Top 10 Tourist Attractions in London

Multicultural, vibrant and noisy, London is one of the biggest cities in the world with an area of 1.12 square miles and a population of about 8 millions. It is a global city of fashion, culture, politics, trade and finance and is one of the most visited cities in the world. The city, standing on the river Thames, is nearly 2000 years old and is a powerful representative of the European culture. There are so many popular tourist attractions in London and it’s really a difficult job to pick any ten from that long list of tourist attractions in London. Still the following list of ten London attractions should give you a complete understanding of how rich London is as a travel destination.

10. Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus, also known as the time square of Europe, connects 5 main roads into an intersection. This lively square has been a very popular place for tourists as it is literally the heart of London. The famous statue of Eros, the Greek god of love, and the illuminated billboards make it for a magnificent sight to see at night. Shopping around the Piccadilly Circus and meeting people of different cultures in the square should give every tourist an unforgettable experience. Piccadilly Circus might not be in many other top ten tourist attractions in London lists, but for its popularity among tourists, it makes this list.

9. The St. Paul’s Cathedral

The St. Paul’s Cathedral stands as a symbol of optimism and resilience of the people of London. It was rebuilt after the devastating fire of 1666 which burned down almost all of London. It marks the beginning of a new era and is the centerpiece of the city that was rose out of the ashes. The famous Cathedral Dome stands 111 meters high from where visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of the city. This is undoubtedly one of the finest and most beautiful churches on the world. Thus, it very easily makes this list of top ten tourist attractions in London.

8. Madame Tussauds

The wax museum Madame Tussauds was founded in the 17th century by wax sculptor Marie Tussaud. It is situated in central London and exhibits wax made figures of famous people with a spotless attention to detail. The fact that each hair on the figures is inserted one by one is sure to convince you of its mind blowing splendor. Here the visitors can meet their favorite superstars and historic figures, take a photo and spend some time with them. Each figure serves to exhibit and preserve the exact image, stature and disposition of the character and seals it in time. This is surely one of the most popular museums in the world and makes this list of top tourist attractions in London.

7. The Big Ben

Everybody in London refers to the clock tower at the house of parliament in Westminster as “The Big Ben”. It is actually the name of the giant bell that is loudly and sweetly ringing the time to the people of London for 154 years. Having a height of 315 feet, it is the 3rd tallest clock tower in the world and stands as a testament to the discipline of the London folks. The 12 strikes of the Big Ben have a melodic tone to it and are heard from a very long distance. In no way, one can exclude the Big Ben from a list of top ten attractions in London.

6. The Tower Bridge of London

The Tower Bridge Of London, one of the most popular tourist attractions in London, was built in the 18th century in the midst of the industrial revolution. The increasing commercial activities in London at that time called for a crossing over the river Thames without hampering the passing of ships. This led to the construction f this unique structure containing a suspension and a bascule technology to serve the purpose. The structure was made in a gothic style to match the integrity of nearby Tower of London. At night, the million lights of the city, the bridge and the riverside creates a very fascinating view to watch around the Tower Bridge.

5. The Tower of London

Most commonly known as a notorious Prison, this 1000 year old fortress named “The Tower of London” is a historic place. Throughout its age, it has served as a prison, an arsenal, a zoo, and a store house. William the Conqueror built the tower in 1073 for defense purposes. Later it became an infamous prison for the important extortionists to the kingdom and gave birth to the terrifying phrase “Send him to the Tower”. It also houses the priceless crown jewels of the English monarchy. This place is one of the best medieval marks remaining in the world today. It is a great architectural beauty of London and  one of the best tourist attractions in London.

4. The Westminster Abbey

The Westminster Abbey is a very significant structure in the United Kingdom from religious, political and historical perspectives. Its construction dates back to the 11th century and since the time of William the Conqueror in 1066, almost all the rulers of England were crowned here. It also serves as the resting place for many prominent individuals like Charles Darwin, Sir Isaac Newton and Shakespeare. The church is a fine testament to the beauty of gothic designs. The gigantic hallways Inside the Abbey are filled with numerous paintings, statues, tombs and monuments. It is indeed a very inspiring and one of the must visit see tourist attractions in London.

3. London Eye

The giant Ferris wheel by the river Thames known as the London Eye was built in the year 2000 to entertain the visitors with a stunning viewing experience of the London city. There are a total of 32 sealed and air conditioned capsules on the wheel each allowing 25 passengers each. Capsules ascend up to 135 meter above ground and takes 30 minute to complete a round. It will offer you a spectacular view of the river, the city and well into the country side for up to 25 miles. It attracts more than 3 million visitors each year. Although I rank this at 3rd, The London Eye is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London and also in the entire world.

2. The Buckingham Palace

The Buckingham Palace, also known as the “Buck House”, is the official residence and the Administration center of the British Monarchy. Originally built for and named after the Duke of Buckingham in 1703, the palace consists of a total 775 rooms and is one of the most fascinating buildings in the entire world. It also serves to entertain important foreign guests. Victoria Memorial and the Queens Gallery inside the palace are open for public visit and attract a lot of visitors from around the world. The annual “Changing of the guard” takes place in the summer here and is the most festive Ceremony in London.

1. The British Museum

Dedicated to human history and art, the British Museum is undoubtedly the winner of this top ten tourist attractions in London list. 8 million artifacts and works from ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece and almost every continent in the world brands it as one of the greatest museums in history. It was built in the year 1753 and was the first ever public museum in the world. The round reading room inside the museum was the study place for many legendary scholars like Mark Twain, Karl Marks etc. Many sculptures and small exhibits are placed to entertain the appetites of the visitors. The Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, Egyptian mummies are just a few of its famous collections that guarantee to enrich your experience of the world.