Ultimate London Travel Guide: What to Do, Where to Go & Tips to Enjoy It
London lives up to the hype. You’ll be standing in front of Big Ben one minute, then turn a corner and find a quiet street, a really good coffee, or somewhere you didn’t plan for at all. That’s what makes it feel different.
It’s not just the landmarks, it’s everything in between. The history’s everywhere, but it doesn’t feel heavy or boring. You can walk it - properly and actually see it.
And no matter how many times you go back, it never feels done.
It just has a feel to it. You know you’re in London.
My top tips when planning a visit to London
There are so many London guides telling you what you have to do, where you have to go, and what you supposedly cannot miss. Honestly, it can make planning a trip feel harder than it needs to be. Even if you spent a month in London, you still would not do everything, so I do not think that should be the goal.
Whenever I plan London, I keep it simple. I think about the things I would still care about in 10 years if I missed them, and I start there. That is the best way to build a trip that actually feels worth it, instead of running around trying to tick off someone else’s list.
Stay near a station
Book near Euston or Hyde Park Corner. It’s cheaper, easier and you’ll get everywhere without thinking. Don’t overpay just to be central.
Pick what actually matters
You won’t see everything. Even in a month. Pick your top few. What would you think about in 10 years if you missed it? Do those properly.
Plan time to wander
Don’t fill every hour. Leave space to walk, get lost and find things in between. That’s where London is at its best.
Do it by area
Don’t zig-zag across the city. Group your days. Westminster, Tower and river, museums and shopping. It makes everything easier.
Stop for coffee and food
Don’t rush it. Sit down, have a coffee and eat properly. It breaks up the day and makes the whole experience better.
Don’t try to do it all
London isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things, properly and actually enjoying it.
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My Westminster Walk (The Best Way to See London First)
If you’re not sure where to start, this is what I always recommend.
It’s an easy walk through Westminster and Whitehall that covers most of the main sights, plus a few things people usually miss. I’ve sent this to so many people and they always end up saying it was one of their favourite parts of the trip.
If you arrive early before check-in, it’s perfect. Drop your bags, get outside, get some fresh air, and just start walking.
Palace of Westminster & Big Ben (Victoria Tower)
Tower Bridge, London
Westminster Loop Stops
Westminster Abbey
One of London’s big ones. Even if you don’t go inside, it’s worth a proper look from the outside.
Parliament Square
Good first stop to take it all in. Statues, open space, and great views around you.
Big Ben
Classic London. Get the photo, admire it properly, move on happy.
Cross Westminster Bridge
Walk across for one of the best views back over Big Ben and Parliament. Definitely stop for a photo.
10 Downing Street
You won’t get close, but it’s still fun seeing where it actually is.
Royal Horse Guards
Very London, very ceremonial. If the guards are out, even better.
Great Scotland Yard Hotel
Old police HQ turned hotel. Worth a quick look, especially if you like a bit of Sherlock Holmes energy.
Equestrian Statue of King Charles I
Easy one to miss, but it marks a pretty historic point in central London.
10 Adam Street
A random but fun little stop. Looks surprisingly like the Downing Street entrance.
Trafalgar Square
Always busy, always worth it. Lions, fountains, people everywhere, proper central London feel.
London’s Smallest Police Station
Tiny and hidden inside a lamppost. Slightly ridiculous, which is part of the fun.
The National Gallery
Optional, but a very good one if you want to duck inside for a bit.
Admiralty Arch
Big grand archway leading you towards royal London.
Captain James Cook
Quick little history stop, especially if you’re Australian or Kiwi and like spotting your people overseas.
The Mall Crossing
The big ceremonial road to Buckingham Palace. Good views, good photos, flags if you time it right.
Buckingham Palace
Do the classic walk past, have a look at the gates, get the photo, carry on.
Stone Gateway House
Small and easy to miss, but one of those odd little historic details London hides in plain sight.
Parliament Square
Loops you back into the area again, which works well if you want another look or a different angle.
Statue of Oliver Cromwell
Quick history stop if you care, otherwise a good marker that you’re still in peak Westminster.
St James’s Palace
Less flashy than Buckingham Palace, but older and actually really interesting.
New Scotland Yard Public Sign
Good final London photo stop. Bright sign, red phone box nearby, easy win.
