Mary Poppins, Abbey Road and the Beatles crossing the street, the Queen drinking tea and the angry period of punk: this, and much more, and London. The English capital never loses its charm and the many must-see monuments attract thousands of tourists. It is also a great opportunity to test your knowledge of the English language!
If “London’s calling” is also for you and you have a craving for “Fish & Chips”, plan a visit to London . Thanks to this guide you will find out what are the 10 things to see absolutely in the capital of the United Kingdom.
1 – Trafalgar Square and National Gallery
Photo by topntp26. It is a majestic squarewhich represents the heart of London, as the main arteries of the city branch off from it, including the Strand, the road that leads to the City, The Mall, the avenue that leads to Buckingham Palace and Whitehall the road that leads at the House of Parliament. Furthermore, one of the most famous museums in the world, the National Gallery, overlooks the square.
The National Gallery houses an incredible collection of over 2,300 paintings from various eras. It can be visited for free , but the advice is to take a guided tour to better appreciate the various works thanks to the tales and explanations of art experts.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices
- How to get there: the nearest tube stations are Charing Cross and Leicester Square (both served by the Bakerloo, Nothern lines), Westminster (Northern, Bakerloo, Circle & District lines), Embankment (Piccadilly, Bakerloo lines) – Get directions
- Hours: National Gallery open every day from 11am to 4pm, late closing on Friday at 9pm
- Ticket cost: free, free visit
Book in advance : one of the most common mistakes tourists visiting London make is not planning their trip well.
We advise you to organize the days before leaving and above all to book the attractions to see well in advance, in order to save money (some online tickets cost less, such as the one for the London Eye for example) and time in line (tickets are often available priority entrance).
2 – Buckingham Palace
Photo by topntp26. It is the residence of the English monarchy , a majestic palace that consists of 775 rooms and a large royal park that extends over 20 hectares.
Only in the summer it is possible to visit the West Wing, where the state apartments are locatedand the royal stables. Here are the wonderful carriages used by the royal family on official occasions.
At 10:45 am, make sure you are at Buckingham Palace, you will be able to witness the changing of Her Majesty’s Guard , a ritual that has taken place every day since 1660. Beware of the number of guards : if there are 4 it means that the Queen is at home. The changing of the guard takes place on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday (weather permitting). A must see at least once in a lifetime!
Due to the importance of the palace, we recommend visiting it with a guided tour, to visit the State Rooms on one of the rare days when they are open to the public and to witness the changing of the guard with an expert guide.
SEE ALSO : Visit to Buckingham Palace, London: how to get there, prices and advice
Practical info: directions, times and prices
- How to get there: the nearest Metro stations are Victoria (Victoria, Circle & District lines), Green Park (Victoria, Piccadilly and Jubilee lines), Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly line) – Get directions
- Hours: the apartments are open in the summer from 9:30 to 17:00 (last access at 16:00)
- Costo biglietto: The Royal Mews £13,00/€15,00; Royal Mews e Queen’s Gallery £23,80/€27,00
3 – Big Ben and Palace of Westminster
Photo by lunamarina. The building that houses the English Parliament (the House of Parliament or Palace of Westminster) is a fine example of neo-Gothic architecture. It consists of 1,200 rooms that house the two houses of the English Parliament, the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
The main attraction of this huge complex is undoubtedly the Big Ben, or the Clock Tower , famous for hosting what is considered the most accurate clock in the world. It is mistakenly believed that Big Ben is the very name of the clock, actually and the name of the bell, which Benjamin Hall had installed, weighing 13 and a half tons.
