What to do in London at the weekend

Day 1: A Friday at the Ritz, with walks in Hyde Park, Chelsea, Notting Hill and Oxford Street.

If you want to enjoy a weekend in England, remember to plan your trip carefully so you don't miss out on any of London's must-see places. Fridays are an ideal time to start your weekend, as there are plenty of cultural activities to do, especially in Notting Hill, Chelsea and Oxford Street.

-Tea at the Ritz Hotel

You can't miss the opportunity to attend London's famous tea ritual, which takes place at various venues around the city. One of the most luxurious venues is the Ritz Hotel, where tea time is a sacred event that takes place in the Palm Court ballroom.

To book Afternoon Tee, simply follow these steps:

Step 1: go to the hotel website.

Step 2: select the dinner with us option.

Step 3: click on afternoon tea.

Step 4: Choose the date, time and number of participants.

Step 5: Choose the menu for each guest.

Step 6: Log in or create an account with your e-mail address, make payment and wait for confirmation.

Note that this hotel offers four menus and 17 types of tea, the best part being that you can enjoy the experience with live music in the background. The approximate cost is 43 euros per person. Cheaper options include L'Orangerie, a modern restaurant that was originally a pavilion for Queen Anne in 1704.

Good to know: the tea ritual is such a popular activity that you should remember to book at least four weeks in advance.

- Walk in Hyde Park

Hyde Park is a very famous park, forming part of the Royal Green Space, which stretches from Kensington Palace to Buckingham Palace. It's located in the heart of London, and many famous films have been shot here. It's an ideal activity if you're wondering what to do in London in summer, as the park is particularly pleasant to stroll around on sunny days. You'll need a few hours to cover it from end to end, its main points of interest being the following:

The Princess Diana Fountain is one of the most visited areas of the park, as it was created in honor of Princess Diana after her death.

The Peter Pan statue, which has stood in the park since 1912 and was built in honor of J.M. Barrie's film. This is a great option if you're planning activities to do in London with children. What's more, most locals and tourists alike are used to picnicking here, as it's surrounded by gardens and woodland.

Kensington Palace is the royal residence of the Duke and Duchess of Kent and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. It's a must-see place to see the royal apartments. You can also stop by the fashion exhibition of Princess Diana and other figures of the monarchy.

The Italian gardens, preserved since 1860, are ideal for a stroll in summer. From here, you can see the lakes that divide Hyde Park and Kensington.

To get from the Ritz Hotel to Hyde Park, you can take Park Ln/A4202 in about eight minutes. Buses also leave from Green Park, Old Bond Street and Berkeley Street, taking less than fifteen minutes.

Good to know: entry to the park is free, and the walk is an ideal way to get a taste of London culture. You can also visit at night, as the park is open from 5 a.m. to midnight, and is very safe even at night. In fact, it's often cited as one of London's best nighttime visits to make.

- Discover the emblematic Notting Hill district

This is one of London's liveliest districts, situated between Kensington and Chelsea. It's characterized by colorful spaces, local street markets, traditional restaurants and antique stores. The famous film Coup de Foudre à Notting Hill, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, was filmed here.

Highlights include:

Lancaster Road, a small street famous for its colorful houses, which look as if they've been lifted straight out of a postcard. You can take photos of the facades, but it's forbidden to climb the stairs, as this is private property.

St.Luke's Alley or St. Luke's Mews is a must-see, especially if you're a fan of the film Coup de Foudre à Notting Hill. It's a legendary London landmark, once the stables of the royal family. Today, you'll see rows of courtyards, sheds and stables topped by houses.

Alice's , one of London's mythical red corners, home to an antique store.

William Tracker's House, because if you're a romantic, you can't miss the home of the lead actor in Coup de Foudre in Notting Hill. People usually line up here to take photos, as the famous blue door from the film is located here. It's the ideal place if you're planning to visit London in January, as there are fewer tourists.

Portobello Market is one of the most famous, located on Portobello Road. It's best to visit on a Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, as at weekends there's a wide variety of street stalls with excellent prices.

Electric Cinema is a must-see, as it's home to London's first cinema, which has retained its old-world charm remarkably well: there are no seats, only reclining velvet sofas!

Bus routes 7, 12, 23, 27, 28, 31, 70, 94 and 328 take you to Notting Hill from Hyde Park. There are several stops near the park, including Exhibition Road and Marble Arch, and the journey takes around 30 minutes. The fastest option is to take Harrow Rd/A404 and Westbourne Park Rd, which takes less than fifteen minutes.

Good to know: if you're planning to visit London in August, this is the time of year for the Notting Hill Carnival, one of the most famous in the world. It's also an ideal month for summer at its best.

- Explore the Chelsea district

This is a luxurious district that you can't miss on your itinerary if you want to go from district to district in London. It's here that you'll see the homes of celebrities (artists, painters, soccer players, among others...) If you're lucky, you might come across one of them walking their dog. Chelsea is a magical neighborhood, home to members of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. You can take advantage of London's best bike tours to explore the neighborhood at your own pace. Here are just a few of the things to do in Chelsea:

Chelsea Stadium, better known as Stamford Bridge. Here you can see the dressing rooms, press rooms and team museum. You'll also have the chance to go behind the scenes of the stadium.

