Ultimate Attraction Map of London: See it all, Efficiently!

The most important piece of advice I give London tourists is to group attractions by neighbourhood.

It’s hard to comprehend just how big London is and how far spread out the attractions are.

Unlike other major cities, there is no single “downtown London.” Instead, London is a collection of neighborhoods that each have their own features and attractions.

To help you figure out which London attractions are close together, I’ve put together the ultimate attraction map of London. 

Use this map to navigate to figure out what you want to see, plan your daily itinerary, and find out about cool sights you may have missed on Google Maps. 

I’ve included the highlights and major attractions of each area, suggested others you may not have heard of, and will tell you exactly what’s nearby. 

Stylized 'London Attractions Map' featuring iconic London landmarks superimposed over a silhouette of London's map. The illustration includes the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye, and a portion of Tower Bridge, all set against a teal background with a compass rose indicating direction. This image is ideal for tourists and online visitors interested in a visual overview of major sights in London, corresponding with the search keyword 'attraction map of London'.

How to Use This Map of London Sights

You can either use this map to navigate live, or use it while you’re researching your trip.

Please note: I can’t fit every single London attraction you might want to see on this map or in this post. I’m merely suggesting the most popular attractions tourists might want to see. 

I’ve put a star – ⭐️ – next to my favorites as a Londoner who has seen and done it all.

Ultimate Attraction Map of London

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You can filter by attraction type by clicking the category on the top of the map.

Westminster 

Westminster is where many of the classic and iconic London attractions are located, including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey. 

Westminster is bordered by St. James’s Park and the River Thames.

Top Attractions in Westminster 

  • Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
  • Buckingham Palace, including the Changing of the Guards, Royal Mews, and Queen’s Gallery (Palace only open for tours in summer & select times – book ahead)
  • ⭐️ Westminster Abbey 
  • ⭐️ Churchill War Rooms (book ahead)
  • River cruises and boat tours from Westminster Pier 

Other Attractions in Westminster 

  • Victoria Embankment Gardens & Cleopatra’s Needle
  • ⭐️ Jewel Tower
  • ⭐️ St James’s Palace and St James’s Park
  • ⭐️ Household Cavalry Museum (outside you can pose – politely – with the Royal Guards on horseback)
  • 10 Downing Street (visible from behind gates only)
  • Benjamin Franklin House 

What’s Nearby Westminster? 

Westminster, including Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, are a short distance from: 

  • Trafalgar Square: 10 minute walk National Gallery & National Portrait Gallery
  • West End: 8 minute walk to Theatreland! Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, Soho, Leicester Square.
  • Southbank: 8 minute walk to The London Eye, London Dungeons, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Shrek’s Adventure
  • Hyde Park: 15 minute bus ride to this massive Royal park with playgrounds, lakes and art galleries.
  • South Kensington: 20 minute tube ride to the Natural History Museum, V&A Museum and the Science Museum.
  • Knightsbridge: 15 minute bus ride to Harrods, posh shopping and dining.
  • Holborn: 20 minute tube or bus ride to Sir John Soane’s Museum & the Hunterian Museum.

London’s West End

Next to Westminster is London’s West End – a massive area encompassing Covent Garden, Soho, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus areas, right in the center of the city.

There’s so much to see and do here, and you’ll likely end up here if you’ve booked a theatre show. 

Top Attractions in the West End: 

Other Attractions in in the West End: 

What’s Near Covent Garden, Soho, Trafalgar Square & Piccadilly Circus (the West End):  

  • The British Museum: 10 minute walk from Covent Garden 
  • Westminster Area (Big Ben & Buckingham Palace): 10 minute walk from Trafalgar Square
  • Mayfair: 10 minute walk from Soho to the iconic shopping streets of Oxford Circus, Regent Street and Bond Street 
  • City of London: 20 minute tube or bus ride from Covent Garden to the historic streets of London’s ancient centre. 

City of London

Just to the East of the West End is the City of London.

Also known as “The Square Mile,” this is London’s historic centre where it all began. See Roman Ruins, the Tower of London, and get epic views from one of the skyscrapers that tower above. 

If you’re a history buff, you’ll want to spend a good chunk of time here to really soak it in. There is so much to see. 

Top Attractions in The City of London Area

Other Attractions in The City of London Area

What’s Nearby The Tower of London and The City of London Area:

  • Southwark: 15-20 minute walk across the Thames to Borough Market, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and more. 
  • Shoreditch & Spitalfields: 10 minute walk from Liverpool Street to see historic Spitalfields Market, incredible street art, and soak in the East End charm. 
  • Whitechapel: 20 minute walk from Liverpool Street to see the Jack the Ripper Museum or take a tour. 
  • Bloomsbury: 15 minute tube ride to the British Museum from St. Paul’s Cathedral. 
  • Covent Garden: 15 minute bus ride from St. Paul’s Cathedral. 

