City Travel Guide // London, United Kingdom
Since moving to London a year and a half ago, we’ve had over 20 groups of visitors come through, and I always have so many recommendations, but nothing formalized. So I’m finally putting together this travel guide so I can send them a link and not a conglomeration of texts and emails.
In this guide, you will find recommendations on the best things to do in London, including areas to explore, restaurants, museums, and iconic markets.
For each of the locations, I’ve included a link to the website, its Google Maps location, and the standard adult ticket prices, accurate as of March 2025. Please make sure to check the website for the most up-to-date information, as the pricing can be nuanced.
Best Places to Visit in London
Popular Landmarks
Buckingham Palace (website | Google Maps | £32)
Westminster Abbey (website | Google Maps | £30)
Big Ben / Elizabeth Tower (website | Google Maps | Tours £35)
Palace of Westminster (website | Google Maps | £34)
St Paul’s Cathedral (website | Google Maps | £26)
London Eye (website | Google Maps | £29)
Tower of London (website | Google Maps | £35.80)
Tower Bridge (website | Google Maps | £13.40)
This is not to be confused with London Bridge, which is not photogenic
Museums
Victoria & Albert Museum (website | Google Maps | Free)
Natural History Museum (website | Google Maps | Free)
British Museum (website | Google Maps | Free, but can book in advance)
Tate Modern (website | Google Maps | Free)
Tate Britain (website | Google Maps | Free)
National Gallery (website | Google Maps | Free)
The Wallace Collection (website | Google Maps | Free)
National Portrait Gallery (website | Google Maps | Free)
Design Museum (website | Google Maps | Free)
** These museums are free for general admission (linked to visitor info pages). Special exhibitions at these museums usually incur costs — check the prices via the links if you’re interested.
Best Gardens & Parks
Regent’s Park (website | Google Maps | Free)
Hyde Park (Italian Gardens + Kensington Gardens) (website | Google Maps | Free)
Kew Gardens (Royal Botanic Gardens) (website | Google Maps | £22 online)
Hampstead Heath (website | Google Maps | Free)
Sky Garden (website | Google Maps | Free)
Holland Park (Kyoto Garden) (website | Google Maps | Free)
Battersea Park (website | Google Maps | Free)
Greenwich Park (website | Google Maps | Free)
The Barbican Conservatory (website | Google Maps | Free)
Iconic Markets
Borough Market
Camden / Camden Lock Market
Portobello Road Market
Covent Garden Market
Spitalfields / Old Spitalfields Market
Columbia Road Flower Market
Brick Lane Market
Greenwich Market
Broadway Market
Brick Lane Market
My Favorite Areas to Explore
Marylebone
Mayfair
Soho
Chinatown
Notting Hill
Covent Garden
King’s Cross
Battersea
Chelsea
Hampstead Heath
Best Places to Eat in London
If you’ve been here before, you know that I am very particular about food, and having spent a lot of time in various cities around the world, London is not known for its food. So below is a list of restaurants that can be understood as follows:
*** = We’ve been and would recommend
** = We’ve never been but heard good things
* = Everyone in London talks about it, we’ve been and thought it was okay, but wouldn’t say it’s a must try
Again, more details to come in a future London food-only blog post.
Best Restaurants
££
Dishoom*** (Indian)
Big Mamma Group***: Circolo Popolare, Jacuzzi, Carlotta, Gloria, Ave Mario (Italian)
The pizza here is world class. Everything else, including the pasta, is just okay. But the vibes are immaculate.
Franco Manca*** (sourdough Neopolitan pizza)
Hoppers*** (Sri Lankan/Indian)
Marugame Udon*** (Japanese)
Bao*** (Taiwanese)
Smoking Goat** (Thai)
Manteca** (Italian)
Fallow** (Modern European)
Brawn** (French)
Tokyo Diner* (Japanese)
Kiln* (Thai)
£££
J Sheekey*** (Seafood)
Hyde Park Garden*** (Modern British)
Ivy Asia*** (Asian fusion)
Kahani*** (Indian)
Royal China Club*** (Chinese Dim Sum)
Duck & Waffle** (Modern European)
Hawksmoor** (Steak)
Sushisamba** (Peruvian/Brazilian/Japanese)
Petersham Nurseries Café* (Modern)
££££
Core by Clare Smyth*** (Modern British)
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal*** (Modern British)
Gymkhana** (Indian)
Claude Bosi at Bibendum** (Modern French)
Ikoyi** (West African)
China Tang at the Dorchester* (Chinese)
Sucre* (Argentinian)
Bakeries & Brunch
Gail’s*** (Bakery)
Beigel Bake*** (Beigels)
WA Cafe*** (Japanese cafe)
KOVA Patisserie*** (Japanese cafe)
The Dusty Knuckle** (Bakery)
Bread Ahead** (Bakery)
Sunday in Brooklyn** (Brunch Restaurant)
Beam** (Cafe)
St John Bakery** (Bakery)
The Farmer’s Mistress** (Brunch Restaurant)
Granger & Co* (Aussie Brunch)
Buns From Home* (Cinnamon Buns/Rolls)
Best Afternoon Teas
££
Ham Yard (£45pp)
Petersham Nurseries (£55pp)
Searcys at The Gherkin (£55pp)
Oblix at The Shard (£61pp)
£££
Brown’s Hotel (£75pp)
The Goring (£75pp)
Rosewood (£75pp)
The Ritz (£76pp)
Shangri La at The Shard (£78pp)
Cafe Royal (£79pp)
Sketch (£80pp)
Palm Court at The Langham (£80pp)
The Savoy (£80pp)
The Lanesborough (£85pp)
The Milestone (£85pp)
Claridge’s (£90pp)
The Dorchester (£110pp)
For more, https://afternoontea.co.uk/ is a great resource. They sometimes even have offers available.
Best Bars in London
Tayēr + Elementary***
Scarfes Bar***
Swift***
Satan’s Whiskers**
A Bar with Shapes for a Name**
Connaught Bar*
Tours of London
Day Trips from London
London is amazing, but if you’ve been here a few times, take a day trip to a different part of the UK.
Best Time To Visit London
The British Isles are not known for phenomenal weather, but London offers visitors lots to do, no matter the weather. Personally, I think the best months to visit London are May, June or September or December. January, February, and March are probably the worst months to visit, as these winter months are usually cold and very, very grey.
While I think most of London can be seen in 3-5 days, you could easily spend 2-3 weeks here and still find plenty of things to do. And if you run out, there are many, many day trips you can do, including trips to Kent, the Cotswolds, Oxford, and Bath. If you can, spend no fewer than 3 days in Great Britain’s capital city.