Visit London: attractions, itineraries & restaurants
Heathrow (LHR) · London, United Kingdom
One-stop guide to London: top attractions, 3- and 5-day plans, restaurants, neighbourhoods, history, safety tips, Google Maps places, and YouTube videos — plus live flights into LHR on Global Flight Map. You should not need another search tab for the basics.
History & facts about London
- London grew from Roman Londinium into a medieval trading port, imperial capital, and modern global finance and culture hub.
- The Thames, Tower of London, and City of London financial district bookend two millennia of power and reinvention.
- Post-war immigration and creative industries made today’s London one of the world’s most diverse food cities.
- Royal pageantry coexists with neighbourhood markets — Borough, Portobello, Columbia Road — that locals actually use.
Top attractions in London
Named places open in Google Maps
Best areas & neighbourhoods
- South Bank ↗
Tate Modern, street performers, river walks to Borough Market.
- West End / Covent Garden ↗
Theatre, shopping, dense tourist core.
- Notting Hill / Kensington ↗
Portobello, museums, Hyde Park edge.
- Shoreditch / East London ↗
Street art, independent coffee, nightlife.
- City of London ↗
Historic lanes, St Paul’s, weekday business energy.
Top restaurants & cafés
Open in Google Maps for live ratings, hours, and directions
Restaurants
- Dishoom ↗
- Borough Market stalls ↗
- Rules Restaurant ↗
- Padella ↗
- The Wolseley ↗
- Barrafina ↗
- St. JOHN ↗
- Gordon Ramsay Restaurant ↗
Cafés
Signature foods
- Full English
- Sunday roast
- Fish and chips
- Afternoon tea
What to do in 3 days
- Day 1: Tower of London + Tower Bridge, then South Bank sunset walk.
- Day 2: British Museum morning, West End show evening (book ahead).
- Day 3: Borough Market lunch, Tate Modern, optional London Eye or Sky Garden.
What to do in 5 days
- Day 1: River orientation — Westminster to South Bank.
- Day 2: Museums (British Museum or Natural History) + Hyde Park.
- Day 3: Notting Hill / Portobello + Kensington Palace area.
- Day 4: East London street art and markets + Shoreditch dinner.
- Day 5: Day trip to Windsor, Cambridge, or Brighton — or free museum catch-up.
Watch out & practical tips
- Use contactless/Oyster; never buy Tube tickets from street sellers.
- Stand right on escalators; keep bags close on the Underground.
- Mind the gap — and peak crowding 07:30–09:30 / 17:00–19:00.
- LHR is west of the city; pad time for Elizabeth Line or Heathrow Express.
Extra tips
- Oyster / contactless
- Pre-book shows
- Avoid peak Tube
Google Maps near London
Opens Google Maps search centred on London / LHR
YouTube: watch before you fly
Search links open the best matching travel videos on YouTube
- London travel guide (overview) ↗
Full city walkthroughs and first-timer orientation videos.
- Top attractions in London ↗
Must-see landmarks and photo spots.
- 3 days in London ↗
Ready-made short itineraries from creators on the ground.
- 5 days in London ↗
Longer itineraries including neighbourhoods and day trips.
- Best restaurants in London ↗
Food tours, local favourites, and where to eat.
- Where to stay in London ↗
Hotel and neighbourhood advice for first visits.
- London walking tour ↗
Virtual walks so you recognise streets before you land.
- London history explained ↗
Documentaries and explainers on the city’s story.
Plan the flights first
- Open all destinations from LHR on the map
- Compare airlines, one-stop options, loyalty XP/miles, and CO₂
- When you land, use the Google Maps and YouTube sections above — no extra searching needed for the core plan
Long-form blog version: Visit London complete guide
Travel guides & route stories
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- LHR to CDG Flights: London → Paris Guide & What to Do
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Google Maps and YouTube links are search deep-links for convenience; place ratings, video rankings, and availability are controlled by Google. Flight data is from Global Flight Map airline route databases. Editorial tips only — verify tickets, visas, and local rules before you go.