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City guide

London, England (UK)

14 million people in 2025. 4 million.

Type CityPopulation 9,140,000Metro Area Population 15,400,000

Why go

  • Capital of England and the United Kingdom.
  • Known for London bars, London pubs, partying, nightclubs.
  • 3 curated must-see attractions on record, including Palace of Westminster.
  • 5 hand-picked places to stay.
  • 1 recommended spot to eat and drink.
  • Served by Heathrow Airport (LHR).

History

London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.14 million people in 2025. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 15.4 million. London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, at the head of a 50-mile (80 km) tidal estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a major settlement for nearly 2,000 years. Its ancient core and financial centre, the City of London, was founded by the Romans as Londinium and has retained its medieval boundaries. The City of Westminster, to the west of the City of London, has been the site of the national government and parliament for centuries. London grew rapidly in the 19th century, becoming the world's largest city at the time. Since the 19th century the name "London" has referred to the metropolis around the City of London, historically split among the counties of Middlesex, Essex, Surrey, Kent and Hertfordshire. Since 1965 it has largely comprised the administrative area of Greater London, governed by 33 local authorities and the Greater London Authority.

Must-see attractions

https://vimeo.com/657856453 · grosvenor.com
Outdoor

117 more attractions in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Where to stay

Brook St, London W1K 4HR, United Kingdom · maybourne.com
Indoor
35 St James's Pl, London SW1A 1NY, United Kingdom · dukeshotel.com
Indoor
140 Park Ln, London W1K 7AA, United Kingdom · marriott.com
Indoor
Strand, London WC2R 0EZ, United Kingdom · thesavoylondon.com
Indoor
66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA, United Kingdom · mandarinoriental.com
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22-28 Broadway, London SW1H 0BH, United Kingdom · hilton.com
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15 Beeston Pl, London SW1W 0JW, United Kingdom · thegoring.com
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150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR, United Kingdom · theritzlondon.com
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Stratton St, London W1J 8LT, United Kingdom · radissonhotels.com
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252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN, United Kingdom · rosewoodhotels.com
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1 Redan Pl, London W2 4SA, United Kingdom · sixsenses.com
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31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9QU, United Kingdom · shangri-la.com
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One Hamilton Place, Park Ln, London W1J 7QY, United Kingdom · ihg.com
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1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA, United Kingdom · langhamhotels.com
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2, 24 Kensington High St, London W8 4PT, United Kingdom · royalgardenhotel.co.uk
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1-3 Kensington Ct, London W8 5DL, United Kingdom · milestonehotel.com
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41 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PS, United Kingdom · 41hotel.com
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17-19 Egerton Terrace, London SW3 2BX, United Kingdom · egertonhousehotel.com
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21 Piccadilly, London W1J 0BH, United Kingdom · marriott.co.uk
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2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Sq, London SW1A 2TS, United Kingdom · hilton.com
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https://vimeo.com/722551855 · 38 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DX, United Kingdom · thelondoner.com
Indoor
Corinthia Hotel, 10 Whitehall Pl, London SW1A 2BD, United Kingdom · corinthia.com
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The Connaught, Carlos Pl, London W1K 2AL, United Kingdom · maybourne.com
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10 Palace Pl, London SW1E 5BW, United Kingdom · residenthotels.com
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10 Pepys St, London EC3N 2NR, United Kingdom · all.accor.com
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1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BZ, United Kingdom · onealdwych.com
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The Berkeley, Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL, United Kingdom · maybourne.com
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32 London Bridge St, London SE1 9SG, United Kingdom · the-shard.com
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Heathcock Court, 415 Strand, London WC2R 0JT, United Kingdom · thezhotels.com
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21 Tothill St, London SW1H 9LL, United Kingdom · premierinn.com
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200 Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7UT, United Kingdom · parkplazawestminsterbridge.com
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Nightingale Ln, Richmond TW10 6UZ, United Kingdom · petershamhotel.co.uk
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24, 30 W Smithfield, London EC1A 9HB, United Kingdom · premierinn.com
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11 Thurloe Pl, South Kensington, London SW7 2RS, United Kingdom · sarova-rembrandthotel.com
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Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1AA, United Kingdom · sunbornhotels.com
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Bryanston St, London W1H 7EH, United Kingdom · marblearchhotellondon.com
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18 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ, United Kingdom · parkplazariverbank.com
Indoor

