Is London an overrated travel destination?

London is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe if not the whole world. Whenever you go to London the streets are full of crowds, both the locals rushing to get to work on time and tourists wishing to experience a little bit of the British culture.

I have been to London many times, but usually it was a short visit that did not give me much opportunity to really soak the atmosphere of the city. I made however two longer trips to London when I just walked around the streets, got lost, discovered hidden corners and tried to see what’s the fuss about London. Because the fuss is quite big, don’t you think? It is one of the cities people dream about visiting. It a ‘must see’ on the bucket list of not only those with itch feet, but also those people who love fashion. It is a popular weekend escape destination in Europe and a year abroad place to learn English.

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Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

• Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
• Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
• Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
• World Nomads and EKTA travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
• Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
• Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
• Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
• Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
• Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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It  is difficult to say that London lacks attractions or deny its popularity, which is confirmed by the crowds of tourists flooding the city all year round. But exactly this reason might convince us that it is so overrated. For some reason it is popular, probably for many reasons, and people go there because it’s a ‘must see’ place, which may result in overlooking the real beauty of it under the obvious or a huge disappointment.

There are many places as popular as London that fail to fulfill our expectations, but is London one of those places? I haven’t met a visitor who would not like it, but I met many people living there for a while that hate it. Of course there is a big difference between spending a few days with an abundance of new attractions and having to deal with all faults of a place every day.

Honestly speaking, London seems to be not easy to live in, but as a place for a traveler to pass by: it’s a gem. I really think so, but I would love to know your opinions too, so please share with us what you think about London.

The Appeal of London

First, let’s acknowledge what makes London so appealing. The city is a treasure trove of historical landmarks, world-class museums, and cultural experiences. From the grandeur of Buckingham Palace to the historic Tower of London, and from the British Museum to the modern marvel of the Shard, there is an endless array of attractions to explore.

 

What I like about London

London is vibrant and multicultural. I like it. Maybe it loses a bit of British accent because of that, but it adds the diversity of influences. This makes London London. I will make a little confession here actually and maybe it is a bit silly, but what I love most about London that there is every kind of food there available, so if you fancy some exotic dish that is usually not very well known, you can be sure that somewhere in London you can find it.

What calls my attention in London is the way old blends with new, which is mostly visible in architecture. I know the typical postcards from London usually present the Tower Bridge, Big Ben or Buckingham Palace, but there is many more images of London that are beautiful.

The variety of neighborhoods  makes London very surprising and interesting. From classy Notting Hill to modern Canary Wharf to exclusive Mayfair to alternative Shoreditch. There is something for everybody.

As the Britain is known for its specific pubs, London is definitely a place where the traditional pubs can be found at many corners of the city. They are so different form the pubs in other countries and that’s what makes them so cool. Many of them carry so much history with them like whole city itself.

I like walking around London, which is always a treat (well…almost always, because if it pouring down rain as we know, it is not very pleasant). All the attractions in London are great, but simply wandering the streets is what I like most. This is the way to see and feel the city, watch the people and find beautiful little corners.

The downsides of London

Despite its many attractions, London isn’t without its drawbacks, and these often fuel the debate about whether it’s overrated.

High Costs: London is notorious for being expensive. Accommodation, dining, and attractions can quickly add up, making it a pricey destination for budget travelers.

Crowds and Lines: Popular sites like the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, and the British Museum can be incredibly crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons. The long lines and packed spaces can detract from the experience.

Buy the tickets in advance to avoid the lines.

Weather: The infamous British weather can be a downer. London is known for its grey skies and frequent rain, which can put a damper on sightseeing plans.

Tourist Traps: Like any major tourist destination, London has its share of overrated attractions and tourist traps. Some visitors find places like Oxford Street and Leicester Square to be crowded and commercialized, lacking the authentic charm they expected.

Verdict: overrated or worth it?

So, is London overrated? The answer largely depends on your expectations and how you choose to experience the city.

For First-Time Visitors: If it’s your first time in London, the city’s major attractions are worth seeing. The historical significance and sheer scale of landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, the Tower Bridge, and the British Museum are awe-inspiring.

 

For Repeat Visitors: If you’ve been to London before, you might find more value in exploring off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods and lesser-known attractions. Areas like Hampstead Heath, Richmond Park, and the many hidden gardens and local markets offer a more relaxed and authentic experience.

