Camden & Notting Hill

Camden Town is London's antithesis to Westminster — loud, colorful, anarchic, and proud of it. The district in North London became the epicenter of the British punk and new wave scene in the 1970s and 80s. The Clash played here, Amy Winehouse lived here (the statue in front of the Stables Market commemorates her), and Camden has retained its rebellious spirit to this day — even though more tourists than punks are now around.

Camden Market

The Camden Market is actually a complex of several markets that together form the largest market area in London. Open daily (10 am–6 pm), most lively on weekends:

• Camden Lock Market: The original market at the lock of the Regent's Canal. Arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing, and street food by the water.
• Stables Market: In former horse stables and railway tunnels. Vintage clothing, leather jackets, boots, Gothic fashion, alternative fashion. The Amy Winehouse statue stands at the entrance.
• Buck Street Market: Streetwear and urban fashion.
• Camden Lock Village: Renovated area with boutiques and upscale street food.

Streetfood Highlights

Camden is London's best street food spot: over 100 food stalls from around the world. Highlights: Japanese Gyoza, Argentine Empanadas, Ethiopian Injera, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Mac and Cheese, Churros, and Indian Curry — all for £5–10 per portion.

Notting Hill is the district made world-famous by the film of the same name (1999, Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts) — and it really looks like that: pastel-colored Victorian terraced houses in yellow, blue, pink, and mint, framed by lushly blooming wisteria and surrounded by a touch of British upper-class bohemia.

Portobello Road Market

The Portobello Road Market (Saturday is the main day!) stretches over almost 2 km and changes character several times:

• Antiques: At the southern end (Notting Hill Gate) — Victorian silver, vintage jewelry, antique maps, first editions, and curiosities. Bargaining is possible here.
• Fruits & Vegetables: In the middle section — a classic street market with fresh produce.
• Streetfood & Fashion: Under the Westway (A40 overpass) — vintage clothing, streetwear, and international street food.
• Second Hand: At the northern end — the rougher, less touristy part with bric-a-brac, records, and retro finds.

Notting Hill Carnival

On the last August weekend (Bank Holiday), Notting Hill transforms into the largest street festival in Europe: the Notting Hill Carnival. Two days of Caribbean music, Soca, and Calypso on mobile sound systems, Samba dancers in spectacular costumes, Jerk Chicken, and Rum Punch at every corner. Over 2 million visitors. An experience that turns London into the Caribbean.

Hyde Park (142 hectares) is London's most famous and central park — a green oasis open to the public since 1637. Together with the adjacent Kensington Gardens, it forms the largest contiguous green space in central London.

Highlights

• Speakers' Corner: At the northeastern end (Marble Arch) — since 1872, anyone can speak, preach, or debate here publicly. Most lively and entertaining on Sundays. Karl Marx, George Orwell, and Lenin have spoken here.
• Serpentine: The lake in the heart of the park — rent rowboats (from £14/hour), the Serpentine Lido (outdoor pool, summer), and the Serpentine Gallery (free art exhibitions, each year a spectacular temporary pavilion by a star architect).
• Kensington Palace: The former residence of Princess Diana, now home to Prince William and Kate. Parts are accessible as a museum (entry: £21). The gardens around the palace are beautiful and free.
• Peter Pan Statue: J.M. Barrie's famous Peter Pan bronze statue (1912) in Kensington Gardens — placed where Barrie played with the Llewelyn Davies boys, who inspired him to create Peter Pan.
• Diana Memorial Fountain: A circular water feature in Kensington Gardens dedicated to Princess Diana. Children love to play in the water here (allowed!).

Museum Mile: South Kensington

At the southern edge of the park lies London's Museum Quarter: three world-class museums, all free:

• Natural History Museum: London's most beautiful museum building (Victorian terracotta cathedral), featuring the iconic blue whale skeleton "Hope" in the main hall, a dinosaur gallery, and a mineral collection.
• Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A): The world's largest museum of art and design — from medieval church treasures to fashion, jewelry, and furniture to David Bowie's costumes. The courtyard (John Madejski Garden) is a secret oasis of calm.
• Science Museum: Interactive science for the whole family — from Stephenson's Rocket to the Apollo 10 capsule to the IMAX cinema.

Regent's Park

Regent's Park is London's most elegant park — designed by John Nash in the early 19th century, surrounded by white stucco houses (Nash Terraces) and home to the London Zoo (the oldest scientific zoo in the world, 1828, entry: £27). In summer: the Open Air Theatre (Shakespeare outdoors, from £25), the Queen Mary's Rose Garden (12,000 roses in over 400 varieties, free), and boating on the lake.

Primrose Hill

The best viewpoint in London (without paying entry): the hill at the northern edge of Regent's Park offers a panoramic view over the entire skyline — Big Ben, The Shard, London Eye, BT Tower, all at a glance. At sunset, Londoners gather here with picnic blankets and wine. The surrounding village of Primrose Hill is a celebrity district with charming pubs and boutiques.