by Rissa Gatdula-Lumontad
As the capital of England, London is the biggest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom with 7.5 million residents. Its attractions are endless and it’s no wonder that tourism is one of its prime industries. It may be tough to plan an itinerary, especially if you have only a few days in this great city. There’s simply so much to see and so much ground to cover!
While London can be expensive, consider searching around for the best hotels in London and book a room that is centrally located to the sites you’d most like to do.
Here are 10 things we recommend you include in that list:
1. Visit Buckingham Palace
This will give you a sneak peek at the royal lifestyle and monarchy. You can tour a few parts of the palace, including the State Rooms, where the Queen and Royals receive palace guests; the Royal Mews, for an introduction into the work of the staff responsible for all road travel of the Queen and the Royal family; and the Queen’s Gallery, which exhibits some of the greatest paintings in the Royal Collection. You can also see highlights of the garden. Of course, you shouldn’t miss the Changing of the Guard, a ceremony that shows off British pageantry.
2. Go museum hopping
London is home to the world’s best museums, most of which are free to the public. On Exhibition Road in South Kensington, you’ll find the National History Museum where you can explore all kinds of historical and scientific exhibits, including the popular dinosaur skeletons. Nearby are the Science Museum with some of the oldest machines and scientific discoveries in the world, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, which is the largest decorative arts and design museum in the world. The British Museum on Great Russell Street houses one of the largest and most comprehensive collections on human history and culture. Others you may want to visit are the National Gallery, an art museum with exhibits dating back to the 13th century, the Tate Modern, the most visited modern art gallery in the world, and Madame Tussaud’s wax museum.
3. Go for a spin on the London Eye
This giant Ferris wheel, the tallest in Europe, has become a modern-day symbol of London. It offers the highest viewpoint in London and your time will certainly be rewarded with majestic views of this beautiful city.
4. Cruise the Thames River
If you want a way to see the iconic landmarks of London all in one tour, this is it. See Big Ben, the House of Parliament, the Tower of London, the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and Greenwich.
5. Tour the Tower of London
This historic castle, also known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most visited tourist spots in London. It houses the Crown Jewels and the Royal Menagerie. The exhibits in the Tower are impressive, but the structure itself is the best part.
6. Watch an opera or a play, or see how they work
See a West End musical, or experience the grandeur of The Royal Court Theatre. Be transported back in time at Shakespeare’s Globe, a reconstruction of Shakespeare’s open-air playhouse.
7. Visit Olympic Park
See the heart of the 2012 Olympics. Get stunning views over the Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Park and the whole of London from the Orbit, the tallest art structure in Britain.
8. Explore Greenwich
Aside from the world-famous O2 Arena, or the North Greenwich Arena, which hosted the Artistic and Trampoline Gymnastics and the Basketball finals of the 2012 Olympic games, this historic World Heritage Site offers a lot of cultural and historical attractions like the Queen’s House, Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory and the National Maritime Museum. You can get here on one of the boats that depart from the dock outside of the Tower of London and experience a little extra history along the way.
9. Experience luxury shopping at Harrod’s and Liberty
The buildings of these world-famous department stores are tourist attractions in themselves and make a visit well worth it, even if you don’t buy anything!
10. Have your fill of traditional fish & chips
You should never leave London without trying this English favorite. Restaurants offering the dish abound in the city.
And, to complete your British experience, have an authentic British afternoon tea at your hotel. Tea is served in delicate china with finger sandwiches and pastries.
*****
Photo credits:
Buckingham Palace: Leonard Bentley
Shakespeare’s Globe: Christine McIntosh