For Budget Travelers: London can be expensive, but there are ways to experience the city on a budget. Many museums and galleries, such as the Tate Modern and the National Gallery, offer free entry. Walking tours and exploring the city’s parks and historic neighborhoods can provide enriching experiences without the high costs.

For Culture Enthusiasts: London’s theater scene, including the West End, is unparalleled. Catching a play or musical can be a highlight of your trip. Additionally, the city’s year-round festivals, from Notting Hill Carnival to the Thames Festival, provide vibrant cultural experiences.

 

A few tips to London

London is beautiful, popular and expensive. There is never enough time to see everything in London. The number of attractions would be hard to count and there is always something happening in London. All of this is usually costly, but with the great deal of museums, parks, cafes and incredible buildings, you can make a a list of things to for the whole week without a break that are not necessarily that expensive.

Money saving tips for London

Oyster Card– One essential tip for visiting London is to avoid purchasing your Oyster card at the airport, as it tends to be slightly more expensive than buying it in the city. If you plan to stay in London for five days, consider purchasing a weekly Travelcard for Zones 1-2, costing £40.70, which offers unlimited travel on trains, the Tube, buses, and the Overground.

This approach is often more economical than the pay-as-you-go option, which can result in higher costs if you’re traveling frequently. During one of my visits, I opted for the pay-as-you-go method and ended up spending more over four days compared to another time when I bought a weekly card, which allowed me to explore London more freely.

Additionally, having an Oyster card can save on accommodation costs by staying slightly outside the city center while still being well-connected to central London. On your last day, you can return the card at a station machine to get back the £7 deposit, and any remaining balance will be refunded. This makes the Oyster card a flexible and budget-friendly choice for navigating London’s public transport

London Pass-The London Pass is a sightseeing card designed for tourists visiting London. This smart card allows holders to access numerous attractions in and around London after paying a fixed fee in advance.

Free museums– many museums in London are free of charge, so in case of rain (which is rather like to happen…it’s London!) this could be a good option to spend a day. You can chose between the Museum of London, Tate Modern (which I quite like btw and besides it gets great views from the top) or Science Museum.

Stroll the streets– from the modern to the old and charming, there is many streets to stroll. For me it is one of my favourite ways to visit a city and discover all the hidden corners. Throughout the city there is many historic buildings that will look great on your photos. Oyster card is very useful if you like it too.

Get a last minute theater ticket– at a Leicester Square there is small official boot where you can get cheaper tickets to some of the most incredible shows, we all know the London is one of the best places for that. The line is usually long and the tickets are limited, so you better reserve some time and arrive early.

Watch the changing of the guards– this is something so unique for the UK and probably one of the rituals that most tourists want to see. Go to Buckingham Palace at 11:30 am for the guard change and at 11 am for the horse change at Whitehall.

Eat at Borough Market– I love markets and there is quite a few in London, but this one is especially interesting. Better go there hungry as the food selection is massive there.

Relax in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens– these two parks are truly beautiful. On a sunny day there is nothing better that taking a long walk in the parks and having a picnic on grass.

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See also: 

• 19 most beautiful castles in Europe you must visit
• 20 things I learned from living in Scotland
• From Tuskany to Cannes in two weeks. A guide for a perfect road trip in France and Italy.

A few of my favourite hotels in London (that will make your Instagram photos so chic): 

The Henrietta Hotel- It is a cute hotel and a great choice for those girls (well, I am suspecting that girls who own an Instagram page) who look for a chic background for their photos. It is located in Covent Garden area.

Hotel 41– It is one of the hotels you’d like to go back to (and it has over 4k 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor). It is elegantly decorated with a wonderful service. It is a hotel with so much personality. It is located near Buckingham Palace.

The London Edition–  This contemporary and chic hotel in a luxury style is something you would definitely like.

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Mindful moment

When in London look up. Have you noticed the architecture of London? Modern high towers and old pretty buildings deserve our attention. Look up and notice the structure, the material used to build it. Imagine the people living or working inside. Stop for a moment and notice the stillness of the city created by those buildings. Apart from the hustle and bustle that is ever changing, the building are there baring with the noise and business and making the city so great.

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Thank you for visiting. I would love to know your views on London and other popular travel destinations such as Paris or New York. Do you love them or do they disappointed you?

 

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