rate it
City / Town

London

  • show London travel map
Neighborhoods:
points of interest:
print your pdf guide for London

London

Go for the History, Stay for the Modernity

It’s hard to pin down exactly what makes London so magical; it may be that constant jostle for balance that is unlike any in the world. Centuries-old landmarks like the Tower of London and Big Ben may grace scores of postcards, but those two chestnuts belie the vitality that causes so many stunning skyscrapers to go up every year. London may be home to the famous royals, but to a surprising extent, London is also a city of immigrants: the 2001 census shows that nearly 2.2 million people born all over the world call London home. In a city that offers both Queen Elizabeth and Kate Moss, tweed suits and Doc Martens, and lemon curd and kebabs, with a world-class club scene where young revelers stumble home on winding streets that evoke their old-world beginnings, the excitement of duality is palpable. But London’s art scene and its distinct sense of urban grittiness is increasingly tipping the scales in favor of modernity. Powerhouses like the Tate Modern and the National Theater are paving the way for a provocative, often political, always bold explosion in the arts that shames the stagnant, guarded scenes found in other parts of the world. Years of rich and poor living side by side, postwar restlessness and rebellion and London’s famously bleak weather have produced a singularly gritty edge that has influenced culture across the board. Though London will always have its grandiose past, its mark on the present and future is what truly makes it worth visiting.

the top hotels & accomodation in London - voted by the tripwolf community

places your friends recommend in London

the best places in London - chosen by tripwolf

  • Sight
    rate it!

    1. Tower Bridge, London, England

    Cross the Thames between the twin Victorian towers. The double-towered drawbridge is England's most famous bridge. The technical masterpiece in Victorian gothic style was completed in 1894.

    • address: Tower Bridge, London SE1 2
    • telephone: +44 20 74033761
  • Museum / Gallery
    rate it!

    2. National Gallery, London, England

    One of the most important collections of art in the world with 2000 masterpieces from West European artists. One of the most significant collections of the Old Masters in Europe whose location was cons...

    • address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4
    • telephone: +44 20 78393321
  • Museum / Gallery
    rate it!

    3. Tate Britain, London, England

    British art from 1500 to the present day. This neoclassical building contains a collection of British art from the 16th century to the present day. The collection dates back to the sugar magnate Sir He...

    • address: Millbank, London SW1P 4
    • telephone: +44 20 78878000
  • website: www.london.gov.uk
  • time zone: GMT

the top destinations in London - voted by the tripwolf community

pictures by panoramio
flickr

the top culture & sights in London - voted by the tripwolf community

the top outdoors, sports & adventure in London - voted by the tripwolf community

the top nightlife in London - voted by the tripwolf community

the top eating in London - voted by the tripwolf community

the top entertainment in London - voted by the tripwolf community

the top shopping in London - voted by the tripwolf community

the top transportation in London - voted by the tripwolf community

rate it

reviews and insider tips for London