London City Break: Top Tips For First Time Visitors
I can easily say that London is one of my favourite places in the world. I’ve read so much about it in books that when I finally got to London for the first time, it felt very familiar. For me, it felt like home before I even got there. Having been back several times, I still find new things to explore. That’s why I think a London city break should be on everyone’s travel list.
London is a perfect destination for architecture and history enthusiasts and an excellent place for foodies and outdoor lovers. With hundreds of historical sites, world-class museums and galleries, beautiful royal parks, endless food options and fantastic shopping, it can be challenging to pack it all in. But don’t worry. If you’re planning to explore London for the first time, you can use this post as your planning guide.
Why London is a great city break
London is one of the best city break destinations in the world for cultural travellers. Whether you have a weekend or a few days, you’ll find plenty to explore. As a popular destination, London offers a mix of history, culture, shopping and entertainment, all within a short distance of each other.
Here, you can live out your best London fantasy whether you’re into the royals, Harry Potter, Bridgerton or James Bond. A London city break is also the perfect getaway for theatre lovers. Make sure to catch a performance in the West End or hit up one of London’s museums for special exhibitions and events.
Tips for planning a London city break for first timers
When planning your London city break, keep in mind that it’s a big city and one of the most popular destinations in Europe. Try to avoid going during public holidays and school breaks if you want to avoid larger crowds and higher prices. Set realistic expectations, as you won’t be able to see everything on your first trip to London, especially in a couple of days. You’ll want to enjoy your trip and savour the experience.
What to pack for your London city break
When planning your first trip to London, consider the time of the year and what you’ll do there. You’ll want to ensure you’re comfortable and leave enough space in your luggage for any souvenirs you might want to bring back home. Here are some essentials you shouldn’t forget to pack:
- Comfortable walking shoes: London is a great city to explore on foot, so pack comfortable shoes you can wear for hours.
- An umbrella or raincoat: Although I’ve had many sunny trips to London, it is known for wet weather, so pack something to keep you dry in a sudden downpour. Waterproof clothes and shoes are great options.
- Layers: Even during the summer, London can have chilly evenings, so you might want to pack layers you can easily add or remove depending on the temperature.
- A power adapter: The UK uses Type G plugs, which are different from other countries, so pack a power adapter for your electronics.
- Money: Make sure to carry some cash you can grab from an ATM or change before you come. While most places in London accept credit cards or contactless payments, having some cash on you is always useful.
- SIM card: Avoid expensive roaming charges by getting a local SIM card or a pocket Wi-Fi.
How to get around London
The best way to experience the city is by exploring on foot, but to get around, it’s easier to use public transit. Like many larger cities, London has an excellent transportation infrastructure, which makes it easy and convenient to get around. The London Underground (also known as the Tube) is the oldest rapid transit system. It opened on 10th January 1863, and it’s still going strong.
Pro travel tip: In London, cars drive on the right, so make sure you look right before you cross the street.
You can get an Oyster card, a pay-as-you-go smart card that you can use on buses, trams, the subway and other transportation services. You can get one once you get to London, or order one before your trip and have it delivered. I got an Oyster card on my first trip, but since you can use your credit card to pay for your fare, I opted to use that once my card ran out of money.
One of the best and fastest ways to get the lay of the land is to do one of those hop-on/hop-off bus tours and learn more about the places on the route. It’s a great way to see the major points and decide which spots you want to go back to explore. This option is also a great alternative to public transit, especially if you get a multiple-day pass, and often combines a river cruise as part of the package.
Pro travel tip: Plan your route ahead of time. The London metro system is huge, and sometimes it takes a while to change trains, especially during the morning or afternoon rush. Book your hotel in advance!
For a fully immersive experience, take at least one ride in the famous London cab and try one of the classic double-decker buses. They are a lot more spacious than the standard cabs I’ve ever been in. Don’t expect the driver to come out and open the door or help you with your luggage. We had to drag our suitcases inside the cab and hang on to them as there was no trunk. I’d recommend giving it a go without luggage.
Recommended tours for your London city break:
Top 10 places to visit in London as a first timer
Between the historical landmarks, renowned museums and iconic sights, there are many great things to see and do in London. You definitely won’t run out of things to explore. If anything, you’ll likely already be planning your return, and I don’t blame you.
When visiting London for the first time, I recommend adding these attractions to your itinerary to get a taste of what this incredible city offers. I think this covers the iconic must-see attractions during your first London city break and a few other things to add to your itinerary (time permitting).
1. The British Museum
The world-renowned British Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts from around the world. This is a must-visit for history buffs and anyone interested in ancient civilizations. It’s free to enter, but donations are appreciated. The museum is located near Russell Square tube station.
2. The Tower of London and Tower Bridge
The Tower of London is a historic fortress housing the Crown Jewels and has played a significant role in England’s history. The Tower Bridge (not to be confused with the London Bridge) by the Tower is a stunning example of Victorian architecture and offers excellent photo opportunities. Both are a must-visit for history and architecture enthusiasts. Get your tickets today.
3. The London Eye
The London Eye is one of London’s most popular attractions, offering one of the best views of the city from a 135-meter-high observation wheel overlooking the River Thames. This is a great way to see the city’s iconic landmarks and get a bird’s-eye view of the city.
4. Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is the official home of the royal family. It’s the residence of the Queen/King of England and is an excellent example of British architectural and design style. You’ll likely recognize the gates from seeing the palace on TV. This is where you can watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. I recommend getting a combo ticket for Buckingham Palace with the Changing of the Guard tour.
5. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
The Houses of Parliament are home to the British government. This iconic landmark near Westminster Bridge is also a great spot for photos. You can take a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament for a fascinating insight into British politics. Big Ben, the iconic clock tower, is located on the same site and is another must-visit landmark.
6. Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is a beautiful Gothic church where many royal ceremonies and events take place. It’s known for its elaborate stone carvings, stained glass windows, and the famous Poet’s Corner, where many well-known writers, including Rudyard Kipling, Thomas Hardy and Charles Dickens, are buried. You can take a guided tour or attend a church service. The church is a short walk from Parliament Square. Book your walking tour with an entrance to the Abbey today.
7. St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of London’s most recognizable landmarks, with its iconic dome and stunning interior. You can explore the cathedral and climb to the top of the dome for panoramic views of the city. You might also recognize this church as the place where (then) Prince Charles and Lady Diana got married.
8. Tate Modern
Tate Modern is a contemporary art museum and one of the most visited museums in the world. It contains a vast collection of modern and contemporary art pieces. It is located in a converted power station near the South Bank and offers a unique architectural experience.
9. The National Gallery
The National Gallery, located in Trafalgar Square, houses one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of Western European paintings. You’ll find works by famous artists such as Van Gogh, Monet and Botticelli, among many others.
10. The Shard
The Shard is London’s tallest building and offers some of the best views of Central London from its observation deck. It’s a must-visit for architecture enthusiasts and if you’re into stunning panoramic views.
How to explore London for free
While London is not a cheap city to visit, you can enjoy many great things for free. This is a huge bonus if you don’t want to go broke during your London city break.
Enjoy free museums in London
One of the things I love about London is that many of its outstanding museums offer free admission. You can explore the world-renowned British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), the Natural History Museum, and many others without breaking the bank. Museums are also great for when the weather turns inclement, and you need somewhere to wait it out.
Unwind in London’s many parks
No trip to London can be completed without a visit to at least one of the many great parks and gardens scattered throughout the city. Channel your inner Bridgerton fan girl by taking a boat ride on the Serpentine Lake at Hyde Park, enjoy the views of London’s skyline at Greenwich Park or stroll through Kensington Gardens, where you can find many attractions, including Kensington Palace.
Explore London markets
Another thing I love about London is the abundance of markets filled with everything from a wide range of food options, vintage clothing and antiques to flowers, hand-made jewellery and everything in between. Visit Camden Market, Borough Market, London Covent Garden or Portobello Road for a place to grab a bite or simply stroll around and check out the vendors. Here is a helpful guide to London’s best markets to check out.
Visit London department stores
Head over to London’s biggest department stores for a bit of fun and history. The iconic Selfridges and Harrods offer multiple floors of designer clothes, shoes and accessories. They also have pretty impressive food courts where you can wander around and explore. Both places are worth visiting even if you’re not into shopping, and if you are, even more of a reason to stop by.
Pro tip: If you want to treat yourself on your London city break, visit Selfridges’ rooftop bar for spectacular views and fine dining.
Practical tips for your London city break
If you have a limited time to explore during your London city break, you don’t want to waste time getting from place to place and standing in line to buy tickets. The good news is that because it’s such a popular tourist destination, London offers many options for visitors that save you time and money and make it easy to see as much as possible. Who doesn’t love that?
London Pass
With the London Pass, you can access over 80 top sights and attractions in London, including the Tower of London, The Views from The Shard, Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral. You can combine it with an Oyster card, and the pass comes with a guidebook. It’s a pretty good deal, especially if you stay in London for a few days. There are different credit package options, ranging from one to 10 days. You can redeem the credits at any locations included in the package until you run out of credits.
Skip-the-line tickets
While the London Pass offers skip-the-line admission to many popular attractions, it doesn’t always cover them all. Also, you might want to visit a few attractions without buying the pass. That’s doable, but I suggest getting skip-the-line tickets, as some lineups can be lengthy. You don’t want to waste your time in line when you can explore London instead.
Book your London Eye, Tower of London, the Shard or Buckingham Palace tickets today so you don’t have to wait in line.
Book in advance
Book your hotel and attractions beforehand if you already know when you’re going on your London city break. This is especially important if you plan on attending any sporting events, concerts or the theatre, as tickets might be sold out by the time you arrive. Booking earlier can also mean better deals and less stress trying to score tickets before leaving.
What to eat in London
London has a diverse and exciting food scene, where you can indulge in traditional British dishes like fish and chips, pie and mash, or a full English breakfast. The city also offers a range of international cuisines, lots of vegan options and some of the best brunch places I’ve ever been to.
Don’t forget to try a pint of local ale or cider at a traditional pub and try the afternoon tea, which is an experience in itself. Keep in mind that you don’t have to tip in restaurants, as many already include a service fee in your bill.
How to get here
London is well-connected to the rest of the United Kingdom and international destinations, with several major train stations and airports.
Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the busiest airport in the UK, offering connections to all major global destinations. The best way to get into the city center is via the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station. Gatwick Airport (LGW) is a great option for budget flights, with the Gatwick Express taking you to Victoria Station in under 30 minutes.
Other major train stations like King’s Cross, St. Pancras and Waterloo make it easy to arrive by rail. Once you arrive, getting around is seamless, thanks to the London Underground with tube stations conveniently located near all major attractions.
Final thoughts for planning your London city break
Whenever I visit London, I love simply wandering around without much of a plan. London is especially lovely in the spring when the wisteria is blooming and flowers are everywhere. I also love to explore London architecture as it reminds me of a different time, and it’s the reason I love going back.
London is a great destination for city adventures, and it has so much to offer every kind of visitor. It’s a big and busy place, filled with history, art and culture that goes back centuries. Walk in the footsteps of Shakespeare, King Henry VIII or Queen Victoria all in one place and enjoy the modern offerings that blend well with the history. London is calling your name, so why not answer it? You’re gonna love it.
