15 Instagrammable Places in London for Iconic Photos

With London, U.K., being such a popular destination to visit, it can get overwhelming to find the best places to take trendy pictures. Especially during the colder weather, when relying on the greenery and flowers doesn’t do the trick anymore. With this guide to the most instagrammable places in London, you’ll be set to find unique views of skyscrapers, intricate architecture, and the best angles at famous tourist spots in any weather.
Without further ado, let’s jump into these inspirations & examples…

Not sure where to travel yet?
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Intro

London in England is the most popular place to travel to in the U.K. Whether it’s modern skyscrapers, red phone booths, timeless architecture from Romanesque to Gothic Victorian, or the traditional English tea culture. The metropolis draws in millions of tourists all year round. With many different neighborhoods to explore, traveling here doesn’t get boring. And to add, the picture opportunities here are endless if you know where to go. All in all, London truly shines with trendy hang-out spots and iconic city backdrops.

It’s important to note though, that taking pictures in the city isn’t always the easiest due to London’s tourism and high population. Every famous landmark you can think of will come with plenty of people in your photos’ backgrounds. To combat that it’s crucial to know the right angles and visit places at slower times if possible. Traveling off-season is perfect for that – attractions are less busy and streets aren’t crowded. That’s when finding instagrammable places in London becomes fun!

This guide highlights some of the best photo ideas + angles & gives inspiration for what to visit during the colder months. Stay tuned for some hidden gems & pictures to save for later.

Most Instagrammable Places in London

Sky Garden

Starting with probably one of the best views you can get of London, the Sky Garden. Most people recognize it as the “walkie talkie” building in the city’s skyline, but not everyone knows that the city’s highest public garden is hidden inside. The top floors are filled with luscious greenery and modern architecture, granting 360° views of the city. The balcony outside offers an even closer look at nearby buildings, making this one of London’s most instagrammable places.

St. Paul’s Cathedral from One New Change

If you love discovering unique angles, heading to the One New Change shopping mall is a must. On the east side of St. Paul’s Cathedral, you’ll find the middle entryway of the mall with fantastic views. To get the shot, make sure you put the camera at a low angle and shoot upwards to include the reflection in the windows.

Rooftop on One New Change

Adding to the point above, the shopping mall of One New Change offers plenty of picture-worthy opportunities. When you take the elevator to the top floor, you’ll find yourself on the rooftop with breathtaking views of St. Paul’s Cathedral up close and the city’s skyline, including the London Eye. It’s the perfect spot to head to during sunset. There’s also a restaurant/bar on the rooftop where you can spend time after taking pictures.

Millennium Bridge

Sticking to stunning viewpoints, Millennium Bridge is the best spot on the River Thames that grants views of London’s skyline and leads directly to St. Paul’s Cathedral. The pictures you can take here are incredible, especially during golden hour and at night when the city’s lights reflect on the water. Since the bridge aligns with the cathedral, you can get great shots from a lower angle with it in the background.

Around Buckingham Palace

One thing London is well known for is the Royal Family, and with that comes Buckingham Palace. Though the palace grounds are completely fenced in, there are some great public spots to take pictures at. The regal building itself has beautiful gold details everywhere. Leading up to the palace, the Queen Victoria Memorial stands tall and is an excellent instagrammable place.
Further, St. James Park is located next to Buckingham Palace. Though situated in the heart of London, the grand park is perfect for taking a break from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Piccadilly Circus

A lovely place to capture London’s city charm is the neighborhood of Piccadilly Circus. It’s THE spot for fascinating architecture combined with shops and stores. Even though the streets get pretty busy here, it’s worth a visit. During nighttime, the neon lights glow through the streets and make for good lighting. In particular, traveling to London in winter lets you witness the festive Christmas decorations all over the city on top of that.

Streets at the Bank of England

Probably not on many people’s radars yet, the grand building of the Bank of England has to be one of the most instagrammable places in London. Located in the city’s financial sector, the area is known for old architecture clashing with modern skyscrapers down the street. Consider taking a picture of the bank itself or next to it on Threadneedle St, facing the high-rise buildings in the back.

Red Telephone Box

A classic when it comes to London, but it had to be included in this list. The famous red telephone booths are spread all over the city, providing fantastic picture spots. Some phone booths are conveniently situated near iconic landmarks like Big Ben. While exploring the city, keep an eye out for these and take the opportunity!

Coq d’Argent (private rooftop)

This next one is a hidden gem – a French bar/restaurant with a captivating rooftop terrace overlooking the heart of London. The space is often used for private events, but even just stopping by the restaurant for food is delightful. And if you’re lucky, you might get the rooftop garden all to yourself…

Southbank Observation Point

While in London, taking a walk along the River Thames is a must. Any spot along the water is great for taking photos, but the Southbank Observation Point offers unobstructed views of London’s skyline and the Millennium Bridge.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden is the shopping hub in London’s West End, and it’s beautiful to take instagrammable shots here. The car-free piazza and buildings are architecturally stunning, but it’s especially during the Christmas season when Covent Garden goes all out with sparkling decorations and lights.

Infinity Chamber at Covent Garden

As a part of Covent Garden, the lit mirrored tunnel is another wonderful place to take pictures for Instagram or your camera roll. The light bulbs change colors and can be seen all day and night. You can find the Infinity Chamber at Conduit Court.

Living Wall on Fenchurch St

The next place is located near the entrance of Sky Garden. Renowned for being London’s biggest living wall, the over 52,000 plants make a luscious green backdrop in pictures. It’s definitely worth stopping by when you’re in the area.

Tower Bridge

Second to last, we’re heading back to popular landmarks. The Tower Bridge isn’t only remarkable to see, it’s also rich in history. Taking a picture here is a must due to its distinctive design and views of London’s skyline and river.

At the hotel/Airbnb

You haven’t booked your stay in London yet? This one is for you then!
London is known for having aesthetic hotel and Airbnb choices. If capturing unique pictures that not everyone has matters to you, consider booking a stay with a trendy interior and scenic views.

We stayed at the “aparthotel” Locke in East London and loved our room! They have multiple locations in London.

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And that wraps up the Most Instagrammable Places in London – with this, you should be all set to get the best pictures in the colder seasons.
As stated above, iconic picture opportunities in London are endless if you’re looking in the right places. This list points out initial inspiration and ideas for your first trip to the U.K.

Let me know where you’re heading first with your camera!

Please also share your suggestions for photo spots in the comments! 🙂

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