top 10 visit london

13 of the best things to do in London

Feb 25, 2024 • 13 min read

Make the most of your time in London with these top things to do © franckreporter / Getty Images

Fast-paced, fabulous and fun, London is packed with world-class things to see, do and experience.

You probably already have a checklist of London sights to visit, but don't forget to pause and soak up the vibe of a city that has been at the forefront of world culture for at least two millennia.

Whether you're a first-time visitor  or coming back for more, London serves up so many options that it can be hard to know where to start. It's easy to fill days or even weeks taking advantage of free entry at the city's top art galleries and museums, learning about the rich and complex history, and seeing live bands and captivating West End shows.

If you have the time – and budget – almost anything is possible in London. To help you whittle down the options, here are the top experiences in London that you won't want to miss.

1. Step back in time at the Tower of London

A world of English eccentricity enclosed within the sturdy walls of an imposing 11th-century fortress, the Tower of London is the perfect place to start a visit to London. As well as taking visitors on a remarkable architectural and historical journey, the castle is home to the world's largest diamond (the controversial Cullinan diamond, part of the famous Crown Jewels), as well as a dazzling array of armor and weaponry. A palpable sense of history and heritage will greet you at every turn.

Planning tip: It’s well worth getting to the Tower early – you'll need at least half a day to explore the sprawling chambers, courtyards and jail cells, and hear about its gruesome history. Arrive as the doors are unlocked and head straight to the Crown Jewels to avoid a long wait in line. To learn more about the Tower's back story, join a Yeoman Warder’s tour for a fascinating and personal introduction to the life and grisly times of this fortress-palace.

Explore the Tower of London effortlessly with GetYourGuide.  Book your tour today .

2. Be wowed by contemporary art at Tate Modern

A vast shrine to modern and contemporary art, the much-loved Tate Modern enjoys a triumphant position right on the River Thames. Housed in the former Bankside Power Station, the gallery is a vigorous statement of modernity, architectural renewal and accessibility. Enter via Holland Street to experience the vast Turbine Hall, which used to house the power station’s electricity generators, and is now home to large-scale art installations. Upstairs exhibition spaces are pushing the conceptual envelope, too, with interesting temporary shows, installations and performance art.

Local tip: Level 10, the viewing platform atop the Blavatnik Building, has been the subject of some controversy regarding privacy because it's possible to look into the adjacent apartment buildings. There are many signs politely requesting no photography on the south side (and not as much to see there anyway). There are also great views from the coffee shop and bar in the main building. If the tide is out, there's good mudlarking – an evocative term for looking for historic junk on the exposed mud at low tide – right in front of the gallery.

3. Explore London’s Black history 

London’s Black history is rich and fascinating and stretches back across centuries. All over London, you'll sense a growing enthusiasm for acknowledging, owning and celebrating this once-overlooked part of London's story. Begin your journey by joining one of the 16 walking tours in central London run by Black History Walks , then head down to the Docklands to learn about the capital’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade at the Musem of London Docklands before meandering south to marvel at the vast Black archives at Brixton’s Black Cultural Archives . Next, indulge in some delicious Caribbean cuisine and take in many of the city’s best Black artists at 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning .

Planning tip:  Notting Hill Carnival , held over the August Bank Holiday weekend, is a colossal street party celebrating Black, Caribbean and African cultures. Join the dancing, parties and parades that fill the neighborhoods around Ladbroke Grove. The official website publishes routes and events in advance.

4. Imagine the royal weddings of yesteryear at Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey has been the heart of the country’s royal and religious life for centuries. This Gothic wonder was founded more than a thousand years ago and today it displays a mix of architectural styles, with the bulk of its structure dating back to the 13th century. As a result, almost every nook and cranny has a story attached to it.

London's great abbey has served as the venue for many showstopper funerals and weddings – 30 monarchs are buried here, and 16 royal weddings have been hosted here, the most recent being that of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011. Among the highlights, you will find the oldest door in the UK, the collection of memorials to great poets and writers known as Poets’ Corner, the Coronation Chair, 14th-century cloisters, a 900-year-old garden, royal tombs and much, much more.

Planning tip: Be warned that the crowds are almost as solid as the abbey’s unshakeable stonework, so aim to join the line first thing in the morning.

Explore Westminster Abbey effortlessly with GetYourGuide.  Book your tour today .

5. Stroll the sights of the South Bank

A great way to get your bearings and take in a slew of sights at the same time is to take a west-to-east walk along the Thames, through the cultural quarter known as the South Bank. Getting off the Tube at Westminster will deposit you right by Big Ben , the legendary bell atop the clocktower of the Houses of Parliament . From there, cross Westminster Bridge for stellar views back toward the seat of British democracy. 

Once on the Queen's Walk, as this pathway is known, stroll east with the river to your left. Although it’s inescapably touristy, a rotation on the London Eye  is a must for any first-time visitor to the capital. This futuristic Ferris wheel takes 30 minutes to complete a full turn, reaching 135m (443ft) at its highest point, and providing spectacular views of iconic landmarks from its glass capsules. Book tickets in advance to avoid the lines.

The Southbank Centre offers up a roll call of top-draw icons and entertainment; it's a great place to go if you're traveling with kids , with lots of free activities and events in summer. Once you leave the Brutalist concrete architecture of the Southbank Centre behind, you'll find other eclectic London sights, including Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre , the Tate Modern art gallery (with views across the river to  St Paul’s Cathedral ), and the Shard , Britain's tallest building. As you walk, look across the river towards the City of London, and try to pick out its curiously nicknamed skyscrapers – such as the Gherkin, the Cheesegrater and the Walkie-Talkie.

Detour: When hunger calls, take a snack break at legendary Borough Market close to London Bridge, where there are pubs, restaurants, dairies, bakers and more than 100 gourmet food stalls.

Transform your visit to London's Eye by  booking with GetYourGuide.

6. Delve into Muslim London

London was once the capital of an empire that ruled over more than half the world’s Muslims, so it should come as no surprise that the city is home to a wide range of Muslim communities and rich in Islamic heritage. Start with the amazing Islamic collections in the Victoria & Albert Museum ’s Jameel Gallery or the British Museum ’s Albukhary Gallery  – between them, these former imperial institutes hold over 115,000 Islamic items. 

To learn where Arabic was taught in 17th century London, take an eye-opening Muslim History Tour , then treat yourself to some of the capital’s most delicious Muslim cuisine. Try a fiery curry along East London’s Brick Lane (or great Punjabi-style kebabs nearby at Tayyabs ), head north to Green Lanes for London’s most authentic Anatolian dishes, or go west along Edgware Road for varied Middle Eastern cuisine.

7. Dive deep into history at the South Kensington museums

A trio of world-class museums lie within yards of each other in the well-to-do neighborhood of South Kensington , their grand edifices proving an equal draw to the glories within. With seven floors of interactive, educational and eye-opening exhibits, the spellbinding collection of models, machines and inventions at the Science Museum mesmerizes adults and children in equal measure. 

You could spend days in the huge Victoria & Albert Museum , which houses the world’s leading collection of decorative art objects, and still be astounded at its variety and depth. With its animatronic Tyrannosaurus rex , riveting displays about planet Earth, the research-oriented Darwin Centre and architecture straight out of a Gothic fairy tale, the Natural History Museum is an astonishing melding of science and imagination. Start in the iconic Hintze Hall, where the skeleton of a blue whale dives down from the ceiling.

Local tip: To see a more unusual side to the museums, and mingle with some Londoners, check in advance to see if any “Lates” are running; the museums periodically open their doors into the evening for special events with music and food. There are even occasional sleepover events called Dino Snores  at the Natural History Museum.

8. See a world-class theater show in the West End – and beyond

London is one of the best places in the world to catch a show, so take the opportunity while visiting the capital. For the most famous faces and well-known productions, head to the West End . This area is synonymous with musicals; look out for classics like  Les Misérables or Mamma Mia! , family favorites such as Matilda,   The Lion King  or Wicked, and offbeat hits such as The Book of Mormon (definitely not family viewing!) .

If musicals are not your thing, get onto TodayTix and see what else is playing. Be sure to check out the edgy, small-cast shows at independent theaters such as the Donmar Warehouse and Soho Theatre , to catch up-and-coming talent for not much more than the price of a pint of beer.

Detour: If Shakespeare is more your thing, attend an Elizabethan-style performance at Shakespeare's Globe . You'll need to book ahead for a standing ticket as one of the all-weather "groundlings" who watch from the open-air yard in front of the stage (or you can pay extra for a seat in the gallery). Despite being the brainchild of American actor, Sam Wanamaker, the facsimile theater is a triumph of authenticity, right down to the nail-less construction, English-oak beams, original joinery and thatched roof (the sprinklers are a modern touch).

9. Relax in gloriously green Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

London’s impressive array of urban parks is second to none and the city's eight Royal Parks are the place to see locals at ease and in their element. Hyde Park alone covers 142 hectares; throw in Kensington Gardens , and you have even more space to roam. Here, you'll find everything you could want from a London park: a central setting, a royal palace , deck chairs, boating lakes, open-air concerts, art galleries, towering centuries-old trees, a tasteful granite memorial to Princess Diana, and a magnificently overblown memorial to Prince Albert facing the iconic Albert Hall .

10. Watch the guards change at Buckingham Palace 

No trip to the capital would be complete without a glimpse of what the Royals are up to. The simplest way to see a bit of sovereign ceremony is to watch the Changing of the Guard , a generations-old ritual in which soldiers in iconic bearskin hats swap shifts outside Buckingham Palace . Arrive early for a good view; the show starts at 11am, and it’s best to arrive by 10:15am (unless you happen to be very tall). If you hanker after more, you can tour the palace itself from July through September (the State Rooms are open for guided tours in the winter and spring, and for 10 weeks every summer).

Built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham and then purchased by King George III, Buckingham Palace has been the Royal Family’s official London lodging since 1837, when Queen Victoria abandoned the old royal residence at St James's Palace . On a tour, visitors can get a peek at the State Rooms – a mere 19 of the palace's 775 rooms – and wander through the stunning gardens.

11. Drink a pint at a historic English pub

London minus its pubs would be like Paris sans cafes. Pub culture is a part of London's DNA, and the pub is the best place to see local people in their hop-scented element. Some London pubs – such as the character-filled, centuries-old  Lamb & Flag  and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese – have been fixtures on the social scene for centuries, and a pub pint is the cornerstone of a good night out across the capital. They're also favorite stops for long, family-friendly weekend lunches; gastropubs dot London’s culinary cosmos, many rivaling the best restaurants. 

Local tip: If you have to choose one place in London for an evening out, make it Soho , a densely packed warren of after-dark delights. For centuries a bohemian quarter, Soho was once a seedy red-light district, but these days, it's better known as the hub for London’s LGBTIQ+ community . For an old-school pint or four, drop into the French House , Bar Termini , Yard or the White Horse .

12. See the world’s treasures at the British Museum

With almost six million visitors trooping through its doors annually, the British Museum in Bloomsbury is Britain’s most-visited attraction. It is crammed with such an array of treasures (many of which, controversially, were obtained from other countries by force or political sleight of hand) that you could probably spend your whole trip navigating the vast and hallowed collection of artifacts, art and age-old antiquity, and still not be done.

In fact, the collection was once even bigger, but some objects have been returned to their home countries (and others, unbelievably, were stolen by a light-fingered curator). Free eye-opener tours allow you to focus on specific parts of the vast collection, or you can take in the highlights by wandering through the Great Court, with its stunning glass-and-steel roof designed by Norman Foster, and checking out the closest exhibition halls. Don’t leave before you’ve seen the Rosetta Stone, the key to deciphering hieroglyphics, and the fascinatingly macabre Egyptian mummies (including mummified calves, birds and cats).

13. Sit down to a traditional afternoon tea 

The quintessentially English indulgence of whiling away an afternoon eating dainty sandwiches and cakes and drinking tea may give you the feeling you're being observed by Lady Whistledown herself. Venues serving afternoon tea abound, and despite looking like sets from a Bridgerton party, these establishments are perfectly welcoming to all sorts of travelers. There's no need to dress to the nines; smart casual attire is fine (in other words, no trainers, joggers or sweatshirts). 

For the classic experience, head to Claridge’s or the Ritz , or in the summer try the terrace at The Goring or the stately Orangery  at Kensington Palace. It's called afternoon tea, but you can have your tea at almost any time of the day. Pre-booking is highly recommended as slots can book out, especially on weekends and in the peak season.

Planning tip: Make sure you arrive suitably hungry. The spread might not look much in the pictures, but all those plates of delicate treats really do add up to a mini feast. 

This article was first published Mar 19, 2019 and updated Feb 25, 2024.

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27 Best Things to Do in London

By Sonya Barber and Ramsay Short

London: the city that has anything and everything you could possibly want in a vibrant, world-class capital. Your only real problem is working out what you can miss. With over 170 museums, 3,000 parks, 3,500 pubs and an ever-changing number of restaurants, there’s almost too much to see, do and eat—even for a life-long Londoner.

Truly, the city is too large, and too rich in options, for you to get to it all in one visit; you'll have to make some hard choices. Which incredible food or clothing-market to browse? Tate Modern or the British Museum? Where should you pick for a perfect, full-English breakfast? Where's the best afternoon tea ? How do you pick from all the abundant pubs ? And don't get us started here on the best restaurants . Thankfully, our locally led list of the best things to do in London is here to help you decide—just don’t try to do it all in one day.

Read our complete London travel guide here .

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Tower of London Arrow

Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, this uncompromising slab of a building has been many things—including the site where Henry VIII ordered the execution of two of his wives. Now the Tower is most famous as the home of the Crown Jewels. Come, take a tour from one of the Beefeaters (offered every half hour), and gawp at the sparkling and the frightening alike.

Kew Gardens Arrow

A spectacular 500 acre garden in west London, Kew boasts one of the biggest and most diverse botanical collections in the whole world. There’s been a botanic garden here since the 18th century when it was a royal palace; today it’s not only a UNESCO World Heritage site with over a whopping 50,000 plants, it’s also just a really lovely place to visit. You can spend a whole day gently wandering along the winding paths through the lawns, trees, lake, Japanese garden, rhododendron dell, rose garden and kid’s play area, as well as popping in and out of the grand glasshouses. It’s a calming and tranquil place (as long as you avoid the playground on a school holiday) but you can also learn plenty about plants along the way.

Tate Modern Arrow

This former oil-fired power station sits smugly in the center of the South Bank, knowing that you’re interested in what’s going on inside. It’s filled to the rafters with paintings and sculptures by the likes of Picasso, Dali, Warhol, and Rothko, all set off perfectly by that gritty industrial interior. It’s rare that any exhibition at Tate Modern is awaited with anything less than bated breath, whether they’re the paid shows across the mid-levels of the institution or the vast and clever commissions to take over the massive space that is the Turbine Hall. You’re pretty much bound to be blown away. 

The Globe Theater Arrow

In London, every building and street has history. And Shakespeare's Globe, although a reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre—where many of William Shakespeare's plays were first staged and which burned down in 1613 during a performance of 'Henry VIII'—is no exception. The theater was rebuilt not far from its original site, using construction methods and materials as close to the original as possible, and to watch a performance here is to step back in time with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Olivia Morelli

Matt Ortile

Jessica Puckett

Juliet Kinsman

Coal Drops Yard Arrow

Ever since the Eurostar undersea rail link between Paris and London rolled into Kings Cross St. Pancras station, the formerly down-and-out neighborhood of Kings Cross has experienced a total transformation. Abandoned railway land with disused gas tanks now has been turned into new offices, shopping areas, fountains, apartments, green spaces, and more. There are posh supermarkets in converted train sheds, the coveted Central St. Martins London School of Art and Fashion, artisan restaurants like Hicce, and trendy ice cream shops like Ruby Violet. Granary Square, north of the station and surrounded by restored warehouses, has a 1,000-jet fountain that's great for kids, as well as canal-side, amphitheater-style seating. There’s also the gorgeous revamped Camley Street Natural Park, which is packed with stunning wildflowers and urban biodiversity. Google is building their London headquarters here, an office complex that is supposed to be so state-of-the-art it will reinvent everything we know about workplaces. Add starchitect Thomas Heatherwick's stunningly designed Coal Drops Yard, former coal sheds that are now a super desirable luxury shopping and eating indoor and outdoor destination space, and you no doubt want to hang out at this development in what was once a dark and dusty neighborhood.

South Bank Arrow

The South Bank is one of the London’s best bits. Generally located between the Westminster and London bridges, it offers about two-miles of excellent, largely state-funded arts and entertainment venues alongside breezy, traffic-free views of a succession of city landmarks (Big Ben, St. Paul's, the Tower of London) that lie on the north bank. No wonder it attracts over 14 million people per year. If you have limited time in the capital, South Bank is great because it has everything, including a selection of good restaurants and street food offerings.

Victoria and Albert Museum Arrow

South Kensington’s V&A is one of the world’s largest art and design museums, and it's arguably London’s most glamorous. (Just the building itself is well worth the visit: a glorious red-brick palace filled with sculptural details, extravagant tiling, and frescos.) The collection is helpfully broken down into topics—fashion, theatre, furniture, architecture—and all are comprehensive, usually spanning several hundred (if not thousand) years. Don’t expect to tackle more than one or two galleries per visit, and do check out the seasonal exhibition. The collection is helpfully broken down into topics such as fashion, jewelry, theater and performance, furniture, architecture, ceramics etc and all are comprehensive, usually spanning several hundred (if not thousand) years. Don’t expect to tackle more than one or two galleries per visit.

E Pellicci Arrow

Chances are there will be a queue for this beloved British ‘greasy spoon’ cafe. The Pellicci family has been feeding east Londoners since 1900 and still make some of the best fry ups in town. Stepping inside is like entering a time warp: there’s beautiful ornate art deco wooden paneling, stained glass windows, formica tables and a huge steaming tea urn. In fact, it’s such an icon that English heritage has awarded it grade-II listed status. It’s lively, chaotic, and always great fun. Whatever food you choose, always order a cup of strong "builder’s" tea. There’s coffee, milkshakes, beer, wine, and even limoncello on the menu but nothing goes better with a breakfast than a perfectly brewed cuppa.

Sir John Soane's Museum Arrow

This is, without a doubt, the city’s most atmospheric museum, packed to the rafters with hundreds of interesting and impressive artworks and artifacts. The collection is pretty much whatever took Sir John Soane's eye, positioned in the place it looked best—so don’t go looking for order. Instead, go curious, as the walls give way to secret rooms the unobservant might miss. It's not the unknown it once was though, so unless you go first thing in the morning you'll probably have to wait in line.

Columbia Road Flower Market Arrow

Weekly on Sundays, Columbia Road in East London's hip Shoreditch/Hackney neighborhood, transforms into a multicolored frenzy of stalls and flowers. This otherwise unassuming East End street is transformed into a swath of magnificent plant life, the air fragrant with blooms and the shouts of historic London's famous Cockney stallholders. It's as eccentric as it gets around here. You'll hear rushed deals and offers for a 'tenner' or 'fiver' (ten or five pounds) and because everything is so fresh, it's all gotta be gone by 2 p.m. 

Dennis Severs' House Arrow

Fancy a trip back through time? Just around the corner from buzzy Spitalfields Market, there’s a beautiful old four story house in Spitalfields that is essentially a wonderful time warp. Eccentric American Dennis Severs bought the crumbling derelict building in 1979 and turned the whole thing into an amazing work of art, evocatively recreating the home life of different generations of a Huguenot family living from 1724 to 1919 (and living there himself at the same time!). Severs died in 1999 but the house is perfectly preserved and is one of the most incredible museums in London. This is quite a niche museum: one for history fans, interior enthusiasts and those into theatrical spaces, but truly anyone visiting will be instantly immersed into the bewitching experience. There’s only a small number of people allowed in at one time and everyone is respectfully tip-toeing around peering into chamber pots and studying the ghostly paintings.

Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason Arrow

This historic spot for afternoon tea has been an upper crust British favorite since it began importing leaves from Asia in 1707. It's no wonder the beloved tearoom was reopened in 2012 by the Queen after a sensitive refit. The room retains a fittingly regal affect, decorated in the store’s trademark eau de nil (take that, Tiffany). There’s often a pianist tinkling away in the corner of the airy elegant room in the afternoon. The tea itself will leave even the most discerning of tea snobs with their mouths open. There are 50 different blends and tea sommeliers to help you chose which one is for you.

St. Paul's Cathedral Arrow

One of the most famous cathedrals in the world, St. Paul's (finished in 1708) is the masterpiece of architect Sir Christopher Wren, and its towering dome is probably second on the definitive list of symbols of London after Big Ben. It's awe-inspiring, magical yet somber and reflective, a place for prayer whether you're religious or not. 

Royal Academy of Arts Arrow

The Royal Academy of Arts, or the R.A., as it's more fondly known, has been around for 250 years run by artists, and is home to an incredible collection of global art. The R.A.'s collection is vast, including sculpture, drawing, painting and architecture. There are numerous classic works on show as well as themed exhibitions from the collection, and varied and regular temporary shows that sell out quickly. Annually there is the annual Summer Exhibition featuring plenty of new work from up and coming R.A. students and alumni, and major icons in the art world; it's well worth seeing. You can come for a short visit and still get plenty out of the R.A.—the buildings themselves are worth checking out alone if you like seeing 19th-century and modern 21st-century architecture blended together.

Liberty London Arrow

This is truly one of the most beautiful shops in London. A Grade II-listed boutique department store with an iconic mock-tudor façade constructed from the timbers of two ships, it’s well worth a visit for the shop itself. Founded by Arthur Lasenby Liberty in 1875 who wanted an emporium to show off the treasures from his travels, today the wood-paneled light-filled atriums and cozy side rooms are stuffed full of goodies, new and old. It’s atmospheric, eclectic and unlike any other department store we’ve ever visited. A visit to the store must include a peruse of the impressive fabric department: the rolls and rolls of colorful, intricate and fabulous prints that will make you wish you’d paid more attention in home economics. If sewing isn’t your thing, you can get ready-made bags, cushions, bedding and even chess boards adorned with the delicate Liberty patterns.

The Shard Arrow

Western Europe's tallest building at 309.6 metres, or 1,016 feet, high, The Shard houses London's first Shangri-la hotel , private apartments, offices and three high-end restaurants—Aqua Shard, Hutong and Oblix. All good reasons to visit of course but arguably the main one is the viewing gallery aka The View. Located on floors 68-72 and 244 meters above London, you have an unobstructed 360-degree, 40-mile view across the city.

West End Theatreland Arrow

London's answer to New York's Broadway cuts across a swathe of the West End of the city in Covent Garden, Soho, and Picadilly.  From Shakespeare to contemporary comedies and dramas like Hamilton, as well as countless famous musicals of old and many new, London's West End has it all. Who doesn't want to feel again the infectious glee of musical theatre choreography and the sweating happiness of curtain calls. With the shows coming back after a long closure due to coronavirus, the Criterion Theater is offering a wonderfully quirky musical version of Amelie—the popular French movie of the same name—for more affordable prices than the big-name shows.

National Gallery Arrow

Set in London’s busiest open space, Trafalgar Square, this is the grandmother of galleries with more than 2,300 paintings spanning the 13th to the 19th centuries: Heavyweights include Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Velazquez's Rokeby Venus, and Constable’s six-foot long The Hay Wain . It gets packed at weekends, but its so large that you can usually find a quiet corner. You can download an audio tour covering the museum's highlights, but you can also curate your own by selecting the paintings you want to see before you arrive. The seasonal exhibitions are the only ones you’ll pay for, and as you'd expect, most are spectacular ranging from Lucian Freud to Titian.

Borough Market Arrow

The food hound's favorite London market (and the city's most atmospheric) occupies a sprawling site near London Bridge, both in a large covered area and spreading into the smaller maze of streets that surround it. Records show there’s been a market here since 1276 when it apparently caused traffic jams on London Bridge. What’s on offer? Gourmet goodies run the gamut and you’d be hard pressed not to find something you can’t get enough of and simply spend all day stuffing your face.