South Kensington & Chelsea 

Sometimes called “Museumland,” South Kensington features 3 of London’s most popular and largest museums, all right next to each other! 

Top Attractions in South Kensington & Chelsea 

Other Attractions in South Kensington & Chelsea 

  • ⭐️ Kynance Mews: a famous and popularly photographed mews in London. 
  • Afternoon Tea: many of the posh hotels and restaurants in this area have excellent afternoon teas to break up your museum-filled day. 
  • King’s Road, Chelsea: Walk the posh streets and pretend you own a Maserati to fit in. 
  • ⭐️ Brompton Cemetery: a magnificent Victorian Cemetery on gorgeous grounds. 

What’s Nearby The Natural History Museum, V&A, and Science Museum: 

  • Kensington: 20 minute walk or 15 minute bus to Kensington Palace from the major museums. 
  • Westminster: 20 minute tube ride to Buckingham Palace from the major museums. 
  • Battersea: 15 minute bus across the Thames to Battersea Park or Battersea Power Station (newly renovated posh shopping centre). 

West London

West London is different from the West End. The West End is the western part of Central London, while West London generally means anything west of the Hyde Park are.

The areas visitors usually most want to see in West London are Kensington, Notting Hill, and Holland Park. You may also travel in and out of Paddington Station, which is on the North end of this area. 

Top Attractions in West London

  • ⭐️ Hyde Park: The Italian Gardens, Serpentine River & Galleries, Hyde Park Pet Cemetery, Princess Diana Memorial Playground & Fountain, Winter Wonderland (seasonally), and many more beautiful sights. 
  • ⭐️ Kensington Palace and Gardens (the Sunken Garden was Princess Diana’s favorite). Pre-book tickets to avoid disappointment.
  • ⭐️ Holland Park, including Kyoto Gardens 
  • The Design Museum 
  • Notting Hill, including Portobello Road Market 
  • Museum of Brands in Notting Hill 
  • ⭐️ Little Venice

Other Attractions in West London

  • The Churchill Arms in Kensington: an Instagrammable pub exterior with ornate floral designs and lights 
  • Leighton House Museum 
  • Shepherd’s Bush Shopping Centre – a large shopping mall. 
  • Japan House
  • The Thin House
  • The Clockmaker’s Museum (inside the Science Museum) 

What’s Nearby West London

  • South Kensington: 3 major museums are only 20 minute walk from Kensington Palace and Gardens. 
  • Mayfair: 10 minute walk from Hyde Park.
  • Marylebone: 15 minute walk from Hyde Park. 
  • Westminster Area: Buckingham Palace borders Hyde Park on the SE corner, and sights like Big Ben and Westminster Abbey are a 15 minute walk from there. 
  • Knightsbridge & Belgravia: Short walk from Hyde Park to shopping destination Harrods and the posh and lovely streets of Belgravia. 

Marylebone & Mayfair 

These pretty neighbourhoods in West Central London are bordered by Hyde Park and Regent’s Park. They both offer museums, excellent shopping, and a few unique attractions of their own.

Marylebone is to the north bordered by Baker Street, and Mayfair is to the south bordered by Piccadilly and Regent streets.

Top Attractions in Marylebone & Mayfair: 

Other Attractions in Marylebone & Mayfair 

  • ⭐️ Marylebone High Street, including Daunt Books
  • Royal Academy of Arts 
  • Handel & Hendrix
  • Savile Row 
  • ⭐️ Mercato Mayfair
  • Lots of posh hotels and restaurants 

What’s Nearby Oxford Street (Marylebone & Mayfair): 

  • Soho: Borders Mayfair to the east. These two neighbourhoods share the shopping district of Regent Street (Oxford Street area). 
  • South Kensington & Belgravia: Short walk from Mayfair to Belgravia, or take a 15 bus or tube to the major museums from these neighbourhoods. 
  • Piccadilly Circus: Short walk from Mayfair to iconic shopping destination Fortnum & Mason. 
  • Westminster Area: Just to the South of Mayfair is St. James’s Park and Palace and Buckingham Palace. Big Ben and Parliament is a short distance from there. 

Bloomsbury & King’s Cross 

Another fantastic museum district, but with a more bohemian academic atmosphere, Bloomsbury and surrounding neighbourhoods Fitzrovia and Clerkenwell are beautiful and offer so much to see. 

