London

History, markets & a pub on every corner

Ancient and endlessly reinventing, London stitches together village-like neighbourhoods, world-beating museums (most of them free), riverside walks and food from every corner of the globe. Come for the icons, stay for the markets, mews and the perfect pub – these are the spots locals actually send their friends to.

Good to know

2,000+

years of history, from a Roman wall to a glass-and-steel skyline

170+

museums – and many of the very best are free to enter

300+

languages spoken across a city of nearly 9 million people

~47%

of Greater London is green space, park or garden

Local tips

Tap a contactless card or phone on the Tube and buses – no Oyster needed, and daily fares cap automatically.
So many world-class museums (British Museum, Tate, the V&A) are free – just walk in.
Stand on the right on Tube escalators, and let people off before you board.
Sunday is market day: Columbia Road, Brick Lane and Broadway Market are at their best.

Browse London

London at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: spring and autumn
Highlights: British Museum and Tate Modern
Where to stay: Clerkenwell and Shoreditch
Local picks: 48 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for London

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Local tipsWhere to Stay in London: Best Neighborhoods for First-TimersWhere to stay in London? A local guide to the best areas, from the central West End and South Bank…

Local tips3 Days in London: The Perfect First-Timer’s ItineraryA local's perfect 3-day London itinerary: royal Westminster and the South Bank, the Tower and East End, plus world-class museums…

Local tipsBest Things to Do in London: A Local’s GuideThe best things to do in London, chosen by locals: top sights, where to eat, where to stay and the…

Where to stay in London

Compare live hotel prices and availability on the map. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Hampstead

Hampstead Heath

790 acres of wild parkland with swimming ponds and the best skyline view in London.

★ 4.7

East Molesey

Hampton Court Palace

Henry VIII’s riverside Tudor palace, complete with a famous hedge maze and great hall.

★ 4.6

$$$

Highgate

Highgate Cemetery Tour

A guided wander among ivy-clad Victorian tombs and the grave of Karl Marx.

★ 4.6

Greenwich Peninsula

IFS Cloud Cable Car

A quick cable-car flight over the Thames for low-cost aerial views of the Docklands.

★ 4.3

Paddington / Bayswater, West London

Inhabit Hotels

Why it matters: Inhabit is one of the few London hotels to earn B Corp certification, meaning an independent body has audited its social and environmental practices rather than the hotel simply self-d

Whitechapel

Jack the Ripper Walk

An after-dark guided walk through the East End alleys of the 1888 mysteries.

★ 4.4

Kew

Kew Gardens

A UNESCO-listed botanic wonderland of Victorian glasshouses and a treetop walkway.

★ 4.7

Soho

Kiln

Fiery Thai and Burmese dishes cooked over live fire along a bustling Soho counter.

★ 4.6

Whitechapel

Lahore Kebab House

A legendary, no-frills East End grill house famed for its lamb chops and BYOB bills.

★ 4.5

Soho (Regent St)

Liberty London

Little Venice

Little Venice Canal Cruise

A gentle narrowboat glide along Regent’s Canal from Little Venice to Camden Lock.

★ 4.4

City of London

Locke at Broken Wharf

Bright studio apartments with kitchenettes, a minute from the Millennium Bridge.

★ 4.4

Shoreditch

London Cocktail Club

South Bank

London Eye

A slow half-hour rotation 135m above the Thames for a full sweep of the skyline.

★ 4.4

$$$

Stoke Newington, Hackney

Luminary Bakery

Why it matters: Luminary is a women-led charity and social enterprise that runs a two-year training programme for women who’ve faced violence, homelessness or the criminal justice system, teaching the

Before you go

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Book your trip to London

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London travel FAQ

How many days do you need in London?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of London at a relaxed pace. See our London itinerary guide for a day-by-day plan.

Where is the best area to stay in London?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit. Our where to stay in London guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods.

What are the best things to do in London?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay. Or read our best things to do in London guide.

What is the best time to visit London?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though London is worth visiting year-round.