Quick Facts:
- Population: ~15 million in Greater London
- Currency: British Pound
Did you Know?
- The London subway, “The Tube,” opened in 1863 and is the oldest underground railway system in the world.
- The West End is London’s theatre district, similar to New York City’s Broadway and features 39 commercial theatres.
Getting Around:
- The Tube (underground train) is fast, extensive and convenient. It covers over 270 stations, so there’s bound to be a station nearby. You can use contactless payment methods (tap your card/device).
- Uber and taxis are also available in London.
- Click here to get more information on Transport for London or download the TfL Go app on your iPhone or Android mobile device.
What kind of electrical outlets do they have in the United Kingdom? Click here to find out!
***As of January 8, 2025, US citizens traveling to the UK require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the country. This includes transiting through UK airports.***
I’ve visited London a few times over the years and with each visit I grow more fond of it. London is lively and exciting, full of history and creativity. It’s one of the most culturally diverse cities I’ve visited – maybe that’s why I enjoy going there so much. London is very easy to get around by Tube. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and explore to your heart’s content! My last visit there was in August of 2025 with my husband.
On previous trips we made stops at the usual tourist spots, including those below:
On this last visit, we explored some sites we hadn’t seen before:
Our hotel was in the Kensington neighborhood and what a wonderful place to stay! Kensington is an upscale area of London with the royal Kensington Palace being located there. It’s a lovely place to walk the streets and explore with plenty of shops and restaurants. If you are interested in museums, the Natural History, Science and Victoria and Albert Museums are nearby.
Since my husband is originally from the country of Jamaica, we wanted to spend some time exploring the Brixton Village Market. What a cultural experience! Brixton’s Afro-Caribbean focused food scene spans a multitude of ethnic cuisines. Walking through the market, we found a vendor selling coconuts and enjoyed a drink/snack of coconut water and the coconut meat. A fun fact I didn’t know at the time – Electric Avenue (remember the song by Eddie Grant?) was the first street in London to be lit by electricity in the 1880s and is located in Brixton.
One evening we met a family member at sketch, an upscale restaurant located on Conduit St in the Mayfair neighborhood. The food was amazing, the decor fabulous but the bathrooms must be the most interesting I’ve ever seen. They look like giant pods and are so cool, a visit to a bathroom is a must. We ate dinner in the main dining area, but the restaurant has several smaller public and private rooms decorated in as many themes. A fantastic place to visit and did I say the food was amazing?
About an hour or so train ride outside of London, we visited the lovely town of Bath Spa. The city is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its bathing complex built by the Romans. The Roman baths are open now only for tourists, but the modern Thermae Bath Spa is open for enjoying the warm mineral water. We spent a couple of hours in the spa which covers several floors of relaxing pools/saunas, etc. The highlight is the rooftop pool which overlooks the city. If you travel to Bath Spa and have your luggage in tow, do not worry. There are a couple of spots near the train station where you can securely drop off your luggage while you are exploring the town.
All in all, London is a keeper. We’ll definitely visit again.