London is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, and there is a good reason for it. There are so many famous sites and fabulous things to do and most are very affordable.
Whether you have a few days or weekend free, or want a longer stay, you won't get bored in London, no matter what time of year you visit, even in winter when the weather is terrible!
If you need a little convincing, here are the top reasons you will love going to London and a few things you do not want to miss out on while you are there.
1. Getting to London is Easy
London is one of the easiest cities in the world to get to with fantastic transport connections to worldwide destinations.
Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world with hundreds of flights arriving here every day. Other nearby airports you could fly to include Stanstead, Gatwick and Luton.
Low cost airlines like easyjet and Ryanair offer really cheap flights all year round from European destinations whilst lots of airlines connect North America to London. Use Skyscanner to search for the best prices.
You can also catch direct flights from all the major cities in Asia and prices are cheaper than ever. We recommend booking flights from Singapore to London as they are the cheapest they have been in a long time.
From mainland Europe you can also travel by train, bus and car for low low prices. Journeys are generally longer than flying depending where you depart from but prices are also generally a lot lower. And remember, the less you spend on travel the more money you can put towards enjoying yourseld in this amazing city!
2. Affordability
London doesn't have to be expensive, you can easily visit this city without spending a fortune. For example, booking flights and accommodation in advance will save you a lot of money. There are also lots of cheap places to eat throughout the city and a lot of tourist destinations like galleries and museums are free.
3. Choice of Accommodation
London is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in, but staying here doesn't need to break the bank. You can choose from so many different accommodation options for all budgets, from hotels which costs thousands of pound per night to cheap backpacker hostels which cost next to nothing.
There are lots of affordable hotels located throughout the city whilst you could also rent an appartment or book an AirBnB. If you are on a tiny budget a bed in a hostel dorm room is your best bet, there are some amazing hostels in London you can stay which offer fantastic value for money.
To get the best prices try to book well in advance and use a comparison website like Booking.com.
4. Modern Transport Network
London has a fantastic transport network making getting around easy. Choose from taxis, bus, train or the London underground. You have to ride a famous red London bus, these are iconic.
The tube is over 150 years old and it is the third largest metro system in the World behind Shanghai and Beijing. The tube makes getting to most destinations quick and simple.
5. Architecture & Iconic Buildings
Big Ben and Westminster Abbey are two buildings you will want to see when exploring London. Others include The Shard, which is a 95-story skyscraper, the tallest in the western hemisphere.
Tower Bridge is very iconic whilst The Gherkin is an interesting building to see, and yes, the name is only half as quirky as the building itself. You can find architecture from centures ago to modern glass structures which look like something from the future.
6. See Buckingham Palace
You will get to see the famous Buckinham Palace to see where the King lives!
7. Parks
London is a very green city and there are lots of parks you can visit.
Hyde Park is possibly one of the most famous parks where you can walk through green spaces, hire a rowing boats, visit a lido and swim or ride bikes. While here, you will have the opportunity to enjoy seeing more than 4,000 trees, a rose garden, and more.
Regent's Park is also recommended, it is a true part of London history, designed in 1811 by architect John Nash. There are lots of flowers, a lake and also cafes. You can also venture a little further to Primrose Hill.
Other parks you should consider visiting include St. James Park which is opposite Buckingham Palace and Hampstead Heath in north London which has wide open spaces and great views over the city.
8. Food
You probably don't automatically think of great food when you think of England, but London has so many different restaurants you can sample food from all around the world. This city is very well-known for its food scene, from street food to world famous Michelin star restaurants, there is a lot of choice.
For Chinese food head to China Town, for traditional English food consider an old local pub, for street food head to Camden market or check Trip Advisor for more recommendations. Eating out doesn't have to be expensive either, there are lots of fast food options and street food vendors dotted around the city.
9. Ride The London Eye
This is such a cool thing to see and experience that it deserves its own section. This is Europe's Largest observation wheel and it allows you to see all of London. This massive Ferris Wheel is 443 feet. It also holds the title of being the world's tallest Cantilevered Observation Wheel. On average, this single place sees more visitors than pyramids and the Taj Mahal.
