London Travel guide
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. The contrast between the spectacular historic sights, the grind of a big city, and the lively cultural and foodie scene makes London an interesting and exciting destination. Wander through St. James park, visit Westminster Abbey, explore the streets of Shoreditch, and take a ride up the River Thames. London’s incredible shopping, endless sights, friendly locals, and vibrant nightlife offer something for every kind of traveller.
Recommended stay: 3-5 days
Day trips: Manchester, Bath, Cornwall, Dover
Brief Overview
London is situated on the banks of the River Thames. It is the seat of the Government of the United Kingdom and the country’s financial centre. The city has used its privileged location in southeastern England to its advantage, having always been a densely populated and wealthy area.
The city of London was founded by the Romans and their rule extended from 43 AD to the fifth century AD, when the Empire fell. During the third century, Londinium, the name given to the town by the Romans, had a population of 50,000, mainly due to the influence of its major port.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit London overall is in spring, when the temperatures have warmed up, the sun has started to shine and London’s gardens and parks are looking their best. You’ll get better value hotel and Airbnb rooms at this time of year too.
However, the reality is that the best time to travel to London depends a lot on what you’re looking for.
If you’re all about taking a peek inside King Charles’ palace, you’d better make it in summer, while if you’re hoping to spend plenty of time exploring the galleries then winter is a good shout.
Christmas is also a great time to visit to see all the decorations and winter wonderland!
Getting around London
The easiest way to get around, if you’re hopping between tourist sights is on foot. Walking will get you to all the main sights along the Thames and with the least amount of hassle.
If you can’t walk between the sights you want to see, then the Tube (Underground) or buses are the way to go. To make your travel in the city easy and convenient, get an Oyster card to use on public transportation. You can’t use cash to pay for buses – you will need an Oyster card. You can also use a contactless credit or debit card (and phone) directly at the terminal on the bus and the Tube. Your card needs to have the contactless symbol on it to use it. Regular credit cards are not accepted.
With an Oyster card you can travel to any part of London without the fear of being stranded anywhere. You can top-up your Oyster card at almost any newsagent or convenience store in London, or in a Tube station.
Do not bother with taxis as you will be stuck in traffic and most likely spend a huge amount for a short journey.
Things to see and do
The British Museum
Founded in the year 1753, the British Museum had a collection of over 71,000 unique items that had all been contributed by Sir Hans Sloane. Spend a day wandering through the eternal, labyrinthine corridors, exploring and discovering some of the greatest works of mankind’s cultural accomplishments and some take in some of the greatest relics of the Egyptian and Greek empires.
Entry is free
The London Eye
This gigantic wheel stands almost 135 meters over the entire city of London and is presently considered to be one of the tallest observation wheels in the world. From here you can view all of London with an entirely new perspective. Visiting the London Eye is an enchanting and inspiring experience.
Price: £32.50
St Paul’s Cathedral
Saint Paul’s Cathedral is famous for hosting royal birthdays, weddings, celebrations and even funerals of some of the greatest leaders in Britain. The Cathedral attracts millions and millions of tourists every year and is a historical accomplishment of the reconstruction that took place after the great London fire of 1666.
Price: Adult – £18 / Child – £7.70
The price of admission includes entry to the Cathedral Floor, Crypt and the Dome Galleries. It also includes media guides!
Book direct here
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
Few spectacles can match the pomp and pageantry of the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Held each and every day of the summer at precisely 11:30 am (every other day thereafter), this free event is extremely popular with tourists, so try to arrive early if possible to claim your roadside spot.
That said, while much of the action takes place in front of Buckingham Palace, you can avoid some of the crush by catching the troops a little farther away along The Mall as they march toward St. James’s Palace and then back to their barracks in Hyde Park.
This must-see free event lasts about 30 minutes. Afterwards, be sure to spend a little time exploring Green Park. One of London’s Royal Parks, this delightful green space features numerous pleasant pathways, gardens, and memorials to explore.
If you would like to enter the Palace from £17, get your tour here
Natural History Museum
Nothing sparks a kid’s imagination quite like a dinosaur or two. For parents on the hunt for fun free things to do for families when in London, the spectacular critter exhibits at the Natural History Museum certainly bat above average.
The museum hosts one of the world’s largest collections of dinosaur bones and fossils, and you’ll be greeted by the famous 150-million-year-old “Dippy” when you enter the dinosaur hall. In addition to seeing this massive diplodocus skeleton up close, there are numerous other displays that provide a picture of what life was like when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.
This is one of London’s most-visited free museums, so you’ll definitely want to plan ahead to guarantee admission.
Address: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London
Official site: www.nhm.ac.uk
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
Big Ben is located in Westminster and is the nickname for the ‘Great Bell’ of the clock but is often used to refer to the clock and clock tower, the clock tower’s official name is now the Elizabeth Tower named after Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 for her Diamond Jubilee. Big Ben is an iconic London landmark and a must on your list to see while you’re here!
The Houses of Parliament’s official name is actually the Palace of Westminster, however, due to its inhabitants, it is commonly referred to as the former. They’re on the banks of the River Thames in Westminster and the building itself is exquisite, you can arrange tours around the Houses if you’re interested in learning more about British politics, if not just admire them from the outside!
Tours can be arrange direct here
Tower Bridge and The Tower of London
Tower Bridge is one of London’s most iconic landmarks crossing the river. The bridge has stood in London since the 19th century and is infamous for its drawbridge effect making it able to let tall ships through and down the Thames. You’ll find it close to the Tower of London and the nearest tube stations are Tower Hill and London Bridge. Take photos from the banks of the Thames or you can walk across too!
