london boat trip london eye

Boat trip from London Eye to Tower of London or Greenwich

Kristoffer Fons

February 2, 2022

I recommend everyone who are on a city break in London to take a boat trip on the river Thames. To experience London from the ‘seaside’ is quite unique and it’s also a good way to combine for example a visit to the London Eye and the Tower of London, which are located at opposite ends of the city.

This is a guide to the boat trip from London Eye – get info on prices and purchase cheap advance tickets online.

Boat trip from London Eye

There are many different companies that sail on the Thames in London. If you want a good, inexpensive sailing trip in London, then you should strongly consider a trip with City Cruises.

I have taken the trip on the Thames three times, most recently just a month ago, and I love the concept. I had my mother with me on a weekend trip to London and I really wanted to show her the London I know and love – including all the major sights in the English capital.

Therefore, we headed out to the London Eye (London’s huge ferris wheel, which is located right next to the River Thames), which offers great views of Palace of Westminster (and “ Big Ben “). This time we skipped the ride up the London Eye, but chose instead to board a boat that docks just to the right of the London Eye.

• A trip up the London Eye is highly recommended, but remember to buy your ticket online in advance, so you avoid the long queue. Fast track tickets for London Eye can be purchased online at Getyourguide here .

We chose a trip with City Cruises where boats are sailing every 30 minutes.

City Cruises boats can be boarded from (among others) :

• Westminster Pier
• London Eye Pier (the one we chose)
• London Bridge Pier
• Greenwich Pier

As I said, we boarded the boat at the London Eye and sailed eastwards to the Tower of London. An excellent trip, where you see sights such as Tower Bridge, The Millennium Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and HMS Belfast.

We chose to get off the boat at London Bridge Pier , as we wanted to experience the Borough Market . 

The next stop on the boat trip is the Tower of London.

• If you want to visit the royal building then remember to buy a ticket to the Tower of London in advance – can be purchased here .

Price and where to buy tickets for the boat trip

I always recommend purchasing tickets for attractions in London directly at the VisitBritain Shop  for safety reasons. When you buy a ticket for a boat ride in London with Visit Britain you buy the so-called open-date tickets, which means you can use your boat ticket all day and just show up at the dock.

The ticket is a 24-hour ticket, which means you, from the first time you’re boarding a boat can travel unlimited with City Cruises.

Very useful if you for example take a trip from the London Eye to Tower and want to go back again.

I know that most tourists stay in the West End of London – and it’s also where most of my recommended hotels in London are located. 

The price of an adult ticket is £18, children from 5-16 years cost £9 and for people over 60 it will cost £12.60.

Please note that these prices are only valid if you buy the ticket in advance online.

Get more information & buy tickets for a boat tour in London in the Get Your Guide shop right here .

I recommend everyone to buy the ticket online in advance in the VisitBritain shop as it will both save you money and you’ll avoid queuing – it can often be quite a long queue to buy tickets, a queue you can skip if you have booked your tickets for the boat from home.

• Do you have questions about boat tours in London?

As mentioned earlier, I have sailed this trip a few times so please post a comment below if you are in doubt about something – I will gladly help any travelers to London.

Related Articles

Sky Garden in London – Amazing & Free Rooftop Bar

Borough Market – Historical Street Food Market

4 thoughts on “boat trip from london eye to tower of london or greenwich”.

How long does the boat trip from London Eye to to London bridge take? I’m trying to squeeze as much as I can into a 11 hr layover. Thank you Philip Sweetnam

The journey from London Eye Waterloo Pier to London Bridge Pier takes exactly 15 minutes 🙂

Have a nice (short) trip to London 😀

Hi there. I didn’t see a place to pick the date for the boat trip. Is it good for any day? Thanks, Ann

Yes, for sure – the boats in London sail everyday 🙂

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

London Travel Hacks is an online travel guide to the beautiful capital of England. The aim of this website is to give you all the information you need before coming to London on a trip. The website is run by Kristoffer Fons, who has been travel blogging since 2013.

© 2024 London Travel Hacks

• Find South Bank London on Twitter
• Find South Bank London on Facebook
• Find South Bank London on Instagram
• See & Do
• Attractions

London Eye River Cruise

Set sail on the River Thames with the London Eye River Cruise.

Opening Hours

Boats leave every hour from 10:45am to 4:45pm.

Ticket Information

Tickets from £14. Combination tickets including a ride on the London Eye can be bought online.

