London Travel Guide
London was one of the first cities to capture my heart from afar. I dreamed of traveling here for years, and when I finally made it, it became the very first city I explored in Europe. From the moment I arrived, I was in awe.
As a city girl at heart, London felt electric—familiar yet entirely new. The energy, the history woven into every street, the endless neighborhoods to get lost in, the pubs buzzing at all hours, and the food scene that’s so much richer than people give it credit for—it all felt like stepping into a place I somehow already belonged to. It’s a city that keeps calling me back, and I truly hope I get to live here one day.
Read below for my favorite places to eat, sights to see, and things to do.
Where to Stay
I stayed at the Crown Plaza in Kings Cross during my first trip to London as I tagged along on my husband’s business trip. The hotel was honestly great. It was located in a quieter part of the city, which meant it offered more space, both in amenities and rooms. It was very close to King’s Cross station, so I was able to get around the city easily. It had the restaurant Bloom right inside the hotel, where I tried some delicious traditional English meals. If you want to be within walking distance to more sites, I’d recommend the Clermont instead.
During my second trip to London, I stayed at the Clermont Hotel in Victoria. It is a beautiful historic hotel with a modern touch. The rooms were quite small, but I feel like most London hotel rooms are (at least ones in my budget lol). The hotel was in the perfect location as it was within walking distance to Buckingham Palace and other major sites. There were plenty of coffee shops, pubs, and restaurants right outside. The Victoria tube station was right next to the hotel for easy access to get around the city.
Airbnb
On my last trip to London, I wanted to save some money and opted for an Airbnb instead of a hotel. I stayed in a small flat in Chelsea, and while the space itself was compact, the location more than made up for it. The flat was within walking distance of Sloane Square and King’s Road, an area full of shops, cafés, and grocery stores—including a Whole Foods just a five-minute walk away.
The biggest downside was that the pull-out couch didn’t come with extra blankets or sheets, and even after reaching out, the host wasn’t able to provide them. We ended up purchasing our own, which wasn’t ideal. That said, the location was truly hard to beat, and despite that inconvenience, I loved staying in this part of London and would absolutely consider booking here again.
Where to Eat
I’m obsessed with the food scene in London. There are so many restaurants that I want to try that it’s hard to squeeze them all in during my week-long stays. Below are the places that I have loved and recommend.
Smashed Avocado Toast at Timmy Green
Breakfast:
Timmy Green (Fitzrovia): This is a bright Aussie-inspired restaurant that is part of the Daisy Green group, offering delicious brunch dishes. You have to try the Smashed Avocado toast made on charcoal sourdough. My mom and I loved it and have returned each time we've visited.
Daylesford Organic (Notting Hill + Other Locations): A friend introduced me to Daylesford Organic on my first trip to London, and now I make a point to return every time! What started as an organic farm in the Cotswolds has grown into a series of beautiful London storefronts—part grocery store, part café. They offer an incredible selection of high-quality, organic food. My personal favorite is one of their fresh pastries, topped with butter and jam, paired with a steaming cup of tea. Honestly, everything on their menu is worth trying as it is all so fresh! I also love buying their teas to take home with me.
Breakfast Club (Soho + Other Locations): A beloved London spot known for its cozy vibe and hearty comfort breakfasts. Their pancakes, eggs, and classic English plates hit the spot—especially before a full day of sightseeing. You can make a reservation M-F and only a few are offered for early slots on weekends. If there’s a line, trust me—it’s worth the wait.
English Rose Cafe + Tea Shop (Victoria): If you want to cross a classic “traditional English breakfast” off your list, head to English Rose Café + Tea Shop. This charming, cozy café is tucked just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a hearty meal in a homey, welcoming atmosphere.
Lunch:
Farmer J: If you’re looking for a quick, nourishing meal in London, Farmer J is a great option. This fast-casual, plant-forward spot serves flavorful, satisfying bowls and works well for any meal. I’ve listed it under lunch because it’s the perfect stop for a mid-day break between sightseeing or shopping.
Dinner at Circolo Popolaire
Dinner:
Dishoom (Covent Garden + Other Locations): Seriously, no London visit is complete without going to Dishoom. This is a British chain of Indian restaurants inspired by the Irani cafes of Bombay. It is the most delicious Indian restaurant I have tried so far. I go back every time I am in London. Make a reservation in advance if you’re with a group. Otherwise, you can walk in, but there might be a wait especially in certain locations like Covent Garden.
Circolo Popolare (Kings Cross): This is a very joyfully decorated Italian restaurant that is a part of the Big Mamma chain. It’s as fun as it is delicious.
