London is a sprawling metropolis you have to see to believe – even though it’s my hometown, I straight up love it. Get ready to explore the city’s famous landmarks and hidden gems with my London travel guide.
Welcome to London! One heck of a crazy city, with all the history, cool bars, restaurants and attractions you could ever hope for for your city break.
Have a soft spot for exploring designer boutiques in historic arcades? It has ‘em. Enjoy sinking a pint in an atmospheric pub or two? You’re covered? What about soaking up historical traditions like the Changing of the Guard (more on that in a bit)? You guessed it… it’s here.
There’s a lot that makes a London trip one of a kind, and honestly, there’s enough to keep you busy for several lifetimes. Trust me… London is my hometown.
That’s why I whipped up this guide that’s packed with London travel tips and tricks, so you can narrow in on the must-see places and discover a couple of spots not covered by the other London travel blogs. Enjoy.
Stay in The Henrietta Hotel for stylish accommodation and friendly service in the city centre.
Visiting London is best in the spring or summer when the weather is ideal and the gardens are in full bloom. But are a few of the best times to see my favourite London events.
Chelsea Flower Show – May
Christmas Decorations – November and December
Fall Colours – September and October
Stay in the heart of London’s iconic West End, where you can enjoy the best live entertainment, shop til you drop, and walk to many of the city’s top attractions. I love The Henrietta Hotel for its luxury accommodations near the Savoy Theatre and the best boutique and designer shops.
Walk to many of London’s top attractions from this charming upscale neighbourhood below Kensington Palace and Hyde Park. Stay in one of the unique and stylish rooms at Beaverbrook Town House, a short walk from the Natural History Museum along Museum Mile.
Check out this vibrant neighbourhood home to some of London’s best live music, nightlife, and chill spots to meet up with friends. Stay at K West Hotel & Spa for close access to the Tube and many of the best restaurants and stores.
Waterloo’s most famous landmark may be the London Eye, but the street art, brew pubs, and parks around the Thames are all reasons to visit. Stay at H10 London Waterloo for comfy rooms near all the action.
Packing for your London trip? Don’t forget…
You know when someone says don’t leave home without it? So true. Travel insurance might not be a top priority for everyone – but it should be.
I use AXA Travel Insurance when I’m travelling as it saves worrying about lost luggage, flight delays, or unforeseen medical expenses.
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What London trip guide is complete without mentioning the magnificent sights around the Tower Bridge and the River Thames? Grab a coffee and take a long walk past the Tate Museum and the London Eye (hop on the observation wheel for a ride) for extraordinary views of Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster.
You can spend an entire day (maybe longer) exploring the shops under ornate vaulted glass roofs in the arcades in Mayfair. While Burlington is famous for its history and well-dressed police force, the Victorian architecture and high-end boutiques in the Royal Arcade make it my favourite.
When writing a London tourist guide, the holy triumvirate of museums (The Science Museum, Natural History Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum) that make up Museum Mile is the first thing I think of. Why? Where else will you see three of the city’s most incredible museums all within easy hopping distance of each other? Nowhere.
The best London travel guide will tell you that a show in the West End is a must. You can catch the best plays and musicals in 39 different theatres in this buzzing upscale district, but the 17th-century Theatre Royal Drury Lane is the oldest. Cap your night off with an extravagant dinner at Bob Bob Ricard with Russian-British cuisine and champagne call buttons.
Riding a double-decker bus is a must when visiting London. Whether you want to learn the spooky history of Trafalgar Square and Downing Street on a ghost tour, take part in afternoon tea when passing Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, or check out the festive London Christmas Lights on Oxford Street, a bus tour is one of my favourite ways to explore London.
Borough Market near the London Bridge in Southwark has been a vibrant marketplace for 1,000 years. Impressed? Stop by Tuesday through Sunday for gourmet treats like comté at Borough Cheese Company or Ibérico Bellota ham at Brindisa on a walking tour (or on your own), and you’ll know why.
