The Best Things to Do in London

After having lived in London for almost six months now (crazy!), I decided to build a comprehensive list of some of the best things this city has to offer.

1. Theatre

This is probably my personal favorite (though it’s a very close call). For as long as I can remember, I have absolutely loved going to the theatre, but the place I come from doesn’t always have a whole lot to offer. So living in London and being so close to so many great musicals and plays and performances has really been a dream come true. Not only have I gotten to see newer musicals that haven’t even had tours yet, like The Great Gatsby, which can only be seen on Broadway and the West End currently, but I’ve also gotten to expand beyond what I’ve typically gone to in the past, like seeing the ballet Onegin at the Royal Ballet and Opera. It was such a great experience and even though I didn’t really know what to expect (I had never seen a ballet before), I felt like I learned so much just through the sheer act of witnessing and being immersed in a cultural expression of art. I would also love to recommend going to see a show at Shakespare’s Globe Theatre – a replica of the actual theatre where Shakespeare performed many of his plays. It’s a very different experience than going to a typical theatre – there’s no roof so trust that every airplane passing overhead will most definitely be heard, there’s no sound system, it’s incredibly interactive, and there’s even the opportunity to stand in the pit of the stage for the entirety of the show for extremely cheap prices. All in all, it’s definitely worth the experience!

2. Museums

One of the greatest things about London, in my opinion, is the sheer amount of amazing museums throughout the city. And even better, many of these museums are completely free! Not only can you get a dose of history, art, and culture – but you can do so without even having to spend any money, which is a truly incredible feat. The British Museum is probably the grandest of the bunch, which artifacts from all over the world, and is definitely worth a visit. The Victoria and Albert Museum and Natural History Museum are two other free ones that I can personally recommend. And when it comes to art galleries and museums, the National Gallery has to be my favorite. An enormous collection of art from all throughout different periods of history covering some of the most recognizable artists in the world. And once again – totally free, so you leave and come back whenever you want, which can make the experience of looking at and pondering paintings much more enjoyable when you don’t have to do it for three consecutive hours. There are also countless other great art galleries with really interesting exhibitions always going on (some free and some not). This city always has something to offer. And finally, if you’re a history buff, then the Churchill War Rooms is a really great option to get a genuine feel for what this period of time looked like in Great Britain and London specifically. Not free unfortunately, but definitely worth it!

3. Parks

London is not just home to incredible, towering skyscrapers and amazing, historical buildings, but also to some of the most beautiful parks you will ever see. You might be surprised too at just how many of them there are. Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park are my personal favorites, but just about any park you go to will be littered with ponds or animals or statues and works of art. When the weather is nice, there is very little else you’ll be wanting to do than just go to a park, find a bench or a nice patch of grass, and spend some time relaxing or reading. It was one of the most unexpected parts of London I found myself falling in love with – but also one of the most rewarding. And bonus, to get the best view of the London skyline, you can take the train down to Greenwich Park – another absolutely stunning bit of nature within a lovely, eclectic city.

4. Shopping and Markets

If you ever feel like shopping, London has most definitely got you covered. There’s of course the iconic Oxford Street for almost anything you could want, as well as high-end shopping areas like Bond Street or Harrods. But the real gem of the city is the markets. There’s the lovely and renowned Notting Hill Portobello Street Market, as well as other super popular ones like Camden Market and the Borough Market. Wandering around these areas is a great pastime, not only for shopping purposes, but also for seeing people from all different parts of the world come together in one place. It will definitely make you know you’re in one of the best global cities in the world!

London is a city that has so much to offer that it can sometimes feel overwhelming. And though this is my breakdown of what I’ve experienced, ultimately, whatever it is you love, whatever it is that piques your interest – London will have that something for you, as well as plenty of other things for you to try. And who knows – you might end up finding a new part of yourself in this wonderfully busy city.