London isn’t a typical city. It doesn’t have one “centre” where you can find the tourist attractions. It is more like a collection of suburban villages with each borough having its own distinct character and qualities. Collectively this creates one of the most diverse, exciting and enchanting cities in the world. A hub of history, architecture and culture. Somewhere I was proud to call my home for many years and somewhere I can hopefully inspire you to explore. Buckle up, this is going to be a deep dive into the top things to see and do in London!
London is a city which can be visited year round, but do bear in mind that the weather is unpredictable and it can get very cold and wet! It’s a beautiful Christmas destination (we have some stunning lights and markets), but I always recommend coming in summer if you can (i.e. late June to early September) for the best chance of sunshine.
This is a tough question as London doesn’t have a “centre” like most cities. Honestly, anywhere you stay will mean you have to travel to see most of the sights as everything is spread out. In general if you want to be near the hustle and bustle then try around Soho and the West End, if you want to be a little swanky then try Mayfair and if you want to be a little edgy try Shoreditch. Some eco-hotels I recommend include One Aldwych and Treehouse Hotel London.
Let’s be real here, London isn’t cheap. If you want to enjoy the epic food, coffee and experiences it has to offer then there is the potential to drop a lot of cash. However, you can also save the pennies by exploring on foot, checking out the free museums and getting out in London’s green spaces.
Traffic in London is appalling so try to avoid catching an Uber unless you’re going a short distance or are prepared to sit in a cab for an hour. It’s usually much quicker and easier to walk or use London Underground otherwise known as the Tube – you can simply tap your contactless card at any station, buy an Oyster card or ticket at any station. Here’s some quick London travel tips:
As I said, London doesn’t have a defined centre and instead has different suburban villages. The best thing you can do to experience the city is pick one of the areas outlined below and just wander. Explore the streets, absorb the vibe and uncover hidden gems as you go.
This is otherwise known as the historic financial district in London, but don’t let that put you off – it’s actually home to some of the cities most incredible sights, hidden gems and skyline views. It seamlessly combines skyscrapers above with medical alleyways below. My favourite spots include:
You can escape the city and feel like you’re exploring an idyllic British river town in this underrated area. Plus you can get to Greenwich via the Thames Clipper boat, which is such a unique London transport experience. Greenwich is home to:
Shoreditch has earned a reputation as London’s most hipster area, packed with unique shops and top-notch coffee spots. It’s heaven for those who want to experience something a little different. It’s home to:
Kings Cross is a redeveloped area of London and Camden is a classic destination known for its quirky and eclectic energy. They are within walking distance of one another so I recommend exploring them on the same day. They are home to:
This is the closest thing London has to a “centre”. It’s home to:
One of the most affluent areas in London which is known for its pristine white houses. It’s home to:
Although Notting Hill technically falls under the borough of Kensington & Chelsea, I think it deserves to be highlighted as a standalone destination. It’s one of the city’s most iconic neighbourhoods and is known for its vibrant, upmarket and boutique vibe. It’s home to:
One of the prettiest areas in London – when you wander through its streets it feels like you’re exploring a quaint village even though you’re in one of the busiest cities in the world! Check out:
This is always my top recommendation for someone visiting London. If you want to get in your 10,000 steps and tick off some of the most famous spots in London then follow this route:
Of course, that’s a jam packed day but I wanted to include all the optional activities you could do when walking this route. Just pick and choose where you want to stop based on your personal interests. I promise you won’t regret it, this is one of the best walks to really get a feel for London.
One of my favourite parts of this city is its abundance of histor., London was founded by the Romans and has had a turbulent journey since then including wars, fires, the plague and so much more. It would be a shame to visit and not learn a little more about what has happened here, so make sure you check out:
Tower Bridge. The most iconic bridge in the city.
The Tower of London. A medical castle home to the crown jewels which is rich in history, make sure you get an audio tour.
Buckingham Palace. A great place to learn more about the monarchy, a defining element of British history.
Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament & Westminster Abbey. Three stunning historical sights which are located next to one another, make sure you get a tour of the Abbey to really learn about its history.
St Paul’s Cathedral. A stunning cathedral with an iconic dome you can climb to the top of.
Churchill War Rooms. Where Churchill and his government operated from during World War Two.
Highgate Cemetery. I know it sounds a little bizarre, but this is where many prominent historic figures are buried and the guided tours are fascinating.
If you want to get off the beaten tourist path, then I recommend heading to Greenwich to visit the Royal Observatory, The Old Royal Navy College, Cutty Sark, The Painted Hall and so much more. This is one of my favourite underrated areas in London.
London is home to numerous museums covering almost every subject you can think of, and the vast majority of these are free to enter. Here are some of my personal favourites:
The Natural History Museum. Make sure you visit the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition if it is on!
