London, United Kingdom

Why Visit London, United Kingdom

London is among the most visited cities on the planet, attracting tourists with its fine cuisine, historic treasures, and unique culture. The capital of England (and the United Kingdom) has a lot to offer travelers.

The city was founded by Romans in 43 A.D. and has since grown to become a major economic hub, home to over 8.5 million people today. Plus, London stands on the mighty River Thames and is one of the largest cities on the Great Britain Island and in the European Union.

The city encompasses 4 World Heritage Sites. The first is the well-recognized symbol of the city worth adding to your London itinerary, the Tower of London. The castle dates back to the 1190s and is officially Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress that has played an important role in English history. The Kew Gardens, established in 1759, are another Heritage Site to see during London sightseeing. These botanical gardens are home to the world's largest and most diverse collection of living plants (more than 30,000 kinds).

An unmissable landmark of London is the Palace of Westminster which houses the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is the 'heart of British politics'. The site includes St Margaret's Church and the notable religious building, the Westminster Abbey, which is the traditional place of coronation and the burial site for English and British monarchs. The fourth World Heritage Site to check out on your London tour is the historic settlement of Greenwich which encompasses the Royal Observatory Greenwich, marking the Prime Meridian, 0° longitude, and GMT.

Other famous sights of London that should be mentioned are the Buckingham Palace (the residence and administrative headquarters of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom), the London Eye Ferris wheel, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge - an iconic symbol of London, Trafalgar Square, and the modern symbol of the city - The Shard.

What is more, the London metro (called the "Underground" by locals) is the oldest railway network ever to be built underground in the world. Topping that, London is also home to many top-notch museums, galleries, libraries, sporting events, and other cultural institutions. Among the highlights are the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, the Tate Modern, the British Library and the West End theatres.