London Travel Itineraries
London, the largest city in the United Kingdom, is situated on the banks of the River Thames and attracts millions of tourists every year. It is no coincidence that London became the most visited city in the world in 2012, after the number of tourists visiting the city that year reached 16.9 million!
The variety and number of attractions in London is very large, so every visitor to the city can find the attraction closest to their heart. London has it all - art, street culture, music, museums, galleries, sports, restaurants, musicals, theaters, history, heritage sites, churches, squares, parks, luxury shops, markets, and the list goes on.
It is recommended to dedicate at least 4-5 days to London. If you have come to the city for such a period, here are some sites and itineraries that visiting is a must. In the additional article you can read about Guided Tours in London including visits to other neighborhoods, which are recommended to visit (within the given time of your trip).
Below are recommended hotels in London:
Cheval Three Quays at The Tower of London
A 5-star apartment hotel located near the Tower of London, overlooking the River Thames. The hotel offers modern and well-equipped apartments
Knightsbridge Hotel
A luxurious 5-star hotel on a quiet street yet in a central location near Hyde Park and London's upscale shopping streets.
Apex City Of London Hotel
A modern 4-star hotel near Tower Bridge with rooms suitable for 2-4 people, including family rooms.
Premier Inn London St.Pancras
A large 266-room 3-star hotel in a convenient location, close to Kings Cross railway station, belonging to the Premier Inn chain. The hotel also offers family rooms for four people.
Park Lane Apartments/Shaw House
A luxurious apartment hotel in the heart of Mayfair, located near Hyde Park and Oxford Street. The hotel has 10 apartments in a variety of sizes starting from one bedroom and living room up to four bedrooms designed for up to 9 people. The luxurious apartments include a modern, fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, dishwasher, and washing machine.
Search for a hotel on Booking on the London map:
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Recommended Guided Tours, Tickets and Transfers in London from Viator:
Transfers:
Itinerary for Day No. 1
On the first day, the recommended point to start the trip is the famous Oxford Street, Oxford St. The street, which is 2.5 km long, is London's main shopping street and therefore a must-visit site for shopping enthusiasts - but not only. On this street you will find all the fashion chains you can think of, as well as many souvenir shops and department stores. However, walking down the street impresses not only shopping enthusiasts, as the buildings along the street are impressive and special, the atmosphere is vibrant, and there is plenty to see and do. On the street perpendicular to Oxford, Regent St, there are other impressive stores, foremost among them the large and impressive Apple store and of course, the Hamleys toy store. The store, established in 1760, is a true paradise for everyone - young and old alike - who will love getting lost in 7 floors of dolls, puzzles, Lego, computer games, board games, costumes, and much more.
After visiting the shopping streets, it is recommended to continue along Regent Street to Piccadilly Circus. The circus is famous mainly because of the many neon and advertising signs hanging on the buildings around it. In the center of the circus you cannot miss the memorial fountain and statue of the "Angel of Christian Charity". Near the circus is the Ripley's Believe It or Not museum, which exhibits distortions and oddities, such as deformed living creatures, bizarre records, amusing archaeological findings, and much more. The museum in London is the most famous and largest among dozens of the chain's museums (admission is paid). It is also worth visiting the large and colorful souvenir shop, Cool Britannia. The store is impressive and special, and you can find many souvenirs characteristic of London, in its uniqueness and color.
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At a distance of a 5-minute walk from Piccadilly Circus is another famous and colorful store, none other than the M&M's World candy store near Leicester Square. Walking between the colorful floors, dozens of candies, special souvenirs, and even the colorful "laboratory" where you can concoct your desired flavor yourself will leave a sweet taste on your lips, and that is even before you taste...
From Leicester Square, a street also leads to Chinatown. You will recognize the area by the colorful lights, many Chinese restaurants, and special atmosphere.
It is recommended to tour the street and from there reach the shopping and entertainment square, Covent Garden. In the area you will find many fashion shops, restaurants, bakeries, street artists, and more. From the market area, it is recommended to continue towards Trafalgar Square. The walk takes about 20 minutes, but alternatively you can take the Tube (underground) to Charing Cross station. Trafalgar Square is London's central square, marking Britain's victory over France at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The square's famous symbol is of course Nelson's Column, standing in the center of the square. On the column you will notice the statue of Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson, commander of the British fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar, surrounded by four bronze lions.
For art lovers, it is also recommended to visit the National Gallery, located near the square. In the gallery you will find collections of over two thousand works, ranging from the Renaissance period to the 20th century. Admission is free.
If you arrived at the square area in the evening, it is recommended to continue towards the London Eye, also known as the "Millennium Wheel". This is a giant wheel 135 meters high and is one of the main tourist attractions in the city. The wheel is located on the south bank of the River Thames. In the evening it is very impressive to see the colorful wheel and also ride it only during the day or early sunset, but if you want to ride it on this day you can do so for a fee until 21:30.
