Greenwich: Tours and Guided Visits

When visitors come to London, they often stick to the city center, which is rife with historic monuments, dazzling sights and a unique, and eccentric culture.

However, skipping out on the picturesque southeastern district of Greenwich would be a mistake.

From its brushes with the elite to its antique market and ancient vessels, this neighborhood is filled with an atmosphere that is impossible to recreate elsewhere.

Greenwich tours show you all of the area's charms and it is sure to be a favorite spot on your London vacation.

Here's your guide to Greenwich, one of the most exhilarating options for sightseeing tours in London.

Where is Greenwich located?

Greenwich is located in South East London, close to the business district of Canary Wharf. It is situated along the Thames River and is easily reachable from the city center by public transport.

You can catch an underground train to Greenwich by hopping on the Jubilee Line and departing at the North Greenwich stop, next to the O2 stadium.

You can also catch a number of buses from various points in the city, including Line 47, which run regularly and are the cheapest way of getting around.

Alternatively, hop on an Uber boat at one of its 24 piers and travel along the river to your destination in a stylish yet surprisingly affordable way.

A one-way ticket from the center of the city to Greenwich costs less than £10 per person and enables you to enjoy a sightseeing tour of London along the way.

What are the best things to do in Greenwich?

Cutty Sark

The Cutty Sark is a tea clipper that was built in 1869 in order to transport goods across the world and is one of the main attractions in Greenwich.

It is one of the last of its kind to be built as steamships overtook the need for tea clippers with their increased speed.

The Cutty Sark made many voyages between England, China and Australia, and gained a bad reputation among sailors after a fight broke out on the deck, leaving several men dead, including the captain who committed suicide.

Today, the vessel is dry docked in Greenwich and serves as a museum for anyone interested in British maritime.

While the Cutty Sark has been damaged twice by fire in recent years, it has been carefully restored and over 90% of the ship remains original.

Inside, you can see the ship's prized collection of figureheads, which is the largest of its kind in the world. There are also a number of fascinating artifacts that date back to its days as a working vessel, including a bell that was stolen many times.

Royal Observatory

The Royal Observatory is located on the tallest of Greenwich Park's hills, overlooking the city of London. It was originally commissioned by King Charles I in the 17th century and he named himself the director of this prestigious site.

In 1884, the Prime Meridian was defined at the Royal Observatory, creating the time system used around the world today.

Here, you can straddle the line that marks the separation of east and west, and take a selfie at this momentous spot.

Those who are interested in astronomy can catch a glimpse of one of the largest telescopes in the United Kingdom or brush up their knowledge through a planetarium show.

Old Royal Naval College

The origins of the Old Royal Naval College were as a grand palace, which was the birthplace of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, who both became ruling monarchs later in life.

During the Civil War in the 17th century, the palace fell into disrepair and was eventually demolished, paving the way for a hospital to be reborn from its ashes, and then finally, the Old Royal Naval College.

The esteemed architect Christopher Wren designed the building, which is recognizable by its two spectacular white domes. Since then, the site has been associated with Lord Horatio Nelson and the world-famous novelist William Shakespeare.

What are the best Greenwich tours?

Best of Greenwich walking tour

Pack all of Greenwich's highlights into a few short hours on this walking tour through the neighborhood.

Starting out at the statue of Sir Walter Raleigh, you'll discover how this world explorer brought the humble potato to British soil.

Then, journey to the Cutty Sark — one of the final and fastest tea clippers ever built — which is now docked in Greenwich and is open to the public to offer a historic insight into British maritime.

Visit St. Alfege Church, built in the early 18th century, before enjoying a quintessentially British pub lunch overlooking the Thames River.

Once you're fed and watered, you'll have the opportunity to discover Greenwich Observatory, as well as the Prime Meridian, where all coordinates are 0.

See the oldest maritime museum in the world before admiring the lofty spires of the Old Royal Naval College, which has ties to several British icons. These famous figures include King Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare.

End this Greenwich tour at its renowned market, where antique traders, artisans and bakers all sell unique goods.

Greenwich movie walking tour

Discover the star-studded past of Greenwich as you learn about the myriad of movies that have featured this southeastern corner of London.

This walking tour of Greenwich takes you around the Old Royal Naval College, which was built in the 17th century and is now a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site.

As you wander your way around its magnificent grounds, you’ll see the filming spots of several scenes from blockbuster movies such as Thor 2, the Dark Knight and Les Misérables.

See stills from these films as you travel around the landmark and try your best to recreate them for a fun photo.

