London was my first stop on my 5-month long journey in Europe. I spend about a week here to get accustomed to the time change and take my time exploring. In this travel guide to London, I’ll share what it’s like for first-timers, must-sees, things to do, where to eat, and other tips.
What is London like?
London is a very walkable and historic city. The city, for the majority, is contactless meaning you pay with your phone or card everywhere by tapping it. Locals aren’t as warm or friendly but it’s comforting to hear English all around you. London is also a bit on the expensive side if you’re trying to travel on a budget. It’s still definitely worth a visit on your way to other European countries.
Things to see and do in London:
1. Explore the markets
London has a lot of markets that are partially indoors and outdoors. They all vary but for the most part, they all have international food vendors. The markets were by far our favorite places to get food in London and we enjoyed exploring the local farmers and clothing stands as well.
Borough Market is a must-visit – it’s huge and has the best fish and chips stand. Spitalfields Market is another one we loved. And yes — lots of gluten-free, dairy-free, etc. options!
2. Explore the Soho area
The Soho area of London was our favorite. Although very busy, it’s a trendy area with cute cafes, bars, pubs, theatres, and lots of shopping. It felt more upbeat and there was tons to do there. You can easily take the tube to this area and walk everywhere. Also, make sure you check out Chinatown which borders the Soho area.
3. Visit Sky Garden
Sky Garden is a skyscraper rooftop garden with 360 views of the city skyline. There are plenty of bars and restaurants to hang out at and even an open-air terrace. You have to make reservations well in advance as it sells out fairly quickly. I would at least book it a week in advance of your time in London.
4. See the main attractions in the West End
In the West End, you’ll find the main tourist attractions such as Big Ben, London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, and of course the best picture opportunities with a red phone booth. You can also walk to Buckingham Palace.
5. Walk across Tower Bridge and London Bridge
The Tower Bridge spans across the Thames River connecting two different districts. You can walk across it and get cute pictures. You can also climb the tower if you’d like. About a half mile away is London Bridge, which you can explore too.
6. Platform 9 ¾
For Harry Potter fans, going to see Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station is fun. You’ll have to wait in line to get a picture, but they give you a wand and a scarf. They take a photo of you but everyone in line was offering to take photos of each other with phones so it’s free unless you want to buy the professional version.
Simply take the tube to King Cross Station and walk to platform 8 (it’s an open platform so it doesn’t require a ticket) then follow that to the end and turn left towards platform 9, from there you should spot it. It’s not set up how it is in the movies, but an owl cage and cart are going into the wall.
Where to stay in London
We stayed on Liverpool Street right across from the Leadenhall market. This was a business district that was more affordable than others but still close enough to walk to most landmarks and attractions. The central location allowed easy access to Tower Bridge, Spitalfields Market, and the Tower of London.
If you aren’t on a budget, I would choose to stay in the Soho area for its lively atmosphere. You can easily walk to most major attractions from here as well. This is also the place with the best nightlife if you’re into that.
Places worth eating at in London
I’ll caveat by saying I ate at more places than I have listed here, but most were underwhelming experiences with bland food. The ones I have listed here were the exceptions – ones worth going to with dietary restriction-friendly options and/or organic local food.
Borough Market & Spitalfields Market
Like I mentioned, the best food all around was found at the markets in London. You can easily find gluten-free, dairy-free, or other food that will accommodate to most dietary needs. A place you MUST go at the Borough Market is Fish! — they have gluten-free fish and chips that were 10/10. You may have to wait in a long line but it’s 100% worth it and one of the only British meals we loved. There’s even gluten-free bakeries at the markets – we liked Free From.
Nando’s
If this is your first time in the UK you have to go to Nando’s. Not ashamed to say we ate here more than a few times – it’s tasty and affordable. It’s South African cuisine centered around piri piri chicken. I opted for rice bowls with grilled chicken and chips with piri piri seasoning.
Farm girl
A super cute, yet organic spot is Farm Girl in Soho. They focus on farm fresh, sustainable food with lots of options for just about any dietary restriction. They have great gluten-free bread and a trendy aesthetic. Go here for a quick and healthy lunch.
Honest Burger
Honest Burger made my list because it was actually pretty good and it’s made from great ingredients. They work directly with farmers and serve regenerative British beef and free-range chicken (in Europe this is their “pasture-raised”). You’ll find multiples location all over London and they have gluten-free buns.
Any Indian restaurant
London’s Indian food scene is pretty good. So if you’re not into British cuisine, finding a hole in the wall Indian restaurant will provide a tasty meal that’s easy for gluten-free and dairy-free.
The Breakfast Club
Worth the long wait you’ll likely run into – The Breakfast Club. There have a few locations across London. It’s so good we ate here twice. They had gluten-free pancakes and toast and a super tasty green juice and chai tea.
How to get around London
The best way to get around London is to walk or take the tube. If you take the tube, you can pay via your phone (Apple Pay) by scanning your phone to walk through the gates. However, if you can walk to your destination you’ll be able to sightsee more! London is extremely walkable but just be aware that you look to your right when crossing any street there, as they drive on the left-hand side of the road.
How many days in London are enough?
I think four days are plenty to see the main attractions in London. This allows ample time to explore the city’s landmarks, museums, and neighborhoods. We actually split our time in England with a few days in Manchester, which is just a couple of hours away via train.
If you enjoyed this simple travel guide, make sure to check out other ones for Munich, Stockholm, and Prague.
