Royal Opera House
Home to the Royal Ballet, culture here is of the highest caliber. (Verdi, Wagner, or the Nutcracker Suite anyone?) Performances aside, book a private 75-minute backstage tour (ask for Barry Stewart) to understand the inner workings of this world-leading opera house. Following in the footsteps of Margot Fonteyn or Plácido Domingo, who both appeared here, you’ll spy costumes, props, the sumptuous auditorium, ballet studios, and even a glimpse of the corps de ballet limbering up at the barre. (From $280; 44-20/7212-9389)
More Things To Do in London
Broadway Market
The borough of Hackney has become synonymous with a foodie scene, homegrown brands, and the hipster set.
Shakespeare’s Globe
See open-air productions, candle-lit performances, and private tours at this authentic oak-and-thatch replica of an Elizabethan theater.
Side Story
These bespoke tours and experiences led by expert London insiders avoid clichéd tourist traps.
Sir John Soane’s Museum
This extensive Georgian house, choke full of gorgeous furniture, architecture, and design, pays homage to the legendary Grand Tour.
Chelsea Physic Garden
Dating back to 1673, this world-renowned home to botany offers intriguing walks, talks, and workshops led by local and visiting experts.
Victoria & Albert Museum
The world’s greatest collection of decorative arts spans the globe and cuts across millennia.
Tate Modern
Britain's major contemporary art museum got even better with the addition of a ten-story extension, opened June 2016.
Newport Street Gallery
Situated in a cultural backwater parallel to a raised train track, this two-story private gallery is an architectural feat in itself.
