Iconic sights, famous museums, retail heaven... hello London!
Call us biased, but just being in the UK capital is exciting. You'll have a ball exploring the historic streets of this financial, political and cultural powerhouse.
Flying to London City Airport
London City is the UK capital’s most central airport. Flights land on our iconic dockside runway, near the main business centres and just over 20 minutes from famous attractions in the heart of the city.
Getting around London is easy, thanks to excellent public transport links from the airport. The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) station at LCY terminal has speedy connections to central London and the full Transport for London (TfL) network. Or you can hire a car at the airport, take a bus or flag a taxi at the rank outside the terminal. The city is yours to explore!
Each week there are several direct flights to London City Airport (LCY). Whether your plans involve business meetings or drinks by the Thames (or both), here’s what you need to know when travelling to London.
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London Travel Guide
Browse our travel guide to discover the best things to do in London, its buzzing nightlife and food scene, plus events worth checking out. London’s global status is well-earned – but beyond the iconic landmarks and historic pubs, a dynamic mix of culture, cuisine and creativity makes this city a true original. If you’re travelling to London for the first time, expect an exciting blend of old-world charm and modern city energy.
Essential Sights
West End:for theatre, shopping and lively streets
London’s entertainment heart glows with neon lights, historic theatres and buzzing crowds. Shop your heart out on legendary Regent and Oxford Streets, then catch a world-class show on Shaftsbury Avenue. Pause for some people-watching in Leicester Square before exploring nearby bars, restaurants and late-night spots to keep the energy going.
East End:for vibrant markets, bars and museums
This dynamic area is home to fantastic museums, including the Young V&A, Museum of the Home and must-see 18th century time-capsule, Dennis Severs’ House. Columbia Road flower market and Broadway Market offer excellent browsing, while Shoreditch’s buzzing Brick Lane is known for superb curries, excellent bagels and plenty more. Head to Stratford to explore the site of London’s 2012 Olympics, with a swim in the huge Olympic pool or a slide down Anish Kapoor’s towering 376-foot sculpture.
Westminster:for iconic London landmarks
Top of the list of things to do in London is a visit to the city’s political and ceremonial heart, home to the huge clock tower known as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Stroll along the Thames for views of the London Eye or up The Mall to catch the Changing of the Guard at nearby Buckingham Palace. Pop in to tour the State Rooms and palace gardens for a glimpse of royal life.
Covent GardenFor people-watching, theatre and shopping
In this lively district, boutique shops and artisan stalls fill a restored market hall while performers entertain the crowds outside. You’ll find big brands around here too, alongside eating options ranging from pop-up stalls to elegant restaurants. This area’s also a performing arts hotspot, home to some of London’s oldest theatres including the Royal Opera House.
Trafalgar Square
At the crossroads of central London this grand public square features Nelson’s column and the Four Plinths. It’s backed by the spectacular National Gallery, home of a world class art collection (Turner, Gainsborough, Cezanne, da Vinci) all just steps away from cafes and bars where you can watch the world go by. If you’re wondering what to see in London, this is a great starting point.
British Museum
Visitors crowd around the ancient Rosetta Stone on display here, but it’s just one marvel in a museum that’s packed with them. This free attraction also displays Egyptian mummies, ancient relief sculptures and archaeological findings from Britain’s most famous burial mounds.
Tate Modern
Britain’s national museum of contemporary art occupies the incredible industrial spaces of a former power station, standing on the river opposite St Paul’s and linked to it by the elegant Millennium Bridge. You pay to see blockbuster temporary exhibitions, but the permanent collection is free.
Tower of London
One of the most popular places to visit in London, this former fortress, palace and prison is steeped in drama. Go to see the shimmering crown jewels and hear macabre tales of imprisonment from the traditionally dressed Beefeater guardsmen. These ancient stone walls are full of stories!
For the kids
The Science Museum offers a fun educational day out, with a whole floor dedicated to games for younger visitors. Down on the South Bank, SEA LIFE London’s huge aquarium has over 500 marine species and a glass bridge over a shark tank. Or visit London Zoo to meet 750 species of animal and learn about conserving habitats and ecology.
