London – Attractions for a Long Weekend. What to See + How Much Does it Cost?

Millions of people visit London every year and type the above questions into a search engine. London is a huge city, so the answer to this question is quite complicated. London’s attractions include museums, palaces, Big Ben, places associated with the royal family, as well as plays and points of interest that we know from British movies and TV series. Mentioned ideas are the beginning of a tour of London because this city can be explored . So, much depends on what you want to see in the capital of the United Kingdom.

I will divide this post into several parts: attractions, restaurants, prices, access, and accommodation.

London Attractions – What You MUST See

What is a must-see in London? As you can guess, in this entry I have not revealed everything London has to offer. Why? Probably because it would make a solid book, and this is an entry/guide to help you plan your trip to the capital of the United Kingdom. It’s a good idea to pick out the attractions before you go, I mean, of course, the most famous points of the city. There are interesting places in London at every turn, so just walking around the city without many purposes will be amazing. I disagree that there are things to see if we are not interested.

Typing in the search engine for attractions in London, the lists usually repeat the same places. This is not surprising. For there are so many points of interest that are already known and that we foolishly omit when describing this city, that everything will be repeated. In this post, besides to listing the attractions, I will give you some tips on HOW to visit this city more favorably if, for example, there are no tickets left for something.

Sky Garden

Sky Garden is a great place to relax and enjoy the London skyline. It is located on the roof of a building called Walkie-Talkie. It is from it that you can look out over the city, the River Thames, and the surrounding buildings. The Sky Garden also features rooftop gardens with a variety of plants and places to relax. On top of that, there is a restaurant and bar where you can eat, and have a drink or coffee.

Admission is free but requires reservations in advance. So, there are often no seats available just a few days in advance, and during the high season, it is better to order an entrance fee even further in advance. If there are no seats, you can book an entrance for sunrise (the last such entrance is at 10 am). That’s what we did, we paid 8,5 pounds and at this price, we got coffee and cake. I recommend ?

Big Ben

The tower was built between 1843 and 1859 and is one of the most famous symbols of Britain. It is worth knowing that Big Ben is one of the most recognizable landmarks in London. Also, in the past, the name referred to the bell located in the clock tower, today when we say Big Ben we mean the entire tower.

Interesting fact! In 2012, the tower was officially named Elizabeth Tower, in honor of Elizabeth II. Besides, the name Big Ben is still in use.

Tower of London

A must-see for history buffs, this place is also one of the most famous fortresses in the world. If you want to discover the secrets of the Tower of London – a castle and museum located in the heart of London, be sure to take a tour. It is there that you will learn about its rich history, in which it served as a fortress, treasury, prison, and even a place of execution. The Tower of London was founded by William the Conqueror between 1066 and 1067.

Today, it is one of London’s most important and popular tourist destinations, full of valuable historical collections such as the British crowns and the legendary royal treasure. See the extraordinary Guardians of the Tongue, guiding you through the castle’s mysterious chambers. Visit the Tower of London and travel back in time!

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is a must-see for anyone visiting London! It is a landmark and an iconic building. This bridge is admired not only from the side, but it is also worth walking over it because only then you can see the skyline of the city. Besides, it’s the perfect place for architecture lovers to visit from the inside. The cost of the tour? About £11 per adult.

London Eye

The London Eye opened in 2000 and is one of the largest viewing wheels in the world. This is a Ferris wheel located on the River Thames. From it, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city, including buildings and landmarks such as Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, and Parliament.

Admission is ticketed and it is advisable to buy tickets in advance. Prices start at £32.50 for an adult ticket. You can save by buying more attractions in a package, such as on the official London website.

Notting Hill

Notting Hill is a district in West London, famous for its beautiful, colorful townhouses, street markets, and bustling atmosphere. It is here that the famous Portobello Street market is located. You’ll find numerous cafes, restaurants, and stores in Notting Hill, making it an ideal place for both walking and shopping. Not surprisingly, you can see crowds of people on the streets there all year round, taking part in various events.

Good to know: This is the place where the famous bookstore from the movie Notting Hill with Julia Roberts is located. And the famous door, unfortunately, was anointed with graffiti.

Phone booths in London

London’s phone booths are icons of London culture. The booths are often found on the streets of London and are an interesting part of the cityscape. They are known for their distinctive red color (although they are sometimes found in another color, such as black). Nowadays, phone booths are rarely used for phone calls anymore, but many have been renovated and converted into information kiosks, ATMs, wi-fi points, and other useful devices. Besides, tourists take pictures with them, and there are gigantic queues for those located at Big Ben, for example!

