The 15 Best Things to Do in London in 2026 (and Top Things to Avoid)

The best things to do—and the top things to avoid—in London. Plus, the best hotels, restaurants, and tips for a memorable vacation. All curated by a trusted Fodor's writer based in the British capital.There are over 9 million people in London, and I’m proud to be one of them. As a first-generation Brit, I took on a tour guide role from a very young age, navigating the West End independently before I was even a teen. I’ve lived North-West, worked all over Central, and now reside in East London…and I’ve partied in every pocket in between. Now, I don’t have the stamina; I write guidebooks for people who do. Think of me as a trusted friend you haven’t yet met, a face on social media you ping for local intel but block after getting what you want (hey, I don’t mind!). I’ll tell you which weekend markets to visit, help you avoid crap high teas, and let you tick off greats away from loop sightseeing bus stops. In short, here’s how to experience London like a seasoned queen. 1 OF 27 Hang Out in Shoreditch WHERE: Shoreditch, East London Whilst hardly offbeat, I don’t understand why debutantes still prioritize South Kensington over Shoreditch. South Ken is all posh museums. Shoreditch is the real, gritty London that best represents the average Joe in the city. Sure, it’s undergone heavy gentrification over the years, but the mishmash of graffiti walls and shiny glass skyscrapers means contrasts to explore, worthy even of base status. It’s easy to spend an entire day shopping for treasures at Brick Lane Vintage Market or Spitalfields Market, then spill things into the night with coffee and bar crawls along Commercial Street. You can then cap things off at London’s highest bar, Lucky Cat at 22 Bishopsgate, or a sweaty Brat-style gig at Village Underground. Whilst in the East End, don’t miss the OG Poppies chippie (fish and chip shop), and keep those eyes peeled for Banksy murals on the Truman Brewery and Rivington Street. 2 OF 27 Tick Off the Biggies on a Half-Day Stroll Along the Southbank WHERE: London Bridge to Westminster, Central London Yes, you must see Big Ben, but rather than line up with hundreds of other people at the red phone box on Parliament Square, let’s make a scenic stroll out of it. Get off at London Bridge Station, grab a to-go coffee from Borough Market, and enjoy the spectacular stroll along the walking path which winds past St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern (free to enter and highly recommended!), The London Eye, and of course, Big Ben (real name Elizabeth Tower, FYI). As for a slightly less competitive photo spot, sans red box, try the National Covid Memorial Wall by St Thomas’ Hospital to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in all their glory from across the river. 3 OF 27 Travel Back in Time at London’s Ultimate ‘90s Bar WHERE: Covent Garden, Central London If you thought the ‘90s were the best decade in pop culture, Bunga 90 is a chance to forget modern-day everything and totally immerse the era. Guests enter a very realistic video rental store lined with VHS greats, and at the back, a soda time machine is your portal to the ‘90s home of a FANATIC. We’re talking Spice Girls merchandise all over the bedroom walls, a Jurassic Park pinball machine and lots of other old (still working) consoles, and cocktails like the Fresh Prince served in a Will Smith head mug. Drink up, because every hour, the bathrooms become a warehouse rave with smoke and old skool dance beats, or book you and your pals into the Mel B karaoke room and have a girlband vs boyband sing off. Remember to reserve in advance. 4 OF 27 Admire History’s Most Recognized Faces at the National Portrait Gallery WHERE: Trafalgar Square, Central London Celebrating folks who have shaped British history and identity through portraiture, The National Portrait Gallery is situated behind the more famous National Gallery on Trafalgar Square. Inside, you’ll come up close to a vast collection of paintings, photographs, and sculptures that span the Tudor period to the present day. Must-see portraits include William Shakespeare, the British royal family, Sir Winston Churchill, Kate Moss, Amy Winehouse, and the recently unveiled Lily Allen West End Girl portrait by Nieves González. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. For a swoonsome eat, check out The Portrait Restaurant on the gallery’s top floor, which boasts views of Trafalgar Square. 