The capital and largest city of England is one of the most visited cities in the world, located in the southeastern part of the country on the River Thames.
Founded by the Romans 2,000 years ago, it’s a vibrant, multicultural, and multinational megalopolis, bursting with traditions and Royal heritage. Enjoy fabulous architecture, great arts and theatre, interesting attractions, large green parks, wonderful cousin, and multitude outdoor markets and shopping opportunities.
There is a lot to see and do in London, with great attractions for everyone and for any preferences. From the Iconic Big Ben and the London Eye, to Royal and historical sites including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the London Tower, Cultural institutions and museums such as the British Museum and the V&A Museum, and Artistic venues such as the Tate Modern Gallery and the National Gallery.
Enjoy walking the streets of the city, the vibrant and fascinating neighborhoods of Soho, Notting Hill, and the West End, while exploring the many outdoor markets such as the Borough food Market, Portobello Antique Market, and the Columbia Flower Market.
London is also a great place for families and kids, with quite a few great attractions such as the London Dungeon the unique thrilling attraction, Warner Bros Studios, the making of Harry Potter, DreamWorks Shrek’s Adventure, Sea Life Aquarium, the London Zoo, and the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
And if you want to have some tranquil and relaxing moments away from the bustling city, enjoy one of many green parks, such as Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, Set in the heart of London, Kew Gardens, the 18th century botanic garden in southwest London, and St James’s Park, in the City of Westminster, to name just a few.
In the evenings enjoy a wonderful Musical or a theatre show in the west end, dinner in some of the world’s best restaurants, pubs, bars, and clubs, all available in the city’s diverse neighborhoods.
London is also a shopper’s heaven, with endless shopping opportunities. From street food stalls to the exclusive international mega brands flag stores, it is all here. From the weekend outdoor markets and the small shops in Camden, through the famous Oxford Street, to the high-end Mayfair, Chelsea and Bond Street.
St. Paul's Cathedral
Covent Garden
Buckingham Palace
Traveling in London is easy and simple, with a network of buses, cabs, trains and tubes (underground train). You can take a tour through the major attractions using the famous double decker Hop on Hop off bus, a walking tour, a special “Jack the Ripper” night tour, a river cruise using the Thames clipper river bus, or the Boat Tour on the Regents Canal in the northern part of London.
London’s temperatures are usually comfortable, with rain showers throughout most of the year. Traveling in the city is highly popular between April and September, and around Christmas.
Thetjoy.com recommends for a first visit a visit plan of at least 3-5 days in London, taking into consideration that there are great opportunities for 1 day tours and 2-3 days tours out of the city to attractions and destinations in London’s surroundings including;
- West of London visit Colne Valley Regional Park, Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle and Legoland.
- Further away, travel through beautiful Oxford, Blenheim Palace, Highclere Castle, Warwick Castle, and Stratford-upon-Avon.
- Enjoy the small villages of the Cotswolds, the Roman monuments of Bath, and the mystical Stonehenge.
- Southeast of London visit Kent, the Leeds Castle, Canterbury, and Dover
- To the northeast visit the beautiful university town of Cambridge north of London, and more.
- If time allows you might consider to head north, flying or by train, to York, the Lake District, and Scotland.