Contact Info

• Find London Eye River Cruise on Instagram
• Find London Eye River Cruise on Facebook

Casting off from the London Eye pier in South Bank, this 40-minute guided river boat cruise takes in all of the biggest sights that sit on the river Thames including Big Ben, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower Bridge and more.

This is a circular boat tour starting and ending at the London Eye with live commentary (in English) on board from a professional guide. There are also audio guides available in French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Czech, Hindi, Polish, and Portuguese. Refreshments can be bought from the on-board bar.

Sign up to our newsletter to get all the latest updates straight to your inbox.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices.

• +44 (0) 20 3778 0700
• [email protected]
• Manage My Booking

• TICKET INFORMATION
• ACCESSIBILITY
• LONDON JOURNEY PLANNER
• PRIVATE HIRE
• TRAVEL TRADE
• THAMES HISTORY

Sightseeing At Its Best

Explore london with thames river sightseeing.

Make the most of your adventure! Join our local skippers and friendly team for an unforgettable Thames River cruise.

THAMES RIVER CRUISE TICKETS

Tickets & packages.

• Thames River Sightseeing Cruise Ticket

Westminster to Greenwich | Thames River Sightseeing

Travel from Westminster to Greenwich and enjoy beautiful views over London’s famous landmarks with our River Thames Sightseeing cruise.

Circular Cruise: Westminster to Bankside and Tower Bridge

See the best of beautiful London from the waters on this  Thames River Sightseeing cruise, from Westiminster to Bankside and Tower Bridge.

2 Day River Pass | Hop On Hop Off

Our 2-day hop-on and hop-off Thames River Sightseeing ticket is the best way to explore London from the water – with unlimited river travel over two consecutive days to enjoy at your own pace.

THAMES RIVER SIGHTSEEING

Featured Attractions

There’s so much to see when you’re on your Thames River Sightseeing cruise that you’re bound to find at least one place you’ll want to visit. Explore iconic landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Shard, & more!

• Closest Pier: Bankside Pier

TOWER OF LONDON

• Closest Pier: Greenwich Pier

ROYAL OBSERVATORY

Shakespeare's globe, st. paul's cathedral.

• BEAUTIFUL VIEWS
• EXPERT CREW

Are you a group of 15 or more? Book now and get 15% off your tickets. Please select a cruise below and the discount will automatically be applied for group bookings of at least 15 people.

Select a cruise for your group and get 15% off your tickets when check out.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our common answer to your common questions. Didn’t see what you are looking for? Click the button below to read all our FAQs.

The Thames is a chock-a-block full of London landmarks, including the iconic Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and Cutty Sark, as well as modern attractions like the London Eye and the Shard. Rest assured your skipper will point out all the points of interest in an entertaining and informative commentary.

• Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment, London, SW1A 2JH
• Embankment Pier, Victoria Embankment, London, WC2N 6NU
• Festival Pier, Riverside Walk, London, SE1 9PX
• Bankside Pier, Bankside, London, SE1 9PD
• Tower Bridge Quay, St Katharine Docks, 50 St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1LA
• Greenwich Pier, King William Walk, London, SE10 9HT

• +44 (0) 20 3778 700
• [email protected]

• Manage Booking

London Eye Plus River Cruise – City Cruises

Be the first to get offers and news, shopping cart.

London Eye (Waterloo) Pier

Set sail to London Eye and see all the city's major sights

London Eye (Waterloo) Pier, The Queen's Walk, London, SE1 7PB

Central Zone

This pier is accessible

Accessible entrance: ///hope.lonely.foil

Ticket machine, Oyster Readers and staffed ticket office

Ticket office opening times: 10:00 - 18:00*

*Subject to change

Pier facilities

This pier has a sheltered waiting room

Located on the south bank of the River Thames, underneath The lastminute.com London Eye, and opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, this pier offers easy access to a range of great attractions.

Tickets can be bought at ticket machines at the pier before travel, but to save time and money touch in and out with your Oyster or contactless card. You can also buy your tickets online or use the Uber app or the Thames Clippers Tickets app .

River Bus service patterns

To reach London Eye from a Westbound RB1 service to Westminster, stay on board; the vessel will turn around at Westminster Pier and then call at London Eye. If your vessel terminates at Battersea Power Station, or has a break scheduled, please disembark at Westminster Pier and cross Westminster Bridge.

