London’s history, architecture and culture make it a top sightseeing destination for all types of visitor. From bus excursions to river cruises, Lisa Hylton helps you select the best tour for a fantastic day out in the city
1.Golden Tours
From guided hop-on, hop-off bus tours to exclusive excursions, Golden Tours has it all. Explore iconic London landmarks on a full day sightseeing tour, discover the city by night on an open-top bus or join a walking tour to experience the ‘royal’ hotspots of the city. What’s more, select tickets come with a complimentary cruise along the River Thames.
Best for: Skip-the-line access and flexible itineraries
www.goldentours.com
2. Big Bus London
See the best bits of London with a Big Bus Tour. Choose the red route for city-centre views of Big Ben, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, or the blue route to travel from east to west, from Harrods and Kensington Palace to Covent Garden. Hop on and hop off at your leisure.
Best for: Easy sightseeing
www.bigbustours.com
3. Tootbus
Take your pick of themed tours, such as the Kids Tour or Bar Bus, or explore at your leisure with a one, two or three-day hop-on, hop-off tour. Child-friendly commentary will keep the kids happy. Depending on how energetic you are feeling, add a walking tour or cruise to your booking.
Best for: Families
www.tootbus.com
4. See London by Night
Get a new perspective of the city by touring the landmarks of London by night. See the bright lights of the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye and more. With entertaining guides sharing their knowledge, it’s the perfect after-dark sightseeing tour.
Best for: Sightseeing after dark
www.seelondonbynight.com
5. City Cruises
From guided sightseeing tours to gourmet dining cruises served against a backdrop of London’s skyline, City Cruises offers an unforgettable journey every time. Choose afternoon tea, jazz or maybe an Elvis tribute cruise – and dine in style as you watch the world go by.
Best for: Views from the water
www.cityexperiences.com
6. Terrible Thames
Set sail on a sightseeing cruise with a fun child-friendly twist. Created by the Horrible Histories team, Terrible Thames brings history to life with humour and fascinating storytelling. Expert guides share thrilling tales of Henry VIII, Julius Caesar, Captain Kidd and more – with the nasty bits included!
Best for: Young explorers
www.terriblethames.com
7. IFS Cloud Cable Car
Glide over the River Thames, taking in breathtaking views of The O2, Canary Wharf and beyond on the UK’s only urban cable car. Spacious cabins with audio guides offer fascinating insights into the city’s history and architecture. Ride at night for stunning illuminated views.
Best for: A unique experience
www.tfl.gov.uk
8. London Eye River Cruise
Set sail on the London Eye River Cruise, a 40-minute round-trip journey along the Thames. Enjoy views of landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge while learning fascinating insights from expert guides.
Best for: Leisurely sightseeing
www.londoneye.com
9. Thames River Sightseeing
Travel from Westminster to Greenwich and enjoy panoramic views of London landmarks, including St Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard and the Houses of Parliament. Relax on an elegant vessel as experienced crew members and local skippers lead your river adventure. Choose a two-day river pass for 48 hours of great value unlimited travel.
Best for: Groups
www.thamesriversightseeing.com
10. GoBoat Paddington
For a more intimate sightseeing tour on water, rent your own private fully electric picnic boat and explore Regent’s Canal. From this central London location, you’ll captain an eco-friendly electric boat and explore Little Venice, Regent’s Park and Camden Lock. Suitable for groups of eight it’s the perfect way to enjoy the sights of the city.
Best for: Eco-friendly touring
www.goboat.co.uk
11. Imperial War Museum London Tours
Explore wartime history through powerful exhibits and artefacts with a tour of the Imperial War Museum. Discover deep insights during an out-of-hours private tour with expert guides and take a 60-minute public gallery tour with a headset as your learned friend. Highlights include the First and Second World War Galleries.
Best for: Inquisitive minds
www.iwm.org,uk
12. Thames Limo
London’s first private water limousine, Thames Limo offers luxury sightseeing cruises along the river, from one-hour city tours to half-day Hampton Court Palace trips. Exclusive experiences include a private Kensington Palace tour paired with a Champagne-fuelled Venetian water limousine ride. Sunset cruises are particularly spectacular.
Best for: Bespoke experiences
www.thameslimo.co.uk
13. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Tour
Explore the home of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club on an immersive tour, venturing behind the scenes of this state-of-the-art venue. Walk through the players’ tunnel, visit the dressing rooms and step out pitch-side. Learn about the club’s history, NFL ties and its innovative stadium design from expert guides.
