What to do in East London

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit East London

Types of activities

Where to stay

East London travel guide

London, England - Panoramic skyline of the famous bank district of London, the leading financial district of the world at sunset with skyscrapers and dark clouds

Tower Bridge shot from London Bridge with HMS Belfast in the foreground.

If London is the most photographed city in the world, then Tower Bridge, surely is the most photographed bridge. Often described is the gateway to London, the bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks of London.

#Architecture.

East London Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that East London has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

East London is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in East London to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

East London Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of East London.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to East London attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

Explore activities
Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
Book with ease
Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
Treat yourself
Members save % or more when you book activities.

Top places to visit

1. O2 Arena

O2 Arena was originally called the Millennium Dome. It was created to celebrate the beginning of the new millennium. Completed in 1999, The Dome initially housed the Millennium Experience, an exhibition consisting of exhibits, shows and entertainment honoring humankind’s achievements. The Dome’s vast interior has since been remodeled and today is one of London’s premier entertainment destinations.

Learn more

O2 Arena which includes a river or creek and modern architecture

2. Tower Bridge

For London locals, Tower Bridge is a vital part of the city’s infrastructure, ushering 40,000 vehicles safely across the Thames daily. However, for many visitors, the sight of the dual Gothic towers rising above the skyline is a must-see.

Learn more

Tower Bridge showing a monument, a bridge and heritage architecture

3. London Bridge

London Bridge is easily one of the most famously named bridges in the world, and the site of the oldest recorded crossing of the River Thames. Walk across the landmark structure, enjoy gorgeous river views and pick up insights into the bridge’s history in its underground vaults.

Learn more

The view across London Bridge showing the walkie talkie (voted the ugliest building in the UK) the gherkin and the razor.

4. Tower of London

The Tower of London is among Britain’s top tourist attractions. Although it’s mainly known as a place of imprisonment and execution, this remarkable building has also served as palace, mint, archive, armory, barracks and royal menagerie over the years. See the legendary crown jewels and learn about the tower’s often brutal history.

Learn more

Tower of London featuring château or palace and heritage elements

5. The Shard

The Shard is a 95-story pyramidal tower with upscale restaurants, a luxury hotel, offices and a viewing gallery. Admire the futuristic design of this glassy skyscraper and its distinctive splintered summit.

Learn more

The Shard showing modern architecture, a sunset and a city

Recommended things to do in East London

Number of things to do	1093
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia	eSIM: Airalo Europe Package: CA $7
Top 5 things to do	London Hop-On Hop-Off Open-Top Bus Tour & Thames River Cruise Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath with Optional Lunch in a 14th-Century Pub LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Tickets The London Pass®: Access 100+ Attractions City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras
Half-day tours	City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras London Eye Entry Ticket London Eye Experience & River Cruise Tickets Tower Bridge Admission Tickets Kensington Palace & Gardens Tickets
With kids	London Hop-On Hop-Off Open-Top Bus Tour & Thames River Cruise Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath with Optional Lunch in a 14th-Century Pub LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort Tickets The London Pass®: Access 100+ Attractions City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras

What to do in East London

Discover the most popular places to visit in East London

O2 Arena

Created as the focal point of Britain’s millennium celebrations, today this architectural wonder offers a world of entertainment under one enormous roof.

Tower Bridge

An engineering marvel, this London icon spans both the River Thames and the ages.

London Bridge

Known for its association with a well-known nursery rhyme, this iconic bridge has existed in various forms for more than 2,000 years.

Tower of London

One of the world’s most well-preserved medieval castles, this historic building is known for its fascinating and gruesome history.

Royal Victoria Dock Bridge and ExCeL London

ExCeL Exhibition Centre

Catch an event at ExCeL Exhibition Centre during your trip to London. Stroll along the riverfront or experience the acclaimed theater scene in this vibrant area.

Liverpool Street

During your trip to London, you can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Liverpool Street. While in this romantic area, you can savor the restaurants and bars.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Catch an event at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during your trip to London. Visit the notable monuments and shops in this vibrant area.

Finsbury Park

After visiting Finsbury Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in London. Visit the shops and notable monuments in this vibrant area.

During Christmas time at Stratford, London

Westfield Stratford City

During your visit to London, you can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Westfield Stratford City. Stroll along the riverfront or visit the notable monuments in this vibrant area.

Explore areas of East London

Canary Wharf

4/5(35 area reviews)

Wander around London’s financial district in the scenic docklands with the tallest skyscrapers in the city. They are home to some of the world’s biggest companies.

London which includes markets and street scenes as well as a family

Shoreditch

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

Colorful murals decorate the streets, restaurants serve up delicious global cuisine and markets offer antiques and vintage fashion in this buzzing neighborhood.

Stratford

Aspers Casino and Westfield Stratford City are top sights in Stratford, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Pudding Mill Lane Station or Leyton Underground Station to see more sights in the area.

Tower Hill

Enjoy the fantastic nightlife in Tower Hill. Tower of London is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Tower Gateway DLR Station or Tower Hill Station to see more of London.

Tower Bridge showing a bridge, street scenes and heritage architecture

Tower Hamlets

4.5/5(116 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Tower of London while getting to know Tower Hamlets, and be sure to check out the stunning river views. You can hop aboard the metro at Limehouse DLR Station or Westferry Station to see more of the area.

Hackney

4/5(40 area reviews)

Enjoy the fantastic nightlife in Hackney. Shoreditch High St is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at London Fields Overground Station or Manor House Underground Station to see more of London.

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.