Highgate Cemetery Arrow

A graveyard is always a somber place, but Highgate is also a celebratory one. You’ll recognize parts of it if you’ve seen Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Dracula,’ and you'll find the final resting place of writers like George Eliot and Douglas Adams, science pioneers like Michael Faraday and pop culture icons like George Michael (although his grave isn't named as such;  his Panayiotou family plot is in the West Cemetery next to Lucien Freud). And believe it or not, for somewhere with so many legendary men and women buried in it, Highgate Cemetery is one of the least visited of London’s landmarks. But those who come do it for both the ghostly mystery of the place itself, as well as the celebrity dead.

British Museum Arrow

You could spend several lifetimes in the British Museum, Britain’s largest museum, without running out of artifacts to ponder. The collection is one of the largest in the world, arranged by location (Ancient Egypt, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Greece and Rome), and the list of big hitters includes the Rosetta Stone and other finds from Ancient Egypt, Asia and the Middle East. Come early on a weekday for a less crowded experience, pick one gallery and stick to it, or go for a guided “eye-opener” tour.

Hampstead Heath Arrow

Forget the perfect lawns of London's Royal Parks, Hampstead Heath, the vast and, in places wonderfully overgrown, tract of countryside just north of the rock ‘n’ roll neighborhood of Camden Town is the wild heart of the city and an undisputed highlight, so much so it's said to have inspired CS Lewis’s Narnia. The Heath covers 791 acres of woodland, playing fields, swimming ponds and meadows of tall grass perfect both for picnickers and couples in search of privacy. It’s truly beautiful.

Portobello Market Arrow

Running through the center of the ever-fashionable Notting Hill neighborhood in West London, Portobello Road is know for everything from sixties models, photographers, artists and rockstars to rows of antiques stalls, hip pubs and Hugh Grant, but what we’re talking about is Portobello Market when the street is closed off Friday to Sunday and packed with people from far and wide. It’s that famous. Portobello is actually several markets rolled into one: There are antique and bric-a-brac shops, loads of food stalls and further up next to the Portebello Green arcade, emerging designers and vintage clothing shops.

Hyde Park Arrow

Hyde Park is big. At one and a half miles long and a mile or so wide, it's one of London's largest Royal Parks, originally appropriated from the monks at Westminster Abbey by Henry VIII to hunt deer, but now the sort of space where anything goes. Think gangs of roller-bladers on the paths, mad swimmers and chill boaters in the Serpentine Lake, rowdy protestors at Speaker’s Corner and kids aplenty riding horses and tipping their toes into the Diana Memorial Fountain.

Tayyabs Arrow

Most nights you’ll be waiting for at least half an hour before entering this famous, BYOB Punjabi diner in Whitechapel. Tayyabs is loud (and no one’s on a romantic date) but what you’re there for are the sizzling plates of meat. The main attraction is the lamb chops, served up spicy and marinated in a kadai masala with coriander, sliced onions, and chillies, and everything must be paired with freshly baked rotis, parathas, and naans. It’s a great spot for meat eaters and large groups looking for an affordable way to dine on exceptional Punjabi food.

Churchill War Rooms Arrow

This underground lair, just around the corner from 10 Downing Street, is where Churchill spent endless hours plotting Allied victory during the Second World War. Come for the Map Room, which looks exactly as it did when the members of the War Cabinet abandoned it at the end of the war, and the Transatlantic Telephone Room, where Churchill had secret conversations with U.S. officials. Entry is currently timed so you won't be crowded, and there are some pandemic restrictions still in place in terms of social distancing, but it's easy to get around and see everything. The audio guide comes with your ticket and provides an extra insight into the operations that went on during the war, including sounds and speeches of the time. The museum is also fully wheelchair accessible.

Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club Arrow

Nightlife institutions are institutions for a reason. And Ronnie Scott's, Soho’s premier jazz venue on Frith Street, never, ever disappoints. One rule: book your ticket in advance. Ronnie's is a concert venue, generally hosts two sittings a night—everyone from Nina Simone to Pharaoh Sanders has played here—and gigs get booked out quickly by tourists, aficionados and fellow musicians. You can, however, usually get into Ronnie’s Bar, a smaller more dance oriented venue upstairs, without advance notice, as well as into the 'late late' shows. The place itself is everything a jazz venue should be: dark, loud and enticing, romantic even, and so very Soho—you’ll probably feel like drinking whisky but Champagne always goes down better. When the music ends, and you fall out buzzing into the street, finish up with a bite at the legendary late-night favorite Bar Italia across the road. It’s just what's done.

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The 21 top London attractions for 2024

By Connor Sturges

Searching for the top London attractions can often be overwhelming. In a city with so many  things to do each weekend , hot new restaurants  and  bars  opening left, right and centre, and even several places that  don’t feel like they’re in London  at all, it can be an arduous task creating a relevant itinerary. There are thousands of years of history to be uncovered across the city – hundreds of millions of years worth if you factor in the Natural History Museum’s collections. The Romans were among the first to truly urbanise this patch of  England ; you can still see some of their handiwork today. Otherwise, many of London’s landmarks are associated with the Royal Family – think The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, etc.

Looking for a culture-filled afternoon? The V&A and Science Museum are among some of  London’s best museums  and are close enough together to warrant a double-up. Hungry? Head to  London’s food markets , from Borough Market to Camden’s finest. There’s something for everyone in this beautiful city we call home.

What should you not miss when visiting London?

Experiencing a variety of top London attractions. A little bit of research can go a long way, and mean you get a taste of the capital’s food scene, nightlife, culture and history, all in accordance with your tastes and how you like to travel.

Where should I start sightseeing in London?

It’s best to start in the heart of London for sightseeing and travel further out from there, depending on the priorities of an itinerary. Longer stays are rewarded with adventures further out, to areas like Kew and Richmond. Extended trips, however, call for an exciting day trip from London .

What's worth visiting in London?

In a city with something for everyone, this truly depends on the experience you want in London. Travellers fascinated by history should prioritise London attractions like the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and The Palace of Westminster, while culture vultures have lots of museums to discover, from the Science Museum to the Natural History Museum.

What’s the most popular thing in London?

The most popular free thing to do in London is The British Museum, one of the London attractions frequently visited by both Londoners and tourists. Kew Gardens, The Tower of London and The London Eye are among the most popular paid-for attractions.

The top London attractions

1. Notting Hill and Portobello Road Market

It may be best known for its starring role in the eponymous movie starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, but aside from the (real) bookshop, the neighbourhood of  Notting Hill  is a London attraction in its own right. Start by exploring Portobello Market, where rows of gems, vintage sunglasses, rare books and pre-loved wares take up much of the street. Notting Hill is home to some of the  best bakeries in London  (morning bakes from Buns From Home and cupcakes from Hummingbird Bakery) and super-cute pubs (look on pub blackboards for signs of  secret gardens  and terraces). On rainier days, head to the Museum of Brands for an insight into the history of advertising – it’s more fun than it sounds, trust us. Alternatively, visit the Electric Cinema for plush seats, Champagne and an extensive menu.

Top tip: The streets here come alive during the August bank holiday thanks to  Notting Hill Carnival – a colourful celebration of  Caribbean culture, food and music. Year-round, it’s also one of the best places in London for charity shopping.

Address:  Notting Hill, London

2. Borough Market

Borough Market  is regarded by many as one of London’s best and oldest food markets, largely thanks to the diversity of produce and traders dotted around the site. There are more than 100 stalls selling everything from East Sussex cheeses to South Tyrol charcuterie and pots of the juiciest olives outside of the Mediterranean. While many eager-to-please dinner party hosts peruse the deli stalls for last-minute inspiration, Borough Market is also great for on-the-go grub. Expect boxes of Iraqi-inspired street food, bowls of Malaysian slow-cooked curries and some of the  best doughnuts  in town from the Bread Ahead crew.

Top Tip:  Borough Market is best experienced on the weekend. Visit early morning if weekday trips are a must. Midweek afternoons between 12 and 3 are the time to avoid – suited workers spilling out of the surrounding skyscrapers at lunchtime, snapping up on-the-go goods before shuffling back to their desks.

Address: Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL Website:   boroughmarket.org.uk

3. British Museum

If travellers know the neighbourhood of  Bloomsbury , it’s probably because they’re familiar with the fascinating artefacts on display at the British Museum. The museum was established in 1753 and opened to the public in 1759; the museum we know today resulted from centuries of extensions and renovations required to house all the displays. The British Museum is one London attraction you can never quite ‘complete’, as touring exhibitions and collections frequently pop up in the halls and galleries – expect to see ancient Egyptian sarcophagus alongside glittering jewels worn by Persian civilizations. Artefacts permanently on display include a collection of sculptures that once adorned the Acropolis in  Athens  and the rosetta stone – a decree in three ancient languages that was the key to deciphering hieroglyphics.

Top Tip: Explore the collection in your own time with fascinating and exclusive commentary and content when you download the free British Museum app.

Address:  The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG Website:   britishmuseum.org

4. Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has long been recognised as a symbol of the British monarchy. It is the King’s official residence and a working royal palace year-round. Over the  summer , the gardens are a hub of activity as special guests are invited to picnic and mingle in aid of charity events close to the monarch’s heart. It is one of the London attractions on many a bucket list, but to experience all the royal residence has to offer, a trip to the capital needs to be carefully timed. Each summer, the doors open for ten weeks between  July  and  October  for guided tours of the grand halls and staterooms. This is a chance to go behind the scenes and peek inside the historic throne room, the white drawing room with its spectacular chandelier, and the ballroom where many important figures have been hosted over the centuries.

Top Tip: Haven’t got time to experience all Buckingham Palace offers in one day? Ask the booking team to convert your ticket into an annual pass and enjoy free readmission for a year free of charge.

Address: Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA Website:   rct.uk

5. Camden Market

Few London food markets cater to as wide a range of taste buds as Camden Market. Colourful Pakistani street food, fresh crepes stuffed with an assortment of fillings, classic American  burgers , Venezuelan arepas and even Yorkshire pudding burritos stuffed with roast dinner items – the market is a saviour for large groups and fussy families. Not only are the foodie possibilities endless, but there are lots to explore in this quirky corner of  North London . Explore the stalls selling curious wares, hop on a canal boat cruise through the legendary lock or eat on Primrose Hill and enjoy  views of the capital late into the summer evenings.

Top Tip:  Live music is a big thing in  Camden . The Dublin Castle, The Devonshire Arms and The Lock Tavern are some of the area's most popular  live music venues , attracting the likes of Franz Ferdinand and Adele early on in their careers.

Address:  Camden Market, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AA Website:   camdenmarket.com

6. Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace was once a home away from home for  the royals  and aristocracy. Many of its famous residents (Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII) are rumoured to still roam the halls in spectral form, but today it’s a taste of country grandeur just a short  train journey  out of central London. Experience how the Tudors conducted their private lives in the decorative staterooms and partied under the hammer beam roof of the Great Hall. Once used for garden parties designed to impress and jousting tournaments, the grounds of the palace now encompass 60 acres of formal, manicured gardens and 750 acres of parkland.

Top Tip: Hampton Court Palace is a magical site during the winter months. Shorter visiting hours mean less time to explore the interiors, but twinkling fairy lights illuminate the ice rink outside, and glittering sculptures are often placed around the grounds.

Address: Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Court Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU Website:   hrp.org.uk

7. Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of eight Royal Parks dotted across London and is a hub of activity year-round. Bracing  winter walks  or laps on Santander bicycles are best rewarded with a visit to the Serpentine Bar and Kitchen or Lido Bar and Café – nurse a hot drink and tuck into an indulgent slice of  cake  while watching the world go by through the floor-to-ceiling windows. In the lead-up to  Christmas , Hyde Park becomes a playground for children and adults thanks to Winter Wonderland, the dazzling festive fair complete with ice bars, funfair rides, Bavarian beer tents and German-style  Christmas markets . In summer, several  festivals  take over the park, from foodie fairs to musical ones with superstar headliners like Adele and Elton John. Large groups use the green expanses to gather, unpack picnics and uncork bottles from local delis. Others take to the water on boats that can be hired by the hour and pedalled around The Serpentine Lake.

Top Tip: On Sundays, Speakers' Corner is taken over by public speakers sharing their views – often political ones. Hyde Park has been known as a meeting place for the opinionated for many centuries; Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin and George Orwell are among the historical figures who once spoke here.

Address: Hyde Park, London Website:   royalparks.org.uk

8. Kensington Palace

While the ruling Monarchs of recent history have used Buckingham Palace as their official royal residence, Kensington Palace is associated with the younger members of the institution. Kensington Palace was originally a Jacobean mansion built by Sir George Coppin in 1605, before William III and his wife Mary requested Sir Christopher Wren to redesign and expand the property in 1689 as they sought respite from the fog and floods along the banks of the River Thames. Today, Kensington Palace is best known for being the official residence of the  Prince and Princess of Wales , William and Catherine. Visit London exhibitions on topics like Georgian society and royal fashion through the ages and long springtime lunches in Kensington Palace Pavilion.

Top Tip:  Kensington Palace Pavilion is the only place in London where you can enjoy traditional  afternoon tea on the grounds of a royal palace. Coat freshly-baked scones in jam and cream and savour decorative sweet treats before a stroll around the manicured lawns of Kensington Gardens.

Address:  Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX Website:   hrp.org.uk

Cass Farrar

Sophie Knight

Jahnavi Bhatt

Stephanie Rafanelli

9. Kew Gardens

For a London attraction that feels a world away from the chaos of the city, look no further than Kew Gardens. Royal residences in this area of southwest London have influenced the layout. Still, the enclosed site, now visited by millions of visitors annually, dates to 1840, when the gardens were collectively deemed one national botanical garden of 75 acres by the Royal Horticultural Society. UNESCO put the gardens on its list of  World Heritage Sites  in 2003, and today there are 300 acres to explore. The complex has over 50,000 living plants, including rare and threatened species in Temperate House, the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse. Check the website for the latest seasonal exhibitions, installations and green-leaved arrivals. The long summer evenings see  pop-up cinema nights  and foodie events while thousands of twinkling lights and glowing sculptures in the lead-up to Christmas illuminate the paths.

Top Tip: With 300 acres to explore, visiting Kew Gardens is the perfect excuse to shun the crowded attractions elsewhere in London. Pair a visit with a trip to Richmond, one of the most village-like spots within easy reach of central London. There are quirky  brunch spots , fine dining restaurants and some of the cosiest pubs outside of  the Cotswolds .

Address: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond Website:   kew.org

10. London Transport Museum

London Transport Museum is one of the  best attractions for kids in London , documenting over 200 years of the city’s transport history. Discover how the capital’s cobbled streets were navigated by early Victorians, from the horse and carriage options available to the middle and upper classes to the boats used to transport workers across the River Thames – there were just two bridges crossing the waterway in the early 1800s. Highlights include the only surviving 1860s steam engine and permanent exhibitions explaining how  villages  were gradually incorporated into the 21st-century London we know due to the ever-expanding underground network.

Top Tip: Avoid midweek visits; the museum is a popular London attraction for school groups, which can often be found interacting with the attractions and tucking into packed lunches close by.

Address: London Transport Museum, The Piazza, London WC2E 7BB Website:   ltmuseum.co.uk

11. The Houses of Parliament

The Palace of Westminster, or the Houses of Parliament as it’s better known, has been the meeting point for the UK’s highest-ranking decision-makers for centuries. However, the building on the banks of the River Thames today is by no means the original – the last palace was destroyed in 1834 by a disastrous fire. When the House of Commons and House of Lords aren’t bustling with political figures, guided tours are available led by experts on the storied property. Following the largest conservation project in Big Ben’s 160-year history – or the Elizabeth Tower to give it its official title – visitors will soon be welcomed back to the iconic clock tower.

Top Tip: Security is tight, demand is high, and capacity is limited – so ensure you book a guided tour well in advance. Visits can be booked several months prior by phone or online.

Address: Palace of Westminster, London SW1A 0AA Website:   parliament.uk

12. National Gallery

Another of  London’s best free attractions  is the National Gallery. The National Gallery was established in 1824, first as a collection at 100 Pall Mall, before moving to its current Trafalgar Square home in 1838. Entry is free, and millions of visitors pass through the grand halls each year to get a closer look at more than 2,000 regular collection exhibits. Some of the most iconic paintings in the gallery include  Sunflowers  by Vincent van Gogh,  The Water-Lily Pond  by Claude Monet, and  Venus and Mars , Sandro Botticelli’s 15th-century masterpiece. Regular touring exhibitions cost a small fee to access.

Top Tip:  The size of the National Gallery can be a little overwhelming. Get a feel for the collection’s highlights on guided tours when visiting between Tuesday and Thursday.

Address:  The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN Website:   nationalgallery.org.uk

13. Natural History Museum

Few museums in the world have condensed hundreds of millions of years of history so successfully and superbly into a series of exhibitions and galleries than the Natural History Museum in South Kensington. There is a rare first edition of Charles Darwin’s  On the Origin of Species  – arguably the most essential book in the history of biology – plus a sample of moon rock collected on one of the USA Apollo missions that were gifted to the UK by President Nixon. However, the museum’s best exhibits are those documenting the history of the animal kingdom. There is the most scientifically significant fossil of one of the earliest known birds to navigate the planet, 65-million-year-old ammonites, and a barbary lion skull retrieved from the site of the early mediaeval Royal Zoo at the Tower of London.

Top Tip: Enjoy a night of fun, science, movies and music with a sleepover in the museum, or keep an eye out for morning yoga sessions. Peckish? Squeeze in lunch at one of the  best restaurants in South Kensington .

Address:  Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD Website:   nhm.ac.uk

14. Shakespeare’s Globe

Shakespeare’s Globe has been a staple of London’s riverside for centuries – but not always in the location or form we know now. The modern theatre is an interpretation of the original Globe Theatre that burnt down in 1613 before being rebuilt and forced to close due to the First English Civil War. Today's Globe holds 1,300 spectators compared to the 3,000 theatre-goers the original catered for and was established by American actor and director Sam Wanamaker. Since it opened in 1997, the stage has welcomed stars in plays from William Shakespeare's catalogue, including Gemma Arterton and Jonathan Pryce. During the chillier months, Shakespeare’s Globe closes its doors, and the adjacent Sam Wanamaker Playhouse opens its doors for its seasonal run of sheltered performances.

Top Tip:   West End theatre shows  aren’t known for being particularly cheap. Thankfully, standing tickets at Shakespeare’s Globe cost just £5 during summer.

Address: Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT Website:   shakespearesglobe.com

15. St Paul’s Cathedral

St. Paul's Cathedral captivates and shapes London as few religious buildings outside of Rome manage to. There has been a structure on the site since at least the fifth century, but the cathedral we see now is the work of celebrated architect Sir Christopher Wren. Wren had been advising on the necessary repairs to the old cathedral – a 585-foot-long wooden structure originally constructed in the 11th century – since 1661. However, the Great Fire of London in 1666 left this iteration gutted, and it was decided to rebuild in a more modern style. Admire the decorative ceilings, winding staircases and spectacular view of the cathedral’s length from the nave – this is one of the best places for  photo opportunities . The crypt is the final resting place of Nelson, Wellington and Sir Alexander Fleming, among others, but the brave are rewarded by journeying upwards; the golden gallery is reached by more than 500 steps from ground level and is a viewing platform circling the highest point of the outer dome – find some of the best, and scariest, views of London here.

Top Tip: Priced tickets allow access to all of the accessible galleries, viewing platforms and exhibitions, and there are regular guided tours for curious visitors keen to get under the skin of the cathedral. However, should a glimpse inside its glittering interiors suffice, free entry is granted to visitors attending the daily mass sessions. So get in line at least half an hour before Sunday mass for a unique experience in one of the world’s most famous buildings.

Address: St. Paul's Cathedral, St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD Website:   stpauls.co.uk

16. Tate Britain

There’s no doubt about it – it’s not always easy to have an  affordable day out in London . Thankfully, some of London's best galleries and  museums  are free to enter such as Tate Britain. Explore 500 years of British art across 20 rooms, from the intricate portraits of 16th-century notability to the snapshots of 1970s  Brixton  captured by celebrated photographer Neil Kenlock. In addition to the free-to-see collections, there are regular exhibitions. Luckily, entry to these doesn’t break the bank either. Previous displays have included celebrations of JMW Turner and his contemporaries and substantial loans of Van Gogh’s work uncovering his relationship with Britain.

Top Tip: Pair an art-filled trip to London with a stay at Artist Residence, a unique hotel where each of the 10 bedrooms is packed with bespoke art. There's also a neighbourhood hangout on the ground floor, serving coffee through to late-night cocktails.

Address: Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG Website:   tate.org.uk

17. The London Eye

When the London Eye was constructed to celebrate the turn of the millennium, it became the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. While its height and scale have now been outdone many times, the London Eye remains an iconic part of the capital’s skyline. Thirty-two sealed pods hold a collective capacity of 1,600 passengers, and a full rotation takes 30 minutes, provided it does not stop rotating. As a result, it is one of the most visited paid-for attractions in the United Kingdom, welcoming upwards of three million visitors a year.

Top Tip: In London for a few days? A ride on the London Eye can be done as part of a multi-attraction ticket. Pair your sky-high adventure with a visit to Madame Tussauds or a cruise down the River Thames (among other things) and save some serious money.

Address:  London Eye, Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB Website:   londoneye.com

18. The Shard

The Shard is the tallest building in western Europe and offers some of the best views of London. Ascend to floors 68, 69 and 72 for panoramic views for up to 40 miles as part of ‘The View from The Shard’; the official experience includes a Champagne reception and access to the open-air sky deck. Then, book a table in one of The Shard’s restaurants for a splash-out supper. Modern British cuisine and afternoon teas are served in Aqua Shard, upscale Asian fare in Hutong and classic grill dishes in a fine dining setting at Oblix. There are also bars and restaurants in the  Shangri-La Hotel ; rooms here offer the city's best views, plus access to the highest hotel infinity pool in London.

Top Tip:  Are you worried about the British weather getting in the way of fabulous views? ‘The View from The Shard’ tickets include a weather guarantee, granting access to another date if clouds dampen the experience.

Address:  The Shard, London Website:   the-shard.com

19. The Tower of London

The Tower of London has kept watch over the capital since William the Conqueror ordered it be constructed in the 1070s. Kings, Queens and aristocrats used the fortress as a pleasure palace over the centuries, while others have spent their final days locked up in the draughty rooms – Anne Boleyn was held here before her execution beside the White Tower in May 1536. Explore the countless rooms, where  exhibitions  display iconic relics collected over many centuries, and save time for the crown jewels presided over by a garrison of armed soldiers.

Top Tip:  A family-friendly guided tour from the yeoman warders is an unforgettable experience. Hear the ‘beefeaters’ unravel 1,000 years of history in a matter of hours as they bring the stories and gruesome details of the attraction to life. Tours run every half hour – find the next meeting point ahead of time to get up close and fire questions at the experts.

Address: Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB Website:   hrp.org.uk

20. Tower Bridge

It’s often confused with London Bridge but, put frankly, Tower Bridge is distinguishable for being the (much) prettier of the two. The Grade-I-listed suspension bridge is a glittering example of late Victorian architecture, designed by Sir Horace Jones and masterfully engineered by John Wolfe Barry. Inside, brave the high-level walkways, peek through the glass floor at the pedestrians below, and learn how one of the world’s most famous bridges operates, letting larger boats pass under as traffic stops.

Top Tip: Maltby Street Market is a short walk away, one of the tastiest food markets. Grab  brunch  before exploring Tower Bridge for delicious takes on the classic British sausage sarnie and juices blitzed to order.

Address:  Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2UP Website:   towerbridge.org.uk

21. Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum is the world's largest applied arts, decorative arts and design museum. Its permanent collection dwarfs that of other London museums – more than two million objects are in the galleries and vaults. Entry is free, and 12.5 acres of combined exhibit space are split into 145 galleries. Permanent highlights span from the oldest dated carpet in the world, woven over 400 years ago for an Iranian shrine, and sculptures from Renaissance Italy, like Giovanni Bologna’s  Samson Slaying a Philistine .

Top Tip: After a visit to the museum, take a trip to Kynance Mews, one of the prettiest places in London . Bell Cottage is the home of Julie Andrews's character in Star!, while other movies that used this spot as a filming location include Twinky, The Big Sleep and Crooks Anonymous.

