Trip Length

2-7 Days

How to Get Around

On Foot

Metro

Taxi

Months to Go

Year-Round

Currency

Pound Sterling

Local Language

English

The British capital is one of the world's most dynamic cities and it has enough attractions to warrant many visits. Trips here should balance learning about England's rich history with exploring cultural attractions, dining at phenomenal fusion restaurants and shopping in the city's amazing department stores. For theatre fans, seeing a show in the West End is a must, as many plays and musicals premiere here.

London

England

Alex Eagle Studio

This spectacular concept store is filled with contemporary art and has fashion, accessories, and home goods. It also offers bespoke tailoring.

Annie’s Ibiza

Luxurious, eclectic vintage fashions hand-selected by fashionista Annie Doble. You’ll find expensive statement pieces here.

BRAT Restaurant

The perfect neighborhood restaurant, BRAT has a feel-good atmosphere, excellent wine list and menu made for ordering lots and sharing. The Shoreditch eatery focuses on Spanish-Basque cuisine and the turbot is the star of the menu, but don't overlook the bread with onion butter or grilled flatbread appetizers.

Borough Market

London's oldest market is a maze of produce stands and great pubs and restaurants. Don't miss BAO for Taiwanese street food and Neal’s Yard Dairy for fresh cheese. For a more substantial meal, head to Padella for incredible Italian and Wright Brothers for oysters and bubbly.

Buckingham Palace

The home of the British monarch, Buckingham Palace is a must-see, and one of the most fun times to visit is during the Changing of the Guard, which happens daily at around 11 a.m. Most of the building is closed to the public, but a few rooms open for tours for a few months each year—check the schedule before visiting (one of the most fun parts of doing an official tour is that you get to leave through the palace's front gates). The Royal Mews, the monarchy's stables, is located next to the palace and open to the public. 

Cadet

Vets from lauded London spots P. Franco, St. John’s, Brat, and more, run this impressive wine bar in Newington Green. The cozy neighborhood spot is a favorite for excellent charcuterie and modern British small plates (which change daily according to what’s fresh).

Cafe Cecilia

It’s a hot spot that also feels like a casual neighborhood haunt, which is precisely why the all-day Cafe Cecilia is one of our favorite East London foodie destinations. Breakfast is great here, but if you come for lunch or dinner you can indulge in the fried bread and butter pudding with cold custard—which is a crucial dish at Cafe Cecilia. 

Chiltern Firehouse

A major hot spot (celebrities and elite locals are seen often at the restaurant), Chiltern Firehouse was brought to London by André Balazs (the man behind LA's Chateau Marmont). The property has just over two dozen boho-chic rooms (almost all of which have working fireplaces) and a location in Marylebone that is lively but probably best for travelers who have been to London before as it's not super close to the main attractions. This is a hotel for travelers who want to see-and-be-seen. It also has a super trendy restaurant that's fun for a group dinner and people watching. The bar is amazing but notoriously difficult to get into.

Churchill War Rooms

The subterranean Churchill War Rooms were the secret headquarters for Winston Churchill and his team during World War II. Some of the rooms are exactly how they were left at the conclusion of the war. The fascinating museum is small and can be properly toured in under two hours.

Daunt Books Marylebone

Opened in 1912, the stunning Daunt Books sells primarily travel books and has a few other locations throughout the city, but this location in Marylebone is the original.

Dover Street Market

Dover Street Market is one of London's pioneering concept stores and this five-story location sells a fabulous selection of cutting-edge fashion, accessories, and home decor items.

Gymkhana

This beloved Indian restaurant in Soho is the most stylish Indian restaurant in town and the food is absolutely incredible. Make reservations far in advance and order lots of plates to share. The private dining "vaults" are super cool and perfect for small group dinners.

Harvey Nichols

Harvey Nichols is one of London's most iconic department stores. It stocks amazing pieces from well-established but also up-and-coming international brands.

Hyde Park

This beautiful park in the center of London is a must-visit, even if just for a walk or to rent a boat and paddle around Serpentine Lake. In the winter months, the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is one of the most festive spots in London and especially fun for families. After touring the Serpentine Gallery, a top destination for contemporary art, go to the neighboring Kensington Gardens to see Kensington Palace, where Prince William and Duchess Kate live. 

