London is one of the most-visited cities in the world, and with good reason. There is so much to see in just one city—like these 25 places! I visited London for a weekend in December (just before Christmas) both this year and last year. There are a lot of special places you should visit to get the full experience of London during Christmas. These 10 photos just might convince you to visit London at Christmas! Here are my top 10 places to see in London at Christmas:

1) Natural History Museum

One of the most well-known Christmas locations in London is the Natural History Museum. While the museum is a fantastic way to learn (and housed in a stunning building!), the main attraction during Christmas-time is the ice skating rink. Located just outside the museum (within the grounds itself), kids and adults alike can rent skates and go for a spin. If you don’t like ice skating, I can guarantee it’ll make an Instagram-worth shot anyway.

Tube Stop: South Kensington

2) Somerset House

Despite visiting and loving London for so many years now, I had never been to Somerset House until just a few weeks ago! Overlooking the River Thames, the history of this building dates back to the mid-1500s, but the present building was first designed in 1776 and completed in 1801. Housing several different art galleries (which are free besides special exhibitions!), you should make a visit anyway. But, like the Natural History Museum, the main attraction is the giant ice skating rink set up in the courtyard! The giant Christmas tree in the middle definitely gets you into the holiday spirit when you enter!

Tube Stop: Temple

3) Oxford Street

London goes all out with Christmas lights, and one of the best places to see this is Oxford Street. This busy shopping street is packed in the evenings with people admiring the lights, and it’s not hard to see why! Definitely allow yourself time to wander around and check out the light displays—the John Lewis store always does a great one.

Tube Stop: Oxford Circus

4) Regent Street

While Oxford Street is arguably one of the most famous areas for Christmas lights in London, my favorite light displays have been on Regent Street. Walking from Piccadilly Circus to Oxford Street, your path will be led by giant angels, with their wings covering most of the breadth of the street. If you’re looking to take good photographs, jump between traffic and walk on the central reservation!

Tube Stop: Piccadilly Circus

5) Leadenhall Market

This stunning market is one of my favorite places in all of London. After visiting during my first trip in 2011, I have been back on numerous occasions—and none more beautiful than at Christmas. Leadenhall Market has a giant Christmas tree gracing the market center, and as the real-life Diagon Alley (Harry Potter was indeed filmed there!!) it simply feels magical. Pro tip: visit early in the morning (8:00-9:00am) on a weekend and you might just have the whole place to yourself!

Tube Stop: Bank/Monument

6) Covent Garden

Another covered market, Covent Garden is a high-profile tourist hotspot on just about any London itinerary. However, with a large Christmas tree at one end, and Christmas sleigh displays on the other, you need to visit during the holidays to get the full effect!

Tube Stop: Covent Garden

7) St. Pancras Station

While this beautiful train station is stunning in and of itself, it has a magnificent Christmas tree during the holiday season. The tree is actually decorated with flowers, which makes it much more unique! Pro tip: there are free (and very clean) bathrooms in St. Pancras on the lower level. You can use them even if you’re not catching a train!

Tube Stop: King’s Cross/St. Pancras

8) Seven Dials

While this posh area is generally full of fancy shops I can’t afford, I love walking around here. It’s not perhaps the most obvious Christmas-time destination in London. But I just love seeing this area decked out with pretty lights and decorations! Two of the big highlights are seeing the Instagram-famous Neal’s Yard, and the main square with its 7 streets leading away from it.

Tube Stop: Covent Garden/Leicester Square

9) Trafalgar Square

There is always something happening in Trafalgar Square. And if there isn’t, there are two of the best (and free) museums in the city located right there: the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. At Christmas, Trafalgar Square becomes home to a giant Christmas tree! And the view down Whitehall to Big Ben is one of my favorite in the city—especially with the Christmas tree and decorations!

Tube Stop: Charing Cross

10) Winter Wonderland (Hyde Park)

I couldn’t write this post without including possibly the most famous Christmas attraction in London: Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park! Every year, this area of Hyde Park is transformed into a giant Christmas market and carnival. You can ride amusement park rides (they have a big roller coaster and ferris wheel!) to your heart’s content, buy food from the market stalls and sip mulled wine, and just in general feel like you’ve wandered into Christmas itself. It’s free entry, although rides and everything else costs a lot of money!

Tube Stop: Marble Arch

Have you ever visited London at Christmas? What places were your favorite to visit?