Buckingham Palace is the historic residence of the British monarch, and serves as the administrative headquarters of the Monarch. Enjoy the Changing of the Guard ceremony before making your way to the British Museum. Celebrating the human experience from the dawn of civilization, the British Museum has a collection of over eight million objects, showcasing the history of human culture from its beginnings to modern-day. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, and the mummies in the Ancient Egypt collection.
The Tower of London is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest. Discover the Crown Jewels, hear stories of imprisonment and execution, and learn about the wild animals that once lived here. Take a break from history with the panoramic views from The Shard, the tallest building in Western Europe. Take a virtual reality slide to give you the ultimate ride through the world's most famous skyline.
Take a moment to explore the famous Westminster Abbey where famous Britons have been buried for over a thousand years; from statesmen and politicians, to scientists, musicians, and poets. After, make your way to Tate Modern, a converted power station and the national museum of modern and contemporary art. The collection holds masterpieces of international and British modern art, including works of artists such as Matisse, Damien Hirst, and Andy Warhol.
You can easily get around London by the world-famous London Underground (Tube) system. Download the Tube map or pick up one from any station. Single fare Tube tickets start from £2.90, but it is recommended to purchase an Oyster card that can be used across London's public transport. A one-day unlimited travelcard is £13.50 or £7 for Oyster; a seven-day is £43.50 or £35.10 on Oyster.
If you have extra time, consider visiting the iconic red phone booths located all over the city or indulge in some shopping at Oxford Street. If you have less time, consider skipping The Shard or Westminster Abbey. Alternatively, you may consider visiting the famous Madame Tussauds’ Wax Museum or taking a Thames River cruise.
London has six major airports, but Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW) are the two busiest. Heathrow is located approximately 14 miles west of central London, while Gatwick is approximately 28 miles south of central London. Both airports have public transportation links and taxi services. Heathrow is served by both the Tube system and the Heathrow Express while Gatwick has the Gatwick Express.