Big Guide to LONDON: What to See, Visit, and Taste for an Unforgettable Experience! – part 1

London. The place, which I visited so many times that I am not able to count it. I was excited about every visit. Because it has beautiful British architecture, interesting history and hundreds of places, which you should see at least once in a lifetime.

Centuries-old monuments, museums and galleries, restaurants and bars, shops, even street food – if you know where to go…

1. Must-see monuments and places in the city center

These places are not in alphabetical order but they are organized the way how I love to take walks in London and see all the most important jewels…

Buckingham Palace

The ‘office’ of British monarchs since 1837. It has been a while since any royal used the place as their main residence. You can see the iconic balcony, and the fountain together with a huge number of tourists, which are here all the time – doesn’t matter if it’s sunny or raining. The palace is guarded by the King’s Guard. Changing the guards at 11 am is a spectacular show, but it DOESN’T HAPPEN EVERY DAY! When planning the visit, check the official website and try to schedule the day to see it. It’s worth it!

Royal House Guards

Situated on Parliament Street. A place where you can see (at least) two members of the King’s Guard sitting on the horses. There is also The Household Cavalry Museum showing 350 years of Cavalry. Haven’t visited that one (yet), but the reviews look great.

Trafalgar Square

You’ve seen this square in the news or online so many times. Celebrations are taking place here, as well as protests. It’s recognizable thanks to the high column with the statue of Admiral Nelson and the National Gallery.

Interesting fact

The fourth plinth – the plinth on the left-hand side when facing the National Gallery is the plinth where the statue keeps changing. One statue is placed on it for approximately 1-2 years before it is replaced by a different one. And the reason? There was no money left for the statue, which was supposed to be placed there when the plinth was built almost 200 years ago. So it remained vacant for a while. Then the city figured out this interesting alternative. 

Leicester Square

Full of fun and events – cinema, shops and souvenirs. Cinema Odeon is the place for the premiere of the most successful movies. I didn’t know this until the day about 4 years ago, when I was in a hurry, trying to go from the city center to my hotel. This square was so crowded! And with many blocked streets surrounding it! There were huge posters everywhere – the premier of the movie. I can’t remember which one, I don’t even have pictures from that time. Anyway, I didn’t have time to stop and watch what was going on… Check information like this before your visit and maybe you will be lucky to see someone famous.

Chinatown

It’s impossible to overlook the beautiful gate leading to Chinatown standing on the side of Leicester Square (near M&M’s store). Decorations, lanterns, and a mix of scents are here all year round. Street food stands, small cafes pastry shops, and restaurants. If you love Asian cuisine as much as I do, you have to visit this part of London!

Picadilly Circus

Crossroads with massive blinking advertisements, music, and performances of street artists, mainly in the evening. Catch the best vibes at night, when you see the blinking lights of the cars and the ones from advertisements. I would compare it to Times Square in New York, but in a very very small version.

Carnaby Street

The street is known for its thematic decorations, luxury restaurants, pubs, and small boutique shops. Walk it on the way from Picadilly, you won’t regret it.

Liberty London

Shopping mall between Picadilly and Oxford Street, around the corner from Carnaby Street. It is built in Tudor style, typical for medieval London.

Big Ben

Recently renovated symbol of London. Nickname Big Ben is the nickname of the largest of five bells in the tower (the name of the bell is Great Bell). The official name of the tower was Clock Tower, which was changed to Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II.

Palace of Westminster

Built during the 11th century, this palace used to be the residence of monarchs. Nowadays, it is a meeting place of Parliament of the United Kingdom. I believe that there have been many attacks planned on this building, one of the most famous was tried on the 5th of November 1605. The attempt of Guy Fawkes was unsuccessful. Thanks to him, all United Kingdom and countries connected with Great Britain celebrate the 5th of November with fireworks and bonfires. Weird holiday, isn’t it?

Westminster Abbey

Cathedral, which doesn’t need any introduction. You could see the best shot of it during the unforgettable royal wedding of William and Kate and the recent coronation of King Charles III. Coronations and royal weddings have been taking place here since the 11th century, as well as burials of important people. 18 English and scotch royals, for example, Mary, Queen of Scotland (if you have seen the series Scotland, you know who I mean, if not watch it, it’s great), Charles Darwin and Sir Isaac Newton are buried here. The ashes of Stephen Hawking are resting near Newton’s.

London Eye

One of the most famous modern symbols of London. One ride on this observation wheel takes 30 minutes and you can up to 20 kilometers of London if the visibility is perfect.

Covent Garden

A renovated old marketplace in the Covent Garden part of London is full of small shops and cozy places. Decorations are here for any occasion you can think of – Valentine’s, Easter, autumn, Christmas – original and elegant.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Cathedral, whose origins are going back to the 7th century, when the Catholic church was founded here. The current cathedral was completed in 1710 as part of rebuilding London after the Great Fire of London. The wedding of Princess Diana and current King Charles III took place, as well as funerals, for example, Winston Churchill’s. The 80th and 90th birthdays of Queen Elizabeth II were celebrated here as well.

My advice

The shopping mall directly behind the cathedral has a rooftop bar from which you can have a beautiful view of the old part of London and the river Thames. Take the lift to the highest floor and walk out of the bar to the roof area towards the cathedral. Better than paying for the access to the tower.

Tower of London

Medieval castle, which was a witness to numerous important events. A large part of it is currently open to the public, including the room with royal jewels. One of the places where it is worth it to buy an entrance ticket and see it all.

Tower Bridge

The most famous bridge in London. There are promenades on both sides of the river Thames, great for a walk, pictures or just sitting and watching the city. If you will be lucky enough to visit during nice weather. If you aren’t afraid of heights, you can visit the bridge, walk to the upper part, and on the floor made of glass, watching the cars passing below you. 

2. Must-see parts of London outside of the city center

Notting Hill

Part of London is famous thanks to the movie. Plenty of terraced pastel-colored houses, coffee shops, bookstores, and antique stores. Exactly like in the movie. There are street markets on Portobello Road every Saturday. You can buy various things here – clothes, antiques, food… The atmosphere is great.

Greenwich

The observatory is placed on the hill exactly at the point of the prime meridian. There is an interesting museum inside, full of compasses and objects representing astronomy. Right next to it, you can find the line, thanks to which you can stand the way that one half of your body is in the west hemisphere and the other one in the east one. There is also a huge park and Marine museum with one of the last preserved ships, which was transporting the tea from India to England. 

Camden Town

One of my favorite parts of London with the very unique atmosphere of alternative culture. A lot of street markets, shops with handmade products, antiques, bars and pubs for (not only) fans of punk music and rave. But what’s the most important – the best street food in London! You can choose from so many options, sit at the picnic table near the canals where there is no merchandise transported anymore, but tourists instead.

Is that it? No, not at all.

In the next parts, you can get information about parks, museums and galleries, restaurants, bars and shops to visit. There are a couple of small surprises, which will make your visit a little bit easier as well!

Read Part 2 and Part 3 of this Big Guide to London and discover more!