Walk along South Kensington’s Museum Mile and explore the Natural Museum to see Darwin’s Pigeons and the Dinosaur Gallery. Then, check out the art and ceramics at the Victoria & Albert Museum before touring Kensington Palace and gardens for a perfect afternoon.
When writing a guide to London, it’s impossible not to mention Westminster. From the ornate Gothic architecture of the 11th Century Westminster Abbey to the Houses of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster, Central London is rich with tradition that’s alive and well. Visit Buckingham Palace, to witness the brass bands and bearskin hats that make the Changing of the Guard a must-see.
Walk around (or under) Waterloo’s streets, and you’ll notice some incredible (legal) street art in Leake Street Tunnel and inside The Vaults – an underground spot for pop-up jazz shows, subterranean murals, and theatre.
A Harry Potter filming location as a hidden gem? As a matter of fact, yes. Somehow, the shops, pubs, and restaurants at Leadenhall Market have remained mostly off the radar for tourists (and many residents) since the 14th century. Even after Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
The Temple of Mithras (London Mithraeum) is a hidden gem for travellers who want a little history lesson. Reserve a time slot to see a recreation of prayer to the god Mithras from Londinium times. It’s a dramatic reenactment that taps into the folklore and mystery of London long ago.
Looking for a London guide to free things to do? I got you covered with a few of my favourites.
From scouting Harry Potter filming locations on a free tour to the many free museums, you can do a lot for free in London. The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and Natural History Museum are two favourites.
Visiting during spooky season? Learn about the not-so-cheery past in places like St. James Palace and the Parliament on this donation-based tour.
You might walk right by the collection of over 20 dining outlets when you mosey down Carnaby Street in Soho, which is why I’m including it in my London city guide (you’re welcome). Fried chicken at Korean Dinner Party, cocktails at Disrepute, and burgers at Dirty Bones are all worth the effort of seeking out.
Dining at Rules is an ordeal you need to add to your London bucket list. The restaurant has been serving upscale British cuisine since the turn of the 18th century. Dishes like roasted grouse and sticky toffee pudding are time-tested classics. But the secret cocktail bar in a dream-like garden setting upstairs makes Rules even more iconic.
The Coach & Horses doesn’t just look the part. This quintessential London pub in Mayfair offers up classic British pub fare like fish & chips and cask ales in a cosy Tudorbethan setting known as one of the oldest pubs in the city.
The handmade pasta at this Italian mainstay in the Borough Market isn’t just a personal favourite. The long queue (even on weeknights) is proof of how delicious dishes like tagliarini with dried chiles and pici cacio e pepe really are.
Tipping in London is only expected for good service and is typically between 10%-15%. Always check your bill – many restaurants will add around 12% to your tab.
When you travel to London, set your watch to British Summer Time or Greenwich Mean Time, depending on when you visit.
From late March through October, London is (UTC +1:00), but is (UTC +0:00) the rest of the year.
London uses Type G plugs with 230V. Bring your universal adapter to avoid any issues when charging your phone and other electronics.
Overall, there aren’t many health factors you need to consider for a trip to London. The tap water isn’t just safe – it’s some of the best you’ll find anywhere, and you don’t need any additional vaccines if you have your standard shots like Hepatitis A and Tdap.
Getting around London is relatively easy, but keep in mind it’s a massive city, at over 600mi².
You’ll likely land at Heathrow Airport (though I prefer Gatwick), where you can take a train or taxi to your hotel.
Use Citymapper to plan whether to take the bus or Tube from one location to the next. An average bus ticket costs £1.75 ($2.15), and a trip on the London Underground is £6.70 ($8.30). But you’ll save quite a bit by purchasing the Oyster card.
Overall, your holiday should be very safe when visiting London. But like any big city, there are a few things to remember when travelling to London.
Remember that cars drive on the left w, keep personal belongings close in busy areas, and avoid wandering alone at night.
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