Nightlife
You can take your pick of things do in London – comedy gigs, classical concerts, karaoke, musicals, theatre performances – every night, all across the city.
London by evening transforms into an all-inclusive, anything-goes party with events for every taste. Sleek bars oozing style, dancefloors ruled by world-famous DJs, gig venues showcasing up-and-coming acts, historic theatres presenting world-class shows… the list is boundless.
The clubbing scene is equally diverse. Long-established super-clubs Ministry of Sound and Heaven still bring in crowds, but you’ll find a huge variety of smaller clubs welcoming party people of every preference. Some of the best LGBTQ+ nights happen during London Pride, one of the world’s biggest Pride events.
Only 20 minutes from London City Airport, the gigantic O2 Arena sits on a bend of the Thames and hosts the world’s biggest names in music. For more intimate venues and varied acts, head to Camden, Soho, Shoreditch or wider East London.
Food & Drink
London’s population is very multicultural, and so is its cuisine. Traditional British food is known as comforting and classic with a focus on pies, roasts and puddings – in reality, it’s much more. The city’s globally inspired food scene means you can expect vastly diverse eating experiences. From cheap eats to vibrant street food, stylish cafes and bustling markets full of flavour, London’s all about discovery and trying new, intriguing places to eat.
Street Food
Classic fish ‘n’ chips, authentic tacos, ribs, burgers or Indian street eats – you name it, London’s markets offer mouthwatering choice. Borough Market is a good bet for fresh produce, artisan treats and hearty bites. The Kitchens in Old Spitalfields Market has something delicious for everyone – or head east to enjoy canal-side eats in the sun at Hackney Bridge.
Upscale dining
London’s long been a place where many of the world’s top chefs open branches, with over 80 restaurants in the city boasting a Michelin star or two. If you want to splash out during your visit, fine dining that pairs international and experimental flavours with world-class wines is easy to come by.
Unusual bars
In London there’s no shortage of traditional drinking spots – some stunning old pubs date from as long ago as the 16th century. In this history-steeped city, plenty of bars offer something a little different. You can spend your evening drinking in ancient cellars, Victorian gin parlours, surrounded by museum oddities or even in a former air raid shelter wall-to-wall with wartime style.
Events
Wondering what to see in London? It’s a city always on the move, with an events calendar covering everything from horticulture to haute couture. Our handy London guide helps you experience this lively city to the full.
London Fashion Week Feb and Sep
The world’s finest designers shine at this twice-yearly even where the catwalk shows teem with fashion royalty and celebrities in between exclusive after-parties.
Chelsea Flower Show May
England’s renowned horticultural show treats gardening fans to innovative designs, prize blooms and new plant unveilings. A quintessentially British event not to be missed by anyone who fancies a peek into the world of leading garden design.
Pride in London June
This annual festival centres around the popular London Pride parade, but the programme of events features all kinds of performances, protests and parties celebrating LGBTQ+ culture across the city.
Trooping of the Colour June
Britain wears its traditions on its sleeve at this annual event celebrating the King’s official birthday. An elegant formal parade of regiments troops down the Mall from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade for inspection by the King, with plenty of crowds watching and waving.
Wimbledon June - July
Tennis greats battle it out at Wimbledon’s All England Club during the world’s oldest tennis tournament. Spectators cheer on famous players while tucking into Wimbledon’s famous strawberries and cream. Whether you're courtside or watching on a screen outside, the atmosphere alone makes this one of the most exciting places to visit in London in summer.
Notting Hill Carnival August
Notting Hill in West London is taken over by this huge community-led street party that dominates pavements, pubs and parks. Flamboyant processions lead through the streets, complemented by soca, calypso, mas, steel and Brazilian bands, along with live DJs and performances.
BFI London Film Festival October
Immerse yourself in the cream of British and international film at London’s most extensive celebration of the big screen. Cinemas across the city put on a rich selection of documentaries, feature films and shorts.