Introduction Once in a Lifetime Things to do in London:
Last month, I went to London for 8 days. My first step was to book my flights on very cheap rates. I decided to book my flights with an airline that offered flexible flight changes. Once I realized that I could book my flights, I decided to book my flights and then look at the weather to see how I should pack?
I decided to pack a few different options and I threw in a rain jacket just in case I got some rain during my trip. I was very excited to visit a variety of different museums and take pictures in just myself, and the famous red telephone booths. I also wanted to take a picturesque walk through the streets of London.
At visiting London so many times, I was finally fall in love with London for a long time, and I knew it would be an unforgettable experience. London has so much to offer to visitors, which starts from the different types of activities, to the high quality of atmosphere in everything, which is similar to that of Manhattan.
The city is filled with entrepreneurial spirit and optimism, making anything feel possible. In early November, I traveled to the city for a short trip, and, despite my thorough research to pinpoint there are must see places here in London, I was only able to scratch the surface of everything London has to offer. This experience only solidified my excitement to make numerous return trips to the city, and I will be able to see all of the things on my growing list that I have yet to experience.
I first had to book my flights and hotel through Kayak. I like to book my flights early to get the best prices. I also like to choose an airline with flexibility and comfort. I was in London for 8 days so I had to find a hotel that was in a Central area. I had to pay a little more, but I was close to Buckingham Palace and Covent Garden so I didn’t have to pay a lot for transport to get to the attractions.
Before my trip to London I bought travel insurance through travel gaurd. This was for travels delays and unexpected medical emergencies. I was even covered for lost luggage. I wasn’t traveling outside the country but sudden illness can be expected while traveling. I really appreciated the travel insurance. I had more peace of mind while I was there, so I would recommend it to others.
I wanted to make sure that I was ready for anything that showed up on the weather forecast. I definitely didn’t forget a water proof jacket, because it comes in handy with unexpected rain and snow. I comfortably packed shoes for walking since I was walking a lot.
I also packed a day bag for the day with water, snacks, and my camera, so I don’t have to go back to the hotel to grab my stuff. I also wanted to make sure that I was ready to go on a day of walking and exploring.
I made sure to pack the meds I need for the trip and packed a first-aid kit just in case of the event I may need it. I also reviewed emergency contact numbers, local hospitals, and my embassy in London. For safety and security, I packed a copy of my passport to have it just in case my original was lost. It made me feel ready for anything when I was exploring London.
To pay for different things in London, I used a different mix of cash and card. I informed my bank of my travel plans to avoid running into any problems like card issues. I used a travel card without any transaction fees to help budget and avoid spending too much money because London is very expensive. I also got some of the local money before leaving which means I avoided searching for an ATM when I got there.
I put together a rough itinerary and included the British Museum, London Eye, and Hyde Park, but included time for other unplanned things. I booked tickets for major attractions like the Tower of London and the West End Theatre so I could skip the lines and avoid the long queues. I spent some time exploring the less popular sights like Leadenhall Market and Notting Hill so I could see a different side of London.
To have my phone work while I was traveling to London I had to buy a local sim. I was able to use my data to get directions using Google Maps and Citymapper. It was a cheap way to avoid roming charges. I also used my local sim to stay in touch with my family and friends. Getting around London was easy with my travel apps and maps. I didn’t need to worry about WiFi or data because I downloaded the maps and travel apps.
I was very aware of the culture in London like the politeness or queueing. I always tipped 10-15% at restaurants, unless ser vice was included, which is the norm in the city. I also had more than enough personal space and was very aware of the British shyness, especially on the bus. I learned these things and London felt very respectful to the local people.
Time seemed to fly by while I was in London, so getting up early every day to maximize my 8 days was crucial. This also allowed me to visit more sights in less da of time. I was also careful enough to adjust my sleep hours pre-landing to help with jet lag, which allowed me to stay alert to conquer all of the major highlights in the city.
Having a plan B was essential to ensure a smooth trip. I was not expecting rain so when it came I quickly switched to the more indoor plan I had. I spent a few hours admiring all of the different exhibits at the Natural Science Museum. I also had a backup list in case other places were too packed, or if they decided to close for renovations. Having this list allowed me to be more spontaneous, which I think was the best part of the trip.
Day: 1 Once in a Lifetime Things to do in London for Couples
Getting to the accommodation from the airport:
Given that I was landing at 1am, which is precisely when my flight is scheduled to arrive, I had to plan everything in advance to avoid losing too much time on public transport from the airport to my accommodation in North London. Paying more for private services was a suitable option.
