What to do in London: The Ultimate Guide

Great, you're thinking of visiting London! "The city that never sleeps..." Now what?!

London is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world with more than 27 million visitors spending time in the capital each year.

The city will leave you feeling spoilt for choice, whether you're a history buff and want to explore a world of museums, galleries and historical sites or whether you are more interested in the major attractions such as the Coca-Cola London Eye, Madame Tussauds or Buckingham Palace.

London has it all.

How Do I Get There?

You are likely to fly into one of five London airports, all of which have great connections to get you straight into the heart of London.

Gatwick Airport - Gatwick express takes just 30 minutes to get you into central London, arriving at London Victoria train station. Heathrow Airport - a little closer than Gatwick, you can catch the Heathrow Express train to London Paddington, and it takes just 15 minutes! London City Airport - located toward the east side of London, you can catch the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) which can take you into Canning Town (7 minutes) where you can interchange onto the Jubilee Line of the London Underground or continue to Bank station in the heart of London's main business/financial district. Stanstead Airport - a little further out, Stanstead offers the Stanstead Express, a regular train service departing every 15 minutes which takes just 47 minutes to get into London Liverpool Street. Luton Airport - here you can take a quick shuttle bus (10-minute journey) from the airport and catch a direct train from Luton Airport Parkway. Trains depart every 10 minutes and you can arrive at London St Pancras International within 45 minutes.

Once you have found yourself in central London you can navigate your way through the London Underground, catch a black cab or request an Uber. Traffic can be very slow in central London, so do opt for public transport if you can!

The Must See Areas of London

London's diversity can be seen in all of its beauty, through the different and vibrant neighbourhoods, with each of them offering their own flavor and feeling with some of the best things to do. Let's focus on the ones that are worth visiting the most, the areas that will bring the best out of London for the curious visitors.

Camden

Originating from 1791 as a residential district, today Camden is a beautiful and wild mash-up of music venues, eateries, tattoo parlous and more.

Famous for its street markets and music venues that are strongly associated with alternative cultures like punks, Camden will give another unique taste of London.

Camden also boasts some great opportunities for family fun as well, with places like Pirate Castle's water-based adventures and Regent's Park Zoo Park for both adults and kids.

Shoreditch

If you like unusual art, alternative attractions and things that have a vintage vibe to it, Shoreditch just might be your next big thing in London.

In Shoreditch, strolling around is eye-catching with its immense collection of street art, while Atika, one of the biggest vintage shops in Europe and many other independent boutiques and vintages shops make up an entire gold mine for those who love shopping and hunting for one of a kind items!

That's just the tip of the iceberg that Shoreditch is, as unique bars, dedicated art spaces, creative venues, and delicious street food makes Shoreditch one big adventure in London.

Soho

If you're looking to have fun, especially when the sun goes down then Soho is where you want to be! Vibrant and energetic streets of Soho are filled with boutique shops, casual pubs, and clubbing opportunities and live music that features anything from jazz, rock n roll and more!

With its never-ending entertainment, fancy restaurants, shopping attractions together with a fun atmosphere and diverse people, Soho attracts tourists and Londoners alike to enjoy its beautiful nightlife or simply attend events like musicals or cabarets.

Soho is also known as a major hot spot and the heart for London's gay scene with plenty of gay bars and pubs.

To put it simply, Soho has everything and more to suit the taste of entertainment for any kind of fun-seeker!

Covent Garden

Bordered by The City of London and Leicester Square, Covent Garden is yet another popular area and thrives with history, culture, entertainment and much more.

Visitors enjoy endless shopping for the latest fashion, shoes, arts and crafts while diverse cuisines ranging from Indian meals to Mexican street food and beyond present a fantastic selection for food lovers.

Covent Garden is also home to some of the best theatres in London together with the Royal Opera House and interesting museums that are here to tickle the curiosity of its visitors and history lovers.

With famous shows like The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre or The Woman in Black at Fortune Theatre offering high-quality entertainment meanwhile the iconic National Gallery will let you in for free, 361 days per year, to reveal one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world.

Covent Garden is here to win over your heart and visiting the area is definitely one of the best things you can do when visiting London.

Westminster

No trip to London is complete without visiting the historic, political and bustling area of Westminster, located in central London. Filled with iconic landmarks and attractions, Westminster is definitely one of the best places to visit in London.

Often referred to as the tourist centre of London, the picturesque Westminster includes these famous sites:

Palace of Westminster - Dating all the way back to the 11th century, today it is a centre of political life and an astonishing architectural beauty to witness, inspired by Perpendicular Gothic style. Elizabeth Tower - Connected to the Palace of Westminster, and more known by the name of its main bell - the Big Ben, it became the most recognisable landmark in all of the United Kingdom. Westminster Abbey - Sometimes described as 'Britain's Valhalla' it is one of the most notable religious sites in the United Kingdom and is located just to the west of Palace of Westminster.The State Rooms, Buckingham Palace - Enjoy walking through the State Rooms as you witness numerous masterpieces by legendary painters like Rembrandt, Canaletto, and, Rubens. The Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace - Experience The Royal Mews, one of the finest working stables on the planet. Whether it's the Gold State Coach or the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, you're sure to be dazzled by their alluring aesthetic. Parliament Square 10 Downing Street Coca-Cola London Eye - Enjoy a 30-minute ride on the Coca-Cola London Eye, the British capital's iconic ferris wheel and the tallest in Europe.Tower of London - Visit the Queen's crown jewels, one of the highlights and must-see aspects of a visit to the Tower of London. Tower Bridge - Walk the spectacular glass high-level walkways to get some of the most breathtaking views of London. City of London

Despite past events like the London fire-bombings and post-war redevelopments, the past and history still breathe in the City's historic buildings like St Paul's Cathedral, Bank of England and more, but the City of London today means all business.

The City comes with completely different views and feelings than our previous locations. It might be only one square mile in size and traced back to the ancient Roman times, but today the area thrives as a modern financial district with skyscrapers dominating the skyline.

Knightsbridge and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

The smallest boroughs in London, yet some of the most densely populated places in all of the UK, Knightsbridge, Kensington and Chelsea all breathe royalty and luxury.

Besides strolling around and discovering some of the most expensive residential properties on the planet, the visitors are usually drawn to a few main points of interest.

Victoria and Albert Museum Science Museum Natural History Museum Design Museum Leighton House Museum Kensington Palace Royal Albert Hall Harrods

Best Things to do in London

London is a big city and there is an abundance of exciting activities and experiences to enjoy. Now you know how to navigate your way around this amazing city, check out our post on the best things to do in London!

Thank you from easyGuide

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