German TV personality Annabelle Mandeng recently spent some time in London. Read on for her insider travel tips.
London is always worth a visit. I’ve been to London several times either for work or to visit my brother and his family who’ve been living in London on and off for the past 20 years. London always gives me a great feeling as I love the internationalism and the diversity of the city and its inhabitants. Here are some of my personal insider tips.
Sightseeing
Of course, just like any other major city in the world, London has its sightseeing spots that you shouldn’t miss if you’re visiting the city for the first time. Some must-see landmarks include Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben, and British Parliament.
For me this city is much more about the different districts, for example Soho, which is definitely worth a visit.
The Shard skyscraper and the London Eye are great places to see the British capital from above, and Kensington Palace and Hyde Park are wonderful places for a stroll.
Most of all, the city is a melting pot where people from all skin colors, religions, and cultural backgrounds mingle harmoniously, which makes the people one of the sights I personally enjoy most.
Shopping
If you want to go shopping, go to King’s Road as a less-touristy alternative to Brompton Road in Knightsbridge. On your first trip to London, you should still pay Brompton a visit as well as Harrods, Liberty, and Selfridges — the oldest department stores in London — which will blow your mind.
Other great spots for shopping include Oxford Street, Covent Garden, and Marylebone High Street.
Restaurants, bars, and cafés
London has lots of great places to get a bite to eat. The Riding House Café, Somerset House in Holborn, and the Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park are great places to brunch, or see some art, or both.
The Ivy Chelsea Garden is a beautiful location with an exterior covered in tons of beautiful flowers. Sketch on the other hand, has by far the coolest interior with vibrant colorful rooms. It’s a great restaurant and bar but you can also go for high tea. Then there is Élan Café, which is decorated in super-cute pastel pinks and blues.
If you want to go for a Sunday roast, visit British gastro-pub Bumpkin. You should definitely also try out Sushisamba and Duck and Waffle, located high up the same skyscraper.
The Sky Garden is just a short walk around the block, which also offers several bars with spectacular views.
Speaking of bars, be sure to try out Aqua Spirit right in Oxford Circus where you can pair your cocktails with sushi.
My insider tip
Have a chauffeur drive you from the National Museum all through Brompton Road. Pass by Harrods, then go through Green Park and end up in Oxford Circus. It’s a nice drive and you will see a lot, even when the weather isn’t ideal.
