Most visited tourist attractions in London, UK 2019-2023

The British Museum was the most visited tourist attraction in London in 2023, welcoming roughly 5.8 million visitors. The Natural History Museum in South Kensington and the Tate Modern followed in the ranking that year, with around 5.7 million and 4.7 million visits, respectively. Overall, while attendance at the leading tourist attractions in London increased significantly in 2023 over the previous year, in most cases it remained below the figures reported before the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

Museums in the UK

The museum industry plays an important role in the United Kingdom’s cultural sector. Overall, museums and galleries accounted for approximately seven percent of the cultural sector's employment in the UK in 2023. That year, the number of museum enterprises in the United Kingdom experienced an annual increase, reaching nearly 800.

London's contribution to tourism in the UK

London is by far the most visited destination in the United Kingdom by international travelers, accounting for over half of all international tourist arrivals in the UK in 2022. That year, the UK's capital also ranked as the leading city tourism destination in Europe based on the number of bed nights, ahead of Paris and Istanbul.