Let’s go: About London
Before we explore London, we present a few notes on the city:
- London is cosmopolitan and multicultural, with more than 300 languages spoken in London.
- While most of London’s residents live outside the city center in areas sometimes known as “the periphery” or Greater London, Central London has a high density of commercial, retail and office space as well as various cultural institutions.
- London ranks fourth in the list of “The most expensive cities in the world” published by ECA International in June 2022.
- In addition to Paris and Milan, London is a major center for both couture and street fashion.
- In the last decades, London’s dining scene has expanded. While fish and chips are still a national standard, the city offers a wide range of cuisines and restaurants. We were surprised to learn that there are more Indian restaurants in London than in New Delhi and Mumbai.
- Turkish Airlines operates an average of eight direct flights from Istanbul to London per day. Most of these flights depart from Istanbul Airport (IST) and arrive at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) or London Gatwick Airport (LGW). Click here for information on flights to London.
- Traffic in London flows in reverse – vehicles drive on the left side. Keep this in mind when crossing the street! ☺
- To spend a week or more in London, if time and budget allow, would be ideal – the city offers an abundance of activities. However, as time and money are precious, a three-day trip can suffice. With this in mind, we’ve listed some of the highlights of this great city!
When to visit London
Generally, any time is a suitable time to visit London. The weather tends to be mild and somewhat rainy throughout the year. Spring and summer are best for outdoor sightseeing and exploring London’s beautiful parks; during the autumn and winter seasons – especially around Christmas and New Year’s – the city is especially picturesque.
Time travel: Places to visit in London
Traces of the Past: Historic sites in London
Westminster Abbey
One of the most important structures in the United Kingdom, Westminster Abbey is a majestic Gothic-style cathedral. Founded by Benedictine monks in the tenth century, the Abbey has served as the Coronation Church for the Royal Family since 1066. While Westminster Abbey is considered the Royal Church, it is a working and active church, and all are welcome to attend services. Guided tours of Westminster Abbey are available.
Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster, the parliament building of the United Kingdom, is also home to the city’s famous clock tower, Big Ben. Originally built in 1016, the Palace of Westminster, consisting of eleven hundred rooms, served as the residence for British monarchs for many years. Destroyed by fire in 1834, the structure was rebuilt and is used as the parliament building today. The Palace of Westminster is adjacent to Westminster Abbey.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
The spectacular St Paul’s Cathedral was opened in 1711, but an earlier version of the Cathedral was built in the eleventh century and destroyed in the London fire of 1666. The location of various royal burials and weddings, the Anglican Cathedral – and center of the Diocese of London – features stunning mosaics, sophisticated architecture, and an enormous library.
Buckingham Palace
Perhaps one of the best-known locales in London, Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the Queen of England and the administrative center for the monarchy. Built in 1703, the Palace has served as a home to members of the Royal Family since 1761. Buckingham Palace is also a popular tourist destination, particularly for its famous “Changing the Guard” ceremony. The ceremony takes place, weather permitting, at 11.00 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday and daily in the summer. In addition, between July and October when the Queen is at her Scotland residence, Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms and garden are open to the public.
Tower Bridge
Opened in 1894, the Tower Bridge is a key London landmark. Stretching over the Thames River and anchored by two 65-meter-high towers, the combined suspension/bascule bridge lifts for around eight hundred vessels each year. In addition, visitors can tour the Bridge’s elevated, glass-floor walkways.
London’s museums: Tradition meets future
Tate Modern
Set in a restored redbrick power station next to the Thames River, the striking Tate Modern is home to one of the world’s most important collections of modern and contemporary art. General admission to the Museum is free; exhibitions are paid.
British Museum
In addition to its collection of artworks, the British Museum contains millions of objects dating from the earliest beginnings of humankind to the present. Opened in 1759, it “was the first national museum to cover all fields of human knowledge”. Set in an imposing Greek Revival style building in London’s Bloomsbury district, the British Museum is visited by around six million people every year. Entrance to the Museum is free.
Popular places to visit in London
Sherlock Holmes Museum
It may surprise you, but we think that one of London’s most colorful addresses is the home of a fictional detective! In the books written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes and his compatriot, Dr. Watson, lived in a Victorian-style home at Baker Street 221B. While the characters were made up, the address is not. The Victorian-style building now exhibits wax figures of Holmes and other characters, along with various objects and a gift shop. The entrance fee is £15 for adults and £10 for students.
Covent Garden
Small and charming, the Covent Garden neighborhood is filled with bookstores, toy shops, boutiques, restaurants and cafes. The Royal Opera House and the London Transport Museum are also in this district.
London Eye
Offering bird’s eye views of London from 135 meters above the street, the 90-meter-wide London Eye was the highest Ferris wheel in the world when it was built in 1999. Today, the London Eye is still the star of Europe, although Dubai’s Ain Dubai has captured the worldwide title. The London Eye’s 32 capsules represent London’s 32 boroughs.
Oxford Street & Regent Street
One of the busiest shopping streets in England and Europe, Oxford Street is home to more than 300 shops and welcomes up to half a million visitors every day. Regent Street is another major shopping destination, featuring the flagships of world-renowned brands. Both of these buzzing areas are worth a visit.
Bazaar, market or whatever you want to call it: Apple Market, Camden Town, Portobello Road Market
Apple Market
Covent Garden’s Apple Market, open daily from 10.00 to 18.00, features an almost infinite range of products, from design objects to handmade souvenirs, antiques and soaps. In its earlier incarnation, Apple Market was the city’s center for fresh produce.
Camden Town
Development of Camden Town began in 1791 and the neighborhood has become one of London’s liveliest districts. Known as a music and shopping hub, the area hosts nightclubs and jazz bars along with galleries, restaurants and cafes.
Portobello Road Market
The Portobello Road Market, in the Notting Hill district, features one of the world’s largest vintage and antique street markets, with market stalls stretching more than a mile. In addition, visitors can find produce, baked goods and prepared foods, as well as clothing and collectibles.
Hyde Park
This huge (and famous) 350-acre park serves as the lungs of London. As well as walking paths, resting areas and a lake, the Park has tennis and dining facilities.
Notting Hill area
Yes, that movie… You will surely remember Notting Hill, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, which was translated into Turkish as “Aşk Engel Tanımaz”. That bookstore, those quaint townhouses and the charming neighborhood definitely deserve a visit.
Soho
In London’s West End, Soho is a hub for nightlife, theatre, culture and art – it is also home to the Carnaby, Oxford and Regent shopping streets.
Dining in London
We already noted the plethora of Indian restaurants in London and we definitely recommend visiting one of these! Otherwise, our London dining checklist includes:
- Fish & Chips
- Afternoon tea
- Traditional English breakfast
- Yorkshire pudding
Practical information on London
Getting around London
Thanks to its extensive transportation network, getting around London is easy. In addition to buses, trams and trains, the city has a total of 11 tube lines serving all nine London districts. The Oyster card is used for public transportation. Taxis and car-sharing apps are also available.
Official language: English
Currency: British pound (GBP)
Socket type: G
Important Phones
Area Code: +44
London Heathrow Airport +44 844 335 1801
Emergency Assistance: 112 or 999
Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in London: +44 20 7393 0202
