Planning a holiday to London? Take a look at our travel tips and guide for visiting London. Check out our travel guide with tips on where to stay, where to eat, how much things cost and how to save money on sightseeing.
You can read all about transport in London in the previous article.
Accommodation in London
London is the most visited city in Europe. Hand in hand with this goes the offer of accommodation, which is wide and varied here. London’s neighbourhoods are so different that you’ll enjoy each one in its own way.
I’ve attached our favourite neighbourhoods in London:
- Shoreditch – an artsy, modern neighbourhood full of restaurants, bars, vintage shops and street art
- City of London – central London full of skyscrapers
- Camden – a part of London popular with backpackers due to the large number of restaurants, bars, vintage shops
- Covent Garden – a theatre district full of tourists and street performers; within walking distance of Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and other attractions.
- Soho – a lively and bohemian district full of restaurants, pubs, shops, night cafes, theatres
- Kensington – a quiet and peaceful neighbourhood ideal for families with children
Where to stay in London?
A classic in accommodation is the ibis hotel chain, which is already successfully operating in other European cities such as Berlin and Vienna. In London we can recommend:
- ibis London City Shoreditch a short walk from Liverpool Street Station (if flying to Stansted Airport)
- ibis London Blackfriars near Waterloo Station
Find out more about accommodation in London in this article: The best hotels in London .
Map of London
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map of London. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I mention in the London guide. If you want to save the map, star it. For a larger version, click on the icon in the upper right corner.
When to visit London?
The climate in London is temperate maritime, i.e. that their winters are mild and their summers pleasant. Temperatures rarely drop below freezing in winter and rarely exceed 32°C in summer. The warmest month is August, while the coldest is February.
London is known for its rainy weather. It rains 156 days a year. The rainiest month is December. Yet we had almost constant sunshine here.
The main tourist season is summer due to the weather. If you want to avoid the rush of tourists, come here in spring or autumn. April – June and September – November are ideal months. Steady weather with mild temperatures.
If you don’t mind the cold, visit London in winter. Airfares and accommodation are cheaper and there are fewer tourists.
Where to eat in London?
London, like Berlin , has great street food from all corners of the world. Kebabs cost around £5-9, pizza £4-7, burger £6, fish & chips £10. A meal in a cheap restaurant will cost on average £10-25 and a 3-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant £45-110.
You can buy food from Lidl, Aldi, Sainsbury’s and Tesco.
City markets in London
London’s city markets are great. You don’t even have to go to a restaurant to eat well and try specialties from around the world. And it’s got an atmosphere. Each market is specific in some way.
Borough Market
South of London Bridge, under the roof of a Victorian warehouse, you’ll find London’s oldest food market.
If you’re looking for a great place to eat, definitely go here – gourmet food and quality food straight from the producers, with free samples on every corner.
Camden Market
Camden Market is one of the best and most visited attractions in the city, with over 100,000 people visiting in just one weekend.
Funky clothes, original gifts, street food stalls, shops dedicated to alternative music and clothing. Even if you don’t buy anything, you won’t regret your visit.
Portobello Road Market
Portobello Road Market is a market in the beautiful Nothing Hill neighbourhood that served as the backdrop for the film of the same name. It is said to be the world’s largest market for antiques and collectibles. In addition, you can have a great meal here.
Greenwich Market
Greenwich Market is one of London’s best markets for arts and crafts, unique gifts, antiques and collectables. Nearby pubs, cafes, restaurants and food from all corners of the world.
Brick Lane Market
Brick Lane Market is once again a market where you’ll find something of everything from second-hand furniture to fruit and vegetables. There are a number of curry restaurants, craft breweries and vintage clothing shops nearby.
Old Spitafields Market
At Old Spitafields Market you’ll find jewellery and clothing from vintage to contemporary, independent boutiques selling crafts, fashion and gifts, record stalls, great food and lots more.
Prices in London
On average, the prices of basic food in London are as follows:
- Eggs 12 pcs – £2.37
- Bread 500 g – £1.03
- Chicken 1 kg – £6.66
- Milk 1 l – £1.11
- Water 1.5 l – £1.12
- Apples 1 kg – £2.03
- Bananas 1 kg – £1.23
- Potatoes 1 kg – £1.06
- Cheese 1 kg – £6.36
- Rice 1 kg – £1.75
What to see in London?
Read: The best things to do in London. You’ll find everything from what to see in London to where to book tickets, where you need to book in advance and how much admission costs. Link to the article: What to see in London .
How to save money on sightseeing in London?
- Buy London Eye tickets at least 5 days in advance online and save £6.
- Buy tickets to St Paul’s Cathedral online in advance and save £3.
- Visit museums for free – the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern and more. However, a voluntary fee to operate is more than welcome.
- Get London Pass tourist card which gives you free entry to more than 80 places in London for a pre-selected number of days.
- Or choose the second London Explorer Pass where you choose the number of attractions you plan to visit at a discounted price.
Read more: How to save in London
Is London safe?
London is a safe city. Pickpockets and petty crooks are common in all major cities. Use your common sense. If you have a bad feeling about something, you better go away.
Don’t carry large amounts of cash and keep an eye on your belongings at major tourist attractions or in crowded subways. In case of emergency, call 999.
More information about London
LONDON ITINERARY: Check out our article with tips on places to visit in London (entrance fees, opening times, map). To help you plan, we’ve created an itinerary for 3 days in London.
LONDON GUIDE: Read about getting to and from the airport, public transport and the Tube in the London Guide. Our tips for the best hotels in London will help you make your accommodation choices easier.
HOW TO SAVE IN LONDON: Read our 7 tips on how to save in London. The London Pass is another way to save money on admission to the sights – find out more about the London Pass.
LONDON WITH KIDS: We’ve created a detailed guide to enjoying London with kids.
ENGLAND: Find tips on what to see and do in England in our list of the most beautiful places in England.
London Guide FAQs
It depends on what you expect from your visit to London. Every neighbourhood here is specific and will give you a different experience. Choose your accommodation accordingly.
Yes, you can, but avoid establishments near major attractions. Try the street food, which is great here. Read how much an average restaurant meal costs or which city markets you must visit here.
Many museums in London are free. Take advantage of it. You can save a few pounds when buying tickets online. Another option is the London Pass and the London Explorer Pass. More tips in the article.
