Solo Trip to San Diego: 15 of the Best Things To Do Alone in San Diego

Planning a solo trip to San Diego? Don’t miss out on these fun things to do alone in San Diego, California.

From wildlife watching to beach hopping to museums and historic villages, San Diego has so much to do. The Pacific Coast city in Southern California is known for its sun-soaked beaches and amusement attractions that travelers from all over the world. The city is also perfect for a solo getaway, which I got to experience on a recent trip.

With so many fun things to do in San Diego alone, it can be hard to know where to start. You could spend your entire vacation relaxing at the beaches in La Jolla, bike around Coronado Island, go museum hopping in Balboa Park, or hike out to the tip of Point Loma. 

The list below of the best things to do in San Diego alone has a little bit of everything, so you should be able to find several ideas that fit your interests. If you want to do ALL of them, you’ll probably need to be in the city for at least four or five days, but you can pick just a few to fill a weekend in San Diego. 

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one or buy something, we might receive a commission for telling you about it, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. I was gifted a San Diego Go City Pass to use on this trip. All opinions are my own.

Solo Travel San Diego With the Go City Pass

Some of the activities below are free things to do in San Diego alone, and the others are included on the San Diego Go City Pass. You can use the All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass to hop around to a bunch of different museums, take a boat tour of the city, and rent bikes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards from a few different locations in the area.

Things To Do in San Diego Alone

If you’re looking for the best things to do alone in San Diego, you can’t go wrong with these museums, historic sites, tours, and outdoor activities.

Board a City Cruise

A cruise in the bay is such a great introduction to the city on a solo trip to San Diego. Narrated tours introduce you to the wildlife, landmarks, and history of the area, and you really can’t beat the views of the skyline from the water. I had a great time doing this activity alone!

I booked a two-hour experience with City Cruises using the San Diego Go City Pass that went both north and south from the harbor. The North Bay segment cruises past Harbor Island and Shelter Island toward the tip of Point Loma with a chance to spot sea lions (I saw and heard a ton). The South Bay route goes under the curvy Coronado Bridge and offers the best views of Coronado Island and the ships along Naval Base San Diego.

You can book either route as a one-hour tour or combine them for a longer trip. The boat docks briefly in between each one to load and unload passengers. There are also snacks and beverages to order on the boat.

The boat has open seating, so I was able to move around for different views throughout the ride.

Wander Old Town San Diego

The Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is one of the best free things to do in San Diego alone. Part living history museum and part shopping and dining district, the park is laid out like a village in Old Town San Diego.

History buffs will want to pop into the preserved buildings that date as far back as 1820. You can watch live demonstrations at the Blacksmith Shop, see old carriages at the Seeley Stable, visit the first San Diego Courthouse, and tour the period-furnished rooms at La Casa de Estudillo. If you really want to get immersed in the 19th century, you can even stay at the onsite Cosmopolitan Hotel, which has served as a restaurant, stagecoach office, and olive cannery over its nearly 200 years of history.

The state historic park attractions are only open during the day, but there are shops and restaurants that have more extended hours and the site is pretty open to walk around, explore, and take photos. Most of the shops here are also housed in old-timey buildings, like the Rust General Store where you can grab coffee and snacks, the Cousin’s Candy Shops with handmade taffy, and the Johnson House for vintage jewelry and fashion.

You also don’t want to miss the Fiesta del Reyes shopping center, which houses a popular Mexican restaurant and live music. It’s easy to spend at least a couple of hours in this area during a San Diego solo trip, or longer if you want to tour all the available museums and houses.

If you have a San Diego Go City Pass, the Whaley House Museum and a trolley tour in this area are options on some of the passes.

This is the ultimate one day in San Diego itinerary

Spend a Day at Balboa Park

Balboa Park is one of the best places to go in San Diego alone. There is so much to do here that you can devote at least a full day (or more) to the many attractions. The San Diego Zoo is perhaps the most famous landmark in the park, but don’t skip out on the trails, gardens, and museums. 

