Last updated: 15 July 2023
Who doesn’t LOVE scrolling Instagram for hours on end, spotting one inspiring image after another? So what if I told you where to find the BEST spots in London to capture some epic Instagram photos, would you be interested? Good.
After calling London home for almost five years I like to think I have a pretty good idea of where the most popular tourist attractions are and best of all, learning WHERE to take photos from. For example, want to take a photo of St Paul’s Cathedral? If so, don’t go to St Paul’s, take an elevator to a restaurant across the road (but more on that later).
Forget competing with fellow tourists waving smartphones, selfie sticks and tablets in the air for that perfect shot, let me share the locations of the best 27 Instagram locations in London.
Tip: There’s a handy map at the bottom for locations!
Trafalgar Square
The most famous square in all of London, Trafalgar Square is a hard one to capture in a 512 x 512 square image. Grab a selfie with one of the lions, or if you have a friend, get them to stand at the National Gallery and capture you with Nelson’s Column in the background.
Piccadilly Circus
Oddly, Londoners don’t spend much time here. The newly opened Lego store or the famed M&M store are big highlights for a visit to Piccadilly Circus. Forget them and head to the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain also known as the Eros Fountain. Sit on the steps and capture the bright lights akin to Times Square in the background.
High tea
High tea or ‘afternoon tea’ is an English pastime like no other. Towers of sandwiches, cakes and scones with thick clotted cream are replenished ad nauseum. Be sure to wear your stretchy pants.
You can book high tea at just about any 5* establishment in the city of London. For the best shot, go for a macro shot of your tea tower or grab a sandwich selfie. Remember, high tea is all about class and decorum.
Riding a Boris Bike
Long before those short term bicycles for hire were red, they used to be blue. Fondly referred to as a Boris Bike after the eccentric platinum blonde former London Mayor who introduced the system, Boris Johnson. Grab your Instagram snap by riding through one of London’s green spaces. Think Regent’s Park or Hyde Park for plenty of space to get your shot.
Tower Bridge
Many non-Londoners know this bridge as London Bridge but the correct name is Tower Bridge. Best seen at dusk when its lights are illuminated and while the sky still has a tinge of blue and pink.
Two ways to best capture Tower Bridge. One is from just near City Hall on the south side of the Thames. Shoot back towards the bridge capturing the bridge on an angle. The other is to stand on the pedestrian island on the northern side and capture light streams from passing traffic.
Big Ben & Palace of Westminster
This is one shot where you’re likely to be jostling with hundreds of other photographers for the perfect angle. There is no right or wrong way to capture this iconic landscape. My favourite is to step down on the Western side of Westminster Bridge in front of St Thomas Hospital Gardens. Capture the bridge on an angle and the entire front of the Palace of Westminster.
Close second prize is shooting from the water on a sunny day.
Waterloo Bridge
This bridge is one of 33 that straddle the Thames. What I love about Waterloo Bridge is the hip-height railings on both sides to provide expansive views. With no barrier across the middle so you can freely cross to both sides of the bridge to capture Elizabeth Tower, Palace of Westminster and the London Eye before crossing the street to capture St Paul’s and The Shard amidst the cityscape.
St Paul’s Cathedral
An iconic symbol of strength throughout the city, St Paul’s is a hard one to capture without a wide angle lens. Forget street level and head straight to the rooftop of the New Change Shopping Centre. Take the lift to the top and view St Paul’s in all its glory from the observation deck. Access is free although you might have to queue for the elevator depending on the day & season.
The Shard
One of London’s newest skyscraper, the Shard’s observation deck gives visitors a birds eye view over the city. Visiting the Shard is not free. With prices starting at £25, you want to make the most of your time up there. Aim for dusk when the city starts to twinkle. A selfie with the city below you is a great way to capture a visit to the Shard.
Alternatively, head to the Sky Garden for a selfie with the Shard.
Inside a telephone box
Something you want to do if you have a cold, London red telephone boxes smell more like a dirty public restroom than a perfumery. It’s somewhere you do not want to spend any time. A quick pic with you peeking out of a red telephone box is probably the best shot you can get. There’s hundreds of boxes throughout the city although the one on corner of Great George St & Storey’s Gate gives a nice backdrop of Big Ben.
Sky Garden
Access to London’s newest skyscraper is free, if booked in advance. You can arrive on the day but you need to queue.
The Sky Garden gives you 360 degree views of the city. Depending on the time of your visit depends on where the best light is. Standing on the inside stairs, have your picture taken with the London skyline below you. Any angle will work well although my favourite is outside on the balcony with the Shard in the background.
The London Eye
This Southbank icon was the original birds eye view for tourists. Now it has competitors of the Shard and the Sky Garden, it’s still not one to miss when visiting London.
When you enter the pod, be sure to secure a spot at the far end, ready for the pod to circle around. Shooting left you’ll capture Elizabeth Tower and the Palace of Westminster, to your right, the city and up as far as Canary Wharf. Both work well, judge based on time of day and the light you have available. Squinting is discouraged!
Alternatively, grab a snap from the nearby Jubilee Gardens and capture as much of the wheel and pods as you can. Early evening is best when the Eye is illuminated. Colours change for special occasions and events so you might be lucky to see this.
The British Museum
From the outside on the street the impressive Pediment is worthy of a pic, however save your Instagram for the inside. That’s right. Inside is better. The British Museum features many priceless relics but my all-time favourite spot is the dramatic domed ceiling of the Great Court.
