If you’re looking for the most Instagrammable places in London, then look no further. Here’s our ultimate London photo guide.
1. Tower Bridge (From The Queens Walk)
Tower Bridge is one of the most Instagrammable places in London, as well as one of the most iconic spots in the whole country.
You can walk along the promenade (The Queens Walk), past HMS Belfast, by hopping off at the nearest underground station London Bridge.
Don’t get the two names confused though, because although the history of London Bridge is epic, its definitely not as photogenic at Tower Bridge.
Also, if you only have 1 day in London, this is where you’ll want to start!
2. Tower Bridge (On The Bridge)
Being one of the most Instagrammable places in London means it comes with different angles.
You can walk across Tower Bridge for free at any time of day to get this shot. It’s just about waiting for a gap in the crowds.
Usually bustling with traffic, you’ll likely catch a typical red bus cruising over the bridge.
In some cases you may even be lucky enough to see the bridge rise when passing ships need to squeeze through.
For an alternative view and some great shots of the bridge from the River Thames the London: Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise is a great option.
3. London Eye (From The Entrance)
Standing at roughly 135 metres in height, the London Eye receives more visitors per year than the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramids of Giza combined.
Again there are a few angles to capture the London Eye from, although directly in front of the wheel itself was our favourite.
Just a short walk from Waterloo Station, you’ll likely have the place to yourself as most people in the area are looking to head to the counter and get straight on the attraction.
With a variety of tickets and experiences available, the most simple being The London Eye: Standard or Fast-Track Entry Ticket it’s best to book in advance.
You can also find combo’s such as the London Eye and Madame Tussauds Combo Ticket or the Madame Tussauds, London Eye & SEA LIFE Combo Ticket.
4. London Eye (From Westminster Bridge)
If you take a stroll over Westminster Bridge, which I’m sure you will at some point on your London itinerary, you also get a beautiful view of the London Eye.
The bridge does get pretty crowded so be careful with your tripod and belongings.
You’ll also be able to see The Houses Of Parliament from the other side of the road too.
5. London Eye (From Victoria Embankment)
If you want a symmetrical photo like this, you’ll want to map to ‘Royal Air Force Memorial’.
When looking for a long walk to do in the city, we often get off at Embankment station and take a stroll along the river.
If you jump out and map towards Big Ben, it’s just a 10-15 minute trail but you’ll pass this spot as well as many other popular buildings along the way.
6. Picadilly Circus
Picadilly Circus is one of our favourite places in London to hang out.
The iconic Coca Cola sign has been around since 1954, and although Piccadilly Circus a busy meeting place and a tourist attraction in its own right, the sign is definitely one of the most Instagrammable places in London.
Don’t forget the Big Bus Open-Top Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Tour will take you to all these touristy places.
For the best photos, you really want to arrive around dusk.
In the day time it’s super busy and the billboards look much better after dark.
If you do want to visit after dark, the London: London by Night Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour will take you via this iconic spot, along with other great Insta spots.
7. London Underground Sign
They are everywhere!
And although easily found, they’re not so easily photographed. So we highly recommend jumping up for sunrise or hanging around after sunset in order to grab a good shot.
This is a personal favourite of ours and this photo was taken at around 8pm outside Picadilly Circus!
No doubt you’ll get a few funny looks, but that’s with everywhere in London and I’m sure there’ll be a few tourists doing the same thing anyway.
8. Westminster
The bustling government area is popular for photos such as Westminster Abbey, The Houses Of Parliament and Parliament Square.
The Big Bus Open-Top Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Tour will get you to all of these iconic spots.
These iconic London locations are great for typical London photos, so we jumped in next to one of the phone boxes to get as much ‘London’ in one photo as possible!
Usually a very busy place full of suited and booted workers and important people, we recommend heading down a side street to find some peace and quiet amongst the noise.
9. Red Phone Box
How can you not take a photo with a red phone box when visiting London.
We decided to go that one step further and get creative by capturing this shot through the glass door.
However just be careful if you’re using a tripod that it doesn’t get stolen!
The best spots to find these iconic red phone boxes are around Westminster. There are a good few lined up in a row and you’ll have your pick of the London backdrops.
10. Houses Of Parliament
The Palace of Westminster, informally known as the Houses of Parliament, lies on the north bank of the River Thames.
Now you may not be important enough for a meeting inside, but there’s nothing stopping you grabbing a photo with the Houses of Parliament from Westminster Bridge.
The bridge does get pretty crowded so be careful with your tripod and belongings.
11. The Shard
Enjoying a drink at the top of the Shard is one of the most popular things to do in London.
It makes for a unique way to see the city from above and is certainly a romantic way to spend the evening.
However if that’s not your thing, or you simply don’t have time, there are plenty of opportunities to take photos OF that famous pointy building.
We took this street shot from ‘St Mary at Hill’ one of the side streets close to Sky Garden.
