What is there to do in London? Where can you go on day trips or for a spot of shopping? What activities are worth travelling to London for?

London is a city for everyone. You’ll find an endless array of sights, parks and museums, as well as modern buildings and attractions.

The 10 best hotels in London

Sights and history

London’s landmarks are among the most famous in the world. They’ve either played a part in shaping history or are home to the world’s most famous royal family. Or why not follow in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper?

There’s no need to go into detail here about individual landmarks and points of interest – we’ve put together detailed mini-guides for each one.

TOP 5 London landmarks

1. Big Ben
2. Buckingham Palace
3. Tower Bridge
4. Tower of London
5. Westminster Abbey

Shopping

Do you want to enjoy some proper shopping and buy luxury brands, or would you rather rummage through endless baskets of T-shirts for a pound each?

Visit London during the summer or post-Christmas sales and head to Oxford Street, which is truly famous for its abundance of shops.

You’ll find high-street fashion (Zara, H&M, Mango) as well as outlets such as Urban Outfitters. Who hasn’t heard of Primark these days… Just make sure you arm yourself with patience when queuing for the fitting rooms or at the till. 

If you’re after something a bit more upmarket, how about Victoria’s Secret? You don’t have to stick to lingerie, but if you prefer nicer boutiques and fewer people, head to Carnaby Street with its more relaxed atmosphere and brands ranging from the more affordable Miss Sixty to the luxury of T by Alexander Wang. 

If you’re on a tight budget, pop into the Burberry outlet in Hackney, TK Maxx near Bank tube station, or Dress for Less (Angel tube). And what can you buy in these shops? For example, a Burberry belt for £10, outlet clearance items from Versace, McQueen or Lauren, and at the latter, second-hand pieces from fashion designers – both worn and unworn.

Nightlife

Nightlife is one of London’s defining features. You’ll find a vast array of bars, discos and nightspots all around central London. The clubs will satisfy even the most discerning patrons.

If you’re choosing based on music, around Farringdon, Hoxton or Shoreditch you’ll find clubs playing mainly dance music, such as drum and bass, house or trance.

In the West End, particularly Leicester Square, Mayfair and Piccadilly, you can visit clubs playing funky house, hip hop or R&B. Or, if you prefer metal and rock, head to the clubs around Camden.

What might come as an unpleasant surprise are the prices; many Londoners try to sneak their own alcohol into the clubs. In any case, you can pop into a bar here at any time – London is simply buzzing every single day.

Views and vistas

Although London is more or less entirely flat, thanks to its modern high-rise buildings and other tourist attractions, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful views of the historic city centre, the city skyline or the River Thames. What are the best viewpoints in London? Here are our tips:

• London Eye – the Ferris wheel above the Thames, standing 135 metres high
• The Shard – London’s tallest skyscraper, with a viewing platform at a height of 244 metres
• Sky Garden – the indoor garden in the ‘Walkie-Talkie’ skyscraper, at a height of 140 metres
• St. Paul's Cathedral – a stylish viewing platform in the dome of London Cathedral, 105 metres high
• Greenwich – the view from the observatory in Greenwich Park is one of the most popular
• Primrose Hill – the hill is effectively an extension of Regent’s Park and offers beautiful views across the whole of London from the tranquillity of the greenery

Take a ride on a red double-decker bus

Red double-decker buses are among London’s most famous symbols, and you certainly shouldn’t miss out on a ride.

The history of double-decker buses dates back to the 19th century, when there was a need for higher-capacity transport. Due to the cramped conditions in central London, the relatively narrow streets and the sharp angles at junctions – where more traditional articulated buses would struggle to turn – double-deckers have remained in regular service to this day.

There are around 700 bus routes criss-crossing London, and on most of them – particularly in the city centre – you’ll come across double-deckers. It goes without saying that you should wait for a bus arriving with the front row of seats on the upper deck free, quickly grab a seat there and enjoy a fantastic panoramic ride through London

Avoidthe overpriced open-top sightseeing buses. They really aren’t worth the money. A single trip on one of these buses, even with a commentary, can cost you more than 35 gbp, whereas on regular service buses you pay the standard public transport fare, which is also valid on the Underground; for more details, see ticket prices in London.

The most traditional type of double-decker, with an open rear platform for boarding and alighting, is calledthe Routemasterand was in regular service between 1956 and 2005. As it failed to meet safety standards, it was gradually phased out; however, an exemption has been granted and these traditional Routemasters can be found on two routes criss-crossing central London:

• Route 9
• Route 15

Bear in mind that the old buses only run on certain services; most of the route’s services are operated by modern double-deckers, from which you can still enjoy a lovely view.

Cruises on the Thames

Rivers flowing through city centres are always a defining feature of urban landscapes, and the Thames in London is certainly no exception. Enjoy London’s panoramas from a different perspective and set off on a boat trip along the Thames.

The views will be spectacular – after all, world-famous landmarks such as Big Ben and the Tower of London stand right on the riverbank. From the Thames, you’ll have a brilliant view of the modern City centre and Canary Wharf, as well as London’s tallest skyscraper, The Shard, and of course, sailing under the famous Tower Bridge will be a real treat.

We recommend avoiding overpriced sightseeing tours, where a half-hour cruise can easily set you back 30 gbp, and instead make use of the regular boat services criss-crossing the whole of central London, with the longest journey lasting over 40 minutes.

These services are called River Bus and are operated by Thames Clippers. The most expensive ticket for a trip across London costs around 14 gbp, whilst the cheapest are available for around 5 gbp.

• Map of water bus routes
• Current fare table

Football

Which football league is the best in the world? In England, that’s a completely pointless question. The real challenge is getting a ticket for an exciting match.

Conditions may, of course, vary depending on the season, but as a rule, you cannot buy tickets for big clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea and the like without purchasing an official membership. Alternatively, the system works such that tickets are first released for sale to members with the highest-tier (and, of course, most expensive) membership; tickets are then gradually released for lower tiers, and often nothing remains for general sale, or you’ll end up being asked to purchase a membership anyway.

Furthermore, it is generally not possible to buy more than one ticket per membership. A good match will set you back roughly 60 gbp + 30 gbp for a standard membership.

You can buy both tickets and membership on the official websites of the respective football clubs. London alone is home to a number of world-famous clubs. Take a look at their websites by clicking on the club name below and try your luck at getting tickets:

• Arsenal FC
• Chelsea FC
• Crystal Palace F.C.
• Fulham F.C.
• Tottenham Hotspur FC
• West Ham United FC

TIP: London clubs often renovate their grounds, so try waiting to see if any club happens to be playing at Wembley Stadium. There’ll almost always be tickets available, even without buying a season ticket. Admittedly, the atmosphere isn’t quite the same as at a club stadium, but it’ll certainly be an experience nonetheless. Check the fixture list and buy tickets on the stadium’s official website:wembleystadium.com.

Haven’t managed to get any tickets and don’t want to leave London without seeing a football match? You could also try a second-tier match – the atmosphere is often even better, the prices more affordable and the standard still high.