London is one of the best and biggest cities in the world, because when you visit you get so much more than just one culture. There is over a thousand years of history, and in modern times it has become the home to people from around the world. London is diverse, it is vibrant, and there is so much to see and do. It’s also opening back up again, so if you are planning a trip to London, follow this guide, so you know what to do, where to go, and what to expect.
What Should You See?
For first-time visitors, the top hotspots and tourist destinations are a must. They are the big hits for a reason, though it is important to check ahead to see what is open, what isn’t, and, most importantly, book a ticket. Timed tickets are a must, but don’t worry! Many places, like London’s museums, are still free. You just need to book your timed ticket for social distancing reasons.
Some top sights to go see include:
- The London Eye and South Bank
- London Bridge and Borough Market
- London’s Museums
- London’s Royal Residences (Buckingham, Hampton, Eltham, Windsor, and more)
- London’s Markets
- London’s Infamous Neighborhoods (Notting Hill, Chelsea, and Kensington, etc.)
Where Should You Eat?
There are many, many great restaurants and food markets in London, so you are absolutely spoiled for choice. You can go to a local favorite like cafe-luca.co.uk, or you can go and have your pick at one of London’s famous food markets like Borough Market, or Maltby Street Market, as well as Street Feast markets. There are many great places to enjoy. If you want to be sure you eat well, especially if you have dietary restrictions or a tight budget, then your best option is to make a note of restaurants that are great options and to save them in your map app.
Where Should You Stay?
Thanks to London’s public transport you can stay almost anywhere in London and still get to where you are going quite easily. It is, however, important to find a happy medium. You want the area to be safe and comfortable, and you want it to have great transport links. This could include staying in a place outside of London, so long as it has good transportation connections to one of the main stations of London, like Paddington, King’s Cross, or London Bridge.
How Should You Get Around?
The best way to get around is by public transport. To do this cheaply, visitors should get an Oyster card. The other option is to use contactless. However, this could incur a charge every time you use it if your card is from abroad. Oyster cards have a daily limit, so you can travel throughout London and use public transport multiple times a day without spending more than £15 per person. You can top up your card at any station.
That isn’t, of course, the only way to get around. London is slowly becoming a very bike-friendly city, and there are many city bikes available to rent at a great price.
