londonLondon was my favorite city to explore during my 10-week Europe adventure. If you are a fan of New York City, you will love London! Although unlike NYC, London was clean and quiet. This city was filled with charm, culture, movie references, and kind people.
After 7 weeks in Italy’s record heat, England’s infamous overcast weather was the most refreshing experience I could have asked for. I highly suggest bringing a jacket and a sturdy umbrella for your trip to London, but you can live without them.
Getting Around
I stayed in Brixton and used the metro system to get everywhere. This was the easiest and cheapest form of transportation by far. I found that the easiest way to find times and trains was by using Apple Maps. From Brixton, it was about a 20 minute ride to the main center of London.
July 20, 2023
Where to Stay
Brixton was a good option for my 4 day trip as it was a quieter part of town with more locals and still lots of things to do and see. Brixton had local cafes and stores all around as well as tube connections to all the main stations. Though, I did not feel the most comfortable walking alone at night here.
Here, I stayed at a studio apartment Airbnb with a locked gate. I would suggest an Airbnb over hostels as it appears to be the cheapest option.
From the London Stansted Airport (STN), there is a metro that goes to Liverpool where you are able to transfer to the Victoria Line to Brixton. This is going to be the cheapest option as the taxi was quoted at over £100.
My biggest tip is to avoid Gatwick Airport (LGW); this airport was stressful and incredibly unorganized. I used this airport from London to Paris, and would never use it again for many reasons.
What to do
London has an infinite number of things to do and see. Obviously the Big Ben and London Eye cannot be skipped. Though, riding the London Eye is not budget friendly and the line was terribly long. I might suggest a double decker bus tour as long as you can sit inside because the ongoing chilly/ rainy weather will make for an unpleasant ride.
For my Harry Potter lovers, you can find platform 3/4 at the Kings Cross Station. Here, there is a gift shop filled with loads of Harry Potter souvenirs allow tourists to fully immersive in the experience. No worries if you can’t make your way to that station, though as we stumbled upon another dozen Harry Potter stores throughout London.
Heading to Leicester Square, this is the Times Square of London with the world’s largest M&M and Lego stores. This square also has a plethora of delicious restaurants to choose from and lots of unique shopping spots.
Soho London is also a great place to wander around and go shopping as well as admiring the architecture.
The British Museum is also a notable spot to explore. This museum has free entry, and can take a few hours to traverse.
Food
After 7 weeks of only Italian food, I was pleasantly surprised to find a variety of restaurant options around. My first stop was to satisfy my taco craving at Wahaca.
An ideal spot for exploring food options as well as local products is Borough Market. Here, there are chocolate covered strawberries, sandwich spots, candles, and so much more.
Taste Film is a captivating experience available in London that features a popular movie with corresponding courses. You are able to eat and drink what is seen on the screen making it a unique and inclusive journey.
