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London, oh London, what more can be said about you? The most talked-about and captivating city, where everyone has an opinion and dreams of returning. It's the city where the sun sets at nine in the evening and rises at four in the morning, always bustling with activity, whether it's enjoying a chilled beer at lunchtime, exploring an intriguing gallery, or catching a newly premiered theater show.
London is the city with the best food from around the world and boasts the largest number of parks per urban area. It's a vast metropolis with multiple centers sprawling across an area equivalent to half the size of Israel.
Whether you're strolling along the Thames, exploring the historic streets of the West End, or indulging in the diverse culinary scene, London never fails to enchant and inspire.
This is my second visit to London. If I'm being honest, I initially approached this trip as a corrective experience, following my previous visit, which, although enjoyable, didn't spark any profound connection. I didn't quite understand what all the fuss was about regarding this city and why everyone seemed so enamored with it. However, now, five years after an amazing five-day trip, I can confidently declare that I fully comprehend what people find in London, and soon enough, I'll have you hooked too.
Accommodation in London: Finding Your Home Away from Home
London is massive! Really. So, when it comes to choosing accommodation, there are several areas and points of interest, depending entirely on what you're looking for. Starting with a general tip, I believe it's crucial to stay near a metro station. Most of the city's hustle and bustle happens underground, and I haven't met a single tourist who didn't use the city's underground rail services.
The central area of London is the SOHO neighborhood. In this area, you can find plenty of attractions within walking distance, countless shops and shopping centers, restaurants, and nightlife. We chose to stay in a Central London Apartment in the Soho neighborhood, located on a small street connecting to the main Oxford Street. Opting for an apartment in London is a fantastic way to cut costs while still staying in the city center. The apartment we stayed in was within walking distance of two metro stations, Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus, and countless bars and restaurants, making its location superb.
Getting Around in London: A Traveler's Guide
When it comes to getting around, we opted to walk whenever distance allowed. Walking has always been my preference because there's nothing like exploring the city on foot.
For trips to and from the airport, we relied on ride-hailing apps like Uber. Another option is booking a black cab through the FreeNow app, but this tends to be the more expensive choice.
Within the city, we used the Underground, or the Tube, for transportation. There are several payment options available. You can purchase an Oyster card, which is loaded with credit for travel and offers a deposit refund upon return. Alternatively, you can pay directly using Apple Pay at the ticket gates, but be sure to check the currency conversion fees associated with your credit card.
Another option is the Travelcard, which is loaded for a period of time—day, week, or month. You can purchase the top-up at a ticket office or load it onto your Oyster card.
The recommendation, of course, is to compare based on the duration you plan to use the card and decide what suits you best—paying per ride or loading for a specific period.
Points of Interest by Area
Buckingham Palace - Since 1837, Buckingham Palace has served as the central palace of the British monarchy and remains the primary residence of King Charles III today.
St James's Park - St James's Park is a beautiful park with a lake located adjacent to Buckingham Palace.
Westminster Abbey - Westminster Abbey is one of the largest churches in the world and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since 1066, all English monarchs have been crowned in this church.
Big Ben - Commonly known as Big Ben, the tower is officially named Elizabeth Tower and is part of the Palace of Westminster, serving as the British Parliament's clock tower. It was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who supervised its construction during the 19th century. Standing at a height of 96 meters, it is an iconic symbol of London.
Horse Guards Parade - Dating back to the 17th century, Horse Guards Parade is a parade ground where knight tournaments were once held. Several monuments adorn the area, and it serves primarily as a viewing point for the Changing of the Guard ceremonies.
Trafalgar Square - Trafalgar Square is the central square of London, commemorating England's victory over France in the Battle of Trafalgar in the 19th century. It's a spacious square bustling with hundreds of people throughout most hours of the day.
Piccadilly Circus - Piccadilly Circus is named after the street that extends from it, Piccadilly. Its name originates from a tailor named Piccadilly, whose shop stood at this location. Since the early 20th century, the square gained fame due to numerous neon signs installed there, becoming symbolic of the area.
Chinatown - Chinatown is an area located near the Soho neighborhood, named for its concentration of Chinese restaurants and shops established there in the 20th century after the arrival of many migrants from Hong Kong to London. It's a bustling and inviting street adorned with decorations, delightful to stroll through and admire the vibrant windows or dine in one of the many restaurants.
Covent Garden - Covent Garden is the theater and entertainment hub of London, with a bustling street filled with performers at all hours of the day. In this area, several opera houses and theaters are concentrated, along with designer shops and boutiques.
St. Paul's Cathedral - The current St. Paul's Cathedral was built in the 17th century and serves as the seat of the Bishop of London. It's an impressive cathedral that saw significant efforts to preserve it during the German blitz and bombings of London due to its status as a central symbol of the city. The cathedral hosted the weddings of King Charles and Princess Diana.
Sky Garden - Sky Garden offers a panoramic view of the entirety of London from its 43rd-floor observation deck. Entry to the observation deck is free, and you can either book tickets in advance or arrive on a first-come, first-served basis and wait a bit in line. On the observation deck, there are two bars and a restaurant.
Tower of London - The Tower of London is an ancient structure dating back to the 2nd century AD, which formerly served as a residence for English monarchs. Throughout its history, control of the fortress has been seen as control of London itself, and it has endured several sieges.
Tower Bridge - Tower Bridge is a bridge spanning the River Thames, located opposite the Tower of London, and is one of the city's most famous landmarks. The bridge was built in the late 19th century to provide an additional crossing for pedestrians and vehicles. The pedestrian walkway, built on its upper part, is now closed due to lack of use and serves today as a museum showcasing the bridge's history.
Shoreditch - Shoreditch is the artistic quarter located in the eastern part of London. Once considered a poor and neglected area, over the years it has undergone gentrification due to the influx of artists and creative individuals who chose to reside there. Today, the neighborhood is a hub for contemporary art and graffiti, attracting artists from all over the world.
In Shoreditch, you can find numerous galleries, restaurants, shops, and vintage boutiques. It's a vibrant neighborhood with countless colorful murals and graffiti art, making it a joy to wander around and soak up the atmosphere.
Notting Hill - Notting Hill, made famous by the movie, is a trendy neighborhood in West London. It's relatively distant from the city center and requires a short journey. Today, the neighborhood attracts tourists due to Portobello Road and the Portobello Market. Alongside vintage shops and restaurants, every morning countless stalls of antiques, souvenirs, and second-hand items line the streets. The market is active from early morning until late afternoon, offering a bustling atmosphere for visitors to explore.
Shopping in London
Westfield London - This gigantic mall has two branches in London, with the recommended one located in Shepherd’s Bush. It features a mix of high-end brand stores as well as popular "high street" brands like Zara and H&M.
Regent - A long street with countless fashion boutiques and well-known brands that stretches all the way to Oxford Circus.
Oxford - Perhaps the most famous and touristy street in London, it's the central thoroughfare located in the heart of the Soho neighborhood.
Carnaby - A colorful street with local boutique shops.
Camden Market - A unique market with a variety of designer shops, vintage stores, and souvenirs alongside food stalls. The entire street leading to the market is also vibrant with numerous small shops and stalls, many of which sell replicas of brands.
Portobello Market - A street market in the Notting Hill neighborhood. Alongside designer boutiques and vintage shops, stalls selling souvenirs, antiques, and second-hand items open every day.
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