Address:  Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL Website:   vam.ac.uk

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The 50 best attractions in London

Discover London’s best attractions, landmarks and sightseeing spots that you’d be mad to miss, even if you‘re a local

London landmarks are iconic for a reason.  You’ve got your London Eye, your Hyde Park, your Big Ben, and even if you’ve lived here for years and have steadfastly been avoiding ‘tourist traps’, you really ought to check these places out at least once.  Whether you’re a day-tripper or a local, marvelling at the capital’s museums , galleries , monuments and  parks  is a London rite of passage – and they’re all really bloody great.  But where to begin? We’ve pulled together a list of the best attractions in London for you to start ticking off your bucket list. And the best news? Loads of these must-see London attractions won’t cost you a penny. For those that aren’t, you can book below.

Still after some sightseeing inspiration? Check out our list of  101 things to do  in London, and find out what’s happening in London  today ,  this week , and  this weekend .

RECOMMENDED: the best hotels in London   RECOMMENDED: the best alternative attractions in London RECOMMENDED: the best London bus tours

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our   affiliate   guidelines .

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London’s top attractions

1.  Tower of London

• Historic buildings and sites

What is it? O ne of the capital’s best and most well-known historical attractions.  The Tower of London offers wonderful architecture, gruesome stories, hands-on activities for younger visitors, costumed actors and guides, and worryingly confident ravens.

Why go? To get an eyeful of the Crown Jewels.

2.  The London Eye

• Things to do
• Event spaces

What is it? Much like the Millenium Dome – or, as it's known to those who don’t remember the twentieth century, the O2 Arena – the London Eye was built to celebrate the year 2000. Since then, the Eye has been a resounding success, and it’s hard to picture London’s skyline without it. Step into one of its spaceship-like pods, and before you know it, you’re halfway into the sky and taking in sweeping vistas of the city.

Why go? The view, obviously. 

3.  The National Gallery

• Trafalgar Square

What is it? A huge art museum right on Trafalgar Square that’s free to enter. Perfect, whether you’ve got ten minutes in your lunch break to check out Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ or time to wander the entire collection of Western European paintings from the thirteenth to the nineteenth centuries. Check out the Friday Lates for after-hours access to exhibitions, creative workshops and life drawing sessions, or drop in for one of the themed tours of the collection to get a different perspective on the work.

Why go? To be swaddled in artistic greatness.

4.  Buckingham Palace

• Sightseeing

What is it? A chance to see world-famous art, glimpse regal opulence and get inside HM’s headquarters. In the summer, the palace opens to the public for tours, letting you go behind the keyhole of what’s one of the most – if not the most – famous buildings in London. Inside, you’ll learn about the monarchs and the big, ornate palace itself.  

Why go? To snoop around the most famous royal residence in the world.

5.  St Paul’s Cathedral

• Religious buildings and sites

What is it? Iconic as St Paul’s may be, the cathedral as we know it today is in fact version six, at least. The last was infamously razed to the ground by the Great Fire of London in 1666, but thankfully Sir Christopher Wren’s design, which was completed in 1708, has survived 12 monarchs and two world wars. The admission fee here comes with an introductory talk before you're taken on a 90-minute tour.

Why go? To test your hearing in the Whispering Gallery.

6.  Westminster Abbey

• Westminster

What is it? Like the Pantheon Crypt in Paris, where you can see the tombs and memorials of great figures from history, Westminster Abbey is a popular attraction to peruse the graves, tablets, busts and stone dedications. Seventeen monarchs are buried here, along with dukes, countesses and history’s ‘celebs’ (Think Darwin, Dickens and Hardy). It's also played host to 16 royal weddings and every single British coronation has taken place within the Abbey's walls since 1066.

Why go? To see Gothic grandeur in all its splendour.

7.  Hampton Court Palace

What is it? A resplendent palace with plush grounds on the edge of southwest London. From the Tudor indoor tennis court to the Royal Maze, the King’s private loo to the Magic Garden adventure playground, there’s something here for all ages. History buffs and art enthusiasts should purchase a ticket for the Palace and Gardens; those with little ones in tow will appreciate the Magic Garden and Maze ticket. 

Why go? To get lost in the Royal Maze.

8.  Tower Bridge

• Tower Bridge

What is it? There’s more to this ornate Victorian bridge than something cool to look at: you can actually venture inside. Check out the engine rooms with their whirring wheels and pistons, then head up to the glass-floored viewing platform above the draw bridge, where you can delve into this magnificent structure's story.

Why go?  Time it right and you'll see the bridge rising up to let paddle steamers and barges through. Want to know a fun fact? A full schedule of bridge lift times is available on their website . 

9.  The London Dungeon

What is it?  A tour of London’s nastiest historical moments, with gory stories retold with humour, gooey props and gruesomely costumed actors. You can board a traitor’s boat to the Tower of London, dash through the streets of Whitechapel in pursuit of Jack the Ripper and get a glimpse of plague London. 

Why go?   Gore-seekers can ride a recreation of The Death Express, a line which carried the deceased to their final resting place in Surrey. 

10.  Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

• Hertfordshire

What is it? The Warner Bros Studio, a short trek north of London, where you can set foot inside the Great Hall, Forbidden Forest and Diagon Alley. See film sets, costumes, props and exhibits that take you behind the scenes of the Harry Potter films. Changing exhibitions are included in the ticket and you get the chance to discover the secrets of the movies’ special effects.

Why go? To finally get your mitts on a flagon of Butterbeer.

11.  The View from the Shard

• Towers and viewpoints
• London Bridge

What is it?  The capital's tallest tower, having joined London's skyline in 2012.  Measuring 310 metres, The Shard was built with everything in mind: offices, homes, hotels, bars, restaurants and, of course, the alluring viewing platform. From the highest point that the public are allowed access to (floors 69-72), you get stunning 360-degree views of the city. There’s a silent disco on selected Saturday nights and other events, such as gigs and gin tastings throughout the year.

Why go? The floor-to-ceiling windows allow exceptional views out across the capital, especially on a clear day.

12.  Wembley Stadium

• Sport and fitness

What is it? The venue where England won the World Cup in 1966, and the Lionesses won the Euros in 2022. Wembley still has a magic about it, even when you don’t have a ticket for a match or a rock concert. Take the tour and you’ll feel the atmosphere in the players’ tunnel and climb the 107 Trophy Winner’s steps. With the use of 360-degree video, you can also experience what it’s like to be at some of the stadium’s biggest events.

Why go?  To peek  behind the scenes and sense that Cup Final magic.

13.  Up at The O2

• Greenwich Peninsula

What is it? Ever wondered what London looks like from 53 metres above North Greenwich? Find out with a ticket for Up at The O2 where you can choose from Daytime, Sunset and Twilight climbs. The ultimate AAA pass gains you access to the roof, where you’ll be able to see across the capital, spotting famous sites like the Olympic Park, Thames Barrier, The Shard and Canary Wharf.

Why go? For an incredible 360-degree view – and that adorable climbing onesie.

14.  Kew Gardens

• Parks and gardens

What is it? Budding horticulturalists will have a field day here. There are over 300 acres to explore filled with indigenous flora and fauna, as well as exotic greenhouses and nature trails. What sets Kew Gardens apart from other botanical gardens? Well, the treetop walkway and the beautiful Grade I-listed Temperate House, for two. The latter is the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world and quite a sight to behold.

Why go? For a breath of fresh air in the busy city.

15.  Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

• Olympic Park

What is it? The huge park created in Stratford for the London Olympics in 2012. As well as swathes of parkland, it’s home to London Stadium (host to big concerts with headliners like The Weeknd and West Ham FC as well as various athletics championships), children’s play areas, walking trails, the remarkable ArcerlorMittal Orbit , and more state-of-the-art sporting venues.

Why go? For whatever exercise takes your fancy – a swim at the Zaha Hadid-designed London Aquatics Centre , BMXing at the Velo Park, or just strolling through the beautiful park.

16.  The Houses of Parliament

What is it? The seat of British democracy. Take an audio tour through the House of Lords and House of Commons to bring the building to life. It takes around 90 minutes and features leading parliamentary figures such as Mr Speaker and Black Rod. 

Why go? For a dazzling combo of history, politics and architecture.

17.  Kensington Palace

What is it? Where William, Kate and the kids hang their hats. This tourist attraction has a chic style: it played host to the most fashionable salons in Georgian times, was home to Queen Victoria in her youth, then sassy Princess Margaret and then classy Princess Diana. Now the main palace is a pretty visitor magnet with tranquil gardens to wander.

Why go? To be blown away by the outfits in the ‘Royal Style in the Making’ exhibition.

18.  Big Ben

What is it?  Big Ben is the nickname of the Great Bell inside Westminster’s iconic clock tower, but even locals think ‘Big Ben’ when they see the Elizabeth Tower. If you’re ready and willing to climb up the narrow 334-step spiral staircase, you can pay a visit to Ben himself – and stand next to him when the hour strikes. Now is a good time to visit, too – renovations on the tower were recently completed, meaning it’s in better nick than ever.

Why go?  To see the world's most celebrated clock – and bell – face to face.

19.  Madame Tussauds

What is it? In 1802, Marie Tussaud made her waxwork debut in the capital (32 years after she founded the show in Paris). By 1884, she decided to lay down permanent roots in Marylebone, and she’s been there ever since (well, her legacy, at least). If you head down to Madame Tussauds today, you’ll come face-to-wax-face with over 150 lifelike models including contemporary stars like Drake and Dua Lipa and historic icons like Albert Einstein and Marilyn Monroe. 

Why go? To snap a selfie with all the famous faces. Instagram, incoming.

20.  Churchill War Rooms

What is it? A secret, secure bunker, tucked behind Downing Street and Parliament Square, where Churchill and his cabinet could monitor how World War II was going, receive intelligence and give orders. It’s the little details that give the biggest impression, from a daily-updated weather noticeboard to the scratch marks on Churchill’s chair (caused by his ring on a stressed day).

Why go? For history lovers to see the rooms just as they were left after 1945.

21.  Royal Opera House

• Classical and opera
• Covent Garden

What is it? Covent Garden’s grand old opera house. Visiting for a performance doesn’t have to set you back a ton of cash – there are discounts for students, senior citizens and those on credits, plus regular ticket offers for all. Alternatively, take a backstage tour, where you can sometimes spot the Royal Ballet practising their moves. 

Why go? To see a right royal opera or ballet performance.

22.  Thames RIB Experience

• Victoria Embankment

What is it? A high-speed ‘rigid inflatable boat’ that will have you zooming up and down the river. Unleash your inner 007 and hop aboard the RIB to travel at speeds of around 35 knots (roughly 40 mph) – it’s almost definitely the fastest, most thrilling way to see some of London’s riverside attractions, from the Tower of London to the Cutty Sark.

Why go? Because it’s the most thrilling way for adrenaline junkies to see the sights.

23.  National Theatre

• Public and national theatres

What is it? Only the greatest theatre in the world (well, we would argue so, anyway). Take your pick of entertainment from the three theatres, and if you’ve got time to kill pre- or post-performance, there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the vicinity to gab about your expectations or dissect the show in afterwards.

Why go?  To witness shows that champion rising talents and showcase big-name stars.

24.  Royal Albert Hall

• Music venues
• South Kensington

What is it?  Across the road from the ornate golden memorial statue of Prince Albert is another dedication. The construction of Royal Albert Hall was ordered by Queen Victoria and named after her late husband. Although the venue is most famously associated with the Proms, its prestigious hall has played host to all kinds of music, theatre and comedy – and continues to do so to this day.

Why go? To experience the dazzling Victorian opulence.

25.  The British Museum

What is it?  The first-ever national museum for the public. Since it first opened in 1759, the British Museum has been displaying global artefacts discovered by British explorers, and it aims to document human culture from its very beginnings. Must-see gems in its permanent collection include the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon sculptures.

Why go? The museum has more than eight million objects in its collection, 50,000 of which are on display. That’s a lot of bang for your buck, considering entrance to the main areas is free.

26.  Shakespeare’s Globe

• Shakespeare

What is it? A painstakingly accurate recreation of the kind of theatre Shakespeare would have written all his plays for. If you’ve never been, book groundling tickets and stand in the open-air pit like you’re at a rock festival. It will shake the perception of the Bard’s poetry as stuffy memories of English homework and make it feel how it should – like first-rate drama.

Why go? For a raucous, interactive take on  theatre.

27.  Somerset House

What is it? An elegant eighteenth-century landmark and cultural hub on the north side of Waterloo Bridge that hosts several art exhibitions and events at a time, incorporating the Courtauld Gallery and temporary exhibitions in the Embankment Galleries. The courtyard was once an Inland Revenue car park, but now plays host to a variety of gigs, alfresco cinema and fountains in the summer.

Why go? For music and movies under the stars.

28.  Tate Modern

What is it?  A riverside icon dedicated to modern and contemporary art, based in what was the Bankside power station. The permanent collection is always free, and features work by big names like Warhol, Dalí and Hockney, while the gallery’s programme of special exhibitions delves deeper into the lives and careers of important artists.

Why go?  For some of the best art and architecture London has to offer. 

29.  Kew Palace

What is it? The favoured residence of George III looks more like a massive, ornate biscuit tin than the glittering home of a royal. In the gardens, there is a wonderful little cottage built for Queen Charlotte that trumps any garden shed. You can only visit the palace via Kew Gardens (it’s included in the entry ticket to Kew) so make save time to pop inside during your botanical outing. 

Why go? To discover an often-forgotten treasure.

30.  Cutty Sark

• Ships and boats

What is it? T he world’s last surviving tea clipper. Experience life on board, see the intricate craftsmanship used in its creation and find out how the crew lived. The historic ship caught fire in 2007, but was thankfully repaired. Since its post-blaze refurbishment, visitors have been able to walk underneath the hull. 

Why go?  To get a taste of life at sea without leaving the dock. 

31.  London Transport Museum

What is it? A vast museum full of real relics of the bygone ages of London transport, where there’s always a bus or a train to hop on. While you can swot up on the history of the city’s transport network – including why tube stations were used as war shelters – you can also learn about its future and how the latest technology will run our services in the future. The LTM always hosts a fabulous Friday Late, themed around its newest exhibition.

Why go?  To discover a treasure trove of retro design. 

32.  Highgate Cemetery

What is it?  A beautiful, crumbling north London cemetery. It’s full of overgrown paths that will lead you to several Grade II-listed catacombs and a number of famous remains, including poet Christina Rossetti, architect Sir Lawrence Weaver and philosopher Karl Marx. On a sunny day, it even feels a little less morbid.

Why go?  To try to find Karl Marx’s hidden-away grave.

33.  London Zoo

• Zoos and aquariums
• Regent’s Park

What is it?  The Regent’s Park landmark has come a long way since the days when zoos were full of homesick wildlife. London Zoo does a lot of world-class animal welfare work, creating carefully designed settings in which beautiful creatures from gorillas to lizards, penguins to tigers now reside. There’s a dedicated area for small kids and daily shows for nature fans of all ages.

Why go?  To take a walk on the wild side.

34.  V&A Museum

• Art and design

What is it? One of the greatest collections of decorative art, design, fashion and textiles in the world. The Fashion galleries run from 18th-century court dress right up to contemporary chiffon numbers; the Architecture gallery has videos, models, plans and descriptions of various styles; and the famous Photography collection holds more than 500,000 images. Admission is free, expect for special exhibitions.

Why go? To drool over amazing designs and gobble up cake in the sunny courtyard. Bliss.

35.  The South Bank

What is it? A buzzing open space and cultural nucleus of the capital, lined with some of the city’s most exciting galleries, theatres and attractions. Start at the Southbank Centre, for free art and live shows, lunch at one of the many restaurants, watch the skateboarders and then wander east past the artists’ enclave at Gabriel’s Wharf and on to Tate Modern and the Globe.

Why go? For riverside adventures and ace views. 

36.  SEA LIFE London Aquarium

What is it?  The home of sea creatures from all over the world, from Pacific nurse sharks to Antarctic penguins (with a glimpse of what’s swimming past you in the Thames, too). There are different themed areas to explore, too, like the Coral Kingdom and Open Oceans. It can get busy but go off-peak to get some one-on-one time with the crocs.

Why go? To immerse yourself in the life aquatic.

37.  British Library

• Libraries, archives and foundations
• King’s Cross

What is it? A working resource for printed and sound archives that’s open to all. If you nip into the free entrance hall exhibitions you might get to see a scribbled page of Beatles songwriting or a Leonardo da Vinci notebook. There are some stunning illuminated scripts and landmark scientific items too, including very early photographs. While it’s usually a hushed venue, don’t expect silence to be enforced when a Late at the Library event kicks off.

Why go? For studious research or to geek out on paper-based artefacts.

38.  Science Museum

• Science and technology

What is it? An incredible, free-to-enter, hands-on museum. Over seven floors of entertaining and educational exhibits, you can get up close to the Apollo 10 command module, a virtual reality space-descent experience and a 16th-century artificial arm. Interactivity is a focus here, so this is one museum guaranteed to keep the attention of kids big and small.

Why go? To experience the incredible Information Age gallery, from where the Queen sent her first tweet, signed Elizabeth R.

39.  Trafalgar Square

What is it?  When it comes to London’s top attractions, Trafalgar Square can’t be overlooked. Bring your selfie stick because posing for pics is a must. Get the lions, fountains and red buses and black cabs circling the busy roads around you in shot, and check out the latest modern art installation adorning the Fourth Plinth. Don’t be tempted to get in those fountains, though – paddling is forbidden.

Why go? To take the archetypal, cheesy, London tourist selfie.

40.  Natural History Museum

• Natural history

What is it? The magnificent South Kensington home of around 80 million plant, animal, fossil, rock and mineral specimens. This fascinating museum, which is also a world-class research institution, is full of natural wonders and admission is free. In winter, you’ll find an ice rink in the grounds, while this summer a new garden will open that will let you follow in the footsteps of the story of evolution.

Why go? To marvel at a  25.2-metre-long  blue whale skeleton, a piece of Mars rock,  Mary Anning's  ichthyosaur fossil and lots more.  

41.  Borough Market

What is it? Located just around the corner from London Bridge station, Borough Market is an upmarket foodie heaven of markets, restaurants, bars and pubs. Go on an empty stomach and take a tour around its environs while sampling the dishes and flavours that have kept Londoner’s bellies full for generations... and then wash it all down with a few glugs of craft beer at a local pub.

Why go? To taste food so good you (almost) won’t have time to photograph it first.

42.  Hyde Park

What is it? A massive central London park that’s easy to take for granted. Wander into Hyde Park’s vast greenery, and eventually, you get to the Serpentine Lake, where you can take a dip, go boating, board a solar-powered ferry (in summer) or eat pizza by the water. You can also take guided tours of the gardens and a secret pet cemetery – visit the park's website to book the latter. 

Why go? Because life’s more fun if you stop for a stroll, a bike ride or a picnic.

43.  Royal Observatory

What is it? For centuries, the location for the scientific study of the stars and of timekeeping – originally for the benefit of sea navigation. This is where you’ll see the Greenwich Meridian Line marked out, from which point the world’s time zones are measured. You can also see the incredible instruments that helped astronomers make discoveries about our universe, or go stargazing at a planetarium show.

Why go? To give Brian Cox a run for his money. 

44.  HMS Belfast

What is it? A grey warship, with its guns tilted high, moored close to Tower Bridge, that’ s a museum nowadays. Open daily, with scenes set to show you what life was like on board a working WWII warship, HMS Belfast is a lively visitor space. You can explore all levels of the boat, from the bowels of the vessel to the engine room, the kitchens and even the dentist’s office. And don’t forget the action stations up on the deck.

Why go? To play life-sized battleships.

45.  Regent’s Park

What is it?  A verdant 410 acres of lush, open space, just a short stroll north of Oxford Circus. Featuring a pretty rose garden, the elegant Open Air Theatre (open throughout the summer – check the  website for exact dates) and tree-lined avenues for jogging, it’s a slice of horticultural heaven and a much-needed respite from the rest of the whirring city. 

Why go? To escape the Oxford Street crowds.

46.  Young V&A

• 4 out of 5 stars
• Bethnal Green
• Recommended

What is it? The Bethnal Green museum previously known as the V&A Museum of Childhood. It’s since undergone a £13 million refurbishment project to make it shine brighter, but is still home to one of the world’s finest collections of children’s toys, dolls’ houses, games and costumes.

Why go? To see kids' toys over the ages, including bonkers 1970s puppets, Barbie Dolls and Victorian praxinoscopes.

47.  St James’s Park

What is it? London’s oldest Royal Park and, essentially, Buckingham Palace’s front garden. St James’s Park runs alongside The Mall and offers a handy escape from the traffic noise of Trafalgar Square. The two islands in its lake are home to wildlife and there’s the Princess Diana Memorial Walk to follow if you fancy some gentle exercise.

Why go? To watch the pelicans (which were introduced to the park more than 400 years ago) being fed at 2.30pm daily.

48.  Design Museum

What is it? A trove of the world’s finest design. Relocated in 2016 from its former home on the side of the Thames near Tower Bridge, the new-and-improved building in Kensington is an awe-inspiring presence that covers design over a wealth of disciplines, from architecture and fashion to graphics and products.

Why go? To be wowed by eye-pleasing works and by how design has evolved over the decades.

49.  Hamilton

• 5 out of 5 stars
• Victoria Open run

What is it? The award-winning musical from Lin-Manuel Miranda about US founding father Alexander Hamilton. The show modernises the history of America, pulling from hip-hop, R&B and soul in its songbook, and has won huge acclaim since it first premiered off-Broadway in New York in 2015.

Why go? For the most entertaining – and catchy – history class around.

50.  Shrek’s Adventure! London

• Theme parks

What is it? An interactive tour that starts with a breathtaking 4D ride through the sky before you crash-land near a certain ogre’s swamp and find yourself having to flee from the wicked Rumpelstiltskin. Different missions will give you the chance to meet, help, or even rescue some favourite characters, such as liberating Pinocchio from the Wheel of Torture and cooking up some spells with the Muffin Man. 

Why go? To have a giggle on a whirlwind trip to Far, Far Away.

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What to Do in London?

22 attractions you shouldn't miss.

Latest update: May 23, 2024

In a nutshell: 5 tips for staying in London

• Big Ben, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral and The Shard are some of the absolute highlights of London .
• While in London, you should visit at least one market. Our highlight: Borough Market !
• Free admission to museums : not a problem at London’s Tate Modern or British Museum.
• Walk in the footsteps of Harry Potter through real sets at Warner Bros. Studios.

These were our top highlights in London . But of course, that’s not all!

In our article we will show you 22 cool London sights sorted by category: You can just have a look at what is really interesting for you.

Map of our 22 London attractions

To start off and give you a better sense of all the London sights in this post, we made a map of our 22 highlights below.

Click here to download the map in PDF format

London attractions for first-timers

You are visiting London for the first time and obviously want to check out the most popular London highlights . We put the must-sees for you in two lists. The London attractions with a camera icon are among the highlights, but a short photo stop is enough here. The other the attractions are also worth checking out from the inside. Therefore, we will describe them in more detail.

These London highlights will be described in more detail:

Tower Bridge

Tower of london, westminster abbey.

• St. Paul’s Cathedral

Buckingham Palace

London attractions for a quick photo stop:

Big Ben Houses of Parliament Downing Street Windsor Castle

You should plan 1 hour

Tower Bridge is, without a doubt, one of the most famous bridges in the world . 40,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day and it is lifted several times daily to let ships pass through. Read more about the exact Bridge Lift times here .

Nine meters above the Thames is a free walkway. 42 meters up, there is another walkway with a glass floor – pretty cool, but only if you’re not afraid of heights.

You will need a ticket for the glass floor and the Bridge Museum.

Get tickets for Tower Bridge

You should plan 1.5 hours

The Tower of London is especially famous for the Royal Family’s Crown Jewels , estimated at over 20 billion pounds, which are kept there.

The Tower’s history is equally interesting though: it has served as an armory, prison, execution site and even a royal residence .

Pre-purchasing tickets online is recommended, as the lines at the door are always very long .

