The British capital is one of the most exciting and interesting places to visit in the world, and while many cities may have beautiful architecture, wonderful art or a great music scene, London is a city that throws in a little bit of everything. Millions of people visit the city every year, and whether you want to get caught up in the thrilling atmosphere of live sport or music concerts, or want to photograph and visit some of the iconic landmarks, there is certainly plenty to do here. The key to enjoying a good visit to London is to make sure you plan out what you intend to do, and give yourself time to enjoy all of the activities and attractions.
The City's Most Famous Attractions
There are a wealth of places to visit in London, and if you are someone who wants to see the main sights, then joining one of the bus tours or a walking tour will allow you to pick off quite a few of the sights. Among the most famous are Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye, which offers a fabulous view out over the Thames if you can afford the trip up in one of the gondolas. Those with a passion for historic architecture can enjoy St Paul's Cathedral and the beautiful dome which was the peak of the achievements of architect Christopher Wren, while Tower Bridge is also a monument worth visiting.
Museums In The City
One area that is often overlooked by visitors to London is the wonderful array of museums and galleries that the city has to offer, with the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum being particularly good if you are traveling with children. Greenwich is a fantastic area of the city for this type of attraction, with The Cutty Sark being a historic tea clipper preserved on the Thames, while the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory both offer a wonderful insight into the maritime and scientific history of the city. If art is your interest, then the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery in Charing Cross are well worth a visit, while the Tate Modern has a superb collection of modern art.
London's Vibrant Night Life
The night life in London is another attraction of the city that some people will miss, but there are some districts of the city that really come alive at night, with the alternative scene in Camden definitely being among those. The West End has some of the most popular theater and musical productions, while there are also some big clubs in Leicester Square, including Sound and Tiger Tiger, while Fabric is one of the super-clubs with a series of big name DJs regularly playing there. The pub is also a key part of London life, so make sure you try a pint of locally brewed ale before you go.
Where To Stay In London
There are plenty of different places around the city where you can stay, with the top end hotels such as the Ritz and the Savoy offering the most luxurious level of accommodation with a price tag to match. One popular option is the boutique Nadler Hotel in the Kensington area. For budget options, the Pimlico district has several B&Bs just a short distance from Westminster, while the Paddington area also tends to have some affordable options.
Getting Around The City
When it comes to exploring London, there is no doubt that public transport is the way to go, with a full day's travel available for roughly the cost of a ten minute taxi journey. A travelcard will allow you to travel within a certain range of the city for a fixed price, using all of the tube and bus network. The night tube will also be supplementing the night bus network later in 2016, to provide an even better 24-hour transport network.