Why we keep going back to London
My first time in London was when I was studying abroad in Spain in college. It was a quick weekend trip where we squeezed in as many sights and pubs as we could (classic).
A few years later, I went back in February for a girls trip with my Mom. It snowed while we were there, which sounds miserable but was somehow perfect. That trip is where we discovered our love of afternoon tea, huddled inside with a tiered tray while the city turned white outside the windows.
Since then, London has become one of those cities we keep finding reasons to return to. I’ve been two times for work, and most recently spent a full week with Mark where we finally had time to slow down and actually dig into the city.
This is our cherished guide on what to do, where to eat, where to stay and honest advice from our many visits!
Getting to London & Getting Around
Flying
London has five airports, but most international visitors will land at Heathrow (LHR) or Gatwick (LGW). Heathrow is the main hub and is well connected to the city center by the Elizabeth line, which takes about 35 minutes to central London and costs around £12-13 per person. The Heathrow Express is faster (15 minutes to Paddington) but more expensive, around £25 one-way.
Gatwick connects to central London via the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station, running every 15 minutes and taking about 30 minutes, for around £20 each way.
The Tube (London Underground)
The Tube is your best friend in London. It covers nearly every major neighborhood and attraction, runs frequently, and is easy to navigate once you understand the color-coded line system. Our honest advice on where to stay: as long as you’re near a Tube station, you’re in good shape. London’s neighborhoods each have their own feel, but the city is large enough that your hotel location matters less than how close it is to a stop. Don’t stress about picking the ‘right’ area; pick the right price point and Tube access.
You can access the Underground with a contactless debit or credit card (which is an upgrade from the physical Oyster cards you used to have to purchase and load). Fares are capped daily, so you’ll never pay more than a set daily maximum regardless of how many trips you take. Single Zone 1-2 journeys run about £2.70-3.40 depending on time of day.
Walking
London is a surprisingly walkable city for shorter distances, and some of the best moments happen between destinations. The South Bank walk between Tower Bridge and the Tate Modern, for example, is one of those stretches where you’d be doing yourself a disservice by taking the Tube.
Travel Tip: Download the free TfL (Transport for London) app before you arrive. It has real-time Tube status, journey planning, and fare information all in one place. We also used Google Maps a lot to determine the best route to specific destinations.
Where to Stay in London
As we mentioned, the neighborhood you stay in matters less than you’d think. The Tube connects everything, and London’s distinct neighborhoods each offer something different. That said, here are two hotels we’ve stayed in that we can personally vouch for.
Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge
Location is the story here. Being steps from the Tower of London and Tower Bridge means you roll out of bed and into one of London’s most iconic stretches of the Thames. This is a straightforward, well-run hotel in an excellent spot, ideal if you’re focused on ticking off the classic London sights and want everything within walking distance.
Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch
The Courthouse Shoreditch is exactly what it sounds like: a converted courthouse in East London’s creative hub, now one of the most distinctive hotels in the neighborhood. It’s posh, the rooms are quiet (a genuine rarity in London), and the breakfast is a solid way to start the day. Shoreditch puts you in a neighborhood with great restaurants, street art, and a different energy than the more tourist-heavy central neighborhoods. It’s a strong choice if you’ve already done the Big Ben circuit and want to experience a different side of the city.
Travel Tip: Book as far in advance as possible, especially for summer travel. London hotel rates climb significantly in peak season, and the difference between booking two months out versus two weeks out can be substantial.
Things to Do in London
London is a monster of a city, but it’s worth it. Below are the experiences we’d actually prioritize after four visits.
Big Ben
Big Ben is arguably London’s most iconic landmark. Westminster is a beautiful part of London and shouldn’t be overlooked. We recommend visiting in the morning, to avoid a lot of crowds and tour busses.
Fun Fact: Big Ben is formally called Elizabeth Tower, after late Queen Elizabeth II. Big Ben is the nickname given to the Great Bell inside the clock of Westminster.
