London is, without a doubt, one of the world’s absolute best cities. Full disclosure, no amount of time spent here will ever be enough. We found that even a long weekend barely scratched the surface of the absolute must-sees and tourist highlights– never mind the more off-the-beaten-path spots.
To our surprise, London feels shockingly laid-back and relaxed for an urban area of its size. Despite being one of the world’s biggest cities, we found locals to be as friendly and welcoming as you’d find in a small town, and the streets and sidewalks to be surprisingly clean, with ample trash and recycling receptacles.
While the Tube certainly gets busy come rush-hour, the connectivity between the different parts of town makes sightseeing and commuting a breeze. The various neighborhoods in the city center are cozy and charming, and truly, you forget you’re in a massive metropolis.
While it sounds tired to say, London truly has something for everyone. From massive (free!) museums, to lush parks, cycling trails, restaurants, and an overrepresentation of places where history comes alive in front of your eyes, it’s important to prioritize what you really want to see, knowing that you’ll likely have to save a few things for your next visit. Doing this in advance will save you a lot of stress and running around!
London in some form dates all the way back to the Romans, who founded the city of “Londinium” in 43 AD as a strategic crossing point on the Thames River. Londinium grew into an important trading and administrative center, foreshadowing the role it would later play on the world stage.
After the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, England became a monarchy of sorts (called a “heptarchy” comprising 7 mini-kingdoms) with the Anglo-Saxon conquest of England. The monarchy largely as we see it today dates back to 1066, when William the Conquerer was declared the solo King of England. The original portion of the imposing Tower of London complex dates back to his rule.
As this occurred, London gradually became a significant medieval city, serving as the political and economic hub of England. The Great Fire of 1666 destroyed much of the city, but the rebuilding effort resulted in the creation of many iconic structures that still exist today, like St. Paul’s Cathedral– many of which are credited to master architect Christopher Wren, whose influence you’ll see all over the city.
During the colonial era, London became the center of the (to say the least, problematic) British Empire, governing vast territories across the globe. The East India Company was headquartered in London, and the city became a hub for finance, commerce, and innovation. The city industrialized rapidly, with the development of factories and the expansion of the railway network.
In the 20th century, London faced the challenges of two world wars, similar to much of the European continent. The city was heavily bombed during World War II, resulting in widespread destruction– you can still see evidence of the Blitz at places like St. Dunstan in the East, a church near Tower Hill that was bombed heavily.
In recent decades, London hosted the Summer Olympics in 2012, as well as is the home to several soccer teams, concert venues, and recently, the coronation ceremonies for the new king. The city is a multicultural and diverse place, with loads of delicious food options, fun things to do, and a showcase of its heritage.
Getting There + Staying There
If you’re coming from “the Continent” (e.g., France, the Benelux countries, and even a bit further afield), it’s a great idea to take the train in. While London has a whopping 5 airports, they aren’t super centrally located, which adds a hefty cab or transit fare onto your trip. Heathrow, London’s biggest airport, has good transit connections (particularly via the new Elizabethan line), but it’s definitely a bit of a journey– both time-wise and train fare-wise.
The Eurostar (which comes in from cities like Amsterdam, Brussels, etc.) drops you off in the super-centric Saint Pancras station (next door to King’s Cross, where Harry Potter fans can take a nostalgic peek at Platform 9 ¾.) If you plan your trip in advance, the Eurostar can be quite economical, though the fares skyrocket in price during peak season and for last-minute bookings. From Saint Pancras, it’s really easy to get pretty much anywhere in the city on the Tube.
In terms of where to stay… we adored the Notting Hill and Kensington area, and would fully recommend staying there for the cozy and cute townhomes, quaint shops, and posh surroundings. However, choosing a neighborhood is heavily dependent on your interests, what you want to visit, and (unfortunately), your wallet.
London is, hands down, one of the best cities ever, but it’s definitely not cheap. Everything, from lodging to food to transit, is very pricy, especially when taking into account that the British pound is (while not as dominant as it used to be) not a particularly favorable exchange rate for many.
Here are a few tips that really helped us on our visit:
- Be strategic about the Tube, and keep in mind that if you ride more than 3 times in 1 day it’s worth it to get the day pass (which costs about 17€.) If not, try to walk between destinations, though keep in mind that the distances get very long. The bus is a bit cheaper and also a viable option.
- Unless you’re a major foodie traveling to London specifically for its cuisine, a great way to save money on food is to check out the ready-made meals at Tesco and Sainsbury’s. Their sandwiches and salads were perfect for a sunny evening in the park and surprisingly fresh and tasty.
- A spare room in someone’s house on Airbnb can be a good option for couples– we stayed in the Notting Hill area for only about 40€ per night. It was perfect for us because we spent almost no time there, but was definitely cramped and not particularly comfortable.
- Be sure to weigh the distances carefully. While the city center is certainly very expensive, taking the Tube from other parts of town adds up quickly as well. So in the end, staying further out than Zone 2 may cost you the difference in train fare to a middle-of-the-road hotel or Airbnb booked in advance, plus all the travel time of getting in and out of the city center.
- London has loads of free attractions, including most of its big museums. Be sure to prioritize those, and then you can budget where you can for the attractions that do charge entrance fees.
Neighborhood Guide to a Long Weekend in London
We’ll be the first to confirm that London can get overwhelming. There’s so much to see and do, and the city is massive. A long weekend in London is, quite simply, the bare minimum amount of time you can spend to do the city justice. We were there for 4 days and are already daydreaming about our next visit.
