England’s Capital, London is everyone’s dream city to visit. With the help of a London tourism guide, you get to delve into history, fashion and culture of this magical place. Stretching back its chronicles to Roman times and located on the banks of the River Thames, London boasts of royal sites, captivating structures, beautiful gardens, and iconic landmarks and is home to some unique innovations. So, whether you are a history lover, a music enthusiast, a fashionista, a shopaholic or a nature lover, this London travel guide is here to make your London vacation memorable and fun.

How to reach London?

• By air: A total of five airports serve London with Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted being the important ones. IndiGo can connect you from India to London with multiple flights to London as well as to several other European cities from Istanbul.
• Getting around/local transport in London: The London underground tube is one of the most popular and convenient modes of transportation to get around the city. Its iconic red double-decker buses and famous black cabs are other affordable and easy modes of travelling in the town.

London's culinary scene offers diverse delights from Michelin-starred restaurants to cosy pubs, satisfying every palate with global flavours.

The best time to visit London is during the spring from March to May and autumn from September to November when the weather is mild and pleasant.

The most commonly spoken languages in London are English, followed by languages such as Bengali, Polish, Gujarati, and Urdu.

Shopping in London is an experience in itself. It is known for countless shopping streets featuring innumerable luxury to high-end brands. So, make sure you visit these shopping streets when you are in the city.

• Regent Street and Jermyn Street: For all shopaholics, Regent Street is your ideal hub. It offers a good mix of mid-range fashion stores and international flagship stores while housing some of the oldest shops in the city. Close to Regent Street is Jermyn Street, a hub for men’s clothing. It is precisely known for its bespoke shirt makers and shoe shops such as John Lobb.
• Oxford Street: From designer shops to famous departmental stores such as Selfridges, Debenhams, John Lewis, etc. Oxford Street houses more than 300 shops. Walk down this bustling shopping street and get yourself spoilt for choice. It also has a host of dining and entertainment options. One can also enjoy late-night shopping here as several shops remain open till late.
• Bond Street and Mayfair: If you want to know where you can shop for uber-luxury brands, then head to Bond Street and Mayfair. Starting from Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. and Burberry amongst others, this area is known for extravagant shopping. And you never know, you might find yourself shopping with some celebrities here.
• Westfield Stratford City: It is the largest shopping mall in Europe, housing about 250 shops and 70 places to dine. It also has 17 digital screens, a luxury bowling alley along with a 65000 ft casino that includes an 80-seat restaurant and two bars. It is vast, so don’t forget to put on your walking shoes while visiting this place.
• Covent Garden: Whether you are looking for unique gifts, handmade jewellery, hip fashion or rare sweets, you must explore Covent Garden. Pick up some creative art and craft, funky cosmetics or trendy urban streetwear; as this place is not going to let you down.
• Knightsbridge: Famous for renowned shops and departmental stores, Knightsbridge and Brompton Road welcome numerous visitors from across the world every day. This place is a must-visit if you want to check out the latest trends from the world of fashion and the collection of premium brands such as Harvey Nichols and Harrods.

London's festivals ignite the city with music, culture, and celebration, offering unforgettable experiences for locals and visitors alike.

Here are some of the other places to explore on your trip to London

• Tower of London: The Tower of London, the official Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London is the epitome of royalty. Situated on the northern bank of River Thames, this ancient castle details out the story of a compelling and horrific history. It comprises 22 towers and is remembered as a prison where a king, three queens and several nobles met their deaths. The Central White Tower is the most attractive building featuring Norman architecture and four turrets. Another sightseeing spot is the Waterloo Barracks which contains amazing crown jewels including the platinum crown set with the 106-carat Kohinoor and the Imperial state crown.
• Royal parks in London: These are the lands that originally belonged to the monarchy of the United Kingdom for recreation, mostly hunting. They are part of the Crown’s hereditary possession. Feel royal, walk around any of these which have become public parks and open spaces under the Crown Lands Act 1851. Today, there are eight parks, covering about 4,900 acres of land in Greater London. The names include Green Park, Bushy Park, Greenwich Park, Kensington Garden, Hyde Park, St James’s Park, Richmond Park and Regent's Park.
• Cycle tours: The best way to explore London is by pedalling your way around. There are different kinds of cycle tours or bike tours organised to experience various cultures of the city. You can opt for River Thames bike tour, central London bike tour, a night bike tour of London, an old town London bike tour or a three-hour Royal Parks and palace bike tour of London, the choice is yours!
• Hop-on hop-off Bus tour: Another exciting way to explore London’s iconic landmarks is through a Hop-on hop-off bus tour. The buses cover five different routes having over 60 stops. You can book either a 24-hour or 48-hour ticket and enjoy unlimited travel in the city within that period by hopping on and off as many times as you want. The bus tour also includes a free Thames boat ride and a free walking tour so that you can choose from the Beatles' London tour or the Royal London tour.

If you are an Indian passport holder travelling to London, then you need to apply for a UK tourist visa, followed by getting an appointment from the consulate. It takes about 14 working days for the consulate to process the visa.

To ensure a hassle-free and seamless travel, here is a detailed information about the UK visa – www.goindigo.in/information/visa-information/united-kingdom-uk-visa.html

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