I spent a very full day here visiting the San Diego Museum of Art, Mingei International Museum, San Diego Natural History Museum, Spanish Village Art Center, and Japanese Friendship Garden. And that was barely scratching the surface of the available activities! 

Some of the other 18 museums here include the San Diego Air and Space Museum, the Comic-Con Museum, the Fleet Science Center, and the Museum of Us for anthropology exhibits. There are also performance venues like The Old Globe theater and the Spreckles Organ Pavilion, which hosts outdoor concerts. 

This is the perfect zone of the city to take full advantage of this San Diego Pass. The all-inclusive pass options include the zoo, Japanese Friendship Garden, and most museums in the park for a set fee. You can purchase one for just a day or two, but the deals are usually better if you buy a three-day or longer pass.

A few of my favorite things to do in Balboa Park are further down this list!

Best summer escapes from big cities

Stroll the Japanese Friendship Garden

The Japanese Friendship Garden at Balboa Park is such a peaceful setting to start or end the day. I visited in the late afternoon to enjoy the soft lighting on the koi ponds and flowers during my solo trip to San Diego. 

The garden has a network of gentle walking paths around the bonsai trees and water features, plus spots to sit and reflect. The plants here are native to either San Diego or Japan, and the facility also runs special programs and exhibits to educate visitors on Japanese culture. 

A small garden cafe just outside the entrance gate serves Japanese teas, rice bowls, miso soup, sushi, and other small bites.

I used my San Diego Go City Pass to get into this attraction. It's included on both the All-Inclusive and Explorer pass options.

Visit the San Diego Museum of Art

The San Diego Museum of Art is one of the best things to do in San Diego alone for art aficionados. The permanent collection here includes art from Iran, Southeast Asia, and Germany, as well as displays on Impressionism, Expressionism, and Realism. There are also beautiful landscape paintings of California scenery that I wanted to take home with me!

Keep an eye on the museum’s website for changing featured exhibits, I got to tour one on modern female artists which highlighted some very creative mediums. 

This museum is included with the San Diego Go City Pass, so you can enter for free when you show your code.

See the Mingei International Museum Collection

The Mingei International Museum has displays of folk arts and crafts from around the world. It’s the perfect art museum to visit if you’re short on time, as the gallery here is much smaller than the San Diego Museum of Art.

Located in a historic building in Balboa Park, the museum has some free displays on the ground level and a ticketed gallery with changing exhibits on the second level. There’s also an art library with over 12,000 books and journals and upper-level terraces with views over Balboa Park. 

When I visited, I got to see the 25 Million Stitches Show, a powerful display on the global refugee crisis. It’s touring, so I recommend looking up where else you may be able to see it after it leaves the Mingei.

Explore the House of Pacific Relations

Travel lovers will have fun wandering around the country-themed cottages at the House of Pacific Relations in Balboa Park. The free attraction has 31 small houses in a village setting, each representing a different culture with interior displays about the traditions and history. 

The project began at the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition as an effort to promote peaceful cooperation between the member groups. It has grown to include more cultures over the years. 

The open houses and cultural programs take place on Saturdays and Sundays when you can try global cuisine, catch traditional music and dance performances, and join in arts and crafts demos. It’s worth stopping by if you’re only around on a weekday to see if any of the cottages are staffed. I was able to pop into a few during the week even though most were closed.

Tour the USS Midway Museum

The USS Midway Museum is one of the city’s top attractions and a great thing to do in San Diego alone if you’re interested in naval history. Located at Navy Pier downtown, the museum is housed on a former aircraft carrier and has a collection of more than 30 restored planes and helicopters.

In addition to seeing all the historic aircraft up close, you can also tour the different ship quarters to see where the crew bunked, worked, and ate on board.

Admission includes an audio tour you can use to explore the flight deck, hangar deck, and the below-deck galleys and engine room. The museum recommends spending at least two to four hours on the self-guided audio tour.