5 OF 27 Shop, Drop, and Everything in Between at Selfridges WHERE: Oxford Street, Central London Normally, I’d warn tourists to avoid jam-packed Oxford Street when shopping because why bother when Zaras is back home? However, you HAVE to visit Selfridges. Founded in 1909 and hailed as the ‘best department store in the world,’ everything you can think of is on offer under six floors of retail space. There are independent labels and designer brand names, fancy homeware items you never knew you needed, and giant coffee table books bigger than coffee tables. This is more than just a shop and easily a whole day situation, whether you decide to nibble and sip at over two dozen eateries or sit back and relax with a film in the plush basement cinema. Seasonal pop-ups, elaborate window displays, and sales (duh!) attract crowds. 6 OF 27 Lose Yourself in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter WHERE: Multiple locations across London The thing about London is there are Harry Potter spots everywhere that no theme park in Florida can replicate. Hot ticket of the last decade has been the two-part West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, set 19 years later with Harry as an adult. If you’re tackling both showings at once, then break with a visit to ​House of MinaLima around the corner, a gallery and store founded by the team behind the film’s graphic art. Muggles will also want to stop by Kings Cross for Platform 9¾ to jump on the vanishing luggage trolley; Leadenhall Market, which was used as a backdrop for Diagon Alley; and, of course, the colossal Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter to immerse in the fantasy sets and original props and costumes, and try ‘authentic’ butterbeer. 7 OF 27 Go Viral in Chinatown WHERE: Soho, Central London You’ll be hard-pressed to scroll TikTok or IG without seeing Chinatown London’s famous red lanterns out of focus, and that’s because a grand portion of viral food content is filmed right here. From fluffy buns oozing with black sesame (Bun House) to hand-pulled noodles dripping with chili (Kung Fu Noodle), expect to be spoiled for choice when it comes to filling both camera roll and stomach…and those are just for starters. Dessert in Chinatown is the main event in the Gen-Z world, with egg-shaped waffles stacked with matcha toppings (Bubblewrap) and vibrant rainbow cakes (Chinatown Bakery) taking the spotlight. How about dim sum AND dessert? Golden Phoenix’s afternoon tea is served in a golden cage. 8 OF 27 Picnic in Pretty Hyde Park WHERE: Hyde Park, Central-West London As one of the top cities in the world for green spaces, Londoners have over 3,000 options to escape the concrete noise. In particular, the eight royal parks that were once owned by the monarchy are now open to the public. The most famous among them is Hyde Park, mostly because it hosts huge seasonal events like BST Hyde Park in the summer and Winter Wonderland at Christmas. When the weather is on your side, you don’t need a ticket to enjoy it. Pack a picnic (alcohol is permitted, yay!) and bask on the lawn—but do remember to clear up your trash. Points of interest to explore include Princess Diana’s Memorial Fountain, the free-to-enter Serpentine Galleries, and my favorite and quieter spot, the Rose Garden. 9 OF 27 Do Afternoon Tea Like a Princess WHERE: Regent Street, Central London Speaking of Princess Diana, did you know one of her beloved high tea spots was at Café Royal (now Hotel Café Royal)? The 19th-century tradition is still upheld today within the breathtaking gold-gilded Grill Room that twinkles with mirrors and is soundtracked by a live pianist. If you’ve never had a British afternoon tea, the classic experience looks a little something like this: a tier of treats beginning with finger sandwiches at the base, warm scones in the middle (sided with jam and preserves), and sweet delicacies in miniature form at the top. Teas are always unlimited, and if you want bubbles, always state in advance so you get the included welcome glass of champagne rather than pay more to have it separately. 10 OF 27 Get Tickets to a Football (Soccer) Match WHERE: Stratford, East London English soccer is as big here as the NFL in the States, and you can watch the Premier League team of your choice in many stadiums around the country. London specifically is home to Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Crystal Palace football clubs, to name a few, but if you’re not too fussed about jersey colors and simply want to be part of the footie experience, I recommend getting tickets for a West Ham United home game. The reason is that their stadium (the London Stadium) was the 2012 Olympics Stadium, a remarkable state-of-the-art facility able to carry 60,000 footie fans. It also has a partially covered roof, so you and the rest of the ‘Hammers’ need not worry about the elements. 