You finally made it to London, congratulations! As a born and bred Londoner, I’m here to give you the inside scoop on the best places to visit in our wonderful capital city. Forget the tourist traps, I’m going to show you how to experience London like a local. From world-class museums with free entry to hidden gems in the backstreets of Soho, London has something for everyone if you know where to look. Over the next few posts I’ll take you on an insider’s tour of my favourite spots, from iconic landmarks to quirky cafes. Get ready to fall in love with London and see why for me, there’s simply nowhere else quite like it. This is the real London calling, are you ready to answer?

Exploring London’s Top Attractions: The Must-See Sights

Exploring London’s top attractions is a must for any visit to the capital. Start your day at the Tower of London, a historic royal fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Crown Jewels, take a Yeoman Warder tour, and hear the legend of the ravens.

Head to the British Museum, one of the oldest museums in the world housing a vast collection of artefacts from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Mesopotamia. And no trip to London is complete without visiting the iconic Big Ben and Houses of Parliament. Book tours in advance to access the Elizabeth Tower and see the Great Clock up close.

Art lovers should not miss the National Gallery and Tate Modern, home to famous works like Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and Turner’s The Fighting Temeraire. The West End is perfect for catching a show in the theatre district. See everything from big musical productions to intimate plays.

Hyde Park is a perfect spot for walking and people watching. Rent a boat on the Serpentine or just enjoy a picnic in the rose gardens. As night falls, take in the city sparkling from the London Eye, the giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank. On a clear day, you can see for miles!

With world-class museums, stunning historical sights, vibrant West End shows, and sprawling green spaces, London has something for everyone. Discover your own favourite places in this endlessly fascinating city.

Off the Beaten Path: Hidden Gems in London Only Locals Know About

As a Londoner, there are a few spots in this city that are truly special to me. Places that capture the charm and whimsy of London, without the usual tourist crowds.

The Hunterian Museum

This quirky medical museum is one of London’s oddest and most fascinating attractions. Housed in the Royal College of Surgeons, it displays thousands of anatomical specimens, historic surgical tools and other medical oddities. Not for the faint of heart, but endlessly intriguing.

God’s Own Junkyard

This hipster paradise is filled with neon signs from decades past. The owner has been collecting vintage neon signs for over 50 years, and his enormous warehouse in Walthamstow has become an Instagrammer’s dream. Especially magical at night when all the neon is aglow.

The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & Natural History

Another wondrously weird museum, this one tucked away in Hackney. Viktor Wynd’s personal collection of strange artefacts, creepy taxidermy, and obscure trinkets delights and disturbs in equal measure. Definitely one of the quirkiest places in London.

Wilton’s Music Hall

The world’s oldest grand music hall, Wilton’s has been entertaining East End crowds since the 1850s. Lovingly restored, it hosts musical theatre, comedy, and cabaret in an intimate space rich with history. For an enchanting glimpse into London’s musical past, there’s nothing quite like it.

From neon graveyards to medical museums, London has no shortage of unusual attractions for those willing to venture off the beaten path. These hidden gems might be tucked away, but they shine brightly as some of London’s most prized secrets.

Your Ultimate London Itinerary: How to See the Best of London in 3 Days

Your first day in London should start with a stroll through Hyde Park, one of the city’s largest royal parks. Walk or rent a bike to explore the 350 acres of gardens, meadows and trails. Stop for a picnic in the park or grab lunch at one of the lakeside restaurants.

Head to the Tower of London, a historic royal fortress that was used as a prison for centuries. Take a guided tour led by one of the Beefeaters and see the Crown Jewels, the iconic diamond collection still used by the royal family today. The castle complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so you’ll want at least 2-3 hours to explore properly.

As night falls, head to the West End theatre district for a show. Take your pick from dozens of plays and musicals in London’s equivalent of Broadway. Or check out a comedy club for a night of laughs. For dinner, stroll through Chinatown or Soho for a variety of international cuisines.

On your second day, visit the British Museum, one of the world’s greatest museums devoted to human history and culture. The vast collection includes Egyptian mummies, Samurai armour, and the Rosetta Stone. Admission to the museum is free, so you can easily spend half a day wandering the halls.

Afterwards take a stroll through Covent Garden, a popular shopping and dining destination in a historic market square. Watch the street performers, shop for British goods and grab fish and chips or a pint at a traditional pub.

End your day watching the sunset over the River Thames. Walk along the Southbank with its restaurants, bars and cultural attractions like the London Eye Ferris wheel and Shakespeare’s Globe theatre. Or stroll across the iconic Tower Bridge, lifting its drawbridge at night to let ships pass through. The view of the bridge lit up at night is the perfect way to end your London adventure.

So there you have it, some of the very best hidden gems London has to offer. Now you’re equipped with a few local secrets to help you experience the real London, the London that Londoners love. Forget the tourist traps and follow our lead to uncover the charming cafes, quirky shops and neighbourhood nooks that make this city so endlessly fascinating. With so much to discover in this sprawling metropolis, you’ll never run out of new adventures. But do take your time – London’s delights are best savoured slowly. Stroll through the city, pop into places that catch your eye, chat with the shop owners and baristas. Strike up conversations with strangers at the bar or on the tube. That’s how you’ll discover the true spirit of this city and find your own personal slice of London to call home. Now off you go, there’s exploring to be done! See you at the pub…