About 300 meters away is the famous Westminster Abbey, one of the most beautiful in London. Known for its polychrome stained glass windows, and where William and Kate’s wedding took place. Above all, the remains of illustrious personalities such as Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, Queen Elizabeth I and many others are kept here. It is possible to buy the combined tour of the abbey and the Palace of the Parliament.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices
- How to get there: St. Margaret Street, Metro lines District, Circle Line and Jubilee, Westminster stop – Get directions
- Hours: the part of the House of Parliament that can be visited is open to tourists from Monday to Saturday, from August to September, with timetables to be checked on the spot
- Ticket price: £ 19.50 tour of the parliament with audio guide, £ 26.50 guided tour of the parliament; (about € 22.00 and € 30.00)
4 – Saint Paul’s Cathedral
Photo by wirestock. Built from the ashes of the original cathedral, burned to the ground by the fire that struck London in 1656, the present building is a beautiful example of the English Baroque style. What looks like a single large dome is instead made up of three domes : the external one, a second one that can only be seen inside and a third of the two, not visible, which supports the skylight. The fascinating cathedral has always been chosen to host the most significant events in the city , such as Churchill’s funeral, the celebrations of the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday, Lady Diana’s wedding with Prince Charles.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices
- How to get there: the nearest tube stations are St Paul’s (Central line), Mansion House (District & Circle line), Blackfriars (District & Circle line), Bank (Central, Northern and Waterloo & City Line). Get directions
- Hours: open every day from 8:30 to 16:30
- Ticket cost: £ 17, approximately € 19.50
5 – Tate Modern and Tate Britain
Photo by claudiodiv. The museum complex called Tate Gallery consists of the union of different collections scattered around the United Kingdom, two of which are located in London: the Tate Britain and the Tate Modern.
The first houses relics of British art from the 16th century to the present , the second is one of the most avant-garde modern art galleries in the world and houses works by Picasso, Kandinsky and Van Gogh .
The two galleries are approximately a 40-minute walk from each other and are both included in the London Pass, a special card that gives you free access to around 80 London attractions.
In the immediate vicinity of Tate Modern there is also Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, the modern reconstruction of the famous Globe Theater that hosts Shakespeare’s theater company.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices
- How to get there: for Tate Modern the closest subways are Blackfriars and Mansion House (Circle & District line) or Southwark (Jubilee line). Get directions. For Tate Britain the nearest station is Pimlico (Victoria Line). Get directions.
- Hours: open every day from 10:00 to 18:00, on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 to 22:00
- Ticket price: both galleries offer free permanent collections and paid temporary exhibitions
Payments :
Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Therefore it is better to avoid cash and use them even for smaller purchases. Each time you use the ATM you will be given the option to pay in Euros or Pounds. Always pay in pounds sterling and let your bank carry out the currency transaction so as not to lose money on the conversion.
6 – British Museum
Photo by topntp26. The British Museum houses one of the collections of archaeological findslargest and most precious in the world. If you want to visit it properly, reserve at least a full day for it, and don’t miss the opportunity of a guided tour among the treasures of the British Museum: it is absolutely worth it! Walking in the different exhibition areas it is possible to observe finds that testify to the origins of our history .
This is a truly unique experience, considering that the entrance to the museum is completely free . The objects preserved here are about eight million and include the first stone carvings of the prehistoric era, the earliest coins, many examples of hieroglyphics but also Chinese ceramics and works of art from the twentieth century. The famous “Rosetta Stone” is also preserved in the British Museum,decipher the ancient scriptures .
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices
- How to get there: the nearest Metro stops are Tottenham Court Road (Central and Northern lines) Russell Square (Piccadilly line) and Goodge Street (Northern line). Get directions
- Hours: approximately from 10:00 to 17:30, on Friday the closing is postponed to 20:30
- Ticket cost: Free, free visit
7 – Tower of London
Photo by David Stanley. The Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is part of a fortified complex that originally had the function of protecting the Normans from incursions by the citizens of the City and other invaders. The White Tower, built by William the Conqueror, houses the wonderful St. John’s Chapel, a splendid example of Norman architecture. The fortress has performed, in its over 1000 years of history, various functions: it was a royal residence and state prison, a place of executions, a royal zoo, it houses the Crown jewelsand it was also the seat of the mint of the kingdom. The costumed guards of the sixteenth century, the iconic “Beefeaters”, still guard the fortress today, together with the Ravens, birds of the raven family with a legendary history. It is said that King Charles II believed that if the six crows guarding the fortress had one day abandoned it, the monarchy and the Tower would also have fallen.
As the ticket office is closed, you need to book your ticket online.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices
- How to get there: the nearest Metro stop is Tower Hill (Circle & District line). Get directions
- Hours: every day from 9:00 to 16:30. Sunday and Monday the opening is postponed to 10:00. In summer the closing is postponed to 17:30. You can enter up to 30 minutes before closing. Closed from 24th to 26th December and 1st January.
- Ticket cost: £ 28 Pounds, approximately € 32.00
8 – Tower Bridge
Photo of anyaivanova. Tower Bridge is the most famous drawbridge in the world and connects the Tower of London to the Southwark area. It offers one of the most popular and photographed views of the city, especially when it is illuminated.
