Sitting a short drive inland from the English Channel and connected to the rest of the world through some of the busiest airports in the world, London is a magnet for tourists from every corner of the globe.
As the capital of the United Kingdom, it contains much of the country’s best and most famous culture and landmarks, with famous sights like the National Gallery, Shakespeare’s Globe, Buckingham Palace, and Big Ben.
But if you’re planning a trip to London, what is the way to explore the city?
Where to Stay in London?
Where you stay is important. With more than 1.5 square kilometres, London is larger than Madrid, Berlin, Ho Chi Min City, Istanbul, and Barcelona.
For this reason, where you stay will have a big impact on how you explore the city. It’s best to look for somewhere that’s located close to the attractions and sights you want to visit. For example, if you want to visit the Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark over in Greenwich, there’s little point in booking a hotel over in Kensal Green. You’ll spend over an hour taking a series of trains getting there and then again on the way back.
In that case, a hotel over in the City of London, Stratford, or Canary Wharf may be more suitable.
Of course, cost is going to be an important factor when choosing a hotel, but thankfully you can find central accommodation at a reasonable price for much of the year. Check budget chains like Travelodge and Premier Inn, as well as the prices offered on sites like Booking.com, you’ll likely be surprised by what you can find.
How to Enjoy the Nightlife of London
Camden town is one of my personal favorite hangout spots in London. With artsy streets and Moroccon cafes and bars, the whole gothic look of the place is very appealing for tourists as well as locals.
After a busy day of exploring the city’s sights, you’ll want to soak up some of the nightlife that London has to offer. The city’s historic “West End” is packed with some of the world’s most famous theatres including the Apollo and Palladium.
Theatres are not the only entertainment on offer though. This part of the city is packed with bars, restaurants, and pubs offering everything from trendy contemporary designs to classic English stylings such as the Coach & Horses and the Dog & Duck.
Also on offer in the West End is The Hippodrome, a former theatre, and nightclub that’s since been turned into a casino where you’ll find everything from blackjack to slot machines. It also has several tables where you can play European roulette. If you’re from across the pond, you’ll notice that it differs from American roulette because it doesn’t have the 00 pockets.
You’ll also find comedy clubs, cinemas, late-night museums, and M&M’s World which is open until 10 PM.
At weekends, the Underground operates through the night, so you will still have a way to get back to your hotel. At other times in the week, the city’s night buses can get you where you need to go after a great night out.
Getting Around in London
Travelling in the UK is often most efficient when done by car, however, this isn’t the case in the capital. London has one of the best public transport networks in the world. It’s more expensive than some other capital cities though, with bus journeys costing £1.50 and tube journeys typically costing between £2.40 and £5.10, depending on how far you travel.
Thankfully though, these are capped at daily maximums. For example, if you only travel by bus, the most you will be spending in one day is £4.40.
While the Underground is often the best way to travel long distances across the city, the bus is a great option if you’d like to see some of the sights while you travel. London’s red doubledecker buses are iconic around the world, and riding on the top deck is a great way to see places like Marble Arch and Oxford Street.
You can also opt for a bike, with several bicycle renting schemes available in the city. There are numerous bike lanes around the city, just make sure you stay alert when riding on the busy streets.
Of course, you can also take a famous London black cab. These are operated by licensed and vetted by the local authority. Unlike ride-sharing services, London black cab drivers are required to have a strong knowledge of the city, so can offer you advice on where to go and what to see.
This alongside regular visits to Indian jungles in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger, fueled her zest for adventure, nature and wildlife.
Now she is a renowned travel blogger, outreach expert and has worked with over 500 travel brands in the last 15 years.
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