When in London, it is very practical to stay near the subway station. One of the central ones is Liverpool Station, you have all the combinations and also the trains for the airports.
London is a very cool city. All the houses are very picturesque, everything is elegant, neat.
What is hard to get used to is that they drive on the other side, not only inside the car but from the other side of the street. So when crossing, make sure to look both ways!
DAY 1
You can start the day at Picadilly Circus, take a walk there and then continue touring the neighborhoods next door: China Town and Covent Garden.
Oh Covent! Most of the streets are pedestrianized. There is less traffic.
A great place to visit while in Covent is Neals Yard, and if you can, go to The Wild Food Café and try the vegan chocolate cake.
You also have the Apple Market, it has everything; antiques, jewelry, retro cameras, etc.
If you like art and theater, the Royal Opera House is one of the most recognized opera houses in the world, and they give you the chance to go behind the scenes after the show.
You can follow the tour by: Tower Bridge, Tower of London and London Bridge.
Another must-see is Shoreditch. It breathes art and is one of the coolest neighborhoods in London. On Sundays there is a market in Brick Lane where you can taste food from different parts of the world. Right there you'll see many vintage clothing stores, one of our favorites is This Shop Rocks, you can find everything: fashion, deco, etc.
For street food lovers, you also have the Pump Street Food Market located in an old gas station.
In this same neighbourhood, an original plan might be to go to the Pillow Cinema and watch a movie up on the terrace between cushions and wine; a very relaxed atmosphere. Open only on summer nights, you can book your ticket online.
Another must when in Shoreditch is to visit Boxpark, a pop up shopping, made of containers where you have different categories: fashion, gastronomy and more. And for art lovers: The White Cube is a former industrial building converted into a contemporary art space.
A great plan to do at night is to see Les Miserables at the Queen's Theatre. Don't forget to get your ticket online in advance, it's really worth it.
We recommend eating something before going in because it ends around 10pm and everything closes early. Most restaurants close at that time.
It helps to download the YELP app first! There you can see what remains open, with recommendations and reviews. It also guides you according to what is closest to you.
A place that's open late is Café Boheme. A classic French bistro with very original decoration and open until 3am.
DAY 2
You can start the day in Green Park and walk through it until you reach the Buckingham Palace (try seeing the changing of the guard). You have to look online what days and what times it is before going, because it changes depending on the day and the month. When it finishes, you can go down the square until you reach the Big Ben, Westmister Abbey and the London Eye. They are all located nearby. Then, go to the Tower Bridge and have lunch at Hays Galleries, a gallery with little bars that faces the Thames river.
Another good plan is go up to: The View From The Shard, a very modern 78-story building from where you can see the whole city. First you go up by elevator to the 69th floor and from there you continue by stairs to the 72nd which is closed by glass but the roof is open.
From there, you can walk through Shakespeare's Globe and Tates Modern, the latter is a museum of cool Pompidou-style exhibitions, highly recommended, but beware that it closes at 6:00 p.m. and they are very punctual.
At night you can have dinner in Soho, we recommend an Italian restaurant called Amalfi, VERY tasty. You can then have some drinks at La Bodega Negra, an underground bar with a Mexican style where you might spot some celebrities!
Soho is also good to visit during the day, an original plan if you like beauty care is to go to Aesop, a super original multi-space for skin and hair care advised by specialists and with exclusive products.
Other plans to do in this neighborhood at night: Sketch. Located at 9 Conduit Street, it looks like a tea house, but at night it's a very stylish bar. And for jazz lovers: Ain't nothing but blues.
It is also great to go back to see the Big Ben and the London Eye at night fully illuminated. It's worth it.
DAY 3
Visit Camdem Town! It is a cute neighborhood a little far away that is FULL of stores one next to the other. You will find things at a very good price.
You can leave very early and just spend the morning.
Then you can head to Notting Hill, another neighborhood that is a must! A suggested place to eat here is: Farmacy, it has a very good vegan menu . Or if you like Mexican food: Peyotito.
Both places are far from each other, but if you organize yourself you can do them in one day without any problem.
TO EAT
Besides the ones we already mentioned, other chosen #GuestBites when in London:
Hakkasan: Cantonese cuisine. It has a Michelin star. Don't be scared by the price, you have more accessible options on the tasting menu.
Barrafina: Mix classics like omelette with other different dishes like carabineros (giant bright red shrimp).
Amrutha Lounge: Explosion for the palate and the senses. You can find vegan options.
Hally's: If you like healthier food and organic products, it is the place. Located on New Kings Road, it is a perfect brunch spot.
Sushi Samba: On the 38th floor of the Heron tower, it is a bar that fuses Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian food.
Jamie Olivers Diner: He is the famous British chef who offers a reasonably priced menu, in a very 50's style cool space. A recommendation: the cashew burger with sweet potatoes.
Jikoni: It is very fashionable. Its name translated into Swahili means "kitchen". The owner has Kenyan roots and the menu mixes British and African flavors.
Padella: Italian food lovers, be sure to stop by.
Raouls: Created by a former housewife who was bored of cooking only for her family. You can eat Mediterranean food.
Bronte: Located in Trafalgar Square, it is a design space composed of: bar, coffee shop, winter garden, mezzanine and a very elegant dining room. It offers European food with certain Asian influences.
Morty y Bobs: Very cool, famous for its grilled cheese sandwiches. The one with cheese, mushrooms and truffles is spectacular.
Berners Tavern: More elegant. Be sure to try the burrata and creamed spinach.
The Ivy: In Covent Garden, it has all the glam and is one of the favorites of celebrities such as Kate Moss, the Beckham family, Elton John and even the Royal Family. There are options for all tastes.
Osteria Romana: Italian food.
BARS
Besides the ones we already mentioned, we add:
Sager + Wilde Hackney Rd: For wine lovers, although you have beers and other options.
Ye Olde Mitre: It's kind of hidden in an alley in central London. It gives you the feeling of having entered a time machine, its doors have been open for more than 400 years. You might recognize it from movies like "Snatch."
Swift: Located in Soho, you have snacks on the upper floor and drinks in the lounge below. Ideal for a romantic outing.
The Dove: From its terrace overlooking the Thames it attracts some of the city's most prominent celebrities. If you want to know which celebrities stopped by, there is a list of VIP clients that hangs at the bar.
Mother Kelly's: Beer lovers, this is the place!
Black Rock: We continue with whiskey lovers. This bar has the peculiarity that it offers to drink directly from the bottles or from a whiskey tap that runs throughout the room and is full of the house's 'river whiskey'.
Satan's Whiskers: Very cool bar. It gets quite crowded, you have to go early.
Bar Termini: To experience la dolce vita with Italian aperitifs. Located in the Soho, ideal for the afternoon before going to eat.
Connaught bar: More elegant, located in the luxurious Mayfair neighborhood at the Connaught Hotel. It was ranked the best bar in London on several occasions.
TEAS / COFFEE SHOPS / BAKERIES
The Berkeley: Must stop for fashion lovers. You will see things shaped in form of shoes, dresses, handbags. And the menu changes every six months following the wave of the clothing seasons.
Claridges: A classic from more than 100 years ago. You have to book in advance. It's a much more elegant vibe.
Sketch: We mentioned it before, during the day it is a tea house and it has the peculiarity that everything is pink. They serve you from macaroons to caviar bites. It is located in the heart of Mayfair and is open from breakfast until late at night.
Yumchaa: It has every type of tea you can imagine. You can buy to take away.
Lady Dinahs: For tea and cat lovers. You share the experience with several felines, but be careful: You cannot give them food, nor lift them up or wake them up. The entrance fee they charge you is intended for the care of animals.