10 Best Tours in London

On foot, by bike, by boat or by bus, day or night. Whether you're interested in London's most infamous history or its splendour reflected in palaces and monuments, there are tours to suit all tastes, budgets and travellers.

If you're someone who loves to get to know a city by getting lost in its streets, this secret tour of central London is a great option because it takes you through several of the wonders hidden in the labyrinth of streets that make up one of the most beautiful and historic parts of London, its old town.

What you will learn

You'll discover how Covent Garden was once London's most vibrant red-light district; you'll learn all about the Great Fire that ravaged the city in 1666 at the Monument to the Great Fire of London and how the plague killed a third of its population. You will also see other iconic landmarks such as Tower Bridge and what was for centuries the tallest building in the city, St. Paul's Cathedral. A real feast for the eyes.

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I've been to London many times, but this tour took me to places I'd never seen before and made me see the city in a different light. I learnt a lot about Jack the Ripper and London's most terrifying history. I'll definitely be doing another of their tours on my next visit.

Are you easily frightened, or do you love hearing spooky stories? If you answered yes to the latter... Welcome to the Jack the Ripper night tour. Here, the guides, terrifyingly immersed in their roles, will transport you back in time to discover the locations that were the scene of the most gruesome events in London's history.

But there are several versions of this terrifying tour. You can do it with a Fish & Chips tasting, or if you prefer, you can book the Jack the Ripper bus tour. Which one will you dare to try?

What you will learn

In addition to visiting the city's most infamous site, the Tower of London, you'll discover chilling places from the city's dark history, such as the first psychiatric hospital, the Plague Pits, Traitor's Gate and the haunted areas of the East End. You'll also learn how and where one of the most famous serial killers in history, whose identity remains unknown to this day, Jack the Ripper, operated. Ready for a scary good time?

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London is a city with heavy traffic and crowds, so having a guide will make your bike ride more comfortable, showing you the best areas to cycle, such as the banks of the Thames, while telling you all about what you see. Furthermore, contrary to what you might think, the bike tour is not difficult; even children aged 10 and above can do it.

On this bike tour of London's parks, you will see the city's most important gardens, such as Kensington, Hyde Park, Green Park and St James's Park, as well as its main attractions: Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the Princess Diana Memorial. Exercise, fun and stunning views, what more could you ask for?

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Cruises on the Thames are a really enjoyable way to see the London skyline from the banks of this impressive river and take a break from the intense walking tours that this great city demands. With departures every half hour, the Thames cruise from Westminster to Greenwich is a very affordable boat tour that allows you to admire up to 13 of London's biggest attractions.

What you'll see on this tour

Departing from Westminster Pier, you can relax on the deck or inside the boat to take photographs, while a specialist guide explains the history of wonderful monuments such as the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.

The tour ends in Greenwich, where you can disembark to explore the area and visit places such as the Cutty Sark exhibition ship, Greenwich Park, the National Maritime Museum or the Royal Observatory Greenwich. If you wish, you can return to the starting point, Westminster, on board the same cruise ship. I have written an article about 7 Best Thames River Cruises that may be of interest to you.

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Comfort and unlimited mobility. These are two of the advantages that have made the iconic tourist buses a must-see, which you will see travelling around the city at all hours.

They allow you to admire London from above while sitting comfortably, as a guide explains the history of the different places. You can avoid relying on the crowded public transport network every day and, most importantly, you can choose to do the entire tour or hop on and off (the famous "Hop on-Hop off") as many times as you like at each of the dozens of stops.

Big Bus routes

There are several companies offering these tours, but the Big Bus tourist bus has the most variety of routes, up to three, and the most stops, around 45. It is also the best option for children, as it offers on-board activities and explanations specially designed for them.

Its routes depend on the geographical area or the theme of the attractions they include, from some with all the must-see attractions in London to others with stops at the main leisure experiences for the whole family, including an exclusive route through the Notting Hill neighbourhood and another early in the morning to see how this great city awakens.

This excursion also includes a free walking tour of the city, a cruise on the River Thames and some local discounts. Their buses are fully adapted for pushchairs and wheelchair users or those who need guide animals.