Best for: ‘Spurs’ fans
www.tottenhamhotspurstadium.com
14. Emirates Stadium Tours
Go behind the scenes at the Emirates Stadium on an Arsenal FC Tour. Step into the players’ journey from the dressing rooms to the pitch and explore the press room. Upgrade to a VIP Legends Tour for exclusive stories and special access with an Arsenal icon.
Best for: ‘Gunners’ supporters
www.arsenal.com
15. Chelsea Football Club Tours
Get exclusive access to Stamford Bridge on a Chelsea FC Stadium Tour, guided by expert hosts. Explore the dressing rooms, press room, players’ tunnel and pitch-side. Visit the Chelsea FC Museum, see legendary trophies and take home a free club lanyard as a souvenir.
Best for: ‘The Blues’ followers
www.tours.chelseafc.com
16. Westminster Abbey Tours
Explore Westminster Abbey, the historic site of royal coronations and famous burials. Self-guided and expert-led tours reveal its stunning Gothic architecture and rich history. Upgrade to a Verger Tour for exclusive access to areas such as the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor and the royal tombs.
Best for: History buffs
www.westminster-abbey.org
17. Royal Albert Hall Tours
Discover the magic of Royal Albert Hall and explore more than 150 years of history with a guided tour. Marvel at its stunning architecture, hear behind-the-scenes stories and visit the royal box. Learn about legendary performances from The Beatles to the BBC Proms while uncovering the history of this world-famous venue. Why not combine a tour with afternoon tea?
Best for: Architecture enthusiasts
www.royalalberthall.com
18. Houses of Parliament Guided Tour
Venture into the heart of the Palace of Westminster accompanied by an expert guide to discover the history, heritage and work of the UK Parliament. Highlights of this 90-minute tour include Westminster Hall, the Central Lobby, the House of Commons Chamber and the House of Lords Chamber.
Best for: Solo sightseers
www.parliament.uk/visiting
19. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
Step into the magic of filmmaking at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. Explore iconic sets such as the Great Hall and Diagon Alley, see authentic props and costumes, then discover behind-the-scenes secrets from the beloved film series.
Best for: Young adults and teens
www.wbstudiotour.co.uk
20. Shakespeare’s Globe Guided Tours
From immersive history and chilling true crimes, to family-friendly and members’ exclusives, Shakespeare’s Globe offers a fascinating range of guided tours for all interests and ages. The Premium Guided Tour gives you the chance to follow in the footsteps of famous actors by stepping onto the stage and into the spotlight.
Best for: Thespians
www.shakespearesglobe.com
21. The London Theatre Walking Tour
Hear the best stories from the past 400 years of the English stage – the biggest hits, legendary stars and most infamous disasters. The full tour covers many of London’s most celebrated theatres, starting with a journey through the West End before crossing the river to walk along the South Bank and ending at a final top-secret theatre location.
Best for: Active theatre-lovers
www.londontheatrewalk.com
22. Battersea Power Station Official Guided Tour
Explore the curious history of this stunning Art Deco masterpiece. Visit the iconic Control Room B (pictured), which managed electricity distribution across London from the 1930s to the 1980s. Once supplying power to landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, it’s now a vibrant riverside destination.
Best for: Engineering aficionados
www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk
23. Discover Hidden London
Head to the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden to discover the city’s history via one of its most famous landmarks – the Tube. Expert guides will lead you through secret locations including disused stations, wartime shelters and time-capsule corridors for an unforgettable experience.
Best for: Exclusive access to secret spots
www.ltmuseum.co.uk
24. The National Gallery Guided Tour
Explore the world-class collection at this art gallery in Trafalgar Square. Discover masterpieces by Van Gogh, Da Vinci and Turner, while learning about the history behind each artwork. Expert guides provide fascinating insights along the way. Small groups can join 60-minute taster tours or choose from a selection of themed tours.
Best for: Art enthusiasts
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
25. London Canal Museum Boat Trips
Climb aboard Long Tom, a purpose-designed sightseeing boat and discover London from a unique perspective. Cruise along picturesque canals, passing historic sites, and learn about the city’s fascinating industrial heritage with expert commentary to enhance your journey. Enjoy a cream tea cruise this summer.
Best for: Nature lovers
www.canalmuseum.org.uk
Please like, share and comment below and see if we have anything else to inspire your next visit to London.