You also get great views of the Shard when walking across Tower Bridge as well as The Queens Walk.
Also a great Fun Date Idea In London.
12. Sky Garden
The Sky Garden, also know as The Walkie Talkie, is located at 20 Fenchurch Street.
Whatever you choose to call it, this insane looking building is one of the coolest skyscrapers in London!
The famous enlarged glass dome is dedicated to three storeys of exquisitely landscaped public gardens and the 43rd floor of the Walkie Talkie offers panoramic views over London from their foliage-filled atrium.
So if you’re a fan of floral, you can head up to view the ‘tallest garden in London’. Otherwise you can always capture it from the streets like we did.
13. Big Ben
The sad news is, Big Ben was closed due to renovations when we last visited.
The good news is, you can still get a shot of the iconic land mark from many places around the city.
So although we didn’t hear the Great Bell of the striking clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, we did manage to take this photo just off the roundabout at Trafalgar Square.
Although you can just about see its sad little scaffold holding up in the background, we still love the red bus effect and typical London feel.
14. London Underground
Something a little different, but we landed on London Bridge station one morning and the tube was completely empty.
You’ll no doubt snap plenty of quick ‘on the move’ photos of underground station names, but we decided to chuck up the tripod and grabbed this quick snap of the standout red, white and blue sign.
Definitely another one for the Instagrammable places in London list, and a lasting memory of all those warm, sweaty tube journeys through London.
15. Camden
Camden is best described as the ‘alternative’ area of London. Where everyone is accepted and nobody is stared at.
So if you’re at all uncomfortable taking photos, this is the last place people will bother you.
Camden Lock is not only one of the most Instagrammable places in London, but also where we chose to spend our second date.
So it was nice to revisit some old memories with our much better photography skills.
A popular way to travel to Camden is via Little Venice: Regent’s Canal Waterbus Boat Trip to Camden.
16. Oxford & Regent Street
The shopping districts of central London and two of the busiest streets in the city.
Our best advice is to jump on the pathway in the middle of the road to avoid any human contact.
You may get a few looks, but this way it gives you plenty of time to set up and take shots without hassle.
If you want black cabs and red buses this is also a great spot for it!
Don’t forget you can take the Big Bus Open-Top Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Tour to get to all these places.
17. Trafalgar Square
Most recognisable for its famous bronze lions, Trafalgar Square is on the Instagrammable places in London list for a variety of reasons.
Some visit for the architecture of The National Gallery, whilst some visit for the surrounding turquoise fountains.
Others pay their respects to Nelson’s Column which stands tall as it commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar.
This spot is more of a stop gap between tourist destinations so people are always on the move. It’s always just a short walk from Buckingham Palace.
18. St Paul’s Cathedral
A photographers dream.
The cathedral is one of the most famous and most recognisable sights of London, and there are so many angles of St Paul’s Cathedral to choose from.
The iconic building sits on the highest point of the city. So whether you head up to the rooftops, stay down on the side streets, or attempt to catch an empty reflection photo in the mirrored glass at One New Change, you’ll come home with a St Paul’s photo for sure.
We decided to head around the side and capture a shot of us with the famous dome and of course a little red phone box.
19. Kings Cross Train Station
Kings Cross is one of the most used overground stations for those visiting London, and one of the cities key transport hubs.
We had an advertising campaign to shoot for a luggage company and what better destination to use than Kings Cross Station.
The historic building is full of hustle and bustle, as well as the famous Platform 9 3/4, so if you’re into architecture this could well make the Instagrammable places In London list!
If you’re looking for a typical travel photo with the huge timetable boards then this is your spot.
20. Natural History Museum
One of the most interesting things to do in London, if you have time, is to educate yourselves at the museums.
The National History Museum is our personal favourite and you might recognise it from the Ben Stiller movie Night At The Museum.
Free to enter, you can learn all about the specimens of the world whilst snapping some cool photos too.
The most popular place for photos is in front of the huge whale skeleton.
21. Carnaby Street
Home to the Mods, Skinheads and Punks in the 1960’s, Carnaby Street is now known as one of the most popular shopping and dining streets in the West End.
Located in the popular area of Soho, Carnaby Street is located just a stones throw from Oxford and Regent street.
Although Carnaby is much more known for its vast amount of independent fashion boutiques.
Always full of colour, you’ll find some quirky photo opportunities for sure.
Also if you’re visiting London around Christmas times make sure to check out their recycled decorations hanging from the streets!
22. Covent Garden
You can’t come to London and not visit Covent Garden.
It’s the only district in London to have a license for street performers and entertainers. So you will find plenty of mimes whilst jugglers whilst exploring the cobble stone streets.
The most popular spot in the area is the market in the centre of Covent Garden.
Once home to the world-famous fruit and vegetable market, Covent Garden’s Apple Market continues to support local market traders.
23. West End Show
Nearly all people visiting London will have booked a West End Show.
