London, United Kingdom
London, the capital of England, is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a vacation in a beautiful city. There are many attractions that hold a lot of interesting history, beautiful buildings, and great food.
We have visited London on two separate occasions. Spending around 3-4 days in the city will give you enough time to see the city.
When To Visit
London is a city that is gorgeous in every season. We visited London for the first time in September while the weather was still warm and nice, and there weren’t a lot of tourists. It was beautiful and we didn’t have to wait in lines for almost anything. The second time we visited London was during Christmas. The weather was a lot colder, and it rained a little bit. It rains the most in October, and the least in June, so if you’re not a fan of rain, I wouldn’t recommend planning a trip to London in October.
Booking Your Attractions
We recommend using the Get Your Guide App to book all attractions. It is the easiest and safest way to plan your trip and things you want to do. Before booking, make sure you know how far you are from the location of your attraction. We were staying pretty close to the underground tube station and everything was relatively close if you travel by train.
A tip for getting to your location fast is Googling your destination from your hotel or wherever you are at. Doing this will tell you the fastest way by walking, driving, or public transportation. Also, it shows exactly where you need to go to catch trains and or buses, and what time they leave. Public transportation was always quick and easy for us.
Getting Around The City
Getting around in London was easy and simple, and the underground tubes worked very well. It was easy to figure out buying tickets, since there were machines for it right outside the entrance, and the tickets were affordable ($2-3). It’s easy to walk around in London and a lot of the popular attractions are walking distance apart.
Nightlife
London has a great nightlife and a variety of different places to go have fun. There are a lot of night clubs, bars, and pubs all over London. We usually went out to dinner, and after would go to a bar or pub to get drinks. Additionally, a lot of the pubs serve food, so if you want to just get a quick snack or appetizer, these are good places to go as well.
Things To See
- Tower Bridge (free)
- Big Ben (free)
- London Eye
- Westminister Abbey
- Buckingham Palace
- Kew Gardens
- Arcelormittal Orbit
- The British Museum
Description Of Sites
Big Ben is the nickname for the iconic clock tower and is known as one of the most popular landmarks in London.
Tower Bridge is a historic bridge spanning the River Thames, featuring twin towers and a drawbridge mechanism, symbolizing the city’s industrial heritage.
The London Eye is a Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the Thames, offering great views of London’s skyline and landmarks.
Westminster Abbey is a majestic medieval church in Westminster, famous for its royal coronations, weddings, and as the resting place of numerous notable figures.
Buckingham Palace serves as the official London residence of the British monarch.
Kew Gardens is a large garden in southwest London, home to diverse plant collections, historical buildings, and beautiful landscapes.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit is an observation tower and sculpture in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, offering views of the city and featuring the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide.
The British Museum is an institution housing an array of art, artifacts, and antiquities from various civilizations across the globe, showcasing human history and culture.
Crime
Like every city, there is going to be crime. London is no exception, but on our stay there, we felt safe. On our visit during Christmas though, someone did try pickpocketing my sister, but a local intervened. This happened in a very crowded area, where people were constantly bumping into each other so you wouldn’t notice if someone touched you. Be aware of pickpocketing and be on alert when walking at night.
Overview
London has a lot to offer for a memorable vacation. With famous sights, delicious food, and fun nightlife, there’s something for everyone. Exploring London was an enjoyable experience, full of history and excitement. If you are looking to travel to a new place or somewhere in the United Kingdom, London should be at the top of your list.
