Our first trip to London: A complete guide for First-time visitors

This past December, we took our first trip to London together. Beth has been several times, but not in the past 10 years. I had never been, so it truly felt like a first visit and quite the adventure.

We had five full days to get acquainted with this capital city in the United Kingdom. We were there to visit our niece, who is in graduate school at King’s College, but we also made time to explore the major attractions. Our itinerary balanced the most popular tourist attractions with a few other treasures. We had a short list of things we absolutely wanted to see, but we also left space to wander and discover some of the best areas of the city centre on our own.

BIG TIP: If you are planning a trip to London, the most important advice we can offer is to book everything in advance! Restaurants, museums, and other popular attractions can sell out quickly. Even during the summer months, when crowds are at their peak, tickets to places like the British Museum, the Tower of London, or the London Eye go fast. Buying online through an official website, or using something like the London Pass, is often the best way to avoid long lines.

All of the places mentioned in this blog are pinned on this Google Map of London, so you can easily plan your route.

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Getting Around and where to stay in London

Finding an affordable hotel room in Central London can be a challenge. Beth did plenty of research, but our friends recommended the Hub Premier Inn at Westminster. The rooms were small but comfortable, and the location was unbeatable—a short walk from a tube station, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. Staying near the city center gave us easy access to so many main attractions.

We also stayed at the Premier Inn Smithfield/Farringdon. This area of the City of London felt less touristy, filled with young professionals, cozy pubs, and great places to eat. It was a good option for travelers who don’t want to spend too much money but still want to be well-connected to public transportation like the London Underground.

If you’re flying in, Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, and London City Airport are the main entry points. We landed at Stansted, London, for the first time, and you can get a train into town from there.

On the second visit, we landed at Heathrow, which connects quickly to the city centre via the Heathrow Express train. Paddington Station is where the Heathrow Express arrives, and from there, you can jump on the Tube to almost anywhere.

For first-time visitors, getting an Oyster card is the best place to start—it works across the London Underground, buses, and even the train stations serving the suburbs. However, for the most part, you can use contactless payment for all transportation.

Things to do on your first time in London

London is a major city and can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors. There’s so much to see that it’s impossible to do it all in one trip. A good idea is to pick one or two important things per day; you’ll still need enough time to get from one attraction to another. Fortunately, the city center has great public transportation, and many spots are just a short walk apart.

British Museum

The British Museum is one of the best things to do in London, especially if you love British culture and history. It’s free to enter, though you’ll need to reserve in advance, and it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. This museum covers civilizations from Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Asia, and the United States, as well as artifacts from the United Kingdom and Europe.

Don’t miss the Rosetta Stone; it’s truly one of the great places to experience world history up close. If you have enough time, consider a guided tour or pick up an audio guide.

The Tower of London and Tower Bridge

No London trip is complete without visiting the Tower of London. This historic royal palace has served as a fortress, treasury, and prison since it was built in 1066 by William the Conqueror. Today, it’s famous for housing the Crown Jewels and its tales of torture.

We recommend joining the free Beefeater-led guided tour. It’s entertaining, insightful, and a great time for history lovers. Allow at least two hours here.

Right next door is Tower Bridge, which many people mistakenly call London Bridge. Crossing the lower walkway or heading up to the high-level glass floors gives you some of the best views of the River Thames. Even walking beneath it offers a sense of awe for first-time visitors.

Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard

You can take a tour of Buckingham Palace, but only on select dates. The palace is open about 10 weeks out of the year, usually in the summer (end of July through August), so check the palace website for details and dates. You can visit the grand State Rooms, ballroom, throne room, and parts of the palace gardens. No photos are allowed, and security is tight, so arrive early for your tour.

We did this tour and absolutely loved it! It came as a self-guided tour with earphones and a phone-like device, and you walk through the rooms at your pleasure. The tour took about 2 hours and ended in the Palace gardens.

We opted to take a tour of the Changing of the Guard. You can see this on your own and for free, but our tour put us in the optimal spots to see the guard. Our tour guide was also knowledgeable enough to see the signs for different events, and we were able to see King Charles leave Clarence House on his way to the palace. He even waved at us! Click here for the tour we took.

Shopping

London is a paradise for shoppers. Oxford Street and Regent Street are lined with iconic department stores like Selfridges, John Lewis, and Marks & Spencer. At Christmas, the window displays are magical.

For a more festive experience, Covent Garden is a must. This lively district is one of the best places for first-time visitors, full of boutique shops, cafés, and street performers. Around the holidays, it transforms into a sparkling wonderland. Tucked away nearby is Cecil Court, a great place for book lovers and art enthusiasts.

If you’re after luxury, head to Knightsbridge or Mayfair for Harrods and designer boutiques. Even if you don’t spend much money, the window shopping is half the fun.