11 OF 27 Have a Gay Old-Time Dancing in Soho WHERE: Soho, Central London With one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ communities, London is the place to be out and proud no matter what end of the spectrum you’re on. Heels, sneakers, flip-flops, or even barefoot, judgment’s left at the door, and your dancing shoes can be whatever you feel most fabulous in at Soho’s popular gay bars such as The Yard, Village, She Soho, Ku Bar, and The Friendly Society (which is exactly as the name suggests, so expect to pick up an army of pals!). For an extra colorful backdrop, time your visit around the end of June to early July when Pride decks the entire city in rainbow stripes. 12 OF 27 Become a Train Enthusiast WHERE: Multiple locations across Central London Having the oldest metro system in the world means London Underground has a rich and fascinating history. Public transport is how everyone predominately gets around, and such affinity creates a continuous demand for ways to immerse and discover. Good thing there’s plenty of steam in supply. The best for novices is the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, packed with interactive displays, with old tube carriages and buses you can get on. The organization also offers widely popular (and quick to sell out) Hidden London tours, which take you behind the scenes or to disused stations that were used to film James Bond movies. For those who prefer to swap history for booze, you’re in luck, too. Cahoots, situated in the forgotten Kingly Court Station, is now a cocktail speakeasy decked with 1940s tube carriage and ticket hall to neck your poison in. 13 OF 27 Be Dazzled by the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London WHERE: Tower Hill, East London One of the city’s most important landmarks, the Tower of London, was once a secret fortress, a royal palace, and even a prison. Now, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing exhibits such as the crown jewels. Visitors can get up close to the collection, which includes the precious Imperial State Crown. It was made in 1838 for Queen Victoria and used by every British monarch following, including Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III. While you’re here, don’t miss nearby attractions, Tower Bridge (which has an awesome glass walkway) or The Shard (tip: skip the observatory ticket and get views for free when buying a drink at the GONG bar on floor 52 instead). 14 OF 27 Spend Off-Peak Hours at West London’s Free Museums WHERE: South Kensington, West London OK, I admit I don’t love South Kensington, but one thing it’s best for is free museums. You have the heavyweights all right here within walking distance of each other. The Victoria and Albert Museum is huge, though it requires a full day to do properly, and its paid-for temporary fashion exhibits are worth every penny. Then there’s the National History Museum, where you’re welcomed at the entrance by a giant Blue Whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling, and kiddie favorite, the Science Museum. But remember, these museums are uncomfortably busy on weekends and holidays, so do them only on weekdays, ideally in the morning if you want to get out in one piece! 15 OF 27 Smell the Roses in Kew Gardens WHERE: Kew, South West London While London is full of free parks and gardens for public enjoyment, sometimes flashing a bit of cash filters out the crowds and allows you to soak up unimaginably beautiful blooms in sweet serenity. Kew, on the edge of the city, is a huge royal botanic garden established in 1759, featuring 326 acres of diverse plantlife, including themed gardens and a glasshouse. Seasonal events are always popular among Londoners, especially the Christmas at Kew Light Trail, which sells out as soon as tickets are released. Whatever the weather, come indulge in that English country or Jane Austen fantasy, and yes, you can totally wear a bonnet. 