10. Sightseeing Tours
There are many tours you can go on while you visit this beautiful city. You could buy an open top bus tour ticket which is popular with tourists allowing you to see the sights quickly.
Other options include going on a Thames river cruise where you can enjoy seeing some fantastic views of the city. If you enjoy waterways, you may also want to go on a canal boat ride. There are also lots of walkign tours allowing you to learn more about places with local guides.
11. Theatre, Live Music & Entertainment
If you head to London's West End you can find so many theatres showing some of the best perforamnces and musicals. This is guaranteed to make your trip memorable!
London has some amazing live entertainment from music to clubs. For some of the best nights out you might want to visit a pub in Soho, or head to Kensington Roof Gardens, Trailer Happiness, Sketch London, or The Book Club which are all popular destinations.
For live music Camden is a great borough, for world famous acts check out the 02 in Greenwich or for something more classic consider the Royal Albert Hall.
12. Free Attractions
Many of the main attractions in London are free. This includes the parks, some museums, and much more. You can also watch the Changing of the Guard. It is a recurring event that many people find impressive. As a bonus, it will not cost you anything!
13. Museums & Art Galleries
London has some of the best museums and art galleries in the world and most of them are completely free. Some of the most popular places to consider visiting include Tate Modern, The British Museum, National History Museum and The Science Museum. There are also lots of weird and unusual museum in London if you are looking to experience something a little different.
14. Explore Hipster East London
East London has really been developed in the past decades and is now home to amazing street art, galleries, markets, restaurants and bars. A curry on Brick Lane and a night out in Hackney is recommended for the full experiences.
15. Pubs
London has literally thousands of pubs, around 3,500 to be exact!
From small local pubs that have been around for centuries to huge modern gastropubs, there is a lot of choice! Be sure to sample one of the local specialities. We recommend visiting Soho or Camden for pubs although you can find amazing ones in most boroughs.
Camden is popular because you can find funky shops, a huge market and lots of bars and entertainment. In Camden market you can find lots of vintage clothing, fashion food, tourist presents and more.
There are also lots of pubs with live music making Camden a great place for a night out.
16. Sporting Events
Sporting events are a big thing in London.
There are iconic venues like Wembley Stadium which hosts concerts, events, and more. If you take the stadium tour, you can even experience a 360-degree augmented reality video platform that puts you inside the most significant moments in the stadium. How cool is that?
London is also home to lots of football clubs including Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, West Ham just to name a few whilst if you visit in summer you could try to see tennis at the Wimbledon Championships. No matter what month you visit you are sure to find a live sporting event.
17. See the Famous London Skyline
The London’s skyline is world famous and there are so many places you can get amazing photos. The landmark Shard, the tallest building in Europe is huge and can be seen from almost everywhere.
There are lots of places to see the London skyline including Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill, the Greenwich Observatory, Tate Modern viewing gallery or you could pay to go on the London Eye or go up the Shard.
18. Shopping
If you love shopping then you will love London.
There are so many great shopping destinations including Oxford Street, luxury Bond Street and Knightsbridge, cool Carnaby Street, the trendy Notting Hill street market and the huge modern Westfield shopping centres in Sheppherds Bush and Statford.
All these destinations offer amazing shopping experiences but you can also find normal shops, cafes and places to buy souvenirs throughout the city.
19. Day Trips
There are lots of amazing short day trips from London if you are keen to venture outside of the city centre. Popular places to visit include Brighton, Windor Castle and Stonehenge.
These can be reached by bus, train or organised tour and some of which are less than an hour away. If you the UK during summer you might like to check out the best beaches near London.
20. You Won't Be Bored
London is a huge city and you can find so many amazing things to do. You won't have time to be bored in this city, there is just so much to see and do!
Plan a City Break to London
London really is a city that you should put on your bucket list if you have never been here before . These 20 reasons to visit London are not all that you can expect to find while there, but it certainly will provide you with some ideas so you will have a trip you will never forget. Are you ready to book your break to London?
