When you live in London, you’re surrounded by history every day. The Tower of London, Big Ben, the London Eye - these aren’t just tourist spots. They’re part of your commute, your weekend walks, your photo backlog. But have you ever stopped to think about what lies beyond the Thames? What if you could step off the Tube one Saturday morning and find yourself standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, or walking through the ancient alleys of Kyoto? The world’s must-see landmarks aren’t just for guidebooks. They’re for people who’ve already seen the changing of the guard and want something bigger.
Why Londoners Are Drawn to Global Landmarks
Londoners don’t travel because they’re bored. They travel because they’ve seen the inside of the British Museum’s Egyptian galleries too many times to count. They’ve queued for the National Gallery’s Van Goghs in the rain. They’ve had Sunday roast at a pub in Camden and still felt the pull of something more - something ancient, wild, or utterly alien.
There’s a quiet pride in being a Londoner who’s been to Machu Picchu. It’s not about bragging. It’s about knowing that the stone carvings at Chichén Itzá were made before the Normans landed in England. That the Great Wall of China stretched longer than the entire railway network of Victorian Britain. That the Pyramids of Giza were already 2,000 years old when London was still a muddy Roman outpost.
And it’s not just about history. It’s about scale. The Northern Lights over Tromsø don’t just light up the sky - they make you feel small in a way that even the Shard doesn’t. The coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef are so vast, you could fit every park in Greater London inside them - and still have room for Hyde Park, Richmond Park, and Hampstead Heath.
Seven Must-See Landmarks You Can Reach From London
Here’s what actually works if you’re based in London and have a long weekend or a week off. No fluff. Just real options, with practical details.
- Angkor Wat, Cambodia - Fly direct from Heathrow to Siem Reap with Cambodia Airways (seasonal) or connect via Doha or Dubai. Arrive at sunrise. The temple complex emerges from the jungle like a dream. Wear covered shoes - it’s a sacred site. Skip the tuk-tuk drivers who quote £50 for a ride. Use Grab or a hotel-arranged driver. Budget £25 for a one-week pass. You’ll forget you ever stood in front of Buckingham Palace.
- Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile - A 15-hour flight via Madrid or São Paulo. You need at least five days. Book a guided trek with Chilean Expeditions - they use local guides who speak English and know where the pumas roam. Pack waterproof layers. The wind here doesn’t blow - it screams. You’ll return to London and think the Thames is calm.
- Machu Picchu, Peru - Fly to Lima, then Cusco. Take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. Book tickets months ahead - Peru limits daily entries. Start the hike early. The mist clears around 8 a.m., and that’s when the sun hits the stones just right. Don’t skip the Inca Trail if you’re fit. If you’re not, the alternative route via Hydroelectric is quieter and just as stunning.
- The Great Barrier Reef, Australia - Direct flights from Heathrow to Sydney (19 hours). Then a 2-hour flight to Cairns. Book a reef day trip with Reef Magic or Passions of Paradise. Snorkel at the Outer Reef - the corals are alive, not bleached. Skip the glass-bottom boats. Get in the water. You’ll see parrotfish, giant clams, and maybe a sea turtle. Back in London, your fish tank will look like a plastic toy.
- Stonehenge’s Bigger Cousin: Göbekli Tepe, Turkey - This one’s underrated. It’s older than Stonehenge by 6,000 years. Fly to Istanbul, then take a 10-hour bus or private transfer to Şanlıurfa. No crowds. No entry fee. Just massive T-shaped pillars carved with animals no one can fully explain. It’s the world’s first temple - built by hunter-gatherers. If you’ve ever wondered how humans went from caves to civilization, this is where you start.
- Mount Fuji, Japan - The best time to climb is July to early September. Take the Fujikyu Railway from Shinjuku. Stay overnight in a mountain hut. Wake up at 3 a.m. to reach the summit by sunrise. The view from the top? A sea of clouds, and below you, the whole of Kanto plain. London’s skyline looks like a child’s Lego set after this.