This is one of the experiences included in the San Diego Go City Pass and right next to the docks for the City Cruise tours so it’s easy to do both activities on the same day. 

Sightsee in the San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

The Gaslamp Quarter is in the heart of downtown San Diego, stretching inland for a few blocks from the harbor. Full of cocktail lounges, dive bars, and entertainment venues, it’s a great spot to meet up with friends or go out solo to enjoy the nightlife. 

During the day, you can come here to sightsee and eat; global cuisine infuses the district in a mix of both chain eateries and locally owned spots. If you’re into the performing arts, check the schedules at Spreckels Theatre and Balboa Theatre — both venues date to the early 1900s and host live plays, concerts, ballets, and other shows. Exploring the Gaslamp Quarter is one of the top things to do in San Diego alone.

Check out Cabrillo National Monument

The only National Park Service site in San Diego County, Cabrillo National Monument sits at the scenic tip of Point Loma, a peninsula that juts into the Pacific. Established to commemorate the 1542 landing of explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in San Diego, the park is notable for its statue and lighthouse that overlooks the bay.

You also don’t want to miss the tide pools on the west side of the park. If you want to hike, the park has two main trails — the 2.5-mile Bayside Trail that follows an old military road down to the water, and the steep 1-mile Coastal Trail with access to the tide pools and an old searchlight shelter from World War II along the way. 

This park has a strict closing time of 5 p.m. since the driving route into Cabrillo passes through a Navy gate. Some trails and sections of the park close even earlier to allow enough time to exit the area. There is an entrance fee, but you can use your annual America the Beautiful national parks pass to get in.

These are the best things to do on a girls trip to San Diego!

Hang Out in Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is a fun spot to hang out on the coast with a fishing pier, sandy beachfront, and a historic business district packed with shops and eateries. The neighborhood has a boho vibe, drawing surfers and the young at heart.

For a classic experience, head straight for Drum Circle Beach, where free spirits gather to read tarot cards, slackline, hula hoop, and make music. If you want to fully immerse in the atmosphere, the crowd is welcoming. I just picked up a pizza from Pizza Port Ocean Beach to eat on the sand around sunset with the buzz of the atmosphere in the background.

For shopping and dining, take a stroll down the palm-lined Newport Avenue, where tons of surf and beachwear stores, brewpubs, boutiques, and taco spots fill colorful blocks. If you’re looking to stay in a hostel during your solo trip to San Diego, Ocean Beach has a couple of highly rated ones with dorms and private rooms, including the Samesun Ocean Beach just steps from the water and the California Dreams Hostel a few blocks inland. 

Hike in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

If you’re looking for outdoorsy things to do alone in San Diego, you don’t want to miss Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Located on the coast, the park has trails that lead to overlooks atop ridges with views of the jagged coastline. You can also hike down to the waterfront at low tide, though it can be dangerous to get too close to the bluffs as collapses and rockslides occur without warning. Pay close attention to signs and warnings in the park.

There are lots of short hikes in the park that lead to different viewpoints and you can combine some for a longer loop. I did a route of nearly 2.5 miles on the Razor Point and Beach trails to the Razor Point and Yucca Point lookouts and down to the oceanfront. 

The park is almost 20 miles north of downtown and definitely worth the day trip.

Bike or Kayak on Coronado Island

Across the bay from downtown San Diego, Coronado Island was only accessible by ferry until the Coronado Bridge was opened in 1969. The island is still a bit of an enclave, thanks to its separation from the mainland, and makes a fun day trip to check out the beautiful beaches and historic downtown.

If you don’t want to drive over, you can still catch a ferry ride and rent bikes on the island to explore. The San Diego Go City Pass includes a ferry ride, a full-day bike rental on Coronado, and kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals. 

