London is indisputably one of the most expensive cities in the world but that shouldn’t prevent you from seeing all of the amazing sights and scenes. Here are my top recommendations <that won’t break the bank>:

1. Museums

British Museum: Egyptian mummies, Rosetta Stone, and ancient Greek sculptures. You can even take a 20 or 50 minute tour for free.

Museum of London: take a step back in time through London’s history.

National Gallery: Van Gogh, Renoir, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo…right off the hustle and bustle of Trafalgar Square.

National Maritime Museum: highlighting Britain’s seafaring history.

National Portrait Gallery: paintings and sculptures of who’s who…think Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and even Andy Warhol’s take on the Queen.

Natural History Museum: see Dippy the diplodocus in the main hall but just for a few more years..they are bringing in a whale!

Victoria & Albert Museum: the world’s largest museum…save some time to explore this place.

Tate Modern: view the permanent collection of 60,000 pieces including Pollock, Warhol, Rodin and Matisse.

Tate Britain: stroll through observing British masterpieces from 16th to 20th century.

2. Take a peak at Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard: every day at 11:30 you can view the very proper procedures of the changing of the guard.

3. Markets

Borough Market: one of the leading food markets in London, open Thursday to Saturday.

Camden Market: this market is booming, tons of food stalls and shopping. Save time to explore the canals!

Portobello Market: settled in Notting Hill, there’s plenty to explore here amongst all the cotton candy houses. Most bustling on Saturdays.

Bricklane Market: spend the day wondering between all of the East London Markets, the biggest day is Sunday.

Spitalfields Market: another East London market– food, antiques, vintage clothing.

Greenwich Markets: a covered market with antiques, art and crafts surrounding by delicious food options.

4. Free walking tours. Check out these.

5. Parks: London is the greenest city I’ve ever been in…

Kensington Gardens: must-sees: the Italian Gardens, Albert Memorial, Peter Pan Statue, Serpentine Galleries, and Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground.

Hyde Park: huge and centrally located. Grab a coffee and stroll along the Serpentine. If it’s Sunday, head to Speaker’s Corner to hear some interesting opinions! From November to January, you can even ice skate! My favorite spot: the Rose Garden near Hyde Park Corner.

Green Park: The park linking St James’s and Hyde Park, right off of Buckingham Palace.

Regents Park: surrounded by beautiful architecture and filled with lovely gardens.

Battersea Park: explore Chelsea and then head to the south bank to this very green park.

Holland Park: my new favorite London park, located right off High Street Kensington, it is full of charm and character.

St. James’s Park: stroll the park leading up to Buckingham Palace.

Hampstead Heath: settled in North London, perched on the highest spot in the city, prepare for beautiful panoramic views.

Richmond Park: this South West London park was founded in the 17th century as a deer park…keep your eyes open you can spot them roaming.

6. Abbey Road: snap a mid street stroll channeling your inner Paul McCartney.

7. Window Shopping

Oxford Street: honestly, it’s mayhem, but you have to at least pop in a few shops.

Regents Street: a little less Oxford, in my opinion, absolutely beautiful lit up at night!

Sloane Square: a Chelsea highlight featuring all the major, and by major I mean expensive, storefronts.

Knightsbridge: no trip to London is complete without a stop in Harrods.

8. Thames River: walk the Thames Path– it’s incredible on the north and south bank between Westminster and Waterloo.

9. Trafalgar Square: brace yourself for some serious London vibes…there’s no shortage of red double decker buses or black cabs whizzing around this central spot.

10. Piccadilly Circus: circus refers to the Latin word “circle” but I think the more literal meaning of the word is most applicable in this city. This is the Times Square of London. I think it’s most appreciated at night.

11. Leicester Square: the theatre center of London.

12. Covent Garden: no shortage of shops, restaurants and live entertainment. I am especially partial to the open air dining and rooftop drinking 🙂

13. Walk the Southbank: amazing views of Westminster and Big Ben, wiggle through the crowds to view the London Eye up close and personal, check out the Southbank Centre (there is always something going on here, including a streetfood market), watch serious skateboarders risking their lives, you can check out Gabriel’s Wharf, and wander over to Tower Bridge.

14. Walk across Tower Bridge and take a peak at the Tower of London.

15. Chinatown: smells are free. And it smells gooood! And the Chinese lanterns are adorable.

16. Prime Meridian in Greenwich: Stand on the east and west globe at once. Then stroll through the village.

17. Neal’s Yard and Seven Dials: this colorful corner is as charming as ever and Seven Dials makes London feel small.

18. Primrose Hill: a short walk to the top allows amazing panoramic views of London, amazing during the day and night.

19. Kings Cross & Platform 9 3/4: not a real platform but a perfect photo op for all Potter fans.

20. Check out the Street Art in East London.

21. Visit Wimbledon: the park and the town are adorable.

22. The London Wall: part of the Roman wall from 200 AD that once formed the eastern defenses of Roman Londinium.

23. Little Venice: stroll the Venice-like canal with waterside cafes and pubs. Be on the lookout, you can even hire a gondola. Read about it here!

24. St. Katharine Docks: look at the fancy smancy yachts parked here. I recommend pizza at The Dicken’s Inn, although it’s not free.

25. The balcony at Somerset House. Lovely views of the southbank and often live music.

26. Near London Bridge, The Scoop is an amphitheatre that is filled with live entertainment and music throughout the summer months.

27. London Stone: at 111 Cannon Street, there is a stone that according to legend was a part of the altar in a temple built by Brutus of Troy.

28. Watch Big Ben tick away time.

29. Temple Church: the Da Vinci Code makes this a must-see, and also the fact that the origins date back to the 12th century!

30. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. It costs for a tour of the theatre but free for a peak from the outside! It’s a true to life replica of the original, that sadly burned down.

Are you a UK resident? You can tour Big Ben and Houses of Parliament for FREE. You only need to be sponsored by your Member of Parliament… more info here!

I can also help you spend some money in London too! 😉 Check out some of my other London posts here.