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British royal family. The palace is located in the center of London. It was built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham and has been rebuilt several times. It was the house of Queen Elizabeth II until 2022 and is one of the most famous and recognizable symbols of the British monarchy. It’s worth knowing that the Palace’s Representation Chambers are only open to the public in July, August, and September, so if you want to see them, you’ll need to pick a suitable date (what if we meet there?).

Buckingham Palace is known for its daily exchange of guards. The changing of the sentinels is considered one of the most interesting free tourist attractions in London.

Warner Bros Studio – or Harry Potter studio.

A visit to the Harry Potter studio in London is the best attraction for all fans of the book and movie series. Here you can see the original costumes, props, and decorations, as well as tour replicas of scenes and buildings. A visit allows you to feel like you are in the world of Harry Potter and immerse yourself in the magic and mysteries of Hogwarts.

Read more about the visit and how to book tickets here: Where Was Harry Potter Filmed? I Visited the Warner Bros Studio in London

Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus is one of the most famous and crowded places in London. It is an intersection of several main streets, known for its distinctive neon advertising billboards. Even if you don’t like crowded places, Piccadilly Circus is worth seeing. There is so much going on there, it’s an intersection always bustling and full of people. Around Piccadilly Circus, there are theaters, nightclubs, stores, and restaurants. This is where the famous street, Shaftesbury Avenue, is located. This place is another symbol of London and one of the most important landmarks in the city.

Chinatown in London

Be in London and not see Chinatown? London’s Chinatown is located in the Soho district and is perhaps the most famous place of its kind in Europe. In London’s Chinatown, you can find many stores, restaurants, and cafes serving traditional Asian cuisine (Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, etc.), as well as numerous stores. Chinatown is a unique part of London’s culture.

This place is especially popular during Chinese New Year. We managed to visit it just before the event, then the streets are decorated with colorful lanterns and neon lights. On Chinese New Year, this is where big parades and parties are held.

Palace of Westminster

Located in the heart of London, on the banks of the River Thames, it is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. One of the main symbols of British democracy, the Palace of Westminster is the seat of the British Parliament. It is the place where the House of Commons and the House of Lords hold their sessions. Its history dates back to the Middle Ages, but the current building was built in the 19th century.

St. Paul’s Cathedral in London

Are you in London and want to see something unusual? Discover the remarkable St. Paul’s Cathedral, located at the top of Ludgate Hill in the heart of London and home to the Archbishop of London. Built-in the 17th century, this impressive religious building is considered one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in the world. Inside, you can admire magnificent works of art, such as stained glass windows, sculptures, and frescoes, and attend unforgettable services and concerts. Witness important state and church ceremonies, such as coronations and funerals, at this unique venue. Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral and experience its magnificent history and architecture!

Millennium Bridge

Millennium Bridge is a bridge, located in the heart of London. It connects the banks of the River Thames as well as the Tate Modern and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Opened in 2000, Millennium Bridge is one of the most recognizable symbols of London and its architecture in recent years. From the bridge you can see surrounding attractions such as the London Eye and Tower Bridge, the bridge is a true paradise for lovers of great views.

Interesting fact! The bridge was “destroyed” by Death Eaters in the movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Parks in London: Hyde Park and St. James’s Park

Whether you want to relax, enjoy the beauty of nature, or just spend time outdoors, Hyde Park and St. James’s Park are places to visit. Let me start by saying that Hyde Park and St. James’s Park are two of the most famous parks in London.

Hyde Park is huge, a real green oasis in the heart of the city. You can walk around it for hours, the park is home to many different species of plants. In spring, daffodils bloom there and it’s really beautiful (I hope to see it with my own eyes). It is also home to many species of birds, including wild pigeons and tits.

St. James’s Park is smaller, but it’s an equally charming park, which is associated with a beautiful lake and bridge. You can see many animals in the park, including squirrels, wild geese, herons, and many other species of birds. This is a favorite of mine.

London attractions – London museums.

London is full of great museums, offering themes and exhibitions for everyone. Not only can you find the traditional, world-famous museums in London, but there are others, those that are less recognized, but just as interesting.

Before I list interesting museums in London, note that quite a few museums in London are available free of charge, such as the British Museum and the Natural History Museum. Nevertheless, before you go to visit these popular places, it’s better to order an entrance pass (through the museum’s website), because there are two queues to enter: one for those who have a ticket (it goes fast) and another for those who are yet to download a ticket. The entrance fee is free, but you will get in much faster.

What museums are there in London?

– British Museum or the British Museum

– National Gallery Natural

– History Museum or Natural History Museum

– Science Museum or Museum of Science

– Bank of England Museum

– Tate Modern

– Sherlock Holmes Museum

– Museum of Wax Figures or Madame Tussauds

The above museums are the beginning of London’s attractions. However, with almost 200 museums in the English capital, deciding which ones to see and which ones to skip is no easy task. Whatever your interests are, you’re sure to find something to inspire and delight you.

