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
Paddington showing a city and a square or plaza

Paddington

Enjoy the popular shops in Paddington. Queensway is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Paddington Underground Station or Edgware Road (Bakerloo) Underground Station to see more of London.

Paddington
Strand Palace Hotel
Strand Palace Hotel
4 out of 5
372 The Strand, London, England
The price is $188 per night from May 26 to May 27
$188
$226 total
includes taxes & fees
May 26 - May 27
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! (3,250 reviews)
"Ok"

Reviewed on May 21, 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 $179 per night from May 27 to May 28
$179
$215 total
includes taxes & fees
May 27 - May 28
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! (4,765 reviews)
Tower review
"Hotel was good .The food was OK .Room was comfortable and clean.Location was excellent."

Reviewed on May 21, 2024

The Tower Hotel, London
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
3 out of 5
Great Windmill Street, London, England
The price is $111 per night from Jun 2 to Jun 3
$111
$133 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 2 - Jun 3
Stay at this 3-star 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 ...
7.4/10 Good! (3,352 reviews)
Bare Bones Hotel
"If you don't mid a room that is bare to the bones, then this will work for you. The hotel appears to be either new or recently renovated. It was very nice and clean but very understated. The check in and check out process is self service, but there are hotel staff members available to assist you. ..."

Reviewed on May 21, 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! (361 reviews)
"Great location just down the street from Tower bridge. Picked this hotel because it was a large room and there was washer/dryer in the room. Our first night we noticed the a/c wasn’t working and we complained. They weren’t able to fix it so moved us to another room. Zak was most helpful and apologetic. ..."

Reviewed on May 14, 2024

Bermonds Locke
Leman Locke
Leman Locke
4 out of 5
15 Leman St, London, England
Stay at this 4-star 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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,344 reviews)
"The staff was always helpful and accomodating. Location to the underground (aka subway) couldn't have been better."

Reviewed on May 19, 2024

Leman Locke
The Lincoln Suites
The Lincoln Suites
4 out of 5
37-39 Kingsway, London, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (336 reviews)
"Easy access, close to everything."

Reviewed on May 15, 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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