Vacations are supposed to be extremely relaxing, but traveling abroad can change that with one online search. There are a few places in the world where the attractions are just too many, and London is one of those places. Once you look up things to do in London, you’re guaranteed to start freaking out about your itinerary. No one wants to miss out on a must-see, especially when you know that you won’t be taking that trip again any time soon, but cramming your itinerary is not the solution. Now, take a deep breath and shake off this tension. You’ll get to do everything you want to do, but first, a quick planning tip. Figure out your essentials and plan your days around them. If you’re in London, there are four things you can’t miss out on.
1. Tour Buckingham Palace
This is a no-brainer. When in Rome, you go to the Colosseum. When in London, you need to see where Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II lives. A common misconception among foreigners is that there isn’t much to do in the Palace because it is usually closed to the public. The truth is that the palace opens its doors to the public during the summer months, between July and September/October. This means that you can purchase a ticket and tour the whole palace, although we doubt you’d be able to cover all 775 rooms and 39 acres of open space in one visit. Let’s narrow this down a bit, shall we? The main areas you want to cover are the throne room, the magnificent Grand Staircase, the Royal Collection of fine art which includes some big names, like Rembrandt and Vermeer, and last but not least, the breathtaking garden. Let’s narrow this down a bit, shall we? The main areas you want to cover are the throne room, the magnificent Grand Staircase, the Royal Collection of fine art which includes some big names, like Rembrandt and Vermeer, and last but not least, the breathtaking garden. You can also stay just around the corner from the palace in one of London’s luxury holiday rentals, to make sure your day is as easy as possible.”
2. Bottomless Brunch
What’s better than brunch? You got it, brunch with booze. Some days, you’ll want to wake up as early as you can to get the most out of the city, but don’t forget that you’re on a vacation. You’ve got to let loose on Friday night and sleep in on the morning after. Only then will you get to enjoy your weekend in style and experience a righteous English brunch. London is famous for bottomless brunches on Saturdays and Sundays, from themed bars to classy, intimate venues, you’re guaranteed to find what you need for the perfect date. Before you go, take inspiration from this restaurant list for some stunning pictures, and be sure to inquire about the brunch because each restaurant has its own schedule. Also, don’t forget to make a reservation to avoid any sudden disappointments.
3. Visit the Natural History Museum
This is a quadruple-threat attraction for those who love natural history, architecture, cinema, and getting free stuff. The museum is a must-see destination for those fascinated by nature with its 80 million items, including dinosaur skeletons, the 296 diamonds that make up the Aurora Pyramid of Hope, and Neanderthal skulls. To describe the architecture, as ‘magnificent’ would be an understatement. After all, there’s a reason why the museum is a renowned film location. If you’ve watched The Mummy (2017) or Paddington (2014), then you already know what we’re talking about. If you haven’t, you better start doing your research. The cherry on top, you don’t have to pay a dime to enter, but you need to book your place online.
4. See a Play at the Globe Theatre
If you already know your literary history, then you know who made this place famous. Built and owned by William Shakespeare’s playing company, the Globe was where Shakespeare’s plays saw the light for the first time. Sadly, the original theatre was closed down in 1642 and pulled down a few years after. The modern reconstruction, however, is very much alive. Before visiting, you should know that the founder, Sam Wanamaker, took the term ‘reconstruction’ quite literally. While many thought it couldn’t be done, Sam wanted to make sure that the construction was done using the same materials and methods as the original theatre. Spoiler alert, he succeeded, and now you can watch your favorite Shakespeare play where it was meant to be seen.
Now that you’ve seen our picks, what do you think? Keep in mind, that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to activities. If you’re not interested in an attraction, you won’t miss out on much if you don’t visit it. Trips should be fun and as long as you’re having fun, that’s what matters. There are no consequences for missing out on Big Ben or London Eye. Meanwhile, a jam-packed itinerary will rob you of the privilege of being present in a beautiful moment, leaving you dead-tired and exceptionally drained at the end of your trip.