16 OF 27 Things to Avoid in London: Open Top Bus Tours for Sightseeing WHERE: Multiple locations across Central London Open-top bus tours are a complete waste of money. One, this isn’t the Algarve, so chances are you’ll be scurrying down to the lower deck anyway, and two, you can hop on a regular red bus for a fraction of the price (£1.75 for a single ride) and the top deck is covered. If you absolutely MUST do some kind of guided bus tour, choose a dining bus that pairs getting fed with the sights for the same price (so, you’re essentially eating for free!). The best is Brigit’s Bakery’s afternoon tea bus tours (£45 for meal and tour), but you can also splurge on the gourmet Bustrome experience (£70 for meal and tour) if you’re feeling fancy. 17 OF 27 Things to Avoid in London: Borough Market on Any Weekend WHERE: London Bridge, South London Let’s be clear: Borough Market is awesome and should not be overlooked. Lined with independent stalls, the quality here is excellent, and it’s certainly a vibe, being the most famous and historic in London. Plus, I love the Bread Ahead bakery. But weekends, like the museums of South Ken, are gridlock. You’re hardly browsing leisurely; instead, you’re like a cruise ship passenger lining up for a buffet…on a Royal Caribbean! Not fun. For a dose of local market life, check out Maltby Street Market close by in Bermondsey or Shepherd’s Bush Market in West London for yummy international street food, Greenwich Market for handmade gifts, and Columbia Road Flower Market for flowers (obvs, but arrive early as this is busy too). Save Borough Market for a calmer weekday morning. 18 OF 27 Things to Avoid in London: Any Kind of British Food at a Major Hotel Chain WHERE: Multiple locations across London If you have points to spend, use them on stays, NOT food. I review hotels for a living and can honestly say the absolute worst fish and chips, afternoon tea, Sunday roast, and English breakfast I’ve ever had has been at a maroon-red-logo or royal-blue-logo hotel (you know exactly which ones I’m talking about). They’re catered to business travelers who pay for convenience over quality. If you want classic British grub, do your research and visit a local or independent establishment. For the record, my faves for those classics are Poppies Fish & Chips, high tea at Hotel Café Royal, Sunday Roast at Hawksmoor, and scotch eggs from Fortnum and Mason (their birthplace). 19 OF 27 Must-Try Restaurants in London: Bread Street Kitchen & Bar at 22 Bishopsgate WHERE: City of London, East London If you binged Being Gordon Ramsay on Netflix like I did, then Bread Street Kitchen & Bar at 22 Bishopsgate is a must when in the City (aka Liverpool Street) area. Since it’s perched on the 59th floor of a financial district skyscraper, you’re treated to some stellar views, including that of The Shard. Come for London’s highest breakfast, or let Gordon’s iconic Beef Wellington join the table at sunset instead. For extra special occasions, i.e. when you’re willing to throw down some serious dough, snag a seat at his 12-seater Chef’s Table experience on floor 60, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High, for the tasting menu of your life. 20 OF 27 Must-Try Restaurants in London: The Wolseley WHERE: Mayfair, Central London Mayfair is London’s poshest district, and what I love about The Wolseley is that it’s fine dining that’s approachable. It may even be a place you can go to on the regs. It’s swanky but not pretentious at all, and you’re looking at £30 for a two-course set menu. The all-day European menus have the staples, including a full English breakfast, chicken schnitzel sandwich, roast lamb, and the most amazing desserts (they also do afternoon tea, which might explain it). It’s very popular, so do book a table in advance. Otherwise, go east for their City outpost, which is generally quieter on weekends. 21 OF 27 Must-Try Restaurants in London: Olle WHERE: Soho, Central London You know the Korean BBQ is darn good when the who’s who of K-Pop put a pin on it each time they touch down in London town. Members of BTS, Blackpink, Twice, NCT Dream and Ateez are just some of the many A-List names that have sizzled meats at Olle and then scribbled their names on their walls in adoration. But this family-owned, second-generation restaurant is more than a meaty grill. Some of my favorite other menu items include Kimchi Jeon pancakes, their sweet and spicy Korean fried chicken, and any of the mandu dumplings…washed down with plenty of soju. 22 OF 27 The Best Budget Hotel: Sunborn London WHERE: Custom House, East London An affordable yacht stay in Greater London? Yes and yes! Sunborn London is a little bit out of the way, permanently docked at the Royal