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
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
Per person, per day on the ground, lodging, food, local transport and activities. Excludes international flights (see Getting there).
Tube day cap: ~£8.50. Most national museums: free. West End shows: £25-150.
Getting there
Where to stay
Central, walkable to major sights along the river
Nightlife, street art, independent food scene
Museums on your doorstep, elegant and quieter
Great transport links, newer hotels, good value
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: July 2026.