After viewing the London Eye, you can also continue for a view of Elizabeth Tower, famous mainly for the large bell at its top, none other than Big Ben, Big Ben.
Day Trip Itinerary No. 2
It is recommended to dedicate the second day of your trip to London to the continuation of London's tourist and famous attractions. On this day, it is recommended to get acquainted with the city's unique sites, such as Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament.
This day actually starts at the end point of the previous day. The previous evening allowed you to view Big Ben at night when it is lit, and now you will visit the area during the day and can - like thousands of other tourists - continue to enjoy the special place. However, viewing from the top of the tower is a privilege reserved for British residents only. Big Ben is located at the top of the British Parliament building, a very impressive building - both in terms of size and special design. The Parliament building has over 1000 rooms and halls, which you can visit on a paid guided tour.
Opposite the Parliament building is the impressive Westminster Abbey. This is an ancient and beautiful Gothic church from the 11th century where English monarchs are crowned and married. The last famous wedding took place in April 2011, when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, married. Additionally, many kings are buried in the church, as well as leaders, writers, and scientists, such as Isaac Newton and Charles Dickens. Admission to the church is paid.
After visiting the church, it is recommended to continue on Parliament St for about a 10-minute walk to 10 Downing Street, the official residence and office address of the Prime Minister of Britain. Do not expect too much - chances are the only thing you will see will be throngs of tourists and guards. From there, it is recommended to continue to Horse Guards Parade (a 10-minute walk). The parade ground was built in 1753. The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place every hour on the hour between 10:00-16:00. It is recommended to go; this is a ceremony similar to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace but much less crowded and mass-attended.
After the visit, continue on Whitehall Street and after about a quarter of an hour's walk you will reach Trafalgar Square, which we elaborated on earlier. It is recommended to tour the area and arrive via Pall Mall street to St James's Palace. The palace was built in 1536 and was the residence of the Kings and Queens of England for over 300 years. Today, the palace still serves as the residence of several members of the royal family. The palace is not open to the public.
From there, it is recommended to continue, via The Mall, towards Buckingham Palace. On the way you will pass Clarence House, which is the residence of Prince Charles, Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince Harry. Buckingham Palace is of course much more impressive and large. The palace has been used by the royal family since 1837. There are about 600 rooms in the palace, but you can only visit 18 of them, and even then for a fee, in the summer months only and by advance booking. If you want to peek from the outside, it is recommended to arrive at the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which is London's famous attraction. Before arriving in London, it is recommended to check the palace website regarding the exact ceremony times. Also, it is recommended to arrive about half an hour before the ceremony in order to grab good spots.
After visiting the palace and watching the Changing of the Guard ceremony, it is recommended to visit St. James's Park. The park is very pastoral, pleasant for a walk and picnic. The place has many gardens where many ducks, squirrels, and birds live.
Walking in the park is a recommended way to reach another attraction, namely the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms, Churchill War Room. Highly recommended for history buffs but not only. The museum is built in a military bunker that was used by the British government and Prime Minister Churchill during World War II. The museum tells the story of Britain during the war in a fascinating, contemporary, and interactive way, with the museum rooms allowing visitors to learn about the lifestyle of the people who worked there at the time, with a concrete threat hanging over their heads. The bedrooms, restaurants, Prime Minister's rooms, map rooms, secretarial rooms, and secret rooms allow visitors to learn another aspect of the war that paralyzed all of Europe. In 2003 the museum was expanded and later another wing was built, which is the Churchill Museum. In the museum you can learn more about the life of this fascinating man; starting from his childhood, through his marriage, the beginning of his public work, his activity during the war, and ending with his last days. Fascinating and recommended. Admission is paid (discount for students and seniors) and includes audio guides also available in Hebrew. Dedicate about two hours to the museum and war rooms.
After visiting the museum, it is recommended to travel to Waterloo Tube station and from there reach Westminster Bridge and the London Eye. The bridge opened in 1862 and is currently the oldest bridge crossing the River Thames.
After visiting the bridge and the giant wheel attraction, art lovers can continue to visit other famous sites in London, including the must-visit Tate Modern site. The museum is located inside an industrial building and contains many art pieces. Visiting is recommended, and so do millions of people visiting the museum every year. A short walk of about 5 minutes will also bring you to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. The theatre opened in 1997 and visiting it is recommended for theater enthusiasts.
After visiting the theatre, it is recommended to take the Tube to London Bridge station and visit the impressive bridge. In the area you will find several other buildings worth visiting such as Borough Market. This is a colorful market where you will find fruits, vegetables, cheeses, sausages, pastries, jams, alcohol, and more. Recommended for market lovers.
