Wondering which are the best tours in London? You are in the right place!
Because there are so many things to do in London, I will walk you through London sightseeing tours so you can decide which is the best for you.
Planning your trip to London last minute?
Make sure to book ahead! Hotels and tours often sell out the closer you get to your trip. Here are our top pics for London!
Top Experiences and Tours In London:
- The London Eye Entry Ticket (Save time and book in advance!)
- Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour (Skip the line.)
- Tower of London & Crown Jewels Exhibit (Likely to sell out.)
- High Tea Thames River Cruise (Book ahead to save time.)
Best London Hotels:
- Sanderson London (Close to the subway!)
- The Montague On The Greens (Private and close to the subway)
- The Exhibitionist Hotel (In the heart of South Kensington)
- The Corner London City (Close to all subway connections.)
From the Tower of London tour to visiting Covent Garden landmarks or the sights of Shoreditch I have you covered.
If you are visiting London for the first time it can seem very overwhelming.
It can be difficult to know where to start as there are so many things to do in London.
London tours can be a great way to see what you want in a time-effective way.
Also, the experience and knowledge of the tour guides mean you learn way more than you would if you explored alone.
So let me walk you through the best sightseeing tours in London and help you make choose how to get the most out of your London trip.
Tours In London: Top 15 Bucket List Experiences
London In One Day Tour with River Cruise
If you are short on time and want to make the most of your trip to London this is the London One-Day Tour
You will see Westminster Abbey, the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and enjoy a guided tour of St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London, plus much more.
The tour begins with a panoramic drive around Westminster and the West End where you will take in most of London’s top sights.
You then head to Buckingham Palace to see the colorful ceremony of the Changing of the Guard.
This is followed by a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral and more sightseeing.
You are then free to get on the River Cruise at The Tower of London at your leisure.
This is the perfect 1 Day London itinerary and one of the best London sightseeing tours.
As London Day tours go this one is hard to beat.
Book London In One Day Tour with River Cruise
Comedy Horror Ghost Tour on a Bus
If you are looking for something to do in London in the evening the Comedy Horror Bus Tour might be for you.
You will see many of London’s main sights and learn about the gruesome histories of the city’s most popular attractions.
The bus you travel in is known as the Necrobus. These buses are the original midnight-black Routemaster buses used as funeral buses.
You will find a creepy conductor, on-board actors, and technical trickery which adds to the experience.
Some sights visited include Westminster Abbey, Fleet Street, The Tower of London, and London Bridge.
This is one of the ghost bus tours in London that will give you an unusual perspective into some of the most famous landmarks.
Book Comedy Horror Ghost Tour on a Bus
East London: Street Art Tour & Spray Painting Session
This Street Art Tour & Spray Painting London tour takes you to parts of London you might not known existed! is one of those.
Most visitors coming to London don’t explore the East End and Shoreditch and that’s a real shame.
It’s such a creative area driven by art where you will find some of the best street art in the world.
Led by a street art expert this tour takes you to see some of London’s best street art and offers a 30-minute spray painting workshop.
It’s a perfect sightseeing tour in London for the more creative types of those with tweens and teens in tow.
You will see street art by Banksy, ROA, Shepherd Fairy, Jimmy C, Invader, Stik, and many more.
Book Street Art Tour & Spray Painting Session
Looking for a place to stay in Shoreditch? The Hoxton, Shoreditch is a perfect London base.
Secret British Food Tour
On the Secret British Food Tour, you will visit the city’s most well-known food venues and try some famous British Food.
Try fudge and chocolate at Borough Market, award-winning Cumberland sausages, and sample the best fish and chips in town.
You will also learn about the history of the market and the surrounding areas including Sir Francis Drake’s Golden Hind, the Shard, and Southwark Cathedral.
Then visit a pub to try some British cheeses and delicious ale. You will see London Bridge, Tower Bridge, and the Battleship HMS Belfast.
And like any great British meal, it ends with sticky toffee puddings and a cup of tea.
Jack the Ripper Guided Walking Tour
The Jack The Ripper Guided Walking Tour is for those of you who love your tours in London a little darker.
This walking tour of London is based around the East End and Victoria and is led by a Ripperologist who gives you an insight into 19th-century London.
You will learn about the victims, visit the crime scenes, and see some of London’s notable sights, such as Spitalfields Market.
This is one of the best London tours for those who like to make their sightseeing a little more unusual.
Book Jack the Ripper Guided Walking Tour
Afternoon Tea Bus with a Glass of Prosecco
London with a prosecco in one hand and a cake in the other sounds like heaven.
And that is what you get to do on the Afternoon Tea Bus in London.
London afternoon tea is a must and this is a perfect way you don’t lose valuable sightseeing time.
You enjoy afternoon tea on a traditional double-decker bus while driving around all the London sights.
You will see the London Eye, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and more.
And you do all this while enjoying homemade finger sandwiches and an assortment of mini pastries and desserts.
This has to be one of the best bus tours in London.
This London bus tour lasts 90 minutes and is a great way to see some sights in style. You can also take an Afternoon tea cruise.
Book Afternoon Tea Bus with a Glass of Prosecco
Secrets Of London Walking Tour
When you get away from the tourist areas of London and into the backstreets you discover a different part of Londo. That is what happens on this Secrets of London walk.
Here you explore gas-lit alleyways and atmospheric pubs.
