Things to do in East London

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

A historic castle with multiple towers and a prominent spire.
A panoramic view of a cityscape with prominent skyscrapers, including a distinctive spire, and a river running through the center.
A city skyline reflected in calm water, with modern buildings and a large stadium.
The East London Mosque with two minarets and a tiled facade.
A large battleship docked at a harbor with a prominent tower bridge in the background.

East London Attractions

Find out what makes East London tick with the most popular tours & day trips. Browse through our top {980 fun activities in East London fun activities in East London}, and rest easy knowing that we offer free cancellation and no added fees.

Things to do

Fully guided Paris Day Trip with Cruise & Eiffel Tower Lunch

Paris Day Trip from London with Optional Eiffel Tower Lunch & Seine Cruise

$316
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Paris Day Trip from London with Optional Eiffel Tower Lunch & Seine Cruise
Tower Bridge Admission Tickets

Tower Bridge Admission Tickets

$21
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Tower Bridge Admission Tickets
Tower of London Tickets with Beefeater Tour & Crown Jewels

The Tower of London Tickets with Yeoman Warder Beefeater Tour

$49
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
The Tower of London Tickets with Yeoman Warder Beefeater Tour
Westminster Abbey in London

Westminster Abbey Tickets

$36
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Westminster Abbey Tickets
Kensington Palace Tickets

Kensington Palace & Gardens Tickets

$33
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Kensington Palace & Gardens Tickets
See all activities in East London

East London must see attractions

1. 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.
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The Tower Bridge in London, featuring two towers, a central arch, and suspension cables.

2. The Arena

The O2 Arena is an award-winning complex that hosts many types of events, such as sports and music. It has a seating capacity of about 20,000 and has held the title as the busiest arena in the world with more than 2 million ticket sales in a calendar year. It was designed with excellent acoustics to prevent echoing.
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A large stadium with a unique roof structure and multiple tall towers.

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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A city skyline with modern and historic buildings, a bridge over water, and a clear blue sky with clouds.

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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A historic stone castle with a large arched entrance, a tall tower, and a weather vane.

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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A river with modern buildings, including a distinctive tall skyscraper, and a bridge in the background.

Recommended things to do in East London

Number of things to do
980
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Ghosts of Theatreland: Haunted West End Walking Audio Tour London: $5
Top 5 things to do
Under $25
With kids

What to do in East London

Free Things to Do in East London

Touring on a tight budget in East London? Spend time, not your paycheck, on fantastic experiences.

Vestry House Museum - Check if there are any special exhibits, displays or guided tours on at this fascinating museum.

The View Tube - Satiate your passion for arts and culture here and see creativity at work.

Mudchute Park and Farm - Animals are extraordinary, and you'll be able to keep company with some cool ones here.

Hainault Forest Country Park - Give the kids a good time or let your own inner child run free — this attraction simply screams fun.

University of East London, Docklands Campus - Be wowed by the design and ingenuity of this fantastic example of modern architecture.

Three Mills - If you enjoy delving into the past, this is one attraction you really should visit.

Surrey Quays - Spend a while in this bustling location and imagine what life would be like as a local.

Goodmayes Hospital - If you want to see a few of the more important or interesting places in the community, this place is worth a visit.

The Hospital Chapel of St Mary & St Thomas - Work on your spiritual side or simply soak up the tranquil ambiance at this site of worship.

Greenwich Park - Contemplate the stark contrast between the urban jungle and nature's rugged beauty at this special place.

Plashet Park - If you take pleasure in digging about the garden, this place will excite your green thumb.

Things to Do in East London with Kids

East London is an excellent destination for a family vacation. Bring the little ones along and enjoy these fun family friendly experiences together:

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in East London? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Stay near popular East London attractions

The Tower Bridge in London, featuring two towers, a central arch, and suspension cables.

Tower Bridge

9.2/10 (37,088 reviews)
Tower Bridge's iconic Victorian Gothic design lifts to allow ships to pass beneath its bascule structure. Explore the high-level walkways with glass floors for breathtaking views 42 meters above the Thames.
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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.

 

 

Popular day trips from East London

Two red double-decker buses on a city street with historic buildings in the background.

London

A forest with sunlight filtering through the trees.

Hornchurch

Railway tracks, a road with cars, and residential buildings in the background.
Photo by Nigel Cox (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Buckhurst Hill

A sunset over a park with trees and a field.

Brentwood

A miniature golf course with a modern glass building in the background.

Dartford

An ancient stone structure with columns and a dry, grassy field.

Bexley

A town with a prominent red brick building, a main road, and surrounding greenery.

Waltham Abbey

A cricket field with players in white uniforms, surrounded by trees and a clear sky.
Photo by Acabashi (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0)

Woodford Green

Frequently asked questions

What to do in East London on a sunny day?
What to do in East London on a rainy day?
There's no need to splish and splash your way through a rainy day when there are awesome indoor activities to enjoy:


What is East London famous for?
No stay in East London is truly complete without dropping by Tower of London and London Stadium.
What should I not miss in East London?
Don't venture home without ticking off the following inspiring sights:

  • O2 Arena
  • Tower Bridge
  • Excel Exhibition Centre
  • The Gherkin

Are there cheap things to do in East London?
What can you do in East London for free?
Your vacation in East London won't cost a fortune with free things like these on offer:

  • Borough Market
  • Greenwich Park
  • Royal Exchange
  • The Shard

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