Discover All About London: Ultimate Guide 2023
We are delighted that you wish to spend your time in London with arrangements devised by residents. We hope you have fond recollections of London. London is a beautiful city in UK that you will enjoy your time a lot!
General information, subjects, and sites in London can be found below. We recommend that you read in your spare time. Also, if you want to learn more about London, browse our articles.
Have a wonderful holiday!
Here is some quick information:
- Do not forget to take the hotel card which contains the name, address, and phone number of the hotel with you in case you get lost. Phones may run out of charge.
- Do not forget to take your debit or credit card with you. After the pandemic, some places choose not to accept coins.
- Do not forget to take copies of the front pages of your passport and visa if necessary, but not the original one.
The majority of London museums are free, so you can visit the most important museums for free. Since the outbreak, museums have often required visitors to purchase a free ticket online and select a specific time. Temporary displays have a cover cost (often between 20 and 25 pounds) and are usually planned months in advance. Check out our blog for more information on museums in London, and you can even take a self-guided tour!
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Things to do in London
If you want to enjoy a restaurant in London you must book at least a couple of days in advance (and a few weeks in advance for the most popular places). Even if it is just for a drink.
Sim card: you can easily buy a Sim card Online and get it shipped before you arrive in London (Giff Gaff for example) with no commitment and at a very low cost.
People are hugely friendly and willing to help tourists.
London is a very touristic city – expect a lot of queues and waiting time. Always plan ahead any visit or venue you want to attend. It is usually possible to book or buy tickets online in advance. Do so if you can.
Like in every tourist city, the famous landmarks and tube stations are very very busy. Try to avoid these during peak hours and weekends (some examples: Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Regent street, Covent Garden, Big Ben, Camden …).
A lot of walking tours (like the street art in Shoreditch) are available with a guide, for free. You can book online. All you have to do is to give a ‘Tip” if you want at the end of the tour.
Tips are not included in the prices you see on the menus. However most of the time you’ll find an extra 12% tip automatically added to the bill in restaurants at the end. So don’t be surprised if you find the bill more expensive than you thought. So there is no need for an extra tip. You can tip £1 or £2 if I really enjoyed the service.
You can find free Wi-Fi in most places in London.
Places to Visit in London
London is a historical, cultural, and modern city with many attractions. The following are some of the best sites to visit in London:
- Buckingham Palace is a prominent tourist destination and the official residence of the British queen.
- The Crown Jewels are housed in the Tower of London, a medieval castle and former royal palace.
- Westminster Abbey is a medieval church and royal residence that is well-known for its stunning architecture and affiliation with the British monarchy.
- The British Museum is a world-renowned museum that houses items and collections from all around the world, such as the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles.
- The London Eye is a massive Ferris wheel that provides panoramic views of the metropolis.
- Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament: The Elizabeth Tower is a historic clock tower and the site of the UK government.
- St. Paul’s Church: A gorgeous cathedral in the city center recognized for its spectacular architecture and links to British history.
- Hyde Park is a big park in the centre of London that is famous for its lakes, gardens, and open areas.
- The National Gallery: A museum with a large collection of Western European artworks by Botticelli, Van Gogh, and Leonardo da Vinci.
Mobile Applications Locals Use in Paris
For ordering food, you can download Deliveroo and UberEats apps.
Uber and Bolt are the easiest and most efficient ride-hailing apps.
Shopping in London
London is a retail destination that caters to all types of customers. Here are some of the top shopping areas in London:
- Oxford Thoroughfare: A popular retail street in the centre of London with a mix of high-street and high-end stores such as Selfridges and John Lewis.
- Camden Market: Camden Market is a popular outdoor market in north London famed for its unique mix of vintage clothing, street food, and live music.
- Westfield Retail Malls: Two enormous shopping centers in West London that feature a variety of high-street and luxury stores, as well as restaurants and entertainment.
- Covent Garden: A historic market in the centre of London famous for its street performers, one-of-a-kind stores, and dining options.
- Knightsbridge is an expensive shopping district in west London noted for its high-end luxury boutiques like Harrods and Harvey Nichols.
- Regent Route: A prominent London retail street noted for its high-end shops and department stores such as Hamleys and Liberty.
- Brick Lane Market is an active outdoor market in east London famed for its street food, vintage goods, and live music.
- Portobello Road Market: A busy outdoor market in west London famed for antiques, vintage clothing, and street food.
London also has a variety of upscale department stores, such as Fortnum & Mason and Liberty, as well as many high-street shops, making it a shopping destination for everyone.
Transportation in London
Places to visit in London are endless. One of the best ways to get to know a city is to use public transport. It gives the feeling of living there and adds an air of originality. London is a crowded city and traffic can often be heavy, so planning your trip is extremely important.
As in any cosmopolitan city, there are rush hours, and these are best avoided whenever possible. In the afternoon, between 16:00 and 18:00 are the busiest hours, and in this respect, you will need to make a reservation in advance for places such as museums and galleries that you will visit and act very planned.
Public Transportation in London
For public transportation, App TfL, Citymapper, and Google Maps work quite well.
Black cabs are great for 4 people or for 2-3 people with a lot of luggage. However, they tend to be a bit more expensive than Uber for long distances.
The most enjoyable mean of transportation is the famous “Double Decker Red Bus”. Avoid rush hours, but it can usually go quite fast and there is a special spot on the first floor where you can sit by the window and enjoy a great view of the road.
Oyster is the go-to transportation card. You can find an Oyster card in any small shops outside the stations, or directly at the machine in the stations. Check their website for more.
Underground is the fastest way to travel. It is called the tube.
Overground has hugely a longer waiting time and is a bit less convenient than the tube.
Rush hour on the tube can be very crowded (4 pm – 6 pm). Traffic in the city during rush hours can also be very busy, so buses might take longer than expected.
You can use the app called TUBE MAP. It’s literally just a map, a free app with ads. Check out these links for Android and iOS. Alternatively, the official app of the TfL (Transport for London) seems quite good (TfL Go).
For tube and rail fares, click here.
There is a daily cap (you can’t pay more than this cap even if you do 10 trips in 24h) and a weekly cap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit London?
What are the top tourist attractions in London?
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