Anyone can pull together a guide to London that features all the expected heavy hitters—Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the V&A, the Harry Potter platform at Kings Cross. You don’t need to set foot in the city or even be a sentient being to know these are must-sees. But we’re focused on getting the lowdown from locals who live and breathe that Big Smoke: the people who out-of-towners will DM for tips. “I give my international friends tried and tested recommendations that are up to date,” says lifelong Londoner Amie Kabia. “Stuff guide books can’t keep up with.”

These locals know where to go for quintessentially British treats away from the chaos, how to snag bargain theater tickets for a show that’s actually worth seeing, and of course, introduce you to a nightlife scene packed with dashing accents. Because who doesn’t dream of being the American protagonist in a mid-to-low-budget Amazon Prime movie starring Nicholas Galitzine?

“I love London because even when you’ve spent your whole life here, there’s discovery at every turn,” shared Jessie Ware, the global pop star and Table Manners podcast host based in London. “It’s dynamic, it’s electric, and there’s certainly no getting bored. Some of the most exciting chefs are here, and there’s a neighborhood to explore for every kind of traveler.”

Of course, not all of us are lucky enough to have a British BFF in our lives. London is the largest city in Western Europe. It ignites every sense, so much so you might get a li’l dizzy in hot zones. So, where do you start? What to prioritize? What’s a tourist trap? And where can you eat fish and chips sitting down? Fear not—you may treat this guide as your trusted London companion. With help from locals in the know curated by a native Londoner, we’ll guide you through town, checking off only the best attractions alongside funky new scenes worth your consideration. By the time you’re done scrolling, you’ll be more than ready for your next London getaway.

See: The iconic historical artifacts at The Kings Gallery. A lavish royal collection of centuries-old master paintings, rare furniture, decorative arts, and photography. Ask a warden to stamp your ticket and it becomes a one-year pass so you can return to see new exhibits for free.

Touch: A dance partner at The Little Violet Door. Join a house party and get intimate with a sexy stranger; this two-story “flat” throws kitchen disco parties that spill out onto the terrace, and has the perfect bathroom for envy-inducing selfies.

Smell: The many blooms at Columbia Road Flower Market. Every Sunday from 8 am to 3 pm, this street in the hipster East End is lined with market traders selling fresh and dried flowers, succulents, cacti, herbs, and more. Arrive early (before 11 am) to beat the late risers to the best blooms.

Hear: Six the Musical with your own ears. Catch the modern retelling of Henry VIII and his six wives on its home turf. The show is done in the style of a pop concert at the legendary Vaudeville Theatre–who knew British history could be so catchy?

Taste: Afternoon tea at Café Royal. Since 1865, this cherished venue has hosted the likes of Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill, Muhammad Ali, and Princess Diana. You’ll see just why when you dine on tiered treats–finger sandwiches, warm scones, delicate cakes–all within their gilded golden salon.

London has the largest Chinatown in Europe, and over the last decade interest in ESEA (East and Southeast Asian) culture has surged throughout the city. Though the core of the culture can be found on Gerrard Street and 11 street surrounds, pockets of ESEA businesses thrive in Dalston, Acton, and Bayswater too. Tourists looking to spend a day immersing themselves in this colorful subculture are in for a treat. For starters, the food is outrageously good. All the classics are served up with true authenticity or spun with innovation to cater to modern palettes (and camera rolls!). Speakeasies and swanky hot spots round out a robust Asian dining scene. And when you’re full to the brim? Get those steps in, whether that be shopping for specialty Far East items or following K-Pop street dance troops as they record the latest NewJeans number.

9 am – Sip a matcha latte at Tsujiri.
Start your day with a delicate brew and watch the morning unfold under the lantern-strewn Newport Court.

10:30 am – Take a dumpling class at School of Wok.
A resident chef will guide you through making dim sum from scratch, including siu mai and pork wontons. At the end you’ll feast on your brilliant creations, lucky you.

2 pm – Savor a late lunch at Singapulah.
This newly opened restaurant brings delicious Singaporean hawker center food and all its vibrancy to the West End. “Come right after the lunchtime rush,” Kyra Hancox, a Chinatown social media assistant, says. “I usually get a laksa and a coconut shake, but everything’s delicious.”