I have used Derech Hamelech car services in the past and have received reliable recommendations, so I contacted them. After my request was accepted, I made the contract based on my flight details. After customs, I spotted a guy holding a paper with my name, met him, and had a 50-minute ride while he was telling me about London and gave me a brochure with tips and tricks. I got to enjoy a ride with a private service.
I still have to recommend them, but I have to mention the option to book a shuttle service that is cheaper because they ride with other passengers along a distribution route to their hotels in London. I believe the service is great and repeat recommendations to them.
For pickups, using Uber is a reasonable option, but you will probably need to wait for the car. You can take the train, which is a cheap option that becomes more economical with a full car, and it is more profitable during the day and more limited during the night.
I spent seven days in London and caught one of the classic tourist experiences- got caught in an August downpour while walking through a park. Next time, I will carry an umbrella, no matter the season! I stayed at a friend’s house in North London.
If you are going to stay in a hotel, I suggest one with metro access, as you’ll be able to get across the city. Covent Garden, Chelsea, Soho, and the less touristy East side of London are good hotel regions and have plenty of hidden gems to explore.
A good piece of advice for a London itinerary with a city pass Go City pass. A City pass gives you access to over one hundred attractions including the London Eye, Tower of London, and Westminster Abbey, and can save you up to £90. It’s a good option for families and solo travelers. That way you can mix and match with the top attractions in London and the free things to do in London.
Having lived in London since 2004, I can confirm you how much of an exciting and interesting place it is to be, regardless of whether you are just visiting or are a long time resident. If you have just come into London from a flight, then being able to stay connected is important. However, it is one of the largest and most reliable eSIM companies out there.
You will be able to stay connected in 190 countries without the hassle of having to swap out SIM cards with just one eSIM. The plans available are very flexible and affordable, being 10 times cheaper than the usual roaming fees.
While traveling, you can use CityMapper to navigate the city, send messages over WhatsApp, and post to social media without having to worry about hotel Wi-Fi or roaming fees with reliable and fast internet. If you ask this question to me what London is all about? It is such a magical city, filled with history, and is the perfect place to go for couples.
Day: 2 Top Things to Do in London
Have a Traditional Afternoon Tea at Fortnum and Mason:
If you are going to Fortnum and Mason then timing is very important for Afternoon Tea to enjoy the calm and classic side of London. Fortnum and Mason is an iconic London venue for traditional British afternoon tea, and it should be done outside of the busy tourist times.
It is over priced at $75 per person, but it is worth it as long as you arrive hungry. Food is unlimited, and you even get to pick from a selection of fancy pastries, finger sandwiches, and assorted desserts with the tea. Above the dining room is a store with home goods, and you can purchase tea and other treats to take home. I went with my wife, and it was a special experience, and I think it will be lovely for families and girls, especially in the slower season.
Share Amazing Street Food at Borough Market:
In the Summer, you can Share Amazing Street Food at Borough Market. One of the best things to do in London is visit Borough Market, the largest, and the most important food market in London. It has it all from cheese, fish and chips to curry.
I was in the area for a couple of nights and went for lunch two times, and still, it wasn’t enough. Even with the crowds, the amazing street food made it worthwhile especially if you’re planning to stay in the area during the spring or early fall.
Day 3: Top Things to do in London in 3 days, London eye
Have a Traditional English Breakfast at The Wolseley
Chilly mornings are ideal for Have a Traditional English Breakfast at The Wolseley. The Wolseley is known for its Beautiful decor and awesome service, and most importantly for its traditional British food, it is a must for a full English breakfast. It’s a good idea to make a reservation in advance because it gets busy, especially during the high travel months. In the shoulder season, it allows you to have a more leisurely start to the day.
Ride the London Eye with a Glass of Bubbly
Most people ride the London Eye with Glass of Bubbly in the summer, and with good reason. However, timing is everything. It feels almost obligatory to ride the London Eye and take in the views, but during the summer you’ll be waiting a long time for the privilege, and over 15 dollars.
During my ride, I opted for the champagne experience which allowed me to skip the line, have a glass of champagne, and ride with a private guide. She offered great recommendations, and her commentary along with the views helped me to orient to the city. It felt like a good investment for my ride.
Leadenhall Market: A Step Back In Time
In London, the Leadenhall Market is the perfect place to escape the busy city streets, especially on cloudy days, when the market is relatively quiet.