The times below indicate the first and last departures from this pier. However, these services may not call at all piers. Please always check the timetable before travelling.

Eastbound departures:

Continuing your journey from London Eye Pier

London Waterloo Station is the UK's busiest railway station and is a 7-minute walk from the pier. On the London Underground, Waterloo is on the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City lines.

Jubilee Gardens is the nearest Santander Cycle Station.

The South Bank area is cycle-friendly and Q1 on the Cycleways network passes near to the pier.

Waterloo Car Park, is around a 4-minute walk away, or the APCOA car park, is around 15-minute walk away.

The pier is within the Congestion Charge Zone.

Many London Buses and most London sightseeing bus tours travel near to the pier.

Ubers and black cabs regularly serve the area.

Things to do in South Bank

This pier is perfectly situated for tourists wanting to reach a wide range of London's top attractions & destinations.

For other ideas and inspiration, please visit our dedicated page for   things to do in London .

The lastminute.com London Eye

The lastminute.com London Eye, or the Millennium Wheel, is a cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. A must-see for tourists in London.

London Dungeon

Located just a 2-min walk from The London Eye is the iconic London Dungeon. Using a mixture of live actors, special effects and rides, this must-see experience recreates various gory and macabre historical events in a gallows humour style.

South Bank London

Beside the River Thames, the South Bank is a dynamic area at the heart of London’s cultural scene. The Southbank Centre, National Theatre, and BFI film theatre are all world-class arts venues.

Shrek's Adventure!

DreamWorks Tours: Shrek's Adventure!, commonly referred to as Shrek's Adventure!, is a Midway attraction operated by Merlin Entertainments. This renowned tour has fantastic reviews across the board.

Sealife London Aquarium

The Sea Life London Aquarium is located on the ground floor of County Hall on the South Bank of the River Thames in central London, near the London Eye. It opened in March 1997 as the London Aquarium and hosts about one million visitors each year.

Florence Nightingale Museum

The Florence Nightingale Museum is located at St Thomas' Hospital, which faces the Palace of Westminster across the River Thames in South Bank, central London, England. It is open to the public seven days a week. It reopened on 12 May 2010 following an extensive £1.4m refurbishment.

Namco Funscape

Namco Funscape is one of the largest amusement arcades in London, a paradise for kids of all ages if you love video games of all kinds. Face-off on the best arcade machines, play some games of pool, go bowling, or do your best to survive the escape room.

Please read our full FAQ’s page.

Waterloo Pier is another name for London Eye Pier (along with London Waterloo Pier, London Eye Waterloo Pier or London Eye Millennium Pier) and the pier is frequently referred to by any one of these names. However, it is currently officially named after the famous big wheel.

The nearest tube station is Waterloo Station, which can be reached via a short walk (usually around 7 minutes). Alternatively, you can also walk to Charing Cross Station (usually takes around 15 minutes).

The best postcode to use is SE1 7PB. However, please be aware that the pier is a short walk from the road.

Yes, tickets can be bought at the pier before travel.

Yes, you can touch in and touch out with contactless payment cards or Oyster to pay as you go on our services.

Avoid These Tourist Traps In London And Visit These Destinations Instead

O ne of the world's greatest cities, London is packed with tourist attractions so impressive that you'll want to add them all to your itinerary. From the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace to the Churchill War Rooms, the list of unmissable landmarks seems endless. Don't worry, though -- it's possible to visit most of them in just a two-day trip . When you're on a tight schedule, it's important to avoid time- and money-wasting tourist traps in favor of visiting sites that are worthy of your attention. 

Whether it's an overrated and overpriced wax museum, a kitschy dungeon experience, or a super crowded viewpoint, there are many places to avoid visiting in the U.K.'s heady capital. The confusing part? Some of them top multiple lists of must-see attractions. That's where we come in. 

As someone who lived in this captivating English city for six years, I have first-hand knowledge of the biggest tourist traps to avoid when traveling to London. Plus, I can offer more impressive (and often less costly) destinations to visit instead. Don't want to take my word for it? No problem. I combined my first-hand knowledge with reviews and suggestions from other locals to create this list.