Get tickets for the Tower of London

To the website

Only a short walk from the Palace of Westminster is the 700-year-old church Westminster Abbey. This is where the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and the wedding of Kate and William took place.

As you stroll around the gravestones in the cemetery, you’ll find many famous names from British history, such as Charles Darwin.

If you pre-purchase your tickets online they are a little cheaper.

Get tickets for Westminster Abbey

closed on Sundays (open for church services)

St. Paul’s Cathedral

St. Paul’s is a defining feature of London’s skyline and is located in the heart of the City. The cathedral’s huge dome is even bigger than that of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome . The entire structure is absolutely beautiful, not just the architecture, but also the paintings and exhibitions .

If you can stomach climbing more than 500 steps up the spiral staircase to the top of the cathedral, a breathtaking view of London awaits you from a height of about 111 meters.

We recommend booking your tickets online in advance. The lines at the tickets booths can take forever, especially on weekends and during the peak season.

Tickets for St. Paul’s Cathedral Combined Ticket Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral (5% discount)

You should plan 1 hour (for the Changing of the Guard)

Nothing represents British history better than the Royal Family. So of course a visit to Buckingham Palace is an absolute must when you’re in London. The Palace is the official residence of the British Royal Family .

You can watch the Changing of the Guard at the Palace all year round. The spectacle takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. It always starts at 11 am, but you should get there by 10:30 am to get a good view.

Note: You can only visit the royal chambers between July and October. Make sure to secure your tickets well in advance online.

Get tickets for the Buckingham Palace

Open between July and October

The Shard really lives up to its name, jutting out of the ground like a piece of shattered glass. For a brief period, the 310-meter skyscraper even held the title of tallest building in Europe upon completion in 2012.

Its 72 floors include offices, apartments, restaurants, stores, and a 5-star hotel. The viewing platforms on the 69th and 72nd floors offer fantastic views over London.

It’s quite a bit cheaper to buy tickets online in advance than on site, but you’ll still have to wait in line to exchange your online ticket for a physical one. We recommend that you avoid visiting on weekends when the lines are particularly long.

Get tickets for The Shard

Several floors offer Michelin-star cuisine and great cocktails as well as an amazing view of London. You don’t have to pay admission here, but of course the food and drinks cost a pretty penny. You can also book a hotel room at the Shangri-La Hotel.  It offers luxury rooms with a spectacular view.

Current room rates at the Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard

Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in winter

It’s the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe at 135 meters , and the view is fantastic. However, if you have to choose between the London Eye and The Shard, we would recommend The Shard.

It’s a good idea to book your tickets online in advance , as they’re 10 percent cheaper that way. You can choose between a standard ticket and a fast track ticket when you book your ride. The fast track ticket grants you preferred entry to the Ferris wheel through a special entrance so you don’t have to wait in line.

Get Fast Track Tickets for the London Eye

Big Ben & Houses of Parliament: More London highlights for first-timers

These attractions are in every travel guide and cannot missed on our list. You can visit these for the perfect London snapshot:

London attractions for culture lovers

You love museums, can really lose yourself in art or like to stroll through theater districts? Perfect! In this section you will find the most exciting museums in London and other attractions for real culture lovers.

Our culture highlights in London at a glance:

• Tate Modern / Tate Britain

British Museum

National gallery, covent garden, notting hill, tate modern and tate britain.

You should plan 3 hours

Two of our favorite museums in London are Tate Modern and Tate Britain. While Tate Britain primarily shows British artists from the Tudor period to British Modernism , Tate Modern features art and architecture by modern artists from around the world .

Tate Britain and Tate Modern are two of the most important art museums in London. In Tate Britain you can find art from the Tudor period to British Modernism , Tate Modern features art and architecture by modern artists from around the world . Tate Modern will appeal to you even if you’re not really into art in general.

The buildings’ architecture alone is stunning and can turn a rainy day in London into a unique experience. The 10th floor of Tate Modern also offers a great view of the city.

And here’s the best part: Both museums are completely free to visit !

Our tip: “Tate Lates”. Visit the Tates at night, accompanied by music and a bite to eat. Late at Tate is a regular event that takes place every first Friday of the month at Tate Britain and every last Friday of the month at Tate Modern.

You should plan 2 hours

The British Museum is a world-renowned museum of cultural history and has accumulated some of the most important sculptures, antiquities, and architectural works in human history.

There’s so much to see at the British Museum that it’s impossible to take in everything at once, even if you spend the whole day.

Visiting the museum is free , but you’re encouraged to make a donation. Only special exhibits and events charge admission.

Guided tour of the British Museum

The National Gallery is an art museum located directly on Trafalgar Square in the city center. It’s one of the most significant and largest portrait galleries in the world with a collection of more than 2,300 artworks from the 13th through the 19th century.

The collection includes portraits of Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Leonardo da Vinci, among many others. Admission to the National Gallery is free .

Our tip: Trafalgar Square is a wonderful spot to take a break from all the sightseeing. Its two fountains at the center are magnificent and the surrounding area is perfect for picnics, especially in the summer.

Guided tour of the National Gallery

Covent Garden is a theatre and entertainment district in the West End. People often only associate the historic Apple Market on the car-free square with the name Covent Garden, but the area has so much more to offer.

The London Museum of Transport, the Royal Opera House, the London Film Museum, and Seven Dials are just a few worthwhile attractions in the neighborhood. And aside from all the museums and theaters, the Apple Market is one of the most beautiful photo spots in London.

Its elegant halls are the perfect place for a leisurely shopping stroll. The many singers and street performers are what make the market so special.

You should plan 2 – 4 hours

Notting Hill is definitely one of the most photogenic parts of the city . Or instagrammable , as our younger readers might say. The neighborhood is known from numerous films such as the eponymous rom-com starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.

The streets of Notting Hill are characterized by colorful houses and flowers .

The market on Portobello Road is one of the most beautiful markets in London, replete with second-hand fashion, antiques, and wares of all shapes and sizes. The main market opens on Fridays and Saturdays.

The annual Notting Hill Carnival takes place in August. Europe’s largest street festival offers a spectacular parade with a wide variety of colorful characters.

Guided walking tour through Notting Hill

Attractions for London experts

Have you been to London before? These London attractions are great for a second or third visit .

If you are looking for insider tips in London, you might also like this article: 11 real London insider tips .

London insider tips that are worth visiting:

Borough Market

Brick lane market.

Our tip for London connoisseurs who have plenty of time:

• Street Art in London

The first Chinese restaurants set up shop in London in the 1950s. Today, you’ll feel as if you’ve been swept away to the Far East. Chinese characters, dragons, lanterns and the smell of fried duck are everywhere. Even the street signs in Chinatown are bilingual.

Chinatown is a little culture shock. You can eat delicious Asian food here or stock up on typical Asian products in the stores.

Our tip: Chinatown is also the scene of many exciting events, such as the Chinese New Year celebrations. Check the Chinatown website for information on upcoming events.

Borough Market is one of the most beautiful markets in London . It’s frequently chosen as a picturesque setting for movies, such as Bridget Jones or Harry Potter.

There are more than 130 stalls selling fruit, vegetables, natural products, meat, and fish . In addition to regional products, you’ll also find delicacies from all over the world. For example, German expats in London can enjoy a taste of home in the form of German bratwurst sold here.

You can easily spend a couple of hours here, sampling from the stalls and shopping for souvenirs. The market is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Only on Sundays it closes one hour earlier.

Our tip: Around Borough Market you’ll also find some cool London restaurants.

Closed on Sundays (only open in the run-up to Christmas)

At Brick Lane Market in Shoreditch you can find anything from antiques to vintage fashion, art, souvenirs and of course lots of delicious street food .

The market originated in the former Old Truman Brewery , which had to close in the 80s. Today it has developed into a market with over 300 stalls , some of them covered and others are simply on the street. We particularly like the fact that Brick Lane still retains the industrial charm of old London .

Our tip: It’s best to visit Brick Lane Market on a Sunday, which is the only time the street market takes place.

Streetart in London

You should plan 4 hours (for a tour)

If you already know the classic museums in London, there is still more art than the mainstream.

Especially the neighborhoods of Shoreditch and East End are full of beautiful street art. Among them are works by internationally known artists like Banksy or Shepherd Fairey.

We recommend a guided tour , because your guide knows the coolest street art in London and you don’t have to search for a long time.

Street art tour and workshop in London

London highlights for families

If you’re traveling to London with children, you probably won’t be looking for dull museums. In our list you will find the London highlights that kids will also enjoy . We will describe the first three in more detail in a bit.

These sights in London were our highlights:

• Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studios
• Transport Museum London

More London attractions for families:

• Science Museum
• Holland Park
• Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station

You should plan 1 – 3 hours

Hyde Park is one of the public royal parks in the heart of London. With an area of 1.4 square kilometers there’s plenty of space for your kids to run around and play.

The Serpentine, a snake-shaped lake running through the middle of the park, is the perfect place to cool off in the summer. From late November through January, Hyde Park hosts the Winter Wonderland with ice skating, a Ferris wheel, and a circus – perfect for families.

Our tip: On Sundays, pay a visit to Speakers’ Corner in the northeast end of Hyde Park (near Marble Arch). Since the 19th century, speakers have been coming here to stand on boxes and speak their minds about every topic under the sun. If you’re feeling brave, why not give it a go yourself?

Warner Bros. Studios

Why not apparate to Diagon Alley and get a few souvenirs from Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes ? You can – well, almost.

At Warner Bros. Studios in London, you can visit some of the original sets, such as Diagon Alley , the Great Hall at Hogwarts, and the wizarding bank Gringotts . You’ll see the actors’ costumes and some of the iconic props like Harry’s Nimbus 2000 or Hagrid’s flying motorbike .

A truly magical experience for all Harry Potter fans, both young and old.

Harry Potter Studios Tour

London Transport Museum

At the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, your kids can explore the world of London’s transport.

There is, for example, a restored steam engine , electric trains or the typical r ed double-decker buses to discover. What kid wouldn’t want to play train conductor?

The museum also tells some really crazy stories . There is, for example, an exhibition about an underground aircraft factory in a subway tunnel.

Get tickets for the London Transport Museum

More tips for families in London

London has so many fun options to offer for families. Here are some more ideas:

London highlights for shopping fans

London and fashion – the two belong together. We will show you the best places to shop in London.

Our highlights for shopping in London:

Oxford Street

Camden market.

Oxford Street is one of the most prestigious and famous shopping streets in all of Europe. It extends for 1.9 kilometers and offers everything from luxury brands to cheap knick-knacks.

Stores open daily. If you really want to do some serious shopping, try strolling down the street during the week ; it’s pretty much impossible to shop in peace on the weekends.

Our tip: The pre-Christmas season is a magical time in London, and starting in November, Oxford Street is beautifully decorated with Christmas lights. Be sure to stop by Carnaby Street, a side street off of Oxford Street, and marvel at the lights and romantic restaurants around Kingly Court.

Harrods is the most famous department store in London. The rich and famous have been shopping at Harrods since 1834, and for a long time the department store was the official supplier to the Royal Family.

The charm of the old building will send you into a shopping frenzy. Many of the stores are luxury boutiques like Chanel, Gucci or Prada. But there are also several “normal” stores.

Our tip: If possible, don’t visit Harrods on a Saturday, as it’s particularly crowded then.

You should plan a whole day

Camden Market is not just any old market. There are around 1,000 stores offering anything from vintage fashion to art to street food . The atmosphere is like a trip back in time to the 70s and 80s. It is divided into three separate markets :

• Buck Street Market , right next to the Tube station, is full of stalls selling cheap, mass-produced goods.
• Stables Market , along Chalk Farm Road, offers alternative and vintage fashion, furniture, and second-hand items.
• The oldest market is located directly on Regent’s Canal. Camden Lock Market offers high-quality hand-made jewelry and clothing, decorations, and the finest street food.

London for free: Our tips for those on a budget

Are you traveling on a budget? London is not exactly a cheap destination, but with some tricks at hand, you can visit many of London’s attractions for free.

Here are our tips for free sightseeing in London:

• walk across Tower Bridge
• visit a free museum like Tate Modern, Tate Britain, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum or the National Gallery
• enjoy the view in the Sky Garden
• stroll through the markets of London
• check out some street art in East London

General tips for your visit to London

Before you get started with your trip to the top highlights in London, here are a few quick tips to help you make the most of your visit.

Ideally, you should plan at least 3 to 5 days for your city trip to London. That’s still not much for such a big city, which is why it’s important to plan well. That’s why we prepared the perfect 3-day plan for London :

#1 Choosing the right place to stay

When choosing your accommodation, you should make sure that it’s in a central location . Here are three great and centrally located hotels in London.

Wilde Aparthotels : cool apartments in the bustling Covent Garden district, very close to the theater district The Montague On The Garden: super stylish boutique hotel near the British Museum, especially suitable for families and first-time visitors Treehouse Hotel London : super green hotel with a treehouse theme, close to Oxford Street

#2 Get an Oyster Card

London is huge and its must-see attractions are scattered throughout the city, so doing everything on foot is only recommended for the most ambitious exercise fanatics. For everyone else, the public transport network is excellent  and is the perfect way to get around and see the sights.

You’ll need an Oyster Card to use the public transport in London. An Oyster Card is a pre-paid travel card that you simply hold against the reader before boarding a bus or entering a Tube station. It’s incredibly convenient and easy to use. Cards are available at local outlets, such as airports and all Tube stations.

Alternatively, you can also order the card before your trip and have it conveniently delivered to your home for a small fee. That way you can feel like a local and just get on the next bus or Tube when you arrive, without the hassle of looking for a vending machine.

Order the Oyster Card online

We recommend using the Citymapper app for public transport in London. It shows you how long it’ll take you to get from A to B, how much it’ll cost, and which lines to take.

Get the Android app from the Google Play Store Get the iOS app from the Apple Store

#3 Save time and money with city passes

It may be worth buying one of the London city passes if you plan on visiting a lot of attractions that charge admission.

These discount passes grant you free admission to numerous attractions in London and save you quite a bit of money.

Another advantage is that some sights offer preferred fast track admission for pass holders. In other words, not only will you be saving money, but also a lot of time.

The following passes are available:

London Pass (includes most of the attractions) Go City’s London Explorer Pass (the most flexible pass) Merlin Magical London 5-in-1-Pass (a good choice for families with children)

#4 Explore London with a guided tour

If you’re visiting London for the first time or want to explore a whole other side of the city, a guided tour is a great idea.

There’s a huge range of city tours in London to suit all tastes.

Here are three cool tours, that can be booked directly online:

Bike tour through London Boat cruise on the Thames including lunch Harry Potter-themed tour

What are your London highlights?

That wraps up our list of the 22 must-see sights and attractions in London. Have you ever been to London? Which attractions in London were your absolute favorites? Tell us all about them in the comments. We look forward to hearing from you!

24 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in London

Written by Bryan Dearsley and Shandley McMurray Updated Mar 20, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Bryan Dearsley has visited London many times, most recently on an extensive tour of England in the spring of 2022. Author Shandley McMurray lived in London and always enjoys returning.

London is one of the world's most mesmerizing cities . Modern architectural marvels like the Shard line medieval laneways peppered with historic monuments, high-end shops, and award-winning theaters. Picturesque streets and avenues connect renowned attractions like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul's Cathedral, causing visitors to gape at their beauty and exhaust their phone's photo storage.

With so many impressive tourist attractions and captivating things to do, it's no wonder London is one of the most popular places to visit in the world , attracting over 20 million tourists each year. Britain's bustling capital offers something for everyone, including shopaholics, foodies, adventurists, historians, and kids, making it tough to choose what to do first.

Should you hit one of the top museums, many of which are free to enter, or enjoy a picnic in one of the city's expansive parks ? Maybe tour a royal palace, or wander around a breathtaking garden? Perhaps you'd prefer to take in a show; enjoy a horseback ride; see the city views from atop the London Eye; or enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in Harrods, the world's poshest department store?

Use our list of the best attractions and things to do in London to help decide what to see and do in this phenomenal city you'll want to visit again and again.

See also: Where to Stay in London

1. Visit Buckingham Palace and Watch the Changing of the Guard

2. see the crown jewels at the tower of london, 3. beat the crowds: take a morning stroll across tower bridge, 4. get cultured at the british museum, 5. big ben and the houses of parliament, 6. get creative at the national gallery, 7. tour the art displays at the victoria and albert museum, 8. wander around piccadilly circus and trafalgar square, 9. journey to the top of the shard, 10. get your art fix at tate britain and tate modern, 11. walk the hallowed halls of westminster abbey, 12. head underground to the churchill war rooms, 13. walk with dinosaurs at the natural history museum, 14. enjoy a picnic in hyde park, 15. climb the dome of st. paul's cathedral, 16. shop at london's best markets, 17. be entertained by buskers at covent garden, 18. take flight on the london eye, 19. meet henry viii at hampton court palace, 20. straddle the meridian line at greenwich, 21. the imperial war museum & hms belfast, 22. explore the london docklands & canary wharf, 23. visit picturesque richmond park, 24. ogle the flora and fauna at kew gardens, where to stay in london for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to london, map of tourist attractions & things to do in london, best time to visit london, england.

One of Britain's most iconic buildings, Buckingham Palace is also the scene of London's most popular display of pomp and ceremony: the Changing of the Guard.

Drawing crowds at 11:30am most days regardless of the season, this colorful display of precision marching and music also takes place at St. James's Palace . One of the top free things to do in London , you can then follow the band along The Mall as they march between sites.

Buckingham Palace was built in 1837 and has been the London residence of the Royal Family since Queen Victoria's accession. If you're wondering whether the King is in, look at the flagpole atop the building: if the royal standard is flying day and night, he's at home. On special state occasions, he and members of the Royal Family may even emerge on the central balcony.

When the King's away at the Royal Family's summer residence in Balmoral Castle, Scotland , visitors can purchase tickets for tours of the State Rooms, the Queen's Gallery, and the Royal Mews.

From prison to palace, treasure vault to private zoo, the magnificent Tower of London has fulfilled many different roles over the centuries. One of Britain's most iconic structures, this spectacular World Heritage Site offers hours of fascination for visitors curious about the country's rich history, so much of which happened here.

Inside the massive White Tower, built in 1078 by William the Conqueror, is the 17th-century Line of Kings with its remarkable displays of royal armaments and armor. Other highlights include the famous Crown Jewels exhibition, the Beefeaters, the Royal Mint, and gruesome exhibits about the executions that took place on the grounds.

The Bloody Tower is also worthy of a visit. Here you'll find stories of ancient torture, and you can learn about the mystery of two princes who disappeared many years ago.

For the best use of your time, especially during the busy summer season, purchase the Tower of London Entrance Ticket Including Crown Jewels and Beefeater Tour in advance, to bypass the ticket office lines. This pass guarantees the lowest price, helps avoid the crowds, and saves time and hassle.

Located adjacent the Tower of London, Tower Bridge features two huge towers rising 200 feet above the River Thames.

This is one of London's best-known and most photographed landmarks. While fascinating behind-the-scenes tours are available, you can easily walk across the bridge from the Tower of London.

For the best Tower views, as well as a glimpse of HMS Belfast and London Bridge (which many mistakenly believe Tower Bridge to be), find a spot mid-way across. While it can be crowded, especially around sunset, an early morning arrival before the throngs of tourists get there is well worth the effort.

Afterwards, head over to the renovated Butlers Wharf district on the bridge's south end for a unique twist on the classic "full English" breakfast at WatchHouse Tower Bridge. This now ritzy area is fun to wander and is home to a funky selection of restaurants, luxury housing, and shops.

Address: Tower Bridge Road, London

Official site: www.towerbridge.org.uk

Displaying one of the world's finest collections of antiquities, the British Museum contains more than 13 million artifacts from the ancient world. With priceless objects from Assyria, Babylonia, China, Europe, and elsewhere, it's hard to know where to begin in this expansive attraction.

Most tourists head first for the museum's most famous exhibits: the controversial Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon, the Rosetta Stone , the colossal bust of Ramesses II, the Egyptian mummies, and the spectacular hoard of 4th-century Roman silver known as the Mildenhall Treasure .

In addition to a well-stocked, on-site bookshop boasting an exhaustive array of titles on ancient history, archaeology and art history, there's a shop selling kids' games and souvenirs, along with one that sells replica sculptures and jewelry.

For those able to linger longer, the museum offers a variety of lectures and workshops, plus a restaurant and café.

Address: Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London

Official site: www.britishmuseum.org

Nothing screams "London" more emphatically than the 318-foot tower housing the giant clock and its resounding bell known as Big Ben. It's as iconic a landmark as Tower Bridge , and the tolling of Big Ben is known throughout the world as the time signal of the BBC.

Below it, stretching along the Thames, are the Houses of Parliament . The seat of Britain's government for many centuries, it was also once the site of the royal Westminster Palace occupied by William the Conqueror.

The best view of the parliament buildings can be had by crossing Westminster Bridge and looking back. Or, turn left after crossing the bridge and walk along the path towards the SEA LIFE London Aquarium (a fun spot to take kids). Gather your crew along the wall for a perfect photo with Big Ben in the background.

Tours of the Houses of Parliament offer a unique chance to see real-time debates and lively political discussions. From Parliament Square, Whitehall is lined by so many government buildings that its name has become synonymous with the British government.

Official site: www.parliament.uk/bigben

It's almost impossible to visit London without catching a glimpse of the impressive National Gallery. This iconic, columned museum is set at the edge of Trafalgar Square , home to incredible masterpieces that make it one of the best attractions in London.

Ranking among the top art museums in the world, London's National Gallery represents an almost complete survey of European painting from 1260 until 1920. The museum's greatest strengths are in its collections of Dutch Masters and Italian Schools of the 15th and 16th centuries.

Among its highlights are a cartoon (preliminary sketch) of the Madonna and Child by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo's The Entombment , Botticelli's Venus and Mars , van Gogh's Sunflowers , and The Water-Lily Pond by Monet.

Address: Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, London

Official site: www.nationalgallery.org.uk

The Victoria and Albert Museum (aka the V&A) is part of a South Kensington-based group of museums that includes the Natural History Museum and Science Museum . Founded in 1852, the V&A covers close to 13 acres and contains 145 galleries spanning some 5,000 years of art and related artifacts.

Exhibits include ceramics and glass, textiles and costumes, silver and jewelry, ironwork, sculpture, prints, and photos, and are conveniently arranged into four main categories: Asia; Furniture, Textiles, and Fashion; Sculpture, Metalwork, Ceramics, and Glass; and Word and Image.

It's impossible to get around this vast museum in a single visit, so the best plan to tackle it is to decide in advance which sections you most want to see. Taking a V&A tour is highly recommended, and often free, with options including everything from daily introductory tours to specific gallery or themed tours.

The Main and Garden Cafés are more impressive than any museum eatery you've seen. The intricate detailing on everything from the floor to the columns to the ceiling make them worthy pieces of art themselves. Plus, the food is quite tasty. Also, don't miss an opportunity to luxuriate in the John Madejski Garden , which is so beautiful and serene, you'll forget you're in the center of one of the world's largest cities.

If you're around, check into one of the fun "Friday Late" programs held on the last Friday of the month (except for March and December). These fun events are popular for their food and drink experiences, along with late-night exhibition openings.

Address: Cromwell Road, Knightsbridge, London

Official site: www.vam.ac.uk

Two of London's best-known tourist spots, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square lie not far apart and mark the gateway to Soho , London's lively theater and entertainment district. The walk from one to the other is truly enjoyable, lined with eclectic boutiques, tasty cafés, ice-cream shops, and winding laneways evoking a bygone era when only horses and buggies traipsed through these historic streets.

Trafalgar Square was built to commemorate Lord Horatio Nelson's victory over the French and Spanish fleets at Trafalgar in 1805. Nelson's Column , a 183-foot granite monument, overlooks the square's fountains and bronze reliefs, which were cast from French cannons. Admiralty Arch, St. Martin-in-the-Fields , and the National Gallery surround the square.

Piccadilly Circus marks the irregular intersection of several busy streets, including Piccadilly, Regent, Haymarket, and Shaftesbury Avenue. Overlooking this somewhat untidy snarl of traffic stands London's best-known sculpture, the winged Eros delicately balanced on one foot, bow poised.

