Top Attractions and The Best Things to do Near The London Eye

The London Eye is kind of the poster child of the city and is almost always present in every pamphlet about London. On top of this, if you just walk around the area you are bound to stumble onto something that’s super interesting! Here’s a list of the stuff that really caught my fancy that’s worth checking out if your paying the eye a visit!

My Picks for the Best Things to do Near London Eye!

London Dungeon

The London Dungeon’s or the London Bridge experience unique and exhilarating experience transporting guests through the dangerous past of the city is its greatest feature. Characters from London’s past who liven up the ‘bad old days’ are brought to life in this interactive and eerie experience.

With 19 interactive shows, 20 live actors, and a millennium of history, the London Dungeon offers visitors an engaging narrative experience. I’m not exactly the bravest person out there but this is one of the most interesting and top tourist attractions in London that I’ve ever been on.

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

Tower Bridge

There’s much to see in this area and one of my personal 10 best things to see are the real life crown jewels in the Tower of London. I’ve seen maybe around a hundred crowns and gems from movies and TV shows before but I’ve never actually seen any in person, so we set out to view the most “glamorous” of London attractions, the Crown Jewels.

Shiny things aren’t the only top attractions to sightsee here though so I highly suggest taking one of their guided tours around this iconic landmark to learn more about it! The best one for me were there resident ravens, seriously, it’s not some fancy guard name they were literal ravens. These majestic are traditional believed to protect the tower and seeing these hyper-intelligent birds should certainly be in anyone’s London itinerary.

📍Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP, United Kingdom

National Gallery

Just a short walk from the London eye and crossing from the South Bank of the river you get to visit the National Gallery. The finest feature of London’s National Gallery is its vast collection of exceptional artwork, which spans more than 700 years of Western European art history. More than 2,300 paintings are kept in the museum, including pieces by some of the most well-known painters in history, including Rembrandt, Vincent van Gogh, and Leonardo da Vinci.

It’s also conveniently located near the Trafalgar square and if you stroll along there you’d probably see a bunch of popular attractions like the Nelson’s Column and the fountains. However, the reason I included the National Gallery here is because of it’s outright significance in the culture and history of London.

📍Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, United Kingdom

Westminster Abbey

Speaking of cultural and historical significance, For more than a millennium, the Abbey has played a crucial role in England’s history as a royal residence, stronghold, and house of worship. Coronations, royal weddings, and the last resting places of British monarchs and other notable people have all taken place there. The Abbey’s 1987 UNESCO World Heritage Site designation recognized its official significance to British history.

The palace of Westminster also holds The United Kingdom’s Parliament meets in what is commonly referred to as the Houses of Parliament, and it has long played a significant role in the political life of the nation. Lastly, there’s something about walking along the Westminster Bridge and seeing the palace looming in the distance is truly a majestic sight.

📍Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PA, United Kingdom

Sea Life London Aquarium

The largest and most impressive feature of the Sea Life London Aquarium in London is its vast array of marine life from all over the world, giving guests a chance to discover and enjoy the diversity of the ocean’s inhabitants. More than 500 different species of fish and marine life, including sharks, turtles, rays, and penguins, are kept in 14 themed zones spread across three floors of the aquarium. In addition, the aquarium hosts family-friendly talks and feeding sessions, which give visitors of all ages an entertaining and educational experience.

It’s also just right next to the London eye, so after being treated to gorgeous views of the skyline, you’re also looking at the Thames River and all that water would probably make you curious for marine life. I mean that’s not the reason why we went there, we just wanted to see some whale sharks and jellyfishes.

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

Jubilee Gardens

The gardens offer a peaceful and picturesque haven from the busy city, making it the perfect place to unwind, take leisurely strolls, and take in the lovely view of the city. The gardens also have an excellent kids’ playground, making it a family-friendly location with kid-friendly activities.

Its appeal is increased by its closeness to well-known sites like the South Bank, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye, which makes it an accessible and practical location for both residents and visitors. It’s not exactly the most exciting London Landmark however it’s just a nice change of pace from the bustling streets which could get pretty overwhelming when you’re visiting London.

