Weekend plans in London
Friday in London
Unless you have been very lucky with your flights, I imagine you will arrive in the city from 08:00 onwards. If you arrive before 8, the better, because you can walk along Oxford Street, a street full of shops and shop windows. All kinds of fashion for all budgets, so enjoy it and treat yourself.
If the idea of shops and handbags horrifies you, or if you prefer to postpone it for another time, go to Hyde Park , which is not far away. You can take a walk in a mythical park of the city.
Afterwards, I recommend you to go to Piccadilly Circus. I'm sure you're familiar with the name, it's the most photographed advertising screens in Europe and one of the most famous in the world, the perfect image to take a picture home.
Around Piccadilly Circus there are many restaurants and theatres, so you can fill your stomach, but if you don't feel like binge eating, I suggest you go to a supermarket (there are also some nearby, although a bit hidden) and have a sandwich and something to drink.
If you have a particular interest in the theatre or plays that are at the box office, you should have bought your ticket in advance to save the inflated cost at the box office or retailers.
Start walking down the streets, besides the dazzling illumination of the Piccadilly advertisements, down Wardour Street , after passing the Queens Theatre, you will slowly enter Soho.
Don't worry, you'll notice it as you enter. It's a colourful place with an alternative, party atmosphere. Full of theatres, clubs, more accessible pubs, shops whose windows are sure to make you smile and lots of gay flags, as it is one of the most popular gay areas in Europe.
You can have a drink or two, but in moderation, the next day you have so much to do, you'll have to get up early so you don't miss a moment of the day.
Saturday in London
Even if it is difficult to get up early, I strongly recommend it, because don't forget where you are! London! Put on your shoes and have a good breakfast, because you are in for a busy day.
If you don't have breakfast included, don't worry, because more than likely there will be a pub around you, it's a golden opportunity to have a real English Breakfast , which will recharge your batteries and you won't remember to be hungry for a long time.
However, it can also be tiring to digest something so strong in the morning, so if you can go to a nearby pub (Costa, Starbucks, Café Nero...) for a hot drink with a muffin.
Remember not to leave your Oyster card and umbrella at the hotel ! And don't trust if you see the sun... The changes in the English weather between summer and winter go very fast.
We start the day approaching Westminster.
I'm sure you've heard the name. Westminster is an area of London where you won't be able to sit still for a second.
In Westminster you can start with parks: Regents Park, Hyde Park, Green Park, St. James Park and Buckingham Palace Gardens. Whatever your visit, none of them will leave you indifferent.
Squirrels, ducks, swans and even pelicans. A perfect place to slowly get into nature, surrounded by the centre of London.
Your Saturday afternoon in London
After a pleasant hour in Camden, take the tube to St. Paul's .
I advise you to go fast, in London, in winter, the sunset will start at 4 o'clock.
St. Paul's Cathedral is your starting point to visit the city of London. From its south entrance you can see the Millennium Bridge and the Tate Modern, the most famous modern art museum in the city.
Walk up to the bridge and take some pictures of the spectacular view of the Thames, return to the cathedral. If you walk through the small streets with the help of a map, you will reach the famous The Monument, a large Doric column in the middle of the buildings.
It is a monument that commemorates the immense fire in London in 1666. You can climb up and see some really worthwhile sights.
Keep walking, a little further to the left, you will reach the Tower of London, and on your right you will see Tower Bridge.
Saturday Night Fever: Shoreditch
Shoreditch has long been a working class district of London, now, over time, it has become a trendy area to have a drink or enjoy a good dinner.
You can get the tube to Shoreditch High Street station, it's very fun and has a good offer for young people.
There are also many restaurants to choose from, but I recommend a couple of them so you don't go blind:
Hawksmoor Spitalfields : If you're a carnivore, this is your place. Burgers, roast beef, ribs... But yes, it's not too cheap.
Sunday in London
This plan depends on the time you have to leave for the airport and say goodbye to a city you will surely fall in love with, but don't panic, you will enjoy your day to the fullest.
The following activities that I propose are fun, and depending on your mood you can go to one or another for your last day as a tourist.
Shopping in Oxford Street
On Friday when you arrived you probably saw a window that made you think "it must be mine". Well, take advantage of Sunday to hit some of the great shops on London's quintessential shopping street.
Shopping in the East End markets
If you're not a shop lover as such, but you'd like to pick up a couple of new clothes, you can visit the markets. You'll find everything at great prices and for all tastes.
British Museum
This activity is free, it's almost a must if you visit London.
The British is one of the best collections in the world, with exhibits from all over the world, the hours will fly by!
IMAX Cinema at Waterloo
It's raining, it's cold and you're out for a party. So, your option might be to visit one of the best cinemas in town. You'll find the latest with an innovative curved screen that will make you experience the movie without 3D.
At the airport, waiting to board, you may feel tired, but the smiling face is impossible to hide. am I wrong? I doubt it. You're leaving the British capital, the city that enchanted you and left you spellbound.
Chances are you're already starting to do the maths to organise your next visit and get ready to tell all your friends and family about your adventures.