Check out the Beaches in La Jolla 

La Jolla is a beautiful area to visit or stay in on a solo trip to San Diego. Located along the rugged Pacific coastline just south of Torrey Pines, it offers stunning beaches, a pier, golf courses, and a cute seaside village for boutique shopping and dining.

There are also several activities here on the San Diego Pass, so it’s a great spot to spend a day and take full advantage of the included attractions and rentals. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps is a great place to start learning all about what is under the sea here. After that, you can hop over to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla or head outside to see the tide pools at Shell Beach.

The La Jolla Bay is the perfect spot to get out on the water, and the Go City Pass also includes a few different options to help you do so with paddleboard, kayak, surfboard, and snorkel rentals available. You can also borrow bikes to peddle around the village. 

Spending a day in La Jolla is one of the best things to do in San Diego alone.

Soak Up the View at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

As the name implies, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is the perfect spot to watch the sunset one evening on your solo trip to San Diego. The bluffs stretch along the western coast of Point Loma, with sea caves and rock arches adding to the scenery. You can sometimes even see migrating whales and other sea life.

The park consists of 68 acres stretching down the coast to link up with the Point Loma Ecological Reserve. The easiest section to visit is the northern 18 acres between Adair and Ladera streets along Sunset Cliffs Boulevard to the south of Ocean Beach. There are a few small parking lots and some street parking throughout the area, but it’s a crowded and popular spot. A larger lot is on the south end of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. 

Tips for Visiting San Diego Solo

Below are some frequently asked questions about a solo trip to San Diego!

Is San Diego Good for a Solo Trip?

I had such a great time exploring San Diego alone and I think it’s the perfect destination for a solo trip. There is so much to do for every type of traveler, and there are always enough people around that I never felt unsafe exploring or hiking.

One of the biggest drawbacks, in my opinion, is that hotels are a little pricy and going solo means you can’t split that cost with someone else. On the flip side, there are several hostels in great spots in the city, so if you’re comfortable sharing a room, you can save that way.

How Many Days Do You Need in San Diego?

On your first trip to San Diego, I would recommend a minimum of a long weekend. I spent three days there and felt like I barely scratched the surface of things to do. Balboa Park alone could fill a whole weekend, since there are so many fun museums to visit.

If you have longer, I think you could spend close to a whole week of vacation in the San Diego area, especially if you add in day trips to spots like Carlsbad or Tijuana, Mexico, or add in family theme park days at Legoland, Sea World, or the zoo.

Is San Diego Walkable?

Parts of the city are walkable, but unless you’re sticking to a small zone, you’ll need transportation to get around. I found it convenient to have a rental car during my solo trip in San Diego. If you visit without a car, there is a downtown trolley system and buses, but you’ll likely have to uber to some places you want to visit.

Solo Trip to London: 15 of the Best Things To Do Alone in London

Planning a solo trip to London? This travel guide will help you find fun things to do alone in London, from palace tours and high tea to museums, parks, and more.

London is one of my absolute favorite cities to visit – from the iconic palaces and cathedrals to the vibrant theater scene to markets full of delicious food. If you’re planning to solo travel to London, this guide will help you find all the best things to do and offer practical tips for your trip.

I’ve visited the city several times over the years, including solo London trips, and these are the activities I think everyone should consider for their first time in the U.K. capital. 

The list below of the best things to do in London solo has a little bit of everything, including free art museums, historic castles and churches, cool shopping districts, and gorgeous skyline views. If you want to squeeze it all in, I recommend spending at least 4 days in London, or a little longer to add on day trips from London.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one or buy something, we might receive a commission for telling you about it, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Things to Know Before Visiting London

Should You Solo Travel to London?

The capital of the UK makes such a great first destination for a solo trip. Since it’s a popular vacation destination, there are always lots of other people around, which makes me feel safer when I’m wandering alone.

London solo female travelers should take the same general precautions as needed anywhere, including keeping someone back home informed of your plans, being cautious and aware of your surroundings (especially at night), getting travel insurance for emergencies, and not oversharing that you’re by yourself.