There are also a lot of statues in the park across from Big Ben, which we recommend a stroll through. You’ll recognize Mahatma Gandi, Abraham Lincoln & Winston Churchill to name a few.
- Cost: Free
- Estimated time needed: 30 minutes
Westminster Abbey
While in the area of the Big Ben, I recommend walking around Westminster Abbey (and if time permits, going inside!) Westminster Abbey was famously the home of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation and Prince William & Kate’s wedding. It is also the burial grounds for many royals, including Queen Elizabeth I and her cousin Mary Queen of Scots. There are a few non-royals buried there as well, including Charles Darwin, Geoffrey Chaucer and Sir Isaac Newton.
- Cost: £31
- Reserve spots online here: Westminster Abbey Tickets
- Estimated time needed: 1-2 hours
Tower Bridge
This is probably one of the most famous symbols of this city, thanks to the 2012 summer Olympics. Many people confuse this landmark for London Bridge, however that is one bridge down from this and far less impressive. You can visit the upper part of London bridge and walk above the traffic! However, if you’re afraid of heights a normal walk across the bridge will do!
- Cost: £18
- Reserve spots online here: Tower Bridge Tickets
- Estimated time needed: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Tower of London
Next door to Tower Bridge is the Tower of London. We highly recommend catching a tour with a real Beefeater (aka Yeomen Warders, part of His Majesty’s guards). If you’re familiar with the famous gin, it’s named after them!
We learned quite a bit of royal history with our Warder. The tours run every 45 minutes and are included in the price of your ticket. Afterwards, you have free time to explore the various rooms and parts of the Tower. Our favorite part was the room with the Crown Jewels! There is a 500 carat diamond on one of the staffs held by monarchs during their coronation. (Yes, you read that correct: 500 carat)
Another interesting fact about the Tower of London is that it’s where Anne Boleyn was executed (along with many others). She is buried in the Chapel there.
We recommend purchasing your Tower of London tickets ahead of time online, since the line can be quite long in the peak season.
- Cost: £37
- Reserve spots online here: Tower of London Tickets
- Estimated time needed: 3 hours
Tate Modern
There are so many free museums in London, it’s a dream! The Tate Modern is great for any modern art lovers. While we didn’t stay too long here, we were able to see some of Andy Warhol’s famous pieces, which we really enjoyed.
- Cost: Free (Donation Encouraged)
- More Information: Tate Modern
- Estimated time needed: 1-2 hours
The British Museum
There are more than 8 million artifacts in the British Museum from around the world. A lot of these goods were acquired (or more properly, stolen) during Britain’s Colonial rule. The highlight of the British Museum is seeing the Rosetta Stone. It’s incredible to me that this stone was the key to unlocking the mysterious ancient Egyptian language of Hieroglyphics.
There are also some ruins from Parthenon, Mummy’s from Egypt and an Easter Island statue! You could easily spend hours in this museum, but the best part is that it’s free to visit!
While it’s not always necessary, you can book your entrance time online to skip the line. If this museum is a priority for you, or you’re running on a tight schedule, we recommend that.
- Cost: Free (Donation encouraged)
- More information: British Museum
- Estimated time needed: 2-3 hours
Natural History Museum
Another free museum to consider in London is the Natural History Museum. This is awesome for any nature lovers or families with children. The most impressive part of the museum is Hintze Hall where a blue whale skeleton is suspended from the ceiling. They also have a fantastic pre-historic section, as well as a whole room dedicated to dinosaurs!
- Cost: Free (Donation encouraged)
- More information: Natural History Museum
- Estimated time needed: 2 hours
National Gallery
If you prefer classic art to Tate’s modern art, the National Gallery is home to a variety of artists. It’s easy to get lost in the beautiful halls and exhibit rooms. Again, London is doing it right and this museum is free to visit (like many others).