"It's like Piccadilly Circus" is a common expression among Londoners to describe a busy and confusing scene.

Since it opened in 2012, The Shard has taken its place as one of the most-recognizable and most-visited landmarks in London.

Standing 1,016 feet tall and encompassing some 95 stories, this remarkable structure is so-named for its resemblance to a shard of glass. Yet, while it dominates the skyline south of the River Thames, its pleasing design doesn't seem at all out of place when seen next to neighbors such as Tower Bridge.

In addition to its office space on the lower levels, The Shard is home to a stunning Shangri-La Hotel and three superb restaurants, all boasting some of the most incredible views over London. For those not staying here, the upper-most levels consist of a choice of viewing platforms: indoor and outdoor.

Another London skyscraper that's worth a visit is the "Walkie Talkie" with its popular Sky Garden attraction. Located around the corner from the Tower of London and set on the building's 34th to 37th floors, the garden's terraces offer some of the best views over the city. If you've got the time, reserve a table at one of the restaurants here in order to enjoy the views while you dine.

Address: 32 London Bridge Street, London

Official site: www.the-shard.com

Art lovers cannot visit London without touring its most impressive art museums: the two Tates. Located on opposite sides of the Thames, Tate Britain and Tate Modern together comprise one of the world's most important art collections .

The original gallery opened in 1897 as the basis of a national collection of significant British art, and continued to make acquisitions, needing more space to properly display its collections. The end result was the establishment of Tate Britain, in Millbank on the north side of the Thames, as home to its permanent collection of historic British paintings.

A superbly transformed power station across the Thames became home to the modern art collections. Art lovers can spend a whole day viewing both sites, conveniently connected by high-speed ferry. Better still, walk across the Millennium Bridge , a footbridge that connects the two banks of the river close to the Tate Modern. The views are spectacular.

Tate Britain

• Address: Millbank, London
• www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain

Tate Modern

• Address: Bankside, London
• www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern

Another location with a long association with British royalty, Westminster Abbey stands on a site that's been associated with Christianity since the early 7th century. Officially known as the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster, Westminster Abbey was founded by Edward the Confessor in 1065 as his place of interment.

From his burial in 1066 until that of George II almost 700 years later, most sovereigns were not only crowned here but were buried here, too. More recently, it's become famous as the preferred location for Royal Weddings.

This masterpiece of Gothic architecture not only has the highest Gothic nave in England (102 feet), it's also one of London's most popular tourist attractions, drawing well over a million visitors each year.

Highlights of a visit include seeing the more than 600 memorials in the Nave, including the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior; Poet's Corner in the Transepts , with its memorials to the likes of Shakespeare, Chaucer, and Dickens; the Westminster Abbey Museum; and the attractive gardens.

Address: 20 Dean's Yard, Westminster, London

Official site: www.westminster-abbey.org

Among the most fascinating and evocative of London's historic sites are the perfectly preserved Churchill War Rooms.

The nerve-center from which Prime Minister Winston Churchill directed British military campaigns and the defense of his homeland throughout World War II, their simplicity and cramped conditions underline the desperate position of England as the Nazi grip tightened across Europe.

You'll see the tiny cubicle where Churchill slept and the improvised radio studio where he broadcast his famous wartime speeches. Simple details, such as Clementine Churchill's knitting wool marking the front lines on a map of Europe, bring the era to life as no other museum could possibly do.

Audio guides are available (a thorough self-guided tour takes about 90 minutes), and a café and bookshop are located on the premises.

Address: Clive Steps, King Charles Street, London

Official site: www.iwm.org.uk/visits/churchill-war-rooms

Established in 1754, London's spectacular Natural History Museum remains one of the most-visited such attractions on the planet. It's easy to spot for its huge Romanesque façade, and a visit is something you'll not want to rush. Arrive early as it can get quite crowded.

Many of the museum's original exhibits are still on display centuries later, and together comprise a massive collection of more than 80 million items showcasing everything from botany to zoology, plus pretty much everything in between. A highlight of a visit is seeing the preserved specimens that Charles Darwin collected on his epic journeys.

If you're not in a hurry, start your visit by joining one of the formal guided tours on offer, ranging from 30 to 50 minutes. You'll be introduced to highlights you may wish to return to at a later date to explore in greater detail.

A variety of fun events are held regularly, from workshops for kids to late night openings. Shopping opportunities are located on-site, along with a number of dining options.

Address: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London

Official site: www.nhm.ac.uk

Covering 350 acres, Hyde Park is London's largest open space and has been a destination for sightseers since 1635. One of the park's highlights is the Serpentine, an 18th-century man-made lake popular for boating and swimming. Hyde Park is also where you'll find Speakers' Corner , a traditional forum for free speech—and heckling.

Another Hyde Park landmark is Apsley House , former home of the first Duke of Wellington and purchased after his famous victory at Waterloo. Now a museum, it houses Wellington's magnificent collections of paintings, including Velázquez's The Waterseller of Seville , along with gifts presented by grateful European kings and emperors. England's greatest hero is also commemorated at the Wellington Arch.

Another lovely London green space to explore is Regent's Park . Just a short walk away from Westminster, this 410-acre attraction is a delight to stroll around. If you're traveling with kids, be sure to visit London Zoo , located within the grounds of the park and one of the most popular things to do for families visiting the city.

• Read More: Top-Rated Attractions around Hyde Park

The largest and most famous of London's many churches, and undoubtedly one of the most spectacular cathedrals in the world, St. Paul's Cathedral sits atop the site of a Roman temple. The previous church structure was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666, and Sir Christopher Wren designed the rebuild .

Today, the twin Baroque towers and magnificent 365-foot dome of St. Paul's are a masterpiece of English architecture. If you're up to it, be sure to walk the stairs with their spectacular views of the dome's interior, including the Whispering Gallery , undoubtedly one of the top things to do in London.

• Read More: Exploring London's St. Paul's Cathedral: A Visitor's Guide

Whether you're a fan of food, flowers, art, or clothes, you'll find something to love in London's best markets . While most open only on weekends (Fridays included), some of the most eclectic venues, like the vibrant Camden Market in North London, welcome shoppers daily.

Camden Market is home to over 100 stalls, shops, and eateries offering everything from gluten-free goodies to hand-made jewels to bohemian clothing. If you're looking for a distinct urban feel, you'll find it here.

Borough Market is a must-visit for foodies in central London. This popular venue, which is situated near London Bridge, is so busy on weekends, you'll have to fight your way through crowds to nab the best produce or mouthwateringly good sample of giant paella.

Arrive early (we'd suggest no later than 10am) to enjoy a little more elbow room. The line for coffee can extend for blocks, so head there first. While some stalls are open during the week, most don't unveil their goods until Friday morning.

Old Spitalfields Market is another beloved spot offering some of the city's most gorgeous flowers, interesting antiques, art, jewelry, and more. Built in 1876, this is one of the best examples of a Victorian Market Hall.

Other popular markets include, Maltby Street Market , Brick Lane Market , and Portobello Road.

Read More: Best Places to Shop in London

The market halls of Covent Garden are only the beginning of the neighborhood, which encompasses the shops and restaurants of Long Acre and other adjacent streets, those of Neal's Yard and Seven Dials, as well as the Central Square with its incredibly talented, and unique, street performers.

The halls and arcades of Covent Garden Market are lined with specialty shops and kiosks selling everything from teas to fine handcrafts to tacky souvenirs. A few restaurants are sprinkled in as well, some offering patios for you to enjoy a tasty treat while people-watching.

Housed in the former flower market, you'll find the London Transport Museum , a kid-centric haven for those who love all things vehicular. Filled with historic buses, trolleys, and trams, children and adults alike will love this interactive transportation hub. "Drive" a London bus, pilot a tube train, or sit on an ancient trolley.

This area is also where you'll find the Royal Opera House and a variety of other leading London theaters.

Built to mark London's millennium celebrations in 2000, the London Eye is one of the world's largest observation wheels. Its individual glass capsules offer the most spectacular views of the city as you embark on a circular tour rising 443 feet above the Thames. The journey lasts close to 30 minutes, often quicker than the time spent lining up for your turn.

If you can, reserve your time in advance. Better still, skip the line completely with a London Eye: Skip-the-Line Ticket . This advance ticket allows you to take a flight at any time on the day you plan to visit. If you can afford it, rent one of the private capsules and share the experience with friends and family.

Another fun way to view London for above is aboard the Emirates Air Line , a cable car system that crosses the Thames between Greenwich and the Royal Victoria Dock. The journey travels one kilometer and lasts 10 minutes, long enough to enjoy spectacular views and grab a few memorable selfies.

Official site: www.londoneye.com

Another great Thames-side attraction, Hampton Court is one of the world's most famous and grandest of royal palaces, and a truly remarkable place to visit in London. Its Great Hall dates from Henry VIII's time (two of his six wives supposedly haunt the palace), and it's where Elizabeth I learned of the defeat of the Spanish Armada .

Meet Henry VIII himself or have a chat with Anne Boleyn, both of whom wander the grounds and involve guests in their interesting antics at random points throughout the day. Depending on the time and date you visit, you may even be asked to participate in a session in court.

Grab an audio guide upon your arrival and choose a velvet cloak to wear as you tour the grounds, if you're hoping to feel a bit more authentic. Get lost in the palace's famous Maze , or grab a bite in the on-site café,

Other interesting features include the Clock Court with its fascinating astronomical clock dating from 1540, the State Apartments with their Haunted Gallery, the Chapel , the King's Apartments , and the Tudor tennis court. Don't miss the Tudor Kitchens and their massive fireplaces.

The gardens are also worth visiting, especially in mid-May when in full bloom. Highlights include the Privy Garden, the Pond Garden, the Elizabethan Knot Garden, the Broad Walk, and an area known as the Wilderness.

Although a little farther outside the city center, Hampton Court is a must-do sightseeing trip when visiting London. It's a bit of a haul on the tube, but taking a taxi, renting a car, or even grabbing a car service will make this trip more than worthwhile.

• Read More: Visiting Hampton Court Palace: Top Attractions, Tips & Tours

For centuries the hub of Britain's naval power, Greenwich is best known to tourists as the home of the Cutty Sark , the last of the 19th-century tea clippers to sail between Britain and China. The ship is located adjacent to the Discover Greenwich Visitor Centre with its exhibits showcasing more than 500 years of maritime history, and the Palladian mansion known as Queen's House .

The impressive collections of the National Maritime Museum , the largest of its kind in the world, illustrate the history of the Royal Navy. And one of the most unusual things to do in London is standing with one foot in each hemisphere, astride the Meridian Line in the Meridian Building in the Royal Observatory.

Read More: Top Attractions in Greenwich & Docklands Districts, London

If you've time in your travel itinerary, two other military attractions related to the Churchill War rooms are also worth visiting: The Imperial War Museum and HMS Belfast .

Located a short distance from the popular Southbank cultural district, the Imperial War Museum London can easily occupy the best part of a day with its fascinating exhibits and collections of military vehicles, weapons, and aircraft.

Set in chronological order, displays portray the very real experiences of participants and victims in the world's major conflicts, with many hands-on exhibits allowing unique incites into their place in history. The Holocaust Galleries are particularly sobering.

A shop and café are located on-site, and before leaving, grab a selfie standing next to the huge shells and guns located out front.

The other must-see under the Imperial War Museum umbrella, HMS Belfast is a well-preserved WWII-era cruiser that served during D-Day. Located on the River Thames opposite the Tower of London, this historic vessel can be explored as part of a guided or self-guided tour.

For a truly memorable experience, consider booking a fun family tour. A gift shop is located on the premises.

The revitalized Docklands area of East London has been transformed into an international place of business and recreation, filled with some of London's smartest new restaurants and entertainment experiences.

The revitalized Docklands area also includes Canary Wharf. This important financial and business hub offers a variety of fun things to do, including shopping and dining.

The excellent Museum of London Docklands is the place to visit to learn more about the area. Located in a series of old Georgian warehouses on Canary Wharf, it brings to life the river, port, and its people from Roman times to the present through hands-on displays that are especially interesting for children.

A little closer to the Tower of London, St. Katherine Docks is fun to explore, too. Redeveloped as a mixed commercial and residential area, here you can spend time wandering the marina or enjoying a great meal or respite while watching the world go by.

It's hard to believe you're in London (well, technically just outside London) when on a visit to Richmond Park. One of the most captivating of the eight Royal Parks, this lavish natural wonderland has everything you'd look for in an English park: winding paths, verdant woodland, sparkling lakes, horse stables and trails, bike lanes, and multiple picnic spots.

Enjoy unparalleled views of St. Paul's Cathedral from King Henry's Mound , a picturesque hilltop surrounded by wild deer. Luxuriate in a warm tea and traditional scones at the Pembroke Lodge Tea Room , or rent a bike and cycle through this spectacular 2,500-acre nature reserve.

If visiting during spring, particularly late April or early May, make your way to the Isabella Plantation , a remarkable Victorian woodland garden set within the park. Its vibrant 40 acres are filled with colorful rhododendrons, azaleas, and camellias so resplendent, you'll think you're walking through a fairy tale.

Official site: https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond-park

Spending at day at Kew Gardens is one of the best things to do in London. A UNESCO Heritage Site , this phenomenal spot is home to over 50,000 living plants and some of the most majestically manicured gardens in England.

Officially called the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is situated in southwest London on the south bank of the Thames and offers visitors a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of central London, and a welcome breath of fresh air. Located on a flight path, you'll spot multiple jumbo jets, but these add to the allure for little ones.

Also family-friendly is the expansive indoor and outdoor playground, which comes complete with a zipline. Visit on a sunny day, and you should prepare to jostle for a picnic spot on the lush lawns, as this is a popular spot for families to enjoy a lunch out. Didn't pack snacks? Visit one of the on-site restaurants for a tasty treat-they even offer dairy and gluten-free options.

Laid out in 1759, the gardens became government property in 1841. In 1897, Queen Victoria added Queen's Cottage and the adjoining woodland. A variety of tours are available free with admission, and many musical and cultural events are held here throughout the year.

Don't miss the towering Pagoda ; Japanese gardens ; Treetop Walkway ; and the remarkable Palm House , an indoor rainforest with an aquarium in the basement. The impressive Rhododendron Dell is a breathtaking treat popping with vibrant blooms during spring.

• Read More: Exploring the Top Attractions of London's Kew Gardens

London's top tourist attractions are spread out over several different areas of the city. If you want to spend time sightseeing, it's a good idea to base yourself in a central location and use the city's excellent public transport system to travel between the sites. Here are some highly rated hotels in Central London:

Luxury Hotels:

• When it comes to posh hotels, the grande dames still grace the list of London's best. Pampering guests for more than a century are The Goring , a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace.
• The Langham , in the heart of the West End, has played host to royals and celebrities for more than 150 years.
• A few steps from Trafalgar Square is the Corinthia London , with a rooftop terrace and luxurious afternoon teas.
• The Ritz London , also known for teas, is handy to the posh shops of Mayfair.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• The Fielding Hotel , a popular boutique property, places you right near Covent Garden, one of the city's most touristy areas. Handy for those arriving by train from Heathrow or Gatwick airports,
• The Clermont, Victoria is right over Victoria Station.
• About a 15-minute stroll from Covent Garden, Bloomsbury was once London's literary hub and is now home to one of the city's top attractions, the British Museum, as well as highly rated mid-range hotels such as The Montague on the Gardens and The Bloomsbury . Both are also a short stroll from Oxford Street shopping.

Budget Hotels:

• If you're watching your wallet, the Premier Inn London Kensington (Earl's Court) Hotel is an affordable option minutes from museums and Earls Court tube station.
• You can also head north and try The Alhambra Hotel or Jesmond Dene Hotel , both near busy King's Cross tube station, a major transport hub.
• In-depth tours. It's hard to choose the best sights to see in London; there are so many awesome spots on offer. This nine-hour, Best of London Sightseeing Tour makes sure you don't miss anything essential. In addition to taking you to some of the city's top spots like Westminster Cathedral and Buckingham Palace, guests receive pre-arranged tickets for a boat cruise, as well as comprehensive tours of the Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral, plus a stop to watch the Changing of the Guard. Upgrade to receive a cream tea at Harrods or a flight on the London Eye.
• Seeing the Sights . One of the best ways to see the sights of London is on a traditional, double-decker Hop-On Hop-Off London Sightseeing Tour . This has been the classic sightseeing tour for years, and it's popular for good reason: it's easy, convenient, informative, and ensures you see the most important attractions. Tickets are flexible, with open dates, and are valid for a 24-hour period. Even if you are in London for several days, this is a great way to spend a day getting oriented, especially for first-time visitors to the city.
• Day Trips . Beyond the city, there are some excellent sightseeing opportunities that can be easily undertaken on a day trip tour from London. The Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath Day Trip from London is an 11-hour guided trip that takes visitors to these must-see places to visit. It's a great way to see the surroundings without the hassle of driving, navigating, and parking.
• Harry Potter Experience. Fans of Harry Potter will definitely want to take the Warner Brother's Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter for a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the movie and a walk through the incredible sets where the film was made. Visitors can explore the site on their own, see the costumes and props, wander through the Great Hall, and learn about the whole experience of filming. The tour includes transportation to and from the studios from central London and an entrance ticket.

Let's be honest: no one travels to London for its weather. Frequented by cloudy skies that release smatterings of mist and rain, the UK's epic capital city is best visited with an umbrella in hand.

That said, London receives less annual rainfall than its tarnished reputation would have us believe, and less than many European cities . And rather than heavy rainfalls, the norm is "little and often." Yes, you'll likely run into a sprinkle or two during your visit, but a little rain never ruined a vacation, especially when touring a historic metropolis with so much to offer.

When those beautiful, bright sunny days do appear, visitors receive front row seats to the city's remarkable transformation. Locals smile more easily, the city's best parks and gardens fill with sun worshippers and picnickers, and a sparkling hue adds another level of magic to the city's most magnificent buildings. There's nothing better!

London is a tourist hot spot throughout the year. In other words, there's never a bad time to visit. If you're looking for a better chance of glimpsing the sun and avoiding masses of tourists, however, the best time to visit London is from March through May . That said, if you don't mind rubbing elbows with a zillion other tourists, a good time of year to travel to London is during the summer months from June to September.

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Other English City Destinations : Given its relatively small size, it's easy to travel from London to other great English cities, including lovely Liverpool , famous as the birthplace of The Beatles. The industrial city of Manchester is also within easy reach and is popular for its historic canal network and fine museums. Birmingham is another northern city worth visiting and celebrates both its rich industrial past along with modern museums, art galleries, and other cultural attractions.

Easy Escapes : From London, you're only a short train ride away from the idyllic countryside of the Lake District , a popular walking destination and known for the stunning scenery around Lake Windermere. The historic city of Bath , named after its well-preserved Roman baths, is another great escape, whether for a weekend or a week. So, too, is the cathedral city of Durham , which is also home to one of the most-visited castles in England.

Top UK Vacation Ideas : Scotland makes for an excellent UK vacation, and is where you'll find the spectacularly beautiful city of Edinburgh , recognizable the world over for its lovely castle. The tiny nation of Wales , too, is worth exploring, especially its capital city of Cardiff and the stunning scenery of Snowdonia in North Wales .

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Public Transport in London

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Theater in London

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One Week in London: Itinerary

Day Trips From London

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Neighborhoods to Know

The 10 Best Neighborhoods to Explore in London

London is made up of distinct neighborhoods, each with their own character and style. There are reasons to visit every corner of the city but we've focused on 10 of the best areas to explore, whether you're looking for cute pubs, posh shops, or riverside strolls.

Between London's underground rail system, the tube , the bus system , and an occasional taxi ride, it should be fairly easy to reach the neighborhoods. 

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

This affluent area sits between Hyde Park and the glittering West End . Mayfair is home to the city's largest concentration of five-star hotels and some of the highest rents in London.

By day you can shop for tailored suits on Savile Row, designer gear on Bond Street, or art in many of the area's independent art galleries. By night, it's all members' clubs, wine bars, and posh clubs. 

Best for: Designer boutiques, posh restaurants, and art

Neighborhood highlights: Royal Academy of the Arts, Bond Street, Claridge's, Grosvenor Square, Savile Row

Gautier Houba / TripSavvy

This buzzy east London 'hood is packed full of hipster coffee shops, cool bars, and vintage shops and markets. It's strewn with street art and many of its former industrial warehouses are now restaurants and clubs. Old Street is known as Silicon Roundabout for its concentration of tech startups and attracts techies from around the world. Spitalfields Market , with its stalls selling clothes, art, and food, draws large crowds on the weekend. 

Best for: Street art, cool bars, and vintage threads

Neighborhood highlights: Spitalfields Market, Brick Lane, Hoxton Square, Columbia Road Flower Market, Boxpark, Geffrye Museum, Rough Trade

This well-heeled west London neighborhood hugs the north bank of the river Thames and is home to pretty squares flanked by multi-million-pound townhouses. The area's main artery is the King's Road, which is lined with high-end shops, cafes, and restaurants. It's bookended by the Saatchi Gallery, a center for contemporary art and Stamford Bridge, Chelsea Football Club's home ground. It plays host to the Chelsea Flower Show each May. 

Best for: Shopping, football, and flowers

Neighborhood highlights: Sloane Square, the Saatchi Gallery, Stamford Bridge, the King's Road, the Royal Court Theatre, Cadogan Hall, Chelsea Physic Garden

This leafy neighborhood in southeast London feels like a real escape from the city. Greenwich has a rich maritime heritage and is home to the Royal Observatory where you can straddle two hemispheres at the Prime Meridian (Longitude Zero). Every place on the Earth is measured in terms of its angle east or west from this line.

Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and pretty Greenwich Park served as Henry VIII's former hunting ground. Head up to the top of the hill for dramatic views of the London skyline.

The covered market is packed with stalls selling antiques, art, crafts, and food. 

Best for: Sweeping city views, riverside fun, and crafty market finds

Neighborhood highlights: Royal Observatory, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich Market , Greenwich Park, the Cutty Sark, the O2, the Queen's House 

 Gautier Houba / TripSavvy

This historic 'hood on the south bank of the Thames is packed full of cultural gems including The Tate Modern (art museum) and the Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

Borough Market attracts foodies from across the globe and Maltby Street Market, with its food stalls set in railway arches, is a hit with locals. Southwark Cathedral stands in the shadow of the futuristic Shard, London's tallest building. 

The borough is home to hipster enclaves Bermondsey, Camberwell, and Peckham. 

Best for: Tasty market bites, riverside strolls, and cultural gems

Neighborhood highlights: Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, Bermondsey Street, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the Shard, Tower Bridge .

This dynamic and culturally diverse area in south London attracts foodies from across the city to its historic covered market lined with food stalls, quirky boutiques, and independent restaurants serving every global cuisine you can think of.

Elsewhere in Brixton , you'll find a cool arthouse cinema, one of London's best music venues and tons of cool bars and eateries. 

Best for: Global cuisine, live music and street art

Neighborhood highlights: Ritzy Cinema, O2 Brixton Academy, Brixton Village, the Black Cultural Archives

Notting Hill

Gautier Houba / TripSavvy

Parts of Notting Hill look straight out of a film . And that's probably because the neighborhood is synonymous with the 1999 Brit flick of the same name.

The area's quaint streets are lined with colorful townhouses and its famous market ( Portobello Road ) is flanked by stalls selling antiques, trinkets and vintage clothes. The streets come alive every August when the area plays host to the world's second largest carnival (after Rio). 

Best for: Shopping for antiques, film locations, and independent cafes

Neighborhood highlights: Notting Hill Carnival, Portobello Road Market, Electric Cinema

Colorful Camden is one of the best places in London to see live music. From the iconic Roundhouse, a converted steam engine repair shed, to countless dive bars that play host to small indie bands, this neighborhood rocks.

Its street markets sell everything from jewelry to artwork and clothes to vintage furniture. Stroll along the Regent's Canal to the park of the same name, past the zoo. Or take a water bus from Camden Lock to Little Venice . 

