Few cities worldwide rival London for history, culture, tradition, entertainment, and cuisine. The English capital never fails to delight, as it is home to 170 museums (most are free), 74-Michelin star restaurants, countless historic attractions, and the world-famous West End theatre district.
As you will want to experience the buzz of the Big Smoke and return home with no regrets, you must make it your mission to explore its finest attractions during your stay. If so, read this guide to visiting London’s best sights.
Book a Stay in the Heart of London
Simplify a trip to London by staying in the heart of the city, as it will ensure you’re a short walk or a quick tube ride away from a superb attraction. It doesn’t matter if you’re booking a trip for next year or looking for last minute London breaks; you can find a beautiful boutique hotel in the centre of the city that won’t blow your travel budget. Guaranteed you’ll be a stone’s throw from an exciting restaurant, historic landmark, or world-class shopping.
Choose from many central neighbourhoods to stay in the thick of the action, such as Victoria, Mayfair, Covent Garden, Marylebone, or Kensington. By doing so, you can relax in the knowledge that you’ll be within walking distance of exciting attractions, fantastic restaurants, and atmospheric nightlife. However, if you would prefer to avoid crowds but stay near the best sights in the city, consider booking a hotel in Southbank, St. John’s Woods, Pimlico, or Fitzrovia.
Buy a London Pass
Once you’ve secured a hotel in the heart of the city, treat yourself to a London Pass. It will provide entry into more than 80 attractions across the capital, which could save you up to 50% on ticket prices. It will provide fast-track access to the best activities, such as:
- London Zoo
- Westminster Abbey
- The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace
- Windsor Castle
- Hampton Court Palace
- Tower Bridge
- Kensington Palace
- Tower of London
The fast-track entry is worth the fee alone, as you can quickly skip the queues during the busiest times of the year.
Make the Most of Public Transport
Most tourists avoid hiring a car in London due to congestion and expensive parking prices. If you want to visit many attractions in one day, you’d be wise to walk or make the most of the capital’s superb public transport options, such as the tube, train, bus, or boat. Alternatively, you could hop into an Uber or a famous black cab to travel around the city with ease, but the latter is notoriously expensive.
Don’t Hop on the Tube Too Much
As the tube is one of the best ways to travel across the city, you might feel tempted to venture to the London Underground when journeying from one attraction to the next. However, the capital is a walkable city, and some stations are mere minutes apart, meaning it might take longer to wait for the tube than to walk from attraction to attraction. For example, Covent Garden and Charing Cross Stations are approximately 10 minutes apart, and you can view many famous landmarks on foot, such as Covent Garden Market, the Savoy Hotel, the Adelphi Theatre, and the London Transport Museum.