Things to know before travel to London
It’s everyone’s dream to travel to London that is a massive home to 8 million people.
The capital of the UK has been important financial, educational and culture center for hundreds of years.
No doubt it’s among the most popular destinations to travel. It’s modern with high density, diverse population and expensive to live in.
London is a city made for the world and one of the greatest capitals in the modern age.
Let yourself be amazed by the melting pot of nationalities and cultures that London has become, meaning that the city has a wide variety different sorts of foods and culture.
London has six main airports spread across the outskirts of the city, the main ones being Heathrow and Gatwick along with Luton and Stasted used more by low budget fly companies.
Hotels in London (price and location)
Booking.comDownload the Tube app when you travel to London
London is very easy to navigate around and it’s compact enough to explore on foot. The best and most affordable way to travel in London is the iconic London Tube system.
By the away, the Metro of London is extremely efficient. The ideal thing to do is download the tube APP it helps a lot and also works offline.
The iconic symbols in London
The UK capital its filled with iconic symbols. One of the most easily recognizable is Tower Bridge. Is an impressive reminder of London rapid expansion during the industrial revolution.
You will definitely want to visit these places when you travel to London.
Tower Bridges
Tower Bridge crosses the river Thames and was build at the end 19th century you can take a boat ride that passes under the bridge for a full experience.
Near the Tower Bridges you have two important attractions. The historic castle Tower of London from 11th century and the remaining of the roman wall that was build around the 3rd century.
Big Ben and Palace of Westminster
This British cultural icon was completed in 1859. Big Ben is located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster.
The Westminster Palace is where is sit the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The official name of the tower where Big Ben is located is the clock tower but it was renamed as Elizabeth tower in 2012.
Where to stay in London?
Westminster’s area is a recommended area to stay if you are visiting London on Holidays (Kensington, Soho, Wesminster). This way you will be close to most tourist attractions such as Big Ben, London Eye and the British Museum.
Here You also can access to some cool neighborhood as the ever interesting Soho and easily satisfy your shopping needs at Oxford Street.
Also, not far and worth a visit is the trendy area of Shoreditch this area is filled with wonderful eateries and bars you might like to check out.
Vacation Rentals available in London
Booking.comThe London Eye
The London Eye offer a complete change of pace and perspective.
The massive wheel on the south bank of the river Thames is over 135 meter high and 120 meters in diameter and takes 30 minutes to complete one rotation.
From here you can see all the old as well as some of London newest editions. At the time that the London Eye opened to the public in 2000 it was the tallest fair wheel in the World.
Camden Town
Camden Town, this former industrial economic base was replaced by service industries, tourism and entertainment.
The area now hosts street market and music venues, which are strongly associated with alternative culture.
London Museums
Like all most important capital’s of the World, the city of London has great museums and the best of all is that some of them are free.
The most interesting for kids its science museum, where they can see and touch science in first hand.
British Museum and National Gallery are free to go so there’s no excuse to not visit them.
Madame Tussaud is also a museum worth the visit when you travel to London, although expensive.
Buckingham’s Palace
Buckingham’s Palace, the most famous palace in the World is the official residence of her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth.
A popular London attraction offering tours of state rooms and gardens. It’s the most iconic building in the country. Here it is beautiful to watch changing the guard also known as guard mounting carried out by soldiers on active duty.
Westminster Abbey
Many of London greatest stories have begun in houses of worship and none is so impressive and important as Westminster Abbey.
This is where Kings and Queens have been crowned, married and even buried. The next big event here in Westminster Abbey will likely be Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
West End London
The West end in central London is a story in itself, here the crowded streets align with ancient buildings.
By day the charming boutiques and cafes are busy with shoppers and by night the bars along Carnaby street are packed with patrons enjoying pre show drinks, this is one of the largest theater districts in the World.
London’s trendy suburbs
Moving away from historic center, London’s trendy suburbs offer a different kind of story, the Portobello road market in Notting Hill attract thousands of visitors, specially to the antiques market that’s held on Saturdays.
Harrods Store
Harrods this store has 330 departments and 90,000 m² of sales space. You will find everything here, one of the most famous department stores in the world, located on Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London.
Top eat in London
Here is a list of recommend places to take a bite:
Poppies Fish & Chips Traditional food, its very popular place where you can try the almost national dish of Fish and Chips.
Sketch for some afternoon tea.
Honey & Co for some eastern delicacies.
Gymkhana to try some Indian spices.
Ceviche Soho to eat some Peruvian sea food.
Uchi for some Japanese home cooked dishes.
Another popular place in London to eat is at the Borough Market here you have many options and a wide variety of dishes to try.
It’s one of the oldest market in London and is one of the most popular ones amongst foodies. More street or food markets are Camden Market, Berwick Street Market, Old Spitalfields Market, Hawker’s House and Dinerama.
Luxury Hotels in London
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London is one of the world most exclusive hotel. A Royal suite goes for 20.000 USD a night (2019). Offers to the elite clientele a traditional flavor of Britain.
With a central location at a great commercial area right across the street its Harrods.
The Hotel itself was originally a British style gentleman’s club, then it was converted to a hotel and became a Mandarin Oriental in the year 2000.
The five top luxury hotels in London are The Ritz London, Haymarket Hotel, JW Marriott Grosvenor House London, Rosewood London, 45 Park Lane – Dorchester Collection
Also a Luxury Hotel but less expensive than the ones mentioned above is The Savoy Hotel in London
Find out more about where to stay in London with Porto Vacation Rentals and information about Vacation Rentals in London at Porto Vacation Rentals.
Planning your trip to Europe? Check these hotels in Porto, Portugal.
Hotels in Porto Old Town.
The Editory Boulevard Aliados Hotel, with an excellent location in Porto probably is one of the most beautiful hotels in Europe.
Hotel Eurostars Aliados Porto, located in the heart of the city and near all the main land marks in Porto.
The Hotel Aliados Porto located at Aliados above the historic Guarany café and with nice views from the room windows.
Hotel Mercure Porto Aliados, has a swimming pool, fantastic service and perfect location in Aliados.
Ribeira do Porto Hotel, has unique views to River Douro and to the D. Luís I Bridge in Porto.
Hotel Premium Porto Downtown with a beautiful rooftop with amazing views
Boutique Hotels in Porto Portugal located in Ribeira one of the most beautiful places in Porto
The Zero Box Lodge Porto located in Porto historic area.
Other pages about Porto that you can find interesting information if you are planning travel to Porto check in Porto Vacation Rentals:
Where to eat Francesinha the famous dish from Porto, 5 of the best Hotels in Porto and Hotels near Porto Airport, Beachfront vacation rental in Porto, things to do in Porto, where to go when you visit Porto.
And a few more, for example, information about Douro Cruises in Porto or where to eat the best hot dog in the World in Porto.
To see only hotels in Porto visit also Hotel Porto Portugal.