Markets are another highlight. Borough Market, near the South Bank, is a foodie’s dream with street food and artisanal products. Brick Lane is famous for its curry houses and vintage shops, while Leicester Square and the West End are filled with entertainment and nightlife.

Afternoon Tea

For Beth’s birthday, she wanted to have a traditional afternoon tea. There are several places in town that offer the service, but it can get very pricey (especially at the Ritz). We went to Dalloway Terrace in Bloomsbury and had a great time.

For your money (£75 pp), you get a starter of champagne, a selection of finger sandwiches (like cucumber, smoked salmon, egg), freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, various pastries and cakes, and a choice of fine teas. We were given one refill on our pot (we had 3 individual pots). We were there for about 3 hours but it was worth it. There was so much food that we did not have dinner that night.

Westminster Abbey

No first-time visitors’ guide is complete without the heart of Westminster. We crossed Westminster Bridge for a classic view of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. From there, it’s a short walk to Westminster Abbey, where British monarchs have been crowned for centuries.

The Abbey is one of London’s most significant historical and religious sites. This is where every British monarch has been coronated since 1066. We watched Prince William and Catherine get married here.

But there are also several British monarchs, writers, scientists, and other famous British people buried here. Plus, the architecture is incredible.

You can schedule a tour, which will take you through the entire abbey. You can see the Coronation Chair, the clusters, and the Royal Tombs, including Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. If you do a special tour, you can see some hidden highlights.

We did not have time for a tour but were able to catch an evensong service. This is a religious service where there is verse reading, but you also hear the organ and the choir.

Nearby, Trafalgar Square is a bustling landmark and home to the National Gallery, a great place to admire masterpieces by Van Gogh, Turner, and da Vinci.

Saint Paul’s Cathedral

One of the stops that stood out for us was St. Paul’s Cathedral. For Beth, it was a return visit after more than 20 years, but for me it was my very first time stepping inside this iconic London landmark. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666, the current cathedral was completed in the early 18th century and has been an enduring symbol of resilience and renewal ever since.

St. Paul’s is instantly recognizable by its massive dome, the second largest in the world, which has dominated London’s skyline for over 300 years. Inside, the grandeur is overwhelming: the intricate mosaics, sweeping arches, and the famous Whispering Gallery, where even the softest words carry across the curved walls. The cathedral has also been the setting for many national moments, from the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer to the funerals of Sir Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. Standing in the same space where so many historic events unfolded felt both humbling and awe-inspiring.

You do have to buy tickets to see the cathedral. They are around £22 for an adult. You also get a self-guided tour with your ticket.

Christmas Markets in London

London is definitely a city that “gives Christmas” (as our niece would say). The entire city is decorated, and Christmas markets are scattered throughout.

We happened across several just walking around. There is one in Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square that are pretty big. There are also smaller ones on the Queen’s Walk and around Tower Bridge.

The biggest one is Winter Wonderland, which can be found in Hyde Park. For an entrance fee, you can experience traditional German-style wooden chalets, an Ice skating rink, a giant observation wheel, circus shows and fairground rides, Bavarian beer halls (yum), hot food stalls (bratwurst, roasted nuts, raclette), handmade crafts and Christmas decorations, mulled wine and hot chocolate stands, and Santa’s grotto and live entertainment.

Make sure you bring plenty of money since these markets are often more expensive than the stores, but it is the experience you are paying for. Most places are cashless, but having a little would not hurt.

Restaurants and Pubs we visited

Pubs

When it comes to pubs in London, they are on every street corner. Most of them are small and packed. The food is usually the same (pies, fish and chips, burgers)but varies depending on the pub. What we wanted mostly was the beer and the atmosphere. Please note that pubs close at 11:00 pm, so if you want to eat, get there before 9:30 pm. Here is a list of pubs we visited and liked for the most part.

• Tom Cribb–basic and close to Covent Garden.
• The Blackfriar–one of the only Art Nouveau pubs in London. They have a good choice of beers and have a dining room. Make a reservation!
• The Fuller’s Kitchen in the Sanctuary House Hotel was close to our hotel and served the purpose of a good lunch. A little pricey but good. Has a larger dining room.
• Cahoots is a place that was recommended to us by a Brit, and we are highly recommending it ourselves! It is a 1940s theme bar, where the war has just been won, and everyone is celebrating. Drinks are anywhere from 10-25 a drink but are served with props and flair. We loved it, but make a reservation so you won’t have to wait in line.
• The George Inn is one of the oldest bars in London, and the courtyard is where Shakespeare’s plays were once performed. We enjoyed steak and ale pie (again), and it was delicious.
• Blue Boar Pub was close to our hotel and was a rather upscale pub. We had dinner here, which was ok. We were starving and they had seating.
• The Slaughtered Lamb--a place recommended by a friend and perfect for tapas and beer. They also have karaoke and trivia night.
• The Old Bell Tavern is one of the oldest taverns in London, built by Christopher Wren in 1678 for his masons who were rebuilding and building churches. They have an award-winning steak and ale pie that was very good!