33 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Eat & drink

Restaurants & places to go

. Kitchen Open 12.00-21.00 ... 7 Days A Week ... “Fine Dining On The Terrace” ... “Take-Away In The Park” ... “Pick-Ups & Deliveries” ... · sheeshrestaurant.co.uk
Indoor
seafood restaurants · . BACK OPEN 🦞 🦀 🦪 Now taking reservations all day & night! Seafood platters delivered to your door! See link to know more! · randallandaubin.com
Indoor
pubs · ...PURVEYOR OF GOOD TIMES SINCE 1809. . · theryepeckham.com
Indoor
bars, restaurants · 46 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 5AT, United Kingdom · annabels.co.uk
Indoor
cocktails, cocktail lounges, cocktail bars · 4 Kingly Court, Soho, London, United Kingdom W1F 9RR · disrepute.co.uk
Indoor
fine dining restaurants, oysters, oyster bars, fine seafood restaurants · 55 Jermyn St, St. James's, London SW1Y 6LX, United Kingdom · wiltons.co.uk
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music venues, sports venues · alexandrapalace.com
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coffee shops, coffees · leavetheherdbehind.com
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sustainable buildings, architecture · thecrystal.org
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Claridges restaurants, fine dining · maybourne.com
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swingers club · fantasyden.co.uk
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live music venues · koko.uk.com
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Four Seasons restaurants, luxury restaurants, Chef Anne-Sophie Pic · 10 Trinity Square, Tower, London EC3N 4AJ, United Kingdom · ladamedepiclondon.co.uk
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nightclubs, lounges · rionightclub.co.uk
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steakhouses · stksteakhouse.com
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floating pubs, pub restaurants, waterfront restaurants · tdock.co.uk
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private nightclubs, members only clubs, members only nightclubs · 40 Jermyn St, St. James's, London SW1Y 6DN, United Kingdom · tramp.co.uk
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bookshops, book stores · waldenbooks.co.uk
Indoor
. Best wine shop in the World! Some posts by our amazing team members. · hedonism.co.uk
Indoor
bars, restaurants, pubs · slugandlettuce.co.uk
Indoor
Four Seasons restaurants, luxury restaurants, Chinese restaurants, Japanese restaurants · meiume.com
Indoor
Share our passion for food and wine with @ MGaletti01 and @ haveagrapetime follow our instagram @ mererestaurant . · mere-restaurant.com
Indoor
SE London cocktail bar and pizza kitchen. Food drinks crafted with care under the Peckham Rye railway arches. Happy hour 6-7pm every day of the week. . · barstory.co.uk
Indoor
British Seafood Small Plates / Local Brews Cocktails / The Backroom Cinema / # MyMontpelier # ParchedFamily . · themontpelier.net
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Artisan | Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Vegan | No Refined Sugar | Available at Richmond Foodies Market local cafés | IG @ theblissbrownie | http://… · blissbrownie.com
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Independent British Tavern | 20 Lines of Craft Beer, Small Batch Gins Great Vibe | Melissa Cole s Top 5 Drinking Holes in London . · taptavern.co.uk
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Wapping Ln, St Katharine's & Wapping, London E1W 2SF, UK · tobaccodocklondon.com
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. Modern British Restaurant. Menu from Head Chef @ruthhansom Showcasing the best of British produce 🌱 Local | Sustainably Sourced | Seasonal
Indoor
Indoor

255 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Heathrow Airport (LHR) 14 mi to the centre
London, ENG, GB — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 86 airlines (British Airways, American Airlines, Iberia Airlines, Finnair…) · direct flights to 171 destinations incl. New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 86 airlines, 171 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) 24 mi to the centre
London, ENG, GB — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 47 airlines (easyJet, British Airways, Transavia France, Norwegian Air Shuttle…) · direct flights to 165 destinations incl. Arrecife, Tenerife, Larnaca, Orlando, Alicante… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 47 airlines, 165 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
London City Airport (LCY) 8.1 mi to the centre
London, ENG, GB — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 12 airlines (British Airways, Air France, CityJet, Iberia Airlines…) · direct flights to 35 destinations incl. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Florence, Frankfurt, Zurich… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 12 airlines, 35 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
London Southend Airport (SEN) 36 mi to the centre
Essex, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6YF, UK — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 2 airlines (easyJet, Aer Lingus) · direct flights to 14 destinations incl. Alicante, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 14 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
London Biggin Hill Airport (BQH) 13 mi to the centre
London, ENG, GB — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor

Regional airports

Further out, but often the cheapest way in — the airports the low-cost carriers use. Each links to its own town's guide for getting from there into the city.

