London is one of the most visited cities not just in Europe, but also in the world.
Millions of millions of tourists and businesspeople come and go to explore and discover what the bustling metropolis has to offer.
If it’s your first time to visit, it may seem overwhelming, so here are some of the places to include in your itinerary.
Big Ben
The Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London.
When you think of London the first thing that comes to mind is its most iconic landmark — Big Ben.
The latter is a famous attraction and probably one of the most photographed as well.
FYI, the moniker ‘Big Ben’ is actually for the Great Bell of the actual clock and not the tower. The tower’s name is Elizabeth Tower.
The structure follows the neo-gothic style and finished construction in the late 1850s.
Buckingham Palace
Visit the official London residence of the Queen.
If you want to see how the royals live, a stop at Buckingham Palace is a must for first-time visitors.
This centuries-old stately mansion is the headquarters and residence of the country’s monarchs.
It has more than 700 rooms and has the largest private garden in the city.
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster.
Part of what makes London a fascinating city is its eclectic mix of old and new.
You’ll see ancient (albeit repaired and maintained) structures mixing with modern skyscrapers and glitzy entertainment districts.
One of the places to add to your first-time visit is Westminster Abbey. The latter is a big, Gothic-inspired religious complex.
It is the traditional burial and coronation site of British royalty. It survived the centuries and is a famous tourist destination.
Covent Garden
The former fruit-and-vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and with the Royal Opera House.
This vibrant and famous tourist destination used to be an Anglo-Saxon settlement centuries ago and was once a red light district as well.
Fast forward to today, it is now a popular shopping and dining district.
Some of the streets and alleys have beautiful and colorful buildings, which make it a picture-perfect place to explore.
Borough Market
Visit London’s oldest food market – dating back all the way to 1014.
If food is a big part of your trips, then you shouldn’t miss London’s Borough Market.
The latter has plenty of food options at various prices.
You can spend half or even an entire day going through shops, stalls, pubs and restaurants.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
The Anglican cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of London and the mother church of the Diocese of London.
The cathedral is centuries old and is one of the city’s most enduring landmarks.
FYI, it used to be London’s tallest building in the 1700s until 1967, when another towering structure took its title.
It is an exquisite and fetching church that still holds regular services for those so inclined to practice their religion.
Tower of London
Officially Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London.
If you can’t get enough of ancient history, a stop at this tower is a must for your first visit in the country.
This centuries-old structure will have you waxing nostalgic of the time of kings, queens, princes and princesses.
It has undergone several phases of repair, maintenance, wars, sieges, changing of royal families and expansion through different epochs.
These are only some of the places you can visit during your first visit to London.
The vibrant city has a lot more to offer for those who want to explore and discover it.
Sources: travel.usnews.com | lifewellwandered.com | Aroundtheworldin80pairsofshoes.com
