Whenever it is rainy in Athens, I always become nostalgic and I recall of London.
Because gloomy days suit in London. Rainy days IS London. Its colours are more intense and stand out when it rains. Don't get me wrong.
London is one of my favourite cities in the world. I can come back again and again and never get tired of this city. But since there it rains A LOT, I think one sees it at its best while it is gloomy and rainy. It is the only city I can enjoy walking (or singing) in the rain! And I don't really like rain..
Having only 24 hours to spend in the city, I mark down the main things to do when visiting the English capital.
- Notting Hill and Portobello vintage market are a must for precious little things in tiny prices. The colorful little houses in Notting Hill are like a painting and definitely a must-see!
- Oxford street for window shopping and some coffee.
- Camden Town my favourite place, for bizarre punk rock sightseeing and amazing shopping.
- Big Ben. Because this Ben is so big (and fun-tastic) and because right on the opposite, you see London Eye.
- Enter the subway. You should see this "Mind the gap" motto in its original environment.
- Interested in museums? Do not lose Tate Modern.
- Any chance to meet Kate and William? I don't think so. But you can see their house, Buckingham Palace.
- Even if you don't want to shop, Harrods is an unmissable place. Entering the fairy tale get hypnotised inside this english paradise. It is recommended especially during Christmas!
- Fancy to see some squirrels? Then stroll around Hyde Park!
- If you are a theater fan, then devote a night to the West End, the European Broadway. A tip to see a show on a budget is to buy tickets from the TKTS booth in Leicester Square. They sell off half-price tickets for the same day shows as well as discounted advance ones.
And if all these sound a bit touristic, here you have some insider tips:
- Oyster card is your travel companion. It is the best way to save in transportation, ideally when you are there for a couple of days. Pick it at any tube station or online.
- If you are a book lover, you like vintage markets or you'd like a souvenir to practice your English, then visit the Southbank Book Market, open every single day, rain or shine. Second hand books in very good prices.
- For a fast pass along the main attractions of the city, you can catch the touristic bus or take a boat tour along the Thames. The cheapest is Thames Clipper river boat service, which runs from London Eye to Greenwich.
- Harrods is the posh English perfect expensive mall. You need something more "local"? Head over to Spitafields in East London for vintage fashion, boutiques and restaurants.
- One of the most famous restaurants (mostly because of its pink decoration) is sketch Gallery located in Conduit street, close to Regent street. It is quite expensive but if you cannot afford it, you can at least go inside and have a look. Don't forget to visit the famous futuristic toilet!
- See the Amy Winehouse statue in Camden.
- London is the place to be for live music. There are usually some free concerts around the city, like inside the churches at St Martin at the Fields and St James at Piccadilly. At Covent Garden there is always street performers and of course at the pubs around Camden and Soreditch there are upcoming bands, plus some venues are free if you get in before a certain time!
(all pictures taken from Pinterest)
