The best things to do in the City of London in 2026 are St Paul's Cathedral and its dome, the Tower of London, the free Sky Garden and Garden at 120, Victorian Leadenhall Market, climbing the Monument, and the Roman amphitheatre beneath the Guildhall Art Gallery.
The Square Mile is London's oldest district and its financial heart. On weekdays it buzzes with office workers; at weekends many streets are quiet, which is ideal for exploring, though some pubs and shops close. Look out for Roman remains, Wren churches and free rooftop gardens among the towers.
Wren's masterpiece, with a Whispering Gallery and views from the dome.
St Paul's Cathedral, Christopher Wren's masterpiece completed after the Great Fire, has one of the world's largest domes. Climb to the Whispering and Golden Galleries for the view, and visit the crypt with the tombs of Nelson and Wellington.
Attending Evensong is free.
Good to know: Attend free choral Evensong to hear the choir under the dome.
St Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD
The Crown Jewels, the ravens and the Yeoman Warders.
The Tower of London has been a fortress, palace and prison for nearly a thousand years. See the Crown Jewels, the White Tower and the ravens, and join a Yeoman Warder tour.
Allow at least three hours.
Good to know: Go straight to the Crown Jewels at opening time.
Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB
A free indoor garden at the top of the Walkie-Talkie.
The Sky Garden fills the top of 20 Fenchurch Street with terraced gardens under glass, an open-air terrace and bars, with views across London. Entry is free but must be booked.
It is London's most popular free viewpoint.
Good to know: Free tickets are released a few weeks ahead; book a sunset slot.
1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF
A free open-air rooftop garden, usually without the Sky Garden's queues.
The Garden at 120, on the 15th floor of 120 Fenchurch Street, is a free rooftop garden with planting, a water feature and views of the City's towers at close range.
It is free and open to everyone, with no booking needed at most times.
Good to know: Check the seasonal opening hours; it closes in bad weather.
120 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 5BA
A painted Victorian market hall, used as a Harry Potter location.
Leadenhall Market's ornate Victorian roof shelters pubs, restaurants and shops on the site of Roman London's forum. It appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
It is busiest at weekday lunchtimes.
Good to know: Visit on a weekday after 2pm, when the lunch crowd has gone.
Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 1LT
Climb 311 steps up the memorial to the Great Fire of London.
The Monument, designed by Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke, commemorates the Great Fire of 1666 and stands close to where it began. A spiral staircase of 311 steps leads to a viewing gallery.
You receive a certificate when you come down.
Good to know: Combined tickets with Tower Bridge are available.
Fish Street Hill, London EC3R 8AH
A free gallery with the remains of London's Roman amphitheatre beneath it.
The Guildhall Art Gallery holds the City of London's art collection, and in its basement are the remains of London's Roman amphitheatre, discovered in 1988.
Entry is free, and the Guildhall itself, with its medieval great hall, is next door.
Good to know: Look for the outline of the amphitheatre marked on Guildhall Yard outside.
Guildhall Yard, London EC2V 5AE
A free museum where you can lift a real gold bar.
The Bank of England Museum tells the story of the Bank and of money in Britain, and lets you try lifting a real gold bar.
Entry is free; it is open on weekdays.
Good to know: It is closed at weekends, so plan a weekday visit.
Bartholomew Lane, London EC2R 8AH
A bombed-out church turned into a secret garden.
St Dunstan-in-the-East was damaged in the Blitz, and its ruined walls and Wren tower now enclose a peaceful public garden of climbing plants and trees.
It is free and one of the City's most photogenic spots.
Good to know: Go early in the morning for photos without people.
St Dunstan's Hill, London EC3R 5DD
A brutalist arts centre with a hidden tropical conservatory.
The Barbican Centre, at the heart of the brutalist Barbican Estate, hosts concerts, theatre, cinema and art exhibitions, and has a large tropical conservatory open on selected days.
Walking the estate's lakes and high walkways is an attraction in itself.
Good to know: Check the conservatory's open days and book a free slot in advance.
Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
The Sky Garden and the Garden at 120 (rooftop gardens), the Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman amphitheatre, the Bank of England Museum, St Dunstan-in-the-East and Leadenhall Market are all free.
No, it is much quieter at weekends. The big sights are open, but many pubs, cafés and shops that serve office workers close on Saturday and Sunday.
Yes. The Monument to the Great Fire of London has 311 steps to a viewing gallery; entry is ticketed and you receive a certificate at the bottom.
The remains of London's Roman amphitheatre lie beneath the Guildhall Art Gallery, and sections of the Roman city wall survive near Tower Hill and the Barbican.
Leadenhall Market and the streets around St Paul's have plenty of options. See our pubs guide for historic City pubs.