If you want to make friends during a solo trip to London, you might want to consider staying in a hostel with female dorms, which tend to attract other friendly solo travelers.

The ultimate London bucket list

What is the Best Time to Visit London?

The best time of year to visit London depends on your priorities and expectations. Thanks to the warm weather and school holidays, summer is the most popular season, which also means higher prices on accommodations and more crowds. 

Spring and fall are a bit less busy with pleasant weather that typically averages in the 50s for daytime highs. Spring can be rainy, but you also get longer days to spend sightseeing. The end of fall brings Christmas decor and markets around the city.

A winter visit can be fun if you come for the holiday season, while January and February tend to have much lower crowds and cheaper hotel prices thanks to the chilly weather.

How to get around London solo?

The city offers an extensive public transportation network that makes it easy to solo travel in London. The iconic London Underground, often referred to as the Tube offers a network of lines that provide quick and efficient travel across the capital. Even if you’re not used to riding a subway, the color-coded maps are easy to read and you can also use Google maps to help figure out the best route between your destinations.

Additionally, a bus system covers every corner of the city and offers a more scenic way to explore its streets. This can take a little longer to get around than the Tube since you’ll be contending with street traffic, but bus stops are more frequent and the fare is a little cheaper.

And if you prefer, taxis and ride-share services like Uber are widely available. 

If you buy the London Go City Pass, you can also use the hop-on, hop-off bus and riverboat rides to get around.

London Solo Travel Pass

The activities below include both free things to do alone in London and ticketed attractions. If you plan to visit popular London destinations like Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and Kensington Place, it makes sense to buy a London Go City Pass.

You can use the Explorer Pass or All-Inclusive Pass to hop around to different palaces and castles, explore sites like the Globe Theater and Tower Bridge, enjoy the view from the Shard, or take bus and boat tours.

Compare the London Go City Pass Options

Things To Do in London Solo

London City Tour

One of the best solo things to do in London at the beginning of your trip is to take a tour around the city. This is the perfect way to acclimate yourself to your new surroundings and preview some things that you might want to do later.

If you’re looking to make new friends on your trip, this can also be a chance to meet other tourists. 

Classic hop-on, hop-off bus tours are super easy for getting around London solo. You can sit back and enjoy the narrated ride to learn about the city as you cruise the streets or use it to travel between key tourist attractions downtown. A ticket for this is included in the London Go City pass.

Another fun option is a hop-on, hop-off boat ride on the Thames. It works a bit like a water taxi between landmarks, and your ticket through Go City includes 24 hours of access. It’s also fun to see the city from the water, and you can get some great photos.

Buckingham Palace

The official residence of the monarch in London, Buckingham Palace was built in 1703 and is a popular attraction for tourists who flock to see the towering gold-tipped gates and the Changing of the Guard. 

Each summer, the palace welcomes guests on select days to tour the State Rooms. This is a prime chance to see the elaborate Throne Room and Ballroom.

Outside, St. James Park and Green Park offer a peaceful spot for a stroll around a lake and lawns, with benches to sit and read or people watch.

Watching the Changing of the Guard is also a must for first-timers to London. The ceremony takes place in the morning every couple of days, and you’ll want to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.

Westminster Abbey

One of the most famous churches around the world, Westminster Abbey was founded more than a thousand years ago. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Gothic building that stands today opened in the 1200s and is used for coronations and royal weddings.

You can tour the grounds with an audio guide to learn more about the hundreds of monarchs and notable public figures buried here, or attend daily services and evening choral singings.

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is one of my favorite spots to people-watch in the city since it always seems to be buzzing with activity. Tourists, street performers, and the occasional protesters gather in the public space notable for its twin fountains and the Nelson’s Column adorned with lions. 

The square fronts the National Gallery, which is full of artworks from the 13th to 19th centuries. The Georgian St. Martin-in-the-Fields church is also here and hosts afternoon concerts. 