Best for: Live music, canal-side strolls, and quirky market stalls

Neighborhood highlights: Regent's Canal, the Roundhouse, Camden Markets, Camden Lock

The neon-lit streets of Soho are lined with record stores, coffee shops, hip bars and restaurants serving food from across the globe. London's entertainment hub, buzzing day and night, forms part of the glittering West End. Soho's theaters show blockbuster plays and musicals.

You'll find countless pubs filled with the media professionals that work in the area and a thriving LGBT scene around Old Compton Street. 

Best for: Blockbuster theater shows, record stores, and global restaurants

Neighborhood highlights: West End theaters, Old Compton Street, Soho Square, Chinatown, Oxford Street

This wealthy neighborhood in west London is home to three of the city's best museums : the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Victoria & Albert Museum. It's bookended by beautiful green spaces, Hyde Park and Holland Park, and has a high street flanked by stores for shoppers of all budgets.

Factor in Kensington Palace, a royal residence since the 17th century, and there are plenty of reasons to spend a significant amount of time exploring this decadent district. 

Best for: Big name museums, posh pubs, and park strolls 

Neighborhood highlights: The Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Design Museum, Hyde Park, Holland Park, Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington High Street

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17 Best Day Trips From London — From Small Towns to Stunning Forests

Take a break from the big city.

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There’s no denying London is one of the greatest cities in the world for art, culture, history, and theater. After a weeklong trip, though, you may want to escape its hustle and experience some of the U.K.'s best forests, country houses, seaside towns, and even other European neighbors. Thankfully, all of this and more lies within easy reach of the capital.

"London is often seen as the gateway to the rest of Europe and the United Kingdom, with six international airports and excellent rail connections to continue your onward journey," said Rose Wangen-Jones, the managing director of London & Partners, which runs the city's official tourism site . "You could even be at the Eiffel Tower taking snaps of the Paris skyline in just over two hours, thanks to the high-speed Eurostar train."

Complete with riverside walks, ancient towns, idyllic streets filled with indie shops, and amazing restaurants, here are our picks for the best day trips from London.

Whitstable, Kent

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Ask any Londoner and they’ll often tell you Whitstable, located about an hour east of London via high-speed train, is at the top of their city escape list. One of the U.K.'s most charming seaside towns , Whitstable is famed for its multicolored North Sea-facing beach huts and restaurants that plate up fresh lobsters. The town’s castle ruins are well worth exploring, too, and the hilly — and sometimes windy — coastal walks will help brush off those cerebral cobwebs.

Another major draw is the town’s oysters. Guzzling half a dozen of these must-try mollusks is almost a rite of passage in these parts, and one of the best times to try them is during the Whitstable Rocks Oyster Festival , which takes place every summer. Expect live music, markets selling local wares, and stellar wines.

Margate, Kent

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Thanks to a cultural renaissance spearheaded by celebrities and artists such as Tracey Emin, Margate has experienced a rebirth. The Kent coastal town, less than a two-hour train ride from London, exudes cool grit and harbor glamour, with independent shops, contemporary restaurants, and the Walpole Bay Tidal Pool , made for a quick summer dip. Though Margate is on the gusty side, the Turner Contemporary gallery will keep you shielded from all the elements. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the retro theme park and roller-disco Dreamland is well worth the admission price.

Cliveden House, Berkshire

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Over its long, illustrious history, Cliveden has been a retreat for royals (Meghan, Duchess of Sussex stayed here on the eve of her wedding), and it played host to the scandalous Profumo affair back in the 1960s. The former home of the Astor family, the house was originally built in 1666 by the Duke of Buckingham as a country pad to rival all others. Now, anyone can visit to admire its over-the-top English style (think winding oak staircases and hallways filled with paintings, chandeliers, and armor). Aside from it being a great spot for afternoon tea, Cliveden really is all about stunning riverside walks, park picnics, and if you’ve got the time, a riverboat tour down the Thames. The best part? It's just an hour's drive west of London.

Rye, Sussex

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Instagrammers from across the globe descend upon Rye to snap photos of its cutesy, cobbled lanes and mishmash of Diagon Alley-esque antique shops and bookstores. Just under two hours from London, the small and hilly town is the perfect place to grab a local Sussex ale or English sparkling wine. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants serving top-notch seafood lunches and scrumptious lobster pots. Another bonus? It's close to one of the U.K.’s best beaches , picturesque Camber Sands. Tip: bring a fancy picnic basket.

Box Hill, Surrey 

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Green and pleasant pastures await in this dreamy part of the Surrey countryside. Less than an hour outside of London, Box Hill is a solid quick option for a day trip with fresh air. Most people cycle here from Richmond Park, but if you're short on time, you can take the train. It takes roughly four hours to complete the entire eight-mile circular Box Hill Hike , and those who reach the summit will be treated to sprawling views of the North Downs. Another option is walking from the train station to the Stepping Stones Path , which takes about two hours. The National Trust cafe is a great spot for a well-deserved slice of cake, but if you fancy heading further out, the nearby Beaverbrook hotel has several dining venues on its 470-acre estate, including The Garden House Restaurant , which offers steaks of both the beef and cauliflower variety, salads, seafood, and pasta.

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Despite being more than 200 miles from the capital, York is actually one of the easiest day trips from London. Trains take just under two hours and run frequently enough that you can decide if you want to go the same day. The ancient walled city is best known for its Gothic masterpiece York Minster , one of the U.K.’s oldest cathedrals, dating back to the seventh century.

"York Minster is one of the most magnificent cathedrals in the world, as well as one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe," says Nicola Butler, a T+L A-List advisor and owner of NoteWorthy . "The first recorded church on the site was built in 627, and it has had a colorful and varied history ever since. We then suggest our clients admire the timber-framed buildings of the Shambles, which was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086."

In addition to admiring this stunner, visitors can walk along the city walls before climbing up Clifford’s Tower for some awesome views of the city and beyond. Learn about 3,000 years of chocolate history at York's Chocolate Story museum, then hit up the Shambles for winding, Harry Potter -style streets packed with cool storefronts and tea shops.  

Lewes, Sussex

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Lewes often gets overlooked for its neighbor Brighton but this quaint town, located about an hour south of London, has lots to offer. Lewes Castle , the remains of Lewes Priory , and the former home of Anne of Cleves will keep you busy for a few hours, as will the pubs and local handicraft shops. If you have more time to spare, take a cab to the nearby village of Rodmell. Here, you’ll find Monk’s House , the former 16th-century country retreat of groundbreaking 20th-century author Virginia Woolf and her husband, Leonard. The garden is pretty, and you’ll also get to go inside Woolf’s writing lodge where she sat and wrote her most famous novels and essays. And if you’ve got the stamina, the walk to the village of Glynde and its Elizabethan manor is well worth the steep hills. Your reward? Spectacular views over the South Downs.

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The beauty of Europe is its excellent and efficient train network. The Eurostar , for example, takes approximately 2.5 hours to reach the French capital from London’s St. Pancras International station. With little planning, you can easily tackle many of the top attractions in Paris if you book yourself on the earliest service out and the latest back. To make the most of your day here, focus on the heart of the city: the Louvre , Musée d'Orsay , plus the amazing stores, coffee shops, and restaurants of Saint-Germain-des-Prés are all within walking distance of each other. Round out the day at the Trocadéro to snap a selfie with the Eiffel Tower and relax on the banks of the Seine with a picnic, Emily in Paris- style.

Bath, Somerset

One of the best day trips from London for history lovers, Somerset’s largest city beckons visitors with its ancient Roman baths and Georgian architecture. After the Roman period, its healing hot springs experienced a surge in popularity, transforming Bath into a fashionable spa retreat in the 17th and 18th centuries. Recognized as one of UNESCO's "Great Spa Towns of Europe," the city can be easily reached via an hour-and-change train ride from London. When you arrive, explore the bathing complex, constructed around 70 C.E., and have afternoon tea at The Pump Room restaurant. Then, stop by Bath Abbey , where you can tour the top of the church tower. While you can’t swim in the historic baths, the next best option is Thermae Bath Spa 's rooftop thermal pool — a perfect place to cap off your visit before taking the train back to London.

Ashdown Forest, Sussex

Winnie-the-Pooh fans will likely want to add Ashdown Forest to their list of scenic day trips from the capital. A.A. Milne lived near the 6,500-acre woodland when he penned the stories of Christopher Robin and his friends. Better known as the fictional “Hundred Acre Wood,” the forest is accessible via a one-hour train ride to East Grinstead station, followed by a short taxi or bus ride. For an even easier journey, join a customized tour with Pooh Trek , which will pick you up at the station and visit highlights like the historic Pooh Sticks Bridge, plus cozy cottages and pubs. Those looking to extend their stay can even spend a few nights at Milne’s former house, the 16th-century Cotchford Farm .

Brighton, Sussex

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The unofficial gay capital of the U.K. is the place to go if you're in search of wall-to-wall live music venues, classic seaside bed-and-breakfasts, buzzing clubs, and Soho House's members-only Brighton Beach House . About an hour's train ride from London, Brighton's famed Palace Pier , pebbly beach, and shops on The Lanes are all worth a visit. Visitors can expect narrow alleyways packed with independent boutiques, record stores, pizza shacks, vegan eats, and small pubs championing local ales sourced from all over the city’s home county, Sussex.

Hastings, Sussex

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About a 1.5-hour train ride from London, Hastings has a long, colorful, and somewhat brutal history that’s kept tourists flocking to its windy cliffs for centuries. The former battleground of William the Conqueror offers all sorts of to-dos, from the ruins of its Norman castle (no dragons, sadly) to a strip of indie shops to great local restaurants. There's also a long pier stretching out into the English Channel that has "sunset walk" written all over it. The best views can be enjoyed from East Hill, accessible via the U.K.'s steepest funicular, the East Hill Cliff Railway. After riding down, head to George Street, a haven for continental-style cafes, art shops, and bookstores.

Stratford-upon-Avon, West Midlands

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Literature buffs will love this medieval town hidden away in England's West Midlands. Shakespeare’s former homes and his wife Anne Hathaway’s cottage are the major draws. A little more than two hours north of London, the town is also a great place to indulge in a boat tour along the plant-flecked canal basin. If you’re a theater lover, catch a play at the Royal Shakespeare Company 's playhouse (book well in advance) or enjoy a dinner cruise down the picturesque River Avon on the Countess of Evesham restaurant boat.

Canterbury, Kent

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If you dig a medieval cathedral coupled with a dash of Chaucer, head to Canterbury. Roughly a 45-minute train ride from London, the town is a great option for travelers who are pressed for time. Start off with a walk (or bike ride) down the wiggly King’s Lane to check out the city’s stellar indie shops. When it comes to fueling up, there's lots on offer, from pastries at The Goods Shed farmers market and food hall to Scotch eggs at pubs in town. Walk it off in one of England’s oldest parks, Westgate Gardens, before hitting up the nearby Blean Woods Nature Reserve , an ancient woodland filled with rare flora and fauna. The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge is also worth visiting for a glimpse at one of the world's most important collections of cow paintings.

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

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An easy, one-hour train journey from St. Pancras, this university city dating back to 1209 is home to some of the world's most photogenic colleges and dorms. Begin your journey at King’s College and stroll through its 15th-century landmark Gothic chapel, home to the world’s largest fan vault and some impressive stained-glass windows.

Next, explore the waterways in a punt, a long, flat-bottomed boat. Aside from hopping on a bike, it’s the simplest (and most fun) way to explore the city on the cheap. Plus, you’ll see all the top attractions, from Trinity College to the Bridge of Sighs , along the way.

"NoteWorthy clients often visit the Wren Library in Trinity College Cambridge, designed by the renowned architect Sir Christopher Wren," says Butler. "It is one of Cambridge’s most famous and historic college libraries. This experience will take you behind the scenes to see some extraordinary and valuable literary works guided by a subject expert. Two of Shakespeare’s first folios and various letters of Sir Isaac Newton are just examples of what you could see on the tour."

When you get hungry, head to the Pint Shop for gourmet pub-style food served in a joint once loved by E.M. Forster. The Sunday roast is great, as are all the beers sourced from hops all over the country.

Oxford, Oxfordshire

Famed for its academic history, ivy-clad buildings, and Harry Potter filming locations , Oxford is another university city well worth a day trip from London. The train journey from Paddington or Marylebone station takes just over an hour and once you arrive, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a real-life version of the Wizarding World. Start your visit with a walking tour ( Bodleian Libraries offers guided explorations of the city and its beautiful libraries). Then, climb the tower of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin for one of the best views of the rooftops. In addition to the towering Gothic architecture, the city's historic streets are lined with traditional pubs and charming cafes. After refueling, end your day with a punting adventure along the River Cherwell or visit the Ashmolean Museum , which houses an impressive array of art and artifacts.

Bruton, Somerset

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Somerset is a long day trip from London, but it’s doable and worth the effort if you’re willing to wake up early. One of the most convenient ways to get a taste of it is via the Great Garden Escape , courtesy of one of England's most celebrated hotels, The Newt in Somerset . The approximately two-hour journey sets off from London’s Paddington station, with breakfast served on board before the train rolls into the hills of the West Country. Next to the hotel’s Georgian façade, explore picturesque gardens and ancient woodlands, plus learn the art of cider making before digging into an afternoon tea overlooking the orchards. It’s basically England summed up in about eight hours.

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These Are Going to Be the Most Popular Travel Destinations in 2024

A lready thinking about where you want to travel in 2024 ? If you’re hoping to hit the hottest travel destinations of the year, Expedia Group is here to help. The one-stop travel site—alongside Hotels.com and VRBO—just released Unpack '24 , a travel trends analysis for the coming year. In addition to detailing the projected top 10 most popular international destinations of 2024, the site also revealed 10 “dupes” for travelers looking to perhaps spend a bit less, as well as those hoping to be surrounded by fewer fellow tourists. Additionally, they revealed 10 affordable cities where the world’s biggest musical acts are set to perform, as well as where to travel if you live a sober lifestyle.

“At Expedia Group, we have extensive first-party travel data that we use to enhance and curate experiences for our travelers across Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo,” Jon Gieselman, president of Expedia Brands, says in the report. “These insights shape our travel forecasts, revealed in Unpack '24, enabling our travelers to be the first to discover and book the most desired trips before they become well-beaten paths.”

Ready to ignite your travel bug? Ahead, discover the most popular travel destinations of 2024.

The Top 10 Travel Destinations of 2024

Expedia Group predicts that travelers are most likely to jet set to destinations popularized in fan-favorite TV shows and movies. According to the report, “More than half of travelers say they’ve researched or booked a trip to a destination after seeing it on a TV show or in a movie. In fact, travelers say TV shows influence their travel decisions more than Instagram, TikTok, and podcasts.” With that in mind, they reveal that the top 10 travel destinations of 2024 are as follows:

• Thailand - Featured in White Lotus , Season 3—which has sadly been pushed to premiere in 2025
• Romania - Featured in Wednesday , Season 2—which has not yet set a release date
• Malta - As seen in Gladiator 2 , which is set to premiere on November 22, 2024
• Paris - As seen in Emily in Paris
• Scottish Highlands - Featured in Outlander
• London, Bath, and Windsor, U.K. - As seen in Bridgerton and The Crown
• South Korea - Featured in Squid Game —the Season 2 release date has yet to be announced
• Florida Keys - As seen in the series Bad Monkey
• Australia - Featured in Baz Luhrmann’s Faraway Downs series, as well as the film Furiosa , which is set to premiere on May 24, 2024
• Greece - as seen in the films Argylle (set to release in 2024) and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3

The Top 10 Travel Destination Dupes

Dupes have long been lauded in the beauty and fashion categories, and now the concept is making its way to travel. “1 in 3 of those polled say they’ve booked a dupe,” the report reveals. “But what do these less obvious alternatives offer besides potential savings? They’re often less crowded, tend to be a little unexpected, and can be every bit as delightful as the tried-and-true destinations.”

Intrigued by the idea of booking a stellar vacation for a fraction of the price? Check out Expedia Group’s Top 10 Travel Destination Dupes, below, which are listed as the original destination of inspiration and the dupe that mirrors it.

• Seoul —> Taipei
• Bangkok —> Pattaya
• Santorini —> Paros
• Saint Martin —> Curaçao
• Sydney —> Perth
• London —> Liverpool
• Lisbon —> Palermo
• Geneva —> Québec City
• Zermatt —> Sapporo
• Nashville —> Memphis

The Top 10 Tour-Inspired Travel Destinations

Music lovers, this one’s for you! As you well know, traveling to see your favorite artists live is expensive, to say the least. With this in mind, Expedia set out to find the most affordable destinations where the world’s most famous pop and rock stars are set to take the stage in 2024.

Through their research, in which they analyzed the average daily rates of tour locations, they found the top 10 most affordable cities (less than $150/night on average) where travelers can witness the likes of Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Coldplay, Metallica, Madonna, and more. They are as follows:

• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - $91
• Edmonton, Canada - $108
• Mexico City, Mexico - $119
• Warsaw, Poland - $119
• Birmingham, U.K. - $127
• Houston, Texas - $130
• Antwerp, Belgium - $140
• Tokyo, Japan - $147
• Perth, Australia - $148
• Detroit, Michigan - $149

For more research-backed travel trends, be sure to check out Expedia’s full Unpack ‘24 Trend Report .

Top 10 cities tourists most want to revisit – and number one is in the UK

A new study from InsureandGo has revealed the cities that tourists are most desperate to go back to and the number one city is in the UK

• 13:36, 24 May 2024

A new study has revealed the cities that tourists itch to go back to and taking the number one spot is a city in the UK.

The team at InsureandGo used online reviews to discover the cities that tourists are most desperate to return to. From America to France, the list features cities in countries far and wide with the number one destination being right here in the UK.

City breaks offer the perfect opportunity for tourists to escape their lives back home for a few days. Most city breaks can fit into a weekend and therefore usually don't require any time to be taken off work. Check out the list to see if any of the cities you have visited, feature.

10. Madrid, Spain

Scraping the 10th place was the Spanish capital, Madrid. One of Europe's megacities, Madrid has a wealth of cultural, historical and leisure attractions. Due to its reputation for being a safe city, Madrid attracts millions each year from families to solo travellers. Some of its top attractions include art galleries, such as Museo Nacional del Prado and the Reina Sofia, as well as the capital's pretty Retiro Park.

9. Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City was one of the most popular cities for travellers to return to outside of Europe. The Mexican capital is known for its colourful architecture and the Museo Frida Kahlo. It is also located next to an active volcano — Popocatépetl.

8. Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh year after year always catches people's hearts. The Scottish capital is set to get even more popular after it was heavily featured in the Netflix series, One Day . However, the city's Royal Mile was recently named as one of the world's most overcrowded attractions...

7. Berlin, Germany

Berlin in Germany also left many people wishing to return. The funky city is known for Museum Island, the Berlin Wall Memorial and its quirky nightlife. One of the best and most popular times of year to visit the city is around Christmas, when the city hosts many markets.

6. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam just missed out on a top-five spot. Despite having one of the world's most expensive tourist taxes, Amsterdam left many tourists wanting more. Although Venice in Italy is often thought of when wanting to see canals, Amsterdam has more — offering the perfect alternative.

5. Tokyo, Japan

The bustling Japanese capital has some of the world's best food, incredible shopping and picturesque temple complexes. Despite the lengthy flight for British tourists, many still wish to venture back.

4. Rome, Italy

Rome has some of the world's most incredible historic landmarks, including the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. There is no surprise that many want to return to this culturally and historically rich city.

Joint 3 - New York City, USA

New York made the top three. The Big Apple is perhaps the world's most iconic city and has an endless amount of places to visit and things to do. From greasy pizzas to stuffed bagels, the Staten Island ferry or Rockefeller Christmas tree - this concrete jungle leaves visitors speechless, desperate to return before they have even left.

Joint 3 - Barcelona, Spain

Home to most of the famous architect Antoni Gaudi's buildings, Barcelona has long been loved for its vibrant culture and dramatic buildings and parks. It was the most popular city in Spain with returning travellers, beating Madrid to the country's top spot. The coastal city's relaxed lifestyle perfectly mixes the metropolis and beach to form the ideal city destination.

2. Paris, France

The 'City of Love' came in second place. Its most iconic attractions include the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, although it has many smaller spots worth exploring too. Its food scene must not be forgotten either, and thanks to the popular Netflix series Emily in Paris , more travellers want to visit Paris now more than ever.

1. London, UK

Taking the top spot was the capital of the UK! With over 190 museums, more than 850 art galleries and more than 22,000 pubs and restaurants, it's no surprise that tourists want to come back. The city has enough to explore to warrant many returning trips.

MORE ON Netflix Louvre Eiffel Tower Big Smoke Sex and the City City breaks Museums New York London

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More From Forbes

The most popular summer travel destinations, according to mastercard.

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From Cancun to Tokyo, where are you heading this summer, America?

In its annual travel trends report, the card issuer reveals where Americans are going, with fresh economic insights into why.

Americans are traveling overseas in record numbers this year.

As we head into Memorial Day weekend, a new report from the Mastercard Economics Institute, which tracks anonymized spending data, reveals a record 15.9 million Americans traveled internationally in Q1 this year. U.S. passenger traffic to overseas countries is now 20% higher than the pre-COVID record.

Given the strong dollar and relative health of the U.S. economy, economists see no signs of demand abating. So, it’s official: Americans are excited to go on vacation. But this study also reveals more clues as to where U.S. consumers are going, why they’re going, and how price sensitive they are when they get there.

For instance, consumers are extending their trips from four to five days on average, in order to have a more “immersive and meaningful” travel experience.

“In the experience economy, you're seeing a consumer that is largely price tolerant, and is willing and able to spend. But, they're deploying more of that purchasing power towards experiences over material goods,” says Michelle Meyer, chief economist and head of the Mastercard Economics Institute. She also notes that spending on experiences totals 12% of tourism sales — the highest point in at least five years.

At the same time, travel pricing has risen significantly. In the U.S., average airfare was up more than 20% in March 2024, compared to 2019; the average hotel room, for the same period, was up 15%.

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Consumers are adapting. Many are opting to cruise instead of booking a pricey hotel. According to Mastercard, spending on cruises is up 16% in 2024 compared to 2019, thanks in part to the perceived value of a vacation at sea. Per the report, “Given persistent price increases in the hotel industry, the price difference between cruises and hotels has widened, making trips by cruise a relatively more budget-friendly option in many cases.”

That said, cruise liners are brilliantly effective at the multi-tiered upsell. Spending on wellness treatments, premium alcohol or on-land excursions, i.e. guided ‘experiences’ sold as an add-on amenity, can quickly shrink the price gap between paying for a resort or a cruise vacation. Today, every major player, including Royal Caribbean , Windstar Cruises , Virgin Voyages , and Celebrity Cruises offers tailor-made shore excursion packages, which are becoming evermore extravagant.

“People are becoming more strategic about how, when, and where they travel, with 2024 seeing significant shifts in travel patterns,” Meyer adds. According to the latest Mastercard data, this is where demand is “gaining momentum in the next three months” among American travelers.

"Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries," a new report from the Mastercard Economics Institute.

The Top 10 Trending 2024 Summer Destinations for Americans

• Cancun, Mexico
• Oranjestad, Aruba
• Rome, Italy
• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Athens, Greece
• Barcelona, Spain
• Tokyo, Japan
• Santiago, Dominican Republic

All of these places boast a robust tourism infrastructure and warm summer weather. Destinations like Cancun and San Juan are home to well-known resorts that actively appeal to Americans, with beautiful beaches and direct commercial flights. Athens is the gateway to Greece, and will soon welcome a new 600-acre park on the site of an abandoned airport. London is in the number three spot thanks to Taylor Swift and her Eras Tour , which is drawing American Swifties in droves this August. International soccer tournaments have a similar effect.

Tokyo became a frontrunner after having kept its borders closed to tourists for nearly two and half years during the pandemic. Tourism has surged since then, with a record-breaking influx of three million international visitors in March 2024, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. The historically weak yen played a significant role in this phenomenon.

The key takeaway is this: The affordability of a destination matters a great deal — and might explain why Paris, France for the 2024 Olympics is not on this list.

According to Mastercard’s economists and data scientists, there is also a clear inverse relationship between the price of the destination and the incremental number of days tourists spend while in those destinations. The cheaper the destination, the longer the stay — which, in turn benefits local economies.

