The city is so full of ridiculously photogenic locations and landmarks but let’s see some of the top London instagram spots! Here are a few locations that can make every photographer’s dreams come true. Read on to find tips on how to get the best shot!
Table of Contents
Where to Stay in London
Budget accommodation in London
Barmy Badger Backpackers, Booking.com rating: 8.3, Price per night: 83 EUR
22 York Street, Booking.com rating: 8.1, Price per night: 99 EUR
Affordable accommodation in London closer to the city center
Curzon Street by Mansley, Booking.com rating: 8.7, Price per night: 343 EUR
Karma Sanctum Soho Hotel, Booking.com rating: 8.3, Price per night: 291 EUR
London Instagram Spot #1: Big Ben
Let’s start with the most popular London attraction – the Big Ben. Did you know that Big Ben is actually a nickname? The real name of the landmark is actually Queen Elizabeth’s Tower.
Now that we’ve cleared history out of the way, you wonder how to get the best angle for photographing this part of the amazing Instagram places in London? There are a few red phone booths very close by that will let you take the perfect London photo (kudos to Curious Pavel and his video for disclosing this awesome angle!) – just go East right by the Parliament’s gardens. There might even be a queue for taking photos, and if you’re a tiny bit lucky – you’ll manage to snap a double-decker passing by, for the perfectly iconic London photograph. Click here for Google Maps street view in order to see the exact location.
London Instagram Spot #2: London Eye
Okay, I admit it, the London eye is truly photogenic from every angle and at any time of the day. You should absolutely take your London photograph of it not just at sunset (from Waterloo Bridge!), but also at night from Westminster Bridge. OR you can find that perfect swirly railing and take this awesome shot! It’s definitely one of my favorites of the ones I’ve taken of the London Eye <3
London Instagram Spot #3: Queen’s House, Greenwich – The Tulip Staircase
The Tulip Staircase in the Queen’s House in London is one of the most photogenic London sights! But this sight is not just gorgeous – it is the first geometric self-supporting spiral staircase in the United Kingdom! So you’ll be witnessing some history too <3
But be careful when visiting, there is a rumor a ghost is wandering around.
London Instagram Spot #4: Saint Paul’s in the Spring
This is definitely the most beautiful cathedral you’ll find in the United Kingdom! It is also the 22nd largest in the world. Although photos are not allowed inside (such a pity, as it is GORGEOUS!), you can take as many as you want outside. And I must say, its beauty is just unspeakable in the spring – what a gorgeous one of the many Instagram places in London!
Saint Paul’s was actually originally a Gothic-style cathedral (one of my all-time favorite styles <3 ), until the Great fire of London in 1666 destroyed it. The Cathedral has been damaged heavily before too, but the Great fire of London was the reason it was rebuilt – in Roman style! Most cathedrals in London have been built in Gothic style, as was Saint Paul’s, so the Roman style is pretty unique for London. This is why it’s so worth photographing this London sight!
London Instagram Spot #5: Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is another iconic London photography landmark. You’ll see many different photos of the bridge itself, BUT my photography tip is – get a tripod and take long-exposure shots from it! The wider lens you have – the better (duh!).
A good time for long exposures is usually winter time, since it gets dark early enough to catch the traffic. A 6 or 8-second exposure should to the job, no need for 20-30 seconds. Once you’re all set up and taken a few test shots, stand your ground wait patiently for a double-decker. I was very very lucky in this shot, as I managed to snap two double-deckers passing each other <3
London Instagram Spot #6: Blackfriars Bridge
Although Tower Bridge is a super iconic London photography sight, Blackfriars bridge ALWAYS takes my breath away with its purple lights! I have taken SO MANY shots of it, I’ve lost count.
Here’s the photography tip for this one – you can actually go down on the river bank and shoot from there! There are a couple of staircases very close by to the bridge where you can reach the bank. If you’ve still got your tripod from photographing Tower Bridge – use it! Then you’ll have perfectly calm water on your London photo and the reflections will be even more beautiful!
