Explore London
What is Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best?
This award is our highest recognition and is presented annually to those businesses that are the Best of the Best on Tripadvisor, those that earn excellent reviews from travelers and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide.
Learn moreLondon
London
London TourismLondon HotelsLondon Bed and BreakfastLondon Vacation RentalsFlights to LondonLondon RestaurantsThings to Do in LondonLondon Travel ForumLondon PhotosLondon MapLondon Travel Guide
HotelsAll London HotelsLondon Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in LondonBy Hotel Type
Things to DoRestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental CarsTripadvisor PlusMoreLondon CampgroundsLondon HostelsLondon Green HotelsLondon Spa ResortsLondon ResortsLondon CasinosRomantic Hotels in LondonLondon Family HotelsLondon Business HotelsLondon Luxury Hotels
By Hotel ClassBy Hotel BrandNovotel Hotels in LondonTaj Hotels in LondonDoubleTree by Hilton Hotels in LondonGuoman Hotels in LondonTravelodge Hotels Ltd in LondonMillennium Hotels in LondonCitizenM Hotels in LondonMercure Hotels in LondonJumeirah Hotels in LondonThistle Hotels in LondonStarhotels in LondonApex Hotels in LondonThe Doyle Collection Hotels in LondonHotels Indigo in LondonMarriott Autograph Collection Hotels in London
Popular AmenitiesPopular NeighborhoodsKensington and Hyde Park HotelsWimbledon HotelsPaddington / Maida Vale HotelsClapham / Battersea HotelsEuston / Kings Cross /St Pancras HotelsHammersmith / Fulham HotelsEarls Court HotelsChiswick HotelsHotels near Childs HillHotels near Cricklewood
Popular London CategoriesLondon Apartment HotelsLondon Affordable HotelsLondon Hotels with KitchenetteLondon Hotels With Adjoining RoomsSuite Hotels in LondonLondon Downtown HotelsHeritage Hotels in LondonLondon Luxury Boutique HotelsLondon Modern HotelsHoneymoon Hotels in London
Near LandmarksHotels near London EyeHotels near The British MuseumHotels near Tower of LondonHotels near London UndergroundHotels near National GalleryHotels near Tower BridgeHotels near Natural History MuseumHotels near V&A - Victoria and Albert MuseumHotels near Madame Tussauds LondonHotels near Big Ben
Near Train StationsHotels near BarbicanHotels near Farringdon StationHotels near Essex Road StationHotels near Highbury & IslingtonHotels near Highbury and Islington StationHotels near Drayton Park StationHotels near ArsenalHotels near Finsbury Park StationHotels near Holloway RoadHotels near Russell Square
Near AirportsHotels near Heathrow Airport (LHR)Hotels near London City Airport (LCY)Hotels near Luton Airport (LTN)Motels near London City Airport (LCY)Motels near Luton Airport (LTN)Motels near Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Near CollegesHotels near City University LondonHotels near Metropolitan UniversityHotels near London Metropolitan UniversityHotels near Institute of Advanced Legal StudiesHotels near SOAS, University of LondonHotels near UCL Institute of EducationHotels near Institute of Latin American StudiesHotels near Institute Of Historical ResearchHotels near Institute Of Commonwealth StudiesHotels near Institute Of Germanic & Romance Studies
Popular Hotel CategoriesLondon Tourism: Best of London
About London
London’s a sprawling city at the center of everything: art, history, culture—you name it. But what sets it apart from other major hubs are its distinct neighborhoods, each with their own vibe. Spend an afternoon with the fam in Kensington: It’s got museums, parks, and plenty of other kid-approved things to do. Or check out edgy Shoreditch for cool shops and street murals (perfect for photo ops), then head to Soho where you can grab a pint at a pub or hit a club and party ‘til dawn. Food’s a big deal here: Yes, there’s fish and chips, but also next-level curry houses thanks to London’s thriving Bangladeshi community (take your pick from tons of spots on Brick Lane), plus a growing roster of celebrity chef-driven restaurants in posh Mayfair. There’s always something new going on and we’ve got more recs, below.
