London, England is more than just one of the world’s most popular and important cities, it is also an ancient city with iconic historical and cultural significance and one of Europe’s most exciting tourist destinations. Let’s be honest–there are tons of attractions and things to do in London, but if time isn’t on your side, you will need to narrow down your visit to a handful of attractions.
The overall best things to do in London will combine a mixture of your own personal likes and dislikes while on vacation with a mixture of some of the city’s can’t miss attractions. London has something for everybody: from iconic historical sites to world-class shopping, dining, and nightlife.
To help make your trip to London easier, here are the top 5 best things to do when in London. You can also arrange to see an insolvency practitioner in London if you own a small business which is in financial difficulty.
Get Lost in the Crowd at Piccadilly Circus
No trip or a routine visit to London is complete without a stop at Piccadilly Circus. This intersection is the premier destination for bustling activity in the London area where workers, tourists, and locals congregate.
Piccadilly Circus is great to visit any time of the day, however, the true essence of the intersection is best experienced at night when the modern neon lights of numerous billboards collide with Victorian and Edwardian architecture of the past. London is a city that has seen numerous eras over the centuries, and Piccadilly Circus does the best job of combining the old with the contemporary.
Rather you take in the swank and glamorous nightlife culture of the area or choose a slower, more leisurely pace by dining in the area’s award-winning restaurants and shopping centers, Piccadilly Circus is arguably London’s best contemporary attraction.
Take a Tour of Royal London
It is almost something of a cliche to always mention London’s royal attractions at the top of things to do in the city, but where else can you see thriving examples of a real kingdom in action? The British monarchy is unique in that it is one of Europe’s numerous royal institutions still intact to this day, which makes London the epicenter of the Crown’s most prized and iconic symbols.
Buckingham Palace is the main residence of Queen Elizabeth II and you can tour certain parts of the palace during July-October every year when the monarch is vacationing in Scotland. Outside of this timeframe, you can visit the exterior of the palace and pose for photographs at the Victoria Memorial and near the Queen’s personal footguards.
Westminster Abbey is just as iconic and allows you to visit the site of nearly every monarch’s coronation since 1066. No trip to London can be adequately finished without a tour of Jewel House at the Tower of London which houses the Crown Jewels.
Marvel at the Artifacts at the British Museum
The British Museum is one of Europe’s most popular and well-documented museums. With over 8 million artifacts within its walls, this is an absolute must for any visitor with even a passing interest in history, and perhaps best of all, it is free to visit.
Walking along the streets of London is in and of itself a historical experience everywhere you turn, yet the artifacts at the British Museum are both prized and rare, which makes this museum one of Europe’s best to visit.
Experience Some of the World’s Best Shows at the West End Theatre District
It is a well-established fact that the West End in London and Broadway in New York City are the preeminent destinations for plays and musicals in the world. Any play that is seen in the West End will give you an unforgettable experience from some of Britain’s most revered acting and literary talents.
The West End is as close anybody can ever hope to recapture the ambiance of Shakespearean England and is certainly worth a visit.
Take a Ride on the London Eye
Experiencing London at the ground level is an amazing experience, but seeing the city from the air is arguably even better. This Ferris Wheel of sorts allows you to take in the glorious sights of the River Thames and the sprawling city views of central London.
In Summary
These five attractions represent just a small sample of what London has to offer but are certainly a good starting point for experiencing the city.