3 Iconic Buildings in London That Tourists Should Visit

London acquires a reputation for its architecture, ranging from traditional to contemporary, from old to new, from art deco to gothic, and even a number of styles in between. London has hundreds of fabulous buildings. Below are the top three iconic buildings in London that tourists should visit:

1. Big Ben

Big Ben, also known as the Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower, are among London’s most iconic buildings and must-visit attraction in London. It is widely known that Big Ben is the name given to the massive bell put inside the clock tower. This bell weighs more than 13 tons (13,760 kg). This landmark looks magnificent at night when the four clock faces are all illuminated.

Another spectacular fact is that Elizabeth Tower stands at over 96 meters tall, in which there are 334 steps to climb up to the belfry and 399 steps to the Ayrton Light at the very top of the tower.

2. Buckingham Palace

Located in central London, Buckingham Palace is one of the most remarkable attraction. Buckingham Palace is the London residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. This place is usually at the center of state occasions and royal hospitality. In addition, it is a focal point for the British people at times of national rejoicing and mourning

Visiting there, tourists can enjoy the 19 beautifully decorated State Rooms which are used for guests and official functions, the Throne Room use as a backdrop for royal wedding photos, the spectacular Grand Staircase, the special exhibition that changes annually and so forth.

Usually, from August to September, Buckingham Palace is open to the public when the Queen is not in residence.

3. 30 St Mary Axe

30 St Mary Axe is the first ecological tall building in London. It is also an immediately recognizable landmark to the city’s skyline. This building is renowned for forty-one stories high and offering 46,400 square meters net of office space along with an arcade of shops and cafés accessed from a newly created piazza. On top of that, at the summit is a club room which provides a wonderful 360-degree panorama across the capital.