What are the best things to do in Greenwich?
Both the historic centre of Greenwich and the Greenwich Peninsula have plenty to do and see.
You can stand on the Prime Meridian, wander through Greenwich Park, explore historic ships, museums, and royal buildings, go up the O2, and finish the day with some local evening entertainment.
I’ve put together this guide to the best things to do in Greenwich, including the most famous spots, great museums, and some Greenwich hidden gems.
Many of the main attractions in Greenwich are close together, so it’s an easy area to explore on foot.
The guide covers both the historic centre of Greenwich and the Greenwich Peninsula.
Table of contents
What are the best things to do in Greenwich?
Famous attractions and iconic sights in Greenwich
Here are the places that Greenwich is best known for:
Cutty Sark
One of the first things you see when you visit Greenwich is a massive ship outside the water.
The Cutty Sark was regarded as one of the fastest clipper ships in the world during the 19th century.
These days it’s dry-docked and open to the public, so you can walk through the ship and explore the exhibitions inside.
It’s worth heading up to the main deck, where you can get a sense of what life at sea was like and take in the views across the river.
This is one of the most popular places to visit in Greenwich. I’ve been twice and would go again, it’s both fun and fascinating.
Tickets: Book online. You’ll get an audio guide with your ticket.
Admission is included in the Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass. If you’re going to visit both Cutty Sark and the Observatory in one day, you’ll get a discount with this day pass.
Old Royal Naval College and the Painted Hall
The Old Royal Naval College was originally built as a hospital for Royal Navy pensioners.
It’s one of Greenwich’s architectural gems, a Baroque masterpiece designed by Christopher Wren.
Enter through the visitor centre and have a look at the collection of historical artefacts and interactive displays.
There are guided tours of the entire complex included with your entry ticket (check the tour times when you book).
I highly recommend joining a tour.
The highlights of the tour were:
- The Chapel of St. Peter and St. Paul, with its beautifully decorated ceiling and naval-inspired details.
- The Skittle Alley, a Victorian bowling alley where you can still play with wooden bowling balls dating back to 1864.
- The Painted Hall, the main attraction of the complex, nicknamed “Britain’s Sistine Chapel”.
Our tour guide saved the best for last. The Painted Hall is incredible.
The ceiling is covered in spectacular Baroque paintings featuring queens, gods, kings, and mythological creatures.
These paintings aren’t just decorative. They carried some political propaganda messages relevant to 18th century Britain, celebrating British power and depicting Britain as the centre of civilisation.
The guide helped us notice the small details. You can zoom in on your camera to spot all sorts of hints and symbolism in the paintings.
Tickets: Book online. Includes a guided tour.
Greenwich Market
Greenwich Market is a lively covered market in the heart of Greenwich.
A great place to wander around and stop for food and drinks when you visit Greenwich.
You’ll find a mix of independent stalls selling handmade crafts, vintage finds, art, clothing, and plenty of food from around the world.
It’s right in the historic centre and close to most of the other places to see in Greenwich.
Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park is one of the most beautiful green spaces in London.
It’s a great place to slow down and take a break from the busier parts of Greenwich.
The park is simply huge with wide open lawns, wooded areas, and plenty of walking paths.
One of the highlights is the hilltop viewpoint, where you get wonderful views across London, including Canary Wharf and the River Thames.
The O2 and Up at The O2
The O2 is on the Greenwich Peninsula, a short ride from the historic centre of Greenwich.
It’s Greenwich’s most recognisable landmarks, with its huge white dome.
The O2 arena is famous for major concerts, it’s one of the places that big pop stars would normally perform in.
Originally built for the Millennium celebrations, it has since become a major entertainment destination, with an arena, restaurants, and shops.
Up at The O2 is a guided rooftop walk that takes you across the top of the dome.
You’re attached to a safety harness as you make your way along the elevated walkway.
The walk itself is surprisingly fun, with some steep sections and plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the views.
From the top, you can see across the London skyline, including Canary Wharf, the Thames, and many of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
Obviously, plan to do it on a clear day, when the views are at their best.
Even if you’re not interested in climbing over the roof, The O2 is still worth visiting for its restaurants, entertainment and lively atmosphere.
Tickets: Book online
London Cable Car
The London Cable Car is a fun way to cross the River Thames while getting a different perspective of the city.
The cabins travel between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks.
You pass high above the river with great views of the London skyline.
The journey is fairly short. If you take it around sunset you’ll get the most beautiful views.
Tickets: Book online (round trip with free cancellation) or use pay-as-you-go with an Oyster or contactless card. You might also want to book a Champagne Experience on the cable car.
Top museums and galleries in Greenwich
Royal Observatory Greenwich and the Prime Meridian
Visit the Royal Observatory Greenwich to stand at the historic starting point of the world’s time zones.
The Prime Meridian is the line at 0° longitude, which divides the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
The museum inside has fascinating exhibits about astronomy, navigation and the history of timekeeping, including the famous Harrison clocks.
To reach the observatory, I climbed a hill in Greenwich Park and enjoyed the views across London from the top.
It’s worth going up there even if you’re not particularly interested in astronomy.
Tickets: Book online. Included in the Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass.
National Maritime Museum
Greenwich is home to the world’s largest maritime museum. I was surprised by just how big it actually is, spanning several floors with many different galleries.
When you enter The National Maritime Museum there’s a map on the wall which is worth checking, and the staff are always happy to help if you’re unsure where to go.
The permanent galleries take you through a range of themes, including Polar Worlds, Tudor and Stuart Seafarers, Atlantic Worlds, Pacific Encounters, Nelson, and Maritime London.
