Complete London Travel Guide: Museums, Neighbourhoods and Transport

londonukeurope

Why Visit London

London is one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities. With 9+ million inhabitants and 300 languages spoken, it offers world-class museums (most of them free), a thriving food scene and a unique blend of tradition and modernity.

MAD → LHR

Find cheap flights

Best Time to Visit

Spring (April–June): Pleasant (12–20°C), parks in bloom, long days.
Summer (July–August): Warmest (18–25°C), many outdoor events and festivals.
Autumn (September–November): Beautiful foliage in parks, 10–18°C.
Winter (December–February): Cold (2–8°C) but spectacular Christmas lights and January sales.

Top Attractions

Iconic Landmarks

Tower of London: 1,000 years of history and the Crown Jewels. Entry £37.
Buckingham Palace: Changing of the Guard at 11:00 (not daily). Interior visits in August–September for £30.
Westminster Abbey: Royal coronations and weddings since 1066. Entry £31.
Big Ben & Parliament: London's iconic clock tower. Parliament tours £30.

Free Museums

British Museum: Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, Parthenon sculptures. Free.
National Gallery: Masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet, Da Vinci. Trafalgar Square. Free.
Tate Modern: Contemporary art in a former power station by the Thames. Free.
Natural History Museum: Blue whale skeleton, dinosaurs and gems. Free.
V&A Museum: The world's largest decorative arts museum. Free.

Info

Most of London's national museums are completely FREE. Only temporary exhibitions charge admission. This includes the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, V&A, Natural History and Science Museums.

Neighbourhoods

Soho: Restaurants, bars, West End theatres and vibrant Carnaby Street.
Camden Town: Alternative market, international food stalls, live music.
Notting Hill: Colourful houses on Portobello Road, antiques market on Saturdays.
Shoreditch: Street art, hipster cafes, vintage shops and nightlife.
Greenwich: The Prime Meridian (free), royal park and skyline views from the observatory.
South Bank: Thames-side walk from the London Eye to Tate Modern.

Getting Around

Oyster Card / Contactless: Zone 1–2 journey costs £2.80. Daily cap of £8.50.
Tube: 11 lines, runs 5:00–00:30 (24h on some lines Friday and Saturday nights).
Bus: Iconic red double-decker. Same Oyster pricing. Bus 11 is a free "tour" through central London.

From airports:

Heathrow (LHR): Piccadilly Line £5.50 (55 min) or Heathrow Express £25 (15 min to Paddington).
Gatwick (LGW): Gatwick Express £19.90 (30 min to Victoria) or Thameslink £12 (45 min).
Stansted (STN): Stansted Express £19.40 (47 min to Liverpool Street) or National Express bus from £8.

Tip

Use your contactless bank card directly on the Tube — it works exactly like an Oyster Card with the same daily cap. No need to buy a separate card.

Where to Eat

Borough Market: London's most famous food market since 1014. Cheese, oysters (£1 each), artisan bread, raclette.
Dishoom: Bombay-inspired Indian cuisine. The bacon naan roll at breakfast is legendary. £12–18 per dish.
Flat Iron: Quality steak for £12 with salad. Frequent queues but worth the wait.
Fish & Chips: Poppies in Spitalfields or The Golden Hind in Marylebone. £12–15.
Sunday Roast: British Sunday tradition. The Grazing Goat or The Harwood Arms. £18–25.

Hotels in London

Find the best deals

Practical Tips

Visa: EU citizens can visit for up to 6 months without a visa. Passport required (ID cards no longer accepted post-Brexit).
Currency: British Pound (GBP). Cards accepted virtually everywhere.
Tipping: 10–12.5% in restaurants (often added as "service charge"). Check the bill.
Plugs: Type G (three-pin). You'll need an adaptor.
Weather: Always carry an umbrella or rain jacket. The weather changes fast.

Back to guides