FIRST TIME IN LONDON?

The Ultimate London Guide for the First-Time Visitor

London, our home and a fantastic cosmopolitan city by the Thames. Diverse, culturally rich, it oozes with history from ancient to modern times. Innovative, creative, energetic, buzzing, modern, calm the list is endless. And trust us, you’ll find everything and anything you want! But visiting for the first time London can be overwhelming.

Therefore, we’ve compelled this simple list ticking off all major sites on your first, but definitely not last trip to the capital.

DAY ONE

First, London is very walkable! You’ll be surprise how close together many of the major attractions are. So, get your walking boots on and start at Victoria Station.

From there it’s only a short walk to Buckingham Palace. See the iconic palace and watch the famous Changing of the Guard. Take a quick detour to Harrods for some exquisite shopping or head straight down the Mall to Trafalgar Square.

See Nelson’s column and visit the National Gallery. Like many other museums the entry is free!

Take a break at the fantastic and well-hidden café in the crypt of the St Martins on the Fields church next to Trafalgar Square. Even a first time visitor can still find some less known spots.

Then head down Whitehall passing Old Scotland Yard and Downing Street No 10. Don’t forget to booh the prime minister!

Shortly afterwards you spot Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and right next door, Westminster Abbey . The iconic church where most Royals got married.

Cross the Thames for the first time and there’s the London Eye! We recommend a ride at dusk when London’s skyline is lit up. The views are amazing.

Take a breath

If you are into street art, take another short detour to the Leake Street Tunnel. It’s a graffiti tunnel leading towards Waterloo station. The artworks are mind blowing and constantly changing. And you can also watch the artist creating another masterpiece on the job. It’s fascinating. At the end of tunnel you find Lower Marsh Market, a great street food market open Monday to Friday.

Then it’s time to head back to the Thames onto the South Bank. Musicians and street artists line up at the river walk and give it a very lively and artistic atmosphere. Enjoy and keep walking until you reach the Tate Modern Gallery. The Tate is also free and showcases an impressive modern art collection. It also boasts one the greatest viewing spots over London.

Right next to it is the Millennium Bridge. This slightly wobbly looking bridge leads you straight to St Paul’s Cathedral. Otherwise continue your journey along the Thames until you reach the Borough Market. A food market like no other with delicatessens from around the world. No first time visitor to London will go hungry, but watch out, it ain’t cheap!

Have a break in one of the many historic pubs around there. We can give you some pub recommendations. Then it’s time for your last stop, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. Two iconic landmarks no visitor can afford to miss! That should do for your first day, take a river boat back to central London or just jump on the tube. Then put your feet up and rest…

DAY TWO

On the next day we put some shopping on the agenda. Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street give you the full shopping hit and are again, all very walkable. Head to Sloane Street for high end designer shops from all over the world. On a rainy day you can cross town over to Stratford or Shepherd’s Bush to hit the stores of Westfield, Europe’s largest shopping malls.