Explore 10 of the Best London Tours That Offer Unforgettable Adventures

Wraparound

• Experience London’s authentic culture with a small-group historical pub walking tour, visiting a traditional pub with an expert guide.
• Explore London’s iconic landmarks on a high-speed Thames RIB cruise and experience exciting speeds and breathtaking views.
• Explore hidden historical sights on a hidden London walking tour that delves into the city’s past and uncovers unique stories.

London is one of the tourist capitals of the world, and you’ll soon realize that there are countless things to do in the British capital. With historical tours, food tours, bus tours, and music tours within the city, there’s no doubt that traveling is one of the best ways to explore London.

These 10 tours highlight London’s most interesting variety of features, and according to actual travelers, they are among the best in the city. In addition, several of the listed tours have won the Viator 2023 Experience Award, one of the highest accolades on the site. Regardless of the interest, there is no doubt that these ten unforgettable experiences will greatly enhance the experience of your trip to London.

These Viator tours were selected based on their high traveler ratings, with none having a rating lower than 4.5 stars. In addition, six of the tours were named to the Nordic Top 6 Viator Experience Awards (indicated by an asterisk), while the other four received the Viator Badge of Excellence. Thrill-seekers and leisure travellers alike can easily find the best London experience through these 20 itineraries.

10. London Historic Pubs Walking Tour

Ten Bells Pub in Spitalfields, London. Rumor has it that this is where Jack the Ripper drank.

Pubs are an iconic component of the London experience, but getting an authentic experience in tourist traps can be difficult. The London Small Group Historic Pubs Walking Tour will visit four traditional pubs, with expert guides enriching the experience throughout. With a maximum of 14 people per group and the chance to experience historic and classic London pub crawls, it’s no surprise that the Viator Experience winner has received over 3,000 five-star traveller reviews.

Tour: Small Tour: London Historic Pub Walking Tour

Cost: Starting at $32.69

Duration:~3.5 hours

Why travelers love this trip to London: personalized experiences, experienced guides, unique bars

9. London Park Royal Bike Tour Including Hyde Park

Cyclists explore Regent Street in London, England. Bike tours are a great way to explore most of London in a short time.

For a compact city like London, a bike tour is a great way to get the best of both worlds. Tours such as the London Park Royal Bike Tour (including Hyde Park) are just as cost-effective as walking tours, but are popular with thousands of visitors due to the greater flexibility of the bike. Over the course of four hours, participants in the London Park Royal Bike Tour will enjoy views of Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, the Princess Diana Memorial, and several other popular London attractions. Guided by a local expert, this bike tour will bring viewers to a rich landscape and many unique stories.

Excursion: London Park Royal Bike Tour including Hyde Park

Cost: Starting at $45.57

Duration:~4 hours

Why visitors love the London tour: morning and afternoon start times, unique landmark views, expert guides

8. London Guard Changing of the Guard Walking Tour

London is full of excellent walking tours, and for good reason. Walking tours have always been one of the best ways to explore London, but that doesn’t mean visitors miss out on the most famous parts of the city.

The London Changing of the Guard Walking Tour offers all the intimacy and perks of a walking tour while visiting one of London’s most popular attractions. Guided by a guide, the morning tour will take participants to a classic Changing of the Guard ceremony. If this experience isn’t enough to make this tour one of the best in London, the views of St. James’s Palace, Clarence Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament will surely push it beyond its limits.

Tour: London Guards Changing of the Guard Walking Tour

Cost: Starting at $13.02

Duration:2～3 hours

Why visitors love a trip to London: storytelling experiences, family-friendly, unique landscapes

As a walking tour, it is recommended to wear flat-soled, open-toed shoes to avoid tripping over sometimes uneven pebbles.

7. London High-Speed Thames Rib Cruise

When visiting London, one often thinks of following a guide through the cobblestone streets (a great way to spend a day in London!). But true adventurers may be looking for something more exciting.

See some of London’s most iconic landmarks on the London High-Speed Thames RIB Cruise, including Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye and, of course, the Thames itself. However, members of this tour will soar at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour in a rigid inflatable boat, which makes it one of the best tours in London.

Excursion: London High-Speed Thames RIB Cruise

Cost: Starting at $71.84

Duration:~50 minutes

Why tourists love this tour of London: knowledgeable guides, beautiful views, a high sense of adventure, life jackets provided

6. Hidden London Walking Tour

With towering landmarks like Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral and a veritable castle, it’s easy to be seduced by London’s unique scenery. However, the Hidden London Walking Tour skips the obvious and delves into London’s hidden stories.

