Where to Take the Best Photos in London? Our 10 Must-See Spots

The largest city in the United Kingdom and the capital of England is London. With 14.9 million residents, its larger metropolitan area is the biggest in Western Europe. The world's art, entertainment, fashion, commerce, finance, education, healthcare, journalism, science, technology, tourism, transportation, and communications are all greatly influenced by London, one of the world's largest cities. It has a ton of beautiful locations! Although it is difficult to pick only ten, we have compiled a list of our top ten locations for stunning photos while you are there.

We're sharing our top picks for breathtaking photo spots in London in this guide. In order to avoid crowds and capture the ideal light, we also advise you on the best time and method to visit each location.

Let's take a tour of the city's most picturesque locations, ideal for making memories along the way.

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1. Big Ben & Houses of Parliament

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One of the most popular tourist destinations in London is Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster, also referred to as the Houses of Parliament. The Great Bell of the Great Clock of Westminster, located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, is known by its nickname, Big Ben. To commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, it was christened Elizabeth Tower. The clock is a visually arresting five-bell clock. It was finished in 1859 and was designed in the Gothic Revival and Perpendicular Gothic styles. It is ornately adorned with stone sculptures and includes symbols associated with the Tudor dynasty and the four nations that make up the United Kingdom.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Classic London view with the famous clock tower.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Around sunset for golden light and fewer crowds.
• Photography tip 📷
  Shoot from Westminster Bridge for a full view.

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2. Tower Bridge

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Constructed between 1886 and 1894, this stunning blue-and-white Victorian bridge in London is a Grade I listed combination of bascule, suspension, and, until 1960, cantilever bridge that lifts for passing boats. One of five London bridges owned and maintained by the City Bridge Foundation, a charity trust established in 1282, it spans the River Thames near the Tower of London.  In 1894, Prince Edward of Wales and Princess Alexandra of Wales officially opened the bridge.

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• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  One of the world’s most beautiful and unique bridges.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Early morning or evening, when the lights come on.
• Photography tip 📷
  Capture reflections in the river below.

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3. Tower of London

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Located in downtown London, England, on the north bank of the River Thames, stands the medieval citadel and castle known as the Tower of London. It is located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which is divided by Tower Hill, an open area, from the eastern boundary of the City of London's square mile. As part of the Norman Conquest, it was established in the latter part of 1066. The Tower is a collection of structures surrounded by a moat and two concentric rings of defensive walls. Despite subsequent work on the site, the fundamental layout created by the late 13th century is still present.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A historic fortress where kings lived, prisoners were held, and the Crown Jewels are still kept.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Morning on weekdays to avoid long queues.
• Photography tip 📷
  Shoot from across the river for a full view with reflections.

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4. Buckingham Palace

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The Queen's home, well-known for the Changing of the Guard and its imposing gates. In addition to being a royal dwelling, Buckingham Palace serves as the UK monarch's administrative center. The palace, which is situated in the City of Westminster, is frequently the focal point of royal hospitality and official events. It has served as a focal point for British citizens throughout both national grief and celebrations. The main structure of the palace today was a sizable townhouse that was constructed in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham and Normanby on a property that had been privately owned for at least 150 years.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  The official residence of the British monarch and the site of the famous Changing of the Guard.
• Best time to visit  📅
  Morning for the guard ceremony and fewer crowds.
• Photography tip 📷
  Stand at the Victoria Memorial for a perfect palace shot.

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5. British Museum

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Located in London's Bloomsbury neighborhood, the British Museum is a public museum devoted to human history, art, and culture. It has the world's largest permanent collection of eight million pieces. It chronicles the history of human civilization from its inception to the present. The first public national museum was the British Museum, which opened its doors in 1753. It was voted the most popular attraction in the UK by at least one group. Except for loan exhibitions, it is free to enter, like all national museums in the United Kingdom.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A world-famous museum with treasures from ancient Egypt, Greece, and beyond.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Weekdays before noon for a quieter experience.
• Photography tip 📷
  Capture the Great Court’s glass ceiling from below for a stunning angle.

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6. The London Eye

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Located on the South Bank of the River Thames in London, the London Eye is a cantilevered observation wheel. With more than three million people a year, it is the tallest cantilevered observation wheel in the world and the most visited paid tourist destination in the UK. It has appeared in popular culture several times. The wheel is 120 meters in diameter, and the building is 135 meters high. Up until 2013, the 245-meter View from The Shard observation deck overtook The Eye as the highest public viewing location in London.

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• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A giant riverside Ferris wheel offering sweeping views of the city.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Around sunset for golden hour and skyline views.
• Photography tip 📷
  Shoot from Westminster Bridge to get the full wheel and river.

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7. Camden Market

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With about 250,000 visitors every week, it is London's fourth most popular tourist destination. Located amid the historic former Pickfords stables in Camden Town, the Camden markets are a collection of adjacent major retail markets that are frequently referred to as Camden Market. It is located north of the Regent's Canal's Hampstead Road Lock. Products offered on the booths, which are renowned for their global image, include fast food, apparel, literature, crafts, and bric-a-brac.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A colorful mix of food stalls, vintage shops, and punk fashion.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Afternoons on weekdays—lively but less packed.
• Photography tip 📷
  Capture the canal area and funky shopfronts with wide angles.

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8. St. Paul’s Cathedral

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The London Bishop's residence is St. Paul's Cathedral, an Anglican cathedral. In the Church of England, the cathedral is the mother church of the London Diocese. It is located at the top of the City, on Ludgate Hill. Since the founding of the first church on this location in AD 604, it has been dedicated in honor of Paul the Apostle. Completed in 1710, the high-domed existing edifice is a Grade I listed building built by Sir Christopher Wren in the English Baroque style.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A massive dome church with a rich history and views from the top.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Early morning for peaceful interiors and better light.
• Photography tip 📷
  Snap from Millennium Bridge for the perfectly centered dome shot.

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9.  Notting Hill

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The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea contains the West London neighborhood of Notting Hill, which hosts the Portobello Road Market and the Notting Hill Carnival every year, and is renowned for being a multicultural and cosmopolitan neighborhood. Notting Hill was associated with artists from about 1870. The enormous homes were divided into multi-occupancy rentals over a substantial portion of the 20th century.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Charming pastel houses, indie shops, and the famous Portobello Market.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Late morning for soft natural light on the houses.
• Photography tip 📷
  Shoot the colorful streets at an angle to capture the full vibe.

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10. The National Gallery

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The National Gallery is a museum of art located in Westminster's Trafalgar Square. The collection, which was established in 1824, consists of almost 2,300 paintings from the middle of the 13th century to 1900. Gabriele Finaldi is now the National Gallery's director. A non-departmental public entity of the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport, the National Gallery is an exempt charity. Access to the main collection is free, and the government owns its collection on behalf of the British people.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Home to European masterpieces by artists like Van Gogh and da Vinci.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Weekday mornings—less busy and more time to explore.
• Photography tip 📷
  The building’s front steps give great views of Trafalgar Square too.

Final Thoughts

These are the top photography spots you won't want to miss in London. However, there is much more to see and enjoy, as the city offers endless photo opportunities. Take a walk and explore more, and make both your day and your photos amazing. Hopefully, this guide will help you capture your best moments in London.

Ready to explore?
Don’t forget to bring extra storage, as you’ll be taking a lot of photos.

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