London

History, markets & a pub on every corner

Ancient and endlessly reinventing, London stitches together village-like neighbourhoods, world-beating museums (most of them free), riverside walks and food from every corner of the globe. Come for the icons, stay for the markets, mews and the perfect pub – these are the spots locals actually send their friends to.

Good to know

2,000+

years of history, from a Roman wall to a glass-and-steel skyline

170+

museums – and many of the very best are free to enter

300+

languages spoken across a city of nearly 9 million people

~47%

of Greater London is green space, park or garden

Local tips

Tap a contactless card or phone on the Tube and buses – no Oyster needed, and daily fares cap automatically.
So many world-class museums (British Museum, Tate, the V&A) are free – just walk in.
Stand on the right on Tube escalators, and let people off before you board.
Sunday is market day: Columbia Road, Brick Lane and Broadway Market are at their best.

Browse London

London at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: spring and autumn
Highlights: British Museum and Tate Modern
Where to stay: Clerkenwell and Shoreditch
Local picks: 48 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for London

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Local tipsWhere to Stay in London: Best Neighborhoods for First-TimersWhere to stay in London? A local guide to the best areas, from the central West End and South Bank…

Local tips3 Days in London: The Perfect First-Timer’s ItineraryA local's perfect 3-day London itinerary: royal Westminster and the South Bank, the Tower and East End, plus world-class museums…

Local tipsBest Things to Do in London: A Local’s GuideThe best things to do in London, chosen by locals: top sights, where to eat, where to stay and the…

Where to stay in London

Compare live hotel prices and availability on the map. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Pimlico

Artist Residence London

A playful, art-filled bolthole of just a dozen rooms near the river in Pimlico.

★ 4.5

$$$

Soho

Barrafina

Impeccable Spanish tapas from a marble counter – no bookings, just perch and order.

★ 4.5

Multiple areas across London

Black History Walks

Why it matters: Black History Walks was founded by Black historian and author Tony Warner and has, since 2007, told the story of London’s Black history from a Black-led perspective. The guides are aut

Southwark

Borough Market

London’s most famous food market – graze cheese, oysters and pastries under the railway arches.

★ 4.7

Bloomsbury

British Museum

Two million years of human history – the Rosetta Stone included – and free to enter.

★ 4.8

Camden

Camden Market Food Crawl

Graze your way through the global street-food stalls of London’s most eclectic market.

★ 4.4

Westminster

Changing of the Guard Walk

Time the pageantry at Buckingham Palace, then stroll royal Whitehall and the parks.

★ 4.3

Westminster

Churchill War Rooms

The preserved underground bunker where Churchill ran the war, frozen in 1945.

★ 4.7

Tower Hill

citizenM Tower of London

Sleek, tech-forward rooms and a rooftop bar staring straight at the Tower.

★ 4.5

Bethnal Green

Columbia Road Flower Market

A riot of blooms and indie shops every Sunday on a Victorian East End street.

★ 4.6

Covent Garden

Dishoom Covent Garden

Bombay-cafe nostalgia, all-day bacon naans and black daal worth the inevitable queue.

★ 4.7

Royal Docks (Newham), East London

Good Hotel London

Why it matters: Good Hotel is a genuine social enterprise, not just a hotel with a charity angle. It runs a three-month training course of study and paid work experience for long-term unemployed local

Wood Green (Haringey), North London

Green Rooms

Why it matters: Green Rooms is an arts-led social enterprise offering low-cost private and dorm rooms aimed at makers, performers and creative travellers, with an on-site gallery and event space that

Greenwich

Greenwich Park & Royal Observatory

Stand astride the Prime Meridian and look back across the river to Canary Wharf.

★ 4.6

Hampstead

Hampstead Heath

790 acres of wild parkland with swimming ponds and the best skyline view in London.

★ 4.7

Before you go

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Book your trip to London

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London travel FAQ

How many days do you need in London?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of London at a relaxed pace. See our London itinerary guide for a day-by-day plan.

Where is the best area to stay in London?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit. Our where to stay in London guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods.

What are the best things to do in London?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay. Or read our best things to do in London guide.

What is the best time to visit London?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though London is worth visiting year-round.