Visiting London for the first time can be an unforgettable experience, but not only for its beauty but also for the problems that can be found in a city so vast. If you want to avoid them, read this carefully.
London is one of the most visited cities in Europe. It is no coincidence, since the capital has remnants Romans, Saxons and Medieval skyscrapers but also a stunning Victorian architecture.
In other words, London has a lively past, but also with a very innovative and modern present. Over the centuries, all the villages that were in there, they were consolidated and transformed into this huge and wonderful city. Just its size, can be intimidating to those tourists who visit for the first time.
By itself, then, are some suggestions for your first trip to London is as joyful and relaxed as possible.
First, take a trip orientation, such as those that are offered in the mega red buses of double cab. Make this trip in the first morning or maximum early afternoon.
Make sure your hotel or residence is near a mouth of Underground (tube). Do not try to rent a car in the city: the streets are congested all the time, the drivers are very aggressive, and almost no places to park. That, not to mention how difficult it is to drive in the left lane.
Ideally for transport, would buy a subway pass, which allows entry and exit of faster and more direct. Individual tickets will make you wait in long lines to buy them every time you travel, you will also arrive after all and, together, will cost more expensive.
Study the map of the city and the subway map before leaving home. No need to be an expert to stand, only to have a sense of location to not be very confused.
Do not expect to cover all parts of the city in one trip. You could return to London several times and still not know all that this city has to offer.
On first trip, try visiting only major places that “can not miss”, which will detail below. The mere fact of traveling through the city, even with its efficient subway system, has a great time during the day. Addressing a section of the city to another, it could take up to forty minutes.
Therefore, ideally no plan to see all the major sites, including the British Museum, the Tower of London, Kensington Gardens, Jazz Club in London Victoria or the Tower Bridge in a single day. Making unrealistic plans will leave you frustrated and exhausted.
Another time consuming issue in London, is the large number of tourists flock to its museums, castles, palaces, streets, restaurants, etc… Be armed with patience in any of these places, as London hosts millions of visitors throughout the year but there exists the “low season”.
What you can not miss
So far we have provided some general advice for any London visit. Now, we will be more specific and tell you everything that you “can not lose” in your first time to London. Here’s the list.
Changing of the Guard:
This is perhaps the biggest show and one of the oldest in the world. It takes place every year around Buckingham Palace. The palace itself, which is the official residence of the Queen, is open every year for the last two months of summer. Visitors can see the magnificent State Rooms with one of the finest collections of Queen, which contain, above all, paintings and furniture.
St. Paul Cathedral:
The classical cathedral in London, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, is famous for being the site where married Prince Charles and Diana. It was built between 1675 and 1710, and has a large gallery and a crypt, where are buried many famous people. Keep in mind that in order to visit the gallery, it is necessary to climb 259 steps…
The British Museum:
As the oldest public museum in the world, this gigantic place also the most visited of all the museums in Britain. It stands out especially Elgin Marbles, Rosetta Stone, the Magna Carta and the Egyptian mummies. The museum was founded in 1753 by an Act of Parliament, to exhibit the collections of Sir Hans Sloane. Like any giant museum, ideally rapid traverse in its entirety, only to see their favorites in depth.
The Tower of London:
It was the home of the famous Yeomen warders or Beefeaters, and over time, this tower has been a fortress, a palace, a prison and a zoo.
The oldest part, the White Tower, was built in the time of William the Conqueror and has more than 900 years. The Crown Jewels are on view, as well as some armor.
To avoid long lines to see the jewels, arrive at about nine o’clock, and go straight to the jewelry section. Very possibly, also want to take the trip (Free) Beefeater, which lasts about an hour.
Other things not to miss in the Tower are the huge black crows and Traitor’s Gate.
Westminster Abbey:
Westminster Abbey is one of the finest Gothic buildings and striking of Britain, which was and is the scene of coronations, marriages and death ceremonies of British monarchs.
This church was built between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, and large windows with roses, its exceptional height and buttresses, seems to have been inspired by the great cathedrals of Reims and Amiens, France.
There is a tour that consists of a walkman, where you can hear different stories to measures that strolls around the same, or can also be one of 90 minutes with a tourist guide.
Tower Bridge and Big Ben:
These are perhaps the two most photographed sites in London, and most of the new tourists are eager to see both. Although it is not the oldest of London (opened in 1894) Tower Bridge is the longest bridge over estimated in the city, while Big Ben is often seen as an icon of the city.
London, is without doubt one of the most exciting cities of the world. There are lots of city around london – Bexley, Boisdale, Greenwich, Hillingdon, Lewisham, Waltham Forest and many more. Just touring its cobbled streets and watch their homes and businesses can be an unforgettable experience.
But following these steps, you can also enjoy it quite complete, without any problems.