In my guide London Hop-On Hop-Off Buses you can read all the details about each company, all their routes and the attractions you will find at each stop.

Personally, I find big cities even more fascinating at night. When the natural light disappears and the neon lights, street lamps and spotlights come on to illuminate the imposing monuments, streets and shopping areas, it feels as if it's just you and the city.

Why I like this night tour

Touring the city at night while sitting comfortably on a tourist bus is a great idea, especially after walking around all day. This night tour on a tourist bus is run by the same company as the previous one, Big Bus, but it departs at dusk, allowing you to see the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Millennium Bridge, among others, illuminated.

Buses depart every 5-12 minutes in summer and every 15-30 minutes in winter, with a single route covering more than 20 stops where you can hop on and off whenever you want. This tour also includes a sightseeing cruise on the River Thames and three walking tours of the city.

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Lovers of engineering and train operations, the tour of the history of the world's oldest and most iconic underground railway awaits you. Travel back 150 years to learn the secrets and history of how the underground network that runs through London was built, practically by hand, why it was pioneering and how renowned architects designed its line system, as well as seeing a ghost station abandoned 50 years ago.

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Here's a tour that no literature lover should miss. Can you imagine seeing in person what the theatre where Shakespeare's most famous plays were performed looked like? If you've seen the famous film 'Shakespeare in Love', you'll get an idea of what this tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, a reconstruction of the original Elizabethan theatre, is like.

On this tour of Shakespeare's Globe, you will learn about theatre in 16th-century London, how sound effects were created 400 years ago, the scripts, the costumes and even the music through the Globe Exhibition. If you want to round off your visit and feel like a true Brit, you can include the experience of afternoon tea with sweets, inspired by the brilliant play A Midsummer Night's Dream.

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Feel like royalty for a day with this tour of Buckingham Palace, including afternoon tea at the end of your visit, an exceptional opportunity that is only available for eight weeks a year.

What this tour includes

A guide will take you to the gates of what has been the official London residence of the British Royal Family since the 19th century and is now home to Elizabeth II. You will be given your ticket to visit the interior at your own pace with explanations from an audio guide.

You can marvel at the lavish decoration of the palace rooms and their chandeliers, elegant furniture and treasures from the royal collection, and enter the Throne Room, where photographs are usually taken at royal weddings.

After the visit, you will enjoy a walk with your guide through the British people's favourite park, the beautiful St. James's Park, and finish your experience with a traditional afternoon tea accompanied by an exquisite selection of sandwiches, homemade scones served with clotted cream and jam, and freshly baked cakes. A delicious tour fit for a king.

If you want to truly understand British history, a guided tour of two of its most iconic and influential sites is a good place to start. This guided tour of Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament is a great option for a brief overview of the history of the British Royal Family and its traditions, which are still very much alive in British life today.

What you will learn

From the place that has seen the coronation of all the great monarchs since 1066 and celebrated great royal weddings, such as that of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011, in the unmissable Westminster Abbey, to the place where the country's politics and future are still decided today, in the Houses of Parliament, which house the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

In addition, at the Palace of Westminster, a World Heritage Site, you can visit the Elizabeth Tower, home to London's greatest symbol, Big Ben, the bell that chimes the hour on its large clock. For more details on how to visit Westminster Abbey, see my guide on Westminster Abbey Tickets and Tours.

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After exploring London in depth with these tours, you may want to discover other parts of the country. From the enigmatic circles of Stonehenge to the film sets at the Harry Potter studios or the classical architecture of Oxford, there are perfect day trips to broaden your experience. All depart from the city centre and include transport, a guide in English and tickets, making them a convenient and hassle-free option.

If you're looking for nature, history or picture-postcard landscapes, you'll also love places like Bath, Windsor and the Cotswolds. Here's a selection of the best day trips from London to round off your trip with one of these highly recommended getaways.

If you like history and want to enjoy another essential historical site on your trip to London, this guide Tower of London Tickets and Tours can help you organise your visit to the Tower of London. If, on the other hand, you fancy a more relaxed and laid-back visit, Madame Tussauds will be a great contrast to your trip. Here is an article I have written about Madame Tussauds in London: Tickets and Tours in case you're interested in finding out more.