Read more: 50 Underrated Tourist Destinations Around The World

Skip Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours And Ride A London Bus

While hop-on hop-off bus tours can be a convenient way to explore a big city, they often come with a hefty price tag. If the tour is based in London, you can expect to pay over $50 per adult for a one-day pass. Instead, board a London bus, which will cost less than $7 for a day of travel. Bus fare for one ride is about $2 and the daily cap is under $7. To pay for their ride, visitors must use a contactless card or an Oyster Card, the visitor's version of which can be purchased online and mailed to your home before you leave.

Double-decker London buses offer spectacular city views, with many routes passing right by London's landmark attractions. One of our faves is the historic Routemaster Bus 15, which we suggest boarding at the Tower of London. Hop on at Great Tower Street (Stop TT) and ride west to Charing Cross Station. Be sure to sit up top for the best views along this heritage route -– you can't miss St. Paul's Cathedral and Trafalgar Square. 

Bus 24 is another great option for sightseers. Hop on at Victoria Station and ride it to Camden High Street. Along the way, you'll pass Westminster Abbey, the Horse Guard's Parade, Trafalgar Square, and Downing Street. Grab a bite at Camden Market when you disembark or stay on until you reach Hampstead Heath where you can catch unbeatable views of the city.

Skip Madame Tussauds And Visit Buckingham Palace

It may tout itself as a top London attraction, but Madame Tussauds would be more honest if they said they were the top rip-off site. Booking in advance will save some money -- the standard online rate for an adult begins at just over $47 versus the walk-up price, which begins at almost $60. But that's still a lot of quid to dish out for wandering around an overcrowded and noisy space filled with okay-ish wax replicas of A- and B-list celebs. Yes, it's fun to take photos with the royal family and fool friends into thinking you met them IRL, but is it worth it? We don't think so.

Instead, we suggest visiting Buckingham Palace for a potential King Charles III sighting. Realistically, you probably won't spy a royal outside the palace, but at least you'll see a historic monument up close. Celebrities more your thing? Book a reservation at one of the city's most popular restaurants. Chiltern Firehouse has hosted acting greats Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper as well as soccer superstar David Beckham. 34 Mayfair is another good bet for great food and celeb spotting. Imelda Staunton and royal family members have all eaten here.

Skip Changing Of The Guard And Visit The Queen's Gallery

While you should add Buckingham Palace to your list of must-see London tourist attractions, you may want to avoid a visit during the Changing of the Guard. This formal ceremony marks the change between the old guard (on-duty soldiers) and new guard (soldiers taking over duty) for the royal palaces. Marching with a band from Wellington Barracks to the Palace, the new guard will arrive at the palace at about 10:45 a.m. A well-known event, this is a big tourist draw, which means you can expect hefty crowds queuing up an hour or more in advance, as well as pickpockets who arrive to take advantage of the chaotic atmosphere. This tourist trap, which takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, is one you'll be happy to miss. Sadly, watching this famed ceremony these days feels more like witnessing an overhyped marching band than it does an esteemed historic ritual.

Instead, ditch the crowds and glimpse art from the Royal Collection in the Queen's Gallery or visit the Royal Mews , where you can see the royal stables and the 260-year-old Gold State Coach used at King Charles III's Coronation. The Mews are open Thursday through Monday from early March to early November. Neighboring St. James Park is another interesting place to visit. One of London's famed Royal Parks, it is bordered by three palaces and boasts a fabulous view of Buckingham Palace in particular.

Skip Platform 9 ¾ At King's Cross Station And Visit Warner Brothers Studio Tour London

If you're traveling with a Harry Potter-obsessed kid, you may want to visit Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross Station. But if you're alone, or with other adults who couldn't care less, we advise you to skip this overrated tourist trap. If you're already planning to be in King's Cross Station and have time to scope out this attraction, that's one thing; but if you're traveling there with the sole purpose of visiting this site, think twice. 

Set between platforms 9 and 10 (obvs) this point of interest includes nothing but a brick wall denoted with a sign. Stuck into the wall is part of a trolley loaded with fake suitcases and an empty owl cage. Those hoping for a quick photo and to score some Potter swag will be pleased;  the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ is open daily, even on bank holidays, and it sells everything from wands to clothes to makeup. 

For those who'd rather have an unforgettable and truly magical Harry Potter experience, though, head to Warner Brothers Studio Tour London -- The Making of Harry Potter in nearby Leavesden. Instead of merely looking at a wall, visitors can board the Hogwarts Express, "fly" on a broomstick, walk through the Great Hall, and explore the Forbidden Forest. Step foot in Diagon Alley, try a Butterbeer, or check out some of the film's famous props and costumes. You won't be sorry you visited.

