London: What to see and do

Whether you're a fan of art and culture, shopping, gastronomy, football, or musicals, or a mix of all these, London is the perfect destination!

London is divided into the vibrant and distinct areas of North, West, South, and East London - as well as the commercial and tourist hub of Central London - and each district has its own recognizable neighborhoods. There's always something to see and do in London. With some of the world's best artists, entertainment, shopping, dining, and history, it's impossible to get bored in London.

Let's explore the best things to do in London:

Hyde Park is perhaps the most famous park in London and one of the largest. The park has historical significance as it has hosted a number of demonstrations and protests, including those by the suffragettes.

The park's famous Speaker's Corner is still occupied by debates, protests, and performance artists every week. The park features several memorials and two water bodies, the most famous being The Serpentine. Here you can row, see a variety of swans, and get a breath of fresh air in the city center. A must-visit.

Westminster is considered the political center of London, home to the Houses of Parliament and the world-famous Big Ben. Big Ben is the name of the clock in the iconic clock tower, and it still chimes every hour.

Westminster Abbey is also located here, open to the public most days. When visiting these landmarks, be sure to rest your feet at Parliament Square, home to statues of important political figures, including Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill.

Camden is a well-known cultural neighborhood in North London. Known for its alternative culture, it is filled with goths, punks, rockabillies, and tourists. Camden has a vibrant body mod community, and you'll find a number of piercing and tattoo shops in this part of the city.

Camden Market is eclectic and diverse, offering street food from international cuisines and lots of stalls selling trinkets and unique artworks to take home. Browse vintage clothing, find a used book to take on your journey, or visit one of the city's best vegan bakeries at Cookies And Scream.

After your shopping spree, you can stroll down to Camden Lock and relax by Regent's Canal or walk along the water all the way to King's Cross.

A trip to London is not complete without a visit to the iconic London Eye. Originally built to celebrate the millennium, the London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel offering stunning views of the city. At night, the wheel is lit up in seasonal colors and is the centerpiece of London's annual New Year's Eve fireworks.

You can share one of the spacious capsules with other eager visitors, or you can buy a private capsule for you and someone special. Combine your visit to The Eye with a trip to the nearby London Aquarium, where you can see aquatic animals from around the world, including jellyfish, seahorses, and crocodiles.

Soho has long been known as the base for London's sex industry. The area is now the most popular spot for nightlife, though there are still some sex shops scattered here and there, giving Soho a pleasantly seedy atmosphere. Soho is often considered the center of the city's LGBTQ+ community, with plenty of gay and lesbian bars to visit as the sun goes down.

In addition to bars and clubs, Soho also has a number of theaters, jazz bars, and restaurants to explore, making it a cultural hotspot. Its proximity to Leicester Square means it's also an excellent place to grab a few drinks after a play or performance.

During the day, Soho loses none of its charm. Here you'll find plenty of music shops, small cafes, and quaint bakeries. Stop for coffee and pastries on Old Compton Street, where you can people-watch to your heart's content.

Shoreditch is one of London's trendiest areas that has recently undergone extensive regeneration. It is now one of the hottest nightlife spots in the city and one of the coolest places to stay in London.

There are plenty of bars and eateries, and it's a perfect place to spend both a day and an evening. Check out Trapeze, a circus-themed bar serving endlessly inventive drinks out of popcorn bucket-like cups.

For pop culture lovers, there's Far Rockaway, a laid-back bar and restaurant filled with comic books, band posters, and a regular 90s night. You can also visit Blues Kitchen for a night of blues with sticky ribs and other American staples.

Hampstead Heath is one of London's largest parks, covering 790 acres. It is located on one of the highest points in London and offers a breathtaking view of the city from Parliament Hill.

The Heath has grassy fields, woodland, and a number of large ponds. It is the best place to experience nature in London, with plenty of wildlife and small wooded areas to get lost in.

There's a lido for those brave enough to swim outdoors in the fine British weather. History buffs can visit Kenwood House, a historic mansion known for its art collection.

The BFI - or British Film Institute - is a must for movie lovers. Located on the popular Southbank, the BFI is the perfect place to unwind after a walk along the water and soak up the culture and atmosphere of this lively part of the city.

The BFI screens films every day, from big blockbusters to reruns of cult classics and one-off screenings of indie hits. There's also a library and a shop for those who take their films seriously. The BFI also has its own riverside bar and restaurant where you can enjoy a delicious meal or discuss the latest film releases over a drink.