The National Army Museum is undoubtedly one of the best museums in London, with exhibits that will transport you to the history of the British Army in the ^15th century. During your visit, you'll see uniforms, old photographs and archive videos.

The Royal Court Theatre is an economical option, as it showcases cultural performances in the city, such as jazz and opera.

King's Road is the perfect place to shop for London souvenirs. Be aware that it can be more expensive than other shopping areas in the city.

The quickest way to get from Notting Hill to Chelsea is by car or cab via Queen's Gate. The journey takes about 20 minutes. We recommend you take a map and mark the main points you want to visit.

- Shopping on Oxford Street

If you still have time, we recommend a stroll down the iconic Oxford Street shopping street. If you're planning to visit on a Friday, this is the best time to go shopping in the city. Bear in mind that it's always very busy, so you'll need to be patient as you stroll through its picturesque little streets. The town was partially destroyed during the Second World War, so most of the sites are ^19th-century buildings. It's an excellent choice for your itinerary, especially if you're planning to visit London in December. Christmas in this district has a special touch, as you can watch the famous Christmas lights being switched on. It's also here that you'll discover some of London's best secret spots, such as Brown Hart's secret garden, which offers an incredible view of May Fair.

You can get to Oxford Street from Chelsea by bike, as it's the quickest way. The journey takes around five minutes along Brook St. Buses also leave from Marble Arch and take around four minutes.

Day 2: Don't miss the changing of the guard at Buckingham, the Palace of Westminster and views from the London Eye.

London has a special charm, so take the opportunity to walk around the city and past its iconic palaces. If you prefer, you can also enjoy the best views from above, or even take a boat trip. Among the must-sees on this second day, we recommend..:

- Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the monarchy. As such, it's a must-see during your weekend in London. You can attend the changing of the guard, during which the guards who watch over the monarchs exchange posts with the relays. Wondering how to get to Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard? We recommend arriving on time, as it's usually very busy. The event takes place at around 10.45 a.m. and lasts around 45 minutes. Listen carefully and you may be surprised to find that the musicians around the palace often play Beatles songs or songs from iconic films during the changing of the guard.

If you decide to enter the palace, you can see the royal salons, the monarchs' carriages and the queen's gallery, but the full tour is more expensive. Please note that the palace is only open to the public for this type of tour between July and September.

Good to know: tickets start at around 34 euros.

- Visit the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey

The Palace of Westminster is one of the most important buildings, as it is a historic site. It was the former residence of the monarchy, but is now used as a government building. In summer, you can enter to watch parliamentary sessions, while in winter you can opt for guided tours. If you'd like to visit Westminster Abbey, the site of royal coronations since 1066, you're in luck as it's nearby. It's the oldest temple in London, and tickets generally start at 24 euros per person. We advise you to get there early, as the abbey is only open until 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

You can drive from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Palace via the B323 and Great Peter St, which takes about ten minutes. Buses also leave from the St. James Park stop and take less than fifteen minutes. The Abbey and Palace of Westminster are just a few minutes' walk away.

- Take a photo of Big Ben or climb the London Eye.

Big Ben is one of England's greatest attractions, but unfortunately it's not possible to climb it unless you're English. A more accessible, but just as fun, way to enjoy London from above is the London Eye Ferris wheel, considered to be the tallest in Europe. Tickets start at €37 per person, but if you want to avoid the queues, you can pay for priority access from €45. The London Eye is generally open longer in summer, opening from 10 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. If you're planning to visit London in winter, be aware that it will open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Note that the London Eye at night is a spectacle, as it allows you to appreciate London's night lights from the sky. Climb aboard just as the sun is setting to enjoy the best views of London, at a time when there are few crowds. The view from the London Eye is breathtaking. From here, you can see the River Thames, the Palace of Westminster, the Shard and much more.

To get to Big Ben from the Palace of Westminster, just walk for two minutes along St Margaret St/A3212 and Bridge St/A302. You can then take a bus from Westminster Pier to the London Eye in less than eight minutes. Or choose the sightseeing bus that takes you around the city center and the River Thames.

Day 3: Take a trip on the Thames and visit St. Paul's Cathedral.

Round off your weekend with a leisure program that includes a boat trip on the River Thames, where you can hop on and off at your leisure. You'll also visit the iconic St. Paul's Cathedral.

- Board a boat on the Thames.

This is undoubtedly an iconic place to end the weekend, and boarding a boat will let you discover London from a different angle. It's usually a non-stop experience, and you can hop on and off at various ports along the Thames. Options vary according to your budget, starting from €20. You can travel with a professional guide who will tell you the history of the Thames, or opt for a gourmet package. We recommend a cruise with free stops at sunset.

- Visit St. Paul's Cathedral

St. Paul's Cathedral is an iconic venue, as it was here that Lady Di and King Charles were married . The interior is impressive, and you can climb some 300 steps to see the Whispering Gallery, the Stone Gallery and the Golden Gallery. Cruises on the Thames offer free stops. To get to your next destination, get off at the Tate Modern stop, where you can catch a bus to the cathedral in less than eight minutes. Tickets for St Paul's Cathedral start at 29 euros per person.