Even if naval history isn’t really your thing, you may find yourself spending much longer here than planned. There’s so much to see at this museum that you’ll just find yourself wanting to explore more.
Tickets: Free
Queen’s House
Visit Queen’s House in Greenwich to experience one of London’s most beautiful and historic royal buildings.
Designed in the 17th century, it is famous for its elegant architecture
It was a royal residence originally. Today, it houses an impressive collection of paintings and maritime art.
There’s a short introductory film when you enter about the history of the house and its residents over the years.
One of its highlights is the stunning Tulip Stairs, the first self-supporting spiral staircase in Britain, where you’ll see photographers shooting it from every angle. The flowers on the staircase aren’t tulips, by the way…
Apart from the staircase, I enjoyed the impressive Great Hall, with its geometric floor, and also the famous Armada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, on display inside a room with a beautiful ceiling.
Tickets: Free
The Fan Museum
The Fan Museum is a small but fascinating museum tucked away in historic Greenwich.
As the name suggests, it’s dedicated entirely to the history and art of the folding fan.
Housed inside beautiful Georgian buildings, the museum has an impressive collection of fans from around the world, some dating back hundreds of years.
The exhibits explore how fans aren’t only practical accessories, but also objects of fashion and art.
I was surprised to learn about how fans were used for social expression, for example, a closed fan held to the lips meant ‘I wish to speak to you.’
Tickets: There’s a small entry fee. No need to book ahead.
Ranger’s House – The Wernher Collection
There’s an elegant Georgian villa tucked away on the edge of Greenwich Park, which you may recognise from Bridgerton.
Ranger’s House dates back to the 1720s. Today, the house is home to the remarkable Wernher Collection, assembled by diamond magnate Sir Julius Wernher.
More than 700 objects are displayed across the rooms, including medieval jewellery, Renaissance paintings, Italian bronzes, French furniture, porcelain, and decorative arts.
It’s quite extraordinary to see so much art gathered in one place by one person.
When I visited, a volunteer offered to show me around and shared some of the stories behind the objects.
If you enjoy historic houses and eclectic art and design collections, Ranger’s House is well worth adding to your Greenwich itinerary.
Tickets: Book online. Check opening times (limited seasonal hours).
Included in the Go City London Pass and English Heritage membership.
Hidden gems and lesser-known places in Greenwich
Greenwich Park Rose Garden
The Rose Garden in Greenwich Park is an easy spot to miss, but it’s actually a short walk from the Observatory.
I found it to be a very quiet and peaceful place to wander through.
It features roses but also other flowers and plants. The flower beds were especially beautiful on my last visit on a sunny day.
Greenwich Foot Tunnel
The Greenwich Foot Tunnel is a Victorian pedestrian tunnel that runs underneath the Thames, connecting Greenwich with the Isle of Dogs on the other side.
Walking through it was an experience that I personally found a bit surreal, especially when thinking about the river and all the boats passing above my head.
It’s free and makes for an interesting detour from the more famous attractions in Greenwich.
Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park
Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park is a small urban nature reserve on the Greenwich Peninsula, made up of freshwater habitats, wetlands and walking paths.
I found it a surprisingly peaceful place, especially considering how close it is to the busy O2 area.
It’s a nice spot to slow down and look out for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.
The Tide
The Tide is a riverside walkway and public art trail that runs along the Thames on Greenwich Peninsula.
I enjoyed walking along it, as there’s a mix of landscaped gardens, contemporary sculptures, and views across the river.
The route also passes some of the Peninsula’s newer architecture and connects several of the area’s attractions.
It’s a pleasant place for a walk, particularly if you want to explore this more modern side of Greenwich at a slower pace.
Greenwich Peninsula Design District
Greenwich Peninsula Design District is a small neighbourhood of colourful, modern buildings near the O2, designed as a hub for creative businesses.
It’s interesting to wander around, as the architecture feels quite different to the historic areas of Greenwich.
There are cafés, public spaces, and some unusual buildings to look at along the way.
Things to do in Greenwich at night
Here are some great options for evening entertainment in Greenwich:
See a show at Greenwich Theatre
Greenwich Theatre is a small Off-West End venue on Crooms Hill, known for plays, comedy, musicals, family shows and live performances.
It’s across the street from the Fan Museum and close to Greenwich Park.
Go to a comedy show at Up the Creek
A spacious comedy club just a couple of minutes from the Cutty Sark DLR station.
You’ll find stand-up from established comedians and newer names, with regular Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows.
Doors usually open before the performance, giving you time for a drink at the bar.
Attend a concert at the O2
The O2 arena hosts major international music artists, comedy, sport, and special events.
The venue can accommodate up to 20,000 people.
There are restaurants and bars on site, so you can easily make an evening of it.
Watch a film at the O2 cinema
Cineworld at The O2 is a large multiplex with multiple screens and a wide choice of current films.
The cinema sits within the same entertainment complex as the arena, alongside restaurants, bars and shops.
More Greenwich travel tips
Here are a few more tips I’ve gathered to help you plan your visit to Greenwich.
Where to stay in Greenwich
Stay in the historic centre of Greenwich. Check availability at:
A self-guided walk in Greenwich
I created a self-guided tour through historic Greenwich that you can take in one day.
The Greenwich day pass
If you’re going to visit both Cutty Sark and the Observatory in one day, you’ll get a discount with the Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass.
How to visit the Painted Hall (my experience)
I wrote a more detailed review about the Painted Hall, one of the best places to visit in Greenwich.
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