Best Restaurants we ate at in London

As we mentioned above, MAKE RESERVATIONS! We mostly ate at these on the fly or reserved the night before but we want you to have a good experience so book in advance.

Most of the places we ate were close to our hotel, but SOHO is known for its great restaurants.

• Chez Antoinette Victoria is a French Restaurant located in Victoria and within walking distance from our hotel. Great soup, good croque, a little pricey, but very good food.
• Bill’s Victoria Restaurant is great for breakfast.
• Dishoom–We have not eaten here yet, but wanted to include it since we have heard it is the best Indian food in the UK.
• Old Queen Street Cafe is another great place for brunch. We enjoyed the pancakes and eggs.
• Dalloway Terrace is where we had afternoon tea. Well worth the money for the experience and the sweets were fantastic.
• Popina-Great place for brunch in Mayfair! They have shakshuka, which was a plus for us.

Extra Tips for First-Time Visitors

The best time to visit London depends on what you want: the summer months have longer days but also crowds, while spring and fall are a good option for avoiding the peak tourist season.

Always carry a credit card—contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere, and it saves you from fumbling with the British pound.

Use the London Underground for the best way to get around.

For a unique day out, take a day trip from London—Kew Gardens, St. Paul’s Cathedral, or even a quick train to Windsor.

If you want to explore art beyond the National Gallery, don’t miss the Tate Modern, Tate Britain, the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Albert Museum in South Kensington.

Our 5-Day Itinerary

Day 1: This was half a day since we were traveling. We checked into our hotel and then went to a pub for lunch (Fullers Kitchen) for steak and ale pies and beer. We then walked by Westminster Abby, Parliament, and Big Ben (stopped for pictures and videos), and then crossed Westminster Bridge. We planned to take the Christmas lights tour, and the meet-up was close to the London Eye. We toured the city on the open-roof bus to see the Christmas lights. This is a good tour if you have mobility issues or just don’t want to walk all over the city. But otherwise, it is an average tour.

Afterward, we strolled through the Queen’s Walk and discovered a small Christmas Market. We stopped for hot beverages and then continued on the Blackfriars Bridge. We crossed back over and had beers and a snack in the Blackfriar Pub–Highly recommend it!

Day 2: We started our day by walking from St. James Gardens to Buckingham Palace from our hotel. We took a tour of the Changing of the Guard. Afterward, we walked to a pub (Tom Cribb) and had lunch (good fish and chips and burgers, great beer!). We walked to Leicester Square and explored the Christmas Market. We walked toward Covent Garden and went down Cecil Court, where there were great bookstores! Covent Garden also has amazing shopping and Christmas decorations. We ended our walk at Somerset House, where there was a skating rink. By this time, we were exhausted and were ready to end the evening.

Day 3: Tower Bridge and Tower of London, George Inn for lunch, Katey’s dance recital that night. Ate at Blue Boar Pub

Day 4: Brunch at Chez Antionette, walk through the park, and on to Piccadilly to see the Christmas windows. Piccadilly is an upscale shopping area. Then on to Afternoon tea at Dalloway Terrace. It was about 3 hours long, but so much fun. Drinks at Cahoots and then called it a night.

Day 5: Brunch at Old Queen Street Cafe. We caught the bus to Covent Garden and then walked to the British Museum. We spent 2 hours at the museum (it was full!) and then stopped by a pub for beer and snacks. We ended the night at Westminster Abby to participate in Evensong. Beth loves organ and choir music, so it was our chance to see the church. No pictures or videos were allowed during the service. We headed back to the hotel to pack and get ready to travel the next day.

Day 6: Brunch at Bill’s Victoria and then to the airport.

What we missed and will do next time in London

Five days isn’t quite long enough to experience all of London, so there are many things we would like to do when we return.

First, we will take tours of Westminster Abbey. Westminster has so many notable figures buried there. We were able to attend the evensong close to Christmas, and that was lovely.

We also want to take in a show in the West End. Because we did not book these in advance, most were sold out or standing room only. We were able to catch Sean Hayes in his performance as Oscar Levant in Good Night, Oscar at the Barbican Theatre. The performance was incredible, but the theater itself is less than comfortable.

Our first time in London was absolutely amazing, and we cannot wait to go back!

In addition to this blog post, we also have a podcast episode letting you in on all the great places and fun we had. You can find more pictures on our social media pages at Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Threads. Like and subscribe!

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