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A cosmopolitan and eclectic city, London is a dream destination for a change of scenery. Its tourist attractions, iconic monuments, rich culture, and bustling city life make it a place to visit at least once in a lifetime. Embark on an unforgettable weekend to discover the So British capital!
Welcome to London!
To make the most of your weekend, plan to arrive on Friday late afternoon, making sure you have booked your hotel in advance, and your visits to monuments when they are not free. In general, if you want to see as much as possible in this time, plan ahead!
After dropping off your luggage at your hotel, head for Piccadilly Circus, London’s Times Square in miniature, to enjoy the lights and do a bit of window shopping. The journey and this little stroll will probably have dug into your stomach, so it’s time to eat! There’s no shortage of restaurants in the area, some of which stand out for the quality of their dishes. L’Aquavit and Le Scully St James’s are two gourmet restaurants offering original cuisines and great culinary and visual experiences. If you’re on a tighter budget, try Steak & Co. where you’ll find probably the best steaks in town.
London by night
Day 1 in London
Atypical morning shopping and the Royal Park
Saturday morning, lace up your sneakers and head for Camden to stroll through one of the world’s most famous markets. You’ll be seduced by its lively, eclectic atmosphere, with cuisine from all over the world and live music along the Regent’s Canal. Until the early 1980s, the shops sold exclusively food, but today you can also find clothes, accessories, jewelry, books, antiques… All this is spread over several areas: Camden Lock Village, Camden Lock Market, Inverness Market Street and Stables Market, where you can see the statue erected in honor of singer Amy Winehouse.
After all this excitement, take some time to discover London’s largest park: Hyde Park. With a surface area of 140 hectares, it’s a favorite relaxation spot for Londoners and tourists alike. Whether you prefer to relax or take part in a range of activities, you can hire a boat and take a trip on the artificial lake Serpentine. Hyde Park was the site of the 1851 World’s Fair, with its famous Crystal Palace (dismantled and removed from the park at the end of the event).
London museums and cocktail parties
Nearby, to the south of Hyde Park, you’ll find the London Museum of Natural History, whose architecture is already remarkable. Admission is free, and the museum, divided into 4 zones, is huge! No fewer than 70 million specimens are on display, and you’ll need to select the collections you want to see (dinosaurs, earth hall and stegosaurus, bird-minerals and marine reptile fossils), as a whole day wouldn’t be enough.
To the east, close to the Soho district, take a short detour to visit the famous British Museum. Here too, you’ll need to plan your visit to see as much as possible and explore the collections on offer. Here, two million years of history, art and culture await you. No fewer than 7 million objects from 5 continents are stored in its various galleries, from Chinese porcelain to Egyptian mummies and Parthenon sculptures.
End your day at Covent Garden, an architectural masterpiece in its own right. After a stroll through the alleys, you’ll find plenty to eat. To round off the evening, push open the door to Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration (reservation almost essential). This extraordinary bar, where the atmosphere, decor and original cocktails are sure to win you over, offers a guaranteed change of scene!
Day 2: must-see London sights
The Changing of the Guard
A not-to-be-missed tourist attraction, the Changing of the Guard takes place in front of Buckingham Palace at 11:00 a.m. (daily in summer and Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from September to May). It’s advisable to arrive early, as there are always plenty of people to watch the ceremony.
Westminster Abbey
Close to Buckingham Palace is Westminster Abbey, the coronation and funeral venue for most of England’s kings and queens. A monumental Gothic edifice built in the 12th century, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admission to the church is not free.
Big Ben!
Then head to Westminster Bridge to admire Big Ben, and a few steps away, enjoy the famous English dish “fish and chips” at the Fishcotheque. It’s an inexpensive restaurant where you can choose between several varieties of extra-fresh fish!
London Eye for a 360° view of London
After filling your stomach, it’s time to feast your eyes on the now-famous London Eye. Climb 135 meters to enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the whole of London. This Ferris wheel was inaugurated to mark the new millennium.
Tower of London
Continue your tour with a visit to the Tower of London. Built during the reign of William the Conqueror, it was long used as a prison. Today, it’s a place steeped in history, where you can visit the Medieval Palace, St Peter-Ad-Vincula Chapel, the White Tower and, of course, admire the Crown Jewels. You’ll also meet the Tower’s inseparable ravens. Legend has it that if the ravens were to disappear from the Tower of London, it would collapse.
Tower Bridge
To round off your London tour, what could be more romantic than a stroll over Tower Bridge? With its breathtaking view over the River Thames, it’s a must-see. The two neo-Gothic towers can be visited, and you’ll discover the bridge’s impressive machinery dating back to the Victorian era. This bridge is emblematic of the capital, so don’t forget your camera to immortalize the moment!