K2 Telephone Box
Classic red London photo moment. Slightly touristy, still worth it.
London Tours & Activities Worth Your Time & Money
London has a lot to do, and it’s very easy to fill your time with things that aren’t actually worth it.
These are the ones I’d prioritise a mix of the big must-sees and a few that feel a bit more interesting.
The museums in London are genuinely worth your time. The V&A Museum, The British Museum, and The Natural History Museum are all free and easy to dip in and out of, even if you’re not usually a museum person. You don’t need to commit to hours even a quick wander through one or two sections is enough to feel like you’ve seen something worthwhile.
The Tower of London is one of the few paid attractions I’d say is actually worth it. It’s much bigger than it looks from the outside, there’s a lot to explore, and once you’re inside it’s far more interesting than you expect. It feels like a proper experience rather than just something you tick off.
A Thames River Cruise is one of the easiest ways to see a lot of the city without overthinking it. You get a completely different perspective of London from the water, and it’s a really good reset if you’ve been walking all day and just want to sit for a bit while still seeing things.
If you’re near Buckingham Palace or St James’s Palace, it’s worth timing your visit with the Changing of the Guard and a visit to the Royal Mews. It’s one of those classic London moments that actually does feel quite special in person. From there, walking down The Mall towards Trafalgar Square is an easy and really nice way to take in the city,
I also love finding the slightly quirky, easy-to-miss spots that most people walk straight past. In Trafalgar Square, there’s a tiny police station built into a lamppost, often called the smallest police station in London. Not far from there, the Twinings Tea Shop on the Strand has been trading since 1706 and is still in the same location, making it the oldest tea shop in London. And then there’s Harrods it is busy and a bit over the top, but still iconic and worth a wander at least once.
And if you feel like doing something a bit different, God’s Own Junkyard out in Walthamstow is such a fun detour. It’s a warehouse filled with neon signs and art - slightly random, but very memorable, and a nice break from the usual London sights.
If you’d rather not plan all of this yourself, there are some really good tours that cover a lot of these spots and make it easy to just turn up and enjoy it.
I usually use tours to take the pressure off the planning a bit, especially for things like the Tower of London or getting a good overview of the city.
Below are a few I’d recommend:
Instagram & delicious places to eat and drink in London
London is full of places that feel like they were made for Instagram, but a lot of them are actually worth it beyond the photos.
If you like aesthetic cafés, over-the-top interiors, and spots that feel a bit different, this is where London really delivers. Some are more about the experience, some are genuinely good for food and coffee, and a few manage to do both.
I’ve included a mix of places that look great, feel fun, and are actually worth stopping at — not just somewhere you go, take a photo, and leave.
My overall pick is Sketch London. It’s genuinely incredible. Each room is completely different, from the iconic pink velvet gallery to the more moody, immersive spaces, and it feels more like stepping into an experience than just going out for a meal. It’s definitely one of those places that lives up to the hype — a bit over the top, but in the best way.
Peggy Porschen Cakes
Paul Le Cafe
Sketch London
Café in the Crypt
Hidden underneath St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square. A really unique place to stop for coffee or lunch, and one of those London spots that feels a bit different.
PAUL Le Café (Three Quays)
My pick for the best coffee in London, especially near the Tower. Simple, reliable, and actually good coffee. Grab something and sit nearby with a view.
Origin Coffee
Set inside the British Library, so it feels calm and a bit more refined. A really good place to stop and reset.
Half Cup
Proper brunch spot. Good coffee, good food, relaxed feel. Easy and reliable.
Peggy Porschen
Very aesthetic, pastel pink, flowers everywhere. Known for cakes and photos, but still worth it.
Biscuiteers
More refined. Beautifully decorated biscuits and a quieter, more polished feel.
EL&N Café
Very over the top. Pink, flowers, neon. Not subtle, but that’s the point.
Circolo Popolare
Italian with a huge, lively interior covered in bottles. Big portions, very fun atmosphere.
Sketch London
One of the most famous design restaurants in London. Each room is themed, from pink velvet to forest-style spaces. More experience than meal.
Sky Garden
One of the best views in London. Indoor garden, glass walls, and a great spot for a drink.
Duck & Waffle
40th floor views, open late, and one of those places you go for the experience as much as the food.
Everything I use when planning a trip, all in one place.
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