ST. JAMES'S. Buckingham Palace is a sightseeing must. Queen Victoria moved into the vast mansion in 1837; since then, generations of royals have made the palace their home. Although wandering the grounds and taking photos of the elaborate exterior are always popular, the interior (some of which is open only during summer months) is a treasure trove of art, furniture, sculpture and decorative goods. Walk around the corner to the Royal Mews to see the queen's coaches and horses. Admission is by timed ticket, available by phoning 20-7766-7300 or e-mailing bookinginfo@royalcollection.org.uk. TUBE: Victoria or Green Park or St. James's Park

GREENWICH. About four miles from downtown London, Greenwich is ideal for a day trip. Its attractions are legion and include the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory, Queen's House, Millennium Dome, wonderful Greenwich Park, and the clipper Cutty Sark. In addition to straddling two time zones at the prime meridian (where Greenwich Mean Time is established), visitors enjoy plenty of charming pubs, restaurants, and shops. There's also a great market that'll keep you browsing for quite a while. For the best experience, travel to Greenwich on one of the Thames cruise boats. TUBE: Trains run to Greenwich from the Charing Cross, Waterloo, or London Bridge tube stations.

WESTMINSTER. The impressive, Gothic-styled Houses of Parliament occupy the original site of the Palace of Westminster. Combined with their famous clock tower (commonly known as Big Ben), they're synonymous with London and a necessary stop. Although the building's exteriors are spectacular, it's even more interesting to head inside and see the Houses in action from the Visitor's Gallery ­ particularly if you go when the Prime Minister is subjected to Question Time, when disorder is common. Overseas visitors may tour Paliament only during Summer Opening in August and September, but may attend debates during the session. TUBE: Westminster

PADDINGTON. Flush against Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park is probably London's most familiar and most popular park. It's more than a mile square and includes Serpentine Lake, Marble Arch, and the well-known (and still-used) Speaker's Corner. The British take pride in freedom of expression, and this park is where orators show up to speak their minds, usually to crowds of tourists. Popular recreational activities in Hyde Park include rollerblading, football (soccer), and lawn bowling. A must-see for London visitors. TUBE: Hyde Park Corner or Marble Arch

SOUTH BANK. London offers many places to catch great panoramas of the skyline and the Thames, but this attraction is one of the best. Run by British Airways, the Eye opened to great acclaim at the start of the new millennium; well-managed ticketing ensures that the wait is never more than a half-hour, despite the Eye's overwhelming popularity. The 30-minute guided "flight" reaches a peak of 450 feet (it's the tallest observation wheel in the world) and offers 360° views. During the day, guides point out all the sights within a 25-mile radius, giving folks a good introduction to the city's layout. At night, when London is lit up, the view is even more amazing. A must-see. If you purchase a Fast Track ticket in advance (on-line or via phone), you can skip the usually lengthy queues. TUBE: Waterloo