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London

The British capital combines world-class museums, historic sights and pulsing city life, from Westminster to the City to the varied neighborhoods along the Thames.

World-class museums, many of them freeHistoric sights like Westminster Abbey and the Tower of LondonVaried neighborhoods along the Thames
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Getting to London

We flew with Lufthansa from Frankfurt, €118 for a round trip (without checked baggage), flight time around 1.5 hours. From Heathrow Airport into the center there are several options: the Piccadilly Line (Tube) in under an hour from £5.50, the Elizabeth Line in under 45 minutes for £12.80, or the Heathrow Express, the fastest but priciest option, in just 15 minutes to London Paddington from £16.50.

Where We Stayed in London

BR5, Charming Studio Flat in the Heart of Borough

Excellent location right in Borough, ideal for exploring London on foot or by tube, with many sights, restaurants and cafés within easy reach. Very good value for money. Perfect location, a lovely, cozy and well-equipped flat, a very helpful and easily reachable host, everything was clean and thoroughly well prepared.

Verdict: Won us over completely, a great place to stay in a perfect location with everything you need for a successful stay in London. I can only recommend it and would happily come back anytime.

The Best Food in London

Sketch

Centrally located in Mayfair, ideal for a special breakfast experience. Quirky, stylish ambiance, creative design, a distinctive atmosphere, attentive service. Breakfast was a highlight not just visually but also in flavor.

Verdict: An extraordinary place with a unique flair and a delicious breakfast, absolutely recommended for anyone who wants something special in London.

Sketch

Ben's Cookies

In Covent Garden, known for freshly baked, soft cookies. Warm, gooey, available in lots of different flavors, especially delicious straight from the oven.

Verdict: A must for anyone who loves fresh, handmade cookies, ideal for a quick stop while strolling through Covent Garden.

Ben's Cookies

Daphne's

A stylish Italian restaurant in Chelsea, perfect for a special evening. Beautiful ambiance, even more impressive at Christmas time with stylish decorations, elegant yet welcoming. Excellent food, authentic Italian cuisine with high-quality ingredients, though on the pricier side relative to the portion sizes.

Verdict: A great restaurant for anyone who values ambiance and excellent food, perfect for a special occasion, but not exactly cheap.

Daphne's

Bun House

In the heart of Chinatown, known for Asian sweets and snacks. A big selection of fresh baked goods like melon pan, steamed buns and taiyaki, the smell draws in plenty of visitors, and the wait is worth it.

Verdict: Perfect for a sweet break, tasty pastries, quick snacks and an authentic atmosphere.

Bun House

Chinatown Bakery

In Chinatown, specializing in steamed bao buns with various fillings. Fluffy and generously filled, we especially loved the classic pork buns, a simple but stylishly decorated spot.

Verdict: Tasty, authentic bao buns in Chinatown, ideal for a quick but high-quality snack.

Chinatown Bakery

The Cross Keys

A cozy pub in Covent Garden, perfect for winding down a relaxed day. Old-school charm, a slightly quirky but very cozy atmosphere, and the wonderfully over-the-top Christmas decorations made for a really special mood.

Verdict: A one-of-a-kind pub with real character, a good drinks selection and special flair, ideal for a great evening in London.

The Cross Keys

The Best Activities in London

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Held every year in Hyde Park, a festive atmosphere with countless attractions. Entry costs £5 to £7.50 depending on time of day, but is waived if you spend £25 on attractions in advance, book tickets for a one-hour time slot ahead of time.

Our highlight was the Ice Bar: a bar made entirely of ice, with pre-booked tickets. On entry you're given a warm jacket for protection against the cold, and the ticket price includes a cocktail served in a cup made of ice, a genuine experience. A unique atmosphere with elaborate ice sculptures and atmospheric lighting.

More attractions: Britain's largest open-air ice rink, the Magical Ice Kingdom with impressive ice and snow sculptures, a Ferris wheel with a great view over London, plus rides and games for all ages.

Verdict: Well worth a visit, especially with pre-booked tickets for the Ice Bar, perfect for anyone looking for an extraordinary winter experience in London.

Skate at Somerset House

Centrally located, transforms during the winter months into an impressive ice rink. Each session lasts 45 minutes, open daily from 9am to 10:45pm. Our tickets cost £22.50 per person including skate rental, prices vary by date between £15 and £26.50 for adults, £10 to £15 for children.

Verdict: Offers an unmatched winter experience against a magnificent backdrop, festive decorations and a huge Christmas tree create a magical atmosphere, and the central location and historic ambiance make the visit special.

Skate at Somerset House

Christmas in Trafalgar Square

Festively decorated with a large Christmas tree from Norway and choirs singing traditional carols. The lighting was lovely and the choir music set a nice mood, though overall we'd expected a bit more, only a handful of stalls.

Verdict: A nice stop if you're in the area, but for a real Christmas market experience there are better spots in London.

Christmas in Leicester Square

Festively decorated stalls, warm drinks and wintery treats right in the center, plus a circus tent with various shows. A lovely atmosphere with sparkling lights, though very crowded, which made strolling around a bit of a chore.

Verdict: A nice Christmas market for a quick visit, if you prefer it quieter there are more atmospheric alternatives in London.

Christmas by the River

Stretches along the Thames with a view of Tower Bridge, festively decorated stalls, warm drinks, tasty snacks and handmade gifts. Noticeably more relaxed than other Christmas markets, a cozy atmosphere, and a great view of the illuminated Tower Bridge.