- The Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia - The world’s largest salt flat. In the rainy season (December-March), it becomes a mirror. You can take photos that make you look like you’re walking on clouds. Fly into La Paz, then a 5-hour bus to Uyuni. Book a 3-day 4x4 tour with Uyuni Salt Tours. They include meals, a guide, and a llama photo op. You’ll come back and realize your Instagram feed is full of filters - this place doesn’t need any.
How to Plan Without Breaking the Bank
You don’t need to quit your job in Canary Wharf to see the world. Here’s how Londoners do it:
- Use points and miles. Get a Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Platinum. You can get a round-trip to Southeast Asia for 60,000 miles - that’s less than two London to New York flights.
- Travel in shoulder seasons. April and October are quiet in Rome, Cairo, and Kyoto. Flights are cheaper. Hotels aren’t full. The light is better for photos.
- Book local tours. Skip Viator. Use GetYourGuide or local operators. A guide in Cambodia who speaks perfect English and knows the best temple for sunset? £15 a day. Not £120.
- Use London’s infrastructure. The Oyster card works for the Tube. The same logic applies abroad. Buy a local SIM card. Use Citymapper apps for cities like Tokyo, Paris, or Mexico City. You’ll get real-time transit info - no Google Maps guesswork.
What You’ll Bring Back
You won’t just come back with photos. You’ll come back with a new way of seeing.
After walking through the narrow alleys of Chefchaouen in Morocco - where every wall is painted blue - your view of Notting Hill will feel different. After seeing the silence of the Namib Desert at dawn, the noise of Oxford Circus will seem absurd.
You’ll notice how the British Museum’s Rosetta Stone is just one small piece of a much larger story. You’ll understand why the Romans built roads, but didn’t build Petra. You’ll realize that the Tower Bridge is impressive - but it’s not the only engineering marvel on Earth.
And when you stand on the edge of the Grand Canyon, looking down 1.6 kilometers into layered rock that tells the story of 2 billion years - you’ll stop thinking of London as the center of everything. You’ll feel small. And that’s exactly what you need.
Where to Start
If you’ve never left Europe, start with Istanbul. It’s only 3.5 hours from Heathrow. You can drink Turkish coffee, walk through the Grand Bazaar, and see Hagia Sophia - all before dinner. Then go to Morocco. Then Japan. Then Peru.
Don’t wait for the perfect time. The perfect time is the one you make. Book the flight. Take the day off. Leave your coat in the hallway. And go.
What’s the cheapest must-see landmark accessible from London?
Göbekli Tepe in Turkey is one of the most affordable. Flights from Heathrow to Istanbul start at £120 return if booked early. From there, a bus to Şanlıurfa costs £15, and entry to the site is free. You can do it in a long weekend for under £300, including food and a basic hotel.
Do I need a visa for these landmarks?
Most require a visa, but many are easy to get online. Cambodia offers e-visas in 3 days. Peru and Bolivia allow UK citizens to enter without a visa for up to 90 days. Japan and Australia require advance applications - apply at least 6 weeks ahead. Always check the UK Foreign Office website before booking.
Which landmark is best for families with kids?
The Great Barrier Reef is ideal. Snorkeling is safe for kids over 6 with proper gear. Many tours offer child-sized masks and guided reef walks. The colors and fish keep them engaged. Avoid high-altitude hikes like Machu Picchu with young children - altitude sickness is real.
How do I avoid tourist traps?
Avoid anything with a sign that says “#1 Must-See!” or “Photo Op with the Local.” Use local forums like Reddit’s r/travel or Facebook groups like “London Expats in Southeast Asia.” Ask for recommendations from people who’ve been there - not from hotel concierges who get commissions.
Can I visit these places without speaking the local language?
Yes, in most cases. English is widely spoken in tourist areas of Cambodia, Peru, Japan, and Australia. In Turkey and Morocco, basic phrases like “thank you” and “how much?” go a long way. Use Google Translate offline mode - download the language pack before you fly.
Next Steps for Londoners Ready to Explore
Start small. Pick one landmark from the list. Set a savings goal - even £50 a month adds up. Mark your calendar. Book a flight for next spring. Talk to someone who’s been there - ask them what they wish they’d known.
London has the world at its doorstep. But the world doesn’t wait. It doesn’t care if you’re busy, tired, or unsure. It’s out there - waiting for you to show up.
