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The amazing Gothic architecture of the Palace of Westminster has seen a lot of change over the years. But it isn’t just a historical building; it’s still in use today, since it’s where the Houses of Parliament are. If you happen to visit while parliament is in session, you can watch the debates and see history in progress. When it isn’t in session, take a tour of the palace instead. There are lots of important historical records, and even more stunning architecture to admire. You’ll even get to see the Great Clock and Big Ben, the bell inside the Elizabeth Tower–contrary to popular belief, Big Ben isn’t the name of tower itself. If you time your visit right, you’ll get to hear Big Ben ring the hour. Next door to the Palace is the giant, beautiful Gothic church Westminster Abbey, where each of England’s monarchs has been coronated since 1066. When you’re done exploring the church, check out the graveyard. England’s royalty and many other famous English historical figures have been buried in the Westminster Abbey graveyard for centuries. No matter what part of English history you’re most interested in, Westminster is full of attractions you can’t afford to miss while you’re in London.

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The Tower of London is also known as the Bloody Tower, and it’s earned the name. Since 1066, when William the Conqueror had it built to frighten his subjects into submission and to threaten those who wanted to invade his kingdom, it has seen the death and imprisonment of royalty–along with a lot of other people. This is where the former queens Catherine Howard and Anne Boleyn were executed. Prince Edward V was kept prisoner in the Tower before he vanished, as were bishops, kings, dukes, and more. The Tower of London is such an imposing fortress, it’s where the Crown Jewels are kept safe. With all that bloodshed, it’s no wonder some believe the Tower of London is haunted; you can even take a ghost tour. If that’s not your thing, check out the medieval palace inside the Tower instead. See the Yeoman Warders–or the “Beefeaters”–to learn about the old Royal Bodyguard. Search for the resident ravens; it’s said that England will fall if they leave the Tower. The Tower of London has so much history, you can’t
afford to miss it.

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A trip to London would be incomplete without a visit to the home of the Queen: Buckingham Palace. It’s the monarch’s administrative headquarters, and has been the official residence of the British sovereigns since 1837; it’s full of life and history. A tour of the palace will include the 19 State Rooms, the Throne Room, the Ballroom, the Picture Gallery, and part of the sprawling palace gardens. While you’re there, you should check out the Queen’s Gallery, which was built out of the ruins of the palace’s old chapel after it was bombed in World War II; the exhibitions from the Royal Collection change all the time. You can also visit the Royal Mews, and see the stables and state vehicles. Buckingham Palace is only open for tours during the summer, but it’s worth it to stop by even in the off-season. You can stand outside to watch the changing of the guard and take a look at the flagpole–the royal standard only flies when her majesty is in.

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London’s a great place to eat, as long as you plan ahead and stay away from the tourist traps. First, fortify yourself for a busy day of sight-seeing with a traditional hearty English breakfast at Simpson’s-in-the-Strand. Later, try out some of the fine dining London has to offer. Rules, known as London’s oldest restaurant, is the place to go for the best classic British cuisine.Or you could take the less expensive–but no less authentic–route, and go for fish and chips. The Golden Hind and Rock & Sole Plaice are some of the oldest fish and chip places in town. Another great option is Indian cuisine, which London is famous for. Veeraswamy has been a favorite since 1926, but you’re likely to find a good Indian restaurants almost anywhere in the city. You have to visit an English pub at least once while you’re in London. Have a pint at a pub like The Dickens Inn. No matter what kind of food you want, you’re sure to find it in a place as large and diverse as London.

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London’s hectic traffic and confusing layout make driving there a nightmare, especially for visitors. Fortunately, London offers a variety of alternatives to driving. The public transportation is a great option, even if the locals like to gripe about late trains. If you’re willing to spend a little more, London’s cabs are some of the best in the world. They’re comfortable, safe, and the drivers are exceptionally knowledgeable. For shorter trips, rent a bicycle through Barclay’s Cycle Hire scheme. They’re a great, inexpensive way to get around. The Underground, or the “Tube,” is another inexpensive way to get all over the city. Tube stations are easy to find–just look for the signs with the red circle and blue crossbar. The Overground will take you even further; it’s especially useful for getting to South and East London. London’s buses are reliable, comfortable, and cheap–plus, you can do some sight-seeing while you ride. Though you can pay for public transportation in cash, consider buying an Oyster Card–they’re quick and easy to use, and they’ll get you discounts. You can use them for the Tube, the Overground, the buses, and more. London is a very big, very old city, which means its layout is hard to navigate. So however you choose to get around, take a map.