While your knowledgeable guide will fill you in on each of the dozens of movies that have chosen the college as a backdrop, they will also delve into the history of this site, including its links to the British monarchy.

Thames River cruise to Greenwich from Westminster

Hop on a boat in the center of the city and travel to the charming area of Greenwich the scenic way — by boat on this London cruise.

If you wish to step away from busy trains and crowded buses, you can simply hop onto one of the many boats speeding along the Thames River and make your way to Greenwich while enjoying a city tour of London.

As you follow the river’s twists and turns, you’ll gain a unique perspective of the city’s most famed attractions, including the London Eye, the HMS Belfast and the Tower of London.

Other fascinating sites along the route include Shakespeare’s Globe, which is a reconstruction of the magnificent Globe Theatre, and the Shard — the tallest building in England — which is formed of 11,000 glass panels.

As you move swiftly through the city on the water on this tour to Greenwich, you can listen to an audio guide filling you in on the history of each landmark in order to get a taste of England’s remarkable past.

Greenwich food tour

While the food scene in Greenwich is often overshadowed by its maritime history, there are plenty of eateries to be explored in this corner of London.

As part of a food tour small group, you’ll follow your local guide through the streets of Greenwich, stopping at several of the best food outlets across the neighborhood, from pubs to cafes.

You’ll feel truly immersed in the town’s food scene as you visit local haunts and hidden gems only known by those who are familiar with the area.

Alongside British favorites, such as sausages, your taste buds will also take a whirlwind tour around the world, sampling delicacies from other nations, including Spanish tapas.

End your excursion by toasting your group with a frosty British brew in a charming pub, where you can relax watching boats pass by on the Thames River.

Greenwich royal maritime ghost tour

If you’re fascinated by the paranormal, take to the streets of Greenwich after dark to learn about its spook-tacular history in this ghost tour.

Meandering through Greenwich in the cover of darkness, you’ll reach the Cutty Sark, where you’ll learn all about how the tea clipper got its nickname of the “Hellship.”

The cursed vessel has seen its share of mutiny, suicide and murders aboard, all of which are bound to leave your spine tingling.

From there, you’ll head into Greenwich Park, which offers a spectacular view over the city of London and is said to house several spirits.

Step into the most haunted tunnel in Greenwich if you dare and see if you witness anything out of the ordinary.

Regain a little Dutch courage with a brew in a historic pub, once frequented by the likes of Charles Dickens, before finishing your Greenwich tour back in the center of town.

What are the prices of Greenwich tours?

You’ll pay just between £10 and £20 per person for an hour-long Hollywood tour of the Old Royal Naval College, and ghost tours cost roughly the same. You can also take a boat tour to Greenwich for this amount, which includes an audio guide narrating the sights you see along the way.

Alternatively, you can opt for a food tour in Greenwich, which costs between £120 and £130 per person, and includes all tastings, as well as a friendly and knowledgeable guide.

If you’d prefer a more in-depth tour of Greenwich, you should consider a tour that showcases all of its highlights, which costs approximately £200 per person and include lunch.

Where do Greenwich tours start?

Greenwich tours start at a number of locations, depending on your activity or the sights you’ll be focusing on. However, these are usually widely-recognized landmarks, such as the Discover Greenwich Tourism Information Centre or the Cutty Sark.

The meeting point is always easy-to-reach on public transport and your guide will be holding or wearing something to make themselves recognizable to you.

Whichever tour you decide on, you’ll be able to see its starting location before booking so that you can arrange appropriate transportation ahead of time.

When is the best time to visit Greenwich?

As Greenwich is located a little further out of the city, you may choose to explore the neighborhood toward the end of your vacation, once you've discovered the numerous attractions in the city center.

The famous Greenwich Market opens every day from 10 AM to 5:30 PM and you can find different themed stalls here throughout the week.

These vary from antiques and collectibles on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays to arts and crafts on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

You'll find that a greater number of market stalls open on the weekend, and paired with a lively crowd, this makes it the perfect time to visit. Although, you should consider getting to the market as it opens if you wish to snap up a great find.

Travel tips

• Stay in this part of the city until the evening and enjoy watching the sun set over London from the verdant hills of Greenwich Park.
• Ensure you are carrying cash on your Greenwich tour as some market stalls do not accept credit or debit cards.
• Visit Greenwich during the summer when the days are long and sunny, and you can make the most of its park and outdoor spaces.
• There are a variety of sights to see in Greenwich, so make sure you pack your camera to capture some memories from your excursion.