Hyde Park
Some of the most exclusive hotels face Hyde Park, one of the largest parks in London. On a warm blue sky it’s obligatory to take a stroll in one of these green spaces. Choices for a photo are endless; The Serpentine Lake, Joy of Life Fountain, Serpentine Gallery, Diana Memorial, Kensington Palace are all excellent choices for capturing your Instagram.
Royal Albert Hall
One of the UK’s most treasured and distinctive buildings, Royal Albert Hall holds a special place in the hearts of Brits. Take a tour of this recognisable icon to capture behind the scenes images. The interior of the Main Auditorium is often transformed by whatever performance/event is behind hosted, think everything from a tennis tournament to concerts to even Yoga and Live Music sessions.
To get an outer shot, consider shooting from the Flower Walk (51.503096, -0.177820) to snap the Albert Memorial with the Royal Albert Hall as a backdrop. As this is a North-South shot consider early morning to get some great lighting.
Natural History Museum
The entry of this stunning museum has always been guarded by Dippy. Dippy, the Diplodocus skeleton cast has been displayed in the stunning Hinze Hall since 1979 and has been a popular Instagram feature. Beginning in January 2017, Dippy was replaced by the skeleton of a Blue Whale, yet to be nicknamed. Be ahead of the curve and snap a photo with the whale before everyone else beats you to it.
The exterior of the NHM is best captured from near the fence, capturing as much of the grand architecture as possible.
Inside? Head to level 2 of the Hintze hall near the giant sequoia tree and capture the scale of the grand hall shown above.
Greenwich
Greenwich is home to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The place where time began, or stops, depending on your philosophical bend. The Meridian line is an imaginary line which runs from the North to the South Poles. The point is known as Zero Longitude (0 0′ 0″) and it is the line from which all other lines of longitude are measured, similarly the Equator divides the Earth into northern and southern hemispheres.
Grab a selfie while straddling the Meridian line, although it won’t come free unless you purchase tickets for the Royal Observatory, adult tickets starting at £9.50.
If free is more your flavour, try the Old Royal Naval College for some grand architecture designed by one of the most notable architects in history, Christopher Wren.
Borough Market
If you’re remotely interested in food, then Borough Market is for you. Heaving with tourists and locals alike, Borough market is just one place you have to suck it up. Avoid weekends and lunch times to give ample opportunity for more than one take. Get an action shot as you buy some local produce or sample a variety of local delicacies. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, but you’re bound to get messy.
Somerset House
The forecourt of this grand building is one worth visiting. In summer, water fountains sprout up from between the pavers, while at Christmas time the entire area is transformed into an ice rink and winter market with a large Christmas tree. Whatever the time of year, aim for a wide shot encompassing the grandeur this place deserves.
Buckingham Palace
Accept the fact that you won’t be invited in for tea. In fact, the Prime Minister doesn’t get tea, he has a standing audience with the Queen, so there’s no chance you’re getting in. Best shot of Buckingham Palace is from the Victoria Memorial on the roundabout just outside the gates.
If you prefer an action shot, aim to capture the changing of the guard in action. Warning, you’ll need to get there early, it’s ALWAYS busy.
London Underground
Foregoing the peak hour rush, a selfie on the Tube is possible. Hang onto one of the handrails and capture yourself with a somewhat empty carriage in the background. Alternatively a thumbs up next to the London Underground sign on the platform is always a good option.
The Gherkin
Consisting of offices, the Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe) is a hard one to visit. Accept that you can’t get inside, best captured from somewhere like Duck & Waffle inside Heron Tower (110 Bishopsgate).
Tower of London
Located just near Tower Bridge, The Tower of London this Royal Palace and Fortress has played a prominent role in history. It is currently the home of the Crown Jewels of England. Take your shot from the river if possible, alternatively head for the waterfront and take your shot from near Traitors’ Gate.
Westminster Abbey
The stunning and most famous abbey in all of the UK, Westminster has to be seen. Worshippers can gain free entry, otherwise a charge applies.
Photography inside isn’t permitted so capture the front from The Sanctuary or a larger landscape shot from Parliament Square Garden.
City Hall
Working home of London’s Mayor, City Hall resembles a sliced egg. Inside is an impressive staircase which is just made for Instagram. Check opening times before visiting.
Alternatively, Potters Fields Park at dusk will make a great shot with the sunsetting lights reflecting off the glass-clad structure.
Millennium Bridge
Known as the wobbly bridge and made famous after being featured in Harry Potter, this bridge is one of the most modern features in the square mile.
Best shot here is taken from the south side of of the Thames. Stand mid way along the bridge with the glorious St Paul’s as your backdrop. Aim for dawn or late dusk to capture the lights of the city and the detail of the fore and backgrounds.
Shakespeare’s Globe
An exterior shot of Shakespeare’s performance studio is definitely unique to London.
The original theatre was destroyed by fire in 1613, the modern Globe is a realistic reconstruction and still very much worthy of a photo. Located on the south side of the Thames, take your shot from the footpath along Bankside. Failing that, capture the poster of your favorite play out the front or if heading inside, snap a quick selfie from your seat.
Need a map to find these landmarks?
What are some of your favourite sights in London?
Tell us in the comments below.
Thank you for this list! Will be bookmarking this for a possible trip to the UK in the future! I’ve always wanted to see the Big Ben and the iconic double decker buses they have there! Those are some nice shots btw!
Great post – some great places in London that are worth seeing.
Thanks Gary, enjoy your trip around Kent.
all of these:) plus Notting Hill:)
Ah yes. Excellent suggestion Tanja! We’ll include NH in the next reiteration.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful article. Very informative and very good pictures.