Best for
Every visitor to London — it's a free, central hub for sightseeing
Time needed
20–40 minutes, longer if combined with the surrounding galleries
Worth it?
Yes — free, central and genuinely historic
Skip if
Never skip it outright — it's likely on your route between other central sights anyway
About Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square was laid out in the 1840s on the site of the former royal stables, designed by Sir Charles Barry (also the architect behind the Houses of Parliament) to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar, Britain's decisive 1805 naval victory over the combined French and Spanish fleets. It opened to the public in 1844 and has served as London's default gathering point — for celebrations, protests and New Year's Eve crowds — ever since.
Nelson's Column dominates the square at 51.5 metres (169 feet), topped by an 18-foot statue of Admiral Horatio Nelson, who was killed at Trafalgar just as the battle was won. Four bronze lions by Sir Edwin Landseer guard the column's base, cast from captured French cannon and added in 1867, over two decades after the column itself. Two fountains and a series of plinths — including the rotating contemporary art displays on the "Fourth Plinth" — complete the square's landmarks.
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The square is flanked by the National Gallery on its north side and the National Portrait Gallery just behind it, with St Martin-in-the-Fields church — famous for its free lunchtime concerts — on the northeast corner, and Admiralty Arch leading through to The Mall and Buckingham Palace to the southwest.
Entirely free and open around the clock, Trafalgar Square works as both a destination in its own right and a natural hub for walking to Westminster, Covent Garden or Whitehall.
What to See: Highlights
- 1Nelson's Column, 51.5 metres tall, topped by an 18-foot statue of Admiral Nelson
- 2The four bronze lions guarding the column's base
- 3The rotating contemporary art commission on the Fourth Plinth
- 4The National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery flanking the square
- 5St Martin-in-the-Fields church and its free lunchtime concerts
- 6A free, 24-hour central London landmark and transit hub
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Insider Tips
Check the Fourth Plinth — the contemporary art piece rotates every year or two
St Martin-in-the-Fields hosts free lunchtime concerts most weekdays — check the schedule
The square gets very busy with tourists and street performers by midday — early morning is quieter
Combine with the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery and a walk down The Mall to Buckingham Palace
New Year's Eve and major national celebrations draw huge crowds here — plan accordingly if visiting then
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Getting There
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Open in Google Maps →- 1Charing Cross (Bakerloo, Northern lines) — directly adjacent. Leicester Square and Embankment are both a 5-minute walk.
Where to stay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You want to see Nelson's Column and the National Gallery in one stop
- You're walking between Westminster and Covent Garden or Soho
- You enjoy public squares, street performers and people-watching
- You want a free, central meeting point or photo stop
Skip if...
- You've already passed through en route to the National Gallery and don't need to return
- Crowds and street performers aren't your thing at peak times
- You're avoiding central London crowds during a major public event
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in London
National Gallery
Over 2,300 Western European paintings from the 13th to the early 20th century, free to view, filling the north side of Trafalgar Square.
National Portrait Gallery
Over 250,000 portraits of the people who shaped British history, from Tudor monarchs to contemporary celebrities, in a building reopened after a major 2023 refurbishment.
Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament
The Elizabeth Tower's Great Bell and the Gothic Revival Palace of Westminster — Britain's seat of government, viewable free from outside, or climbed on a rare, popular guided tour.