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London isn’t known for warm weather and beautiful, clear skies any time of the year. But don’t let that stop you from visiting–just be sure to bring an umbrella. It rains the most in the fall, so skip that season if you want to keep your feet dry–but remember that English weather is unpredictable, and there’s really plenty of rain year-round. Temperatures rarely reach extremes no matter what season it is, and though July and August can be muggy during the day, evenings are usually cool even in the summer. If you want a cheap trip, it’s best to go in the off-season. October through March is a good time to find flight and hotel deals, though prices will spike around big holidays like Christmas. Going in the winter also means there won’t be as many other tourists around, and you’ll still be able to take advantage of London’s world-class theatre, classical music, and shopping. But if you don’t mind crowds and higher prices, many tours and popular attractions are only available during the summer months. When to go to London really depends on what you’re most interested in doing while you’re there.

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For centuries, London has been a hub for culture and education, and its world-class museums prove it.

The British Museum has been collecting artifacts since 1753, and today it boasts everything from ancient Greek sculptures to Egyptian mummies.

For Western European paintings, there’s no better place than the National Gallery, where you’ll find the work of Rembrandt, Monet, Michelangelo, and many more.

If you want to see British art while you’re in London, Tate Britain has focused on the national collection of British art since 1897, with pieces dating as far back as 1500. Since its expansion in recent years, it also has acquired a wealth of international modern and contemporary art.

Furniture, sculptures, jewelry, architecture–any kind of decorative artwork you can think of is sure to be somewhere in the Victoria & Albert Museum. It’s known as the world’s best museum of art and design.

And, where better to learn about the history of London itself than the Museum of London? It covers everything from prehistoric times, to the Elizabethan era, to the sixties.

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If you lived in London your whole life, you still wouldn’t have time to see everything, but there are some things you just shouldn’t miss.

The London Eye, a huge observation wheel on the Thames, will give you a bird’s-eye view of the city. When skies are clear, you can see as far out as 25 miles.

The iconic dome of St Paul’s Cathedral can’t be missed. Visit to learn the history of this beautiful building, which has been rebuilt several times over the centuries.

You can’t visit the royal family at Buckingham Palace, but it’s worth a visit just to watch the changing of the guard and take a tour.

Everybody has heard of Big Ben, but you might not know that it’s the name of the bell, not the tower itself–that’s Elizabeth Tower.

Trafalgar Square, with Nelson’s Column in the middle, is where London’s biggest parades and celebrations end up; it’s London’s center.

The Tower of London might be the most haunted place in the world. Even if you don’t run into any ghosts, you can see the Crown Jewels.

Westminster Abbey is where England’s royalty has been crowned since 1066. It’s also where they’ve been buried.

These are just some of the places you’ll be busy exploring on a trip to London — it’s a city where you can always find something new!

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London has grown a lot over its long history, absorbing smaller towns as it went along. Today, it’s a sprawling city, rich with culture and a variety of neighborhoods to explore.

The City, or the Square Mile, was the birthplace of London. These days, it’s the financial capital, with skyscrapers next to historic buildings like the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral.

London’s West End contains areas as different as Soho, Covent Garden, Bloomsbury, and Mayfair. It’s where you’ll find some of London’s most famous attractions, like Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. South Bank offers beautiful views of the Thames and the city. It’s also the home of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and London’s theatre district.

On the other hand, if you’re interested in seeing the city like a local, you can take a break from the usual sightseeing and check out the trendy cafes, bars, boutiques, and galleries in the East End. This is where London’s artists thrive, and there’s a variety of interesting museums.

Get away from the bustle of central London with a visit to Greenwich, which is like its own small village. It’s home to the Greenwich Meridian, which marks longitude 0 degrees; if you straddle it, you’ll be in two time zones at once.