London

Travel Guide
Tower Bridge showing a bridge, a monument and heritage architecture

London Travel Guide Video

London is dizzyingly vast, thrillingly cosmopolitan and packed with culture at every turn there is no other city quite like it.

Take a trip in the London Eye, the giant wheel that sits on the banks of the River Thames, to get a sense of what makes London such an amazing city. Look below you to see immediately recognizable landmarks and streets bursting with life. As well as offering unparalleled sightseeing and culture, London today also promises a thriving foodie scene and peaceful parks, for when you need to escape the restless rush of the city.

Visit the Museum of London to find out about the fascinating story of Britain’s capital city. Learn about its origins at the Roman settlement Londinium, as well as the invasions and occupations that shaped the city in the following two millennia.

One of the best ways to spend your time in London is hopping between its numerous world-class museums and galleries, most of which are free to enter. The British Museum and the National Gallery are two of the most famous, but there are dozens more to discover. Learn about the history of healthcare in the Wellcome Collection or chart the story of design in the Victoria and Albert Museum. The Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the Saatchi Gallery also offer hours of entertainment.

The U.K.’s capital has no shortage of iconic landmarks, from Trafalgar Square to St. Paul’s Cathedral to the Houses of Parliament. Meet the silent, stoic soldiers that stand outside Buckingham Palace and encounter the crown jewels at the Tower of London.

Modern London hosts a thriving arts scene that every visitor needs to experience. Amble along Southbank to pass the Tate Modern, the British Film Institute and the National Theatre. Book tickets to see world-famous musicals in the theatres of the West End. Alternatively, seek out something more classical at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden for a night of extravagant entertainment.

Travel to London at any time of year, although wrap up in waterproofs if visiting in the rainy winter months between November and February. While the London Underground makes getting around easy, the city center is also an exciting area to explore on foot.

Where to stay in London

Carnaby Street which includes a square or plaza as well as a large group of people

London City Centre

5/5(33 area reviews)

Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus are a few top attractions in London City Centre. Hop around the city on the metro at Charing Cross Underground Station or Leicester Square Underground Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, stunning river views, and acclaimed art galleries.

London City Centre
The City of London which includes a skyscraper, heritage architecture and a sunset

The City of London

4.5/5(808 area reviews)

The financial hub and ancient center of London, this area boasts historic sites like St Paul's Cathedral and Tower of London, and its iconinc bridges, including Millennium Bridge and Tower Bridge, make exploration easy.

The City of London
Admiralty Arch featuring heritage architecture

City of Westminster

4.5/5(4,574 area reviews)

Home to iconic landmarks like Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, this bustling borough offers world-class shopping on Oxford Street and Regent Street, as well as vibrant nightlife in Soho. With 27 Underground stations, it's well-connected and walkable for residents and visitors alike.

City of Westminster
London featuring signage, heritage elements and markets

Covent Garden

Discover a lively district with the Royal Opera House, street performances, and shopping at Apple Market. Explore historical sites like Theatre Royal Drury Lane and dine at renowned international restaurants.

Covent Garden
West End showing heritage architecture, a city and street scenes

West End

Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square are a few top attractions in West End. Hop around the city on the metro at Bond Street (Elizabeth Line) Station or Oxford Circus Underground Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops, and acclaimed art galleries.

West End
Kensington Gardens which includes a park

Kensington

4.5/5(2,799 area reviews)

Boasting a bustling commercial center at Kensington High Street, this area is home to renowned institutions like Imperial College London, Royal Albert Hall, and various museums. Well-connected by public transport, it offers diverse shopping options near South Kensington tube station.

Kensington
Strand Palace Hotel
Strand Palace Hotel
4 out of 5
372 The Strand, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $183 per night from May 12 to May 13
$183
per night
May 12 - May 13
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,173 reviews)
"Comfortable and a great place to meet up wiyh old friends"

Reviewed on May 5, 2024

Strand Palace Hotel
The Tower Hotel, London
The Tower Hotel, London
4 out of 5
St Katharine's Way, London, England
The price is $143 per night from May 26 to May 27
$143
per night
May 26 - May 27
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,638 reviews)
"Really good location, close to everything, only thing they didn’t deliver the extra bed we requested intill late at night and also was promised a birthday surprise for my daughter but they also forgot that, other than that really nice hotel."

Reviewed on May 6, 2024

The Tower Hotel, London
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
3 out of 5
Great Windmill Street, London, England
The price is $109 per night from May 27 to May 28
$109
per night
May 27 - May 28
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (3,289 reviews)
"Place was clean quiet and nice"

Reviewed on May 4, 2024

Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Bermonds Locke
Bermonds Locke
4.5 out of 5
157 Tower Bridge Road, London, England
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (341 reviews)
"Everything felt very clean in the room. It is very close to Tower Bridge and the London Bridge underground/rail station, making for easy access to transportation."

Reviewed on May 1, 2024

Bermonds Locke
Leman Locke
Leman Locke
4 out of 5
15 Leman St, London, England
Stay at this aparthotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,325 reviews)
"We loved our stay at Leman Locke! They seem to have perfected the aparthotel model and it suited us perfectly - someone’s there if you need them but otherwise you’re free to come and go at your own schedule without worrying about housekeeping knocking on your door. They provided every amenity and ..."

Reviewed on May 2, 2024

Leman Locke
The Lincoln Suites
The Lincoln Suites
4 out of 5
37-39 Kingsway, London, England
Stay at this aparthotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (358 reviews)
"We were most pleased with the apartment and how well we weretreated by the property manager Annette."

Reviewed on May 3, 2024

The Lincoln Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around London

Travel all over the city on the vast London Underground subway system. For certain attractions and areas, making use of the comprehensive public bus network may get you there more quickly. Various above-ground rail options are also available throughout the city, including the Overground, the DLR, National Rail trains and TfL trains. You can pay for all transportation with a reloadable Oyster card. Visit the Transport for London (TfL) website. Browse London rental cars.

Best time to visit

The sun is at its hottest in London from early June to early September. This can be a good thing, but temperatures can sometimes get uncomfortably high, and the lines to get into popular attractions will often be very long at this time of year. Aim to travel in spring or fall for a quieter visit. In these seasons, pack for moderate temperatures during the day but bring a coat for the cooler evenings.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of London

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
8436
" "5 - Excellent 67.63951250801796%
4 - Good
3439
" "4 - Good 27.573765234124437%
3 - Okay
505
" "3 - Okay 4.049069916613214%
2 - Disappointing
63
" "2 - Disappointing 0.505131494547787%
1 - Terrible
29
" "1 - Terrible 0.2325208466966004%

5/5 - Excellent

S.Brewer
May 12, 2020

I Love London it's my favorite city to visit, I would live in or near there if I was ever given the chance!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Apr 27, 2020

This is a very beautiful country. The gateway to Europe.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Apr 9, 2020

I love London as a city. I grew up near New York City and it reminds me a lot of New York. We have direct flights from Orlando to London so Its not too much of a hassle to get there. Love it and looking forward to returning!

5/5 - Excellent

Remy
Apr 1, 2020

Go with someone special to you. it makes all the difference :)

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Mar 28, 2020

If you are using tube/underground for getting around be prepared for a lot of stairs!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 25, 2020

This was our first time in London and we loved it. It was unfortunate that it was just before the COVID-19 shutdown, but that worked to our advantage since it was less crowded than usual. We loved staying in Trafalgar Square and loved the sites.

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