Just North of here is King’s Cross, which is so much more than a transport hub – it’s recently been redeveloped into a massive shopping and dining destination alongside Regent’s Canal.

Top Attractions in Bloomsbury & King’s Cross Areas: 

Other Attractions in Bloomsbury & King’s Cross Area:

What’s Nearby the British Museum (Bloomsbury Area):

  • Camden Market: 10 minute tube ride directly from King’s Cross Station to Camden Town Station, or 20 minutes from Goodge Street Station (near the British Museum) to Camden Town Station.
  • Covent Garden: 15 minute walk south from the British Museum. 
  • Holborn Area: 15 minute walk to Sir John Soane’s Museum or the Hunterian Museum. 
  • Oxford Street Area: 20 minute walk to prime shopping destinations from the British Museum. 
  • King’s Cross Area: 20 minute walk or short tube ride to The British Library, Coal Drops Yard & Granary Square. 

Spitalfields & Shoreditch

Some East End areas London tourists might want to see are Spitalfields and Shoreditch.

These are both historic neighbourhoods that are great to wander and photograph. Visit cool restaurants, see the street art, and shop at the vintage and antique markets. 

Top Attractions in Spitalfields & Shoreditch 

Other Attractions in Spitalfields & Shoreditch 

  • ⭐️ Christ Church Spitalfields 
  • Truman Brewery Market
  • ⭐️ Puma Court and surrounding streets – original Georgian homes with incredible historic architecture 
  • Whitechapel Gallery 

What’s Nearby Spitalfields & Shoreditch: 

  • Tower of London: 15 minute bus or tube ride (or 25 minute walk) south from Spitalfields. 
  • City of London: 15 minute walk to Leadenhall Market, Sky Garden, and Horizon 22. 
  • Columbia Road Flower Market (Sundays only): 15 minute walk from Spitalfields. 
  • Canary Wharf: 20 minute tube or bus to the Museum of London Docklands. 
  • Southwark: 15 minute bus ride to Borough Market from Spitalfields. 

North London

The leafy boroughs of North London offer a bit more space and greenery than their southern counterparts. Two big attractions may bring you up this direction: the London Zoo and Camden Market. 

Top Attractions in North London

  • Camden Market & Camden Town: yes, the same one in Taylor Swift’s London Boy. 
  • ⭐️ Primrose Hill: pretty pastel houses and gorgeous city views.
  • ⭐️ Regent’s Park, including Queen Mary’s Rose Gardens, Japanese Garden Island, Sir John’s Lodge Garden, and more. 
  • London Zoo 

Other Attractions in North London 

  • ⭐️ Hampstead – a bit further northwest from these attractions but an attractive destination for wandering cobbled lanes and shopping in this posh enclave. 
  • The Jewish Museum 
  • Amy Winehouse Statue: at Camden Market 

What’s Nearby the Camden Market Area: 

  • Hampstead: 10 minute bus or tube ride from Camden Town
  • King’s Cross: 20 minute walk from Camden town, or short bus or tube ride. 
  • Bloomsbury & British Museum: 20 minute bus or tube from Camden Town to the British Museum.

Southbank

So many top London attractions are packed along the south bank of the Thames. 

This more western park of the south bank of the Thames is called Southbank, while the area further to the east is called Southwark (pronounced Suh-thuk). 

Top Attractions in Southbank: 

  • The London Eye (book ahead)
  • ⭐️ The London Dungeons 
  • Shrek’s Adventure
  • SeaLife Aquarium 
  • Cruises and boat tours from London Eye Waterloo Pier 

Other Attractions in Southbank: 

  • Florence Nightingale Museum 
  • ⭐️ National Theatre
  • Jubilee Gardens
  • ⭐️ The Graffiti Tunnel
  • Royal Festival Hall
  • ⭐️ Lambeth Palace (just south of Southbank in Lambeth)
  • Garden Museum (just south of Southbank in Lambeth)

What’s Nearby The London Eye & Southbank: 

  • Westminster Area: 10 minute walk across Westminster Bridge to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. 
  • Trafalgar Square: 15 minute walk across Golden Jubilee Bridges to the National Gallery. 
  • Southwark: 15 minute tube or bus ride to Borough Market. 
  • Covent Garden: 15 minute tube or bus ride to Covent Garden’s shopping, dining, and museums. 

Southwark

Pronounced “suh-thuk” and not “south-wark,” this is the eastern end of this bend in the Thames that features some great historic attractions. 

