London

United Kingdom

Royal landmarks, great museums and a different neighbourhood around every corner.

City
Culture
Family

Cobblestone lane in Kynance Mews lined with white and brick houses, London

Tower Bridge over the Thames with City of London skyscrapers behind

Photos: Ugur Akdemir, Bruno Martins, Charles Postiaux on Unsplash

Best time to go: May to September brings the longest days and the mildest weather. Spring and early autumn are quieter. Winter is cool and often grey, brightened by festive lights from late November.
Ideal length: 4 to 5 days

Plan with ROVE AI

Rovepoint guide: general information. Check current details before you travel.

Known for

World-class museums and galleries, from ancient history to modern art
Royal landmarks, including Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London
The River Thames and its bridges, best seen on a walk along the South Bank
West End theatre and live music
Royal parks such as Hyde Park, Regent’s Park and Greenwich Park
Markets for street food, crafts and antiques

Getting around

The Underground (the Tube), buses and overground trains reach almost everywhere. Contactless bank cards and phone wallets work as tickets on most of the network.
Black cabs can be hailed on the street, and ride-hailing apps are widely used.
Central London is very walkable, and many sights are closer together than the Tube map suggests.
Traffic drives on the left, so look right first when you cross the road.

Areas to explore

Westminster
Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, a short walk from St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace.
South Bank
A riverside walk past theatres, galleries and street performers, with views across the Thames.
Covent Garden and Soho
The heart of the West End, busy with theatres, shops and places to eat.
The City and Shoreditch
The historic financial district beside the Tower of London, giving way to street art and nightlife in Shoreditch.
Camden
Canal-side markets, live music and an alternative streak.
South Kensington
Grand museums of science, natural history and design, next to Hyde Park.
Greenwich
Maritime history, the Royal Observatory and a hilltop park overlooking the city, reached by river or rail.

A three-day outline

1Day 1Royal London and the river
- Morning in Westminster: Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey
- Walk through St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace
- Cross the river and stroll the South Bank as the lights come on
2Day 2Museums and the West End
- A morning in the South Kensington museums
- An afternoon in Hyde Park

Good to know

Currency: Pound sterling. Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere.
Plugs: Type G (three rectangular pins), 230V.
Language: English.
Tipping: Many restaurants add a service charge to the bill. Where they do not, a tip for good table service is customary. Tipping at a pub bar is not expected.
Weather: Changeable in every season, so pack a light waterproof layer.

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Evening in Covent Garden and Soho, or a West End show

3Day 3History and neighbourhoods

The Tower of London and Tower Bridge
Lunch at a market, then an afternoon in Shoreditch or Camden
A river trip to Greenwich for the view back over the city

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