Visitors can walk the glass walkway located 42 meters above the Thames that connects the two towers, in neo-Gothic style. When it was built, it had to allow even very bulky ships to pass over the river, which is why it had a hydraulic mechanism that exploited the power of steam. Since the seventies it has been replaced by a diesel-fueled system, although the Victorian Engine Rooms , located in the north tower, can be visited and house the period gears.
For a privileged view from a different perspective, take a scenic cruise on the Thames to see Tower Bridge in all its glory, illuminated by night lights.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices
- How to get there: Tower Hill Metro stop (District & Circle line), London Bridge (Northern and Jubilee lines). Get directions
- Hours: from 09:30 to 18:00 (last admission at 17:00). Delayed opening at 10:00 on January 1st and on the third Saturday of each month. Closed from 24th to 26th December
- Ticket cost: approximately £ 10 adults (€ 12.00) and £ 4 children (€ 5.00). Sightseeing cruise from £ 20 (approximately € 23.00)
Getting around :
The London Underground is extremely effective, especially if you use it with the Oyster Card, which is an electronic ticket that works like a rechargeable card. An equally valid alternative is to use a contactless credit card, if you have one. Finally, don’t leave London without having boarded one of the traditional red double-decker buses at least once.
9 – Camden Market
Photo by J. Ligero Loarte. After art, history and culture, visitors to London can also indulge in healthy shopping , in one of the most particular districts of the English metropolis. In Camden you can take home something unique, browsing the vintage shopsand those who remember that the punk movement developed right here.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices
- How to get there: Closest tube station Camden Town (Northern line) – Get directions
- Hours: open every day from 10:00 to 18:00
- Ticket cost: Free, free visit
10 – Hyde Park
Photo by Nick. During your visit it will also come time to relax and there is no better place in London than Hyde Park. If you manage to find one of the rare sunny days, you can stroll along the wide and organized avenues of this large urban park , perhaps visiting the Lady Diana Memorial, with its beautiful fountain. Depending on the time of year you may find the great winter funfair or one of the many spring and summer music festivals.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices
- How to get there: the nearest tube stations are Lancaster Gate and Marble Arch (Central line), Hyde Park Corner and Knightsbridge (Piccadilly line). Get directions
- Hours: open every day from 5:00 to 24:00
- Ticket cost: Free, free visit
Power Adapter :
Don’t forget the power adapter during your travel. In the United Kingdom, in fact, type G plugs are used, different from Italy.
5 things to do in London
In addition to the traditional Changing of the Guard and the romantic River Thames Cruise, there are other experiences to live and photograph in beautiful London. Here are a few:
2 – Breakfast at Peggy Porschen
3 – Shopping in Oxford Street and Regent’s Street:
4 – Stroll through Neal’s Yard
1/5
- London Eye Ride :
Impossible to leave London without first admiring its view from the top of the most famous Ferris wheel in the world. For tickets and more info click here - Breakfast at Peggy Porschen : Indulge in
a piece of cake and a drink at one of London’s prettiest places. And don’t forget to take a photo in front of the iconic pastel pink facade! - Shopping on Oxford Street and Regent’s Street :
Take a trip to two of the city’s most famous shopping streets, plus sublime decked out during the holiday season - Walk in Neal’s Yard :
London hides some little-known gems, one of these is Neal’s Yard, an area accessible via two cobbled streets and full of colorful houses, restaurants and Beauty Shops - Harry Potter Tour :
If you’ve been waiting for your Hogwarts letter all your life, then you can’t miss visiting the Harry Potter sites in London! From Platform 9 3/4 of King’s Cross to Warner Bros Studios, don’t miss the interactive Harry Potter tour
Plan your stay in London: flights, hotels and tours
It is well known that the standards of comfort and cleanliness in the English capital are not very high, except in ultra-luxury hotels. The ubiquitous carpeting is a plague for tourists looking for cheap but clean accommodation. The accommodation offer is in any case wide , in recent years hotel chains have emerged that offer fairly high standards at competitive costs. You can avoid the central areas, the most expensive, given the efficiency and extension of public transport , which allow you to get anywhere at any time.
- He likes low cost: yes € 29.98 – confronta and love
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 58.00 per night – see the offers
