easy but also affordable option, you can fly into Stansted! The commute is slightly longer, but with either the Stansted Express (fasted but most expensive option) or the National Express A9 (slower but more budget-friendly), you’ll have a comfortable and easy journey.

Where to Stay in Westminster

Westminster is a great borough to stay in as its central to most of London’s most famous attractions. One particular area in Westminster that is famous for hotels and boutique stays is Covent Garden – where you will find an accommodation for all budgets.

I personally haven’t stayed in Westminster yet, but after some thorough research to help you out – here are some of the best-rated and beloved stays:

• ($$$) The Resident Covent Garden: #1 rated hotel in London on TripAdvisor (4.9/5)
• ($$$) The Clermont London, Charing Cross: top rated with 4.8/5 with 8k reviews
• ($$) Montcalm Piccadilly Townhouse: best rated with 4.8/5 with 2.2k reviews
• ($) The Westminster London: 4.6/5 with 2k reviews
• ($) hub by Premier Inn London Covent Garden hotel: 4.3/5 with 5k reviews

Map of the Best Things to Do in Westminster London

Planning to explore more of the UK while you’re here?

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• One Day in Edinburgh | How to Make the Most of Your 24 Hours
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📍 More UK and London content coming soon!

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I have to ask…

What are you most excited to see or experience in Westminster London? Will this be your first time visiting? Let me know in the comments!☺️👇

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