Welcome to London

London is a city that never stands still. On both sides of the Thames stretches a metropolis that has been the center of a world empire for almost two millennia — and remains one of the most exciting cities on the planet. From Roman ruins to medieval fortresses to futuristic skyscrapers: London is a living history book that simultaneously writes the future.

• History at every turn — The Tower of London (1066), Westminster Abbey (coronation church since 1066), Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and St Paul's Cathedral — London has more iconic buildings than almost any other city in the world. Every street corner tells a story, from the Tudors through the Victorian Empire to the Blitz.
• World-class museums — free of charge — The British Museum, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, the Tate Modern, and the Victoria & Albert Museum are among the best museums in the world — and admission is free. No other country in the world offers so much world culture without an entrance fee.
• Multiculturalism — London is the most multicultural city in Europe: over 300 languages are spoken, people from all corners of the former British colonies and the whole world live here. The result: an incredible culinary diversity, from Indian curry on Brick Lane to Caribbean jerk chicken in Brixton to Chinese dim sum in Chinatown.
• West End & Musicals — London's theater district is, alongside Broadway, the most important in the world. From Shakespeare at the Globe to mega-musicals like "Les Misérables," "Phantom of the Opera," and "Hamilton" to innovative Off-West-End theater — London lives and breathes stage art.
• The Pub Culture — The British pub is more than a bar — it is a living room, meeting place, and cultural institution. Drinking a pint in a centuries-old pub on the Thames while red double-decker buses roll by outside: that is pure London.
• Parks and Green Spaces — London is one of the greenest capitals in the world: Hyde Park, Regent's Park, St James's Park, Hampstead Heath, Richmond Park (with free-roaming deer!) — over 3,000 parks and gardens make the metropolis surprisingly close to nature.
• Shopping & Markets — From Harrods and Oxford Street to the Camden Market (street food, vintage, subculture) to the Borough Market (the best food market in Europe): London is a shopping paradise for every taste and budget.
• Metropolitan Feel — London has an energy that is felt in few cities. The mix of tradition (the Changing of the Guard, black taxis, red telephone boxes) and modernity (The Shard, Canary Wharf, tech startups in Shoreditch) creates a city feeling that is addictive.

London is the perfect combination of history and modernity, of pomp and subculture, of tradition and innovation. Whether for a weekend or a week — this city always gives back more than you expect.

London is not a city to "check off" — it is a collection of villages that have grown together over the centuries. Each neighborhood has its own character:

Westminster & City of London

For whom: First-time visitors, history, pomp
The political and historical heart: Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, the City of London with the Tower and St Paul's Cathedral. Here beats the official heart of Britain.

South Bank & Southwark

For whom: Art lovers, strollers, foodies
The south bank of the Thames: Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, Borough Market, London Eye, and the fantastic Thames walk. Modern, lively, less stiff than the north side.

Camden & Notting Hill

For whom: Subculture, markets, Victorian charm
Camden Town with its legendary market, street food, and punk heritage. Notting Hill with pastel-colored houses, the Portobello Road Market, and the carnival (August).

East London & Shoreditch

For whom: Hipsters, street art, nightlife
London's most creative district: Shoreditch with street art and rooftop bars, Brick Lane (curry mile and vintage), the Docklands with Canary Wharf, and the hip east with Victoria Park and Hackney.

1. Big Ben & Houses of Parliament at Night — When the Elizabeth Tower glows golden and reflects in the Thames, you know why London is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Best viewed from Westminster Bridge or the South Bank. → Chap. Westminster
2. Explore the Tower of London — Almost 1,000 years of history: the Crown Jewels (with the 530-carat diamond), the ravens (whose presence supposedly protects the kingdom), the execution site, and the Yeoman Warders with their stories. → Chap. Westminster
3. Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace — The Changing of the Guard is the most pompous, British spectacle you can experience: bearskin hats, red uniforms, military music, and stoic resilience. Free, but arrive early! → Chap. Westminster
4. Have Afternoon Tea — Scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, finger sandwiches, and fine tea on tiered stands: the British afternoon tea is a ritual that must be celebrated at least once. → Chap. Culture
5. Walk Across the Tower Bridge — The iconic Victorian drawbridge with the glass floor walkway, 42 meters above the Thames. When the bridge opens for a ship, you involuntarily stop and marvel. → Chap. Westminster
6. See a Musical in the West End — "Les Misérables," "The Lion King," "Hamilton," "Wicked" — London's theater district is magical. Last-minute tickets at the TKTS booth on Leicester Square from £20. → Chap. South Bank
7. Explore Borough Market — London's oldest and best food market: handmade cheese, fresh oysters, raclette, Ethiopian injera, English pies, and craft beer. A feast for all the senses. → Chap. South Bank
8. Stroll Through Hyde Park — From Speakers' Corner (where anyone can speak publicly) to the Serpentine (boating!) to the Kensington Gardens — London's green lung is a place of tranquility amidst chaos. → Chap. Camden
9. British Museum — Free! — The Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, Egyptian mummies, Samurai armor — one of the largest museums in the world, and admission costs nothing. → Chap. Westminster
10. Pint in a Historic Pub — Drink a pint of ale in a 17th-century pub, with low ceilings, a fireplace, and the aura of centuries. The Lamb and Flag, The George Inn, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. → Chap. Culture
11. Wander Through Camden Market — Street food from 30 countries, vintage clothing, leather jackets, punk heritage, and the feeling that London can do more than pomp and tradition. → Chap. Camden
12. Visit Tate Modern — Modern art in a former power station on the Thames: Picasso, Warhol, Rothko, and contemporary installations in the vast Turbine Hall. Free. → Chap. South Bank
13. Thames Walk at Sunset — From Westminster Pier along the South Bank to Tower Bridge: the most beautiful walk in London, with views of Parliament, St Paul's, The Shard, and the illuminated bridges. → Chap. South Bank
14. Greenwich and the Prime Meridian — Stand with one foot in the eastern and one in the western hemisphere, enjoy the best view of the skyline, and explore the Maritime Museum. → Chap. Surroundings
15. Eat Fish and Chips by the Sea — A day trip to Brighton (1 hour by train) for fish and chips on the pebble beach, the colorful Lanes, and the pier. London's nearest sea. → Chap. Surroundings