London
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London, United Kingdom • Europe

London

A global capital of history and reinvention - royal palaces and ancient towers next to world-class museums, markets and theatre.

#History#Museums#Theatre#Markets#RoyalCouplesFamilySolo TravelCultureFoodie
7 Attractions
5 Restaurants
5 Hotels
1 Itineraries

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Quick facts

Best time to visit

May, June and September offer the best balance of long days, mild weather and the city's outdoor life in full swing. July and August are warmest and busiest. Winter is cold and dark but London does Christmas beautifully, with festive lights, markets and pantomimes.

Daily budget
$220
Time zone
GMT+0 (GMT/BST)
Language
English
Currency
GBP (British Pound (GBP))
Emergency
999 / 112
Power
Type G · 230V

About London

London wears 2,000 years of history lightly. A Roman wall sits beside a glass skyscraper, a medieval fortress guards the Thames a stroll from a Norman cathedral, and the whole city is stitched together by red buses and the rumble of the Underground. It is less a single place than a collection of villages - Soho and Shoreditch, Notting Hill and Greenwich - each with its own mood and market. The best of London is famously free. The British Museum, the National Gallery, the Tate Modern and the Natural History Museum all open their doors at no charge, leaving your budget for a play in the West End, a curry on Brick Lane or a Sunday roast in a centuries-old pub. Between sights, the city is made for walking the river: from Westminster and the London Eye along the South Bank to the Tower and Borough Market. London is a year-round city, liveliest from late spring to early autumn but magical at Christmas. Pack for changeable weather, tap an Oyster or contactless card to glide across the network, and give yourself time to wander - the side streets are where London really lives.

Photo Gallery

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Things to Do in London

7
British MuseumCulture

British Museum

One of the world's great museums, from the Rosetta Stone to the Parthenon sculptures, spanning two million years of human history. Free entry.

2-3 hours Free4.8(250,000)
Tower of LondonHistorical

Tower of London

A 1,000-year-old royal fortress and prison on the Thames, home to the Crown Jewels and the famous Beefeaters and ravens.

2-3 hours From GBP 304.7(180,000)
Westminster & Big BenHistorical

Westminster & Big Ben

The Gothic Houses of Parliament and the chiming clock tower beside Westminster Abbey, the heart of royal and political London.

1-2 hours Free (Abbey from GBP 29)4.7(160,000)
The London EyeEntertainment

The London Eye

A giant riverside observation wheel offering a slow, 30-minute rotation with sweeping views across the whole city.

45 min From GBP 294.5(140,000)
Buckingham PalaceHistorical

Buckingham Palace

The monarch's official residence, famous for the Changing of the Guard; the State Rooms open to visitors each summer.

1 hour Free (State Rooms from GBP 32)4.6(120,000)
Tate ModernCulture

Tate Modern

A vast modern and contemporary art museum in a former power station on the South Bank, with a free top-floor viewpoint. Free entry.

2 hours Free4.6(95,000)
Borough MarketFood

Borough Market

London's most celebrated food market under Victorian railway arches, packed with artisan producers, street food and stalls.

1-2 hours Free entry4.6(85,000)

Where to Eat in London

5
Dishoom

Dishoom

Indian / Bombay Cafe $$4.7(60,000)

A wildly popular Bombay-cafe chain famous for bacon naan rolls, black daal and a buzzing atmosphere. Expect a queue.

Padella

Padella

Italian / Pasta $$4.6(32,000)

A tiny Borough Market favourite serving handmade pasta at small prices - the pici cacio e pepe is legendary.

Flat Iron

Flat Iron

Steak $$4.6(22,000)

A no-reservations Soho institution doing one thing brilliantly: a single great-value flat iron steak with all the trimmings.

The Wolseley

The Wolseley

European Brasserie $$$4.5(28,000)

A grand cafe-restaurant in a former car showroom, beloved for its all-day European menu and elegant afternoon tea.

Sketch

Sketch

Modern European $$$$4.4(18,000)

A theatrical, art-filled Mayfair destination with a famously pink dining room and pod-shaped loos - as much an experience as a meal.

Where to Stay in London

5
The Savoy

The Savoy

Luxury $$$$4.8(15,000)

A legendary riverside grande dame near Covent Garden, with the American Bar, afternoon tea and timeless service.

The Ned

The Ned

Luxury $$$$4.6(11,000)

A grand former bank in the City turned hotel and club, with nine restaurants under a soaring marble hall and a rooftop pool.

The Hoxton, Holborn

The Hoxton, Holborn

Boutique $$$4.5(8,000)

A stylish, well-located design hotel with a lively lobby, good restaurant and easy access to the West End and the City.

citizenM Tower of London

citizenM Tower of London

Mid-Range $$4.5(9,000)

A smart, tech-forward hotel with compact rooms and a rooftop bar overlooking the Tower and Tower Bridge.

Generator London

Generator London

Hostel $4.2(6,000)

A design-led hostel in Bloomsbury with private and dorm rooms, a buzzy bar and a great location near King's Cross.

London Itineraries

1
4-day trip

Classic 4 Days in London

easy GBP 500 - 800

A first-timer's route covering royal and historic London, the free museums and markets, the South Bank and a classic day trip - all on tap-and-go transport.

View day-by-day plan

London Budget Guide

CategoryBudgetMid-RangeLuxury
Flights$400 - $1,100$400 - $1,100$400 - $1,100
Accommodation$45/night$170/night$550/night
Food$25/day$60/day-
Activities$35/day$35/day$35/day
Local Transport$10/day$10/day$10/day
Daily Average$95$220$600

Local currency: British Pound (GBP)

London Travel FAQ

Everything you need to know before you go: best time to visit, visas, getting around, safety and more.