London is a very card-friendly place so you do not have to physically carry a huge amount of British pounds with you on your trip. Debit and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere and you can easily withdraw cash from a cash machine. 

UK appliances are fitted with three-pin plugs, and wall power sockets deliver an average voltage of 230v. Thankfully, adapters are widely available from the airport or from high street shops, so if your country uses a lower voltage, you can easily get hold of one.

Is tap water in London safe to drink? The answer is yes! British tap water is actually ranked as one of the cleanest in the world and is subject to stringent testing. 

Victoria and Albert Museum

Start your cultural expedition at the ultra-chic Victoria and Albert Museum, or V&A in short. Home of the world’s greatest collection of decorative arts spanning millennia, the V&A’s collections are sprawled across 150 galleries spanning seven floors. They include furniture, statues, ceramics and glass to textiles, costumes and jewellery.

It is impossible to cover this huge museum in a single visit, so you may need to decide in advance which sections you most want to see. Taking a V&A tour is also highly recommended.

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The British Natural History Museum is a must-visit for family visitors with young children (or the young-at-heart). Impressively curated with an extensive collection of wildlife specimens hailing from every continent, the Natural History Museum is most famous for its dinosaur fossils and mammalian exhibits. Look out for a life-sized replica of a Blue Whale—the largest animal which ever lived—and be wowed by the accurate reproduction of different animal habitats. 

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The city of London, it seems, is best savoured on foot. Many of London’s top tourist destinations are easily accessible from train stations around the city, followed by a short walk. 

Another great and affordable sightseeing option in London is to take a free walking tour. There are myriad tour operators throughout the city that offer free walking tours around various neighbourhoods or you can simply refer to this self-guided itinerary. If you do go on a free tour, do remember to tip the guide — typically around £5 (USD6.10) depending on the quality and length of the tour.

There are also paid walking tours available, such as this East End street art tour which is highly rated on Tripadvisor and costs around £20 (USD24.50).  

Every fashionista shopper worth his or her salt would know Oxford and Regent Street—the emblematic fashion district in London. Here, you can find all the major high-street brands like Gucci, Chanel and Prada, as well as mass fashion outlets like H&M, Uniqlo and Zara.

For men who wish to tailor a well-made suit, you may visit the famed Savile Row, a street in Mayfair where the world’s most expensive tailors churn out custom-made suits for the discerning. 

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Buckingham Palace is the grande dame of Britain’s architectural icons. It is also the place where you can witness the Changing of the Guard—a grand and colourful display of precision marching and music. On the rare occasion, you may even get a chance to spot the King as well as members of the British Royal Family!

You should consider signing up for the 4.5-hour Buckingham Palace Tour, which includes the Changing of the Guard Ceremony and afternoon tea. Having a knowledgeable guide to explain the history of the Palace makes the whole experience that much more enriching, particularly if you are a first-time visitor to London.

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For spectacular 360-degree views of London city, head to the Sky Garden, London’s highest rooftop garden. Located close to Monument Tube Station, the garden is at the top of the ‘Walkie Talkie’—a commercial skyscraper known for its highly distinctive top-heavy form which appears to burst upward and outward. Here, you can enjoy coffee surrounded by lush greenery, take a walk in its exquisitely landscaped gardens, or explore its open-air terrace. 

Access to the Sky Garden is free of charge but visits must be booked in advance. 

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A steel suspension bridge spanning the River Thames, London’s Millennium Bridge was featured in dozens of movies, such as Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Guardians of the Galaxy. The iconic St Paul’s Cathedral flanking one end of the bridge makes this a one-of-a-kind instagrammable place in the heart of London. 

After capturing photos to your heart’s delight, you can walk across the pedestrian bridge to explore The Shard, Shakespeare’s Globe, and Borough Market. If time permits, you may also choose to visit Tate Modern—a highly lauded contemporary art museum featuring works from top global names like Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Marcel Duchamp and more.

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Remember these red telephone booths? Popular in the past with people needing to make a call from a public phone, these little red boxes are fast disappearing from London’s streets. But if you head to Great George Street in Westminster (just before Big Ben), you will be able to capture a few of these iconic phone booths along the street.  

For more picturesque snaps of London life, bookmark this article.

Half Cup has grown to become one of the top brunch destinations in London. With impeccably presented breakfast plates and delicious pancakes, what is there not to love?

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Just minutes away from Pan Pacific London is The Breakfast Club Spitalfields, which offers an all-day brunch experience that is all about comfort food, great coffee, and impeccably friendly service. With the lively atmosphere and hearty servings, The Breakfast Club is the perfect place to kickstart your day.  

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Built in 1750, The Churchill Arms is an English pub worth visiting due to its historic and aesthetic qualities. Back in the 1800s, Winston Churchill’s grandparents were actually regulars here, which explains its name. Fans of the legendary British Prime Minister will find plenty of Churchill memorabilia adorning the pub’s interior walls.

If you are visiting London in spring or summer, its flower and planters display outside the bar will be in full bloom, making it a very popular and photogenic spot.

Other picturesque pubs you may wish to check out are Sherlock Holmes Public House and restaurant and The Cross Keys.

Looking for a luxury hotel in the heart of London? Explore Pan Pacific London, London's newest luxury retreat, designed by renowned architect Yabu Pushelberg. The hotel is centrally located and mere moments away from London Liverpool Street Station.