The Tower of London was founded in 1066 and the castle was a prison from 1100 until 1952. The building reeks with a history that is waiting for you to discover it. You can also go and view the Crown Jewels in an exhibition here and marvel at how sparkly they are. Add the Tower of London to your list and go and see one of London’s oldest monuments!
The Globe Theatre
The Globe Theatre is nearby the Tate Modern, it is a modern reconstruction of the original theatre which was closely associated with William Shakespeare that was first built in the 17th century. You can buy tickets to see shows being performed here and it is iconic for its circular shape, thatching and open roof! And if you fancy seeing a modern theatre show in London, check out these London theatre tickets for current shows.
National Art Gallery
There’s no better place to start your tour of London’s top free attractions than at the National Gallery. Located in the very heart of Central London and just a stone’s throw away from iconic Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, this huge art gallery, with its impressive columned entrance, is home to more than 2,300 of the country’s most important artworks.
Established in 1838, the gallery houses paintings by some of history’s most renowned artists, including Monet, Rembrandt, van Gogh, and even Michelangelo. Free audio guides are also available and can be downloaded to most phones.
If you’ve got time, be sure to also pop into the National Portrait Gallery next door. Its extensive collection of artworks focuses on important figures from British history, the oldest example being a painting of King Henry VII painted in 1536.
Address: Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, London
Official site: www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Shop ’til You Drop in Covent Garden
There’s nothing like a little window shopping when you travel, and one of the best places to shop in London is Covent Garden. Just a 10-minute walk away from the National Gallery and Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden has for decades been one of the top tourist destinations and markets in London.
New Covent Garden, as it’s now officially known, is also much more than simply a place to shop. Numerous eateries have set up in and around the market and its plush boutique stores, while the crowds of tourists are entertained by professional buskers, often consisting of jugglers, acrobats, and even magicians.
While you’ll need to pay to get into the London Transport Museum, other free things to do include visiting the grounds of the charming “Actor’s Church,” otherwise known as St. Paul’s Church.
Official site: www.coventgarden.london
Other things to do
Trafalgar Square is the square surrounding Nelson’s Column. The name refers to the Battle of Trafalgar which was a British naval victory against Napoleon. The square is a very large public area where you can sit or admire the fountains with the backdrop of the National Gallery. It is often used for big public events or sometimes protests congregate here, at Christmas the huge Christmas Tree can be found in the square making it feel completely magical!
The Tate Modern is located on the banks of the River Thames in a former power station. It holds both British and international modern art as well as showcasing some one-off exhibitions. The museum is well worth a trip to, not only is the gallery building itself completely unique but there’s always lots to see!
The Shard is the tallest building in London, towering above every other landmark and unmissable from many places in London. The skyscraper was opened in 2013 and is home to multiple high-end restaurants, the Shangri La Hotel and a viewing platform which you can buy tickets to head up. It’s well worth admiring the view from up there but the only problem with viewing London from the Shard is you miss a view of the building itself, so be sure to make sure you admire it before going in.
Platform 9 3/4 – This is one for all the Harry Potter fans out there! If you want to find Platform 9 3/4 they have it all set up, permanently, at King’s Cross Station. You can have your photo taken, where a Gryffindor scarf and imagine you’re off to start a term at Hogwarts!
Where to stay
Best Overall – The Chesterfield Mayfair
Best Luxury – The Savoy
Best for Families – The Ampersand Hotel
Best for Business – The Hoxton
Best Boutique – The Henrietta Hotel
Best City View – The Standard
Best Budget – The Z Hotel Holborn
Best Restaurants
Best restaurants in London can be found here
London has some of the best restaurants in the world, offering cuisines from many different countries with a modern twist.
Manteca – For some of the most flavorful pasta dishes you’ll ever taste, head to this cozy spot
Blacklock – A meat lover’s paradise, Blacklock offers quality cuts of meat paired with decadent sides
Shack Fuyu – An incredible modern Japanese spot in Soho with a tasting menu to die for
Milk Cafe – For an insta-worthy brunch where the taste matches the look of the food
Pachamama – Peruvian sharing plates and chic decor are what makes this restaurant special
More Photos
Final thoughts and tips
This Essential London Travel Guide has taken you through all you need to start planning a trip to London! You’ve got all the practical info sorted, and have started building a list of things to see and do, and another list of places to eat and drink.
Tips & Things to Know
Download Citymapper – This will be your right hand when it comes to navigating the London transit system.
Be weather prepared – As commonly known, the weather can be spotty in London, so make sure you check before starting your day.
Try the local delicacies – When it comes to food and drink, try something locally made with fresh British ingredients.
Venture outside of tourist traps – Leceister Square is extremely busy and expensive, try out one of many other amazing areas instead.
Take a day trip – There are plenty of lovely neighbouring towns in the UK only a short car or train journey away. Go explore!
What to Pack
Umbrella – It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand in case of a sudden sprinkle while you’re out exploring.
Clothing Options – Depending on what vibe you’re going for, packing a mix of outfits will suit different activities.
Comfy Shoes – As London is a very walkable city, you’ll want to ensure having comfy shoes for all the steps you’ll be getting.
Allergy Meds – With all of the beautiful foliage comes hayfever season, so you may want to pack these in case they’re needed.
Backpack / Travel Bag – Especially if you plan to be out all day, bringing a travel bag will help ensure you have what you need.
Facts & Info
Census Population (2020) – 9 million (city)
Time Zone – Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), British Summer Time (GMT+1)
Area Codes – +44
Airports – London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW), London City Airport (LCY), London Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (LTN)
Nickname – The Big Smoke
Demonym – Londoner
Country – England, United Kingdom
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