Daphne’s: A classic Italian restaurant I originally heard about for its stunning Christmas décor—and it truly lives up to the hype. The space is absolutely beautiful and feels especially magical during the holidays. While you can tell the ingredients are high quality and everything is well executed, the food didn’t quite wow me in the way I hoped. Still, it’s a lovely spot for the ambiance alone. Décor: 10/10, Food: 7/10.
Vagabond Wines (Victoria + Other Locations): Hands down one of the coolest wine bars I’ve ever visited. Their self-pour taps let you sample as many wines as you like—no waiting, no fuss. Pair your tasting with one of their delicious small plates, and soak in the laid-back, lively vibe that makes this spot so special.
Where to Grab Coffee
A Blank Street Coffee was conveniently located within walking distance of where I was staying, so I stopped in on my first day—and was immediately hooked. I don’t usually drink coffee at home because of my GERD, but traveling feels like the perfect time to indulge. Even though Blank Street has grown into more of a chain, their decaf cappuccino was genuinely delicious. I found myself going back every morning for one, and honestly, I still think about it.
Sights to See
Buckingham Palace: This spot hardly needs an introduction, but it’s still an absolute must-see. If you can, try to catch the Changing of the Guard at least once during your visit. This free military ceremony takes place when a new guard officially takes over and typically happens on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 11 a.m. It does get very crowded, so I recommend arriving early to secure a good viewing spot. As with any busy tourist attraction, be mindful of your belongings, as it can be a hotspot for pickpocketing.
Palace of Westminster: Home of the UK Parliament with beautiful Gothic architecture.
10 Downing Street: Prime Minister’s residence. You can’t actually get access to the street that this residence is on because it’s blocked off, but you can see the house from a distance.
Big Ben: The Famous clock tower that is a symbol of London. You can get a great shot in front of this on Westminster Bridge.
Churchill War Rooms: The underground bunker where Winston Churchill led Britain during WWII, now preserved as a fascinating museum. I booked tickets for the tour here, and it was fascinating to see.
London Eye: Iconic Ferris-wheel-like structure located on the South Bank.
Kensington Palace: Gorgeous royal residence surrounded by expansive gardens located within Kensington Gardens. You need tickets to see the Kensington Palace and its state apartments, but you can visit the park and the Sunken garden for free.
Crown Jewels: Located inside the Tower of London, showcase the regalia of the British monarchy.
Things to Do
Have afternoon tea
Afternoon tea at the Dorchester Hotel
I make it a tradition every time I visit London—afternoon tea is the perfect way to immerse yourself in a classic British experience. Traditional options feature some of the best-tasting teas, accompanied by a tower of delicate pastries, scones with clotted cream and jam, and perfectly crafted finger sandwiches. For an impeccable experience, I highly recommend The Dorchester. Other top spots for afternoon tea include The Ritz, Claridge’s, The Savoy, and The Langham, each offering a beautifully elegant setting and unforgettable service.
Walk around different neighborhoods
One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to walk around different neighborhoods, get lost, and explore the city on foot. Here are some of the neighborhoods where I love doing that:
Soho: Vibrant, lively, and full of things to do. Pop into Foyles Bookstore, wander through Carnaby Street, browse Hamley’s, and treat yourself to Crème Cookies. The energy here is unmatched, and I can walk these streets for hours.
Notting Hill: A colorful, charming neighborhood known for cafés, boutiques, and pastel streets. Don’t miss Farm Girl Café, Farmacy, Daylesford Organic, Granger & Co, the famous blue door, and of course, Portobello Market.
Explore Shoreditch: London’s creative, quirky neighborhood that I compare to Williamsburg, NY. Walk down Brick Lane, browse the vintage shops, try international street food, and check out the vendors at Old Truman Brewery.
Go to a Concert at the O2
I planned one of my London trips around seeing my favorite band, Mumford & Sons, at the O2—and it did not disappoint. I love catching concerts in different countries, and this one was a lot of fun. My main tip: the O2 is quite a bit outside central London. You can take public transportation, but since we were new to the area, we opted for an Uber. Our driver, however, wouldn’t drop us at the front of the arena and left us about half a mile away in a maze of roads, so we had to walk. If you plan to take an Uber, be very clear that you want to be dropped off at the main entrance—we learned that the hard way!
Take a Day Trip
Windsor
My mom had always wanted to see Windsor Castle, so on our second trip to London, we finally made it happen. I almost booked a guided tour through Viator but quickly realized how easy it was to visit on our own by train. I purchased tickets directly through the Royal Collection Trust website (about £32), which I’d highly recommend. We took the Tube to Paddington Station and then hopped on the Great Western Railway, which drops you right in Windsor. The entire journey took about an hour and felt surprisingly quick and straightforward.