We’ve seen Mama Mia and The Lion King and absolutely loved them!
Now although you’re not allowed to film or take photos inside, there’s nothing stopping you grabbing a photo after the performance for memories.
Most of the theatre buildings are extremely old and royal, such as the Lyceum Theatre where its origins date back to 1765.
24. Buckingham Palace
It would be rude not stop for a photo outside of the home of the Queen of England.
Buckingham Palace is on most people’s Instagrammable places in London list and tourists flock daily to take photos from the outside of the royal walls.
It is in fact possible to get inside Buckingham Palace for only a couple of months per year.
Between July – September each year the State Rooms are opened to the public and you can book tickets in advance for £24 per adult.
Also, if you are looking for some interesting photos of the famous Horse Guards London: Changing of the Guard Walking Tour follows the guards journey to Buckingham Palace.
25. Leadenhall Market
Another spot for the Harry Potter fans.
Leadenhall Market, which first appears in the film Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, is where Diagon Alley was transformed.
The place that gave Harry his first look into the world of wizardry!
This is also one of the destinations visited on the popular Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour.
The covered market in London, is home to high end fashion brands and cosy restaurants scattered among the cobblestones.
Just a 10 minute walk from the Tower Of London, it makes for the perfect place to rest your legs and grab a bite to eat. As well as capture some beautiful photos under the arches.
26. London From The River
One of our favourite ways to get around the capital is to jump on the River Thames Uber Boat.
Cruise from as far as Woolwich (Royal Arsenal) Pier in the East to Putney Pier in the West. With 23 pier stops along the way.
You can simply hop on and hop off anywhere along the line and use it to get between the most popular spots in central London.
You’ll see everything from the London Eye to Canary Wharf, and even cruise under Tower Bridge!
27. Greenwich Park
Greenwich is worthy of a full day of exploring itself.
A popular way to travel to Greenwich is the London: Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise.
From the historic Cutty Sark, to the undeground tunnel where you can walk beneath the River Thames, there’s plenty to do.
Our favourite place to relax though is at the top of Greenwich Park.
Outside the Royal Observatory you’ll find one of the best viewpoints in London.
Perfect for a photography lover, or just a couple and their dog looking for a place to watch sunset.
28. Chinatown
Chinatown is an absolute frenzy for photographers.
With lanterns, gates and doorways, where do you even start?
We opted to include as much red as possible to represent the Chinese area of the capital.
One thing’s for sure, no matter where you stand, you can create some pretty epic photos using the colours and lighting available in Chinatown!
29. Notting Hill
Notting Hill is one of the most photographed areas in London, and the Notting Hill colourful houses are a huge reason as to why.
The most popular spot when it comes to pastel walls and ‘future home’ goals is Hillgate Place. As well as the side streets surrounding it, such as Farm Place and Callcott Street.
Hillgate Place is located just a short 5 minute walk from Notting Hill Gate Underground Station, so the colourful houses are super easy to find.
30. Platform 9 3/4
One for the Harry Potter fans!
Platform 9 3/4 is located at Kings Cross Station and is the platform where Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry students board the Hogwarts Express.
It’s completely free to take a photo with the Harry’s famous trolley that’s half way through the wall. However expect to queue as it’s located directly next to the Harry Potter gift shop.
This is also one of the destinations visited on the popular Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour.
In fact you could spend a whole day ticking off all of the Best Harry Potter Things To Do In London.
Where To Stay In London
Luxury – The London EDITION
The London EDITION is located in central London’s Fitzrovia district, with Oxford Street, Theatreland and Piccadilly Circus all within a 10-minute walk.
Inside, there is a Michelin star restaurant, 2 cocktail bars, a 24-hour front desk, free WiFi and free use of the on-site fitness centre for all guests.
With a view of the vibrant city, each en suite room come with a flat-screen TV and air-conditioning. An iPod docking station, bathrobes and a mini-bar are also provided.
Each evening, the restaurant offers a contemporary British menu using fresh, British produce.
Mid-Budget – Corus Hotel Hyde Park
Set within a 20-minute walk from and boasting a stylish, lounge , Corus Hotel Hyde Park features modern rooms with free WiFi.
The hotel is just a 10-minute walk from Paddington Station, offering a direct train link to Heathrow Airport.
The cosy, air-conditioned bedrooms at Corus Hotel have private en-suite bathrooms and satellite TVs with on-demand movies. Rooms also feature work desks, tea/coffee facilities, iron and ironing boards.
The conservatory brasserie serves a modern European menu using seasonal produce.
Olio Bar offers light snacks and beverages, and overlooks Hyde Park.
Budget – The Queens Hostel
Featuring free WiFi, The Queens Hostel offers accommodation in London, just a 2-minute walk to Queens Park Rangers football stadium.
Guests can enjoy the on-site bar. Rooms come with a shared bathroom.
You can play tennis at this hostel, and the area is popular for golfing.
For more places to stay in London, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.
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