United Kingdom attractions

In the heart of London’s West End, Covent Garden is one of the city’s most popular dining and entertainment hubs. Home to the Royal Opera House; several top theaters, including the Lyceum and the Donmar Warehouse; world-class restaurants; and many major brand-name stores, most travelers to London plan to explore this area while visiting.

Often confused with the grand Tower Bridge, London Bridge, UK is more functional than fancy. It does, however, have a long history: It was first erected over the Thames River by the Romans, way back in AD 50. No visible trace remains of the original bridge, nor of the handful of structures that replaced it, including the one that became the subject of that famous nursery rhyme. Though the current concrete bridge, which opened to traffic in the 1970s, isn't so photogenic, its views of London are hard to beat.

Famous for its giant illuminated screens and near-constant stream of traffic, Piccadilly Circus in London’s West End has been featured in so many movies and TV shows that even first-time visitors feel they recognize the surroundings. Almost every visitor to London will pass through this major tourist hub at one point.

Looming over Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, Calton Hill is one of the seven hills that the Scottish capital is built on. Come here for 360-degree views that encompass Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and, on a clear day, the Firth of Forth.

The historic heart of Edinburgh, UNESCO-listed Old Town, is home to the city’s most visited sights. Its central artery is the Royal Mile, which connects Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and is lined with top attractions including St. Giles Cathedral, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, and the Scottish Parliament Building.

Meticulously constructed using period-appropriate materials to resemble the original Elizabethan Globe Theatre, which stood at a site just 656 feet (200 meters) away, Shakespeare’s Globe brings the theatergoing experience of yore to life. Plays—not exclusively Shakespeare’s, though the bard’s works do dominate the schedule—are staged in the atmospheric, circular, open-air auditorium.

The Changing of the Guard is a centuries-old tradition that marks the official shift change of the Household Regiment—the King's guards stationed at Buckingham Palace. One of the world's most famous ceremonies and a top London experience, this ceremony gives visitors the chance to witness the grandeur of a royal march. Dressed in their iconic red suits and bearskin hats, the guards exemplify classic British pomp in a showing that's not to be missed.

Crammed full of artisan foods, homemade goodies, delicious street dishes and fresh produce, Borough Market is the go-to destination for in-the-know London foodies. With a history dating back over 1,000 years, Borough Market is the city's oldest and most famous food market, and—in case you need any more convincing—regular customers include celebrity chefs like Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay.

One of London’s most famous addresses, 10 Downing Street is the official residence of the British prime minister. The chancellor of the exchequer, responsible for the UK’s money and economy, lives next door at number 11. On any given day, you can see streams of important politicians walking through the doors of these two iconic addresses.

One of London’s most popular and most visited tourist attractions, Parliament Square links many of the capital’s iconic buildings. The square is ringed by Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the Supreme Court, and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and features 12 statues of famous world leaders and historical figures.

The Giant's Causeway is a cluster of approximately 40,000 basalt columns rising out of the North Atlantic Ocean on the Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland. A UNESCO World Heritage site and National Trust member, the area draws thousands of tourists each year who come to marvel at and photograph this natural wonder.

With its miles of sun-bleached sandy beaches, towering dunes, shimmering lagoons, and pockets of wild bushland, Gheebulum Kunungai (Moreton Island) feels a world away from nearby Brisbane. A national park and among the largest sand island in the world, Moreton Island makes for a perfect day trip when you want to get in touch with nature.

One of London’s eight Royal Parks, St. James’s Park is a verdant jewel located right in the center of town. Flanked by Buckingham Palace, Green Park, and St. James’s Palace, the green space stretches across almost 57 acres (23 hectares). It’s renowned for its pretty lake, vibrant flower beds, and for hosting several regal events.

One of the most photographed sites in Scotland, the Eilean Donan Castle dates back to the 13th century. Built as a defense against the Vikings and used during the Jacobite rebellions in the 18th century, this loch-side castle was restored in the 20th century and is now a popular destination for weddings and tours.

One of Edinburgh’s most recognizable landmarks, the Scott Monument is a tribute to celebrated Scottish author and Edinburgh native son Sir Walter Scott. This imposing gothic tower stands 200 feet (61 meters) tall and dominates the skyline of New Town. Climb the 287 steps to the top for splendid views over the city.

Titanic Belfast sits where the ill-fated luxury liner was built. Opened in 2012 on the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s maiden voyage, Titanic Belfast is a top Northern Ireland attraction. Exhibits follow the rise of Belfast as an industrial superpower, recreate the early 1900s shipyard experience, and chart construction details.

