Discover
London
Quick facts
- Country: United Kingdom
- Currency: British Pound Sterling (GBP)
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London, United Kingdom — one of the real routes we help travelers book flights to.
Country
United Kingdom
Currency
British Pound Sterling (GBP)
History
London began as Londinium, a Roman settlement founded around AD 47 at a crossing point on the River Thames. Boudica's tribal revolt burned it to the ground in AD 60, after which the Romans rebuilt it as a planned town that grew into the largest city in Roman Britain, with an amphitheatre, temples and public baths. William the Conqueror had himself crowned at the newly built Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066, starting an unbroken line of 39 coronations held there since. The city grew as a trading and administrative capital through the medieval and Tudor periods, then expanded rapidly during the Industrial Revolution as the hub of a global empire. Large parts of the historic centre were destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 and again during the Blitz of 1940-41, both followed by major rebuilding. London is today the capital of the United Kingdom and one of the world's leading financial and cultural centres.
Top Sites to Visit
Tower of London
Fortress founded by William the Conqueror after 1066; its central keep, the White Tower, was built 1078-1100 from Caen limestone and now houses the Royal Armouries and Crown Jewels.
British Museum
Founded in 1753 and opened to the public in 1759 as the world's first national public museum, holding a permanent collection of around 8 million works.
Westminster Abbey
Coronation church of England and Britain since William the Conqueror in 1066; the present Gothic building has hosted 39 coronations, most recently Charles III in 2023.
London Eye
A 135-metre observation wheel on the South Bank, ceremonially opened December 1999 and open to the public from 9 March 2000; was the world's tallest Ferris wheel until 2006.
Buckingham Palace
Working royal palace where the Changing the Guard ceremony takes place outside the gates on published days at 10:45am, free to watch from the street.
Tower Bridge
Victorian bascule bridge over the Thames next to the Tower of London, with a glass-floored walkway and an engine room exhibit.
Camden Market
London's largest market, grown from a 16-stall Saturday craft market started in the 1970s into a seven-day-a-week complex of stalls, food stands and shops drawing around 28 million visits a year.
Activities
Watch the Changing the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace on a scheduled day (check the Household Division's calendar first, as it can be cancelled at short notice)
Ride the London Eye for a fixed-route view over the Thames and the Houses of Parliament
Walk the White Tower and Crown Jewels exhibit inside the Tower of London
Browse the free permanent galleries of the British Museum, including the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon sculptures
Cross the Thames on Tower Bridge and visit its glass walkway and Victorian engine rooms
Spend an afternoon at Camden Market's stalls and canalside food stands
Visit Westminster Abbey during open hours to see the royal tombs and coronation chair
Load an Oyster card or use a contactless card to ride the Underground, bus and Overground network across the city
Conferences & Sporting Events
Wimbledon Championships — next running Monday 28 June to Sunday 11 July 2027
The world's oldest tennis tournament, played on grass courts at the All England Club; the 2027 championships run over the traditional two weeks in late June/early July.
Notting Hill Carnival — next running Sunday 29 to Monday 30 August 2027
Europe's largest street carnival, held annually over the August bank holiday Sunday and Monday in west London; the 2026 edition runs 29-31 August 2026 with a Saturday steel-band competition preceding the main two days.
Travel Tips
Driving into central London costs a daily Congestion Charge (rising to £18 from 2 January 2026), on top of a separate ULEZ charge for older, higher-emission vehicles — both apply to visitors' hire cars, not just residents.
For the Tube, buses, DLR and Overground, tap a contactless bank card or phone directly at the yellow readers rather than buying an Oyster card — fares and daily/weekly caps are identical to Oyster, without the £10.50 card fee.
Touch in and touch out on every journey, including buses; failing to tap out at the end of a Tube or rail journey triggers a maximum fare charge.
The Changing the Guard ceremony is not held every day — check the Household Division's published schedule before planning a visit, since it is also cancelled in poor weather or during major state events.
Many national museums, including the British Museum, charge no general admission — special/ticketed exhibitions are the exception.
Black cabs can be hailed on the street and accept card payment, but minicabs must be pre-booked through a licensed operator or app; unlicensed cars touting for fares outside stations and clubs are best avoided.
How you'll pay
Card via Stripe
Card or mobile money via DPO
Card or mobile money via Pesapal