Tower of London

Iconic Fortress of British History

The Tower of London stands on the River Thames as a stone fortress built nearly 1000 years ago. Originally constructed by William the Conqueror, it has served as a royal palace, prison and even a zoo over its long history. Visitors walk through ancient halls where crown jewels are displayed alongside exhibits about famous prisoners. The site includes the iconic White Tower and defensive walls that have witnessed centuries of political intrigue and change in Britain’s capital city.

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Castle in London

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Safety: 8.4

General Safety:	9
Accessibility:	6

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5/5

English is the primary language spoken by all locals, staff, and guides, ensuring excellent communication and a seamless visitor experience for English-speaking tourists.

Highlights Description Getting there Hotels Tips Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Tower of London Summary

Historic for medieval castles and royal history. Walk fortress walls, view the Crown Jewels and learn about famous prisoners and legends.

Opening hours:

Mon:	10:00 - 17:30
Tue-Sat:	09:00 - 17:30
Sun:	10:00 - 17:30

Public website:

www.hrp.org.uk

United Kingdom – Quick facts

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Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type G Type G: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Pound Sterling (GBP)
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in the UK, especially in cities. Contactless payments and mobile payment options are increasingly popular, with smaller businesses also accepting cards. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in the UK, with 10-15% in restaurants. Taxi drivers generally expect a 10% tip or rounding up. Small tips for hotel staff are appreciated.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in many parts of the UK, especially in parks, festivals, and licensed premises. However, it's banned on public transport or in certain public spaces.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in all public spaces, including bars and restaurants. There are designated outdoor smoking areas.

Christmas (December)	Christmas is widely celebrated, expect crowded markets and higher accommodation prices.
Bank Holiday (August)	Busy periods, especially in cities and along coastal areas. Many businesses close.
New Year’s Day (January)	A major public holiday with celebrations and closures in some sectors.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 999 or 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt, Free Now, Ola
Other:	The UK is well-prepared for tourists, with excellent infrastructure. However, be aware of language barriers in remote areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

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High season:	June - Aug.
Shoulder season:	March - May, Sep. - Oct., Dec.

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Climate details

Closed Sundays and Mondays from November to February, open Tuesday to Saturday; open daily the rest of the year

Arrive at opening to see the Crown Jewels with short queues; book tickets online in advance

Ceremony of the Keys takes place nightly at 21:30, free but must be booked months ahead

Don't miss

👑 Marvel at the priceless Crown Jewels exhibition
🏰 Explore the White Tower and historic medieval armory
🦅 Meet the famous Tower ravens and hear their legend

You've been here?

The Tower of London stands as a monument to British history, embodying centuries of royal intrigue, battles and legends. Originally built by William the Conqueror in the late 11th century, the White Tower remains the centerpiece of this fortress complex. The castle's imposing walls and towers have witnessed everything from royal coronations to gripping imprisonments.

The Tower also holds the magnificent Crown Jewels, an unmissable collection of royal regalia dating back centuries, including crowns, sceptres and other symbols of monarchy. Beyond the jewels, visitors can explore the medieval palace rooms and learn about the Tower’s darker side as a prison and execution site, notably for historical figures like Anne Boleyn.

One of the charming traditions includes the famous ravens that live within the Tower grounds, protected by legend, with a dedicated Ravensmaster to care for them. Regular guided tours led by the Yeoman Warders or Beefeaters, bring history vividly to life with entertaining storytelling. The moat and surrounding gardens add a touch of nature and serenity amid the stone fortress.

That said, the Tower can be quite crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons, so arriving early is advised. Ticket prices are on the higher side compared to other London attractions, which might be a consideration for budget travelers. The site requires some walking over uneven surfaces, so comfortable footwear is recommended.

Why travel to Tower of London?

🏯Places worth seeing

1 The White Chapel Building
2 Medieval Palace
3 Tower Green

🛍️Shopping

1 Tower of London Gift Shop

🎈Events

Ceremony of the Keys
Medieval Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Book tickets online. Advance booking required for entry.
Join free Yeoman Warder tours every 30 minutes for history and insider stories.
Visit Crown Jewels first at opening to avoid 45-minute peak queues.
Watch the seven ravens; legend says if they leave, the kingdom falls.

How to travel to Tower of London

The Tower of London is situated in central London, easily accessible via the city’s extensive public transport network. Visitors can reach it by taking the London Underground to Tower Hill Station, which is just a short walk away. From outside the UK, most international travelers arrive via London Heathrow or Gatwick airports and then use the Underground or taxi services to get downtown. The location is well-signposted and surrounded by other iconic London sights, making it easy to include in a central London itinerary.

Access summary

From Heathrow (LHR): Elizabeth or Piccadilly line plus Tube, about 60–75 minutes.
From London City Airport (LCY): DLR and Tube to Tower Hill, roughly 35–45 minutes.
From Paris/Brussels: Eurostar to St Pancras, then Tube to Tower Hill, 25–35 minutes.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay near Tower of London

London offers a wide spectrum of accommodations close to the Tower, from luxury hotels with river views to budget-friendly hostels. Staying in the City of London or nearby areas like Shoreditch provides good access to the Tower and other central attractions.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Tower Suites by Blue Orchid

8.9

The Tower Hotel, by Thistle

8.3

Strand Palace

8.7

The Royal Horseguards London

8.9

Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge

8.6

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel

8.5

DoubleTree by Hilton London - Tower of London

8.6

The Z Hotel Piccadilly

8.6

Pullman London St Pancras Hotel

8.8

Kimpton Fitzroy London By IHG

9.2

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Packing recommendations for Tower of London

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Camera

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Comfortable walking shoes

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Reusable water bottle

Universal travel adaptor

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Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

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+33 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 33% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably more on meals and getting around.

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This place also uses Pound Sterling, so no money exchange necessary.

Safety information overview

General safety

London’s Tower of London is very safe for visitors, with extensive security and CCTV coverage. Criminal activity in the area is low and staff are vigilant. Tourists should stay aware of pickpockets in crowded zones and follow standard city‑safety guidelines.

Accessibility

The Tower of London offers mixed accessibility: elevators and ramps serve main areas, but many historic chambers remain step‑heavy. Wheelchair users can access the Great Hall and Crown Jewels exhibit, yet narrow corridors and uneven stone floors pose challenges for mobility aids.