When you’re looking for the top photo ops in London, Trafalgar Square just can’t be skipped. Its central location makes it easy to swing by—especially if you’re popping over from Leicester Square or Covent Garden. But the trick isn’t just snapping Nelson’s Column and calling it a day. Locals know there are angles and times when this place comes alive, and if you want your shots to do more than fill the family group chat, it pays to know a few hacks.
First up: the stone lions. Everyone scrambles for a photo perched on these beasts. The best time is early morning before the classic red double-deckers clog up the background and before the buskers move in. You’ll find less crowd, and the soft London light before 9am is perfect for both selfies and wide shots.
Take a slow pan around. The fountains? Catch them at dusk if you want the glow from the National Gallery to bounce off the water. City buses and black cabs streaming past? Afternoon is the money time, especially just after schools let out, adding some true London energy to your pictures. And if you’re after something special, check the London.gov event calendar—festivals and art installations can change the vibe overnight, giving you unique backdrops you won’t get on just any weekend.
Trafalgar Square isn’t shy about its statement pieces. If your camera battery’s limited, you want shots of the things that scream 'London' the loudest: the lions, the fountains, and that massive pillar smack in the middle—Nelson’s Column.
Start with Nelson’s Column. It’s 52 metres tall and topped with Admiral Nelson, who has a bird’s-eye view of the whole area. There’s usually a cluster trying to get a shot looking up, but the best angle is from the north side, using the Trafalgar Square fountains in the foreground. This way, you frame Nelson with bursts of water, and the National Gallery forms a killer backdrop. Pro tip: Bring a wide-angle lens or use your phone’s ultra-wide setting—this shot needs it.
The four bronze lions at the base are a rite of passage. Designed by Sir Edwin Landseer and installed in 1867, each lion is larger than a London taxi. Kids climb them, tourists pose on their paws, and locals just chill nearby. Mornings before 9am are usually quiet, so you can get photos without too many random heads poking in. Give the rear angles a go too—you’ll see more of the square and can score shots of the classic double-decker buses in the background.
The fountains come next. They’re not just nice to look at; they serve up perfect reflections—just after heavy rain, you’ll notice shimmering puddles on the stone ledges. Each fountain was actually added later, in the 1840s, to keep crowds from gathering too close to the column (Londoners love a crowd, so the city upped its game). Catch them at sunset on a clear evening for that blue-pink sky reflected in the water. Or, if it’s Christmas, snap the massive Norway spruce lit up near the fountains—an annual tradition since 1947.
| Landmark | Year Completed | Best Time for Photos | Photo Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson’s Column | 1843 | Morning or late afternoon | Frame with fountains & National Gallery |
| The Lions | 1867 | Before 9am | Try back angles for unique views |
| The Fountains | 1845 | Sunset or after rain | Look for reflections and festive lights |
While everyone aims for the obvious selfies, a shot from the south-east corner captures all three icons and tosses in St Martin-in-the-Fields church for good measure. If you want those postcard vibes, aim for an early weekend, before Londoners and street artists fill up the square.
If you’ve ever tried for a clean shot of Trafalgar Square around noon, you know it gets packed—especially around school holidays or when the weather is half decent. But you don’t have to shove your way through just to snap an empty shot in front of those lions or fountains. Timing and angles are everything.
The quietest windows are usually between 7am and 9am on weekdays. During these hours, you’ll even get that moody London glow before shops open up and before the morning rush sets in. If you’re aiming for sunset snaps, try weekdays too—avoid Fridays as locals start flocking out for after-work drinks, especially when it’s warm.
Angles can save your shot, even when crowds are inevitable. Stand at the northeast end of the square by St Martin-in-the-Fields, and you’ll get the National Gallery and Nelson’s Column lined up with fewer people in frame. Want something different? Try shooting from the steps of the Gallery, giving you a wide view of London’s West End, with red buses rolling by for that classic city vibe.
Keep an eye on local happenings. Trafalgar Square is a hotspot for everything—from Eid celebrations in May to Pride in June and the Christmas tree lighting in early December. These events can absolutely change your photo: you’ll swap empty backgrounds for colour, flags, and crowds buzzing with energy. Here’s a heads-up on annual footfall and key events to look out for:
| Season/Event | Typical Crowd Level | Photo Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday mornings | Low | Crisp, peaceful, best for landmarks |
| Saturday afternoons | High | Lively, busy, lots of Londoners out |
| Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) | Very high | Parades, red lanterns, costumes |
| London Pride (June) | Very high | Rainbow flags, street parties |
| Christmas (Dec) | High | Giant tree, festive décor |
If you hate queuing or want the square pretty much to yourself, steer clear of Bank Holiday weekends. When big events are on, go for ultra-close detail shots instead—snap flags, textures, faces, anything but a wide landscape. The best photo spots in London are about timing and working with what’s happening, not fighting against it. That’s what makes a photo feel truly local.
It’s wild how many people stand smack in the middle of Trafalgar Square and miss out on some of the coolest spots for London photography. If you’re after something that pops in your feed—and isn’t just another snap of Nelson’s Column—here are some lesser-known places and backgrounds to try.
First, check out the northeast corner near St Martin-in-the-Fields. The church by itself is old-school, but the view across the square from the steps, especially early evening, gives you a frame with layered shots: the fountains, the National Gallery, and crowds doing their thing in front. Street musicians often play there, adding legit London flair if you get the timing right. Aim for a wide shot so you get some of the square’s buzz.
