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5 Best Landmarks in London (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Vespera Quill
By Vespera Quill, Expert in Local Experiences and Cultural Analysis · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

Over 840,000 Google reviews sit behind the ones here landmarks in London below, which tells you something about how much sightseeing time this city absorbs. Every one of them holds a rating of 4.5 or higher, so the real question for a first visit is not which is 'best' but which order gets you across the Thames and back before your feet give out.

Short answer: Tower Bridge tops the list at 4.8 stars across nearly 184,000 reviews, prized for its free-to-walk lower deck and paid high-level walkway. Tower of London (4.7, over 120,000 reviews) and Trafalgar Square (4.6) round out the strongest-rated names, while Buckingham Palace and the London Eye draw the largest crowds of all. Expect ticketed sites to run from roughly £25 upward depending on the attraction.
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London's Landmarks, Side by Side

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Tower Bridge 4.8 ★ 183,740 Iconic bridge views & photos View ›
2 Tower of London 4.7 ★ 120,646 Crown Jewels & history View ›
3 London Eye 4.5 ★ 202,674 Panoramic skyline views View ›
4 Buckingham Palace 4.5 ★ 193,765 Changing the Guard & royal history View ›
5 Trafalgar Square 4.6 ★ 139,692 Central meeting point & free sightseeing View ›
5 Best Landmarks in London (2026)

The landmarks, one by one

Tower Bridge logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days

Tower Bridge

4.8183,740 Google reviews

Tower Bridge is the Victorian suspension bridge over the Thames near the Tower of London, with a free-to-cross lower deck and a paid exhibition offering high-level glass-floor walkways and access to the old engine rooms that once powered the bridge lift. It sits within easy walking distance of Tower Hill and London Bridge stations.

What people praise

  • Free to simply walk across, with the paid exhibition optional
  • Reviewers highlight the glass floor and the lit-up night view as highlights
  • Genuine bridge lifts still happen for passing boats
  • Short walk from either Tower Hill or London Bridge tube stations
Reputation scorecardrank in London
Rating4.8 / 5
Review volume183,740 · 83th
Confidencevery high
Recency4 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown82% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The highest-rated and second most-reviewed landmark on this list, and the only one you can experience for free just by walking across it. A safe first stop for any London itinerary.

Website+442074079191 Directions

Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP

Tower of London logo
#2🕑 Open 7 days

Tower of London

4.7120,646 Google reviews

The Tower of London is the historic castle and former royal fortress on the north bank of the Thames, home to the Crown Jewels and centuries of British history, run by Historic Royal Palaces with self-guided and Beefeater-led tours through the White Tower and grounds.

What people praise

  • Crown Jewels described as a genuine must-see highlight
  • Beefeater tours praised as informative and included in the ticket price
  • Detailed enough to fill two to three hours easily
  • Well organised even on busy school-holiday days

Worth knowing

  • Tickets are pricier than some other landmarks on this list
  • The White Tower has many stairs, which some reviewers flag for step-free access
Reputation scorecardrank in London
Rating4.7 / 5
Review volume120,646 · 70th
Confidencevery high
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown75% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most reviewed landmark most reviewers say is worth the ticket price on history alone. Book ahead and budget at least two to three hours.

Website+443333206000 Directions

London EC3N 4AB

London Eye logo
#3🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

London Eye

4.5202,674 Google reviews

The London Eye is the giant observation wheel on the South Bank, rising 135 metres over the Thames with rotating glass capsules that give a full loop over roughly 30 minutes, run as a ticketed attraction with standard and fast-track entry options.

What people praise

  • Sweeping 360-degree views most reviewers call unforgettable
  • Smooth, relaxing ride even at busy times
  • Sunset slots repeatedly singled out as the best time to go

Worth knowing

  • Highest reviewer complaint is ticket price relative to ride length
  • Queues can build even with timed entry, especially in summer
Reputation scorecardrank in London
Rating4.5 / 5
Review volume202,674 · 97th
Confidencevery high
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown69% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed landmark here by volume and the pick for skyline views in one place. Book a timed slot and go near sunset if you can.