Verdict: A beautiful Christmas market with less hustle and a fantastic backdrop, perfect for a relaxed winter evening in London.

Christmas by the River

Covent Garden

Already glowing with festive spirit from mid-November, with the Christmas lights traditionally switched on from November 12th, and an impressive Christmas tree with 30,000 LED lights. From December 6th to 31st, artificial snowflakes fall hourly between noon and 9pm in front of the Christmas tree, creating a magical atmosphere. Lovely decorations, cozy ambiance, we also stopped by a cookie shop.

Verdict: A wonderful place to get into the Christmas spirit, especially with the artificial snowfall, perfect for a relaxed stroll with a festive backdrop.

Covent Garden

Borough Market

In the heart of London, not far from London Bridge, one of the city's oldest and best-known food markets. A wide variety of foods and products, from fresh bread and cheese to exotic spices to delicious street food, a lively but not overly hectic atmosphere. Monday to Thursday 10am to 5pm, Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, closed Sundays.

Verdict: A must for any food lover, the perfect place to discover London through its cuisine.

Borough Market

China Town

Near Leicester Square and Soho, known for authentic restaurants, Asian supermarkets and colorful streets. Lively, brightly decorated, a huge selection of dim sum, bubble tea or traditional Chinese dishes, especially atmospheric in the evening when the lights come on.

Verdict: A great spot for anyone who loves Asian food or wants to experience the special flair of Chinatown.

China Town

Fortnum & Mason

On Piccadilly Street, one of London's most storied department stores, known for fine teas, gourmet foods and luxurious gift baskets. Elegant décor, a huge range of high-quality products, the tea department and the delicatessen especially worth a visit.

Verdict: A paradise for food lovers and perfect for finding a special souvenir from London.

At Christmas time, the façade transforms into a giant advent calendar with glowing numbers in the windows, and elaborately designed shop windows tell festive stories.

Verdict: A must for Christmas fans, adding a special atmosphere to Piccadilly Street.

Fortnum & Mason

Liberty London

On Regent Street, one of London's best-known department stores, famous for luxurious fashion, beauty and homeware as well as the iconic Liberty fabrics. A distinctive Tudor façade, stylish décor, we especially loved the fabric department and the exclusive designer fashion selection.

Verdict: A special department store with a lot of charm and high-quality products.

Liberty London

London Bridge

Connects the City of London with Southwark, one of the city's best-known bridges. Simple in design but with huge historic significance, an impressive view of Tower Bridge, the Thames and the skyline, surrounded by Borough Market and The Shard.

Verdict: An important spot in London, above all for its history and the view.

London Bridge

Big Ben

Right on Westminster Bridge, next to the Palace of Westminster and the Thames. The famous clock tower impresses with its neo-Gothic architecture, especially beautiful at sunset or lit up at night, with the surrounding Parliament and Westminster Abbey inviting a stroll.

Verdict: A must for any visit to London, one of the city's most iconic sights.

Big Ben

KOYN

An elegant Japanese restaurant in the heart of Mayfair. Modern ambiance with stylish decorations, especially festive at Christmas time, high-quality food and attentive service.

KOYN

Annabel's

On Berkeley Square in Mayfair, known for its spectacular Christmas decorations on the façade, a genuine highlight every year. Elaborate designs with sparkling lights and impressive installations, a popular photo spot.

Annabel's

Chanel

On the exclusive Bond Street. Elegant, stylish decorations at Christmas time, often with gold details and sparkling lights, matching the brand's luxurious image.

Verdict: A beautifully decorated store that perfectly captures the sparkle of the Christmas season in London.

Chanel

Dior

On the elegant Bond Street. Elaborate Christmas decorations, an artfully lit façade with opulent ornaments, especially festive in the evening when the lights come on.

Verdict: An absolute highlight of the Christmas season in London.

Dior

Cartier

On the exclusive Bond Street. One of London's most spectacular Christmas decorations, the façade usually done in bright red with giant bows and sparkling lights, looking like a luxuriously wrapped gift.

Verdict: A real eye-catcher on Bond Street and a popular photo spot during the Christmas season.

Cartier

Neill Strain Floral Couture Mayfair

An exclusive florist in Mayfair, known for artful floral designs. A new, elaborate Christmas display every year, elegant and festively arranged.

Verdict: A stylish, detail-rich Christmas display that changes every year.

Tiffany & Co.

On Old Bond Street. Festive elegance at Christmas time, sparkling lights and stylish elements fitting for the luxurious brand.

Verdict: An elegant eye-catcher on Old Bond Street that perfectly reflects London's festive atmosphere.

Tiffany & Co.

Van Cleef & Arpels

On New Bond Street. Stylish, detail-rich decorations, designed differently every year, matching the brand's refined aesthetic.

Verdict: A festive highlight for anyone who loves luxurious Christmas decorations.

Van Cleef & Arpels

Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street

These three famous shopping streets transform into a sea of sparkling lights at Christmas time. Oxford Street dazzles with countless sparkling lights strung above the entire street, Regent Street is known for its majestic angel figures, and Bond Street goes for elegant, luxurious decorations.

Verdict: A walk through these streets is simply part of the Christmas season, the impressive lighting creates a magical atmosphere.

Our Verdict on London

Our trip to London was simply unforgettable. We deliberately picked this time of year to experience the city during the festive Christmas season, and the lights, decorations and special atmosphere completely won us over. In just a few days we saw and experienced so much, from the famous sights to the beautifully decorated streets. London impressed us with its variety and charm, and we'd repeat this trip any time.

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