Kensington Palace

This royal residence in Kensington Gardens is the home of Prince William and his family and the former home of Princess Diana. The gardens are open to the public, as are a handful of rooms, where visitors can see period furniture and outfits worn by some of the most stylish royals, including Princess Margaret and Princess Diana.

LOEWE Liberty - Women's Accessories

Housed in a beautiful Tudor-style building, Liberty is one of the best and oldest department stores in London. It has its own line but also the top international fashion brands.

Notting Hill

Notting Hill is one of London's most charming neighborhoods. The lovely area has pastel-colored townhouses, lots of boutiques, and top restaurants including favorites like Straker's and The Ledbury. Don't miss the Portobello Road Market (best visited on Saturday), and if you're in the mood for a movie, the Soho House–owned Electric Cinema has the latest releases and a retro-cool vibe.

Ottolenghi

This is the original location of chef Yotam Ottolenghi's eponymous Mediterranean café chain. It's perfect for a quick bite in Notting Hill—the restaurant has a display case of fresh salads, proteins and baked goods, all of which use super fresh ingredients. The tiny space has just a single communal table for those who want to stay and eat.

Rochelle Canteen

Open for breakfast and lunch daily and dinner on weekends, this Shoreditch gem is set in the canteen of a former school and known for its nose-to-tail cuisine. It's casual and phenomenal.

STRAKER'S

Thomas Straker, Michelin-starred chef turned TikTok sensation, opened his first restaurant in Notting Hill and it was an immediate hot spot thanks to a menu filled with such dishes as grilled flatbreads with vesuvio tomatoes and anchovies and sizzling marrow and soft butter.

Savile Row

This iconic street is known for its superb men's tailor shops. Henry Poole & Co and Gieves & Hawkes are two top boutiques for custom suits, but we're partial to The Deck, which is women-run and primarily serves women (very rare on Savile Row!)

Sessions Arts Club

Located in a restored 18th-century courthouse, this London destination is a must-visit for the food and the design. The oft-photographed space hosts art pop-ups and performances, and serves a rotating seasonal menu.

Sir John Soane's Museum

The former home of architect John Soane is a treasure trove filled with beautiful pieces Soane gathered during his lifetime. The small museum is in the same condition as he left it, and you can sign up to visit for the candlelit "Soane Lates"—evening tours on different topics.

St. JOHN Bread and Wine

This classic London spot and sister restaurant to St John restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is known for its nose-to-tail cooking. Everything on the menu is exquisite, even if the dishes look simple. The breakfast bacon sandwich has a cult following, as do the madeleines, which come warm and are practically a dessert requirement.

Tate Modern

Located in a renovated old power station, the massive Tate Modern is a modern art heaven, with exciting rotating exhibits and a permanent collection that includes works by Damien Hirst and Mark Rothko. It's located right by the Thames, which is nice to walk along after visiting the museum. The gift shop is also worth browsing.

The British Museum

The largest musuem in London, the British Museum houses art and artifacts from all over the world. The Egyptian galleries are particularly great, as are the rotating exhibits. Another must-see is the Rosetta Stone.

The Connaught Bar

Famed for its martinis (which are mixed table-side at an elegant bar cart), the Art Deco bar at the Connaught hotel exudes British elegance. Get there right when it opens to snag one of the tables at the small bar.

The Palomar

Modern Israeli food is the star at the chic, lively Palomar restaurant, where the shakshukit and kubeneh bread are on nearly every table. The bar seats with views of the kitchen are particularly fun. It's a tiny little spot in Soho, perfect for lunch, dinner, or a pre-theater meal.

The Wolseley

The Wolseley offers one of the finest grand café experiences in London. Steeped in old-world British glamour, the Art Deco brasserie has leather banquettes and oversized chandeliers and is buzzing all day long. Breakfast is the best meal here (think eggs Benedict and impossibly thick pancakes), and the afternoon tea is one of the best in the city. 

Victoria and Albert Museum

The V&A has an incredibly vast (in fact, the world's largest) collection of art and decorative pieces that fill over 100 galleries. The building itself is beautiful and the museum always hosts big-ticket exhibitions—look at the schedule in advance and reserve tickets as many sell out.

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