Top Attractions in Southwark: 

  • ⭐️ Borough Market (packed on weekends)
  • ⭐️ Tate Modern (free with incredible city views)
  • ⭐️ Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
  • The Shard (View from the Shard & restaurants at the top) 
  • HMS Belfast
  • Clink Prison Museum
  • London Bridge Experience 
  • ⭐️ The Old Operating Theatre 

Other Attractions in and near Southwark: 

What’s Nearby Borough Market & Southwark: 

  • City of London: take the incredible 10 minute walk across Millennium Bridge straight into the City of London. You’ll be right by St. Paul’s Cathedral. Alternatively, walk across London Bridge and you’ll land right at the Monument to the Great Fire of London.
  • Southbank: 10-15 minute bus or tube ride to The London Eye, London Dungeons, SeaLife Aquarium, and Shrek’s Adventure. 
  • Tower of London: 15-20 minute walk Tower Bridge and you’ll be right at the Tower of London. 
  • Greenwich: 20 minute tube journey to the Royal Museums Greenwich and Greenwich Market. 

Greenwich 

Greenwich makes a perfect day out. It’s not far from Central London by tube and has so much to offer in one small(ish) area. 

Top Attractions in Greenwich: 

  • ⭐️ Royal Museums Greenwich: National Maritime Museum (free), Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark, and Queen’s House (free). 
  • ⭐️ Old Royal Naval College 
  • Greenwich Park
  • Greenwich Market 

Other Attractions in Greenwich: 

  • Fan Museum 
  • The 02 (you can actually climb to the top, if you dare)

What’s Nearby Greenwich: 

Not much is directly nearby Greenwich that tourists to London might want to visit – it’s pretty much the furthest south and east you will go as a visitor. 

  • Southwark: 15 minute tube ride to Borough Market 
  • Canary Wharf: 25 minute tube + bus ride to Museum of London Docklands. 
  • London City Airport: 30 minute tube + bus ride to this London airport, which makes Greenwich an ideal final destination if you’re flying out of here. 

Map of London Sightseeing: Final Tips

Never underestimate the size of London. It’s truly massive, and what looks like a short walk on a map is most definitely not.

Group your attractions by neighborhood to make the most of your limited time in our gorgeous city.

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What’s near the British Museum?

The British Museum is in Bloomsbury, which a short walk, tube or bus ride from Covent Garden, the shopping destination Oxford Street, King’s Cross shopping and dining destinations Coal Drops Yard & Granary Square, and several more museums: The Foundling Museum, the Wellcome Collection, The Charles Dickens Museum, The Postal Museum, and The British Library.

What’s near The London Eye?

From the London Eye you can easily walk to Shrek’s Adventure, Sea Life Aquarium, The London Dungeons, and the lovely shopping and dining area of Southbank. Walk or tube/bus across the Thames and you’re in Westminster, where you can see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the Churchill War Rooms.

What’s Near the Tower of London?

The Tower of London is right next to the City of London, where so much of London’s history lies. You can walk to Tower Hill (where many executions actually took place), the beautiful and photogenic ruins of St. Dunstan in the East church gardens, Monument to the Great Fire, Sky Garden, Leadenhall Market, and much more.

What’s Near Borough Market?

Borough Market lies in Southwark, on the south bank of the Thames just across from the Tower of London area. The Tower of London makes a great pairing for visiting Borough Market, or you can stay on the south side of the river and see The Old Operating Theatre, The Shard, Southwark Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Clink Prison Museum, and the Tate Modern.

What’s near Euston Station?

Near Euston Station you can easily walk to the King’s Cross area for shopping and dining, visit The British Library, wander Regent’s Park, or stroll down to The British Museum.

What’s near Paddington Station?

Paddington Station is not far from the beautiful streets of Notting Hill and Portobello Road Market, the lovely Hyde Park, and the quaint neighborhoods of Marylebone and Mayfair. You can also easily head to Baker Street to see The Sherlock Holmes Museum, Madame Tussauds, and Regents Park.

What’s near London Bridge?

Near London Bridge Station you can easily walk to Borough Market, The Shard, The Old Operating Theatre, The Clink Prison Museum, see the remains of Winchester Palace, or grab a bite and a pint at The George – the only remaining galleried coaching inn in London.

What’s near Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace sits in Westminster, where many tourist attractions are situated. You can see Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament & Big Ben, The Churchill War Rooms, the Jewel Tower, St. James’s Palace and Park, and Trafalgar Square. Or walk across Westminster Bridge to the London Eye & much more!

Is there a map of London sights?

The easiest way to see a map of London sights is to pull up Google Maps, where the major attractions will already be displayed. Or use my map of London sightseeing above!

Where can I get a paper map of London sightseeing?

You can visit the City of London Information Centre near St. Paul’s Cathedral to pick up a paper map of London sights. This is handy if you want to see it all at a glance, or won’t have mobile data while in London.

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