Happy Monday, friends! Although we’ve been back for about two weeks now, I’m still dreaming of our recent trip to Europe, and thought I’d share some of our favorites from our time in London here. I’ve heard from a few friends and readers who are tacking the trip across the pond in the near future, and thought sharing the top highlights from our recent adventure would make itinerary planning a breeze!

I had the pleasure of studying abroad in London as a college student, and I was so excited to spend this time showing Armon all my favorite spots! We made sure to discover all sorts of new locations, as well, in order to really diversify our time in this incredible city.

See

If you’re never been to London before, or if it’s been a while since your last visit, some of the main tourist attractions truly are worth a visit! We wanted to limit our time in the more popular spots in an attempt to explore some lesser known areas, too. Our personal favorites for monuments, parks and palaces worth walking by, at the very least, are Westminster Palace and “Big Ben,” Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, the Southbank, and Buckingham Palace. If you’re the museum type, like we are, then some of our favorites included the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Tate Modern, the British Museum, and the Imperial War Museum.

If you have a longer trip to the capital, then I highly suggest spending a day exploring some of London’s incredibly diverse boroughs! Our favorites this time around were Notting Hill, Marylebone, South Kensington, Covent Garden and SoHo. Each area has so many incredible places to eat, hidden gems, and a pace of life all its own. Be sure to also venture out to Shoreditch or even Camden, if you’re looking to explore outside of central London!

If it’s shopping you’re after, you truly can’t go wrong with a quick stop into Harrod’s in Knightsbridge. Oxford Circus, Covent Garden and Kensington High Street offer your more familiar brands, while Notting Hill offers great vintage markets and local shops. Chelsea and South Kensington are great for luxe decor items, while the Borough Market in Southwark is a must for delicious fruit, veg and tasty treats!

Eat

I honestly wish I had kept a list of all the pubs we ate at while we were in town. I can safely say Armon sampled fish and chips at nearly every pub we visited, some of which were more satisfying than others. A few of our tops favorites are below:

The Builder’s Arms – wonderful vegetarian options, cozy atmosphere and very helpful waitstaff. Chelsea, SW3

Egg Break – if you’re in Notting Hill and looking for a top notch brunch experience, look no further! Incredibly flavorful breakfast-inspired eats in a bright, delightful atmosphere. Close to the Notting Hill Gate station, as well! Notting Hill, W8

Holy Cow – for cheeky Indian takeaway, this is a must. Incredible flavor, great value, and locations all over town! Perfect for a night in after walking all over the city in uncomfortable shoes. Various locations.

Roots & Bulbs – we stopped by this sweet little street side spot on our way to the V&A Museum, and were pleasantly surprised by the primarily plant-based offerings on the menu! Although you can order from their full menu, you can also make your own salad, much like the salad bar at any good Whole Foods. I was especially happy with my mix of quinoa, edamame, incredibly flavorful avocado, and mixed veg. South Kensington, SW7

Kyoto – this spot fills up quickly during lunch and dinner, so either make a reservation or arrive early! We stopped in for lunch before visiting the British Museum, and both enjoyed the sushi lunch special and lunch-sized bento box. SoHo, W1D

It’s worth noting that if you’re at one of the many museums in town, chances are you’re closer to good eats than you think. Many London museums have incredible cafes, including the famous V&A (you must do tea there!), as well as the Imperial War Museum.

Stay

We chose to book a flat through Airbnb for a truly local experience. Since I had good knowledge of the public transit system, I felt confident that we’d be able navigate our way around town with the help of a hotel concierge. We opted to stay in the Chelsea/South Kensington area, which is actually where I lived when I studied abroad! It’s a truly posh area with loads of cafes, shops, art galleries, and just about anything a traveller could need. When I found this gem of a flat on Airbnb, I knew it would be the perfect place to call home while we were away. From the large French windows to the open terrace to the beautiful sitting area, we had the hardest time pulling ourselves away to explore the city! Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but it was a lovely place to stay.

Believe me when I say that these meager suggestions barely scratch the surface of how vibrant, bustling and exciting London is! I could spend days upon days chatting about the most wonderful aspects of this city, for sure. Are you planning a trip to London soon? Be sure to share your top must-sees in the comments below!

Check back in next Monday for a little recap from our side trip to Paris – complete with all our favorites eateries and sights!