The Thames is London's lifeline and has brought industry to the city for centuries. It is England's longest river, flowing into the North Sea at the end of the river. It has been a base for settlements since prehistoric times and has been of strategic importance to the Romans and English kings, as well as during both World Wars.

There are a number of companies in London that offer cruises on the Thames. Cruises depart as often as every 30 minutes from several key locations. The cruises pass several key sights, including Tower Bridge, Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye.

Some cruises operate at night so you can see the sights by the light of live candles, while others are served with a meal or afternoon tea. It's a delightful and unique way to see the city while cruising along the historic River Thames.

One of the cultural pillars of London is Baker Street, most famous as the street where Arthur Conan Doyle's infamous detective Sherlock Holmes lived.

Today, there's a Sherlock Holmes museum near the tube station, especially popular following the BBC's modern adaptation of "Sherlock".

Around the corner is Madame Tussauds, the internationally famous wax museum where you can pose with your favorite celebrities.

Afterwards, you can escape the crowds on Baker Street in nearby Regent's Park or by climbing Primrose Hill for London's most spectacular city views.

For those looking for live music, London has thousands of unique venues to offer. Venues span all niches, or you can just go to an open mic night at a local pub and listen to some promising musicians. However, one of the best venues in the city is Brixton Academy in South London.

Originally a theater and cinema called Astoria that opened in 1929, fifty years later it became the Academy and now hosts some of the biggest rock and pop acts in the world.

Artists who have played at Brixton Academy include The Clash, Sex Pistols, New Order, and Madonna. The Smiths played their final concert ever at Brixton Academy. This is the most popular music venue if you want to experience live music in London.

Brick Lane is the heart of London's Bangladeshi community. An incredibly diverse area with street signs in both English and Bengali, Brick Lane is known for its many curry houses.

It's the perfect place to find something spicy to eat, but make sure to go to one of the many sweet shops for some authentic South Asian desserts. The area also has a number of trendy bars and regular marketplaces that attract a young and fashionable crowd.

If you want to see art, you can turn the corner to Whitechapel Gallery - or go hunting for the many street art pieces on Brick Lane and adjoining streets.

London's Chinatown is centered around Gerrard Street, situated between Soho and Leicester Square. With its Chinese lanterns and eye-catching red arches, it's hard to miss this vibrant area. Chinatown is filled with authentic Asian restaurants, supermarkets, and secret bars, and there's always something new to explore. For a taste of authentic Asian cuisine, try HK Diner for delicious roasted duck, great service, and generous portions. They also serve bubble tea, an Asian trend that has recently swept the city!

Electric Avenue is a street in Brixton, South London, known for being the first market street in London to be lit by electricity. It inspired Eddy Grant's number one song and has been central to some parts of London's history, including the Brixton race riots of 1981. Today, Electric Avenue is home to Brixton Market, a diverse and eclectic food market.

Afterwards, you can check out the rest of the neighborhood. Brixton has a plethora of small shops selling unique, quirky, and handmade items. This is one of the most diverse areas in London and a great place to shop or listen to live music.

Piccadilly Circus is instantly recognizable, a square filled with bright lights and large electronic screens. Piccadilly Circus has been a bustling part of London since the 1600s when it was a commercial hub.

Today, it is still the heart of the West End, and from Piccadilly Circus, it's easy to get to some of London's biggest theaters and nightclubs, including Criterion Theatre. The Eros statue in the center of the circus is a popular meeting spot and a tourist destination in itself.

Visit Ripley's Believe it or Not museum at Piccadilly Circus to learn some new facts and see the world's weirdest things. In Trocadero, there's an arcade and some niche shops to satisfy any pop culture cravings.

Oxford Street is not just London's best shopping street, but also Europe's busiest shopping street. It features 300 shops and over 500,000 visitors each day.

Shop 'til you drop in designer boutiques and internationally renowned department stores like Debenhams and House of Fraser. Selfridges has intricate and beautiful window displays that change with the seasons. They often have interactive windows and works by recognized artists.

During Christmas, the lights on Oxford Street brighten up shopping trips and make the evenings a little more glittery.

Walk in the footsteps of Hollywood stars by visiting Leicester Square. The square is most famous for hosting film premieres for some of the biggest blockbusters. In fact, the square has been a gathering place in London since 1670 and an entertainment center since the 19th century.

The square is surrounded by a number of cinemas with some of the city's largest screens as well as a number of restaurants. The garden in the middle of the square is perfect for cooling off in the summer or resting your feet after a long day of exploring London.