Nestled high along the Antrim coastline, Dunluce Castle offers dramatic views and insight into the life and legends of old Irish clans. Explore ancient ruins, discover township remains, or descend into a hidden cave to experience the site that inspired CS Lewis’ Cair Paravel and served as a filming location for HBO’sGame of Thrones.

Commissioned by Henry VIII in 1531, St. James’s Palace served as principal royal residence for 300 years. Today, the official palace houses members of the wider royal household and is used for state events, ceremonies, and as royal offices. Much of the original Tudor brickwork remains, making it well worth a stop on a city tour.

Situated within Windsor Castle, this 15th-century church is a stunning example of the Perpendicular Gothic style, with its slender pillars, and pinnacles all soaring skyward. Many British royals—including monarchs such as Henry VIII and Charles I—are buried here and it’s also where Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in 2018.

Opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria and named after her husband, London’s Royal Albert Hall has played host to countless concerts, award ceremonies, and banquets. The domed red-brick auditorium is best known for the Proms, a long-running series of informal and inexpensive concerts designed to make classical music accessible to all.

Home to several of London’s most iconic attractions—including Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace—Westminster has been the capital’s political center for more than 1,000 years, and has been the setting of historical events, such as the Reformation, Gunpowder Plot, and Churchill’s World War II campaign.

The official church of the Church of Scotland, St. Giles Cathedral and its famous crown spire tower over the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s Old Town. With a history stretching back over 900 years, St. Giles is renowned for its beautiful stained glass windows, ornate Thistle Chapel, and busy concert calendar.

The Monument to the Great Fire of London, known locally as the Monument, commemorates the fire that swept London in 1666. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1677, the 202-foot (61-meter) Doric column stands exactly 202 feet (61 meters) from where the fire began. Today, visitors can ascend the landmark for panoramic views of the city.

A vast patch of green in central London, Hyde Park originally served as a hunting ground for Henry VIII. Though the land is still owned by the British Crown, the 358-acre (145-hectare) space is open to the public, hosting picnickers, boaters, joggers, and cyclists, as well as seasonal events, from rock concerts to Christmas festivals.

Founded in 1753, the British Museum is London's largest and most visited museum. Its gigantic permanent collection includes over 8 million historical artifacts, with everything from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and mummies to Roman treasures. A veritable temple of history and culture, the museum is best known for its Ancient Greek sculptures, the world-famous Rosetta Stone, and the 12th-century Lewis chessmen.

Set amid splendid gardens at the foot of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official Scottish residence of the British royals, who first decamped here from nearby Edinburgh Castle back in the 15th century. The complex grew from a 12th-century abbey, whose ruins can still be seen on the grounds, into a full-fledged Baroque palace complete with elaborate plasterwork, sumptuous furnishings, and a number of tapestries. The palace is perhaps most famous for having hosted to the rather unfortunate Mary, Queen of Scots, whose beloved secretary was slaughtered here by her jealous second husband.

Dating from between 2900 and 2600 BC, Avebury is the world’s largest Neolithic stone circle. Originally composed of three stone circles—the largest of which comprised 98 standing stones (though only 27 now remain)—Avebury is truly immense. Though the function of Avebury is not fully understood, it was likely used for pagan ceremonies.

Chugging through the misty lochs and sweeping glens of the Scottish Highlands, the Jacobite Steam Train (or Jacobite Express) is one of Britain's greatest train journeys, taking passengers on a nostalgic train ride between Fort William in the West Highlands and Mallaig on Scotland's west coast. The 84-mile (135-km) round-trip route passes Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest mountain, and the Glenfinnan viaduct, seen in theHarry Potter films when the Jacobite Steam Train was featured as the fictional Hogwarts Express.

Stretching over 1,500 square miles, Cairngorms National Park is a popular destination for mountain bikers, nature lovers, sea kayakers, and hikers. The park has been named one of the world’s Last Great Places by National Geographic and is the perfect place to enjoy Scotland’s renowned wild landscapes of granite mountains and deep lochs.

The Canongate forms the eastern end of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s Old Town. One of the oldest and most historic streets in the city, The Canongate is home to a number of top attractions and historic buildings, including Canongate Kirk, Moray House, Canongate Tolbooth (now People’s Story Museum), and the modern Scottish Parliament.