Planning to go to the UK for the first time? The United Kingdom may be small on the map, but you’d be surprised with how much it has to offer. You’ve got grand capitals overflowing with history, charming neighborhoods you can explore on foot, centuries-old universities, dramatic highlands, and countryside that looks straight out of a postcard.
If you’re the type who wants to visit all the top spots on your first visit, we suggest keeping it simple for now. You can pair one big city like London or Edinburgh with a tour to at least two regional stops like Bath or the Scottish Highlands.
See London’s famous sights on a walkable first-timer route
The first thing that comes to mind when we think of places to visit in the UK is, of course, London. It’s the most popular and also the easiest destination, especially if it’s your first time. Many of the city’s biggest sights sit along the River Thames, so you can knock out the “greatest hits” in a few compact, walkable loops.
London Eye views overlooking the River Thames and central London skyline
Here are some of our favorite attractions in London at a glance:
Attraction | Why go | Booking tip | Suggested time |
Buckingham Palace (State Rooms) | Royal interiors open in summer; gardens and art | Summer dates sell out; book weeks ahead via official channels or curated tours | 1.5-2 hours |
Westminster Abbey | Coronations, memorials, soaring Gothic nave | Reserve a morning slot to avoid peak crowds | 1.5-2 hours |
Big Ben & Parliament | UK’s political heart; iconic photos | Tours of Parliament are timed; check sittings schedule | 1.5-2 hours (tour) |
London Eye | Skyline views over Westminster and the Thames | Timed tickets; fast-track for sunset | 45-60 minutes |
Tower of London | Crown Jewels, Beefeaters, medieval history | Book early-entry for quieter Jewel House access | 2-3 hours |
British Museum | Global treasures (free general entry) | Reserve free ticket; exhibitions require separate booking | 2-3 hours |
Start with Buckingham Palace, the monarch’s official London home. If you’re visiting in summer, the State Rooms are open to the public, but tickets are limited, so make sure to book ahead! From there, you can walk toward Westminster Abbey, where kings and queens are crowned and some of Britain’s greatest minds are laid to rest.
Just across the way, you’ll spot Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower) and the Palace of Westminster,the most photographed scene in the city. A short walk along the river brings you to the London Eye, where the 30-minute ride offers sweeping skyline views.
Head east and you’ll reach the Tower of London, home to the Crown Jewels and nearly 1,000 years of royal drama. Round things out with a visit to the British Museum, where world-class collections are free to enter (special exhibitions are ticketed).
Bonus stop for Harry Potter fans 🪄
Look for Platform 9 ¾ with your fellow Potterheads at King’s Cross Station!
If you’re traveling with Potterheads (or are one yourself), slot in a Harry Potter walking tour. This guided walk takes you to real filming locations and inspiration spots around the city, with behind-the-scenes stories that even casual fans will enjoy.
Know more about London with our guides made just for you ✨
Explore Edinburgh’s Old Town, castles, and festival streets
Once you step in Edinburgh, you’ll instantly feel like you’re in a storybook. It’s a small, easy-to-walk city split into two distinct halves: the medieval Old Town and the elegant Georgian New Town. You can see a lot here without ever needing a car!
Now, where to start? We suggest getting a great view of the city first from Edinburgh Castle, then a peek at the Crown Jewels of Scotland. From there, walk down the Royal Mile, popping into hidden closes, old churches, and traditional pubs along the way; it’s one of those walks where you’ll keep getting distracted (in a good way!).
If you visit in summer, Edinburgh really comes alive. Festivals take over the city, from street performances to late-night shows, August is the biggest month, but it also means crowds, so it’s best to book early. For a calmer trip, late spring or early autumn brings milder weather and fewer people, while still keeping the city lively.
Book Edinburgh Castle tickets ahead of time, and try going early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the busiest hours. When night falls, you’ll find cozy pubs and live music year-round, with extra buzz during festival season.
Klook Tip: Got an extra day? Scenic Highland day trips like the Loch Ness Explorer day tour or the Glenfinnan-Fort William-Glencoe day tour let you experience Scotland’s dramatic landscapes without the hassle of driving.
Know more about Edinburgh with our guides made just for you ✨
Tour Inverness and the wild landscapes of the Scottish Highlands
Inverness is a lovely place to start if the Scottish Highlands are calling your name. Often called the gateway to the Highlands, it puts you close to Loch Ness and some wild scenery without feeling remote or hard to reach.
Inverness Castle overlooking the River Ness in the Scottish Highlands | Photo from dave conner on Wikimedia
For a first taste of the Highlands, we suggest keeping it simple. Cruise Loch Ness and explore the ruins of Urquhart Castle for misty views and a bit of monster lore. It’s classic Highlands, and honestly, it never gets old.
If you’re up for more scenery, walk gentle glen trails or take a scenic drive through Glencoe, one of the most dramatic landscapes in the country. Road-trippers can also sample stretches of the North Coast 500, where coastal views and quiet villages steal the show.
Getting around is the one thing to plan ahead. There isn’t a lot of public transport once you leave the main towns, so renting a car or joining a guided tour makes seeing multiple spots in a day much easier. If you’d rather stay car-free, basing yourself in Inverness or Fort William and booking day tours is a stress-free way to cover a lot of ground.