- Cost: Free
- More Information: National Gallery
- Estimated time needed: 2 hours
Buckingham Palace
Although you can’t actually visit inside Buckingham Palace (except for select dates in the Summer), it is certainly a must-see while in London. We recommend visiting a little before 11:00am (10:00am on Sundays) to catch the changing of the guard. It can get crowded closer to the Palace so if you want a better spot, we recommend lining the Mall further down, as you’ll still be able to see them process by!
- Cost: Free
- More Information: Buckingham Palace Summer Opening
- Estimated time needed: 30 minutes
Kensington Palace
Although you can’t always visit Buckingham Palace, you can tour Kensington Palace! It is officially the royal residence of Prince William & Kate, and previously the residence of Prince Harry & Meghan. There are a few rooms to visit but our favorite part was the exhibit they had on Princess Diana’s fashion story. You could view about 20 of her most famous outfits and read about how her style developed throughout her life. If you’re short on time, we would probably advise you to skip this one unless you’re a big fan of the Royal Family.
- Cost: £24.70
- Reserve spots online here: Kensington Palace Tickets
- Estimated time needed: 1-2 hours
Sky Garden
Sky Garden is a free place to visit for excellent 360 views of London. You have to reserve a time slot online before going, even though it’s free, and tickets are released about 2-3 weeks in advance. It’s very competitive to get times during sunset, so keep that in mind and be sure to plan ahead!
It’s free to make the reservation and to ride the elevator to the top. There are some bars and restaurants there too, but we mostly went to enjoy the views. There are 360 windows around the top of the skyscraper and a small balcony you can go outside on. It only takes about 30 minutes to visit if you aren’t getting food or a drink, but it’s worth the views!
- Cost: Free
- More Information: Sky Garden Reservation
- Estimated time needed: 30 minutes – 1 hour
St. Paul’s Cathedral
We didn’t have the time to visit the inside of St. Paul’s Cathedral, however we did walk around the area. This is where Prince Charles & Princess Diana were married. St. Paul’s Cathedral is nicknamed the people’s church. During WWII Winston Churchill went to great lengths to protect it from the Blitzkrieg due to it’s symbolism to the people of London.
Travel Tip: If you’re near St. Paul’s Cathedral but don’t want to go inside, we recommend going to the rooftop at One New Change Shopping center. It offers great views (plus it’s free!)
- Cost: £27
- Reserve spots online here: St. Paul’s Cathedral Tickets
- Estimated time needed: 1-2 hours
Millennium Bridge
Across from St. Paul’s, there is Millennium Bridge, a pedestrian walkway across the Thames River. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll recognize this as the bridge that is destroyed by Death Eaters in the 6th movie.
- Cost: Free
- Estimated time needed: 15 minutes
Borough Market
A trip to London is not complete without visiting Borough Market. This is our favorite food market in the world and love the diversity of cuisines offered. Please note the Market is typically open 10am-5pm most days, so it makes for a good lunch spot (vs. dinner spot).
Travel Tip: Do yourself a favor and order a sausage roll from the Ginger Pig. It may be one of the best we’ve ever eaten!
- Cost: £5-20 (Varies depending on food)
- More Information: Borough Market
- Estimated time needed: 1-2 hours
Winston Churchill War Rooms
Winston Churchill War Rooms is a unique museum to visit while in London. Unlike other museums in the city, there is an entrance fee and we recommend purchasing a timed-ticket. For any history lover, this is a must-do. You enter into the War Rooms, an underground bunker, where Churchill and other British leaders made decisions during WWII. There is also a museum dedicated the life of Winston Churchill you can explore while there too. Our favorite place was the Map Room, where the maps have been frozen in time from when WWII ended.
- Cost: £34
- Reserve Tickets Online: Winston Churchill War Rooms
- Estimated time needed: 2-3 hours
For any film buffs, the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich is one of the most popular filming locations in the world. You can actually take the best movie tour in London while there! If movie tours aren’t for you, it’s still worth a visit to take a history tour or see the Painted Hall (known as the Sistine Chapel of the UK).