London Stansted Airport (STN) 31 mi to the centre
London, Essex, ENG, GB — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 10 airlines (Ryanair, easyJet, Transavia France, Germanwings…) · direct flights to 153 destinations incl. Palma de Mallorca, Arrecife, Ibiza, Tenerife, Dalaman… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 31 mi from London · Ryanair, easyJet, Transavia France · Getting around Bishop's Stortford, UK →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 10 airlines, 153 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
London Luton Airport (LTN) 28 mi to the centre
Airport Way, Luton LU2 9LY — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 8 airlines (easyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair, Monarch Airlines…) · direct flights to 85 destinations incl. Arrecife, Faro, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Sharm El Sheikh… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 28 mi from London · easyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair · Getting around Luton-Dunstable, United Kingdom →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 8 airlines, 85 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Southampton Airport (SOU) 65 mi to the centre
Southampton SO18 2NL, UK — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 5 airlines (Flybe, Air France, Skynet Airlines, Aurigny Air Services…) · direct flights to 23 destinations incl. Bergerac, Brest, Guernsey, Jersey, La Rochelle… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 65 mi from London · Flybe, Air France, Skynet Airlines · Getting around Southampton, United Kingdom →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 5 airlines, 23 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Bournemouth Airport (BOH) 89 mi to the centre
Bournemouth, ENG, GB — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 3 airlines (Ryanair, Transavia France, Aer Lingus) · direct flights to 17 destinations incl. Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife, Alicante, Arrecife, Carcassonne… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 89 mi from London · Ryanair, Transavia France, Aer Lingus · Getting around Bournemouth-Poole, United Kingdom →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 3 airlines, 17 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Millbank Millennium Pier
Ferry terminal · 0.4 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Westminster Pier
Ferry terminal · 0.6 mi from the centre
Outdoor
St. George Wharf
Ferry terminal · 0.6 mi from the centre · Thames Clippers
Outdoor
London Eye - Waterloo Pier
Ferry terminal · 0.8 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Battersea Power Station Pier
Ferry terminal · 0.9 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Embankment
Ferry terminal · 1 mi from the centre
Outdoor
River Bus 2: Tower => Battersea Power Station
Ferry route · London River Services
Outdoor
River Bus 2: Battersea Power Station => Tower
Ferry route · Thames Clippers
Outdoor
River Bus 6: Putney => Blackfriars
Ferry route · Thames Clippers
Outdoor
River Bus 6: Blackfriars => Putney
Ferry route · Thames Clippers
Outdoor
RB1
Ferry route · Uber Boat Thames Clippers
Outdoor
River Tours: Westminster/St. Katharine’s circular cruise
Ferry route · Circular Cruise Westminster
Outdoor
RB6
Ferry route
Outdoor
River Bus 1: Battersea Power Station => North Greenwich
Ferry route · Thames Clippers
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Heathrow Airport (LHR); 1 other airport serves the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: LHR has direct flights to 171 destinations on 86 airlines (incl. New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago…). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 12 mi (nearest: Millbank Millennium Pier, 0.4 mi); routes include River Bus 2: Tower => Battersea Power Station, River Bus 2: Battersea Power Station => Tower, River Bus 6: Putney => Blackfriars.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for London, England (UK). Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Tube, bus, rail, river · The Underground, buses, Overground, DLR, trams and river boats. · Fares: Oyster or contactless tap · Airport: Elizabeth line or Piccadilly line from H

Trains & rail

Rail operator
Rail operator
Rail operator
Rail operator
Rail operator
High-speed trains London–Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam through the Channel Tunnel. · Paris guide →
Belmond's restored 1920s sleeper between London, Paris and Venice. · Venice (Venezia), Italy guide →

Coaches & shuttles

Overnight and daytime coaches, about nine hours; the train takes four and a half. · Edinburgh, Scotland guide →
Every 10 to 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, from Victoria; about 100 minutes. · Oxford, England guide →
Intercity coach

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
Broker, marketplace · Operator network worldwide · Online charter marketplace, part of Directional Aviation; instant quotes.
Marketplace · Operator network · Transparent on-demand jet charter marketplace showing the operator and tail.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.

Tours & experiences