13 Best London Christmas Photo Spots for Festive Pictures

Kriszti

If you’re planning to visit London during the festive season and looking for London Christmas photo ideas, you’re in the right place!

London is one of my favorite places to visit during Christmas time. The city transforms into a magical wonderland with dazzling lights, festive decorations, charming markets, and of course, endless photo opportunities!

In this post, I’m going to share the best London Christmas photo spots along with some tips and tricks to capture the perfect holiday shot. So let’s get ready to explore the most Instagrammable places in London during Christmas time!

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Are you planning a last-minute trip to London at Christmas time?

If your trip is coming up soon and you still haven’t booked anything, we have you covered! Below you can find our top picks when it comes to hotels, tours, getting around, and more.

Best Tours and Experiences at Christmas in London

Best Places to Stay in London during Christmas

Planning to visit a handful of attractions? You can save a lot of money by purchasing a London Pass! You have the option to buy a pass for 1-10 days and you can also choose from more than 90 attractions to visit.

Map of the Most Christmassy Instagrammable Places in London

I made a custom map for you that contains all the best London Christmas photo spots mentioned in this post so you can easily plan your route and make sure you don’t miss any of them!

How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.

Best London Christmas Photo Spots

1. Regent Street

Let’s start with one of the most iconic Christmas photo spots in London – Regent Street! This bustling shopping street is known for its stunning Christmas light display, especially the famous ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ angels.

The Christmas lights usually turn on around 3 pm but I think it’s best to capture them when it’s already fully dark outside.

The street is usually very busy so doing a photoshoot here is a bit of a challenge. I would recommend either going very late in the evening when the street is less crowded or having a ton of patience to wait for a clear shot.

Location on Google Maps: Regent Street

2. Covent Garden

Covent Garden is hands down one of my favorite Instagrammable Christmas spots in London! Not only is the decor absolutely stunning, but there are also plenty of cute shops, cafes, and street performers to capture in your photos.

The Christmas decoration inside used to feature mistletoe chandeliers, but last year they switched it up to giant Christmas bells and red baubles, and it looks like this theme is going to stay for 2024 as well.

The red Christmas sleigh is probably the most famous photo spot here, and you can find it in the West Piazza South Hall. It’s free to take photos here but the sleigh is roped off before 9 am so plan accordingly.

During the day, people usually line up to take photos here but it’s not that bad. We visited around 3 pm and only waited for about 15 minutes.

The giant Christmas tree in the West Piazza is also a must-visit, and I really loved the smaller Christmas trees and the red bow at the entrance. You really have endless photo opportunities at Covent Garden!

Location on Google Maps: Covent Garden

3. Harrods

Harrods is a must-visit spot during the Christmas season, not only for shopping but also for its incredible decor. The luxury department store’s facade features stunning lights and decorations and it looks absolutely amazing!

I think it’s best to take photos from across the road in order to capture the whole facade. The best time to take photos here is in the evening when it’s dark outside and all the lights are on. The later you come, the emptier the streets will be!

Even if you are not planning to buy anything, it’s still worth going inside Harrods to see their Christmas decorations. The main hall usually has a giant Christmas tree and there are plenty of other photo spots inside.

Location on Google Maps: Harrods

4. Cartier New Bond Street

If you’re looking for a luxurious backdrop for your London Christmas photos, look no further than Cartier on New Bond Street! The iconic jewelry store always goes all out with their window displays during the holiday season.

The street is usually super busy during the day so I recommend going early in the morning to avoid crowds and have a clear shot. You can also try taking photos at night when the store is closed, but it’s definitely more challenging.

Also, there is a Ralph’s Coffee right across the street overlooking the Cartier store which is perfect for photos. It only opens at 10 am and since we visited earlier, we didn’t have a chance to try it but I wish I did! At least, we have a reason to go back next year.

Location on Google Maps: Cartier New Bond Street

5. New Bond Street

Cartier is definitely the most famous London Christmas photo spot on New Bond Street but there are a lot more photo opportunities on this luxurious shopping street!

I especially loved the Christmas decorations at Dior, Tiffany & Co, and Louis Vuitton. And the street itself is beautifully decorated too, so definitely take some time to stroll around.

Location on Google Maps: New Bond Street

6. Peggy Porschen

Peggy Porschen is THE spot for Instagrammable desserts in London and during Christmas time, it’s even more magical! The famous pink bakery used to have two locations in London (Chelsea and Belgravia) but sadly the Chelsea branch has closed permanently.

The Belgravia location is still open and it’s a must-visit for any Instagram lover! The exterior and interior are both beautifully decorated for the holiday season, making it the perfect spot for your London Christmas photos.

The staff is really lovely and they generally don’t mind if you take photos at the entrance even if you don’t plan to buy anything. However, I definitely recommend trying some of their delicious treats while you’re there!

