11 Must-Do London Attractions

Before leaving for my semester in London, I gave myself zero expectations. I wanted to be completely and utterly blown away by the places I visited and the people I met in London. I am happy to say that the experiences I had at various attractions in London made me fall in love with the city. As I was looking through my pictures from my semester in London, I compiled a list of the best things to do in London.

1. The London Eye: This is a must do twice, during the day and night. The London Eye gives visitors a birds eye view of London's South Bank. You will see a spectacular and eye-dropping view of London that you will never forget. 
2. Buckingham Palace: Need I say more? Anyone who visits London and doesn't take a selfie with a British guard needs to get their priorities in order.
3. Kensington Palace/Hyde Park: I had the luxury of walking through Hyde Park and passing Kensington Palace everyday to class. This long path of green grass with the addition of a beautiful lake allows passersby to relax and enjoy the gardens surrounding them. You might get to see a glimpse of Prince George and newborn Princess Charlotte. 
4. St. Paul's Cathedral: One of the must-see churches in London, St. Paul's Cathedral has the third largest dome in the world. You must climb the 528 steps to the top in order to see breathtaking views of River Thames and my next must-see attraction.
5. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre: Both a working theatre and a museum, the Globe Theatre is a replica of the early 1600s theatre in which Shakespeare's plays were performed. 
6. Millennium Bridge: Many scenes in the beloved Harry Potter series were filmed in London, but the most famous scene was taken at this steel suspension bridge. From the Millennium Bridge, you get a perfect view of both St. Paul's Cathedral and the Globe Theatre. This bridge allows pedestrians to walk over the River Thames.
7. Houses of Parliament and Big Ben: Another attraction that you must visit during the day and at night, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben are quintessential must-do London experiences. These iconic structures are worth visiting, despite the crowds and tourists. If you are interested, you can get a sneak peak of the political process and see men with old-fashioned wigs discuss political matters happening today. 
8. Westminster Abbey:  If you are like me and are a fan girl of Prince William and Duchess Catherine, this attraction is a no brainer. Walk the long stretch that Catherine Middleton did and visit the graves of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, just a round the corner from the previous must-do London attraction. 
9. Harrods: Any big shoppers out there? Harrods is the place to go! My favorite time to visit this massive high-end department store was during Christmas time. The beautiful Christmas lights and wonderfully decorated boutiques inside Harrods brought Christmas to life. 
10. Tower of London: Located on the north bank of the River Thames, this historic castle has something for everyone. If you are a history junkie and want to learn more about the bloody tower's past, rent headphones and explore the tower at your own pace. If you are obsessed with the Royal family, take a walk through the Crown Jewels exhibition, where you will see items such as the Imperial State Crown, worn by the Queen for each State Opening at Parliament. 
11. Tower Bridge: Want an expansive view of the city? Exit the Tower of London and walk five minutes up the road at sunset to see a magical view of London.

Here are some pictures of my experience at some of the locations listed above. 

My selfie with a British guard :)

View of Tower Bridge at night 

View of Big Ben and Houses of Parliament from the London Eye

These 11 Must-Do London attractions were my favorite parts about the city. I visited these places more than three times because I could not get enough of the magnificent views and wealth of information that the tour guides offered. There are a ton more locations in London to visit, but these 11 places will definitely give first time visitors of London more than enough reasons to never leave the city.