In less than a 10-minute walk you will find the new Shard tower, the tallest building in Britain and Western Europe. The tower, soaring to a height of 310 meters, offers a breathtaking view of the city and within a 64 km radius. The tower has 72 floors containing offices, workspaces, restaurants, luxury apartments, a hotel, a swimming pool, and of course an observation deck located on floors 68-72. The tower is magnificent but not everyone is thrilled; the construction of the tower was accompanied by a lot of criticism. Some wondered how useful the tower - with all its luxurious apartments - is in days of economic crisis and recession, following which many can no longer afford such a standard. Additionally, some argued that the tower would lead to waste in terms of resources and energy use. Either way, visitors can enjoy an unparalleled view (admission is paid).
Another special tall new building is located opposite the Shard building across the river (about a 15-minute walk) called Sky Garden, which is 160 meters high and at its top on floors 36-38 has gardens and an excellent view of the city open free to the public, although booking in advance or standing in line on a first-come, first-served basis is required.
Another attraction located near London Bridge is Tower Bridge. Construction of the bridge began in 1886 and lasted 8 years. The bridge is 244 meters long, about 8.6 meters high above the water, and 61 meters wide. It is recommended to check the website regarding the bridge's opening and closing times and time the visit as much as possible.
Between London Bridge and Tower Bridge along the south bank of the river, it is recommended to walk along the beautiful promenade called The Queens Walk, from which a lovely view of the bridges, the river, and its surroundings as well as the HMS Belfast World War II warship turned museum and the curved City Hall building is visible.
Itinerary for Day Trip No. 3
It is recommended to dedicate the third day of the trip to a tour of Notting Hill. This is a colorful and fashionable neighborhood located in the northwest corner of the green Kensington Gardens. The main attraction in the neighborhood is Portobello Road Market, offering antiques, clothing, bags, jewelry, makeup and cosmetic products, souvenirs and other fashion items alongside vegetables, fruits, pastries, and other foods. The market is open every day of the week, but it is highly recommended to visit on Saturdays, when the streets are more vibrant and the selection of stalls is larger.
Advertising and marketing enthusiasts will be happy to discover a real gem just a 5-minute walk from the market. The Museum of Brands and Advertising opened in London in 2005 and today you can find over 12,000 branded and promotional items from the 19th century to the present day. The exhibitions are very colorful and it is fascinating to find original packaging of cosmetic items from 1890, board games from the 1930s, consumer goods from the 1970s, and much more. Recommended and interesting. Admission is paid, with discounts for children, students, and seniors.
After touring the neighborhood, it is recommended to take the Tube to Knightsbridge station and from there continue with a short 5-minute walk towards the luxury department store Harrods. This is a huge, very famous, and also very luxurious department store. The store's area - across its five floors - exceeds 20,000 square meters where you will find cosmetics, clothes, jewelry, bags, books alongside (especially expensive) accessories for pets, an entire floor dedicated to Christmas decorations, a food floor, and more. It is recommended to visit and feast your eyes on the luxury items and exorbitant prices...
After visiting the luxury department store, it is recommended to continue towards Hyde Park. The impressive park, which is one of the royal gardens in London, covers an area of 2.5 square km. The gardens are very impressive and it is very pleasant to stroll in them calmly and enjoy the air and tranquility. If you arrive on a Sunday, it is recommended to visit Speakers' Corner, located in the northeast corner of the park. True to tradition, every Sunday many people gather in this corner, speak to the general public, and hold heated discussions. It is also worth visiting the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. The monument - which opened in July 2004 - is located in the southwest corner of the park. The shape of the fountain is oval and it is actually a fountain composed of 545 pieces of granite stone. The shape of the monument symbolizes Diana's life, her sociable personality, and her warm attitude towards the people of Britain.
In addition to the sites we elaborated on in this article, in London it is highly recommended (!) to watch musicals. These are very impressive and heavily invested productions, famous worldwide. Sometimes, the visit to the theatre is an experience in itself. These are large, well-designed buildings and you cannot remain indifferent to them. The selection of shows is very large, but the most famous and successful ones are "The Lion King", "Les Misérables", "The Phantom of the Opera", and more.
Another relatively new attraction is the Emirates Air Line cable car, which opened in June 2012 for the Olympic Games in the city.
The cable car departs on one side near the North Greenwich Tube station and on the other side arrives near the DLR Royal Victoria station. Recommended and special, it gives a different angle of view of the city - observing the River Thames, ancient buildings, and touristy streets from above. The ride is paid.
Near the cable car station is a large entertainment and shopping complex under a white dome called The O2. Various shows take place at the venue, and there are many different family attractions from guided roof climbing over the stadium, through a selfie museum, "TikTok" city, trampoline park, IMAX, bowling, and more, and of course a large shopping center.