Down in the southwest corner, find the Fourth Plinth. It’s famous for displaying weird and wonderful modern art—sometimes a giant ice cream scoop, other times a brutalist statue of a thumb. Every few months the artwork changes. This is perfect if you want contemporary vs classic London vibes. It’s also less swarmed than the lions, so you can shoot without loads of random heads blocking your shot.
If you’re into street life, walk behind the square towards Canada House. The building itself stands out with its stonework, and sometimes the small alley next to it gets a cluster of protest signs, union flags, or even chalk art. During high-profile London events or rallies, this spot serves up a real slice of everyday local life.
For a bit of visual variety, take a shot from the middle traffic island at the bottom of Whitehall. You’ll get the square framing Nelson’s Column, but also an unexpected angle back towards Westminster. Yes, you’ll need to be careful with traffic—but the shot lines up the old and new city. Pro tip: use a wide lens and shoot at noon for fewer shadows on faces.
Want some numbers? Here’s where people actually take their snaps according to Google Maps photo counts:
| Spot | Average Photo Uploads |
|---|---|
| Lions & Nelson’s Column | 15,500 |
| Fourth Plinth | 2,200 |
| St Martin-in-the-Fields Steps | 900 |
| Canada House Alley | 180 |
| Whitehall Traffic Island | 120 |
If you want your Trafalgar Square photos to feel fresh, try spots with fewer uploads—you can break out of the tourist trap and land serious bragging rights. Every angle offers a little something different, and with all the city energy around, it’s never the same shot twice.
Everyone’s seen that Trafalgar Square photo: one of London’s big, shiny red double-decker buses rolling past with Nelson’s Column in the background. Trust me, it’s worth nailing the timing to get your own version—this is basically a rite of passage for anyone after top London photography moments.
The best time is late morning or mid-afternoon on a weekday—on weekends, traffic thins out, making it harder to catch the steady parade of Route 24 and 29 buses as they swing past the square. But here’s the thing: don’t stand just anywhere. The sweet spot is the northeast corner near St Martin-in-the-Fields, where you get the buses running eastbound with the lions, fountains, and the National Gallery as your backdrop.
For a sharp, clear shot, use burst mode or a phone Live Photo as the bus rolls by—London’s traffic lights are fickle, and you only get a few seconds before the bus is gone. If you’ve got a mate, have them stand across the square and signal when a bus is coming into frame. This trick is how locals score that perfect motion-blur streak with the familiar red popping against the stone and glass cityscape.
Prefer a less crowded frame? Early Sunday mornings have lighter pedestrian traffic but just enough buses around 9:30am before things get busy with tourists. If you want that artsy night shot, the buses’ headlights and city lights add plenty of mood—use a steady surface or mini tripod to avoid shaky photos.
Looking for specific bus times? Here’s a quick table to help:
| Bus Route | Main Destinations | Typical Daytime Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Pimlico, Hampstead Heath | Every 7-10 minutes |
| 29 | Wood Green, Trafalgar Square | Every 8-10 minutes |
| 139 | Golders Green, Waterloo | Every 10-12 minutes |
If you want a vintage touch, keep an eye out for the occasional heritage Routemaster (these run special for some events and Bank Holidays, so check TFL’s updates). Also, avoid the dreaded scaffolding—London’s always got something under wraps—so swing by during spring or after big events to avoid random building works ruining your background.
And one last thing: keep an eye on your belongings, especially during busy times. While Trafalgar Square is generally safe, it doesn’t hurt to watch your kit when your eyes are on your perfect shot.
If you’re aiming to make your Trafalgar Square shots pop on Instagram, stick to practical edits. The classic London sky is usually cloudy, so bump up the contrast but don’t overdo the brightness. Filters like Juno or Lark on Instagram give you a boost without making things look fake. People in London scroll fast—unique perspectives get more reactions than touristy selfies by the lions for the hundredth time.
Tag your location as “Trafalgar Square, London” for reach. Adding UK-specific hashtags like #LondonPhotography, #HiddenLondon, and #VisitTrafalgar can help your shot land on local explore pages. If you catch a busker or a big red bus in your frame, tag them too. Some local transport or event pages share fan photos for extra clout.
Need a pit stop after your photo session? Locals duck into Pret A Manger or Caffè Nero facing the square—it’s quick and reliable. For something less obvious, Notes Coffee on St. Martin’s Lane is only a couple of minutes away, with plenty of seating and solid flat whites. Want a more London vibe? Try The National Gallery Café inside, with classic sarnies and a view that looks straight over the action.
If you’re not done adventuring, Trafalgar Square is a solid springboard. Charing Cross Station is right there—hop on the Northern Line for Soho or take a quick walk to Embankment for a stroll along the Thames. For culture without the crowds, poke around St Martin-in-the-Fields to check out their crypt cafe or catch a lunchtime concert. And if you’re after a bit of green, it’s just ten minutes to St James’s Park where pelicans and excellent benches await.
Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s around, updated June 2025:
| Spot | Price (£) | Distance from Square | What’s Good |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pret A Manger | 4-8 | 1 min walk | Fast sandwiches, free tap water |
| Notes Coffee | 3-6 | 2 min walk | Espresso, pastries, chill vibe |
| National Gallery Café | 8-12 | Inside Gallery | Overlooks square, British bakes |
| St James’s Park | Free | 10 min walk | Wildlife, flowers, benches |
Don’t forget: the best photos look authentic. Blend the landmark shots with slices of everyday London—like pigeons dodging crumbs, a mate laughing at the fountains, or a black cab speeding past. It’s those bits that give your images some real character—and make your Trafalgar Square stop stand out on any feed.
