What to Know About London
- Places to visit and things to do
- Exploring London through day and city tours
- Vacation preparation and travelling guide
- Travel itinerary recommendations
Do you know what the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, Westminster Abbey, and the Maritime Greenwich have in common besides being United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites? These iconic landmarks are all located in the capital of England and the United Kingdom — London.
Every year, both local and international tourists flock to London, making it one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK. If you are planning a visit to this city soon, this guide will certainly come in handy in terms of where to visit and what to do in London.
🏙️ Top London Attractions and Experiences
The global fascination with British history and royalty has been further fueled by the popularity of the Netflix series The Crown. According to a survey by Skyscanner, over 25% of global travellers said the series inspired them to visit London in 2024. If you are a fan of the show or UK history, one of the best ways to begin your holiday in London is through visits to the UK's iconic landmarks and museums.
🕰️ Historical Attractions Visits
Here are some of the landmarks that offer you some insights into royal history and its legacy until today for the modern-day monarchy.
👑Buckingham Palace
- Official residence of the British monarch (King Charles)
- State Rooms are open to the public from July to September
🕍Westminster Abbey
- Official church for royal coronations, weddings, and funerals
- King Charles's coronation and Prince William's wedding took place here
🏰Tower of London
- Official home to the Crown Jewels
- Visitors can view the Crown Jewels at The Jewel House, but not photograph them
Apart from historical landmarks, you can also plan your London itinerary revolving around museum visits to discover various cultural gems, from art exhibits, sculptures, and skeletons, which reflect local and global history.
Must-Visit Museums
- The British Museum
- The Natural History Museum
- The Victoria and Albert Museum
- The National Gallery
- Imperial War Museum
Pre-booking is advised for all historical landmarks to ensure smooth entry for your preferred time slot. Many museums in London offer free admission, making them well worth a visit!
Don't forget to check out these wildlife and nature-themed holidays in the UK.
🎉 Experiences and Entertainment
Additionally, London offers an incredible variety of experiences and entertainment at different times of the day, which cater to different occasions too, from iconic city views and three-course local delights to the vibrant theatre scene, as shown below:
🎡Scenic Views
- The London Eye
- Thames River Cruise
- The Shard (Tallest building in the UK)
🍽️ Food and Drink
- Classic English Breakfast
- Afternoon Tea
- Pub Culture
🎭Theatre and Musicals
- West End Theatre
- Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
- Royal Opera House
🚌 Best London Day Tours & City Tours
One of the best ways to do a comprehensive day tour in London is to take a double-decker red bus tour, especially if you are visiting the city for the first time. The bus tour follows a hop-on, hop-off concept where you can hop from any stop and hop off at your desired location to explore the city at your own pace.
Generally, the bus tour follows two different routes, the blue route and the red route, with different tour focuses, though the majority of the stops do overlap. For instance, both the blue route and red route stop at major landmarks like Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. Besides the blue and red routes, the bus tour also has a green link, which acts as a connecting route to some of the stops of the tour.
Blue Route
- Frequency: Every 15–20 Minutes
- Tour Duration: 3 hours, 35 minutes
- Tour Focus: Central London’s landmarks and attractions
- Number of stops: 39
- Includes Notting Hill, Kensington Gardens
Red Route
- Frequency: Every 10–20 minutes
- Tour Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
- Tour Focus: Classic London sights from East to West
- Number of stops: 24
- Includes Buckingham Palace, Tower of London
Some other day trips around London that are worth exploring include the Harry Potter Tour (Potterheads are in for a treat), and the Thames River Cruise for those who want to snap lovely photos while having a relaxing sightseeing session.
✈️UK Vacation Preparation List
Now that you have reviewed some of the major attractions and tours in London, it's time to start preparing for your trip. If you are travelling from outside the UK and have plans to visit other places apart from London, like a trip to Scotland, here is a checklist that you should look into:
📱 Essential Apps To Download
The technology you use impresses no one. The experience you create with it is everything.
Sean Gerety
While you are in London or other parts of the UK, it's important to download the following apps beforehand to have a seamless holiday experience. Whether it's navigating the city through different transportation modes, booking a specialised afternoon tea at Kensington Gardens or booking a restaurant during peak hour, these apps will make your vacation more relaxing and efficient.
📌Viator
To book tours from, walking tours, historical tours and many more
📌Gett
To book local cabs, but Black Cabs are most common in London
📌OpenTable
To book restaurants according to your preferred time slot
Meanwhile, you might want to review some of the most beautiful beaches in the UK as summer approaches.
💡Travel Guide in London – Insider Tips
Let's look at some important know-how that will help you navigate London like a pro without missing out on some important places to go and things to do. First, getting an Oyster Card to optimise your public transportation experience in London is recommended.
Oyster cards are issued by Transport for London (TfL), which manages the public transportation system across the Greater London area.
You'll need to pay a £7 deposit and opt for a pay-as-you-go option or a travel card according to your London holiday duration.
If you are based in the UK, you can order it online, but if you are travelling from outside the UK, here are some places to get one.
Apart from buying an Oyster Card, you can use a contactless Debit or Credit card to pay for your public transport in London. Important note: If you are currently a student, a youth or a senior, you are entitled to special discounts with the Oyster Card.
🚶 Staying In London Like a Local
While it's easy to associate London cuisine with the typical classic breakfast, fish and chips, pub food, or curry, we highly recommend you to explore the local street food markets and food courts like Mercato Mayfair and Camden Market to have your fair share of local vibrant London vibe besides tasting the delicacies there.
Important tip: When tipping, it's standard to tip 10% to 15% when you are eating out in a restaurant. Also, if you are staying in a hotel, it's encouraged to give a tip to your porters too.
Additionally, when you are taking the escalator or any pubic places in London, the general rule is to always stand on the right, so that you do not block the traffic for people who are rushing or walking on the left.
📆 How to Plan Your London Travel Itinerary?
After reviewing the things you can do, where you can visit in London, and the travelling tips, it's time to curate a travel itinerary that is efficient and enjoyable. Here's a summary of what you should include:
Decide on your priorities
Make a list of your Top 5 or Top 10 London attractions
Decide on the travel duration
Will it be for a short 3 days or a one-week holiday?
Divide and conquer
Plan your daily travel itinerary according to one area or one theme (like a Historical tour or the South Bank area)
Weigh in the cost and mode of transportation
Based on your itinerary, choose the best transportation mode with the most cost-effective price without compromising distance
Personalise your schedule
Apart from the Top 10 attractions, slot in time for your interests. For instance, if you love watching theatre, be sure to catch one and book a ticket ahead
If English is not your first language and you are thinking of brushing up on your English before flying to London, you can always connect with an experienced English tutor via Superprof.
Superprof is a reliable tutoring platform that connects passionate students and dedicated tutors to have the best tutoring experience, regardless of their location.
Once you head to the Superprof homepage, you can browse through a wide selection of English tutors' profiles and review their essential information before booking your first lesson. Being fluent in English will help you to immerse yourself fully while you're taking a holiday in London. You'll have fun interacting with the native speakers when you are visiting the top London attractions, taking a bus tour or eating the local cuisine.
That being said, we wish you a jolly time in London!
Did you like this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
