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London
Ideal stay
3–5 days

London

United Kingdom · LHR

20 attractions 10 restaurants

London is the capital of the United Kingdom — 8.9 million residents across 1,572 km², making it Europe's largest city. The Tube network covers 270 stations and ties together neighbourhoods that effectively work as small cities of their own. Most travellers spend three to five days; first-timers can knock off Westminster, the South Bank and the City of London in a tight long weekend.

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About this city

Flight from Germany
1h 50min
Airport ↔ centre
24 km
Time shift
−1h vs. Germany
Population
8,900,000
Area
1,572 km²
Founded
43 AD
Currency
GBP
Language
English
Timezone
Europe/London
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Example itineraries

Ready-made day-by-day plans with the top sights and a lunch stop every day.

Why visit

Free admission to the British Museum, V&A, National Gallery, Tate Modern and ~20 other world-class museums. Royal pageantry at Buckingham + the Tower. Cuisine scene now genuinely world-leading — UK cooking earned 192 Michelin stars in 2025. Drawback: 26 °C in summer is the new heatwave norm and pubs without AC suffer.

Neighbourhoods at a glance

  • ·Westminster + South Bank — Big Ben, Parliament, London Eye, Tate Modern.
  • ·The City — the financial Square Mile + the Tower of London + St Paul's.
  • ·Soho + Covent Garden — theatres, restaurants, the West End nightlife.
  • ·South Kensington — V&A, Natural History, Science Museum — all free.
  • ·Camden + Shoreditch — markets, street art, indie music.
  • ·Notting Hill + Portobello — pastel houses + Saturday antiques market.

Best time to visit

MonthDay tempCrowdsDon't miss
Jan–Feb5–9 °CLowCheapest hotel rates of the year; museum quiet hour 17:00
Mar–Apr9–14 °CMedBoat Race (Putney → Mortlake, end Mar); Easter at the Tower
May–Jun15–21 °CMed–highChelsea Flower Show (late May); long daylight to 21:30
Jul–Aug20–28 °CHighWimbledon (Jul); Notting Hill Carnival (last Aug weekend)
Sep–Oct13–19 °CMedOpen House London (1st Sep weekend) — free access to private buildings
Nov–Dec5–10 °CHigh in DecChristmas lights on Regent + Oxford St; ice rink at Somerset House

Getting around

Mode2026 costNotes
Tube (contactless)£2.80–£3.40 / ride, £8.50 daily capTap any Mastercard / Apple Pay — no Oyster needed
Bus£1.75 / ride, £5.25 capCheaper than Tube, great views from upper deck
Elizabeth Line ex-Heathrow£12.8040 min into Paddington / centre; far cheaper than Heathrow Express
WalkingFreeWestminster → St Paul's along the river is 35 min, all sights
Boris bike (Santander Cycles)£3 / 24 h, free first 30 minBest along South Bank + Regent's Canal

What to eat

  • ·Sunday roast — beef + Yorkshire pudding at Hawksmoor or any decent pub.
  • ·Fish and chips — battered haddock; best at Poppies (Spitalfields).
  • ·Full English breakfast — beans, bacon, eggs, sausage, mushrooms, toast.
  • ·Indian — Brick Lane curry houses; Dishoom for Bombay café food.
  • ·Afternoon tea — Fortnum & Mason or Sketch; book a week ahead.
  • ·Borough Market — South Bank food market open Wed–Sat.

First-timer tips

  • ·Stand on the right on escalators — walking lane is on the left.
  • ·Major museums (BM, V&A, NHM) are free; donations welcome.
  • ·Pubs close ~23:00 weekdays, midnight weekends; book table for groups >4.
  • ·Cars drive on the left — look right first when crossing.
  • ·Tipping ~12.5 % at restaurants; check bill — sometimes already included.

Attractions

Plan a trip here →

Restaurants & cafés

Lunch — Borough Market 🥗 Lunch

Lunch — Borough Market

1h
Lunch — Soho 🥗 Lunch

Lunch — Soho

1h
Afternoon tea — Mayfair 🥗 Lunch

Afternoon tea — Mayfair

1h30
Dinner — Shoreditch 🍽 Dinner

Dinner — Shoreditch

1h30
Dinner — Soho 🍽 Dinner

Dinner — Soho

1h30
Dinner — Mayfair 🍽 Dinner

Dinner — Mayfair

2h
Breakfast — Marylebone café 🥐 Breakfast

Breakfast — Marylebone café

45m
Breakfast — Southbank 🥐 Breakfast

Breakfast — Southbank

45m
Snack — fish & chips ☕ Snack

Snack — fish & chips

30m
Snack — historic pub ☕ Snack

Snack — historic pub

45m

London: frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in London?

Plan 3–5 days for London. That covers the main sights at a relaxed pace; Travita fits them around opening hours and walking distances.

When is the best time to visit London?

The best seasons for London are spring, summer, autumn and winter.

How long is the flight from Germany to London?

A direct flight from Germany to London takes about 1h50.

How far is London Heathrow airport from the centre of London?

London Heathrow airport (LHR) is about 24 km from the city centre.

Which currency and language are used in London?

London uses GBP. Language: English. Time zone: Europe/London.

Flights from Germany

Direct routes from German airports.