The British Museum. An epic museum focused on history, art and culture. It has one of the largest collection of works in existence.
The V&A. The world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, plus its own architecture is stunning.
Museum of London. It’s in the name, a museum focused on the history of the capital.
Design Museum. An underrated museum dedicated to contemporary design.
Tate Britain & Tate Modern. Two separate museums/galleries which cover traditional and more modern art.
If you’re anything like me, you love a market! They’re such an amazing way to experience the hustle and bustle of a city and connect with local independent businesses. London is home to hundreds, literally, but here are my personal favourites:
Borough Market, London Bridge. The most famous food and drinks market in London.
Camden Markets, Camden. There are numerous markets in the area including Camden Lock Market (for food), Camden Market (for clothing and goods) and Stables Market (which is great for vintage finds).
Maltby Street Market, Bermondsey. A hidden gem usually only visited by locals, a small street food market nestled under railway arches.
Vegan Nights, Shoreditch. A hub of the best vegan food in London. But this market only happens once a month so check their social media for the next one.
Spitalfields Market, Shoreditch. A lively market with food, clothing, jewellery and art vendors. I love the store Inspitalfields for unique gifts.
Portobello Market, Notting Hill. A unique bohemian market which sells a wide array of goods and is a treasure trove for antique finds.
Box Park, Shoreditch. A pop-up mall made from shipping containers which is packed full of independent eateries and lifestyle stores.
Dinerama, Shoreditch. A lively street food market with music, drinks and tonnes of atmosphere.
Pop Brixton, Brixton. A market set in shipping containers which has street food, drinks and live music.
Leadenhall Market, The City. A covered shopping spot in the heart of the financial district, set within a historic Victorian market place.
Colombia Road Flower Market, Shoreditch. Every Sunday this street in Bethnal Green is transformed into a haven of foliage and flowers.
Mercato Metropolitano, Elephant & Castle. A sustainability focused street food market focused ion revitalising neighbourhoods and protecting the environment.
If you’re staying for a little while, then it’s definitely worth exploring a little further afield than the usual central London attractions. Why not check out:
The Harry Potter Studio Tour, located in Watford. Great for any Harry Potter nerds like me!
Alexandra Palace. Known as Ally Pally to the locals, it’s a great place for families with attractions like a year-round ice rink, an aerial obstacle course and a boating lake.
The British Coast. The quirky seaside city of Brighton is only a one-hour train ride away.
Quaint British Cities. Catch a train to Oxford, Cambridge or Bath for the day.
Richmond Park & Kew Gardens. On the outskirts of London, these beautiful green spaces are so stunning it’s hard to believe you’re in a city!
For such a metropolitan city, London has a surprising amount of green space. So if you want to escape the hustle and bustle then head to:
Central London: Hyde Park (take a swim in the Serpentine or hop on a paddleboat), Kensington Palace Gardens (the sunken garden is stunning), St James’s Park (look out for pelicans and black swans), Holland Park (don’t miss the Japanese Kyoto Garden) and Regent’s Park (head up Primrose Hill for sunrise or a picnic).
Further out: Hampstead Heath (take in the view from Parliament Hill), Richmond Park (say hey to the local deer), Battersea Park (hop on a paddle boat around the lake) and Greenwich Park (which has amazing views over London).
London is a beautiful city and one of the best ways to see it is from above. If you’re looking for the best free views of the capital then check out:
Sky Garden, City of London.
The rooftop terrace of One New Change, City of London.
The viewing platform at the Tate Modern, The Southbank.
Primrose Hill, Camden.
Parliament Hill, Hampstead.
The Royal Observatory, Greenwich.
There is so much to see and do in London that even as a local I often book myself onto guided tours! Here are a few of my favourites which I always recommend to my friends:
London is an incredible city to explore on foot, so I always recommend heading out for a run in the area you’re staying in or going for a jog along Embankment. However if you want to try something a little more intense, the city is home to some of the most incredible boutique fitness classes in the world. I do have a full London Fitness Guide here but here are some of my favourites:
London is home to some incredible unique experiences which are often overlooked by tourists. If you have time when you visit then definitely check out:
Make sure you check out Time Out London before you arrive to see what seasonal events are happening, for example London Coffee Festival, Notting Hill Carnival or Chelsea Flower Show. If you can, always book in advance as these experiences fill up and sell out pretty fast!
And that’s it! All of my top London recommendations, I hope this has equipped you with the tools and information you need to have the most incredible experience in my home city! Want even more tips? Check out my London vegan food guide , green space guide and fitness guide.
Be sure to tag me on socials @zannavandijk if you use any of my tips!
Safe travels,
Zanna xx
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