Victoria Docks in East London, but thanks to the new(ish) Elizabeth tube line, it’s only a 17-minute ride to Tottenham Court Road, and then you’re bang in the middle of the city. Absolutely worth it for the huge savings. The rooms are cabin-style yet surprisingly spacious, and some have private balconies overlooking the O2 arena. Those impressive views extend to the yacht hotel’s signature restaurant, Land’s End, and the bar with an outdoor terrace. Afternoon tea is just £40 pp, which, again, is excellent value. For the best room rates, be sure to avoid event days at the nearby Excel London (a large exhibition and conference center), when all room prices in the surrounding area spike.Prices start at £126 a night. 23 OF 27 The Best Boutique Hotel: The Shepherd Mayfair WHERE: Mayfair, Central London All eyes are on The Shepherd right now, 2026’s most anticipated new opening. But this isn’t your typical flashy Mayfair hangout; rather, a mansion of quiet luxury and real quality over photogenics. There are 82 gorgeous guest rooms and suites arranged over six floors, soundproofed as a sanctuary where you can pluck a range of Miamo skincare products from your room minibar (!) to enjoy in the deep soaking bathtubs. Downstairs, the hotel operates a chic modern-European brasserie, a casual all-day lounge, and a sexy late-night cocktail bar inspired by Mayfair’s original drinking rooms of the 1960s.Prices start at £500 a night. 24 OF 27 The Best Luxury Hotel: The Lanesborough WHERE: Hyde Park, Central London A Fodor’s Finest hotel and the place where I encountered the world’s most pampered cat, if I were ever to strike it rich, I’d reside in The Lanesborough. This former mansion of Viscount Lanesborough is pure neo-classical opulence on Hyde Park corner, with every room a fairytale of canopied beds and Rennaissance art. There are no coffee machines in sight since your private butler will make perfect brews fresh any time of day or night. Amenities span an upscale British restaurant, a cocktail bar, and a glittering underground spa facility. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be royalty, this is probably as close as it gets.Prices start at £923 a night. 25 OF 27 The Best AirBnbs in London: Art-Filled Flat in Earl’s Court WHERE: Earl’s Court, West London This beautifully outfitted 1-bedroom apartment is situated in Nevern Square, strolling distance from the museums of South Ken and the Royal Albert Hall, and Holland Park, in my opinion, one of the prettiest parks in town. It has a balcony overlooking a garden square, and the interiors are filled with custom-made furniture and collectables from all over the world. The living and dining rooms are double-height, allowing for a mezzanine bedroom with a king-sized bed. Add the pull-out sofa in the living room, and this Airbnb comfortably sleeps a family of three.Prices start at £420 a night. 26 OF 27 The Best AirBnbs in London: Luxury Three-Bedroom Apartment in Hampstead WHERE: Hampstead, North London Everyone I know who goes to Hampstead wishes they could live/afford to live in Hampstead. It’s quaint and it’s close-ish to the city, but at the same time feels like you’ve escaped to the Cotswolds. Oh, and your neighbor is Harry Styles! Come test out the English fairytale life with this luxurious three-bedroom apartment, allowing for up to 5 guests. Very, very nicely located in the heart of tree-lined Hampstead Village, this is the sort of place you and your pals check into to slow down. Think: popping into local bakeries and going for dips in Hampstead Heath. No children or pets, and no parties. Prices start at £620 a night. 27 OF 27 Things to Know About London The public transport system is the best way to get around town, and you’ll need to pay via Oyster card or a contactless credit card. In some areas, like the West End, walking may even be quicker than the tube. Whilst it doesn’t rain in London anywhere near as much as you’d think (Houston, New Orleans, and Atlanta get double the annual rainfall), the weather can be unpredictable, and light drizzle is common, so do pack accordingly. Finally, please stop tipping in Europe—doing so is disrespectful of our local customs. Businesses here are expected to pay staff a fair wage, and there is a service charge added to restaurant bills, which customers may remove in the event of poor service. Honestly, most Brits think tipping in America is ridiculous. Good customer treatment is standard practice, so you shouldn’t feel indebted for receiving it.