Guide to Visit London for the First Time
The first time I went to London I spent ten days drinking my body weight in alcohol, dancing til sunrise, and eating homemade pasta with my two best friends.
Many things have changed since then. I’m not as close to those friends. I barely drink. I can’t even stay up past 11PM without an extra dose of caffeine coursing through me.
When I returned last week, I tried to go to some of the places I went that first time. Nothing was the same, ala Drake. It was like seeing a guy I used to like and realizing we’re completely different now.
It marked the end of a long chapter. The chapter being my very loud, chaotic, and sleep-deprived 20s. So … what does a mature 30 year old do in London? See below:
Weather
Dress in warm layers! This may seem obvious but it’s colder than you think. The endless wind and cloudy skies make it feel colder than the weather app claims.
Money
Tap & Pay is KING. Everyone from the small grocers to street vendors take credit cards. I didn’t use any cash in 3 days. Just remember to use a money converter to verify costs. Everything looks cheaper in pounds.
Transportation
The London system offers underground (subway) stations and buses all over. Don’t buy an Oyster Card for £7. Instead use your card, Apple Pay, or Google pay to tap & pay.
Ubers are great too. They arrive to you quickly (1-3 minutes) since the city is full of them. Can’t promise they’ll get to your destination quickly though.
Free Activities
Bridges: Tower, Millennium, London
Parks: Greenwich, Hyde, Victoria
Museums: Tate Modern, Victoria & Albert, British Museum
Markets
Markets are the best places to visit in London. They are the culmination of all the diverse people, food, shops, and cultures in the city. It’s the perfect way to spend a couple of hours without breaking the bank.
Borough market
My favorite.
I always go when I’m in London. It has the most food at the highest quality, albeit with price tags to match. Go with an empty belly and full wallet.
Brixton Market
The most affordable.
Great if you want to get away from the crowds.
Round Table Books is full of works by BIPOC writers. Surrounding streets have various vendors too.
Spitalfields
The largest.
It has just as many stores as food stands in case you want to shop.
Walk over to Brick Lane afterward for great vintage & thrift finds.
Leadenhall
The prettiest.
It’s in the center of the city which means you can easily go to other major sights.
It has cute pub style restaurants. I only went for the beautiful architecture.
Neighborhoods
The best thing to do in London is simply walk around different neighborhoods. These are my favorites:
Brixton is more international so you know the vibes are good and the food is even better. It reminds me of Brooklyn, especially since there is great local Caribbean food.
Shoreditch is full of hipster cafes, vintage shops, and chic bars. Keep in mind you pay extra for the aesthetics.
Covent Gardens has those classic maze-like alleyways London is known for. I went to book shop and scour Pick N Weight, a pay-by-weight thrift store. Although I found Goldsmith Vintage had better deals since EVERYTHING in the store is £12.95.
Food
I don’t know much about British food but I will say the commonwealth is full of great cuisines. In honor of it I had Indian at Dishoom, Nigerian at 2 Nigerian Bros, and Jamaican at Original Flava. All great meals though I’m sure there are endless yummy options all over.
I also went to Circolo Popolare for decent Italian food. The vibes are better than the dishes but I’m a sucker for a beautifully decorated restaurant with twinkly lights.
I went to Sky Garden because the internet told me to. It’s has an incredible view but it is very crowded. My advice: go during sunset, buy one drink, take your photos, and leave. Remember you must reserve a spot a month in advance!
Check out my other Europe guides to visit another city while you’re there.
