I was recently interviewed by the BBC for a special video about the 9 most Instagrammed places in London. It got me thinking about my photos of each one, and how I approach my shots to make my images stand out. If you’d like to make your pictures rise above the restโor you’re just wondering which landmarks made the cutโread on.
Most Instagrammed Places in London
From museums to palaces, airports to department stores, the most Instagrammed places in London span geographies and genres. Whatever your interests, there’s a popular place for you to take pictures of.
British Museum
Number 9 on the list is the British Museum. With its wealth of ancient treasures and stunning old-meets-new Great Court, it’s easily one of the most important and photogenic places in London.
I like shooting the museum from the Great Court, capturing the stunning contemporary ceiling with contrasting historic details in the foreground.
Heathrow Airport
Number 8 is Heathrow Airport, partly because people like to shoot it before takeoff and landing, and partly because there are millions of people transiting through Heathrow every year.
I’ve only Instagrammed a few photos of Heathrow, but my preferred place to shoot is in the newer terminals (that’s 2 and 5 in case you don’t spend half your life in London’s airports).
The architecture is awe-inspiring, and there are lots of great angles, shapes, and lines to add nice composition and structure to a photo.
Harrods
Number 7 is Harrods. It’s no surprise that London’s most famous department store is one of the most Instagrammed places in London.
Its beautiful exteriors are at their best during the golden hours around sunrise and sunset, and its interiors are full of everything from mouth-watering food halls to gorgeous luxury goods.
I like to photograph Harrods from the outside in the late afternoon or evening when the facade lights up and the whole building glows.
Buckingham Palace
Number 6 is Buckingham Palace, which comes as no surprise. Home of the King and location of the famous Changing the Guard ceremony, it attracts visitors from all over the world.
I like Instagramming the palace from near the entrance to Green Park or down The Mall, where it’s easy to get the whole building in the shot and some of the foreground, too. In the warmer months, I like getting the gardens in my shots, too.
And I love photographing the interiors of the building while on a Buckingham Palace summer tour during the annual opening. The rooms and exhibitions make for great Instagram photo opportunities.
Camden
Number 5 on the list of the most Instagrammed places in London is Camden. I was a bit surprised to find this funky London neighborhood on the list since it’s slightly outside the city center.
But its edgy character, larger-than-life shopfronts, and great markets make it the perfect place to take pictures.
I like Instagramming Camden from the markets, whether I’m exploring the quirky finds in the Stables Market or sipping Pimm’s on the balcony above Camden Lock Market.
Regardless of where I shoot, I know there will always be great colors to make my photos stand out.
Big Ben
Number 4 on the list of the most Instagrammed places in London is Big Ben. This only comes as a surprise because it’s not number 3, 2, or 1.
Big Ben is one of London’s most iconic landmarks, and is a popular place to take photos and be photographed (there’s a red phone box nearby that gets a lot of use as a place to pose in front of the Elizabeth Tower).
I’ve Instagrammed Big Ben many times, and my favorite view is from near Westminster Abbey.
On sunny days it’s a great place to capture the tower, some of the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye in the shot, all with some great blue sky in the background.
London Eye
Number 3 is the London Eye, one of London’s more recent additions. Despite being completed in 1999, it’s already become one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks and an integral part of the skyline.
I like photographing the London Eye from the bridges or across the River Thames in Westminster and Whitehall. These areas offer different views that not many people capture, so they stand out from the crowd.
Hyde Park
Number 2 on the list of the most Instagrammed places in London is Hyde Park, central London’s behemoth of a green space.
The park is popular year-round, and it’s the perfect place for a picnic or paddle boat ride.
I love taking pictures in Hyde Park during the spring and summer, when the flowers are in full bloom and the afternoon sun starts to fade into the golden glow of evening.
Tower Bridge
Number 1 is Tower Bridge, the most flamboyant and recognizable bridge in the city.
It’s a great feat of Victorian engineering (I took a behind the scenes tour once to learn all about it), and amazing to admire up close or from a distance.
I like to shoot Tower Bridge from any angle, but my favorite is from the riverfront in Butler’s Wharf. It’s a great way to get some of the shore, Thames, and sky all in one shot. If the bridge is open, it’s even better.
9 Most Instagrammed Places in London
When I look over the list, I’m glad some of my favorite London landmarks are on it, but I also wish some of the city’s less obvious locations made the cut.
While I enjoy photographing all 9 places, my favorite sites to Instagram in London are the little mews and tiny details that make the city so lovely for locals. My followers like to see them, too.
So the biggest Instagram photography tip I can leave you with is that when you’re finished snapping the star attractions, get off the beaten path and take a few photos of something different.
That’s how I built my following on Instagram, and I know others would say the same. If you want to learn more of my Instagram tips, take a look at the Read This if You Want to Be Instagram Famous book.
If you want to see my interview, you can catch it at the end of this video.
What are your favorite ways to photograph the 9 most Instagrammed places in London?
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London is so beautiful and huge, you don’t have to go far to find something perfectly instagrammable. In fact, if you can’t find something instagrammable within walking distance you’re just not trying hard enough ๐
True! I agree!
Such beautiful places! I Instagrammed a few of these during my London visit a couple years ago ๐
Nice! That’s great!
This is fun! I agree that the “sights between sights” often make the most interesting photos. I’m surprised that The Shard and Westminster weren’t on the list. Angharad x
Yeah, I thought the Shard would be on there, too! Funny that it’s not.
and I was in/at all of them, except for Hyde Park!
Nice, that’s great!
I love how you are able to get such unique shots of famous landmarks. Definitely makes me look at my own surroundings differently. Thanks for the inspiration!
You’re welcome!
Can I add? I think Holland’s Park, Primrose Hill & Portobello Road can be added in the list too. Love your shots like always! ๐
Thanks! Those are good additions!
Should we know which camera makes all this success? I always want to know….seriously
All my camera information is on the FAQ page, so please take a look to learn more.
These iconic landmarks are completely redrawn by the fresh new angles you use. It’s like seeing them for the first time. Just fab! Thank you.
You’re welcome!
Tower Bridge and British Museum… guilty as charged! The truth is that London is really Instagrammable! ๐
xx,
E.
True! We’re lucky here!
Had to hop over to read this after our conversation the other day and I have to say, I’ve never always just been rushing through Heathrow getting from A to B that I’ve never noticed how beautiful aspects of it can be! That’s a great photo! I too think that some of my favourite spots are the undiscovered or lesser known mews but then I wouldn’t want to imagine London having a skyline that didn’t have the London Eye and Tower Bridge in it ๐
Yeah, I hardly ever have time to stop and admire the architecture at Heathrow. It’s nice when I do, though. I agree about the skyline, too. I love the London Eye and Tower Bridge!
I love London and feel privileged every day to live in it. One of my favourite little nooks in London is St Katharine’s Dock as it is so peaceful and vibrant at the same time. There is also part of it that you can just about catch the Thames!
Yeah, I love that area. It’s such a unique part of the city!
where is the picture taken from which says the 9 most instagrammable places in london
i really want to see that view!
It’s from Westminster. You can get a similar view from Westminster Cathedral.