How to spend a weekend in London

Big Ben and Houses of Parliament

One of the most recognizable landmarks in London, the Big Ben clock tower is a must-see while you’re in the city. It’s part of the Palace of Westminster, which hosts the Houses of Parliament. You can take a tour with a guide or sit in a debate in the House of Lords or House of Commons. 

The best views of Big Ben, though, are from Westminster Bridge or the South Bank of the River Thames. The bridge can get pretty crowded, so I recommend crossing to the South Bank by foot and heading down to the river walkway opposite the London Eye, where the pedestrians thin out.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

I always love stopping in at St. Paul’s Cathedral during a solo trip to London. The current structure with its towering dome was built in the 17th century after the Great Fire of London, but a church has stood on this site since the 7th century. The steps in front are where Mary Poppins serenades the pigeons in the song “Feed the Birds” from the classic musical movie.

If you visit during the day, you can buy a ticket to tour the dome galleries, crypt, and sanctuary. Or, stop by for the public evening choral service to experience live music in the elaborate grand hall.

Borough Market

From fresh produce and deli meats to rows of cheese, jams, and breads, the Borough Market overflowers with delicious things to eat. You can pop in to grab a quick snack or eat lunch at one of the hot food stands that dish out global cuisine. The market is one of London’s oldest and largest, dating back about 1,000 years.

Tower Bridge

That elaborate castle-like structure with two turrets over the River Thames – that’s Tower Bridge. Many people mix it up with London Bridge, a rather plain site just to the west. 

Built in the 1800s, Tower Bridge connects the Southwark district to the Tower of London on the north river bank. You can snap photos from below, stroll across on the pedestrian walkway, or buy a ticket to tour the old suspension engine rooms or walk across the glass floor 140-feet over the river.

A ticket for the engine rooms and glass floor of Tower Bridge is included on the London Go City pass.

Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of the classic things to do on your first solo trip to London. The medieval castle on the River Thames was established some 1,000 years ago and has housed and protected royals over the centuries. It’s also home to the Crown Jewels and Royal Armouries.

With a ticket to the tower, you can join one of the tours with a Yeoman Warder, the castle’s guardians, who tell tales of the many imprisonments, betrayals, and beheadings that took place on the grounds.

Entrance to the Tower of London is included on the London Go City pass.

Theater Scene

Catching a show is one of my favorite things to do in the city, whether I’m traveling in London alone or with friends. The West End near Piccadilly Circus is London’s answer to Broadway, packed with old-timey theaters and award-winning shows.

Or, for a classic experience, head over to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater on the Bankside in Southwark. The open-air venue looks like an Elizabethan-era theater and puts on Shakespearean performances throughout the summer. You can also hop on a guided tour for a closer look at the playhouse.

London Lookouts

Getting a view of the city skyline is one of the best solo things to do in London. There are a few different places you can do this.

London Eye

The giant observation wheel on the River Thames is the London Eye, which opened in 2000 and quickly became a city icon. Pods with windows all around offer 360-degree views of the Westminster district and beyond on a 30-minute ride.

You can purchase advanced tickets online for specific times so you don’t have to wait as long in line.

Sky Garden

Dubbed “London’s highest public garden,” Sky Garden is a restaurant and public space in the old city. The skyscraper offers panoramic views and lush greenery from a glass dome at the top of the building. Free tickets can be reserved in advance to secure an entry time.

The Shard

The Shard is one of the most recognizable skyscrapers in the city and offers some of the best views in London. At over 1,000 feet tall, it houses offices, restaurants, a hotel, and viewing platforms, including an open-air deck on floor 72 with sweeping panoramas. You need a ticket for the observatories, but restaurants and bars on the upper floors also offer fantastic vistas.

The View from the Shard is on the London Go City pass.

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of my favorite outdoorsy things to do in London solo. The massive green space has lawns, walking and biking trails, sports courts, and rowboats on the Serpentine lake.

