What do you need to know before visiting Greenwich?
There are some useful travel tips that will make your day out in Greenwich run smoothly.
I’ve been to Greenwich many times over the years and keep coming back to it on every trip to London.
This guide includes the most practical things I found out and wish I’d known before visiting Greenwich.
Table of contents
Is Greenwich worth visiting?
Yes, it’s worth visiting, both because it’s beautiful and because it caters to so many different interests.
Greenwich has a lot going for it: a UNESCO World Heritage Site with world-class museums, a huge park with great views of London, interesting architecture, and a lovely market.
It has many different museums on science and history, and some that would appeal to art and design lovers.
I especially love walking around Greenwich Park. It’s massive and perfect for chilling. The hilltop views are wonderful and the Rose Garden is a treat.
Another reason it’s worth visiting is that it’s easy to get to Greenwich from central London by train or boat. You can spend a full day there.
My tips on visiting Greenwich attractions
What are the most famous places to see in Greenwich?
- Cutty Sark: One of the world’s last surviving tea clippers. Explore the ship and its decks and see the exhibitions inside.
- Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian: Stand on the 0° longitude line and discover Greenwich’s role in shaping global time and navigation.
- Old Royal Naval College and the Painted Hall: A historic building with fascinating architecture, a beautiful chapel, and the spectacular, fresco-covered Painted Hall.
- Greenwich Market: A lively mix of independent stalls and small shops selling street food, art, crafts, antiques, and more.
- National Maritime Museum: A large museum covering Britain’s seafaring history.
- Queen’s House: A beautiful former royal residence, now an art gallery with elegant architecture.
Follow this self-guided walk in Greenwich to see all the highlights and beyond.
Should I book tickets in advance for visiting Greenwich attractions?
You can usually buy tickets when you arrive, but it’s easier to book in advance, just in case some popular attractions sell out.
You can get the Royal Museums Greenwich Day Pass, which includes the Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark at a discount.
What to do in Greenwich when it rains?
I found myself caught out in the rain a couple of times when visiting Greenwich.
Luckily, Greenwich is actually well set up for wet weather.
The National Maritime Museum is huge and you can spend quite a lot of time exploring it.
Queen’s House next to it is free to enter and while smaller, still offers a lot to see.
You can visit Cutty Sark when it rains, just use an umbrella on the upper deck.
Also use an umbrella when you walk around the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, but there’s a lot to see inside the building, including the beautiful Painted Hall.
The only places I wouldn’t recommend visiting in the rain are the park and the Observatory.
The park is obviously much nicer on a sunny day.
The Observatory is on a hill worth climbing for the view from above and for taking photos of the city, but on a rainy day that isn’t ideal.
What are the free attractions in Greenwich?
There are quite a few free attractions in Greenwich, including:
- The National Maritime Museum
- The Queen’s House
- Greenwich Park and its gardens, including the beautiful Rose Garden
- Greenwich Foot Tunnel
- The University of Greenwich Grounds
- Greenwich Market
- The Old Royal Naval College grounds
What are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greenwich?
The Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site includes:
- Old Royal Naval College
- Queen’s House
- Royal Observatory Greenwich
- National Maritime Museum
- St Alfege Church
- Ranger’s House
- Cutty Sark
- Historic town-centre buildings and late-Georgian terraces
- Buildings around and alongside Greenwich Park
Where to stay in Greenwich?
If you’d like to stay in Greenwich overnight, or use it as a base for your London trip, check availability at:
- Staycity Aparthotels: Pick this one if you’re staying a few nights or travelling as a family. The studios and apartments come with a kitchenette.
- Novotel London Greenwich: Pick this one if you’d rather have a hotel with the extras, like a bar, a restaurant, and a fitness area.
Getting to Greenwich and getting around
How do I get to Greenwich from central London?
You’ve got a few options, all quite easy:
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Cutty Sark station: a quick option on the tube and DLR that takes you to the station right in front of the Cutty Sark ship.
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers to Greenwich pier: departs from major piers along the Thames and takes you on a nice river cruise.
Tip: North Greenwich station isn’t close to the classic Greenwich sights. It’s next to the O2 Arena.
Is Greenwich easy to get around on foot?
Yes, Greenwich is easy to get around on foot, with one hill to climb.
The main cluster of attractions around the pier, Cutty Sark, Greenwich Market and the Naval College is very walkable.
It’s flat and all the attractions are just a few minutes’ walk from each other.
The hill up to the Observatory can be harder to climb if you’re tired. I took it slowly and made stops along the way to take pictures, so it wasn’t too bad.
The view from the top is worth the climb.
The walk from the Observatory downhill through the park to the Rose Garden, Ranger’s House and the Fan Museum is easy and very pleasant.
Planning your schedule in Greenwich
When is the best time to visit Greenwich?
Summer and spring are the best seasons for nice weather. Early autumn can be nice as well.
Weekends in summer can get busy, particularly around popular places like the Observatory and the Cutty Sark.
Weekdays are quieter, so I usually aim to plan my visits to Greenwich for weekdays around the late morning.
Most attractions open at 10am and are open daily (unlike many museums in central London that close on Mondays).
The main exception is Ranger’s House which has very limited seasonal opening times, so check in advance.
How much time to spend in Greenwich?
I recommend spending at least one day in Greenwich if you want to make the most of your visit.
There are quite a few points of interest and you want to take your time exploring the ones that appeal to you.
I found myself staying much longer than I’d expected at some museums (like the National Maritime Museum) and taking long walks around the park.
Have you been to Greenwich? Share your own tips in the comments below.
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