Visit Prince Charles Cinema where you can watch cult films, sing along to movie screenings, and epic marathon nights. Leicester Square is also the host of the Chinese New Year celebration, where you can see traditional dancing dragons and get lost in the crowds.

London is an ideal city for art lovers with so many galleries to visit, offering the best in classical and contemporary art. Most of the city's galleries are free to visit, including the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square. The National Gallery has something for everyone with works by da Vinci, Turner, van Gogh, and Rembrandt.

If you're looking to see a lot of modern art, visit Tate Modern on Southbank. The building itself is a work of art, towering over the waterfront. Inside, you'll find works by Picasso, Klee, and Delauney. The gallery also has exciting temporary exhibitions on every floor of the building, making it the perfect place for an art fix.

Harrods is one of London's most famous department stores, especially known for catering to the elite and the super-rich. Since its opening in 1824, Harrods' clientele has included Oscar Wilde, Laurence Olivier, and the royal family.

The luxury is spread over several floors, stylishly arranged through Harrods' themed halls. In the food hall, luxury delicacies are sold from fresh meat and cheese to jams and pâtés of the highest quality. In the Egyptian hall, fashion is sold in lavish style, so you feel like a pharaoh as you walk through the hall.

At Christmas, Harrods puts together a range of luxurious Christmas hampers filled with goodies to make the festivities even more special. Explore the building and get lost while shopping for lavish perfumes, children's toys, and even pets in London's most exclusive department store.

King's Cross is one of the city's busiest spots, with a railway station that has been open since 1852 and serves large parts of the country. The recent renovations have given the station an elegant and modern look - try to find the hidden tunnel with walls lit by art.

But for many people around the world, King's Cross is best known for something else: the station that Harry Potter uses to travel to Hogwarts. Now you can visit platform 9 ¾ in real life, at King's Cross railway station.

Stand next to a luggage trolley that magically disappears into the wall and have your photo taken to remember your wizarding journey forever! Don't forget to wear your house colors.

London is one of the best cultural cities in the world with a number of free museums that you can visit. On Exhibition Road in South Kensington, you'll find many museums close to each other.

Start with the Natural History Museum and pose for a photo with the infamous Diplodocus skeleton in the Great Hall. Explore the museum and find ancient fossils and stuffed animals, including a replica of a dodo.

Next, visit the Science Museum next door for hands-on activities and explore scientific advancements through the ages.

A short walk to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) shifts the focus to cultural history.

At the V&A, you can see artworks, fashion, and living tools from around the world. Here you'll find art students diligently sketching classical statues and ironworks.

Finally, visit the British Museum where you can see the Rosetta Stone, mummified remains, and explore centuries of archaeological discoveries.

The Samsung Digital Discovery Centre is perfect for children with hundreds of free activities to explore history and culture through modern technology.

Bond Street is adjacent to Oxford Street and is a popular shopping area in its own right. Bond Street differs from Oxford Street in its range of shops, with a much greater focus on the exclusive and designer. Bond Street is one of London's most expensive shopping streets and is well worth a visit for those looking to indulge in something extra.

Doormen stand patiently outside many shop entrances. Diamonds sparkle in the windows of watchmakers, jewelers, and even handbag shops. On this street, you'll find Tiffany's and the flagship stores for Cartier and Ralph Lauren.

After some window shopping - or when you've been out flashing the cash - you can pose with the statue of Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt, which depicts the allies on a bench. Finish your trip to Bond Street by looking at London's oldest outdoor sculpture above the entrance to Sotheby's. The sculpture is from ancient Egypt and is over 3,000 years old.

A trip to London is incomplete without a stroll through Green Park to catch a glimpse of Buckingham Palace. The palace has been the home of the British royal family since 1837. It has 775 rooms and the largest private garden in London.

Parts of the palace are open to visitors so you can see a small part of the royal lifestyle. Outside, you can witness the world-famous changing of the guard. This procedure takes place a few times each day and is an excellent opportunity to witness a historic tradition and the utmost discipline of the royal guard - all wearing the iconic London bearskin.

London is a bustling metropolis both day and night. From one-off events to club nights, there's always something happening even after dark. When the sun goes down, London's lights come on, giving the city a magical illumination.

See St Paul's Cathedral lit up after dark, or visit Big Ben and Westminster Cathedral with its gothic architecture. Head to Soho and the West End for a vibrant nightlife under the big neon signs.

London is an inexhaustible source of experiences and sights - it's a city that impresses whether you're visiting for the first time or for the 20th time. There's always something new to see and experience in London.

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