Guide to: London

By: I. Maluf

London is a multi-faceted cultural capital, and is loved by millions worldwide. The city inspires thousands of tourists to visit every year and get to know the historic spots, famous restaurants and enjoy the busy nightlife.  London can be visited in any season of the year, but it’s most crowded in the months of June and July during summer. If you’re visiting during summer there’s a chance that you’ll be able to go to a music festival in Hyde Park, and enjoy the rare sunny days, which is an amazing benefit. 


The famous sights are absolutely essential to visit when in London. The walk through Green Park is beautiful, and it’s one of the easiest ways to arrive at the gates of Buckingham Palace. The House of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the illustrious Big Ben clock tower can be visited in a single day because they’re right beside each other. By crossing the Thames River, the London Eye, a huge observation wheel can be visited, and it allows the passengers a privileged view of the city sights from above. 


There are several museums worth visiting in the city. The Victoria and Albert museum often offers exhibitions about fashion for those interested in the subject, and there’s the permanent collection to see. The Tate Modern is famous for its international Modern and Contemporary art. Works by artists including Damien Hirsch, Roy Lichtenstein, Yayoi Kusama and Alberto Giacometti can be found on the walls of the museum. Also, there’s a panoramic deck on top of the new building that offers stunning views of the sprawling city below. 


London is also one of the fashion capitals of the world and many enjoy shopping while visiting the city. Oxford Street is the best place to start, and Bond Street is the place to go for luxury items. Harrods is one of the most visited attractions in London, and the department store is well known for the opulence of the building itself and the high fashion items being sold. If you visit Harrods make sure to eat at Mezzah Lounge, which offers exceptional Lebanese food. For excellent dining make sure to visit restaurants such as : Hakkasan, Zuma, Park Chinois and the Chiltern Firehouse. 


Many times, London is seen as a town with not much to do except visiting museums and famous monuments, but that is not the case. London is culturally diverse, and the student life is prominent there. Neighbourhoods like Hoxton and Shoreditch are full of young people, and these areas provide a completely different view of the city. There are various flower markets, cafés and restaurants to visit, and the Indian restaurant Dishoom is worth a visit if you’re in that area. Also, the nightlife in Shoreditch is one of the best in London if you’re in the mood to go somewhere after the sun goes down. 


London truly is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and you should definitely explore. Spend your time wisely there; there are loads to see!