Website+442079678021 Directions

Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB

Buckingham Palace logo
#4🕑 Open 7 days

Buckingham Palace

4.5193,765 Google reviews

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch, viewed from outside by most visitors, with the Changing of the Guard ceremony and the palace's formal gates and gardens forming the main draw for passersby.

What people praise

  • Changing of the Guard consistently called a highlight worth timing a visit around
  • Grand, historic architecture reviewers describe as living up to expectations
  • Free to view from outside the gates

Worth knowing

  • Crowds around ceremony times can be heavy, especially in summer
  • Interior access is limited to specific summer opening periods
Reputation scorecardrank in London
Rating4.5 / 5
Review volume193,765 · 90th
Confidencevery high
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown67% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A must-see for the exterior and the ceremony alone. Time your visit around the Changing of the Guard schedule for the fullest experience.

Website+443031237300 Directions

London SW1A 1AA

Trafalgar Square logo
#5

Trafalgar Square

4.6139,692 Google reviews

Trafalgar Square is the public plaza at the heart of London, framed by Nelson's Column, the bronze lion statues, and the National Gallery, and used as a natural gathering point and photo stop between other central sights.

What people praise

  • Free to visit at any time, with the National Gallery next door also free
  • Central location makes it an easy stop between other landmarks
  • Fountains and lion statues repeatedly named as favourite photo spots

Worth knowing

  • No fixed opening hours or facilities listed, so plan food and toilets elsewhere
  • Can get crowded during events or temporary installations
Reputation scorecardrank in London
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume139,692 · 77th
Confidencevery high
Recency3 weeks ago
Info completenesssite
Rating breakdown70% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The easiest landmark to fit into any itinerary since it costs nothing and sits between several other sights. A natural rest stop rather than a destination in itself.

Website Directions

Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5DS

6

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Watch: 5 Best Landmarks in London (2026)

How we rank

Every number on this page is computed from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the landmark’s live Google star average. Review volume is how many visitors have rated it, ranked against the other landmarks on this page. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.8 from hundreds of thousands of visitors carries more weight than the same score from a handful. Recency reflects how recently people are still leaving reviews.

How much does it cost to visit London’s landmarks? (2026)

Some landmarks here are free to view from outside (Buckingham Palace’s exterior, Trafalgar Square, walking across Tower Bridge), while others charge for guided or high-level access. Ticket prices vary by attraction, season, and how far in advance you book, so check each landmark’s own site for current rates before you go.

Getting around London’s landmarks

These landmarks cluster along and near the Thames, from Tower Bridge and the Tower of London in the east to Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye further west and south. Searching for landmarks near me? Most are within a short walk or a couple of tube stops of each other, so a single day can realistically cover two or three.

What to check before you visit

  • Does this landmark need a pre-booked timed ticket, or can I just walk up?
  • Is there a cheaper time of day or season to visit?
  • How long should I realistically budget for this stop?
  • Is the site step-free if I’m travelling with a wheelchair or pushchair?
  • Is photography allowed inside, or only from outside?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these landmarks?

We started from London landmarks with a strong public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we rank above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another listing’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (August 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Which of these landmarks are free to visit?

Walking across Tower Bridge, viewing Buckingham Palace from outside, and visiting Trafalgar Square all cost nothing. The Tower of London and the London Eye, along with Tower Bridge’s high-level exhibition, are ticketed.

How much time should I set aside for these landmarks?

The Tower of London alone can take two to three hours to see properly. Trafalgar Square and the Buckingham Palace exterior are shorter stops of 20 to 40 minutes, and the London Eye ride itself runs about 30 minutes plus queue time.

The bottom line

Tower Bridge is the easiest starting point since it’s free to cross and rated highest of them, and it sits a short walk from the Tower of London if you want to make a full morning of it. Book timed tickets ahead for anything paid, especially in summer.

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