While the big cities are often the most fun (according to ME), sometimes it’s also challenging to find the best things to do. Luckily London is so big and sprawling, there are always so many great options. Here’s my quick guide on how to enjoy London for your next trip….

This photo is actually from a Harry Potter tour in London, which I also highly recommend if you want something fun to do!

3 Ways To Enjoy London

1. Eat the good food

Rather than the greasy English breakfast, go for a quality bacon butty sandwich. Instead of a takeaway sandwich from Tesco, get sushi from one of the gazillion fast-food Asian restaurants. If you’re looking for a unique way to experience London restaurants, try a food tour with Eating London Tours. Their East London Tour visits various ethnic restaurants in the East End among various sightseeing spots. Plus the map and guidebook they give you at the end of the tour is a great tool to use for finding East London’s best things to do.

Eating London Tours
Woodseer St, London E1 5HG

2. Visit the markets

Listen: Camden Market may have been cool in the 90s, but this is the 21st century. The hippies from Camden might still be lurking there somewhere, but you won’t find them behind all the cheap knock-off t-shirts. Rather: go to Shoreditch with the yuppie, gentrified hipsters and visit the Brick Lane Market on Sunday. With vintage clothes, pop-up restaurants and plenty of shopping, this is the new place to be. During the week, make sure you visit Borough Market — the ultimate foodie experience in London.

Brick Lane Market
Brick Lane, London E2 6DY

Borough Market
8 Southwark St, London SE1 1TL

3. Spend your free time in the free museums

London can get pretty expensive pretty quick, so if you’re looking for something to do for a few hours and need a cool place to chill out: it’s got to be one of the museums. My favorites would be the National Portrait Gallery near Trafalgar Square. Or if you’re feeling posh, head to South Kensington to visit the Victoria & Albert.

National Portrait Gallery
St Martin’s Pl, London WC2H 0HE

V&A Museum
Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL

London may sometimes be wet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy it!

Where to Stay

I’m a sucker for East London so the Ace Hotel in Shoreditch is top of my recommendation. I didn’t actually stay there but did spend an afternoon pretending like I did in their über-cool lobby. The location can’t be beat and the style (at least in the lobby) is enough to make me want to pack up out of my house and move in.

Ace Hotel
100 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6JQ