“Hyde park was a dream! Something out of a movie! So much greenery, water ways and animals. The best part of walking through Hyde Park is kind of a secret....near the Peter Pan sculptor is an area full of wild green canaries that roam free in the trees. If you have appealing food to the birds, they will fly to your hands to eat. It was amazing!”
— aer661
Essential London



A London Pub Crawl
After more years writing about them than I care to admit, I can spot a good London pub faster than you can say “Pint, please.” What’s the secret? Big or small, central or suburban, it comes down to the person behind the bar; if they know what they’re doing, the pub will be somewhere to cherish. Here are my favorites.
- The Coach & Horses283With its literary traditions and quirky features—check out the spittoon by the bar—the Coach and Horses is a must-visit, and that’s before you consider the exceptional quality of the beer. Even in Soho, which probably has more pubs per square mile than anywhere else in London, it stands out. My order here: a pint of the traditional English bitter, London Pride.
- The Harp572Few places are as enticing on a warm day as this slim Covent Garden pub, when the front windows fold back and a happy atmosphere drifts out into the street. Like all good English pubs, the cask ale here is excellent. No wonder it fills up early on a Friday evening.
- The Gladstone Arms46Run by brother-and-sister team Gaurav and Meg Khanna, this pub is exactly what you need after elbowing your way around Borough Market. The bijoux gastropub offers not only a wide-range of taps and an interesting (and affordable) wine list, but also delicious Anglo-Indian food, such as chicken tikka masala pies and Indian-style roast dinners.
- Blythe Hill Tavern44The Irish landlord, Con, sets high standards: the staff here wear collars and ties and the beer is always in immaculate condition. That’s not to say The BHT is stiff. Thursdays are my favorite - for the weekly traditional music session - but any day of the week is good for atmosphere, sport on TV, and perfectly-poured pints at this Southeast London gem.
- Dog & Bell SE844Deptford used to be full of pubs, but most have shuttered over the past few decades. The Dog, though, goes from strength to strength, to the extent that it even expanded into a next-door building recently. Come for the bar billiards table, live music, and the best Friday night atmosphere south of the Thames.
- The Kings Arms9There’s a huge range of drinks available in this East End stalwart, from Kentish Ale to Finnish gin. Although it’s been modernized, The King’s Arms still retains an old-school ambiance, just the thing for escaping from nearby Shoreditch. I recommend the cheese plates.
- King Charles I44Is it possible to find a village pub in the heart of Western Europe’s biggest city? Yes, and this is it. Small but perfectly-formed, the community-owned King Charles I is just a hop and skip from St Pancras station. Don’t forget to check out the jukebox.
- The Mall Tavern347Parts of West London seem almost too posh for pubs these days, which is what makes The Mall Tavern such a delight. Modernized but unspoiled, it offers probably the best pub atmosphere in Notting Hill. The excellent beer and food doesn’t hurt either.
- The Southampton Arms149The beer-lovers of North-West London swear by this place, and I have to admit they’ve got a point. Excellent drinks from independent producers, high-quality pub snack food (much of it pork-based), regular jazz sessions, and a charming back garden for sunny moments. The perfect place to while away an afternoon.
- The Sutton Arms19Run by a father-and-son team, The Sutton Arms is the epitome of a high-class street-corner pub: handsome on the outside and cozy inside. Get a pint of London Black, a delicious porter from local brewery Anspach and Hobday, and soak up the atmosphere of a classic London pub.
Explore London by interest
All about the (afternoon) tea
Sip a “cuppa” and eat a mini sandwich or two
London on a dime
Eats and activities that won’t break the bank
If you’re feeling fancy-ish
Go-all-out experiences worth every penny
Beyond Big Ben
Easy day trips a train ride away
Shop the city’s markets
Food, flowers, fashion—visit the best stalls
For the history buff
Must-see museums, royal landmarks, and more
Do it like a local
Best-kept secrets and hidden gems
A walk in the park
Gorgeous green spaces, right in town
The city’s a stage
World-class theater, live concerts, and more