📍Belvedere Rd, London SE1 7PG, United Kingdom

Southbank Centre

The best thing about London’s Southbank Center is that it’s the biggest arts center in the United Kingdom and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It offers a variety of cultural attractions, such as the National Poetry Library, Purcell Room, Hayward Gallery, Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Arts Council Collection. Enjoy performances, artwork, music, and other events that transport visitors from the ordinary world into an imaginative and creative one.

Conveniently, it’s also one of the best places to get a bite to eat! There’s a market right beside it and an amazing lineup of restaurants and food stalls that could be a nice pitstop when you’re in London sightseeing. It’s also right on the bank of the river Thames, so taking a stroll here is certainly a treat, but the best time to visit I would argue would probably be in the morning so you could get a relaxing walk in and then eat up to regain energy.

📍Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX, United Kingdom

Buckingham Palace

The Buckingham Palace or commonly known as the palace is the London residence of the former monarch of the royal family and is also the London administrative headquarters and  a symbol of British heritage. Visitors can take in the breathtaking architecture of the palace, which includes the State Rooms and the House of Commons, for tourists to surround themselves in grandeur and history as it is filled with timeless artwork and ornate decorations, which are accessible to the public during the summer, and the famous balcony where the royal family appears on special occasions.

In addition, the palace’s prime location in the center of London—close to other well-known sites like St. James’ Park and the Mall—adds to its allure and makes it an easy trip to see the city.

📍London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom

Big Ben Clock Tower / House of Parliament

Officially dubbed the Elizabeth Tower, the clock tower rises nearly 100 meters into the sky from its advantageous location on the banks of the Thames. It is a marvel of engineering and a masterwork of neo-gothic architecture. For more than 160 years, Londoners have relied on the tower’s powerful bells to ensure they arrive at their appointments on time.

I trust this hundred-year old clock to ring on time more than my own alarm clock. It’s also one of the more famous landmarks in the city of London and thus it’s surrounded by a bunch of independent businesses and restaurants that are sure to satisfy any craving!

📍London SW1A 0AA, United Kingdom

Trafalgar Square

London’s Trafalgar Square is a public square that is home to some of the most popular sights in the city, including monuments, galleries in London, and old buildings. Since the early 19th century, it has been one of the most significant public areas in London and is named after the Battle of Trafalgar, a pivotal naval engagement in the Napoleonic Wars. One of the most recognizable locations in the English capital, the square is home to a variety of street performers, imposing monuments, and top-notch museums as well as contemporary artwork.

It’s also quite literally the heart of the city. It is declared to be the geographical center of London after a few science stuff and measurements done. Like all the other squares in the city, there’s plenty of things to do around the area from bars, restaurants, to even statues and street art!

📍Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5DS, United Kingdom

London Eye River Cruise in the Thames

London eye is one iconic attraction that not only gives you an amazing view of the London skyline, they also offer one of the more relaxing tours in London. The cruise along the river Thames is one the most relaxing tours I’ve ever been on and was definitely a welcome surprise when I visited the London eye. It is the chance to take a 30-minute sightseeing tour around the River Thames, which provides recognizable views of some of London’s most well-known landmarks.

The cruise departs from The London Eye pier and takes guests on an enthralling journey through the center of the city while offering knowledgeable and professional commentary from onboard guides. Beautiful views of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben (the Westminster Palace), St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern, the Tower of London, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower Bridge, and other landmarks in Central London can be seen all on the cruise!

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

Tate Modern

Lastly, near the London eye is a cool looking building called the Tate Modern. It’s actually a reconstruction of the original disused power plant now turned into a hub for a collection of international modern art pieces. The Works and sculptures from one of the most iconic artists in art history like Rothko, Warhol, Picasso, Dali, and numerous others could be found here.

The free, constantly-changing exhibition of contemporary masterpieces at the museum continues to be a major draw for tourists and art enthusiasts from all over the world. It is absolutely massive on the inside and what makes it so great is that they also have a few exhibits that are super immersive. Last time, we visited we were able to catch the Weather Project at the Turbine hall and we were simply put at awe at what we were looking at.

📍Bankside, London SE1 9TG, United Kingdom

Looking for More Guides?

London Eye might be the most eye-catching attraction in the city, well, mainly because of how huge it is, but there is so much more to London than the eye. Fortunately, we’ve got a bunch of guides to help you navigate through all of them!