Figuring out what to do in London can definitely be overwhelming – there is so much to do and see that it can be hard to decide how to spend your trip! The list below is based off of my own experience from living in London and will hopefully make the planning process a lot easier for you. keep reading or jump to a section by clicking a link below.
Activities
ways to experience the best of London and the united kingdom’s culture!
- Afternoon Tea: A very British activity. I recommend Sketch, Montague on the Gardens, or the Royal Lancaster. More details on my London restaurant recommendations post!
- See a West End show: The Broadway of London! I personally loved Book of Mormon, Moulin Rouge, Mamma Mia, and Hamilton.
- Wimbledon: This is obviously constricted by the time of year you are in London, but it was hands down my favorite experience in the city while living there. Unreal hospitality (on par with the Masters!) and just so cool to see in person.
- Go to a football game: Football / Soccer is huge in London, so I definitely recommend trying to see a game if one is going on while you’re in town. I’ve been to a West Ham game, but I’ve heard Chelsea and Arsenal games are also a lot of fun.
- See a concert: There are often great concerts going on around the city! Def keep an eye out for your favorite artists coming to town. If you’re into electronic music, you can find events with popular DJs relatively often.
Sight-seeing
London’s rich history means there are a lot of iconic landmarks throughout the city. I’ve chosen the ones that I think are must-sees while you’re in town, but you don’t need to schedule a tour or anything unless you’re interested in doing so.
- Buckingham Palace: The iconic home of the monarch. A must see! There is also the option to buy a ticket to go inside, but I have not done that before.
- Big Ben: A huge tower clock with a massive hour bell. The ornate detail is truly impressive.
- Westminster Abbey: Probably the most famous church in the United Kingdom. It has been home to royal weddings, coronations, and funerals since 1066 (nearly 1000 years ago)!
- St. Paul’s: This cathedral not only has an impressive interior, but also amazing city views from the top. I highly recommend climbing the stairs to get the view!
- Tower Bridge: This stunning bridge was constructed in the late 1800s to connect the population living east of London Bridge and to allow for greater shipping access.
- London Eye: This giant ferris wheel is not very historical… but pretty cool to see! Definitely take a ride in it if you have time.
- Westminster Cathedral: Gorgeous church. Worth walking by to see it!
Markets
You’ll find markets all over London, each with their own unique flair. They’re a great place to grab a bite to eat or shop around.
- Borough Market – Southwark: The most iconic of the London markets and it shouldn’t be missed. tons of food stalls!
- Spitalfields Market – Spitalfields: I lived next to Spitalfields Market when I lived in London, and it was almost too convenient. There is a pizza spot called Sud Italia in the market that I highly recommend!
- Seven Dials Market – Covent Garden: A cool indoor market in the heart of Covent Garden. Again, tons of amazing food vendors.
- Box Park – Shoreditch & Camden: A unique shopping concept where all of the storefronts are built into shipping containers. They have great local retailer and food options!
- Portobello Market – Notting Hill: This market is open throughout the week, but Saturday is the main day. More retail items than food.
Shopping
Department stores
Harrod’s and Selfridges are musts! Harrod’s is iconic London for a reason – everything is upscale and posh, even their food court options. Selfridges is hugeee and has everything you could ever want!
Boutique Shopping areas
- Redchurch St in Shoreditch
- Floral St, King St, Long acre in Covent Garden
- Marylebone High St
Neighborhoods to Explore
Each of London’s neighborhoods have their own distinct feel, but I found the neighborhoods below to be especially charming. I recommend exploring these neighborhoods by just walking around – pop into small shops, grab coffee from the local cafe, etc.
- Marylebone
- Angel and Islington
- Notting Hill
- Covent Garden (check out Neal’s Yard!)
- Belgravia
- Chinatown
Museums
If you’re looking for a bit of history while on your trip, I recommend these museums.
- Imperial War Museum: At this museum you’ll find information regarding conflict from World War One through present day. I found this museum to be very interesting, but also very sad of course. Definitely one of the better done war museums that I’ve been to. Entry is free.
- Churchill War Rooms: Step back into time by exploring the underground war rooms used during World War Two. Obviously pretty unique, so I definitely recommend spending an hour or so doing this!
- British Museum: More of a general museum which documents human culture from the beginning to present day. It’s quite extensive, so I don’t recommend trying to do the whole thing in one visit. Just pick the exhibitions you’d like to see!
Parks
London has ample green spaces to enjoy just steps from its bustling city life. I recommend taking a walk through these parks and just enjoying the scenery.
- Regent’s Park: I love this park, especially the Queen Mary’s rose gardens section within it. A beautiful place to go on a leisurely walk or jog.
- Hyde Park: A must visit spot on a trip to London! It’s a sprawling 350 acre park in the middle of the busy city. I recommend walking through it from Marble Arch / Oxford St to Kensington Palace.
- St James’s Park: A gorgeous park just outside of Buckingham Palace. Definitely recommend walking through it on your way to or from Buckingham.
Restaurants and bars
There are too many restaurants and bars to include in this post, so I’ve broken them out into separate posts. Check out my restaurant recommendations here and my bar / pub recommendations here.
Questions or comments?
let me know below! hope you have the best trip 🙂
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