Klook Tip: If you want to see some of the Highlands’ scenery without planning a multi-day road trip, a guided day tour is the way to go, like the Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle day tour from Inverness.
Follow Roman roots and Jane Austen trails in Bath and beyond
Bath is one of those cities that captivates you right away. With its honey-colored Georgian crescents and deep Roman roots, it’s a dream for history buffs and literature lovers alike, and small enough to explore at an easy, unhurried pace.
The Roman Baths’ Great Bath with historic architecture in Bath
Start with the Roman Baths, where you can see the steaming Great Bath up close, then pop into Bath Abbey to admire its beautiful fan-vaulted ceiling. If you’re a Jane Austen fan (or curious to be), the Jane Austen Centre adds lovely context to her time in the city.
Bath is also a great jumping-off point for deeper Austen lore. Follow her footsteps to Winchester, where she’s buried, or explore nearby Hampshire villages that inspired her novels.
Klook Tip: Short on time? Pair Bath with Stonehenge on a single day tour. With transport and timed entry sorted, it’s an easy way to see two iconic sights in one smooth, well-planned day.
Visit UK’s University towns, Oxford and Cambridge
Oxford and Cambridge are perfect for a short, culture-filled escape from London. Both cities have centuries of scholarship with beautiful architecture and relaxed river scenes, and they’re easy to enjoy at a slower, more thoughtful pace.
Oxford skyline with Radcliffe Camera and historic university buildings | Photo by Shaun Iwasawa on Pexels
In Oxford, you’ll spot dreamy Gothic spires everywhere you look. Walk past historic colleges, go inside the Bodleian Library, and browse world-class collections at the Ashmolean Museum. If you’re up for it, climbing one of the university towers rewards you with sweeping views over the city’s rooftops.
Cambridge college courtyard showcasing classic university architecture | Photo by vitalina on Pexels
Over in Cambridge, the vibe is equally charming but a little greener. Stroll through elegant college courts, visit the Fitzwilliam Museum, and wander along the Backs, one of the prettiest stretches in town. A gentle punt ride under the Bridge of Sighs is a must for first-timers.
Both cities are easy day trips from London by train, usually taking aboutone and a half hours. They’re best explored on foot, ideally with a guided walking tour that gets you into select colleges and adds stories you’d miss on your own.
How to plan your UK trip for first-timers
Keep your UK trip simple and well-paced with this easy formula: one major city plus two to three regional bases over 7 to 12 days. It’s enough time to see the highlights without feeling rushed.
Start in a big hub like London or Edinburgh, then balance it out with a mix of regions. Add a nature base such as the Lake District for fresh air and scenic walks, a heritage city like Bath for culture and architecture, and one wild-card stop—think the Scottish Highlands or Cornwall—for unforgettable landscapes.
Here’s a quick itinerary guide for you:
Stop | Region/type | Duration | Anchor experiences | Notes |
1 | London – city | 3–4 nights | Westminster, Tower, museums; London Eye; West End | Pre-book top tickets; consider a best London tour for day-one orientation |
2 | Bath – heritage | 1–2 nights | Roman Baths, Abbey, Jane Austen walks | Pair with Stonehenge on a day tour |
3 | Lake District – nature | 2–3 nights | Catbells, lake cruises, village pubs | Self-drive or join small-group hikes |
4 | Edinburgh – city | 2–3 nights | Castle, Royal Mile, whisky bars | Festival season needs early bookings |
Optional | Highlands/Cotswolds/Cornwall | 1–3 nights | Scenic drives, coastal paths, villages | Choose one to match pace and interests |
FAQs about visiting the UK for first-time travelers
What is the nicest place to visit in the UK?
That really depends on what you love, but most first-timers pair London with the Lake District or the Scottish Highlands, so they get the best of both worlds: culture, history, and great scenery.
What is the most visited place in the UK?
London takes the top spot by a mile. Major sights like the British Museum, Westminster, and the Tower of London attract millions of visitors every year.
Where do most UK tourists go?
Most trips start in London, often with easy day trips to Windsor, Oxford, Bath, or Stonehenge. From there, many travelers continue north to Edinburgh and finish with a countryside region.
Where should I go for the first time in the UK?
For a first visit, start with London or Edinburgh, then add one or two regional bases. A heritage city like Bath, a nature hub like the Lake District, or a scenic escape in the Highlands keeps your trip balanced, memorable, and easy to plan, without feeling rushed.
Ready to visit the UK for the first time?
However you plan it, the UK rewards travelers who visit big-name cities with quieter corners. Pairing London or Edinburgh with countryside escapes and smaller towns lets you slow down, save a bit, and really feel the place and not just tick off sights.
Take it at your own pace, follow what excites you, and don’t overpack your days. When you’re ready, lock in your stays, book a few must-see experiences, and let the rest of the trip unfold naturally. That’s when the UK really shines.
More UK guides for you
What is Klook?
Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.
Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.
✨ Follow us for more deals and inspiration for your upcoming travels