- Cost: £25 (movie or history tour) £19 (Painted Hall only)
- More Information: Blockbuster Film Tours (1 hour)
- Estimated time needed: 2 hours
Day Trips from London
There are a lot of fantastic options for day trips from London, so many in fact, that we’ve written a separate post about them!
Stonehenge & Salisbury: About 2 hours from the city center by train you can find this mysterious prehistoric site. Check out our previous post: Stonehenge, England for more info on how to visit or book a day tour* here.
Windsor Castle: Only 30 minutes outside of London by train, this is where members of the Royal family will often spend weekends and holidays. If you’re not comfortable taking public transportation, you could consider booking a tour* with transportation included. For more information on how to visit, check out our previous post: Windsor Castle.
Hampton Court: Another Royal option for you to consider on your visit to London is Hampton Court. It is located about 45 minutes outside the city center and is accessible by train. For any history lovers, this is where King Henry VIII kept court and it’s rumored that some of his wives still haunt the hallways. We found the gardens to be the most enjoyable part of our visit and such a peaceful place to stroll.
Bath: By train, this charming Georgian city is only 1.5 hours from London. Step back in time by visiting the Roman Baths and marveling at the beautiful architecture. If you’re a fan of Bridgerton, you can find all the filming locations used in the popular Netflix series. Steal our perfect one day itinerary in Bath!
Harry Potter Locations in London
London doesn’t have a dedicated Harry Potter theme park, but if you know where to look, the city is full of filming locations and references that are worth building into your itinerary, especially if you’re a fan.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter: You’ll want to block off at least 1/2 a day to visit the Warner Brother Studio Tour. We have both read the Harry Potter books and loved the movies, so this was a dream come true. It takes about an hour to get here, via train and bus. If you prefer, you could also book a tour* with transfers included. For more information on what visiting the Studio is like, check out our previous post: Harry Potter Studio Tour.
- Cost: £58.50 (Entrance Tickets)
- Reserve spots online here: Harry Potter Studio Tour
- Estimated time needed: 3-5 hours
Other notable free Harry Potter places to visit in the city include:
- Leadenhall Market: This Victorian covered market in the City of London served as the inspiration for Diagon Alley and appeared in the first Harry Potter film as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron. The architecture, with its ornate painted ironwork and cobbled floor, holds up beautifully even outside of the film context. It’s a working market with restaurants and shops, and makes for a great lunch stop.
- Millennium Bridge: This can be seen being dramatically destroyed by the death eaters in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
- Platform 9¾ at Kings Cross Station: The most famous Harry Potter photo op in London. King’s Cross Station has a permanent Platform 9¾ installation with a trolley disappearing into the wall and a scarf to borrow for photos. There’s also a small Harry Potter shop right next to it. It’s touristy, yes, but it’s also genuinely fun. The line for photos can get long (30+ minutes in summer), so aim for early morning on a weekday if you can.
Where to Eat & Drink in London
London’s food scene has come a long way from its reputation. The city now has some of the best and most diverse restaurants in Europe. Here’s where we’d go back to without hesitation.
Dishoom
If we could only eat one meal in London, it would probably be at Dishoom. The restaurant is modeled after the old Irani cafes of Bombay, and the food is the kind that makes you eat too much without even realizing. We were completely full by the end, (like we truly had to walk off dinner, we were so full), which is honestly the best endorsement we can give. There are multiple locations across London; the Covent Garden and Shoreditch locations tend to be the most accessible.
Travel Tip: Dishoom does not take reservations after 6pm, unless you have a group of 6 or more. Our pro-tip is to book the 5:45pm reservation and sneak in early to avoid waiting in line!
Ave Mario
A vibrant Italian restaurant in Covent Garden that takes the cuisine seriously while not taking itself seriously at all. You probably can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Travel Tip: Go to the bathroom here. We know that sounds like an odd recommendation, but the restrooms are genuinely part of the experience and worth the trip downstairs. Trust us!
Dickens Inn
A timber-framed pub right in St. Katharine Docks, next to Tower Bridge. It looks like it belongs in a period drama, The building dates to the 18th century and has a great terrace overlooking the marina. Good for a pint and a proper pub lunch after the Tower of London, which is just a short walk away.
