Complete guide to London
London Travel Guide
Capital of the World for Decades
Top Attractions
Note
Attractions are listed in order described on itinerary and blog - not in order of any preference.
King's Cross/St. Pancreas Station
Built in 1852, The Kings Cross train station is a great place to visit for anyone, but especially Harry Potter fans as it has its own platform 9 3/4 as well as a large store. However, even if you aren't traveling with any Potter fans, Kings Cross is a great place to see how large and fabulous a London Tube station can be as it is filled with countless shops and restaurants. It is a great place to get on/off the Tube as well as view some great architecture and take a quick mall break. Even if you don't want to make a special trip, if you are nearby it is worth the extra 5 minute walk to visit Kings Cross.
London Eye
Surely on everyone's bucket list, it is essential to take a ride on this Millennium Wheel for the full London experience. Situated along the River Thames, the wheel provides a great vantage point for other popular attractions. Be sure to book your ticket in advance.
Sky Garden
The Sky Garden is a unique place in London that spans 3-stories. Within is a wonderful arrangement of flowers throughout all 3 stories. On top of that the entire area is made of glass so that you can enjoy marvelous views of the entire city. The greatest perk is the view of the city. Although access to the garden is free, you still have to book a ticket.
Oxford Street
Oxford Street is Europe's busiest shopping street where over 300 shops can be found.
Buckingham Palace
This magnificent palace is home to the royal family. Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, the well-known Changing of Guards ceremony occurs outside of the palace at 10:45 am and lasts for 45 minutes. If you do not wish to stay for the entirety of the event, you can arrive at 11 am to witness the 'handover'. Also, if you do want to go inside, you will have to book tickets a while in advance as tours are extremely popular.
British Museum
With over 8 million artifacts under its roof, the British Museum is a popular location for tourists as it includes pieces of history from all over the world. Whether you love or hate history, this museum is a must visit. In just one building you can see millions of years of the history of our planet. Despite the controversy on the British's past methods of obtaining these artifacts, it is still worth visiting. Although, one could spend all day here, a good 3-4 hours allotted for the museum should be sufficient enough. To be guaranteed access, all you need to do is reserve your spot with a free ticket.
Windsor Castle
Although it is 45 minutes away from the heart of London, this enormous castle is definitely worth a visit as it carries centuries worth of history and is one of the quarters of the royal family. Check out day 3 of the blog to learn more on how to get there.
Stonehenge
Despite the fact that it is located nearly 2 hours outside of London, Stonehenge remains an extremely popular and worth the visit site. It is also on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. It is astonishing to think about how 5,000 years ago, our ancestors were able to create such a structure out of rocks. Check out day 3 of the blog to learn more on how to get there.
Roman Baths
This is just one of the many ancient Baths scattered throughout Europe. Built by the Romans, the Baths still stand here today providing a phenomenal view for visitors. Despite the greenish color of the water, there is a spot where the water is filtered for you to drink. On top of that, the small town surrounding it is filled with other ancient structures. For more information on how to get there, check out day 3 of the blog.
River Thames
At 215 miles long, the River Thames runs throughout London and the UK making it a hard-to miss sight. Located along the river are many of London's most popular sights including the Big Ben, Tower of London, the Shard, Westminister Abbey and the London Eye. On top of that, the Tower Bridge, London Bridge and Millenium Bridge all run over the Thames. Therefore, if you ever want to see what used to be London's biggest sewer or preferred method of transport, a quick stop by any popular attraction will do just the trick.
London Bridge
The bridge with the famous name is not quite like you'd expect it to look. Instead, it is just one of the many bridges that spans the River Thames, and the latest to be called the London Bridge. Built in 1973, it is the latest bridge that bears the name London Bridge.
Tower of London
While it is not exactly a tower, the site is composed of many different old buildings with the most prominent being a square with 4 towers at the corners. The collection of buildings used to be a royal castle but now has been transformed into museums where you can view British armor, precious jewels and more. Be sure to buy a ticket (included in London Pass) (see London Pass blog post).
Tower Bridge
Contrary to popular belief, the bridge in this image is not the London Bridge from the children's nursery rhyme but rather Tower Bridge, which is a drawbridge situated on the River Thames. This spectacular bridge is the misnamed icon of London and can be walked upon and explored. To simply walk the bottom layer no tickets are needed but if you with to explore the top, you need a ticket (included in London Pass) (see London Pass blog post).
Big Ben
The Big Ben is a longstanding icon of London that no traveler would dare miss. Although I personally did not go inside, 90-minute tours are available for those 11+ and willing to climb 334 steps while listening to the tolling of the bells.
Parliament Buildings - Palace of Westminister and House of Lords
This large building is located right behind the Big Ben and is extremely hard to miss even if you tried. If you take a quick walk on the Westminister Bridge or to the other side of the Big Ben, you can see a long building and that is where the members of the British parliament work.