It was one of the first major markets to open in the city and is a work of art in itself with the arched roof and intricate decorations. Did you know the market inspired the famous Harry Potter film franchise to create ‘Diagon Alley’? With that in mind, look no further to truly feel like you have walked into a movie scene.
Sky Garden: Panoramic Views of London
Sky Garden is the perfect place to enjoy the beautiful and calmer views of London. It is the perfect outdoor restaurant, and also includes an indoor bar. It is unique in London and certainly provides the best pictures of the city. Note that you have to book a slot online in advance, but the entry is free.
Enjoy a Cocktail at the Bar That Inspired Ian Flemming
It is an experience in itself to Have a Martini at the Bar Which Inspired James Bond; Duke’s is the bar that inspired James Bond’s writer and the Vesper Martini. This tiny, swanky hotel bar offers martinis to walk-in and hotel guests, but they are stirred, not shaken. I stopped by Monday at 3pm and did not have to wait, but be prepared for a long wait during busy periods.
Day 4: Top Things to Do in London for Adults
Sample the Autumn Menu at Rochelle Canteen
Autumn is the best time to Sample the Autumn Menu at Rochelle Canteen, The seasonal menu at Rochelle Canteen is centered around local produce and relaxed dining, so timing is important for optimal comfort and freshness. The seasonal menu is focused around relaxed dining.
Enjoy a Modern Slip at WatchHouse
Any time during the year is a good time to Enjoy a Modern Slip at WatchHouse, a coffee shop with several locations around the city. Slip is an excellent name for the coffee, as the modern coffee shop has several locations around the city, and is such a a good name for the coffee.
The Hoxton Holborn is a recently opened, beautifully designed Hoxton chain hotel. It has a lovey Hoxton designed lobby, and an even more lovely Hoxton designed cafe. Not all of the rooms are designed to be the same size, so be sure to check the size as some are very small and may only fit a solo traveler.
The Tower of London is a uniquely situated museum. You can visit the museum and the Tower of London, which is an 11th century castle and former royal residence. You may want to visit in the cooler months as the Tower of London does not have air conditioning.
The Westminster Abbey is a great museum to visit on a rainy day and the self-guided tour will allow you to explore the abbey at your own pace. This tour is great if you want to take a break from museum style tours and rigidly organized activities.
Shopping in Shoreditch:
Spring and summer are ideal seasons for shopping in Shoreditch. Shop owners and stall holders contribute to the vibrant atmosphere with vintage and alternative clothing stores. There are plenty of eateries and Boxpark (Shipping container pop up food and retail stalls).
Casual Bite and Brew at Market Halls Victoria
Casual Bite and Brew at Market Halls works any time of year. There are 4 bars and food options from Indian to Mexican with a rooftop at Market Halls. A pint and some pasta pairs well with your meal from the food stalls.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is a great place for a stroll on sunny days. It is London’s version of Central Park and a bike ride is nice too. It is next to Harrods and Kensington Palace so time your visit accordingly.
Day 5:
Public transport in London:
London’s best form of transport is the underground metro and buses. The underground trains come every few minutes and are really quick. I suggest the easiest option is getting an Oyster card from the electronic kiosks or transport kiosks. The card costs 5 pounds. I used to spend around 10 pounds everyday and just like the travel cards, you can recharge it and travel and it is a lot easier than buying single tickets.
Cycle Tour:
You can imagine how difficult it may be to get around in London on foot since it’s such a massive city. A bike tour is one of the best ways to efficiently cover a lot of ground and see some of the most iconic landmarks. I did a tour with the company called Brakeaway, and after the tour, I even wrote a post because I had a lot to say, and it was a beautiful day, I had a great guide (who was funny, and informative), the bike paths were great, and it was nice to have a calm day before the crowds came.
Gastronomic Tour:
London has many restaurants and markets, so a food tour is beneficial for sampling the various offerings. A food tour is an excellent way for a group, products, and cuisine activity to come together to serve you. I took part in one of these food tours with The Secret Food Tours company, and our group had 20 members. The food tour starts at Borough market and includes several restaurants. There was a great atmosphere and a lot of food, so I wrote a post about the food tour in London.
Musical
Wicked was the first show we saw in London. After watching book of Mormon in New York, we were excited to watch another show. Wicked was suggested to us, and we were excited to go. We were in the 13th row and paid 70 pounds each, which was very much worth it. The show was great and even hilarious. You do have to understand English and pay attention because when the characters are not singing there are a lot of conversations. So, pay attention when you’re buying your tickets to the show.
