Things to Do in Greenwich London (Free things + Paid)

Hey, last weekend, I stopped by Cutty Sark Tube station at Royal Borough of Greenwich London, mainly to visit a friend who promised to show me around the area whilst the sun was shining. It feels like spring before the storm hits but that’s another story altogether. And today, I thought I’d share with you the sights and things to do in Greenwich she showed me and most of them were Free!

Greenwich is one of those London neighbourhoods that surprises people every single time. Most visitors put it off because they think it is too far. It is not. You can be standing on the edge of two hemispheres in under 30 minutes from central London.

2026 is also a particularly good year to visit one specific attraction here. There is a 300-year anniversary taking place that most people have no idea about.

Where to Stay Near Greenwich London

Most visitors to Greenwich come for the day from central London, which makes perfect sense. But if you want to stay locally, there are some good options.

• Hotel Ibis London Greenwich A reliable, affordable option right near the main attractions. Good if you are travelling on a budget and want to be close to everything. Check availability.
• Doubletree By Hilton London – Greenwich Another afforable and lovely hotel in Greenwich, nearby to everything and also Central London is just 10 minutes away by train. See rates.
• More Hotel options near Greenwich: Browse all hotels on Booking.com. or Expedia.com

How to get to Greenwich London

There are three ways to get to Greenwich and one of them is far better than the others.

By riverboat (recommended):

The Thames Clipper runs from central London piers including Embankment, Waterloo, Bankside, and Tower straight to Greenwich Pier. The journey takes around 40 to 55 minutes depending on your starting point. You arrive right at the Cutty Sark with a view of the river behind you. It is one of the better ways to arrive anywhere in London.

You can book a Westminster to Greenwich river cruise on GetYourGuide here. It includes a hop-on hop-off option and commentary on London’s landmarks along the way.

By DLR:

Take the DLR from Bank or Tower Gateway toward Lewisham or Woolwich Arsenal and get off at Greenwich station. Note that Cutty Sark DLR station was closed for works and may only recently have reopened in spring 2026. Check before you travel and use Greenwich station as your backup, which is about a ten-minute walk away.

By National Rail:

Trains run to Greenwich station from London Bridge in around ten minutes. Fast and easy if you are on the south side of the river already.

Here are 10 things to do in Greenwich London

1. Climb on board The Cutty Sark in Greenwich London

Ahoy me matey! Around the corner from Cutty Sark tube is this magnificent tall ship. I don’t about you, but when I see a ship like this, I have this urge to speak pirate! Actually, this ship was built as a tea ‘clipper’ but was also used as a general cargo ship but it definitely can’t hurt to pretend right? The Cutty Sark is a fun exhibition for all ages and you can have afternoon tea under the hull in the ‘Even Keel’ cafe.

You can walk the decks, stand at the wheel, and look up at the hull from below in the dry berth underneath. There are interactive exhibits about life on board and the ship’s journeys from China to Australia. It takes around an hour and is good for all ages.

They are open from 10am to 5pm and you can get tickets online or upon arrival and you can get a combination tickets with the observatory if you are visiting there as well. and It’s wheelchair accessible.

2. Royal Observatory Greenwich

If you are fascinated by history, astronomy, and stand on the line between the Eastern and Western hemisphere, then this is definitely a must visit location. The building is located on top of a hill at the Royal Greenwich park and gives stunning views from the top. 

While you are here, you can see the Great Equatorial Telescope , the largest historical telescope in the UK and 7th in the world and it is free to view. Also come check out the Dolphin Sun Dial and the Shepherd Gate Clock located on the wall outside of the gate and this was the first clock to show the Greenwich Mean time to the public!

Note: They are open from 10am to 5.30pm and you can purchase a ticket that combines with the Cutty Shark if you are planning to do both.

3. Eat your way through Greenwich Market

Stroll down a couple of streets and you’ll find the Greenwich market. I love markets and Greenwich market did not disappoint. It has amazing street food from vegan to juices to Thai and Japanese!

Greenwich Market dates back to 1737 and is the only covered market in London located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is open every day from 10am to 5:30pm.

You can get Japanese-filled buns, Himalayan dumplings, Ethiopian vegetarian dishes, fresh seafood, Korean, Thai, Portuguese, Indian, and Mexican food, literally spoilt for choice!

On the other side of the market, there are handmade jewellery stalls, prints, candles, vintage trinkets, and old comics. All sorts!

And this cute art corner with an amazing pink van! or take a walk through windy alleyways and explore all the boutique stores.

4. Wander around the Old Royal Naval College and the Painted Hall

Take a walk around the grounds of the University, I can imagine how even more beautiful it might be during summer when the flowers are out. If you are lucky you can sometimes listen to the students practice their classical music. You head in and marvel at the beautiful ceiling painting in the Painted hall inside. The painting is believed to be the largest painting in Europe.

Earlier I mentioned a 300-year anniversary happening in Greenwich in 2026. This is it.

The Painted Hall inside the Old Royal Naval College was completed in 1726, exactly 300 years ago. It took Sir James Thornhill 19 years to paint, and it covers over 3,700 square metres of walls and ceilings with Baroque art. It is sometimes called Britain’s Sistine Chapel.

Special events are planned throughout 2026 to mark the anniversary. A recent multi-million pound restoration has also brought the colours back to life properly for the first time in decades.