3 pm – Scratch your shopping itch at Japan Centre.
Pick up treats and gifts at the flagship Japan Centre by Leicester Square. This two-story shop features a hot deli, a bakery, and a sushi and sake corner. For all things ‘K,’ try Oseyo in Soho. K-Pop dance troops perform nearby at Piccadilly Circus or King Street during rush hour.

8 pm – Bask in your dinner at Bao.
The Soho O.G’s fluffy white buns have had Londoners in a spin since 2015. It’s a squeeze to get in, but thankfully the restaurant has expanded with five more locations, so everyone can get their fill.

The Beatles, Queen, Elton John, Spice Girls, Oasis, One Direction, Adele. The UK has birthed some of the most influential musicians in modern history. Many of them have left their mark and turned ordinary corners into major pop culture attractions. Tourists flock to spots like Abbey Road to walk in the Fab Four’s album cover footsteps, or St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London for major girlband vibes (their staircase is where Posh, Scary, Ginger, Sporty, and Baby filmed the music video for Wannabe). The city offers world-famous venues like the Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Stadium, which both still host concerts today–or backstage tours if that tickles your pickle. Then you’ve got Ronnie Scott’s for jazz, 100 Club for punk, and Cadogan Hall for classical music, and the list goes on, so there’s ample opportunity to see a star IRL, not just their Madame Tussaud’s waxwork.

10 am – Climb over The O2 Arena.
Scale the mighty O2 arena, a venue that’s played host to the biggest shows of the last two decades. When you reach the top, you’ll be able to see the Olympic Park, Greenwich, and Canary Wharf. Street eats beside the dome provide a satisfying post-workout reward.

1 pm – See pop legends reunite at ABBA Voyage.
“ABBA Voyage is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The virtual concert residency feels so real it’s like transporting to 1979,” says Adam Klein, a London-based music manager and DJ. The Swedish fab four have been wowing crowds as avatars five days a week since 2022, and somehow still continue to sell out shows. Book ahead to see “Dancing Queen” performed in full digital glory.

4 pm – Explore Amy Winehouse’s beloved Camden.
The neighborhood of Camden was synonymous with the iconic late soulstress Amy Winehouse, and a life-sized bronze statue of her is immortalized in Stables Market. Get the look in Camden Market, and see what’s on at the Jazz Cafe.

5 pm – Kick back with cocktails at Lock Inn Camden.
Happy hour starts at 5 p.m. Make new pals over bargain bites and drinks, fueling dance to vinyl DJ sounds. The upstairs terrace is packed on clear sky days, and things get extra merry when darkness falls.

8 pm – Grab tickets to a gig.
On any given night, there’s dozens of gigs to choose from, as everyone from up-and-comers to icons rolls through London. Locals’ favorite venues include Shepherd’s Bush Empire and Wilton’s Music Hall. In warm months, the festival scene features the likes of Kylie Minogue and Stray Kids at British Summertime Festival or the names like Jessie Ware and Girls Aloud at queer extravaganza Mighty Hoopla.

With 9.7 million residents and 30 million tourists visiting London each year, saying the city has a busy vibe is a massive understatement. Still, even if you loathe crowds, you can still experience the city’s finest without having to journey out to the countryside. For starters, there are the quaint neighborhoods of Holland Park and Kew to explore, and non-West End museums like the Saatchi Gallery or the Museum of the Home can be pleasantly tranquil on a weekday. How about a rooftop view, high above congested streets? Our favorite spots include Amano (Covent Garden), Kaso (Shoreditch), and Aqua Kyoto (Soho). They’re all in mega-busy areas but stop by before Londoners finish work, and you’ll enjoy city views sans interruption. Alternatively, venture below zero and you’ll find underground spas, particularly in swanky Mayfair and Knightsbridge. When it comes to meals, our hot tip is to look for small venues with just a handful of seats. There, you’ll have every server’s complete attention.

9 am – Go deer spotting in Richmond Park.
Grab a coffee and wander the largest royal park in London (2,500 acres). It is home to herds of wild red and fallow deer, roaming free here since 1637. Some of the English Oak trees they graze beside are over 750 years old, and the autumn colors are dazzling.

