London is by far one of the most popular and populated cities in the world. A hub to international films, great West End Theatre productions, and serving as a cultural mixing pot, when you visit this city it can be quite overwhelming navigating what activities to do, the best places to eat, and how to get from Point A to Point B. Below is a comprehensive list to help plan your next big trip to London.

Top London Activities

Parks

This city hosts some of the best parks. To help you shy away from the busy streets, why not take a picnic and venture out to one of the many green spaces that London has to offer? Victoria Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, St. James’s Park, Alexandra Palace Park, The Regent’s Park, Hampstead Heath, Queen’s Park, Dulwich Park, and many more are perfect for strolling around, laying out a blanket, or gathering with friends to socialize or play some sports. Parks like Potters Fields and Kensington Gardens are great places to snap a few photos to remember your time in the great city, as they house spectacular views.

Museums, Galleries, and Other Exhibitions

Tate Modern, Tate Britain, The Imperial War Museum, and the Museum of London are just a few of the great exhibitions to explore when visiting London on a rainy day. The Imperial War Museum is free to all visitors, but donating to the museum is highly recommended. The Great West End Theatre District productions match those of Broadway. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a highly recommended production. Following the show, why not continue on the Harry Potter trend? Take a train up to Watford Junction (approx. 20 min train ride from London Euston Station) and grab the shuttle bus to visit the Warner Brother’s Harry Potter Studio Tour. You can try some butterbeer and experience the series as you’ve never done before, exploring sets, costumes, and props from the films.

Historical LandMarks

A trip to London could not be complete without visiting the famous Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, and Buckingham Palace. London is, as we all know, a place of rich history. Many locations offer guided tours to take you through the history of London and its most prominent landmarks. Make a stop at the famous Tower of London, where you can travel back in time through many different periods, where the tower has served many different roles. Explore the Tower Bridge, which is arguably one of the most photographed spots in the city. Grab a ticket that allows you to climb to the top of the bridge and cross over to the other side. You will walk over glass flooring, allowing you to gather some of the best overhead views of the city.

Top Places to Eat

Food Markets

London boasts some of the best food markets, providing a great variety of cuisines from a mix of cultures. Exploring a food market offers ample opportunity to fill your taste palette with cravings and new culinary delights. Some of the top food markets are Camden Market, Borough Market, Old Spitalfields Market, Maltby Street Market, Brick Lane Market, Victoria Park Market, and Portobello Road Market to name a few. Most markets are open on the weekends, so this makes a perfect weekend trip to explore a new area and discover a plethora of food and art vendors.

Restaurants

Along with the many great food markets, you can find some incredible restaurants within the city to try out. London offers a great variety of foods and is famous for its fish and chips and world-renowned curries. You are sure to find a great chipper anywhere within the city. Venture over to Brick Lane in Shoreditch or the White Chapel area to try some of the best curries the city has to offer. If you are looking for a tasty meal with some phenomenal views, check out Duck and Waffle, located on the top floor of the Salesforce Tower near London Liverpool Street.

Chain Restaurants 

Some great restaurant chains to check out are Bleecker Burger (arguably the best burger you will ever have), The Breakfast Club, Mother Clucker, Wahaca, Leon, and Honest Burgers. If you are looking for a quirkier type of place to eat, the Attendant is a fun cafe situated in multiple locations around the city, the original spot being in Fitzrovia, where it is disguised as an underground Victoria-era loo. 

Bars & Pubs

Whether you are looking for a beer garden, traditional pub, or a speakeasy with a great variety of cocktails, London hosts some top-notch drinking spots. Check out the Cauldron, a magic-themed cocktail-making experience, where you are in charge of brewing up some mystical potions. Fit with a wand and robe, a perfect spot for those big Harry Potter fans. There are also nonalcoholic beverages available to those witches and wizards who would rather not fall under the spell of influence. Speakeasies are also great fun, and London has many. Visit Cahoots in SoHo, a 1940s post-war themed bar with a disused underground station for patrons to discover and enjoy. Some other great speakeasy spots include The Discount Suit Company and Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town in Shoreditch.

Getting Around the City

The Tube

London’s underground metro, most commonly referred to as the tube is arguably the best way to navigate the city. Connecting different zones around London, you can get wherever you need, with stations accessible at every corner and many lines serving different sections of the city that are easy enough to navigate. You can invest in an Oyster card which offers daily and weekly passes. You can also use the tap feature on your credit/debit card to board. 

The Red Double-Decker Bus

What trip to London would be complete without a ride on the famous red double-decker buses? As easy to hop on as the tube, these buses will get you anywhere you desire in the big city of London. Just make sure you understand what buses you should be grabbing by consulting an app like Google Maps before embarking on your journey. Oyster cards are also valid for double-decker bus rides, where the tap feature is also readily available.

Tram, DLR, and London Overground

The tram, DLR (Docklands Light Railway), and the London Overground are other proficient forms of transportation that get you around the city. All accept the Oyster card.

On Foot Or By Bike

The absolute best way to navigate the city is on foot or by bike, where you can get the best views and fully immerse yourself in the city. There are plenty of rental bikes available around the city, and it is easy to grab by using apps like the Santander one.

Black Taxi or Uber

If public transportation is not for you, and you have a little extra money to spend on black taxis and Ubers are rather convenient and will offer you a safe option to get to and from locations.

This list just lightly touches on the activities and opportunities that London has to offer. There are so many great spots to enjoy a bite to eat, ways to navigate the city, and sights to see. Consider booking a trip with Acanela, where they take away the stress of planning accommodations, transport costs, and food allowing you the opportunity to focus on the top things to do and places to see.

Post written by Sophie Coderre