Hear stories of London most have forgotten, or perhaps don’t speak of.
You start in Trafalgar Square before heading off into a part of London time seems to have forgotten.
You see the smallest police station in the world, and streets that inspired Harry Potter, visit the most superstitious hotel in London and rub one of the 7 noses of London.
If it all sounds a bit magical and mysterious it is. This is a sightseeing London that most do not see.
Book Secrets of London Walking Tour
Panoramic Open-Top Bus Tour
This is London sightseeing at its easiest. On this London Panoramic Open-Top bus tour, you take a two-hour tour of the sights from the comfort of an open-top bus.
You will see the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus to name but a few, and all the time without expert narration.
This is not a hop-on and hop-off bus although they are available. This is a great London tour if you have limited time.
If you are looking for a place to stay Page8, Page Hotels is the perfect base.
Tours In London: Palaces and Parliament Walking Tour
This 3-hour Palaces and Parliament walking tour takes in the most iconic London sights, particularly those associated with Parliament and The Royal Family.
You will see more than 20 of London’s top sights so wear comfortable shoes. Here you see the best of London.
You will explore the city of Westminster, and see Green Park, Buckingham Palace, and The Mall.
Travel through Parliament Square and see Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.
This is one of the great tours in London for first-timers in London as it does take in many of the main areas
Book Palaces and Parliament Walking Tour
Tours In London: Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour
If you are obsessed with this magical franchise this is the London tour for you. This interactive Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour around London takes in 18 sights associated with the film or cast.
Your guide is Potter-mad of course and will impart you with wizarding facts on your travels.
Highlights include passing The Leaky Cauldron, exploring Diagon Alley, or at least the places that inspired them.
This is one of the London Walks for those who love this franchise and want to see the sights associated with it.
Book Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour
River Thames Evening Cruise with Bubbly and Canapés
If you are wondering what to do in London in the evening this River Thames evening sightseeing London tour might be perfect for you.
Here you see the sights and the sunset. And enjoy a glass of bubbly and sumptuous canapés all while listening to live performances.
London by night is truly spectacular. Seeing all the landmarks illuminated is magical.
This cruise takes you from Tower Millenium Pier down the river and back again.
You will see the London Eye and Tower of London, Canary Wharf Tower Bridge skyscrapers, and lots more.
This open-air boat is the perfect way to see all London offers.
River Thames Evening Cruise with Bubbly and Canapés
Classic Bike Tour
This Classic Bike London Tour starts early and takes in most of the city’s legendary sights. Traveling along cycle lanes, side roads, and alleys you see London in a new way.
You start at Big Ben and then continue around London taking in all iconic sights. You also spend time in Covent Garden, Leather Lane Market, and Smithfield’s Market.
The tour ends at Westminster Bridge where you can stroll down the river, and grab a coffee or something to eat before enjoying the rest of your day.
Tours in London: Tower of London Beefeater Welcome & Crown Jewels
Looking for a tower of London tour? This one is perfect.
Discover the Tower of London on a 3-hour tour led by a Beefeater. On this tour, you get a 15-20 minute private tour with a Beefeater around the tower.
You will see The Crown Jewels, see and hear the famous ravens, and learn about the incredible history of this majestic and imposing building.
You will also learn about the Beefeaters, and what it is like guarding the tower.
This tour of London is an amazing way to see The Tower and avoid all the queues. Tower of London tickets are included in the price.
Book Tower of London Beefeater Welcome & Crown Jewels
Rubens At The Palace is a great place to stay if you want to keep up the royal theme.
Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Tour
If you want to see the pageantry of the monarchy in full force then the Changing of the Guards of the King’s Household Cavalry is where to be.
On this London tour, you will explore the state rooms of Buckingham Palace and watch the Changing Of The Guard.
Your guide will explain the history and meaning behind the ceremony. It is quite something to behold.
You will learn about the history of Buckingham Palace and its State Rooms.
See the Royal Collection as well as the pomp and ceremony of the monarchy up close.
You can’t travel to London without watching this ceremony.
From the Tower of London tour to visiting Covent Garden landmarks or the sights of Shoreditch I have you covered.
Book Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Tour
Tours In London: 30 Top Sights and Churchill War Rooms Tour
This tour has you exploring Churchill’s War Rooms and seeing 30 iconic London landmarks. It’s one of the perfect tours of London for those who want the sights and a little bit more.
This is one of the London Walks that take you past sights such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster, and Downing Street.
Also, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London.
Once in the Churchill War Rooms known as Churchill’s Bunker, you will learn about the men and women who worked in the underground hideaway.
This is one of the best day tours in London which takes in so much and shows you a part of London most don’t see.
Book 30 Top Sights and Churchill War Rooms Tour
Packing List When On Tours In London
Here are my tips on how to pack lightly when traveling to London.
This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind.
These RFID sleeves are another option.
This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.
My daughter gifted me this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday. It is made of lightweight aluminum and is easy to use.
I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for travel.
This replaceable carbon filter ensures fresh water at all times.
Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle is another option.
This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great.
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As you can see when it comes to tours in London, there are so many to choose from. Whether you take one of the London walks or the London bus tours I know you will have an amazing time.
No trip to London is complete without one of these London day tours. These tours show you the best of London and save time.
Afternoon Tea In London: 15 Experiences Not To Miss