Note: The Painted hall is open from 10am to 5pm, you can book in advance on their website or upon arrival.

5. Explore the National Maritime Museum (free)

I was told thisis the largest maritime museum in the world and it does not cost anything to get in. The collection covers 600 years of seafaring history, with galleries of paintings, navigational instruments, and objects from some of the most famous voyages in history.

The Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition, which runs until August 2026, is one of the best things currently showing. The family trails and interactive areas make this a great choice with children.

Allow at least an hour, more if you get drawn in by the galleries. Most people do.

6. Stand on the Greenwich Meridian Line

The last time I visited here was pre-teen with my parents learning about the Greenwich Mean time. Get a picture as you stand astride the line on the land that marks the world-famous Greenwich Meridian Line, which represents the Prime Meridian of the World, Longitude 0º. It’s rude not to.

The Royal Observatory sits at the top of the hill in Greenwich Park. It is where Greenwich Mean Time was established, and where Longitude 0 runs through the ground. You can stand with one foot in the eastern hemisphere and one in the western. It sounds like a small thing and it is not.

Inside, the Harrison Clocks tell the story of how the longitude problem was solved and how modern navigation was born. The Octagon Room designed by Christopher Wren is one of the more beautiful rooms in London. The views from the hill over Canary Wharf and the Thames are worth the climb even if you do not go inside.

Note that the Peter Harrison Planetarium is currently closed for refurbishment. The rest of the Observatory is open as normal.

7. Greenwich Park

If you visit Greenwich, you have to visit its park, it has beautiful gardens, rich history and beautiful views especially if you hike up to the Royal Observatory.

Greenwich Park is the oldest enclosed Royal Park in London. It surrounds the Observatory on the hill and stretches down toward the National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House.

There’s many different sections to the park, the Rose Garden on the eastern side is best in June and July. The Flower Garden on the south-east side looks over the deer park and the lake. From spring to autumn you can rent a boat on the lake, which is a good way to spend a quiet afternoon.

And during spring to Autumn time, you can take a boat out on the lake which is a great way to spend an afternoon, relax and maybe some exercise.

The views from the top of the hill toward Canary Wharf and the Thames are some of the best free views in London. Take the walk up even if you have already bought Observatory tickets, because the view from outside the building is different from the one inside.

8. Explore the pubs, cobbled streets, and vintage market

After the main sights, the streets around Greenwich Market are worth a slow wander. There are cobbled alleyways, independent restaurants, and pubs with history going back centuries.

The Gipsy Moth pub near the Cutty Sark is one of the most photographed in the area. There is often a small vintage market running within a few doors of Greenwich Market on weekends. The tapas and restaurant scene around the market is good, particularly for lunch after a morning at the attractions.

We tried this amazing tapas place near Greenwich market called San Miguel. Just couldn’t resist the beautiful interior and authentic food.

9. Climb Up at the O2

This one is worth knowing about if you are travelling with someone who likes a mild adventure. Up at the O2 is a guided walk across the roof of the O2 Arena, about a ten-minute journey by DLR from Greenwich station.

You are fitted with a climbing suit and a safety harness, then walk up the outside of the dome to a viewing platform at the top. The views stretch across the Thames, Canary Wharf, and central London. It is the kind of activity that sounds mild and feels exhilarating.

I can only imagine the view. While you are here, you can also take the Emirates cable car ride. It’s quite romantic if I say so myself.

10. Take the IFS Cloud Cable Car

The Emirates cable car, now rebranded as the IFS Cloud Cable Car, crosses the Thames between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks. The ride takes about ten minutes each way and gives you aerial views of the river that are unlike anything else in London.

It is close to the O2, which makes it an easy add-on. You can pay with a contactless card or Oyster card at the station. A round trip is around five to six pounds for adults.

How to Spend One Day in Greenwich London

If you only have one day, here is how I would structure it.

Morning: Arrive by riverboat from central London. Walk to the Cutty Sark first, before the day-trippers arrive. Spend an hour on board.

Late morning: Walk to the Old Royal Naval College and spend twenty minutes in the Painted Hall. It is free and takes longer to recover from than you expect.

Lunch: Greenwich Market. Go early because the good stalls run out. Budget around forty-five minutes here.

Afternoon: Walk through the Queen’s House, then up through Greenwich Park to the Royal Observatory. The walk up the hill takes ten to fifteen minutes. The views from the top and the Meridian Line are worth the ticket price.

Late afternoon: DLR to the O2 if you have booked Up at the O2, or the cable car if you want a quieter experience. Both take around thirty minutes total.

Evening: Back into central London by riverboat. It is a nicer way to end the day than the DLR.

Free Things to Do in Greenwich London

More than half the best things in Greenwich are free. Here is the complete list.

• Walk the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College
• See the Painted Hall inside the Old Royal Naval College
• Visit the National Maritime Museum
• Visit the Queen’s House and see the Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I
• Walk Greenwich Park
• Stand on the Prime Meridian Line in the Royal Observatory courtyard (the buildings inside require a ticket)
• Browse Greenwich Market
• Walk the cobbled streets and riverside around the Cutty Sark

FAQ About Greenwich London

Greenwich London is looking pretty magical now. So do pop over and why not do some exploring yourself.

And don’t forget to say hello from me and do speak a bit of pirate at Cutty Sark.

What are your favorite things to do in Greenwich?

Courtney xx

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