Jonathon and I at the Tower of London with the London Bridge in the background.

London is a city that is loved by all who visit. Its stunning buildings – both old new – attract architecture lovers from all over the world. Its rich and exciting history promises to fascinate new visitors, and the fact it is one of the most multicultural cities with huge global importance means there’s an abundance of things do for just about anyone.

It’s a city that boasts an extensive public transport system, which makes all the hotspots easily accessible, and thanks to its huge tourist appeal as well as being an international transport hub, London is the most visited city in Europe – and of the of the most visited in the world.

London also holds additional titles in the European Union, such as being the most populated city, having the largest city economy, and having the most ethnically diverse population with up to 300 languages spoken. This multiculturalism has allowed top restaurants to flourish themed from countries from far reaches of the globe, and it is home to a huge range of cultures.

When you have so many sights to see, cultures to experience, history to be amazed by and world-class nights out to enjoy, making the most of your trip to London is no simple task. It would be impossible to witness all the City has to offer in a lifetime, but having an idea of what you want to do on your trip will help you make good use of your time.

Get the Most from Your London Getaway

Even if you’re the type of person who lives for spontaneity, having at least a vague idea of what you want to do during your visit is going to help prevent wasting precious time from ticking away by simply walking around aimlessly. London is a vast city, and knowing the hotspots you want to visit will allow you to traverse the public transport system efficiently and pack plenty of experiences into your day.

From nightclubs to museums and world cuisine to local beauty treatments, London has something on the menu for all demographics. If you’re the kind of traveller who wants to experience a little of everything, our guide to London is here to help.

Museums in London

London is home to the largest amount of museums compared to any other city in the world, with a mind-blowing 162. What’s even better is that many of these impressive museums are entry free, so you can expand your mind even if you’re travelling on a budget. While we can’t go into detail about all the museums you should visit, the following list details some of the most unmissable.

Natural History Museum – If you’ve ever fancied taking a look at some dinosaur skeletons, the Natural History Museum provides the opportunity to do it. This museum is home to millions of other ancient specimens belonging largely to its five main collections of botany, palaeontology, mineralogy, zoology and entomology. Besides its fascinating collections, another great reason to give this museum a visit is that admission is completely free.
Science Museum – The Science Museum is another huge attraction in London, attracting around 3.3 million visitors every year. It was founded in 1857 and is located right next to the Natural History Museum. Its collection of over 300,000 items includes the first jet engine, some of the earliest remaining steam engines and hundreds of interactive exhibits. Just like the Natural History Museum, admission is absolutely free.
National Gallery – An architectural masterpiece lying on the edge of Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery is a must-see for all appreciators of art. Its collection largely comprises of art created by Western European artists from the 13th century up until the 19th century, with world-famous names including Van Gogh, da Vinci and Renoir.

Beauty Treatments in London

While it’s truly fascinating to enjoy beautiful works of art, it’s also nice to treat yourself to some beautification once in a while. All holidays need a little relaxation time included, and winding down with some professional beauty treatment is an excellent way to de-stress.

You could have yourself a world-class manicure at an establishment such as Salt & Chocolate located in Knightsbridge, a nail salon created by Russian fashion writer Yana Uralskaya. Or, for another luxury nail salon in the same area, you could try The Nail Lodge. There are other nail salons that are a little more affordable for those travelling on a budget that still offer a high-quality service.

Beauty treatments aren’t just confined to nails, there are also top-notch hair salons in London that can give your hair a stylish makeover, and there are waxing salons in London for those looking to become a little sleeker and smoother. An excellent way to find what treatment most appeals to you is by checking out websites such as Book Your Lifestyle, but needless to say, you can find great beauty treatments in most busy areas of London.

Restaurants in London

The great thing about the immense diversity of London restaurants is that it gives you the chance to try new, tasty cuisine, with dishes inspired by cultures from the far reaches of the globe. If infamous British pub grub is your thing, you’ll find what you’re looking for around every corner. But if you’re looking to get a little adventurous, here’s some top restaurant recommendations in London to excite your taste buds.

Nipa Thai – Located close to London’s Hyde Park, this Thai restaurant offers authentic Thai food and is highly-regarded as a great place to eat tasty dishes. From curries to Thai salads, this restaurant promises to use traditional Thai spices that will give your taste buds a kick.
Restaurant Gordon Ramsey – Gordon Ramsey has made a name for himself worldwide thanks to his choice of words and, of course, his great food. Check out Restaurant Gordon Ramsey which holds three Michelin Stars, and find out why he has become a household name.
World Cuisine – Being home to such a huge variety of cultures and nationalities means London has something for everybody, and it’s definitely a place where you can try something new.

Nightlife in London

When you’ve finished a busy day visiting the museums, seeing the famous hotspots and enjoying some fine dining, you might be ready for a night out on the town. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a young hipster looking for crazy nightclubs or a wine connoisseur looking for a luxurious treat, London has night-time entertainment for everybody.

Camden is a trendy area of London filled with live music venues featuring home-grown acts and world-class DJs, and it has a good mix of huge nightclubs as well as smaller trendy bars. Koko nightclub is a premier indie venue for those looking for alternative music, while Electric Ballroom has a talent for showcasing the next generation of superstars.

If you’re after a night out that’s a little more relaxed than a manic and loud club, you can enjoy one of the many luxurious wine bars while enjoying the view of the River Thames. One of the great things about relaxing along the Thames is that you’ll likely have a decent view of a world-famous landmark, such as Westminster or the Tower Bridge.

World Famous Attractions in London

If you’re going to visit London, you need to make some time to visit the typical spots that bring tourists back year after year. Even if you prefer to experience things that are a little different, a visit to London is simply incomplete without a selfie with Buckingham Palace in the background or a view of the magnificent skyline from the Top of the London Eye.

If you want to get the famous attractions out of the way in the space of a day, you could always buy a day pass for a hop-on-hop-off bus tour. There are numerous routes for these tours through the city – and you don’t have to stick to the same one – to make sure all the most famous attractions are passed, with multilingual guides to immerse you in a bit of history as you travel.

London really is a city where you can see just about anything you want. If you do it right, you’ll almost certainly want to come and visit this great city again. It’s a city that almost never sleeps, which is a good job seen as you’ll likely want to be awake for as much of your visit as possible.

Whether you want a long break so you can relax while making the most of your experience, or whether it’s a quick weekend getaway where you’ll be aiming to squeeze in as much sightseeing as you can, London is the perfect city for any type of holiday. You’ll almost certainly be amazed, you’ll definitely learn a thing or two, and you’ll probably be sad to leave. At least this Chicago girl did!

A Guide To Must See Sights In London