London
United Kingdom, Europe
Old empire grandeur and restless modern energy crammed into one grey-skied, endlessly walkable city.
The capital of the United Kingdom, where two thousand years of history sit beside world-class museums, royal landmarks, and one of the most diverse food and culture scenes on the planet.
Our honest take
London is expensive and the weather is a running joke, but the museums are free and genuinely world-class, and the city rewards walking between neighbourhoods. Skip the overpriced London Eye and spend that time in the British Museum or wandering Borough Market instead.
Why go
- Major museums — British Museum, Tate Modern, Natural History — are free
- Each district feels like its own town: Shoreditch, Notting Hill, Greenwich
- Day-trip springboard to Oxford, Bath, and the coast by fast train
Skip if you can
- London Eye queue — the view from Primrose Hill or the Sky Garden is free or cheaper
- Leicester Square chain restaurants — tourist-priced and forgettable
Things to do
- Museum visits
- West End theatre
- Market food tours
- River Thames cruise
Where locals eat
Eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, toast, black pudding, tomato, mushrooms — the morning that lasts until 2pm
E Pellicci in Bethnal Green (family-run since 1900, Art Deco interior) or The Regency Cafe in Westminster
Minced beef pie, mashed potato, and parsley sauce (the green liquor) — East London working-class staple
Manze on Tower Bridge Rd (since 1902) or Goddards at Greenwich — proper eel-and-pie shops
Roast beef or lamb with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, gravy, and seasonal veg — the British ritual
The Harwood Arms in Fulham (Michelin star pub) or any proper pub doing sittings from noon
Bangladeshi-British curry house experience — not authentic Dhaka, but authentically London since the 1970s
Tayyabs in Whitechapel (BYO, queue, incredible lamb chops) — not the Brick Lane touts
Costs
Tube day cap: ~£8.50. Most national museums: free. West End shows: £25-150.
Airport, transport, and accommodation options
Good to know
- Watch for phone-snatching by moped riders in busy areas
- Stand on the right on escalators or risk local glares
- Pickpockets work Oxford Street and packed Tube cars
- Look right first when crossing — traffic drives on the left
Prices, visa rules, and transport details may change. Always verify with official sources before booking. Last updated: August 2026.