The Lamb Tavern
Located in Leadenhall Market, you’ll find the quaintest spot: The Lamb Tavern. A genuinely historic pub with good ales, a quiet atmosphere, and views over the market. We recommend ordering the Beef Wellington, it was delicious!
Afternoon Tea in London
This is something London genuinely does better than anywhere else. We’ve had afternoon tea all over the world, but London still holds the crown. Part of this is sentimental: I discovered my love of afternoon tea on a snowy February trip here with my Mom. But it’s also just objectively true that the city has options across every price point, style, and setting.
Here are the three we’ve been to and would recommend for different reasons.
Petersham Nurseries
Our top pick for ambiance that genuinely cannot be replicated anywhere else. Petersham Nurseries is set in a greenhouse in Richmond, on the edge of Richmond Park, surrounded by plants, bougainvillea, and antique furniture. It feels like afternoon tea inside someone’s very beautiful, very overgrown garden. The setting alone makes it special in a way that a hotel dining room simply can’t match.
The food is seasonal, which sets it apart from the more traditional format at other spots. Be aware that it’s a bit out of the way (Richmond is about 30-40 minutes from central London by Tube), and service can be inconsistent. But if you’re looking for one of the most unique afternoon teas in London, this is it!
- Cost: £65-£70
- More Information: Petersham Nurseries
Peggy Porschen
Peggy Porschen is the prettiest afternoon tea in London, full stop. The Belgravia location is pastel pink, flower-covered, and has been photographed about a million times for a reason: it’s genuinely that cute. The cakes are beautiful and match the aesthetic. This is a place where the experience and the setting are part of what you’re paying for, and it delivers on that front.
- Cost: £52
- More Information: Peggy Porschen
Ham Yard Hotel
Ham Yard is the classic option: a proper hotel afternoon tea in a beautifully designed space in Soho. The food is executed well (good sandwiches, proper scones, quality pastries), the room is stylish without trying too hard, and the service is consistent. This was where we first fell in love with afternoon tea! If you want the traditional London afternoon tea experience without the quirkiness of Petersham or the Instagram factor of Peggy Porschen, Ham Yard delivers exactly what it promises. (If you reserve in advance, they can accommodate most dietary needs).
- Cost: £45-£57
- More Information: Ham Yard Hotel
Our London Itinerary: 3 Days + 2 Bonus Days
We’ve designed this as a 3-day core itinerary for those with a long weekend, plus two additional days for anyone spending a full week. Every day is organized geographically to minimize too much time on the Tube!
Day 1: Iconic London (Westminster + South Bank)
Start the morning in Westminster. Walk across Westminster Bridge for the classic Parliament view, then visit Westminster Abbey if it’s on your list. From there, cut through St. James’s Park (one of London’s prettiest green spaces) toward Buckingham Palace. After, make your way to the South Bank and walk east toward Tower Bridge, stopping at the Tate Modern, the Globe Theatre, and Borough Market for lunch. End at Tower Bridge.
Day 2: History & Culture (City of London + Bloomsbury)
Start early at the Tower of London to catch the Beefeater tour before the crowds build. After, work your way toward the City of London, stopping at Leadenhall Market (Diagon Alley) and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Afternoon in Bloomsbury for the British Museum. Dinner at Dishoom (Covent Garden location is close)
Day 3: Neighborhoods & Afternoon Tea
A slower day dedicated to neighborhoods rather than monuments. Morning in Notting Hill and Portobello Road (Saturday works best for the full market). Afternoon tea mid-afternoon.
Bonus Day 4: Harry Potter London
Build a half-day Harry Potter walk and add the Warner Bros. Studio Tour for the full experience. Get to King’s Cross Station early for Platform 9¾, walk through Leadenhall Market (Diagon Alley) if you haven’t already, and cross the Millennium Bridge. Take a train from Euston to Watford for the studio tour in the afternoon.
