Things to do in East London

Activities, attractions and tours

East facade of the Tower of London
East facade of the Tower of London
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
london royal victoria station
Tower Bridge shot from London Bridge with HMS Belfast in the foreground.
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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.
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O2 Arena showing a river or creek and modern architecture

2. Tower Bridge

As many as 40,000 vehicles cross over Tower Bridge every single day, making it a key player in the city’s transport infrastructure – as well as a popular attraction for visitors, famed for its iconic Gothic towers.
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Tower Bridge featuring a bridge, heritage architecture and a monument

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.
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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.
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Tower of London which includes a castle 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.
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The Shard showing modern architecture, a river or creek and landscape views

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What to do in East London

Popular places to visit

O2 Arena showing modern architecture

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.

O2 Arena
Tower Bridge which includes a river or creek, a bridge and heritage architecture

Tower Bridge

One of London’s most famous bridges, an icon of the city through the ages, situated right beside the historic Tower of London.

Tower Bridge
London Bridge which includes a city

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.

London Bridge
Tower of London which includes a castle and heritage elements

Tower of London

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

Tower of London
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 theatre scene in this vibrant area.

ExCeL Exhibition Centre
Liverpool Street

Liverpool Street

During your trip to London, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Liverpool Street. While in this romantic area, you can savour the restaurants and bars.

Liverpool Street
Aerial view of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, showcasing its modern architecture and football pitch

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.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Finsbury park shades

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.

Finsbury Park
The Shard featuring modern architecture, a river or creek and views

The Shard

Ascend to the observation deck of one of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe for unparalleled views of the London cityscape.

The Shard

Areas of East London

Canary Wharf featuring a city, cbd and a river or creek

Canary Wharf

4/5(517 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.

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

Shoreditch

4/5(72 area reviews)

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

Shoreditch
GM16B5 London Olympic stadium 2012, Stratford, London, England, United Kingdom.

Stratford

Stratford is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Aspers Casino and Westfield Stratford City. See more of London by jumping on the metro at Pudding Mill Lane Station or Leyton Underground Station.

Stratford
Tower Hamlets

Tower Hill

Tower Hill is highly notable for its fantastic nightlife, and you might want to visit top sights like Tower of London and St Katherine's Dock. See more of London by jumping on the metro at Tower Gateway DLR Station or Tower Hill Station.

Tower Hill
Tower Bridge featuring a bridge, heritage architecture and street scenes

Tower Hamlets

4/5(688 area reviews)

Consider exploring the stunning river views in Tower Hamlets. If sightseeing is on the list, Tower of London is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Limehouse DLR Station or Westferry Station to see more of the area.

Tower Hamlets
EyeEm Custom Shoots Q4 2018

Hackney

4/5(303 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.

Hackney

 

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.

 

 

Piccadilly Circus featuring a city, city views and street scenes

London

South weald Country Park

Brentwood

Chislehurst, Kent, UK: Chislehurst old village sign at Royal Parade. Chislehurst is in the Borough of Bromley, Greater London.

Chislehurst

Daffodils and crocuses in The Chigwell Meadow on Grange Farm Lane in Chigwell, Essex, England. The Meadow is to the east of the 160 acre Roding Valley Meadows, a local nature reserve water meadow. Camera: Canon EOS 6D with Canon EF 24-105mm F4L IS USM lens. Software: large RAW file lens-corrected, optimized and downsized with DxO OpticsPro 10 Elite, Viewpoint 2, and Adobe Photoshop CS2.
Photo by Acabashi (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0)

Chigwell

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