Buckingham Palace is the residence of the monarch and a symbol of the British monarchy. If the flag is up, it means that the queen is inside. You can watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside the palace which happens at 11 am on alternative days. Make sure to arrive early to get a good view.
Notting Hill is a picturesque, colorful neighborhood with quaint houses and charming cafes. If you're a fan of the movie of the same name, you'll love wandering around this area. make sure to visit Portobello Market where you will find excellent street food, vintage clothes, arts and craft stalls.
The British Museum has an unparalleled collection of artifacts from around the world, including the Rosetta Stone, ancient Greek sculptures and Egyptian mummies. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
The London Eye is a must-do for any London tourist. From the top of its giant ferris wheel, you'll enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the city. The ride takes around 30 minutes, and it's particularly magical at sunset.
Big Ben is one of the most iconic landmarks of the city, and it's particularly impressive when lit up at night. Unfortunately, visitors can't tour the clock tower but the building alone is worth a visit. Use the Westminster tube station to get there.
Tower Bridge is one of the most recognizable bridges in the world, and you can walk across it or visit the Tower Bridge Exhibition which has exhibits on the history of the bridge and interactive displays. You can reach the bridge by using the Tower Hill tube station.
London has an efficient public transportation system, featuring a network of buses and underground trains. Use the Oyster card to pay for your ride, or consider getting a travelcard for unlimited travel within a specified zone. In our itinerary, we provide the estimated time by tube to get to each location, so plan accordingly.
If you have more time, consider visiting other free museums like the National Gallery or Tate Modern. You can also explore more neighborhoods like Shoreditch, Camden, or Covent Garden. If time is a constraint, cut out a location or two, the itinerary has all the principal points.
London has several airports, but the main International airport is Heathrow Airport (LHR), located 14 miles from the city center. The airport features several transportation options including taxis, trains, and buses. The Heathrow Express is an express train service that runs from Paddington Station to Heathrow Airport and vice versa, taking just 15 minutes. Other airports include Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), Luton (LTN), and City (LCY).