On a macro level, today’s tourists are inundated with choice, and yet they’re getting better at finding good deals and choosing destinations that offer value, however they choose to define it.

To dive deeper into the findings, check out "Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries," the full report from the Mastercard Economics Institute, at mastercardservices.com .

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

FACT SHEET: Kenya State Visit to the United   States

Today, President Biden welcomes President Ruto of Kenya for a State Visit and Dinner to celebrate and deepen ties between our two nations.  This visit marks 60 years of official U.S.-Kenya partnership.  This partnership is founded on shared values, deep cooperation, and a common vision for the future.  The two leaders’ agenda showcases how our ties deliver tangible benefits to the people of our nations in areas including Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance; Health Partnerships; People-to-People Ties; Shared Climate Solutions; Trade and Investment; Debt, Development, and Sustainable Finance; Digital, Critical, and Emerging Technology Cooperation; and Peace and Security Cooperation.

Democracy, Governance, and Human Rights

Our countries are bonded by our shared democratic values and mutual commitment to advancing human rights and strengthening political institutions.  This historic State Visit is about the Kenyan and American people and their hopes for an inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future for all.  Our countries endeavor to guard against the erosion of political checks and balances, counter misinformation and disinformation, mitigate hate-fueled violence targeting members of vulnerable communities, and tackle corruption by building transparent and accountable governance systems.  The State Visit highlights new areas of cooperation to safeguard rights and freedoms in the face of rising authoritarianism, expand avenues for dialogue, and elevate our shared global commitment to protecting democracy.

• Delivering Democracy:  The United States has programed nearly $40 million for democracy, human rights, and governance programming in Kenya, including through Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal programs that defend democratic elections and political processes, increase women’s political participation and leadership, counter Gender Based Violence, and advance digital democracy.  Additional support for activities in Kenya under the Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal build on Kenya’s important work as a member of the 14-country Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse, which is advancing global policies to address online safety for women and girls, including targeted violence against women political and public figures. 
• Supporting Independent Civil Society:   President Ruto executed on May 9 the legal instruments required to operationalize the 2013 Public Benefits Organization Act, which institutionalizes groundbreaking, global best practices for civil society protections.  The United States announced $700,000 in new assistance to support this effort in addition to the $2.7 million the United States is providing to improve civil society engagement in and oversight of governance processes.  The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) also announced an additional $1.3 million youth empowerment program aimed at strengthening political engagement at the subnational level and $600,000 to advance disability inclusion.
• Bringing Transparency to Government:  The United States and Kenya commit to strengthening the Open Government Partnership (OGP), which Kenya co-leads and the United States co-founded, including through robustly fulfilling our open government commitments at home.  USAID Administrator Power plans to represent the United States at the OGP event on the margins of the UN General Assembly High Level Week in September.  This event gathers world leaders for an opportunity to showcase the powerful global coalition on open government and democracy and to consider opportunities for further collaboration. 
• Promoting Human Rights:   The United States and Kenya affirm their commitment to upholding the human rights of all.  Together they stand with people around the world defending their rights against the forces of autocracy.  Kenya and the United States commit to bilateral dialogues that reinforce commitments to human rights, as well as a series of security and human rights technical engagements with counterparts in the Kenyan military, police, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs aimed at strengthening collaboration on security sector governance, atrocity prevention, and Women, Peace and Security in Kenya and regionally.
• Combatting Corruption:   The Administration intends to provide $500,000 for a new Fiscal Integrity Program to make county budget processes more transparent and inclusive and increase citizen engagement, and $500,000 to broaden the reach and effectiveness of anti-corruption advocacy by empowering civil society actors to create and disseminate multimedia content that engages citizens and mobilizes action against corruption.  To support the Government of Kenya to combat corruption, the Administration is providing $250,000 through the Global Accountability Program, and $300,000 to support Kenya’s proposed Whistleblower Protection law to strengthen Kenya’s anti-corruption legal architecture.  In addition, USAID has provided $2.7 million to support the improved enforcement of policy and laws that deal with fraud, waste, and abuse in the delivery of public services to Kenyan citizens. 
• Gathering Anti-Corruption Professionals:   With support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the East African Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities convened a regional conference from May 20-23, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya, gathering anti-corruption practitioners and policymakers from countries participating in the East Africa Anti-Corruption Platform. 
• Strengthening Police Reform Efforts:   Building on a longstanding partnership to further police capacity building and reform efforts, the United States and Kenya announced a new $7 million partnership to advance and strengthen the modernization and professionalization of Kenya’s National Police Service, with a focus on staff and training development.
• Reducing Prison Overcrowding and Improving Detention Conditions:   The United States and Kenya are committed to further advancing Kenyan-led efforts to improve the oversight of and conditions within Kenya’s prison service.  The United States announced a new $2.2 million initiative to provide training, mentoring, and technical assistance to implement priority reforms.
• Combatting Transnational Organized Crime and Supporting Criminal Justice Sector Reform:   Recognizing the regional role Kenya plays in combating transnational organized crime, the United States intends to provide $4.9 million in new funding for Kenya and other East African countries to improve cooperation and coordination in combating criminal networks and holding criminals accountable.  Funding also supports capacity building and reform efforts within the Kenyan police and justice sectors.
• Supporting Investigative Journalism:   The United States seeks to amplify Kenya’s leadership in building Africa’s digital resilience by supporting linkages between well-known international investigative organizations and select Kenyan NGOs, media outlets, and citizen journalists to build up Nairobi as a regional hub for exposing issues in the public interest.  This support also helps journalists in their pursuit of public information.  Pursuing these efforts in Kenya – a regional media and technology leader – positively impacts East Africa and the broader continent, particularly as Kenyan recipients connect with counterparts in the region.
• Strengthening Kenya’s Frameworks for Free and Fair Elections:   Working with Congress, the Administration intends to provide $1.5 million in new technical assistance to support Kenya’s electoral legal framework reform process aimed at strengthening the election commission, political parties, and campaign finance.  This funding aims to improve public awareness raising and advocacy around the reforms, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive, transparent and peaceful 2027 election.  This support complements Kenya’s amendment to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, which passed the National Assembly on May 3 and is now with the Senate.

Health Partnership:  Securing Our Collective Health

Decades of collaboration between the United States and Kenya in the health sector have resulted in tremendous improvements in health not only for millions of our citizens, but also for the broader global community.  This cooperation is vital to developing medical innovations, preventing the emergence of future global pandemics, and ensuring that effective treatments are widely available.  Our governments are working in lockstep with the private sector, which is developing new manufacturing capacity in Kenya that can serve Africa and the world.  The efforts showcased during the State Visit build upon these successes to ensure a healthier, more prosperous future for all.

• Continuing the Fight against HIV/AIDS:   The United States and Kenya are developing a “Sustainability Roadmap” to integrate HIV service delivery into primary health care, ensuring quality and impact are retained.  With more than $7 billion in support from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) spanning two decades, Kenya has successfully responded to the HIV epidemic and strives to end HIV as a public health threat in Kenya by 2027.  These efforts improve holistic health services for the 1.3 million Kenyans currently receiving antiretroviral therapy and millions more benefiting from HIV prevention programs, while allowing for greater domestic resources to be put toward the HIV response, allowing PEFPAR support to decrease over time.
• Partnering for Global Health Security:   Kenya and the United States announced a formal proclamation between the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Government of Kenya for sharing information, identifying best practices, and defining steps toward the development and full launch of the Kenyan National Public Health Institute.  As a gateway to East Africa through Port Mombasa, Kenya’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats is critical.  To support our health partnership, Kenya and the United States plan to develop and launch a customized Public Health Emergency Management training program to enhance health security across all 47 counties in Kenya. 
• Reducing the Impacts of Malaria:   Through the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), the United States contributed $33.5 million in 2023 to fight malaria in Kenya, providing vital financial and technical assistance to the Government of Kenya.  The United States supports resilient health systems to deliver care by training health workers, strengthening supply chains, improving data monitoring, and reinforcing national health policies and guidelines.  These investments have contributed to a 50% reduction in malaria prevalence over the last decade.  In support the Government of Kenya’s localization goals, PMI is expanding its procurement of pharmaceutical supplies from Kenyan manufacturers and intends to procure up to an additional 5 million malaria treatments and 475,000 preventive treatment doses from Kenyan producers in 2024.
• Growing Health Manufacturing:   Kenya committed to working with lawmakers to advance the Kenyan Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) Act, a necessary step to boost local manufacturing of medical products and expand private American investment in the sector.  Securing and diversifying global supply chains by promoting local and regional manufacturing of health products is a priority of the United States.  The implementation of the PPB Act has the potential to increase manufacturing capacity in Kenya and Africa to ensure the availability of life-saving medicines, diagnostic tests, and devices.  This should also mitigate the impact of global supply chain shocks, which were so evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.  To further these goals, USAID provided $2.3 million in support to Revital Healthcare to develop rapid diagnostic tests for HIV, malaria, hepatitis B and C, dengue, and pregnancy, and to build a manufacturing plant capable of producing 240 million tests per year.  Additionally, USAID and the Kenyan Ministry of Health are partnering to equip all neonatal clinics with Revital-made continuous positive airway pressure machines for babies requiring respiratory support.
• Partnering with the Private Sector in Healthcare:   The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is investing in Kenya’s vibrant private sector by making a $10 million direct loan to Kenyan company Hewa Tele, which provides an affordable and regular supply of medical oxygen to healthcare facilities in Africa, and two rounds of equity investment totaling $4 million to Kasha Global, a Kenya-based e-commerce company that provides personal care, health care, and beauty products to low-income women in Kenya and Rwanda.
• Expanding Joint Research:   Kenya and the United States recommitted to our long-standing partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the CDC and the Kenyan Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) to support Kenya’s Applied Science Hub, building on 45 years of research partnership on malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, vaccine-preventable diseases, maternal and child health, emerging infectious diseases, and COVID-19.  The research in the Applied Sciences Hub aims to expand surveillance, answer critical public health questions, and introduce novel diagnostic methods, including advanced molecular and serology-based methods, and training in public health laboratory core competencies.  This year, the United States provided an estimated $12.9 million to support research efforts by KEMRI through CDC, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Department of Defense.  In FY 2023 NIH supported over 250 grants to U.S. organizations that collaborated with Kenyan organizations, covering a wide range of relevant biomedical research topics, and approximately 90 of these collaborations include researchers at KEMRI.
• Meeting Kenya’s Digital Health Goals:   The United States announced over $31 million to advance Kenya’s efforts to set up a digital superhighway to enable a holistic view of health care delivery.  The United States has worked closely with the Kenyan Ministry of Health to build and deploy digital health solutions to support disease programs and improve the ability to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats.  This includes $4 million through USAID Power Africa’s Health Electrification and Telecommunications Alliance to support solar power solutions for health facilities and activities to strengthen community and facility information systems to improve patient care and expand access to emergency medical services for mothers and newborns.  Additionally, the NIH Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa) program focuses on facilitating the use of data science to impact health outcomes in Africa and supports a data hub and training and educational development programs in Kenya.

People-to-People Ties:  Improving and Enriching Lives  

The American and Kenyan people have deep ties that go far beyond the 60 years of official cooperation between our governments.  These relationships – rooted in family, friendship, and community – improve and enrich our lives.  They drive our cooperation, underpin our shared values, and elevate our aspirations.  The benefits of these ties are particularly evident in our cooperation in educating the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries.  The State Visit builds on this fundamental strength, catalyzing stronger partnerships through a series of groundbreaking education and exchange programs. 

• Strengthening Connections Between U.S. and Kenyan Educational Institutions: 
• Kennedy-Mboya Partnerships:   As the United States and Kenya celebrate 60 years of bilateral relations, and recalling the positive and enduring impact of the Kennedy-era student airlift, the newly announced Kennedy-Mboya Partnerships support a new scholarship program that promotes intellectual, academic, and innovative exchange.  The Administration intends to provide $3.3 million for a U.S. Department of State program for sixty Kenyan undergraduate students to study for a semester in the United States, with a focus on STEM.  This program supports the development and success of the next generation of Kenyan scientists, researchers, and engineers.
• Partnership 2024 :  The Administration intends to provide $500,000 for Partnership 2024 to support the development of Kenyan students, scientists, researchers, and engineers by encouraging U.S. universities to increase investment in relationships with Kenyan universities and research institutions.  Faculty and research collaboration are planned to bolster the program, supported by Fulbright Specialists to provide additional expertise.
• EDTECH Africa:   The Governments of Kenya and the United States, in collaboration with Microsoft, Mastercard’s Center for Inclusive Growth, Howard University, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, and Morehouse College announced the establishment of EDTECH Africa.  This initiative serves as an emerging technology bridge between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and African scholars, aimed at cultivating educational exchanges in the ever-evolving landscape of emerging technology.  This initiative expands Mastercard’s existing investment of $6.5 million for the Atlanta University Center Consortium Data Science Initiative and $5 million for Howard University’s Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics, actively involving African scholars with HBCU students and faculty in the journey toward greater proficiency as data scientists.  Microsoft will invest an additional $500,000 to support HBCU and Kenyan students engaged in research at the Microsoft Africa Research Institute (MARI) in Nairobi, Kenya, complementing its recent contribution of $350,000 for the Atlanta University Center Consortium Data Science Initiative to establish a network of data science faculty across HBCUs.  USAID intends to invest $850,000 to facilitate this partnership between HBCUs and Kenyan universities.
• National Science Foundation (NSF) International Activities :  NSF has committed to offering workshops, planning grants, or supplements to U.S. universities to strengthen connections between U.S. and Kenyan universities, jointly identify research foci, and facilitate collaboration in research, education, and workforce development.
• Employment Pathways for Youth :  USAID announced $6.5 million to support a partnership between Edison State Community College in Piqua, Ohio, and Kenya’s United States International University of Africa to strengthen up to 40 Kenyan technical vocational education and training institutions in the high-growth sectors of information and communications technology (ICT) and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and textiles.
• Framework for Cooperation:   The United States and Kenya signed a Framework for Cooperation to support higher education partnerships for STEM education.  The Framework describes U.S. and Kenyan priorities and is accompanied by a commitment from Microsoft, Micron, Mastercard, and several U.S. and Kenyan universities expressing their support for STEM education.  The Framework fosters higher education partnerships and commitments to partner private sector stakeholders, Kenyan institutions, and U.S. institutions to build mutual capacity in information and computer technology, microchip manufacturing, and other STEM-related education and career opportunities.
• Collaboration with the National Museums of Kenya:  The Smithsonian Institution announced a $150,000 project funded by the U.S. Department of State to assess opportunities, challenges, and possible enhancements to support the National Museums of Kenya continued evolution as a leader in cultural and natural heritage preservation.  Smithsonian officials plan to work collaboratively to identify possible areas for enhancement and growth, including facilities, collections care and conservation, curation, digital infrastructure, exhibitions, and research programs.
• Supporting Primary Education:  USAID intends to provide $24.5 million for the Kenya Primary Literacy Program (KPLP), a new nationwide early grade literacy activity implemented in close partnership with Kenya’s Ministry of Education.  KPLP programs are delivered in English and Kiswahili to all public primary schools and select private schools.  KPLP expands new innovations to address literacy needs of grade 1-3 learners while building more inclusive, accountable, and resilient education institutions and systems. 
• Bolstering Kenya’s Creative Workforce:  The United States and Kenya announced new initiatives and programs to strengthen the creative economies between our two countries.  In partnership with the Recording Academy, the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, and other leading private sector and civil society institutions, the United States envisions new programs to promote collaboration, build capacity, and bolster professional creative industry ecosystems.  We seek to assist emerging leaders in television, film, and music to learn new skills, build networks, and participate in international festivals.  The two countries also promote cultural heritage and tourism by supporting the preservation of the archaeological site of Takwa through the prestigious U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.
• Expanding Emerging Technology Training Program:  The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies intends to launch a new fellowship program this fall, funded in part by Meta, bringing together high-achieving mid-career government officials from select African countries.  This program equips the next generation of leaders across the continent with the policy and technical expertise needed to help their governments translate the digital transformations underway – including in AI and other emerging technologies – into broadly shared growth for their societies.  In recognition of the technology sector leadership demonstrated by both the Kenyan public and private sector, Kenya is the first country to be added the inaugural fellowship cohort.
• Increasing Diplomatic Exchange:   The United States Foreign Service Institute and the Kenyan Foreign Service Academy plan consultations with the intention of enhancing cooperation and further exchanges between the two institutions.  Sharing a mutual interest in promoting best practices for the training of diplomats, the United States and Kenya commit to exploring Kenya’s participation in an emerging international community of practice for diplomatic training. 
• Strengthening U.S.-Kenya Research Ties with Kenya’s Health Workforce:   The Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) Kenya is a partnership between Moi University, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and the AMPATH Consortium of global universities around the world led by Indiana University.  With $20.7 million in annual funding from USAID, these partners are reaching 120,000 Kenyans on life saving antiretroviral treatment.  Through AMPATH, the universities commit to continuing the education of healthcare providers, medical students, residents, and community health workers.
• Increasing Consular Capacity:   The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi expanded the number of staff working in the Consular Section to expedite the review and issuance of visas for travel of Kenyan citizens to the United States.  The Consular Section issues visas for students, tourists, businesspeople, and workers, and also processes visas to reunite families.  At the same time, our Consular Section provides services to American citizens living in or visiting Kenya.  These people-to-people links are the bedrock of our bilateral relationship.

Shared Climate Solutions:  Fostering Growth and Resilience  

President Biden and President Ruto have a shared climate vision as not just an existential challenge of our time, but as the most significant economic opportunity of the 21 st century.  It is a generational opportunity for Africa to become a leader in the global clean energy economy.  Closer partnership is generating greater advances in clean energy supply chains, mobilizing climate-related investment, sustainable agriculture, adaptation, and resilience.

• Launching the U.S.-Kenya Climate and Clean Energy Industrial Partnership:   During the State Visit, we announced the launch of a U.S.-Kenya Climate and Clean Energy Industrial Partnership to elevate climate action and green industrialization as a critical pillar of our bilateral relationship.  We also signaled our intent to implement a new green growth framework throughout Africa.  Through this partnership, the United States and Kenya prioritize cooperation across the three, mutually-supportive areas of clean energy deployment, clean energy supply chains, and green industrialization.  To support these activities under the Partnership, the United States and Kenya intend to work with international financial institutions and multilateral trust funds to identify mechanisms to mobilize investment for clean energy manufacturing and services.  The two sides intend to strategically leverage concessional finance and risk mitigation tools at the multilateral development banks and climate funds to lower the cost of capital for clean energy deployment and supply chains in Kenya and the region, including a portion of the $568 million in catalytic finance that the United States provided to the Clean Technology Fund in 2023.
• Humanitarian Disaster Response:  To date in FY 2024, USAID has provided $42 million in emergency humanitarian assistance to Kenya.  Including this assistance, USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance has provided nearly $1.3 billion over the last 12 years to respond to humanitarian needs in Kenya, including those caused by natural disasters.
• Connecting Homes, Businesses, and Institutions to Reliable Clean Energy:  USAID, through the Power Africa Initiative, announced $300,000 to support women’s entrepreneurship and gender-equity in the Kenyan energy sector and committed $3.6 million in to support the accelerated connection of more homes, businesses, and institutions in Kenya to cleaner electricity as part of its Empowering East and Central Africa program.  In addition, Power Africa inter-agency partners, including the U.S. Department of Energy, DFC, and USTDA, announced key deliverables that, in partnership with the Government of Kenya, advance Power Africa’s mandate to alleviate energy poverty.
• Investing in Hydropower :  Virunga Power, a U.S. company and Power Africa partner, announced a pipeline of six run-of-river hydropower projects in advanced stages of development in Kenya.  With a total expected investment of $100 million, the hydropower projects will be constructed in sequence over the next five years and are expected to provide 31 megawatts of clean, baseload renewable energy.  The power generated should improve the stability of Kenya Power’s distribution network in Western and Central Kenya and enable new connectivity and industrial and economic growth in rural areas of the country.
• Deepening Government-to-Government Cooperation on Clean Energy and Carbon Management:  The U.S. Department of Energy and Kenyan Ministry of Energy announced their intent to sign a MOU in June in Nairobi intended to enhance bilateral collaboration and partnership in the development of clean energy, carbon management technologies, and decarbonization strategies.  This MOU establishes a framework to facilitate the sharing of technical knowledge, advice, skills, and expertise across numerous sectors – including geothermal energy development and industrial decarbonization.  The framework forms the basis of sustainable and climate-adaptive economic growth across our countries and regions.
• Investing in Electric Vehicle Startups:   DFC announced a $10 million direct loan to BasiGo, an electric vehicle company that leases and sells electric buses to public transport bus operators in Kenya.  The loan facilitates procurement of buses and batteries for sale in Kenya and is a key e-mobility project supporting Kenya’s ambitious climate goals.  Additionally, DFC announced a $10 million loan to Kenyan company Roam Electric that supports its assembly and production of electric motorcycles on-site in its Nairobi production facility.  The U.S. Department of State also announced $100,000 for technical assistance to support accelerating the transition to zero-emissions vehicles in Kenya, including through policy development and implementation, capacity building and peer-to-peer learning, and workforce development.
• Growing Kenya’s E-mobility Sector:   DFC recently announced a $10 million loan to Mogo Auto Kenya to support affordable financing for cars, motorcycle taxis, and logbook loans in Kenya.  The transaction supports President Ruto’s Africa Green Industrialization Initiative, building upon DFC’s longstanding support for the e-mobility economy in Kenya.
• Launching the MCC-Kenya Urban Mobility and Growth Threshold Program:   The United States and Kenya are scheduled to launch a seminal partnership to deliver a more connected, mobile, and green Nairobi.  The $60 million grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation funds a four-year program focusing on the transportation needs of underserved groups, safer options for women and pedestrians, and climate-friendly public transportation, generating benefits for over four million residents and increasing urban mobility while decreasing transportation sector emissions.
• Increasing Plastic Recycling:   USAID recently expanded its support for the Kenyan recycling company T3, now totaling over $2 million.  T3 plans to leverage nearly $13 million in additional private investment to expand plastic collection and acquire a “bottle-to-bottle” processing line, the first in Kenya.  The line enables production of food grade recycled PET resin and is projected to more than double the amount of PET plastic recycled in Kenya.  The T3 initiative is projected to create 200 jobs and indirect economic opportunities for approximately 8,000 collectors, mainly women and youth.
• Supporting Community-Led Conservation:  The Southern Kenya Conservation Project (SOK) and the Kenya Rhino Range Expansion Project (KRRE) are building partnerships for the conservation of the southern Kenya landscape and the expansion of rhino range in Kenya.  The partnerships aim to raise significant funds to increase wildlife numbers, restore landscapes, open up wildlife corridors, and spur economic opportunity. USAID is providing $300,000 to develop landscape and fundraising strategies to help Kenya leverage funds and access financing for both projects.  SOK and KRRE will help Kenya build climate resilience and achieve their 30×30 goal of conserving 30 percent of their land and oceans by 2030.
• Promoting Wildlife Conservation:  To assist the Government of Kenya with combatting wildlife trafficking and other nature crimes, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of the Interior have collaborated to station a permanent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, strengthening the longstanding wildlife conservation partnership between our two countries.  This position was designed to assist with law enforcement coordination and consultation, facilitation of intelligence sharing and investigative support, and access to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service forensic and technical support resources. 
• Amplifying Scientific Partnership:   The United States welcomes Kenya’s leadership in hosting the upcoming Smithsonian’s ForestGEO international analytical gathering in Nanyuki, Kenya, co-hosted by the Mpala Research Centre, the National Museums of Kenya, and the Karatina University, from June 29 to July 13, 2024.  The Smithsonian ForestGEO network studies the diversity and dynamics of forests, the forest carbon cycle, and the impact of climate and global change on forest biodiversity and function.
• Improving Weather Forecasting:   DFC recently announced a $1 million loan to Ignitia AB, a tropical weather forecasting service designed for smallholder farmers in Kenya, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  This loan was part of the Africa Small Business Catalyst program in partnership with the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) and USAID.
• Fostering High-Integrity Carbon Markets:   The United States and Kenya established a partnership to support Kenya’s efforts to be a global leader in delivering high-integrity and high-quality carbon credits.  In support of this partnership, the U.S. State Department and USAID announced $1 million in targeted technical assistance and analytical capabilities to support development of Kenya’s framework for high-integrity carbon markets and to strengthen Kenya’s ability to engage in related transactions.
• Investing in Carbon Capture:  The U.S. Department of Energy, through Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, announced a one-year project to accelerate the commercial readiness of carbon dioxide (CO2) removal approaches that leverage the reactive CO2 mineralization storage potential in Kenya’s volcanic-hosted geothermal systems.  The project aims to develop and implement a characterization protocol to evaluate potential strategic basalt CO2 storage sites through a knowledge exchange process; parametrize a static geologic model to facilitate evaluation of CO2 injection and mineralization storage strategies; and establish the institutional foundation for sustained Kenyan collaboration within the international mineralization storage research and development community.
• Announcing New Scientific Collaboration:  The Smithsonian Institution announced a new research fellowship program in Kenya, funded by education entrepreneurs Dennis and Connie Keller, to build capacity, train, and exchange knowledge.  Alongside Smithsonian scientists, Kenyan Shared Health Science Fellows study impacts of changes in climate, pollution, stressors, and toxicants on wellbeing, health, and physiology in humans, plants, animals, and our shared environment.  Over the next four years, the program aims to provide six fellows with two years of training at the Mpala Research Centre and spend time at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
• Deepening U.S.-Africa Nuclear Industry Cooperation:  The U.S. Department of Energy, in partnership with Kenya and Ghana, plans to host the second installment of the U.S.-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit (USANES) on Industry Readiness in Nairobi, Kenya in August 2024.  Recognizing the historic relationship between the United States and Kenya, USANES 2024 envisions U.S. and African policymakers, technical experts, and industry leaders convening in Nairobi to address critical issues impacting industry readiness and the future of nuclear energy on the African continent.  The Summit comprises educational workshops, stakeholder engagement sessions, and multilateral discussions on topics from financing and workforce development to supply chain preparedness.  The Summit aims to underscore the opportunities nuclear power presents to reach Net Zero by 2050 and further strengthen the robust ties between the United States and Kenya. 

