Curator’s statement
I’ve been going to London for almost 20 years, since I was a child, and I still find reasons to go back every time. My stepfather is English, so London has always felt like a second home rather than a tourist destination, and I think that’s exactly what shaped the way I experience it. This guide isn’t about the usual highlights: it’s about the London I actually return to, the neighborhoods, restaurants, and experiences that make the city feel like yours rather than everyone else's.
The Fora Difference
Book with Alexandra Caritg to access exclusive perks and experiences on your trip.
Killer perks
Free upgrades, spa credits and more—we got you
Personalized recs
Customized travel planning for your style
Insider knowledge
Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there
Where to stay in London, UK
Unlock perks by contacting Alexandra Caritg to book your trip.
Things to do in London, UK
Base yourself in Marylebone
Most visitors default to Mayfair or Covent Garden, and I understand why, but Marylebone is where I always want to be when I’m in London. It has a quiet elegance that never feels showy: independent shops with real personality, beautiful Georgian streets that invite you to walk without any particular destination, and a residential feel that makes you forget you’re in one of the busiest cities in the world. It’s also incredibly well located, close enough to everything but removed from the chaos. Once you’ve stayed here, it’s hard to go back anywhere else.
Walk the Royal Parks
London’s parks are one of its most underrated assets, and walking through them is one of the great free pleasures the city offers. Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent’s Park, and St. James's Park are all connected, and you can spend an entire morning moving between them without touching a single tourist attraction. In Kensington Gardens, don’t miss the Albert Memorial and the Serpentine Gallery. In May, when the weather is at its best, there is nowhere more beautiful in London than a park bench with a coffee and the whole day ahead.
Hampton Court Palace
Most people do the Tower of London, and call it a day, but Hampton Court is the royal palace worth the trip. It’s about 35 minutes from central London by train and the scale of it, the gardens, the Tudor history, the maze, is genuinely breathtaking. Half a day minimum, full day if you love history.
West End Theatre
London’s West End is one of the great theatre experiences in the world and no visit is complete without a show. The Phantom of the Opera is the classic for a reason: the production, the music, the spectacle are all on another level. Book in advance, dress up a little, and make an evening of it.
Covent Garden
Beyond the market and the street performers, Covent Garden is the gateway to the West End and one of London’s most lively neighborhoods. Great for an afternoon of shopping, people watching, and dinner before a show. The energy here is unlike anywhere else in the city.
Notting Hill and Portobello Road Market
One of London’s most charming neighborhoods and a world away from the tourist center. Portobello Road Market is best on a Saturday morning: antiques, vintage clothing, street food, and flowers spilling out onto the pavement. Walk through it slowly, turn down the side streets, and you’ll understand why people fall in love with this part of London. The pastel-colored houses alone are worth the trip.
Places to eat & drink in London, UK
Nina
One of my favorite spots in Marylebone right now. A glamorous basement space with an Italian-leaning menu that’s carefully edited and full of interesting dishes. The chicken Milanese and the focaccia with parmesan butter are the standouts: order both. Book well in advance, it fills up fast, and go for the experience as much as the food. The atmosphere is unlike anywhere else in the neighborhood.
The Ivy Café Marylebone
The Ivy group has restaurants all over London, and none of them disappoint, but my favorite for a leisurely breakfast or brunch is the Ivy Café in Marylebone. Beautiful space, consistently good food, and that warm Ivy energy that makes every meal feel like a bit of an occasion. A perfect start to a day of exploring the neighborhood.
Pizzeria Pasqua at Harrods
I try pizza everywhere I travel, and the pizza Bianca here is one I keep thinking about long after I’ve left London. There’s something about it that I can never fully replicate or replace elsewhere. If you’re a pizza lover, this is non-negotiable.
Afternoon Tea at The Savoy
A classic for a reason. Beautiful, elegant, and an experience worth dressing up for. I loved putting together a proper outfit and sitting down to a real English afternoon tea at one of London’s most iconic hotels. It’s the kind of thing you do at least once every time you’re in London, and it never gets old.
Borough Market
One of London’s oldest and best food markets, Borough Market is a must for any foodie. Go hungry, go early, and plan to spend at least two hours eating your way through it. A Saturday morning here is one of the best things you can do in London.
Ottolenghi
A London institution and a must for me. It is the perfect stop for breakfast, brunch, or lunch: beautiful salads, incredible pastries, and the signature Middle Eastern-Mediterranean style.
Need to know
May is the best time I’ve visited London: the weather is at its most cooperative, the parks are in full bloom, and the city feels alive in a way that the gray winter months don’t quite match. That said, London always has its charm regardless of season.
Four to five days is the perfect amount of time: enough to cover the highlights, explore a neighborhood properly, see a show, and still feel like you’ve barely scratched the surface. The city rewards repeat visits more than almost anywhere else I know.
Getting around on the Tube is very easy and comfortable: the network covers the whole city, it's well signposted in English, and an Oyster card makes everything straightforward from day one.
If you want help putting together an itinerary that goes beyond the usual tourist circuit, reach out to me and I’ll build something that actually feels like London.
Travel Advisor
Alexandra Caritg
Alexandra Caritg
Get in touch with Alexandra Caritg
Did you like this guide? Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.
For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our London page.