Discover why London captured my heart: 5-day London adventure
I want to share some basic details about my trip to London. It was my first visit to Great Britain, and I am already planning the next one, so it was definitely a success. I initially planned a week in the city with specific sights and experiences in mind, but eventually, I decided to make it a freestyle trip and just enjoyed my time there. I visited at the beginning of October for 5 days, and the weather was amazing. The sun was constantly shining, with temperatures over 20 degrees Celsius, and there was only one mildly rainy day, so I consider myself very lucky. Everything looks better in sunlight, so that was an added bonus. I stayed in the middle of Covent Garden, which allowed me to walk to many central places. For a first-time visit, I found it to be a great base point for being in the heart of the city. Next time, I definitely plan to explore other areas.
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So let’s start with the basics: first-time tourist trip + great weather = an open-top bus tour. Yes, I am aware that there are a lot more original ways to explore, but it is what it is. It was a two-day ride, and I really enjoyed it. You drive by the most famous tourist attractions and get some context, thanks to a guide. Still, most importantly you can enjoy the busy city, look at the different neighborhoods, the architecture, the parks and the people bussing through the streets.
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Here is a video of the ride I made. I wanted it to embody the colorful, groovy rhythm of the city.
Another tourist activity was the Changing of the Guards. It is a fun experience and definitely worth seeing if you are not acquainted with this tradition. You feel so small and insignificant as the big crowds gather, and you run along the procession, trying to get a glimpse of the guards. Maybe even get some snapshots. You can do it as a walking tour in a group and get the best viewpoint thanks to a tour guide or wing it yourself. I recommend a guided tour if you know nothing about it and want to learn more while effortlessly sliding through the crowds and not missing anything. If you are a well-trained, self-guiding tourist and like to prepare yourself before a trip, then you can definitely do it by yourself.
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As I spent most of my time outside, I only visited two museums: the National Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The National Gallery is a classic museum full of masterpieces from various countries and periods in the European art history. Even if you are not an art expert like myself, if you appreciate and enjoy art, it will definitely be worth your while. The Victoria and Albert Museum is the most diverse museum I have ever visited. There is a different collection around every corner, and it feels like you are stepping into various times and places, all under the same roof. The building itself is gorgeous and makes the experience so much more magical. As a hobby museum visitor, I have my own personal ranking scheme for museums, which includes:
1. The quality of the exhibitions and how informative they are.
2. The facilities themselves - how well-kept, comfortable, and clean they are.
3. Last but definitely not least, the museum cafe - including the food quality and ambiance. On my semi-professional scale, I would give both museums an excellent score.
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Another fun activity was a boat ride on the River Thames. It is a perspective change, and you can admire the vast sights on and around the river and feel immersed in the grandeur. If not, it is worth it to learn the names of the bridges properly.
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What would you like to eat today? Just think about it. In this city, you can enjoy every kind of food you can think of. From cafes serving a tasty breakfast menu to pre-theater menus and 6-plate dinners or something to share. My recommendation would be to try one of each kind if you can; you never know what you may find to love. For fans of street food, there are a lot of choices as you are spoiled for food markets and street food halls. The first I tried was the Compton Market food hall—great variety of foods and quality. Many original inventions are worth trying, so stay open to a new street food experience. And don’t eat before you go there! I made the mistake and had to go twice to enjoy it fully.
Camden Lock is an adventure on its own, not just because of the food. The market has a wide variety of cool shops, from diverse handmade stuff to antiques and funky clothes. It is so diverse and colorful with an unforgettable atmosphere, so even if you are unwilling to buy anything, it is still worth visiting because of the experience. Then, of course, there is the music scene that you can experience in the evenings. Overall, it is a hard yes for me, I will definitely be visiting again.
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And when in London, don’t forget the afternoon tea. There are so many possibilities. Here, I have to admit that I haven't found an option I love: there is definitely room for improvement.
Another positive to staying in Coven Garden was the proximity to a lot of the theatres. If you are not averse to musicals, you must see one in London. What makes the experience so unique is the excellent show, combined with the atmospheric spaces of the diverse theatres.
In the end, all I can say is that I absolutely loved it! There will never be enough time for me to spend in this city. It's not just the sights, the grandeur, and the endless entertainment and art scene that make it special. It's the city's spirit that stays with you and leaves you wanting more.
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Greetings, and till the next chat
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