12 pm – Chill out on a lunch boat with London Shell Co.
A family brings the freshest catch aboard The Grand Duchess boat, parked in quaint Paddington. Sample traditional fish and chips, so tender like it fell right off the hook, for £19.

2 pm – Hideout in The Lanesborough’s underground spa.
Indulge in a treatment and a dip in the pool in this award-winning Hyde Park Corner sanctuary. The Lanesborough’s spa is so big it’s in an entire wing of its own, separate to the hotel. Other amenities include a sauna and steam room, and a relaxation room stocked with herbal teas and healthy snacks. Bask in that sweet sound of silence—this is an adults-only space.

4:30 pm – Peruse sculptures at Sir John Soane’s Museum.
“The former home of this neo-classical architect is filled with sculptures, paintings, and antiques. And it’s free to enter,” says Kabia. Don’t miss the Picture Room which contains pieces by Turner and Hogarth, and the sarcophagus of the Egyptian pharaoh Seti I, considered the museum’s greatest treasure.

6:30 pm – Treat yourself at Restaurant 1890 by Gordon Ramsay.
British superchef Gordon Ramsay’s recently Michelin-anointed restaurant has just 24 prized seats. Every course is a masterpiece, seasonally driven with emphasis on local produce like the Suffolk Texel Lamb. The fine wines are beautifully curated, including a number of rarities (ask about the “underwater wine” if you want something extra special). Facing the action of The Savoy Theatre, a window seat is ideal for people-watching.

Shangri-La The Shard, London ($$$$)
For the ultimate romantic gesture, treat your boo to a night in the clouds. The Shangri-La occupies 18 floors of the tallest building in Western Europe, and from here you can see St. Paul’s and Tower Bridge from the comfort of a bathtub bubbling with the suds of high-end bath products. It also offers London’s highest hotel infinity pool.

Virgin Hotels London Shoreditch ($$$)
This just-opened property’s all the rage in Shoreditch. Its 120 rooms boast massive floor-to-ceiling windows, industrial-chic flourishes, and plump beds, and the social spaces are always bustling, from live music over breakfast to midnight cocktails on the roof. If you haven’t popped your Virgin cherry, do it now.

Georgian House Hotel ($$)
Georgian House is a townhouse with quintessential Victorian charm, but for Potter fans, there’s something extra spellbinding. Hidden in the basement are special wizard chambers. Think candlelit passageways, stained glass windows, cauldrons, and four-poster beds draped in velvet.

The Hoxton, Shepherd’s Bush ($$)
For West London living without pretension, try Shepherd’s Bush. There’s a swish new Hoxton there offering 237 cozy rooms, a sultry wraparound bar, and a Thai-Americana diner. Ideal for travelers with a gig to catch at Shepherd’s Bush Empire or tickets for a TV show recording at BBC Television Centre nearby.

The Good Hotel ($)
To bag a bargain stay in the low-key Royal Docks area (which also offers excellent transport links), here is your spot. The Good Hotel is, as its namesake suggests, prioritizes giving back to the local community and keeping the environment top of mind in its practices. The vessel itself was once a derelict floating building. Rooms are frill-free, so if you want a TV and all the works, consider Sunborn London Yacht Hotel docked next door.

London uses the pound sterling (£), and as of this writing, $1 USD equates to £0.78 GBP. When paying for services remember that British hospitality wages are higher than in America, so tipping is not required. Meals generally include a service charge of 12.5% or 15%. In stores, tax is already included in the labeled price, so there will not be additional charges at the register.
Many museums offer free entry but do drop a donation in the box at the entrance.

The UK uses plug type G, which has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. Power sockets deliver an average voltage of 230v.

London experiences warm summers and moderate winters, making it a year-round destination without harsh extremes. The best time is late spring and early fall when the temperatures hover between 60 and 70 degrees. June to August are the busiest and when prices spike, but it’s when the city’s also alive with outdoor fun. Christmas is magical. January through March are the least desirable months but they’re kindest to your wallet.

Do:

Don’t:

Brits love to moan about the weather, but it’s actually rather mild. Milan, Sydney, Paris, Oslo, Delhi, Seoul, Miami, Seattle, and all the major cities in Canada get more rainfall than London.

NYC’s average yearly rainfall (49.9 inches) is nearly double what London gets (27.2 inches), and they get hurricanes and blizzards. Cheer up!

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