There are also tons of monuments and fountains to discover as you explore. The Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is also held here during the holiday season.

Kensington Palace and Gardens

Kensington Palace is home to a few royals, but it’s also open for public tours with an entrance ticket Or, you can have tea at the Kensington Palace Pavilion and wander the Princess Diana Memorial Garden outside.

Located adjacent to Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens holds the Serpentine Gallery with free art displays, and the Albert Memorial, a gilded Gothic tribute erected by Queen Victoria. 

Kensington Palace is included on the London Go City ticket.

London Museums

Not only does London offer nearly 200 museums, but many are free. Museum hopping is such a fun thing to do in London alone.

The British Museum

The British Museum is home to an expansive collection of artifacts from across the globe. From the Rosetta Stone to the Elgin Marbles, the museum's exhibits span centuries and continents. General admission is free, but it’s best to book a ticket in advance to guarantee entry.

Natural History Museum

The wonders of the natural world are on full display at the Natural History Museum, where you’ll encounter everything from massive dinosaur skeletons to rare gemstones. Outside, the peaceful Wildlife Garden presents a collection of native fauna and flora. Located in South Kensington, the free museum is part of a trio (along with the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum) on Exhibition Road.

Victoria and Albert Museum

A celebration of art, design, and craftsmanship, the Victoria and Albert Museum is a cultural haven in South Kensington with free admission and tours. With a collection of over 2 million objects, the museum houses a diverse array of artifacts, from exquisite textiles and fashion to ceramics and glass. Located in South Kensington near the Royal Albert Hall and the Albert Memorial, it’s named after the famous regal pair of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

The National Gallery

Located at Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery is a treasure trove of timeless masterpieces from Western Europe. With works spanning from the 13th to the 19th century, the gallery offers a chronological journey through the evolution of art, from the grandeur of Van Gogh to the elegance of Da Vinci. Entry is free and you can book admission in advance. 

National Portrait Gallery

Capturing a piece of British history through the faces that helped shape it, the National Portrait Gallery stands as a unique tribute to portraiture. Located just off Trafalgar Square near The National Gallery, the museum houses an extensive collection of headshots, ranging from medieval monarchs to modern celebrities. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

Tate Modern

Situated along the banks of the River Thames, the Tate Modern is housed in a repurposed power station. The free museum showcases an extensive collection of contemporary and international artworks, from avant-garde installations to groundbreaking sculptures. There’s also a sweeping view of the London skyline from the terrace on the 10th floor.

Shopping

You can’t solo travel to London and not do a bit of shopping! The city’s retail scene packs in everything from high-end department stores to historic covered markets to eclectic boutiques. Below are a few top picks, but I recommend checking out this list of shopping destinations, too.

Leadenhall Market, situated in the heart of the financial district, is a Victorian-era covered market known for its stunning architecture and upscale boutiques. Covent Garden in the West End brims with street performers, upscale restaurants, and the covered Apple Market artisanal stalls. Camden, known for its alternative and edgy vibe, boasts a bustling market where visitors can find unique fashion items, crafts, and eclectic treasures.

For those seeking luxury, Harrods stands as an iconic destination in Knightsbridge, renowned for its opulent displays and exclusive selections. I always love popping in to grab some chocolates or teas when I visit. Fortnum and Mason, with its rich heritage, offers a refined shopping experience, specializing in premium goods.

The bustling zones of Oxford Street and Regent Street, lined with flagship stores and renowned brands, cater to mainstream retail with a blend of street fashion and department stores.

Notting Hill

If you have a few days to solo travel London, I recommend spending an afternoon in Notting Hill. Made famous by the eponymous Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant rom-com, the area is known for its pretty pastel houses and the Portobello Road Market, where you’ll find vintage fashion and antiques. 

The annual Notting Hill Carnival in summer nods to the Caribbean roots of the neighborhood with parades, colorful costumes, and calypso music.