A world power and the largest city in Europe, London is one of the best destinations for city breaks. Whether you enjoy its fabulous art, history and architecture, breathtaking views, world-class cultural events, great food and vibrant nightlife or world-class theatre, ballet and opera, this vibrant metropolis ticks all the boxes. While the capital often basks in the spotlight thanks to a series of high-profile sporting events, including cricket at the Oval and Lords, tennis at Wimbledon and this year’s Tour de France, there’s even more buzz on this day. as it prepares to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

There is a wide variety of accommodation, from cheap youth hostels to some of the most luxurious and expensive hotels on the planet. It is not cheap but it is certainly unforgettable.

How to get to/move around London

London is easily accessible by road. Of the major motorways, you can travel to London from the M1 in the north, the M4 and M40 in the west, the M3 and M23 in the south, and the M2 and M20 in the east. If you’re flying, choose between Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and City airports. By bus, almost all national services arrive at Victoria Bus Station. Once you are in London, you can choose the bus, train or tube.

You’ll also see many of the capital’s iconic black cabs, but they tend to be expensive. Driving in London is quite an experience and not for the faint hearted. If you drive or rent a car, remember that during the week you will have to pay the congestion charge (£8) between 7am and 6pm.

tourism in london

You will need a few weeks to visit all the monuments, galleries, museums, parks, etc. From london. Probably the best way to get your bearings and take in as many famous sights as possible is on board an open top bus. There are tourist bus stops throughout the city and one ticket allows you to hop on and off as you need. Most routes pass Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament and Piccadilly Circus. The London Eye is one of the most popular attractions in the city and offers fantastic views.

The main museums include the Tate Britain, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum and the Natural History Museum. There are wonderfully relaxing parks such as Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, St James’s Park and Richmond Park or you can explore some of the city’s interesting markets in Camden, Notting Hill or Spitalfields.

Family attractions, day trips and shopping experiences in London

Family attractions in London

The Natural History Museum is excellent for children and there are many interactive exhibits. You can experience what an earthquake feels like, get up close and personal with dinosaurs like the terrifying T-Rex, and examine weird and wonderful specimens at the Darwin Center.

London Zoo and London Aquarium are popular destinations for animal lovers, and the Tower of London and London Dungeon offer a few hours of entertainment. See your favorite celebrities (not quite in person) at Madame Tussauds, or head to East London to visit the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood.

Day trips from London

Windsor Castle sits on the River Thames about 20 miles west of London and a tour of the world’s oldest occupied castle is extremely popular. If you fancy going to the coast, you can catch a train to Brighton from Victoria Station and breathe the sea air in about an hour. Hampton Court Palace in South West London is probably one of the most spectacular palaces in the world and its famous maze should keep you busy.

Visit in winter and you can go ice skating with the palace as your backdrop. Theme parks such as Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park are located on the outskirts of the city and Whipsnade Wild Animal Park is around 30 minutes north of the capital.

Shopping in London

A shopping splurge won’t come cheap, but there isn’t much you can’t buy. You’ll find top-of-the-line fashion on Oxford and Regent Street and department stores like Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and the world famous Harrods in Knightsbridge. Around Covent Garden you will find unique boutiques and more high street names and the markets are great for their variety. Portobello Market is great for jewelery and Camden attracts a very mixed crowd looking for ethnic arts, crafts, jewelery and second-hand clothing.

If you’re hungry, Borough Market is wonderful for all kinds of organic, regional and international produce. Just don’t go on an empty stomach or you’ll end up spending a fortune.

London nightlife, restaurants, bars and clubs

Restaurants in London

London is fast becoming a culinary capital of the world and a place where you can try almost any type of cuisine, including Iranian, Lebanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, French, Italian, Spanish, Argentinian, Nepalese, Greek, Turkish, American and mexican. Many traditional English pubs in London serve excellent cuisine and you cannot visit them without trying a traditional Sunday roast.

If you really want to spend a little money, dine at one of the many ‘celebrity’ chef restaurants in the capital, such as Gordon Ramsay’s Claridge’s or Jamie Oliver’s Quince. There are also more than 30 Michelin-starred restaurants, including Hakkasan and Yauatcha (Chinese), Nobu and Umu (Japanese), and Aubergine and Chez Bruce (French).

nightlife in london

Some of the best nightclubs, theatre, dance and music in the world are located in the capital. Plays in the West End can be very expensive, but the UK’s best actors (as well as some US stars) love to hit the stage. The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden has ballet and opera and there are live music venues all over the city where you can see the most popular groups on the planet.

London’s nightclubs attract the best DJs from around the world and hot spots include Fabric, China White (studded with celebrities) and Funky Buddha.

London has a wide range of accommodation, from simple, cheap guesthouses and hostels to internationally renowned five-star hotels such as The Savoy and The Ritz.