Skip London Dungeon And Visit The Tower Of London

No matter how much the kids beg you to visit the London Dungeon, stay strong and just say "no." This kitschy tourist trap is a waste of your hard-earned money (tickets start at over $37 for adults) and it's so hokey you'll roll your eyes more times than you can count on both hands. This pitiful attraction is peppered with costume-clad actors who like to scream and cackle and its two rides (the Drop Dead: Drop Ride and the Tyrant Boat Ride) will make you wish you were at Walt Disney World; even "It's a Small World" would be more enjoyable. An escape room has also been added to increase the venue's income stream –- it costs $153 for a private game for six people.

Want a historic experience with a side of chills? Head to the Tower of London instead. There, you can tour the Torture at the Tower Exhibition, where you can get up close and personal with the stretching machine (a.k.a. the rack) and other ancient torture devices in the Lower Wakefield Tower. The Bloody Tower is another point of interest you won't want to miss. The most infamous prison on the grounds, this is where you'll learn about the alleged murder of two young princes -– Edward V and his little brother Richard –- by their uncle, Richard III.

Skip The London Bridge Experience And Visit Churchill War Rooms

Looking for a good spooking? Do yourself a favor and skip The London Bridge Experience. A tourist trap designed to bring the city's macabre history to life with the help of actors with a penchant for jump scares, you can expect to meet zombie-like versions of ghastly heavyweights Jack the Ripper and William Wallace during your visit. Tickets cost about $37 for the experience, which takes anywhere between 35 and 50 minutes. That means you could be spending more than $1 a minute. Entry fees also include a trip to the London Tombs, deemed the U.K.'s "best scare attraction," according to their site . Zombified dentists, doctors, and creepy clowns await visitors in the lower vaults of this venue, ready to pounce and scream in your face.

Instead, we suggest visiting the Churchill War Rooms. Also located underground, this fascinating historic facility is part of the Imperial War Museums. Located in the basement of Whitehall, this once-secret complex was used by former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, top government ministers, and military planners to conduct meetings and develop plans during the country's war effort during World War II. Known as the Cabinet War Rooms, this clandestine spot was used daily during the war, until August 16, 1945. Or experience that stomach drop feeling by walking the glass floors at Tower Bridge. Set nearly 138 feet above the Thames, the views are both terrifying and impressive. Tickets cost under $16 per adult. 

Skip The Sherlock Holmes Museum And Visit The Sherlock Holmes Pub

We don't recommend visiting the Sherlock Holmes Museum unless you have a detective-obsessed kid who doesn't realize that the famed character is fictional. Set inside a Georgian townhouse at 221B Baker Street in Marylebone, this four-story museum has been open since 1990. Inside lie antique furnishings mentioned in the books and pretty creepy-looking mannequins. Tickets cost over $21 which isn't exorbitant, especially for London, but considering you won't be there long (the museum's quite small), this seems a bit of a waste.

Instead, head to The Sherlock Holmes  in St James. Self-described as a "Victorian-themed public house," this watering hole features a recreated version of the famed fictional detective's apartment upstairs. The entire pub is dotted with references to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved books, making it easy to feel as if you're within the pages. Plus, there's a beer garden –- the museum certainly doesn't have one of those.

Skip The SEA Life London Aquarium And Visit The London Zoo

You'll find everything you'd expect to see at the SEA Life London Aquarium. From penguins to sharks to turtles, they're all there. And as far as aquariums go, this is a pretty good one. But when you're in one of the world's greatest cities that lies on the banks of a river, not an ocean, there are plenty of better things to see. Standard tickets to the Sea Life London Aquarium cost $24 online or $51 at the door. Again, that's pretty on par for London attractions, however, it's a steep price to pay for a tourist trap. 

Instead, visit London Zoo in Regent's Park. The oldest scientific zoo in the world, this family-friendly attraction was opened in 1828 for fellows of the Zoological Society of London. In 1847, the public was invited to visit. Today, the zoo is home to 14,0000 animals including a giant, 425-pound silverback gorilla, Sumatran tigers, and Linne's two-toed sloths. While tickets aren't cheap (an adult will cost about $40 to visit on a weekday), it's easy to spend a whole day here. Or, if you aren't willing to part with that much cash, visit the smaller, and lesser-known, Battersea Park Children's Zoo . Adult tickets are more reasonably priced, at $16. There are over 100 animals at this little zoo, including wallabies, meerkats, otters, and lemurs, and plenty of opportunities to interact with animals like coatis, donkeys, and goats.

