The Ultimate Locals Guide to London

London is the largest city of England as well as the capital city and that of the United Kingdom with a population just under 9 million people. London is made up of 32 different boroughs and is divided down the middles by the River Thames.

We have a guide for your for your next break to London to make sure that you squeeze in as much as you can while also being able to enjoy the city.  

Looking to head out of London? Check out Our Guide to Day Trips from London: Best Places to visit by Train from London

*Disclosure: We only recommend products we would use ourselves and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission.

When to visit London?

The best time to visit London is usually during the summer, however this is also can be the busier months in the city. As London is a large city there is always something happened no matter what time of year that you visit. In the summer you can visit its many parks or lidos and in the winter you can rug up and enjoy the museums or a roast in a cosy pub. 

How to get around in London?

So you have landed in London. Where to next?

There is lots of different ways to get around London from busses to trains to ferry’s and public transport is very reliable. London itself is divided into zones. Zone 1- 2 are central London with zone 6 being on the outskirts near Heathrow Airport.

The underground also know as the “tube” if the fastest and most convenient way to get around London, however this is more expensive than using one of London’s iconic red double decker busses. To find out how to get from A to B make sure to download Citymapper app. This app is very easy to use allowing you to determine your route using multiple types of transport. It also shows you the cost associated with that journey. 

To pay for public transport you can either opt to buy an Oyster card (which can be purchased from most kiosks or post offices) where you load money onto as you go or if the card that you’re using allows contactless then you will be to use this to get on and off public transport. (For contactless cards we would recommend Wise if you’re wanting to transfer money from another currency or Monzo if you’re looking to travel longer term).

If you need to book bus or train tickets to other cities around the UK they can be booked through Trainline.

What travel cards to use in London?

For contactless cards we would recommend Wise. Previously called Transferwise this card allows you to transfer from many different countries onto a card that you can then load up to a new currency.

If you’re looking to relocated to London then Monzo will be the best card for you. Monzo is an online banking app with loads of handy features, it is also a great card which we use for overseas travel as it has good rates and withdrawal fees.

Things to do in London:

Visit Museums

The weather in London is never reliable and it can be very expensive being in London so visiting a museum can be a great way to be able to break up your days. London museums are free and a great way to be able to explore Englands history and beyond. Some of the best Museums to visit include the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A), Tate Modern and the Natural History Museum.

West end shows

Londons West End in the centre of Londons entertainment district. The West End is home to some of the most popular musicals, plays, ballet and opera such as The Lion King and Les Misérables. If there is a particular show that you want to see make sure to purchase tickets in advance however if you are happy to be surprised you can book tickets last minute you can purchase tickets through Theatre Tickets Direct on the day for discounted tickets.

Buckingham palace

Over the summer months Buckingham Palace is open to the public. You can purchase tickets to inside as well as the gardens however tickers over the busy periods such as school holidays and weekends tend to sell out early so make sure to book these in advance.

London Green Spaces

When you think of London you usually think of the city and the bustling streets however London has an amazing park culture specially on those sunny days. Most boroughs have their own green spaces however there are some in London worth exploring on your next visit. In central London you can visit Hyde Park, St James Park and Regents Park. If you are exploring outer London boroughs you can check out Battersea Park, Richmond Park or London Fields.

London Markets

London is full of markets from food markets, famers markets and vintage markets. Some of the most iconic markets to visit in London are Camden Market, Borough Market and Portobello Road Market.

Views of London

The views of London are one of the must dos while visiting the city. When everyone thinks of the London skyline they think of the London Eye. However did you know there are so many other great view points around the city including the Skygarden and 120 Fenchurch Street.

River Thames

Make sure to add exploring the River Thames to your time in London. There are several different tours and lunch or dinner cruises that you can enjoy whilst in London.

Not sure the best way to explore London, check out our 3 day walking itinerary of London

Want to head out of London? Check out Our Guide to Day Trips from London: Best Places to visit by Train from London

Things to be aware of:

When you arrive in London be aware that the city has six different airports. All airports have easy access to the city via public transport however be advised that it does not always run. Make sure to use Citymapper to plan your journey ahead of time.

To be able to make the most of your time in London it is recommended to allow 3 – 4 days to be able to see the major sites however if time allows you a week you will be able to see the city at a better pace. 

As London is also a large city it does a small amount of petty theft, be aware of your valuable at all times. 

Want to explore further? Try Our top 5 Weekends from London: European Summer Destinations

Where to eat in London?

Brunch/ Coffee

Daisy/ Timmy/ Darsie & May Green –Marylebone, Victoria, Paddington

Stir Coffee – Brixton

Beam – Finsbury Park, Crouch End, Nottinghill

Monmouth – Borough Market, Bermondsey, Seven Dials

Sunday – Barnsbury

Restaurants

Sushi Samba – Bishopsgate & Covent Garden

Padella – Borough Market & Shoreditch

Dishoom- Kings Cross, Covent Garden & Shoreditch

Morinoya – Pimlico

Circolo Popolare – Mayfair

Bars

Cahoots – Mayfair

Pop Brixton – Brixton

Lyaness – Southbank

Pubs

The Lamb and Flag – Covent Garden

Ye Old Cheshire Cheese – Blackfriars

Vegetarian food

Mallow – Borough Market

Plants by Deliciouly Ella – Mayfair

Tofu Vegan – Islington

Mildreds – Kings Cross, Soho, Covent Garden, Dalston & Camden

Gluten Free Friendly

Station 26 – Brixton

Honest Burgers – Various locations

Want to know our favourite coffee in London? Check out Our London Coffee Guide: Best Coffee Spots in London

Where to stay in London?

London is expensive, when you start looking at hotel rooms you will realise you can pay a fortune to stay in central London in a room that is a box.

London itself is massive! Don’t be tempted to spend your whole time in the central London suburbs such as Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster as there are so many other areas (also known as boroughs) out there that will mean your stay will be much cheaper and it will also allow you to get the most of our your time in London.

London thrives from its diverse nature of the city. Allow yourself to explore some of its outer boroughs including Chinatown in London’s west end, Brixton which has a strong Afro-Caribbean influence, Brick Lane’s and its “Curry Mile” along with Green Lanes and its selection of Turkish restaurants.

Our best advice would be to stay near to a tube line, if possibly either the Victoria or the Piccadilly line which will connect you to majority of the tourist attractions.

North London

Areas which you could consider are:

• Finsbury Park
• Highbury & Islington
• Angel

Hilton London, Islington

Central London

Areas which you could consider are:

• Kensington
• Chelsea
• Shoreditch

The Rockwell, Kensington

The Hoxton, Shoreditch

South London

Areas which you could consider are:

• Pimlico
• Clapham North/South
• Brixton

Artists Residence, Pimlico

Want to spend some quality time out of London? Why not check out Our Best Romantic Weekend Breaks from London: UK Getaways by Car or Train