Trade and Investment:  Generating Prosperity   

The trade and investment partnership between the United States and Kenya is driving our shared prosperity, generating well-paying jobs, expanding economic growth, protecting the rights of workers, and spurring new innovations with global benefits.  This partnership spans the full spectrum of large to small businesses.  Both countries are partnering with the private sector to further strengthen these economic ties, including in the critical areas of clean energy technology, agriculture, and affordable housing.

• Advancing a U.S.-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership:   The U.S. and Kenya have made significant progress on the U.S.-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) .  We are negotiating high standard commitments in a range of areas with a view to increase investment; promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth; benefit workers, consumers, and businesses (including micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises); and support African regional economic integration.  The U.S. Trade Representative and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade, and Industry committed in May to work towards concluding an agreement by the end of 2024.
• Signing a U.S.-Kenya Commercial and Investment Partnership:  The United States and Kenya intend to sign a Commercial and Investment Partnership, affirming a mutual commitment to deepening commercial and investment ties between our two countries.  This Partnership, with robust participation from the private sector, aims to promote a strong business-enabling environment and to facilitate trade and investment opportunities in Kenya focused on key priority sectors including infrastructure, agriculture, and the digital economy.
• Opening a DFC Nairobi Office:  DFC announced it plans to open an office in Nairobi, playing a key role in driving DFC’s pipeline development across key sectors in Kenya such as agriculture, health, e-mobility, energy, infrastructure, and financial inclusion, including on-lending to small and medium sized enterprises and women entrepreneurs.
• Establishing A Framework Agreement with Coca-Cola:   In Atlanta, President Ruto visited Coca-Cola HQ to sign a framework agreement focused on policy engagement, mango juice production, and plastic recycling.  His visit also celebrated 70 years of Coca-Cola in Kenya, along with the company’s partnership on drought response and clean water, use of its supply chains to distribute COVID vaccines and protective equipment, and a new $175 million investment in its economy.
• Reaping Benefits from AGOA:   Vivo Fashion, a leading Kenyan women’s fashion brand in East Africa, announced the opening of its first retail storefront in the United States in Atlanta, Georgia.  Vivo Fashion is part of a growing Kenyan apparel industry that benefits from market access to the United States under AGOA, the largest single component of U.S. trade with Kenya.
• Improving Food Security through Jobs:   USAID is investing in the future with $15 million for new activities designed to reduce poverty and malnutrition and address global food security by expanding investment opportunities.  By creating over 50,000 new jobs, catalyzing over $200 million in new agricultural sales, and mobilizing over $200 million in new finance for agriculture, these activities improve food security and nutrition outcomes for over 800,000 Kenyans.
• Investing in Kenyan Businesses:
• Acorn Green Housing Project:  DFC recently approved an approximately $180 million loan to Acorn, a real estate developer that constructs and operates affordable student housing in Kenya.  The DFC investment is expected to catalyze an additional $360 million in local Kenyan investment in one of the largest green housing portfolios in Africa. With early-stage support from USAID and Prosper Africa and financing from DFC, this transaction is designed to address a critical need and is a strong example of the power of whole of U.S.-government support to the private sector as it pursues projects with an emphasis on development impact that delivers for the people of Kenya.
• Pezesha Africa Limited:   DFC announced a $500,000 technical assistance grant to build a proprietary credit scoring model to improve Kenyan company Pezesha Africa Limited’s underwriting capabilities for small and medium sized enterprise clients.  Pezesha is a capital enablement lending infrastructure platform focused on increasing access to finance for retail trade micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises by integrating financial services into existing supply chain verticals.
• Keep IT Cool:   DFC recently announced a $500,000 loan to Kenyan-based Keep IT Cool, a business-to-business aggregation and sales platform to connect fish farmers with buyers utilizing cold chain technology.  This loan was part of the Africa Small Business Catalyst program in partnership with USADF and USAID.
• African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership, Inc.:   DFC recently announced a $10 million second loss guarantee to African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership, Inc. to expand the sale of fertilizer on credit to small and medium-sized enterprise agri-input suppliers in Kenya, Zambia, and Ghana.  The guaranty deal is expected to enable up to $360 million in additional fertilizer sales in these three countries over the next three years, furthering regional food security and agricultural production.
• Kentegra Biotechnology:   DFC recently announced a $10 million loan to Kentegra Biotechnology in Kenya to support the construction of a new facility to scale up its production capacity of pale refined pyrethrum extract, a key ingredient in organic pesticides.  DFC’s loan provides women farmers with more predictable income, higher prices than alternative crop options, and training to implement best farming practices and financial planning tools to fully benefit from the increased incomes resulting from pyrethrum cultivation.  USTDA previously announced a grant of $660,000 for a feasibility study supporting the development of this facility, which can facilitate Kenya’s ability to respond to international demand for safer and environmentally friendlier insecticides. 

Debt, Development, and Sustainable Finance

President Biden and President Ruto recognize that mounting debt burdens put critical investments in countries’ sustainable development and ability to address global challenges like the clean energy transition out of reach.  Countries should not have to make the difficult choice between paying back creditors and investing in their people, economy, and future.  

• Launching theNairobi-Washington Vision:   The United States and Kenya are launching the Nairobi-Washington Vision as a call to action to the international community to bring together all its tools to support countries with high ambition with respect to investments in their own development and addressing global challenges that are too often constrained by high debt burdens.  It calls on international financial institutions to provide coordinated packages of support, creditor countries to provide forms of debt relief and/or new budget-support flows, multilateral development banks and development finance institutions to facilitate private sector financing on better terms and crowd in private investment, and creditors to provide more transparent and sustainable lending.  Together we call to the international community to come together around these elements to support high-ambition countries with high-ambition financial support.
• Expanding Support to Developing Countries through the International Financial Institutions :  To make this vision a reality, the United States is stepping up support to international financial institutions.  Through efforts to evolve the multilateral development banks, the United States has worked with Kenya and other shareholders to secure reforms to unlock over $250 billion in new lending at these institutions.  The United States intends to make available in the coming weeks lending of up to $21 billion to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust to support the poorest countries, and has made available this week $250 million through the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) Crisis Response Window to support crisis response in the world’s poorest countries.  President Biden has asked Congress for funding in the FY 2025 budget that would enable $36 billion in new lending at the World Bank that, together with contributions from international partners, could provide an additional $100 billion boost to World Bank financing capacity over time.  Both Kenya and the United States stand in support of an ambitious policy and financing package for the replenishment of the World Bank’s International Development Association. 
• Enhancing Support for Kenya from the International Financial Institutions:  The United States has been a leading voice advocating for international financial institutions to step up support to Kenya to achieve development and climate ambitions.  With strong support from the United States, the IMF has doubled Kenya’s total program financing from $2.2 billion over three years to $4.4 billion over four years.  Robust U.S. financial support has enabled World Bank financing to Kenya, including through increased funding at IDA and the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.  The United States championed the expansion to select countries in Sub-Saharan Africa of the European Bank for Reconstruction (EBRD) and Development, where the United States is the largest shareholder.  The United States and Kenya worked together to successfully secure Kenya’s membership in the EBRD, which would be a boost to private sector development in the country once Kenya is granted recipient country status.

Digital, Critical, and Emerging Technology Cooperation:  Delivering Innovation, Progress, and Inclusion  

The strong and growing innovation partnership between the United States and Kenya is anchored in a shared commitment to investing in secure and resilient technology supply chains, building a skilled and technologically savvy workforce for the future, promoting the digital economy and infrastructure, and enhancing our cybersecurity posture.  Like the United States, Kenya is an engine for innovation.  Kenya’s “Silicon Savannah” – a $1 billion technology hub – is home to more than 200 startups spanning a range of sectors, including clean energy, microelectronics, financial technology, and e-commerce.  The United States and Kenya share a commitment to ensuring that technology is developed and deployed in a manner that advances transparency, accountability, and human rights.  Together, our two countries are committed to seizing the opportunities of a new digital era and driving innovative approaches to solving some of the most consequential global challenges.

• Building Secure and Resilient Supply Chains:
• Establishing a New Semiconductor and Technology Partnership to Support U.S. and Kenyan Industry, Consumers, and Workers:   The United States views Kenya as a strong emergent partner in building resilient semiconductor supply chains, and we share a commitment to promoting high-quality jobs with strong labor standards for U.S. and Kenyan workers.  We aim to develop programmatic options to expand Kenya’s technical workforce and strengthen its regulatory environment to help attract further private investment and cultivate potential linkages to the U.S. semiconductor supply chain.  To this end, the U.S. State Department intends to partner with the Government of Kenya to explore opportunities to grow and diversify the global semiconductor ecosystem, specifically in the assembly, testing and packaging sector, under the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund, created by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.  Accordingly, the U.S. State Department is working with Congress to commit $1 million in foreign assistance to promote resilient semiconductors supply chains, build secure and trusted ICT ecosystems, and complement U.S. domestic manufacturing capacity.  This would make Kenya the first country in Africa to benefit from funding through the CHIPS and Science Act.
• Partnership to Expand Semiconductor Supply Chain:  The United States is working with Congress to establish a partnership with Kenya to expand and diversify its emerging semiconductor industry in support of global supply chains.  Programs to expand Kenya’s technical workforce and streamline its regulatory environment would assist in attracting further private investment and build linkages to the U.S. semiconductor supply chain, specifically in the assembly, testing and packaging sectors.
• Diversifying the Semiconductor Workforce :  NSF intends to partner with Micron and Global Foundries to launch new funding opportunities to support investments in a diverse semiconductor workforce – including through investing in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities – to increase equitable access to STEM education in the United States and Kenya.  In addition, NSF has committed to offering workshops, planning grants, and providing supplements to U.S. universities for research and education to strengthen connections between U.S. and Kenyan universities.
• Semiconductor Network and Welcome Corps at Work :  The United States welcomes Micron’s launch of its MSI Semiconductor Network comprised of 16 leading universities across the United States, which seeks to feature collaboration between select MSIs with universities in Kenya to develop the next generation of the semiconductor workforce from underrepresented communities.  Through funding opportunities made available by NSF, GlobalFoundries, and Micron, MSIs – like those that are a part of Micron’s MSI network – can increase access to equitable education, address student programming, and strengthen infrastructure.  The company also announced a partnership with the International Rescue Committee and Talent Beyond Boundaries, through Welcome Corps at Work, to recruit individuals from refugee and immigrant communities across East Africa, including Kenya, to fill semiconductor technician and engineer roles.
• Expanding Semiconductor Fabrication:  USTDA signed an MOU with the Government of Kenya and committed $1.3 million to support Semiconductor Technologies Limited’s expansion of its fabrication of legacy semiconductor chips at commercial scale.
• Enhancing Cybersecurity Cooperation:
• Improving Cybersecurity :  The United States, Kenya, and Google announced a joint effort to help launch a cybersecurity operations platform to improve the security of Kenya’s digital infrastructure, including an initial pilot project to enhance the resilience of Kenya’s e-government services.  Google also highlighted solutions for incident response and resilience-building measures.  Separately, Microsoft has agreed to create a new program to upskill Kenyans through free online certifications to help Kenya fortify its resilience against evolving cyber threats and support AI training and research.  In collaboration with the Government of Kenya and the University of Nairobi, Cisco launched in April 2024 its Cybersecurity Training and Experience Center in Kenya, the first on the African continent.  The Center is supporting the East African digital ecosystem, providing critical cybersecurity skills for future tech leaders. 
• Kenya Regional Cyber Sector Collaboration Symposium:   The United States and Kenya, in collaboration with the Software Engineering Institute, plan to hold a regional event later this year focused on enhancing information sharing between cybersecurity incident response teams to enable a more resilient cyberspace in East Africa.
• Commercial Law Development Program Advisory Support:   As a collaborative effort between the Departments of State and Commerce, the United States intends to provide policy and regulatory advisory services to support secure and trusted ICT ecosystems in Kenya.  Support includes policy and legislative reform advisory services, consultative meetings, capacity-building workshops, and multi-stakeholder engagement at international events. 
• Promoting Digital Connectivity:
• Expanding Digital Connectivity:   Google announced an investment in digital connectivity for Africa Connect, creating the first intercontinental fiber optic route in the southern hemisphere between Kenya and the Asia Pacific region.  The terrestrial portion of Africa Connect has regional breakout points which enable trusted connectivity from Kenya to Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Google’s Africa Cloud Region. 
• Fiber Backbone and Access Network Expansion:  USTDA recently announced funding for a $1.13 million feasibility study to help Bandwidth and Cloud Services Group (BCS) expand its operations to provide new and affordable broadband network access to thousands of individuals across East and Central Africa.  This grant facilitates the expansion of BCS’s fiber backbone and access network in Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Uganda.  In turn, the expansion should enable other internet service providers to make new investments that can provide affordable fixed wireless access for an even larger consumer market.
• Affordable Urban Internet Connectivity:   USTDA recently announced $1.26 million in funding for a feasibility study to assess market opportunities across Africa in support of Kenya-based Poa Internet’s delivery of affordable fixed wireless internet access.  The grant aims to evaluate the viability of expanding internet access to an additional one million households in low-income urban communities across the continent.
• Bridging the Digital Divide Reverse Trade Mission Series:   USTDA announced two upcoming reverse trade missions to introduce public and private sector representatives from Kenya and Tanzania to the latest U.S. technologies, services, and financing solutions for last-mile connectivity and cybersecurity.  Both reverse trade missions are focused on expanding internet access and improving cybersecurity governance, while increasing the likelihood that these digital transformation projects are implemented using U.S. technologies and services.
• Mombasa to Malaba Fiber and Tower Infrastructure :  At the 2024 AmCham East Africa Business Summit, USTDA announced $1.2 million to address Kenya’s internet affordability gap.  USTDA’s grant to the Wilken Group enables evaluation of the development of fiber optic infrastructure and a series of 5G-capable towers along the Meter Gauge Railway between the cities of Mombasa and Malaba.
• Africa Cross-Continental Fiber Backbone :  At the 2024 AmCham East Africa Business Summit, USTDA announced $1.3 million in funding for a feasibility study for CSquared to assess plans for a cross-continent fiber optic backbone from East Africa to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  The fiber optic backbone would help hundreds of thousands of Africans gain access to affordable broadband for the first time.  USTDA’s grant also aims to establish city-level fiber networks and last-mile connectivity to commercial buildings and homes.
• Last-Mile Internet:  The Government of Kenya and Microsoft continue to collaborate to increase internet connectivity in Kenya and throughout the region, including by bringing last-mile wireless internet access to 20 million Kenyans and 50 million people across East Africa by the end of 2025.
• Digital Transformation with Africa (DTA) Partnership with the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI):  DTA intends to provide $1 million to YALI’s Regional Leadership Center (RLC) in Kenya to expand digital skills and literacy, support digital entrepreneurs and start-ups, and increase private sector engagement across East Africa.  This activity should inform additional DTA-YALI activities with other RLCs in Ghana, Senegal, and South Africa, benefiting young African leaders in 49 countries.
• Construction of Green Data Center for Cloud Services :  The government of Kenya and Microsoft announced they are joining a partnership that plans to construct a 1-gigawatt datacenter in Naivasha, Kenya.  The data center will be run on Microsoft Azure cloud services and offer access to cloud-based applications and services to organizations and individuals in Kenya and East Africa – allowing the Government of Kenya to move its data and services to trusted vendors.  The data center will be powered entirely by geothermal energy and will feature state-of-the-art water conservation technology to minimize water use. 
• M-KOPA:   DFC announced a $51 million loan to Kenyan company M-KOPA to support the financing of up to $210 million of smartphone receivables, and cash loans, increasing the affordability of devices to low-income borrowers.
• Establishing Strategic Dialogue on AI :  The governments of the United States and Kenya established a Strategic Dialogue on AI to discuss deepening our collaboration to ensure the development and deployment of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems.  This dialogue focuses on spurring innovation, bolstering sustainable and inclusive economic growth, promoting digital transformation, overcoming digital divides, and advancing democracy, equity, and universal human rights.  The Dialogue offers the opportunity to discuss and coordinate policies around the national security implications of AI and associated technologies.  The inaugural Strategic Dialogue on AI meeting is scheduled to take place in late 2024.
• Collaboration between the U.S. AI Safety Institute and Kenya’s Imagine Tech and Action Lab :  The U.S. AI Safety Institute and Kenya’s equivalent Imagine Tech and Action Lab plan on future collaboration to advance scientific research for AI safety, develop guidance for safety evaluations and mitigations, and work towards interoperable standards.  This collaboration fosters connections between our talent, resources, and capacity in order to harness the benefits of AI safety for all.  Through this collaboration, Kenya intends to join a growing global scientific network of institutes focused on AI safety and committed to international cooperation.

Peace and Security Cooperation:  Protecting People Across the Globe  

Decades of strong security cooperation between the United States and Kenya have played a critical role in East Africa and beyond.  This partnership extends to areas including international peacekeeping, peace negotiations, security governance, refugee inclusion, and cooperation in cybersecurity.  The U.S.-Kenya partnership plays a central role in international efforts to defeat al-Shabaab, ISIS elements based in East Africa, and other terrorist organizations.  The United States is also firmly committed to supporting Kenya in its deployment to lead the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti, providing much needed security assistance to the Haitian people.

• Elevating our Bilateral Relationship:   In a powerful symbol of the close relationship between the United States and Kenya, today President Biden is informing Congress he intends to designate Kenya as a Major Non-NATO Ally.  This designation is granted by the United States to countries with close and strategic working relationships with the U.S. military and defense civilians.  The United States has a deep respect for Kenya’s contributions to global peace and security.  This is the first designation of a sub-Saharan Africa nation as a Major Non-NATO Ally.
• Promoting Peace and Security:  To further strengthen and amplify Kenya’s regional role in peace negotiations and mediation, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations is funding the Public International Law and Policy Group’s 12-month training program to establish an effective mediation/negotiations support unit in the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Peace and Security Directorate.
• Leading on Refugee Response:  The United States and Kenya reiterate the importance of building a strong asylum system, partnering on social and economic integration of refugees and host communities, and supporting the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.  Over the past 10 years, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration provided more than $667 million in humanitarian assistance in Kenya.  This funding supports basic needs, protection, and durable solutions for refugees and other vulnerable populations and promotes economic and financial inclusion for refugees and their Kenyan host communities.  In recognition of the importance of responsibility sharing and advancing solutions in protracted displacement, the United States has resettled more than 26,000 third country refugees from Kenya since 2014.
• Investing in the Security Sector:  The United States is making long-term investments in Kenya’s defense capabilities, including by building border security capabilities, increasing maritime security awareness, improving peacekeeping capacity, supporting humanitarian response, and strengthening civilian and military defense institutions.  The United States has invested heavily in Keya’s defense capabilities, providing over $230 million in civilian security and defense sector funding since 2020, with a strategic focus on our shared counterterrorism interests, including a robust partnership with the Massachusetts National Guard under the State Partnership Program. 
• Working Together to Bring Peace to Haiti:  The United States reaffirmed its support for Kenya’s plan to deploy 1,000 police to Haiti as part of the MSS mission to Haiti to help bring security and stability to the Caribbean nation.  Answering the call from Haiti and the international community, Kenya has pledged lead an international force as authorized by a UN Security Council Resolution 2699.
• Bolstering Criminal Justice System Response to Counter Terrorism:   Consistent with the vision President Biden laid out at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, the State Department Bureau of Counterterrorism announced $18.7 million to help build the Kenyan criminal justice system’s ability to address terrorism threats in a manner consistent with the rule of law.  The funds provide training, mentorship, and equipment to investigators, forensic examiners, law enforcement, court officials, and prosecutors.  The programming also promotes the U.S. Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security through specialized training and mentorship for female law enforcement officers in Kenya engaged in counterterrorism efforts and capacity-building measures to improve the meaningful participation of women in peace and security.
• Countering Terrorism:  Underscoring our shared commitment in the fight against terrorism, U.S. and Kenyan officials plan to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to expand the Manda Bay Airfield in coastal Kenya by building a 10,000-foot runway.  The expanded facility provides Kenya the required infrastructure to increase operations against the terrorist group al-Shabaab.
• Deepening Cooperation on Information Sharing:  The two countries have committed to deepen cooperation on counterterrorism information sharing to constitute a comprehensive response to the international terrorist threat.  Additionally, Kenya is in the process of joining Operation Gallant Phoenix, a program that advances multinational collaboration and sharing of terrorist information to build mutual capacity to collect and use battlefield evidence in civilian criminal justice proceedings in a multiagency, multinational setting.  These initiatives should help both countries better protect our borders and our citizens from terrorist actors.
• Refurbishing and Delivering Helicopters:  Kenya is scheduled to receive 16 U.S.-manufactured helicopters between late 2024 and summer 2025 to bolster its ability to provide regional peace and security (8 Hueys) and participate in peacekeeping missions (8 MD-500s). 
• Continuing Military Procurement:  Kenya has one of the largest U.S. Foreign Military Sales portfolios in Africa.  Kenya selected approximately 150 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles from U.S. Excess Defense Article stocks, which are projected to arrive in Kenya September 2024.
• Collaborating in Military Exercises:  The United States welcomesKenya’s hosting of and participation in some of the largest U.S. military exercises in Africa, including Exercise JUSTIFIED ACCORD – the second largest U.S. military exercise in Africa – and Exercise CUTLASS EXPRESS, which focuses on building interoperability amongst multinational partners in the maritime environment.
• Deepening A Legacy of Military Training and Capacity Building:  In summer 2024, for the first time the Kenya Defence Forces have candidates starting courses at the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy, building on a long tradition of the majority of Kenyan general officers benefitting from U.S. International Military Education Training courses.  The U.S. military currently has seven advisors in Kenya supporting Kenyan aviators and for the first time, the United States is providing a Strategic Logistics Advisor to Kenya’s Ministry of Defence.  Kenya’s U.S.-trained Disaster Response Battalion has also been involved in recent search and rescue operations in response to recent flooding in Kenya.

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