I Love London!
If you haven't visited London then add it to your list of places to visit. There's something there for everyone (kids, teenagers, adults, singles, foodies, shopaholics, turbo tourists etc etc) plus there is no language barrier :-) Plan on spending at least 3-5 days if not more.
Here are some of my favorite things to do in London keeping a 4 day itinerary in mind.
Where to Stay: These are my favorite locations in London so depending on your budget, pick accommodations to your liking.
Knightsbridge
Kensington
Chelsea
Covent Garden
Mayfair
Where to Eat: London is heaven for foodies as some of the best food in the world can be found in this quaint city. There just aren't enough meals in a day to go through my never ending list of restaurants to try in London. Here are some of my recent favorites.
Yauatcha- Chinese. Located in the depths of Soho, this beautifully decorated restaurant owned by Alan Yau has quite the reputation for its Dim Sum
Maroush II- Lebanese. Very casual restaurant but amazing food. There are many locations but my favorite location is the one in Knightsbridge.
Dhishoom- Indian Street Food. Very interesting and authentic menu. The decor and ambience are fun.
Hakkasan - Modern Cantonese. Love, love this place. Since they opened one in SF too now, I am a happy girl.
Coya- Peruvian. Considered London's hottest new restaurant. Has a gorgeous bar and very innovative menu.
Zuma - Japanese. Very popular restaurant for over a decade. Fantastic sushi, cocktails and Fancy Japanese food. Can't go wrong with Zuma!
Dinner at Zuma
Yauatcha, Soho
High Tea: Wonderful English Tradition of Afternoon tea served with finger sandwiches and sweet treats in an elegant setting.
Claridges - High Tea at Claridges is a must do especially if traveling with your mom, sister or daughter. Wonderful tradition and experience in a beautiful setting.
Dorchester - The Dorchester has been serving afternoon tea since 1931, and in 2011 was given an award for excellence by the Tea Guild for its consistently high standards of tea service.
Laduree - My favorite Macaroon store is also a perfect place to have high tea. Its perfect location (Harrods) makes it an ideal people watching spot as well.
Macarons at Laduree
High Tea at the Claridges Hotel
Where to Shop:I love some of the smaller, shopping streets in London which have a nice mix of small boutiques and bigger department stores.
Kensington - Kensington High Street is functional and stylish, with branches of all the usual chain stores in place, and is much less crowded.
Knightsbridge - Visitors from around the world flock to Knightsbridge and Brompton Road to visit the illustrious shops and department stores. This is the place to go if you're looking for prestigious brands and up-to-the-minute trends from the world's fashion elite. Best known for Harrods and Harvey Nichols, you'll also find a whole host of big-name fashion designers on Sloane Street.
Covent Garden - Whether you want hip fashion, unique gifts, rare sweets or one-off handmade jewelry, Covent Garden is a great place to explore. You can stock up on the latest urban street wear, funky cosmetics and shoes on Neal Street, check out imaginative arts and crafts at Covent Garden Market or just window shop around the stores.
Oxford Street - The heart of London shopping, bustling Oxford Street has more than 300 shops, designer outlets and landmark stores. Home to the legendary Selfridges, it also boasts a range of famous department stores such as John Lewis and Debenhams scattered among every well-known high street chain imaginable.
Bond Street & Mayfair - Whether you've got money to burn and want to splash out on the very best in designer clothes, or just love luxury window shopping, Bond Street and Mayfair are the ideal places to go for some extravagant retail therapy. Popular with celebrities on a spree, this is probably London's most exclusive shopping area, home to big names including Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co.
What to do:T here is so so much to see and do in London but here are some of my perennial favorites that I never get tired of seeing again and again!
London Eye
Westminster Abbey
Crown Jewels at the Tower of London
Carriage Museum at Buckingham Palace
London Bridge
London Bridge
Westminster Abbey & Big Ben
Other Favorites:
Lunch at Serpentine's in Hyde Park - Absolutely love this spot for lunch or an afternoon cocktail. The setting on the little lake is so beautiful.
Watch a Play -The theaters are smaller and intimate and they have so many to choose from at any given point.
Take the Harry Potter Tour - If you are a Harry Potter fan then this is a must do. From breathtakingly detailed sets to stunning costumes, props and animatronics, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London provides a unique showcase of the extraordinary British artistry, technology and talent that went into making the most successful film series of all time.
Experience a London Pub - Have a meal at a Pub or just go for a drink at a local Pub.
Serpentine's Bar & Restaurant, Hyde Park