Skip The Shard And Visit Level 10 At The Tate Modern

There's no denying that The Shard is impressive. In fact, it's one of the most spectacular buildings in the world . The viewing platform was opened by the queen on February 1, 2013, with the main restaurants (Aqua, Oblix, and Hutong) following suit that summer. Set across the Thames from another bucket-list-worthy London building, the Gherkin, this engineering masterpiece towers 1,016 feet above the city and boasts 11,000 glass panels. 

Dubbed a "vertical city," there's plenty to do inside, like spend serious coin on a meal with a view, or zip up one of the 44 elevators to the viewing platform. That 360-degree view will cost you, though -- about $36, or more if you add a glass of champagne. And if you visit on a day that's rainy or misty (honestly, London is often both of those things), you're basically paying for a ride in a lift.

Instead, head to Level 10 at Tate Modern, where you can enjoy a drink or snack (including sandwiches and salads) while ogling the impressive view of the Thames, St. Paul's Cathedral, the BT Tower, and Blackfriar's Bridge. You won't have to pay a thing unless you choose to grab a bite or a warm cuppa. The Skygarden at 20 Fenchurch Street is another must-visit for a free skyline vista. The highest public garden in London, this leafy space is as stunning as its views are remarkable.

Skip The London Eye And Visit Hamstead Heath

We are well aware that some of you will disagree with this addition to our list of tourist traps to avoid when traveling to London, but hear us out. Yes, the London Eye is iconic. Yes, it offers fantastic views of the city. And yes, it's deemed a top London attraction you won't want to miss . That said, visiting this popular landmark can cause more headaches than enjoyment. First created as a temporary point of interest, this 443-foot-tall, "cantilevered observation wheel" is the largest of its kind in the world, according to its website . And if you catch a ride on one of its 32 pods on a sunny day, you can see up to 25 miles in all directions. The problem is that thousands of others have the same idea, which means you could stand in line for more than two hours on a particularly busy day. Standard tickets start at over $32 online or more than $57 for a walk-up.

Instead, visit Hampstead Heath for a unique city view you probably never knew existed. Parliament Hill stands over 321 feet tall, making it one of the highest natural points in the city. If the weather is ideal, you can see to the Gherkin, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Houses of Parliament. Speaking of the Gherkin, it's another great spot to enjoy unparalleled views. Grab a drink and snack at Iris Bar at Searcys at the Gherkin , then relax with a side order of stunning vistas.

Skip Harrods And Visit Peter Jones And Liberty

Harrods is to London as the Colosseum is to Rome -– a historic icon that's become synonymous with the city. The world's most famous luxury department store, this Knightsbridge institution is impossible to miss -– it's eight floors tall and an entire block long, not to mention over one million square feet in size. Inside, you'll find 20 restaurants, a beauty salon, a bank, and 300 separate departments selling over 5,000 brands. You'll also see price tags so high you might suffer sticker shock. Due to its notoriety, Harrods is often packed with tourists, making it difficult to enjoy the plush interior.

If you're hoping to shop during your London holiday, there are plenty of excellent places to visit instead. Sloane Square is home to the Peter Jones & Partners department store. Owned by John Lewis, this vast shop is filled with enough enticing merchandise that you'll find it tough to leave empty-handed. Grab a bite at The Top Floor Restaurant (on the 6 th floor) for captivating views of Chelsea and beyond.

Liberty is another recognizable landmark located on Regent Street. A heritage-listed building; this stunning Tudor-style store is as beautiful outside as it is indoors. Built between 1922 and 1924, it is worth a visit, if only to admire the impressive architectural features (the price tags here are also quite shocking).

Our Ranking Methodology

Having lived in London for six years with two young children, I visited pretty much every tourist attraction the city has. From renowned points of interest like the Tower of London to remarkable museums, I've seen the top sightseeing destinations multiple times, including many kitschy tourist traps I wish I'd skipped. To create this list, I used my experiences at these attractions to determine which locales are tourist traps that should be avoided and I included alternatives that are more than worthy of your time and money. I also consulted reviews from other locals and travelers, as well as their tips, to ensure the list is solid.

Read the original article on Explore .