Watching Jazz Performances At The Pop Box
Once, while on vacation with the family in Madrid, my brother showed me how to use Airbnb, which I thought was just for renting apartments, but I learned had an entire section for travel experiences, including things like workshops and tours. After sampling some food tours in Barcelona, I played a little game and tried to guess which Airbnb experience would be in which London Jazz venue. North London is a bit of a trek, but the venue is very cool.
They had the show in a shipping container, and outside there was some street food and drinks. We had some overpriced but great stone-oven pizza, and I had some great apple cider, Jazz fans and fans of The Pop Box will enjoy the themed container, and the venue in general is great for a night out. The venue is located in Brixton (Map) and I recommend The Pop Box, where I have a Euro 30 coupon.
Day 6:
Attendant Coffee:
Great cafes like Attendant truly set the bar for cafes in London. After he and I navigated a bit, I found Attendant Cafe on Instagram and the #LondonCafes. I ordered the eggs benedict and the beetroot puree was perfect with the toast. The cappuccino was great, as was the entire place. Leather Lane (Map) is open for food vendors during the week and it is over Leather Lane.
Parks in the City
St. James, Green, and Hyde are the parks you should visit in sequence, and in that order. They are beautiful and have great walking paths, so you can take time for coffee.
Borough Market
Borough Market is the liveliest of the many London markets. It has so many street food vendors and stalls of local hams, cheeses, bread, spices, and more. It is open every day except Sundays from 10am to 5pm, and is the least busy on Mondays and Wednesdays, so come on a hungry, open themed belly.
The British Museum
London usually has pretty consistent rain, so it is good to have some activities that are indoors. Since many museums have no entry fee, The British Museum is a good choice as it has a lot of amazing art pieces and historical artifacts. You can pay for an audio guide, or there is a map available that has descriptions. In my opinion, not getting an audio guide was a bad decision.
Local hockey
A friend recommended going to events at Alexandra Palace as they have a good view and it is located on a hill. There was a hockey game on the schedule, which was perfect. We got there at 5:30, it was 7 pounds to get in and even though it was pretty rainy, it was a good local experience. For parents with children, sports enthusiasts, and people looking for a little entertainment, it is a good option.
Day 7:
Sunday Roast lunch
Sunday roast is similar to our Sabbath dinner. Traditionally, on Sundays, there are stops that are known as roast houses and pubs, and they serve a lunch that seems to be roast meals with alcohol and has a different menu. The Anchor & Hope (Map) is where we went. It’s a bit of a pricey place, but the ambience is nice. There was roast carrots, some roast meat, potatoes, and of course, a jug of wine and some beer. Make a booking.
Camden Market
Although many people call Camden Market touristy, I think it is worth visiting, even if it is just for the food! There are lots of different food stalls, and I ate yam soup, vegan mac and cheese, and vegan shepherd’s pie at one of the stalls called Vegan Young. You can also get souvenirs here.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a big tourist location, and for a good reason. It is beautiful, especially in the winter when there are holiday decorations everywhere.
Chinatown
Chinatown is a quick walk from Covent Garden and the best place to eat! We had lunch at Joy King Lau. We ordered a whole bunch of food including steamed shrimp dumplings, wonton soup with dumplings, and Roman had a duck dish that he really liked.
Great Coffee
On our way to St. James’s Park, we stopped to get coffee at Borough Barista. There was a big division between a business area and a more casual area. We stayed upstairs since it was quieter and more pleasant. We had a cappuccino and a cream cake, and the coffee was great! The address is 15 Charles II St, St. James’s.
The Pret a Manger chain
In London, Pret a Manger is a well-established café chain that has branches every couple of meters. On Derech Hamelech we also saw this chain. They’re suitable for breakfast or a quick meal, their prices are cheaper, and they offer vegan, gluten free, and breakfast options. It’s even a place where you can work and use your laptop.
Top Things to Do in London for free, One great tip I wish I’d known before our trip
The Go City Pass is a great way to save about £90 on some of London’s biggest attractions like Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, and The Tower of London. It covers 100 attractions all with one pass and is a much simpler alternative to buying single tickets.
Day 8 and Final Thoughts:
Eventually, I needed to return home. I spent a lot of time making sure that I had everything in my suitcase, even the souvenirs that I would be bringing home, and making sure that I had memories of the trip to last a lifetime. I thought a lot about the memories that I was leaving in London then had to board my flight home and I found myself wishing that I could be leaving for another trip instead of returning home.