Once inside, the self-guided visit took around 30 minutes and offered a glimpse into some of the most iconic parts of the castle, including the lavish State Apartments, St. George’s Chapel—where Prince Harry and Meghan were married—and the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II, whose burial site you can see during your visit. While you only see a small portion of the full estate, it’s more than enough to appreciate the history and grandeur of the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Afterward, we spent some time wandering the charming streets just outside the castle, which are filled with cute shops, cafés, and restaurants—perfect for lingering and soaking in the experience.
Cotswalds + Oxford
Ever since I first saw photos of the charming cottages and historic buildings of Oxford and the Cotswolds, I knew I wanted to experience them in person. I booked a day tour through Viator that took us to two Cotswolds villages—Bampton and Bourton-on-the-Water—before ending in Oxford. Overall, the tour was a great way to get a brief introduction to each destination.
The guides were fantastic—knowledgeable, friendly, and full of interesting context—and the bus itself was nearly brand new. While the seats were a bit tight, it was still a comfortable ride. The biggest downside was the limited time: we had about 1–1.5 hours in each Cotswolds village and around two hours in Oxford, which didn’t quite feel like enough. In hindsight, I wish we had spent all that time in just Bourton-on-the-Water to explore at a slower pace.
That said, I’m still really glad I did this day tour. It helped me get a feel for each place and confirmed that I’d love to return—ideally for a full weekend in the Cotswolds and a separate, more immersive trip to Oxford.
Visit the Christmas Markets (If in season)
Covent Garden during the holidays
You’ll quickly learn that I absolutely adore Christmas markets—it’s one of the reasons I try to take a winter trip every year. London certainly doesn’t lack them! That said, I like to be honest in my tips: the ones I’ve visited in London so far have felt a bit underwhelming compared to the incredible markets I’ve seen in Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. Most were just a handful of stalls selling ornaments and gifts, and they get extremely crowded as you get closer to Christmas. I’m slowly working my way through the list below, so there may be a hidden gem I haven’t discovered yet. I’m sharing all the options so you can find one that’s conveniently close and see for yourself.
Markets I have been to:
Southbank Centre Christmas Market: Located along the Thames, this market features riverside wooden huts, artisan gifts, food stalls, and pop-up bars. This year, there seemed to be way more food stalls and pop-up bars than huts with artisan gifts. Just be prepared—this area gets extremely crowded during the holiday season.
Covent Garden: The Piazza in Covent Garden is beautifully decked out for the holidays, with twinkling lights, Christmas trees, and plenty of seasonal shopping. I love wandering through the shops here and soaking in the festive atmosphere. This isn’t a traditional Christmas market, but rather an outdoor shopping area with beautiful holiday decorations. This area was also very crowded and busy.
Leicester Square Christmas Market: A quaint, European-style market nestled in the heart of the West End, this Christmas market is on the smaller side. While it does have festive stalls and an ice skating rink, I found it a bit underwhelming—still worth a quick stroll if you’re in the area, but don’t expect a full-blown holiday spectacle.
Markets I still need to visit:
Hyde Park – Winter Wonderland: A huge seasonal spectacle with more than 100 wooden chalets, a giant Ferris wheel, ice rink, rides, live shows, and a festive Bavarian-style market.
London Bridge / Christmas by the River: Along the riverside near Tower Bridge, this market offers unique gifts, gourmet food, and stunning views of the Tower of London and the Thames.
Old Spitalfields Market Christmas: This historic market transforms for Christmas with artisan gifts, handmade crafts, seasonal foods, and live entertainment.
Hampton Court Palace Festive Fayre: For a more royal and historic feel: this market takes place in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace, with Tudor charm, local artisan stalls, and warm drinks
Where to Move
Hotpod Yoga (Multiple locations)
Hotpod Yoga is a must-try! Instead of a typical studio, you step into a warm, inflatable “pod” that gives the room a soft, glow—think cozy cocoon meets yoga sanctuary (see photo above). It is perfectly heated in my opinion (around 37–38°C) which allows you to get a good sweat while still being able to breathe. The instructor I had was lovely and taught a very mindful yet challenging class. The temperature was warm enough to work up a good sweat while still being able to breathe comfortably.
MoreYoga has over 30 locations across London and is known for its accessible, community-focused approach to yoga. They offer a wide range of classes suitable for all levels and fitness backgrounds. I took a Hatha yoga class, and full disclosure—Hatha isn’t my preferred style (I’m much more of a vinyasa lover). While it wasn’t my favorite format, I still had a really positive experience.
The instructor was incredibly knowledgeable and welcoming, creating a supportive and inclusive environment. You could also feel the strong sense of community in the studio—many people clearly knew each other, which added to the warm, inviting vibe and was something I really loved.