Bonus Day 5: East London
Spend a day in East London: Shoreditch street art, Columbia Road Flower Market (Sunday only), and Brick Lane for food. Head to Bloomsbury in the late afternoon for a pint at The Lamb. Ave Mario for dinner in Covent Garden.
What We’d Skip (or do differently)
We’ve genuinely loved every trip to London, but not everything is worth your time or money. Here’s our honest take.
The views from the London Eye are real and impressive, but at roughly £29 per person (online advance pricing), a 30-minute rotation that you share with a pod full of strangers is a lot of money for a view you can get from elsewhere for free. Sky Garden & One New Change will all give you the London skyline without the price tag or the queue. If this is your first time in London and you specifically want the aerial perspective, we totally get it. But it’s not something we’d do again, and it would be the first thing we’d cut from a tight itinerary. If you do choose to visit, you absolutely want to book your tickets online in advance, to avoid waiting in a long line. Sunset is an ideal time to go, but given the weather in England can be unpredictable, you may not always get a picture perfect golden hour.
- Cost: £29
- Reserve spots online here: London Eye Tickets
- Estimated time needed: 30 minutes
If you have limited time in London, we’d avoid spending time in too many museums. The British Museum is by far our favorite, but the others are nice, not necessary. We also would consider skipping the inside of Kensington Palace, unless you are particularly motivated to see Princess Diana’s dress collection.
Practical Tips & When to Visit
Best Time to Visit
May, June, September, and October are our picks. The weather is reasonable, the days are long in May and June, and you avoid the school holiday crush of July and August when London gets genuinely crowded. We’ve also been in February (the snowy trip), which was cold and quiet in the best possible way. Winter rates are significantly lower and the city has a different atmosphere. (Plus who doesn’t love a cosy afternoon tea to warm up after a morning of sightseeing!)
If Summer is the only time to travel, you’ll want to book everything in advance, particularly the Tower of London, Warner Bros. Studio Tour, and any afternoon tea you have your heart set on.
Getting Around
- Tap your contactless card for every journey on the Tube; fares are capped daily
- Download the TfL app for real-time Tube status
- Avoid the Tube during rush hour (7:30-9am and 5-7pm) if you can; the Central and Northern lines in particular get extremely crowded
- Buses are slower but cheaper and give you a ground-level view of the city
Tours
Packing Tips
- Comfortable shoes for walking!
- A light waterproof layer. It’s England, so it will rain. Not necessarily for long, but it will!
- A contactless credit card. Check to make sure you won’t be charged foreign transaction fees each time you use it!
- A day bag for markets: Borough Market and Portobello Road will test your self-control while shopping.
Who is London for?
London is one of those cities that genuinely has something for everyone, but certain types of travelers get the most out of it.
- First-timers to Europe: London is one of the best entry points to international travel. English-speaking, easy to navigate, and packed with enough iconic landmarks to make every day feel like a highlight reel.
- History buffs: You could spend a week in London without running out of history. The Tower of London alone covers 900 years, and that’s before you factor in the British Museum, Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul’s.
- Harry Potter fans: Between Platform 9 3/4, Leadenhall Market, the Millennium Bridge, and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour just outside the city, London is essentially a real-life wizarding world map.
- Food lovers: London’s food scene is genuinely world-class now, and the diversity of what’s available (from Dishoom’s Bombay cafe food to Borough Market’s artisan producers to Ave Mario’s theatrical Italian) is hard to beat.
- Repeat visitors: London is one of the few cities that changes every time you come back, not because it reinvents itself, but because there’s always another layer to find. Four visits in and we’re still adding things to the list!
London doesn’t quietly steal your heart, it grabs it loudly, and will have you planning your return trip before you even depart!
All of the recommendations in our destination guides are places we have personally stayed, dined or explored so you can get an authentic perspective. We will always be transparent if we haven’t personally done something or experienced it firsthand!
Please note: Prices listed in this post are approximate and subject to change. Always check official websites before booking.
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