Following in the footsteps of the Knights Templar and passing through forgotten historical sights such as medieval catacombs and churches, the Hidden London Walking Tour is a must-see for those who want to delve deeper into London’s past.

Tour: Hidden London walking tour

Cost: Starting at $23.43

Duration:~1.5 hours

Why visitors love this London tour: knowledgeable, fun guides, unique attractions, off the beaten track, family-friendly

5. Soho Music and History Bar Tour

London has a variety of unique and exciting pubs, and deciding which one to go to depends on what travelers want to see. The Soho Music and History Bar Tour focuses on Soho, highlighting the history and music of the area.

One of the best in London, the Soho Music and History Pub Tour takes participants to the site where the Beatles song “Hey Jude” was composed, through pubs visited by Jimi Hendrix, and down the one-of-a-kind street Soho entertainment district.

Tour: Soho Music and History Bar Tour

Cost: Starting at $37.92

Duration:~2.5 hours

Why tourists love a trip to London: Stories of major musical figures, expert guides, unique pubs

4. Muggle Tours

As the home camp of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, many tourists come to London specifically to enjoy a “magical” holiday. With nearly 4,000 five-star reviews, Muggle Tours is the best way to get real-life inspiration for this magical country.

The Muggle tour is a unique opportunity to explore some of London’s most historic landmarks and gain insight into their influence on J.K. Rowling’s writing. Guests on this small-group tour will love visiting The Bank of England, St Paul’s Cathedral and Klink Prison Museum (tickets not included).

Excursion: Muggle tours

Cost: From $23.86

Duration:~2 hours

Why travelers love this trip to London: Includes multiple stops, knowledgeable guides, multiple departures per day

3. London Walking Food Tour with Secret Food Tour

For those who want to explore London with their stomach and camera, the London Walking Food Tour with Secret Food Tours is a must. Visit several critically acclaimed food destinations, where participants will be able to enjoy British classics such as fish and chips, sausage rolls, locally brewed beer, and more. Considering that London’s street food markets are among the best in the world, the most important part of the tour is bringing the right pants.

What makes it one of the best tours in London is because of the variety of options available to travelers. Both standard and private tours are available, with two routes to choose from, depending on individual interests. There is a classic English tour of London Bridge to a “chic” themed food tour of London’s Soho.

Tour: London Walking Food Tour with Secret Food Tour

Cost: From $110.66

Duration:~3.5 hours

Why visitors love this London tour: Multiple tour options, knowledgeable guides, hidden gem food spots, tons of unique street food

2. Top London Classics: Black Cab Private Half-Day Tour

The traditional walking tour experience isn’t the only way to experience London. Those looking for something more upscale may enjoy a private experience on a half-day black cab tour. This private tour experience focuses on all of London’s most popular attractions, ensuring you don’t miss a thing.

As a winner of the Viator Experience Award, Premier Classic London: Black Cab Private Half-Day Tour is one of the best tours in all of London, especially for first-time visitors. Vehicles driven by professional guides are more agile, providing extra safety on unfamiliar streets and saving leg strength in exploring the main sights.

Tour: Top London Classics: Black Cab Private Half-Day Tour

Cost: From $460.86 per group (up to 6 people)

Duration:~4 hours

Why visitors love this London tour: Transfers available, knowledgeable guides, in-depth London experiences, family-friendly

1. London O2 Climb

O2 Stadium, London, UK. Visitors aboard the O2 can see most of London’s skyline without crowds, making it one of the best places to enjoy views of London.

There’s no reason why a city tour can’t be full of excitement. Dressed in a climbing suit and boots, and clipped to the guide line, participants will brave the O2 for the only truly unobstructed view of the London skyline. Canary Wharf, Olympic Park, and historic Greenwich can be easily seen from the vantage point of the London O2 climbing tour, a huge bonus for steep climbs. While this experience challenging heights requires a certain amount of courage, no climbing experience is required to take one of London’s best and most thrilling tours.

Excursion: London O2 Climb

Cost: Starting at $45.57

Duration:~1.5 hours

Why visitors love this trip to London: thrilling experiences, unparalleled views of London, high-quality safety equipment provided, helpful, knowledgeable tour guides