The British Museum in London (British Museum)

This is one of the most important museums in the world, with exhibits from all over the globe. The British Museum in London contains a collection of more than 8 million items, mainly on the subject of human history and culture. Some of the exhibitions and collections are:

– Roman Britain

– Greek and Roman antiquities

– Islamic world collection

– Collection of Ancient Egypt

– Anglo-Saxon treasures

To visit the museum, it is advisable to order tickets online. Admission to the museum and its permanent collections is free, but some special exhibitions have a fee.

What to see in London

The listed attractions are the beginning of exploring London. I think that even in a month it would be impossible to visit everything the city has to offer. Da example, next time I will go to places such as:

– Camden Market: an iconic market with a unique atmosphere, offering a wide selection of street food, and vintage and handmade products.

– Oxford Street: London’s most famous shopping street, with hundreds of stores, boutiques, and cafes.

– British Library: Britain’s largest state library, preserving hundreds of important manuscripts, maps, and documents.

– Richmond Park is one of the largest urban parks in Britain. This park is home to a lot of deer and overlooks the beautiful London skyline.

London sightseeing idea: in the footsteps of movies and TV series.

What to do in London? There is no shortage of ideas for sightseeing. For example, many movies and series were filmed in London, including:

– Harry Potter

– James Bond

– Sherlock Holmes

– Mary Poppins

– Notting Hill

– The Imitation Game

– The King’s Speech

– Paddington

– Love Actually

– Snatch

– My Fair Lady

These are just a few examples, London is often chosen as a filming location because of its beautiful scenery and variety of architecture. Traveling in the footsteps of a movie or TV series is a great idea to explore the city.

What and where to eat in London?

In my opinion, for breakfast, English breakfast is a must. This is a traditional breakfast in the UK, consisting of scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, tomatoes, beans, and mushrooms. It comes with bread, and sometimes we also get Yorkshire pudding.

I recommend two places:

– Kozzy – they give huge portions, nice decor, and a place frequented by local police, so you can feel like you’re in a movie ?

– Duck and Waffles – an amazing place for a morning breakfast, a restaurant with a view of all of London. One of my favorite experiences in London.

For lunch, I recommend:

Fish and chips are a British specialty, consisting of deep-fried fillets and fries. Where to eat. For example, in – Byward Kitchen and Bar practically a church, which is worth visiting on occasion.

Other traditional British dishes include:

– Bangers and mash (sausage with mashed potatoes).

– Beef Pie (stew baked in pastry)

I recommend eating at The Duke pub. Great, homemade food.

In London, you can also try many other cuisines of the world, such as Indian, Asian or Italian. I don’t know if you know, but there are a lot of expatriates from India or Pakistan in London and Indian cuisine tastes delicious here. I recommend (name the place) for a delicious lunch with tea with milk and spices. Yummy!

Where to sleep in London?

You can find a lot of accommodation options in London, both for those on a budget and for those willing to spend more. There is no denying that accommodation in London is simply expensive. We, for 3 nights, paid £2,500 for a 2-bedroom apartment in a good location. This is the place where we slept.

Besides, you can choose from

– Hotels – from luxurious to more budget hotels

– Hostels – often with shared rooms

– Private quarters – rooms in private houses

– Apartments – entire apartments for rent

How much does it cost to go to London?

A trip to London depends primarily on what your budget is. And I know you can say that in many cases, but in London the price range is really big, especially for accommodation or attractions.

We paid for our trip:

– For flights Wroclaw – London Stansted – 32 euros/person with carry-on luggage

– For accommodation (Wednesday – Sunday) 530 euro

– For transportation from and to the airport in London – 35 euro

– Cabs – 4 rides 45 euro

– City buses – 5 trips 10 euro

– Restaurants about 70 euro

I will end this post with an answer to a question that troubles most tourists:

How much time you should spend in London?

It’s an individual thing. It depends on how much time and money you have. London is one of the more expensive cities for a weekend, fortunately, flights from many places in Europe to London are often cheap (30-40 euro), on top of that they fly from almost every airport in Poland. You will not be bored in London for a weekend, a week or even two. We for the first time went for an extended weekend, from Thursday to Sunday. 4 days are enough to explore London, but it is unlikely to see everything. Or at least we didn’t manage to. Therefore, if you have the time and the right budget, it is worth going there for a week. To explore and feel the atmosphere of the city.

You can find other attractions from the UK here:

Where Was Harry Potter Filmed? I Visited the Warner Bros Studio in London

The Best Restaurants in London: A First Timer’s Guide