London is one of the most popular and iconic cities on earth. Ask any person on the street to name a few cities they know about, and London is bound to come up. It is one of the three financial centers of the world.
‘London town’ is thriving and vibrant, teaming with people from all walks of life. From famous landmarks to stunning architectural marvels, the city is a harmonious fusion of the old world and the new.
You will experience the best of everything in London. Be it art, food, culture, fashion, luxury, sports, or nightlife, London has it all. Here are the top eight reasons why you must visit London at least once in your life.
Contents
1. The Iconic Landmarks
Let’s jump right in and talk about the glorious landmarks of London. Whether it is a modern marvel like the London Eye or the historic Tower of London, you must visit the iconic tourist spots.
Famous areas like Trafalgar Square and Westminster Abbey frequently show up in London based films. So, if you are an avid fan of British movies and shows, you must have always wanted to see these landmarks in real life.
Some must-visit areas include the famous Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and Buckingham Palace. Just walking down some of the famous streets in London will give your eyes a feast.
Walk down the famous crosswalks of Abbey Road and feel like a member of the Beatles. Take a photo with the Tower of London rising behind you or get a bird’s eye view of this stunning city by taking a ride on the London eye.
One of the more recent attractions that you must experience, especially if you are a “Potterhead,” is the Harry Potter Studio Tour that is offered by Warner Bros. Studio.
2. Shop till You Drop
London is a shopaholic’s heaven! Make your way through the bustling Oxford Street, Marble Arch, or the Knightsbridge, and experience the best of fashion, not just inside the shop windows but also adorned by passersby.
Londoners you will see in the fashion districts dress so fashionably that a regular traveler can feel super underdressed. But don’t worry, as you can easily fix that by visiting any of the many clothing stores you will find in London.
From the boutique stores of the west end to the glamourous flagship shops on Oxford street, there is no end to how much clothing, accessories, perfumes, and cosmetics you can buy in London.
If fashion is your cup of tea, you must visit London during London Fashion Week. Designers, models, celebrities, and fashionistas from around the world flock to the city during the week. While not everyone can get into these shows, they make the city vibe with fashion consciousness.
3. Explore the Museums and Galleries
Once most of the world map was under British reign. During that time, the explorers brought back numerous ancient relics to Mother England from around the globe. You can still find many of them in the British Museum.
From the Egyptian Bust of Ramesses to the Great sculpture Crouching Venus, you will see artifacts from different parts of the world.
If you love art, the British Museum displays many famous paintings, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, Michelangelo Buonarroti, John White, and many others.
The other place that is a must-visit venue for art lovers is The National Gallery. This famous gallery houses over two thousand works of art, including Van Gogh’s famous ‘Sunflowers’ and Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Virgin of the Rocks.’
Want to know more about the city of London? Visit the Museum of London for a crash course on the history of the city.
Have an interest in jewelry? Then, you must visit the Jewel House at the Tower of London, which houses many of the possessions of past British Monarchs, including the breathtaking Koh-i-Noor!
4. Hit the Theaters
Shakespeare once said, “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players.”
While all of us may or may not be all “players,” the exquisite world of theatrical performance is no longer mainstream entertainment. But, whether you enjoy the theater or not, you must experience it once, especially when you visit the land of William Shakespeare.
London’s West End, also known as Theatre Land, has a collection of theaters providing you with the best classic and contemporary production the country has to offer. A must-visit venue is the reconstructed version of Shakespeare’s original theatre, The Globe.
The theatrical productions that you will experience in Theatre Land will simply blow you away.
The level of quality you will see is unparalleled, which is not surprising as many famous British Actors, like Ralph Fiennes and Sir Ian McKellen, came from a theatrical background.
5. Experience the Best of Dining
From piping hot fish and chips on the streets to the delectable fine dining of Michelin-star restaurants, you will find everything in London.
Food in London is versatile; at one end, you have van trucks selling multi-national delicacies, and at the other end, you have sophisticated afternoon tea restaurants offering luxurious cuisines.
If you want to try out the local cuisines, hit the Borough Market or the Exmouth Market, and you won’t be disappointed. They have the best street food and cooking ingredients London has to offer.
Have a love for the top restaurants? London has over 66 Michelin-star restaurants to choose from. Try Galvin at Windows, which doesn’t just serve beautiful food but also a stunning view of Hyde Park. You can also try Marcus by Marcus Wareing or Restaurant Gordon Ramsay!
British Pub culture is well-known; you must try an ale at one of the traditional English pubs. Try out some of the oldest, like The George at London Bridge, which was frequented by William Shakespeare himself, or the Drapers Arms. These pubs often serve delicious local food along with beer.
6. Enjoy the Nightlife
When we prepare for travel, we also mentally prepare ourselves for the possible nightlife we will get to explore. Whether you like to drink till you pass out or party all night, you will love the nightlife of London.
If you are into the nightclub scene, check out famous venues like Koko, Moth Club, or Fabric. The clubs in London will blow you away with their underground electronic music scene.
But nightlife in London isn’t just about dancing at the clubs. From live comedy shows to psychedelic live music, you will find there is so much to discover.
Look into concerts before visiting, and you will find some famous musicians or others having a show in the city.
The tickets can start from really cheap to super expensive, so find the ones that suit your wallet and musical preference.
7. See World-Class Sports
If you love soccer, London will be the land of dreams for you. Some of the top-class Barclays Premier League Teams are housed in London, including Arsenal F.C, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea F.C.
Try scoring tickets to watch the weekend matches during the season, but if you visit during the off-season, simply going to the stadiums will give you a mind-blowing experience.
London has some of the most spectacular sporting venues, including Wembley Stadium, which is the home of the English national soccer team.
You can also consider visiting the Lord’s Cricket Ground or the Wimbledon Tennis Museum. However, when in London, try to experience at least one of the sports matches.
There is so much to choose from, as there is soccer, tennis, cricket, rugby, and so much more. If not, the sport, the energy, and the dedication of the crowds will leave you in awe.
8. Get Wowed By the Modern Architecture
London is certainly known for its old-world charm. However, if a person is not well-versed in the modern architectural development that London has gone through, they are in for a surprise once they step into London.
The city has a number of modern architectural marvels that are bound to blow you away. While in London, consider visiting The Shard. This piece of modern architecture is situated in Southwark, London.
The neo-futuristic design of the large edifice makes it look like a shard of glass. It is the tallest building in the UK and houses offices, apartments, restaurants, and even the Shangri-La Hotel!
Another visual wonder is The Gherkin. Named after a type of cucumber due to its unique shape, it is yet another award-winning neo-futuristic building. Other such modern marvels include the Leadenhall Building, Tate Modern Blavatnik Building, and London 2012 Velodrome.
Final Thoughts
London is certainly not an overhyped city and deserves all the attention people give it. You must consider keeping this marvelous city on your bucket list, as you will find the best of everything in London.