Westminister Abbey
The Westminster Abbey is a 1000 year old church that is closely connected to the British monarch. It is located near the Parliament buildings and is not exactly what you think. Be sure to ask around to make sure you are viewing the correct church as the area can be slightly confusing. If you do wish to go inside it is included the London Pass (see London Pass blog post).
Trafalgar's Square - Nelson's Column
Trafalgar's Square is an open plaza located at the heart of London. Here you can see the 169 foot tall Nelson's Column that is guarded by 4 lion statues. Surrounding the column and square are a lot of other buildings including some national galleries.and tour operators to create unique and authentic travel experiences for our audience.
Borough Market
This open-air market included food from all over the world. Whether you are looking for a quick snack or a large meal, the large variety of booths will provide you with a whole lot of options.
The Shard
Built in 2009, The Shard is a relatively new addition to the London skyline. You can book a visit to the top of the Shard if you wish to view the glorious city of London from a birds-eye-view. This is included in the London Pass (see London Pass blog post).
The Gherkin
Although the inside is primarily composed of offices, the exterior is worth seeing. Commonly called "The Egg" the Gherkin is extremely prominent in the London skyline due to its egg-like shape. Even if it is from afar, viewing this architectural feat is definitely worth it. If you do visit the Duck and Waffle restaurant described below, you are sure to get a great look at this building. In fact, this picture was taken from the lobby of the restaurant.
Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is an intersection in London that is known for being lit up by neon signs. There are huge billboards that curve around buildings providing an luminous junction. In the middle, a statue of an angel can be viewed.
Harrods
Built in 1849, Harrods is the largest department store in London with over 3000 different brands. Covering 5 acres, Harolds is a shoppers dream.
Food
Cafe Concerto
Joe and the Juice
Cafe Concerto
A extremely popular and fantastic cafe for a meal, dessert or that fabled British tea time. With 20 locations in London itself, Cafe Concerto is an easily accesible place no matter what you are in the mood for. Whether you need a quick break from your adventures or are in need of a full meal, Cafe Concerto is the place to go.
Maroush
Joe and the Juice
Cafe Concerto
Maroush, is an excellent Lebanese restaurant located at 38 Beauchamp Place London SW3 1NU. They provide a wide variety of dishes including some classic favorites such as humus, falafels, tabbouleh and much more. After a long tiring day, this was a great place to sit relax and enjoy some delicious food.
Joe and the Juice
Joe and the Juice
Joe and the Juice
A popular juice and smoothie franchise located primarily throughout Europe but also other continents, Joe and the Juice is a great spot to grab a quick drink like a juice or shake, or a bite such as a sandwich, snack, or bowl. Even if you have tried it outside of Europe (in places such as NYC), the taste of their European locations is just so much fresher and better. Two of our favorite drinks include the Pick Me Up (a phenomenal blend of apples, strawberries and bananas, even for those who do not enjoy these fruits) and the Stress Down (a similar blend including apple, strawberries and ginger).
Costa Coffee
Duck and Waffle
Joe and the Juice
Yet another popular franchise, Costa Coffee started in London but can now be found in thousands of locations world wide. This is another great place to grab any drink, like a coffee or hot chocolate, as well as a bite. Here in London I enjoyed a Toblerone muffin while in the Dubai location I savored a lovely chocolate donut.
Gymkhana
Duck and Waffle
Duck and Waffle
Gymkhana has a Michelin Star since 2014 to now(2023) as well as 4.5 stars on Google, Gymkhana is a great place to go when you are craving something new or wish to experience the taste of India. This comforting food is sure to delight your taste buds with its flavors and bring a smile to your face. Be sure to book a spot as they fill up months in advance.
Duck and Waffle
Duck and Waffle
Duck and Waffle
Located on the 40th story of a building adjacent to the Gherkin, Duck and Waffle is a amazing restaurant with spectacular views of the London skyline. Although they do serve multiple different meals, we enjoyed a breakfast that kept us ready for the day ahead. Based off a suggestion from family, we ordered the caramelized banana waffle. This place is great as you can customize the waffle to your fit. Along with our waffles we enjoyed some coffee and hot chocolate. Do be sure to book a reservation ahead of time.
Transportation
The Tube
Uber or Cab
The Tube
Without a doubt, the popular London Tube is one of the best ways to travel through London for cheap. To learn how to use the London Underground, check out my post.
UberBoat
Uber or Cab
The Tube
Uber Boats are a quick, easy, fun and unique way to get across the River Thames. The ginormous boat has multiple stops along the river to make it easy to hop on and off as well as view the most popular London sites that are all conveniently located on the river's edge. Included in Pondon City Pass
Walking
Uber or Cab
Uber or Cab
Even though London may seem like an extremely large and intimidating city, plenty of its top attractions are located close by making it easy to get from one place to another via walking.
Uber or Cab
Uber or Cab
Uber or Cab
As in any city, booking yourself an Uber is a great way to get from one place to another when the distance is large. On the other hand, London cabs are great as well. The cabs are readily available and a lot of them are surprisingly spacious. To spot one just look for a large black vehicle.