We found that the best way to conceptualize London on your first visit is to group attractions by neighborhood and go from there. Depending on how far you want to walk or how much you want to pack into a day, you can hit a few places in one day (particularly if you visit in spring/summer with longer daylight hours.)
Here are a few of the most popular neighborhoods and areas, that you can sort into a “power ranking” to guide your visit.
Covent Garden
- Explore Covent Garden Market for boutique shops, street performers, and restaurants.
- Enjoy street entertainment and live music in the vibrant Covent Garden Piazza.
- Discover the Neal’s Yard area with its colorful buildings and unique shops, painted in vibrant colors. This small courtyard is filled with independent shops and cute cafes.
- Located nearby, Somerset House is a stunning neoclassical building that hosts a variety of cultural events, exhibitions, and installations. Explore the art galleries, attend a concert, or simply relax in the courtyard.
- Check out the Royal Opera House for opera, ballet, and classical music, or a guided tour.
Notting Hill
- Explore the famous Portobello Road Market on Saturday mornings for a wide range of antiques, vintage clothing, books, art, and fresh food.
- Check out the ultra-cute pastel Victorian townhouses around the center of the neighborhood. Notable streets to explore include Westbourne Grove, Lancaster Road, and Denbigh Terrace.
- Notting Hill has several charming independent bookshops like The Notting Hill Bookshop, which inspired the famous movie Notting Hill and The Book and Kitchen, a cozy café/bookstore.
- Catch a movie at The Electric Cinema, one of London’s oldest cinemas.
- Just a short walk from Notting Hill, Holland Park is a peaceful and picturesque park for a stroll, don’t miss the Japanese Kyoto Garden and the historic Holland House on its grounds.
Kensington + Knightsbridge
- Explore the magnificent Kensington Palace and its beautiful gardens.
- Visit the Victoria and Albert Museum, which houses a vast collection of art and design. This museum is, quite frankly, unbelievable– definitely prioritize a visit here, even a short one. In particular, don’t miss the cast rooms.
- Explore the Natural History Museum with its dinosaur exhibits and interactive displays. Beware the long lines.
- Visit the Science Museum for interactive exhibits and displays on scientific advancements.
- Take a walk in Hyde Park and enjoy the Serpentine Lake and Speakers’ Corner.
- On the other side of Hyde Park, explore the Knightsbridge area, and don’t miss some retail therapy at iconic department store Harrods. It’s best to get there at opening time (10AM), because it gets absolutely mobbed. The souvenir section is in the basement, and the surprisingly economical food hall is on the ground floor. However, it’s truly worth a visit!
Westminster
- Check out the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. You can also take a guided tour of the Palace of Westmister, where Parliament is housed.
- Explore Westminster Abbey. Note: make sure to get your tickets well in advance online, as busy days sell out before the Abbey even opens.
- In the past, taking a peek at 10 Downing Street (the residence and office of the Prime Minister) would likely have been on this list, but unfortunately heightened security means that you can’t really see it anymore due to a huge fence. You can take a very far-away peek through the gates at Whitehall.
- Visit Buckingham Palace and witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
- Explore the Churchill War Rooms, an underground museum dedicated to Winston Churchill.
- Walk into nearby Belgravia to see embassies and posh townhomes.
South Bank
- Take a walk along the South Bank Promenade, with views of iconic landmarks like the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and the Tate Modern.
- Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the Borough Market, known for its delicious (though pricy) local food stalls. This market also gets absolutely mobbed, so try to arrive early.
- Visit the Southbank Centre for art exhibitions, concerts, and performances.
- Cross the Tower Bridge back to the other side of the river to see the Tower of London complex. Be sure to get tickets in advance if you want to go inside, as it gets absolutely packed.
- Right nearby, check out St. Dunstan in the East, a beautiful church designed by Christopher Wren that was nearly destroyed in the Blitz.
Note: Venturing further north here, you enter the Whitechapel area– which is an amazing place to sample the Indian cuisine that London is super famous for.
Mayfair and Marylbone
- Visit ultra-quaint Daunt Books for some book shopping. Their tote bags were a feature all around town!
- Check out Baker Street, home to Sherlock Holmes’ townhouse at #221B, and a cute museum as well as lots of food options and shops.
- See Harry Potter come to life at House of MinaLima, a gallery packed to the gills with the artworks by graphic design duo who worked on all the movies.
- Discover the beautiful Regent’s Park, which offers lush gardens, boating lakes, the London Zoo, and the stunning Queen Mary’s Rose Garden.
- Wander around Marylebone High Street, lined with boutique shops, stylish cafes, and independent bookstores.
- From here, you can pop up into the Bloomsbury area to go to the British Museum. The line was so long when we arrived that unfortunately we’ll have to return next time.
Camden
- Visit Camden Market, a bustling market with a wide variety of food stalls, shops, and alternative fashion.
- Explore the famous Camden Lock and stroll along the Regent’s Canal.
- Enjoy live music at iconic venues like the Roundhouse or the Jazz Cafe.
- If you come through Regent’s Park, keep walking up into Primrose Hill for stunning views of the city skyline.
Recommended Reading
Soho
- If you’re seeking to see some shows, this area is in the heart of London’s West End, home to world-class theaters showing musicals like Mamma Mia, Matilda, and Les Mis.
- In a similar vein, Soho is famous for its lively nightlife scene, with numerous bars, clubs, and live music venues.
- Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of London’s Chinatown, with its colorful decorations, authentic eateries, and Asian supermarkets, located in Soho.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to a weekend in London. For more UK content, check out our guides to Edinburgh and Glasgow. For more big city inspo, check out our guides to Stockholm, Athens, Rome, Brussels, and more.
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