London Instagram Spot #7: Millennium Bridge
There are two main tips when it comes to Millennium Bridge as a photogenic spot. The first one is capturing Blackfriars bridge from it on a full moon – you’ll be able to snap the Shard, the moon and the river – all for a perfect photo composition! However, if you’d like to do a long-exposure here, it would be quite hard, as the bridge is very wobbly when people are passing (or RUNNING!) by. Thus, you should try a 2-3 a.m. time to take long exposures here. Nevertheless, this is still one of the top Instagram places in London!
The second tip is – try to capture Saint Paul’s in your shot! Not only will your composition be better, but you’ll have two iconic London photography landmarks.
London Instagram Spot #8: The Shard
When it comes to London photography, it’s impossible to miss the Shard! It can be photographed from many different locations – from the Millennium Bridge as I mentioned above, from London Bridge, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, or just the surrounding streets! This particular shot was taken from Southwark street, and again – be patient and wait for the double-deckers for the ultimate London photo!
London Instagram Spot #9: Natural History Museum
This museum is RIDICULOUSLY photogenic – inside and out! The architecture is just mesmerizing, I like it even better than the British Museum! To take a great photo from the outside – go right next to the ice-skating rink – the leaves of the trees will make for the perfect framing <3 And you really can’t go wrong taking photos inside – it’s beauty all around!
London Instagram Spot #10: Chalcot Crescent
London is so full of pretty streets just waiting for you to discover and photograph them! Chalcot Crescent is definitely the most unique of the pretty streets with its crescent form! If you’d like to see a few more of these, click for 7 of the Best Streets in London You’ll Fall In Love With!
London Instagram Spot #11: Kingston – Out of Order
This art installation is one of my favorite I’ve ever seen and it’s absolutely perfect for London photography! It’s located in Kingston Upon Thames, which is quite far from the center, but it is absolutely perfect to spend an afternoon with. Did you know that there is a Library phone booth and a cafe phone booth in London? Check out 8 London Curious Phone Booths! Since you’re in the neighborhood, make sure too visit Richmond park as well <3
London Instagram Spot #12: Richmond Park
Richmond park is great not just for London photography, but also for an afternoon picnic <3 They offer many activities, but best of all – you can see DEER over there!! Make sure to go two hours before sunset (and bring your tele-lens!) to catch a great shot of these cuties.
16 comments
Beautiful photos! So sad that Big Ben is under renovation now, it’s just not the same. I have been wanting to visit the Queens house, this is another good reason. The other place I would add to your list is the British Museum.
Seems like I have to go back to London and visit some of the places you’ve put here that I missed in my trip there.
London is so full of amazing places <3 There is always something new to see (so you can keep finding excuses to go back hehe)
I love the photo of the London Eye! That’s a very creative view using the railing!!! London has so many great photo opportunities!
Thank you so much! Indeed it does, I’ve only listed 11 but they’re probably more like 1011 😀
Great post. London is my favourite city. I try to go there at least once a year but I had no idea about the Queens house. Thanks for sharing.
So cool!! I’m so glad to have shown you something you didn’t know about 🙂 I, too, try to go once a year, I love it so much!!
Ooooh! Gorgeous photos! I love going down to London, but the weather is always so miserable when I’m there! My photos look nothing like this – haha!
Haha oh well… I did need good weather in order to take good photos 😀 It’s pretty hard, that’s true! But I hope it’s better for you during your next visit 🙂
You had me at photography lovers!! 😀 In love with your creative eye in photography, thanks for sharing these places pinned for the next time I visit London.
Aww thanks so much!! So glad you like them!! I’ll be waiting for your lovely London shots when you visit again :))
Wow London is so beautiful and has so many picture opportunities. Thanks for sharing 😊
Indeed it is! Thank you and I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed my post 🙂
As a full time traveler , I completely 100% agree with this article!! One of the best tips to see impressive eye
Thank you for your information. That’s help me so much
I love the Richmond Park most. So green and fresh