We booked a spot for breakfast and absolutely loved the food and the ambiance. If you’re in a rush, you can also take away some of their famous cupcakes!

Location on Google Maps: Peggy Porschen Belgravia

7. Annabel’s

Annabel’s is an exclusive members-only club in Mayfair so it’s interiors are only open to a selected few. However, you can still admire their stunning Christmas decorations from the outside!

They always have a new theme for every year and it’s always a showstopper. When we visited, the entrance was decorated to look like a giant merry-go-round with carousel horses and beautiful lights.

Even though you can’t go inside, it’s definitely worth stopping by for a quick photo or two. Just beware of the heavy traffic in this area, especially during peak hours.

We found it impossible to snap a decent photo during the day, especially one with me in it. So if you want one, I recommend going early in the morning.

Location on Google Maps: Annabel’s

8. Coppa Club Tower Bridge

The igloos at Coppa Club Tower Bridge are definitely one of the most iconic photo spots on this list, so if you’re looking for unique London Christmas photo ideas, this is it!

The igloos are set up on the terrace of Coppa Club and offer stunning views of the Tower Bridge and the Shard. They are decorated with fairy lights and cozy blankets for a magical winter experience.

It’s definitely a super unique experience to dine inside an igloo but keep in mind that they get booked up really fast during the holiday season. So make sure to plan ahead and book your spot as soon as they open the reservations!

I’ve read somewhere that they keep one of the igloos reserved for walk-ins so I really had my hopes up and made sure that we arrive right when they open to be the first ones in line.

However, when we got there, we were told that this was not true and all the igloos were reserved. I was a bit sad but they had plenty of places inside the restaurant with a view of the igloos, so we still got a chance to enjoy the atmosphere and take some photos.

The food was also really good and for some reason, I expected sky-high prices, but it was actually quite reasonable. So even if you don’t get to dine in the igloos, definitely stop by for a drink or a meal with a view!

Location on Google Maps: Coppa Club Tower Bridge

9. Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in London and it’s a must-visit whether you’re traveling to London during Christmas time or any other time of the year.

The bridge itself doesn’t have any special decorations for Christmas but we found a pretty Christmas tree on the north bank, in front of the Tower of London. It’s a great spot for photos with the bridge in the background!

Other than that, I prefer the south bank for photos, especially Butler’s Wharf Pier. It offers a great view of the bridge from a different angle and it’s usually less crowded than the northern bank.

Location on Google Maps: Tower Bridge

North Bank
South Bank

10. The Churchill Arms

The Churchill Arms is a cozy pub in Kensington and it’s famous for its beautiful flower decorations, both inside and outside. During the holiday season, they go all out with festive lights and Christmas decorations.

It’s definitely worth stopping by for some photos while you’re walking around Kensington. And if you have time, make sure to also try their delicious Thai food or just pop in for some drinks.

I would recommend making a reservation in advance because it’s pretty popular during Christmas time!

Location on Google Maps: The Churchill Arms

11. Hay’s Galleria

This was a spot we randomly found while walking around near London Bridge but absolutely loved it! Hay’s Galleria is a covered shopping arcade and during Christmas time it’s decorated with beautiful lights and a giant Christmas tree.

I especially loved Christmas decorations at Hay’s on the River, a restaurant located inside the galleria. It’s definitely worth taking a break here for some hot chocolate or mulled wine and snap some photos while you’re at it!

Location on Google Maps: Hay’s Galleria

12. Sky Garden

Whether you’re visiting London at Christmas or any other time of the year, Sky Garden is a must-visit for its stunning views of the city. And during the holiday season, it’s even more magical with festive decorations and lights.

The entrance is free but you need to book your tickets in advance online. Spots get booked up quickly, so make sure to plan ahead and reserve your spot during the holiday season as soon as possible!

I recommend choosing a late afternoon timeslot just like we did, so you can see the city during both daylight and nighttime.

It’s also a great spot for photos with London landmarks like The Shard and Tower Bridge in the background. Just make sure to dress warmly because it can get pretty chilly on the outdoor viewing platform!

Location on Google Maps: Sky Garden

13. Winter Wonderland

Last but not least, Winter Wonderland has to be on the list of best Christmas photo spots in London! It’s a huge Christmas market and amusement park that takes over Hyde Park during the holiday season.

You can find everything here from festive food and drinks to rides and attractions. And of course, tons of photo opportunities with beautiful decorations and lights!

You have to book your preferred time slot to enter the park online in advance, so make sure to plan ahead and check out their official website for all the details. I would recommend going during the week if possible, as weekends can get extremely crowded.

Location on Google Maps: Winter Wonderland

Other Great Christmas Photo Spots in London

The above photo spots are the ones we managed to capture during our Christmas trip to London but of course, there are many more! Here are some other places that I have on my list for future visits:

More Christmas Travel Guides

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