It’s only been a few days since I’ve returned from my perfect trip in London. I’ll say it like this, whoever said perfection isn’t real, hasn’t been on my trip to London 😉

Now that I’m back, I have a ton of content ideas! I have a full list of blog posts I want to post, new pictures on my Instagram will be posted these days, and I’m just so excited and full of motivation!

Today I am going to show you the highlights of my trip, and the things I recommend the most doing when visiting London!

Also, keep in mind, I started working on my official London travel guide that will launch this month on the Travel By Maya Shop! This post will be updated when it launches 🙂

NOW, let’s get started with the best things to do in London!

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For starters, if anyone gets curious and would like some ideas for a nice affordable hotel, I stayed at the Moxy Stratford Hotel in Stratford.

Yes, I know, most people tell you to stay in the central of London, and not outside of it, and I do agree, just because of the views of central London and the fact that it will be closer to different places around the city.

But with that being said, during December hotels and apartment prices rise up to the sky, and it’s insane!

We were debating between two places, the Moxy Stratford Hotel and another Airbnb apartment which both took the same time to get to central London by the Underground (Underground is London’s subway).

The hotel was much nicer and was located a one minute walk from the Underground station, so it made more sense to stay there.

The Moxy Stratford hotel was such a good experience! Staff is super friendly, I have never been to any hotel that hiers such truly nice and caring staff.

The hotel is a boutique hotel, and the hotel’s design is beautiful and it was so nice and cozy staying there!

We actually didn’t eat there breakfast, but I’ve heard their breakfasts are great as well.

This hotel is affordable, and you honestly get more than what you paid for!

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Chinatown

I’ll tell you this – I haven’t been to China yet (yet 😉) but when I went to London’s Chinatown, I had a little doubt in me that maybe I made it to China by accident.

I have NEVER been to a prettier Chinatown in the world! Even in New York, my expectations were so high about Manhattan’s Chinatown, and when I got there I got so disappointed.

Chinatown in London is decorated so pretty, such an Instagrammable place, and also has delicious Chinese restaurants! (which you will see the best ones in the upcoming London travel guide).

Carnaby Street

I don’t know how this street looks through the rest of the year, but on the holidays season, it is prettier than words can describe.

This street is beautiful even without the insane Christmas decorations and has some great stores in it.

I highly recommend visiting this street, but if you are visiting London in December, you can’t miss out on this one!

Oxford Street

This is the most famous street in London that you just can’t skip no matter what.

If you love shopping, this street is the god of London’s shops! There are so many brands, beautifully designed stores I must say, and delicious restaurants around as well!

Honestly, I’m a sucker for the Lush store and the three levels store in Oxford street is the prettiest, coolest, most precious Lush store I have ever been to!

So if you are a Lush store lover like myself, I wouldn’t miss this store!

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Sky Garden

The Sky Garden offers you an insane 360 degrees view of London. It is located inside a building, on the 35th floor if I’m not mistaken, and my favorite thing about it is that it’s COMPLETELY FREE!

All you need to do in order to get in is to book your visit in advance from their website, and just show up on time that day!

Also, it is an indoor viewpoint, which makes the whole experience perfect if you are visiting during Winter.

Tower of London

The biggest things that interests me in the United Kingdom, is its royal history and the fact they literally have a queen and a royal family and everything that has to do with it!

I wanted to go so badly to the Tower of London, mainly because of the Crown’s Jewels.

WOW. I think that’s how I can describe my visit there.

In the exhibition, you can find the queens crowns, centuries-old royal items, there is even a diamond sword!

Besides the Crown’s jewels, there is so much to see in this historical place! We went inside a few buildings, and also took a walk on the tower’s walls!

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Tower Bridge

The Tower Bridge is one of London’s main symbols. It is such a beautiful bridge and offers a lovely view of the area.

Funny fact, most people call this bridge “The London Bridge”, but that bridge is a different bridge in London that is located nearby.

So, just for you to know, this bridge is called the “Tower Bridge” and not the “London Bridge”.

You can walk across the bridge, and also go up the tower and see a beautiful view of the area!

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Buckingham Palace

I will say this is a must because it is the palace where the royal family and the queen herself lives at.

I believe you can’t visit London and not at least see in your own eyes the Buckingham Palace, so I do recommend going there.

If you are visiting London in the Summer, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND and will say that you MUST VISIT the Buckingham Palace because it is open to the public for 8 weeks!

The main thing that attracts tourists to the Buckingham Palace is the Changing of the guards.

If you want to feel like you are taking a part of the royal life, seeing the Changing of the Guards is the number one thing (after visiting inside the Buckingham Palace) that could get you closer to the royal life.

Through June-July it is daily on 11:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. on Sundays

From August-May it’s on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at the same time.

To be honest, I was kind of disappointed, but it was kind of my fault.

You need to come early as possible, there are hundreds of people, and if you don’t come early enough you won’t see anything.

And that’s exactly what happened to me. I just caught a short clip on my phone, and that’s how much I’ve really seen.

After that, they go inside the Palace gates and then only people on the first-second row, or whoever is standing right in front of the palace on that little circus, can really see something.

Keep that in mind :)s

LONDON ICE BAR

I think this was one of my favorite places I’ve been to on this trip!

This bar is made from ice and is located inside a restaurant. It is -5 Celsius degrees inside, and EVERYTHING is made from Ice – the walls, the bar itself, statues, tables, and even the cups themselves!

Inside you get another extra coat and gloves, I wore it even though I was already wearing a coat. It is freezing (literally ;)) inside!

The music in this bar is great, and there are great vibes inside.

Also, this bar works by sessions, which means that you go in with a group of other people for 40 minutes, and after 45 minutes the session ends and that’s it.

I don’t know why they do it by sessions, I didn’t know they do it at first, but apparently, they do.

Maybe it’s because the place is small and they want more people to come inside, I don’t know.

Anyways, such a cool experience, the drinks are amazing as well – highly recommend!

Camden Market

WOW, you guys! this place is insane!

We went here for lunch and also ended up eating dessert. This huge market is mainly known for its delicious food courts, which I highly recommend.

There is a huge variety of different food, from delicious pastas to different burgers, meats, falafels, desserts and so much more I probably don’t even know of!

If you want to try some delicious and special food, I highly recommend visiting the Camden Market!

I don’t have pictures of what we ate for lunch, I only have pictures of the desserts.

I ate for lunch this delicious pasta that is cooked inside a huge piece of cheese, and I will tell you this is the best pasta I have ever eaten (I think even more than the pastas I’ve tried in Italy!)

Shoreditch

This is London’s most famous graffiti neighborhood. There are amazing graffiti arts around the neighborhood and I highly recommend visiting!

Most people go on a guided tour, I thought we could save the money and do a self-guided tour, but thinking back, information online wasn’t the best, and you will see more if you go on a guided tour.

Also, the Brick Lane market is super close, and also has some delicious food options as well!

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