Why London Is The First City in Europe You Should Visit

Hey readers, I have a special guest post today from the fine folks at ClubThrifty.com.  If you’ve read my blog you know that I’ve been lucky to do some crazy traveling to some far flung places.  But if you’re new to traveling abroad, especially Europe,  Greg and Holly have some great advice – start in London!  I’ve been to London many times and always enjoy it.  The first time I went I drove around in circles shouting “Big Ben! Parliament!!”.  It was a bucket list thing…

Anyhoo… I hope you enjoy this post!

Are you new to European travel? London may be the perfect place to start.

Although we’ve traveled to nearly a dozen European countries, the United Kingdom was our first stop. Quite frankly, I’m glad it was.

For newbies, the common language, a shared history, and a familiar culture make a visit to London less intimidating than many other European cities. And, if you’re like us, it will also leave you wanting more.

London’s tourist sites, museums, and theatre opportunities are as plentiful and impressive as you’ll find anywhere in the world. Once you’ve spent a few days exploring the majesty of London, you’ll feel so confident in your European travel skills that you’ll be ready to branch out to even more places!

Here are a few reasons why I think any first-time visitor to Europe should give London a try.

 

A Shared Language

What’s the biggest concern most unseasoned European travelers have? The language.

“What if I can’t understand anybody?” they worry.

Since you’ll speak the same language as the locals, London practically removes that fear completely.

Although I find the challenge of communicating with others to be an enjoyable learning experience, you may not share that level of comfort – not yet, anyway. When you go to London, there’s rarely a language barrier to worry about. Heck, you don’t even need to learn the typical “survival phrases” like “Where’s the bathroom?” or “I’ll take a beer, please.”

Reading menus and touring museums are also less overwhelming when the language isn’t an issue. With very few exceptions, you’ll be able to order your food and communicate with servers with relative ease. You’ll also be able to breeze through historical sites without having to whip out Google translate to understand the informational plaques.

While more seasoned travelers might wonder where the fun is in that, ease of communication makes London a great destination for your first trip to Europe.

 

Amazing History

Do you love history? London is jam-packed with enough historical sites to fascinate every personality.

Did you know the U.K.’s capital city dates back about 2,000 years? While you may not be familiar with it’s early history, chances are good you know a little bit about some of the most popular historic sites found there.

As a former British colony, much of London’s history is shared by the U.S. Even if you’re not from the States, the British Empire controlled roughly ¾ of the world at one point; so, you probably share some history with Great Britain as well.

You’ll almost certainly recognize many of the stories from this great city – including those of King Henry VIII, Richard III, Elizabeth I, and more. You’re probably familiar with many of the city’s traditions, too – like the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. All of this makes London a wonderfully relatable introduction to Europe for new travelers.

 

Spectacular Tourist Sites

Speaking of history, why do most of us want to go to Europe in the first place? To see the amazing historical sites that we’ve heard about all our lives!

London boasts some of the most incredible historical and tourist sites in the world. That alone makes it a city not to miss. And, when you use a sightseeing card like the London Pass, touring the city’s many sites becomes relatively affordable too.

Here are just a few of the places you’ll want to be sure to check out while in London:

• The British Museum houses approximately 8 million objects and artifacts, including the famed Rosetta Stone and Michelangelo’s “Study for Adam”. It’s an awesome collection, and – by the way – admission is free!
• No visit to London is complete without a viewing of the crown jewels at the Tower of London. Actual coronation regalia dating from 1661 is housed here. The castle also has a grisly history of housing some of England’s most famous political prisoners. It’s also the site where King Henry VIII had two of his six wives beheaded.
• The breathtaking Westminster Abbey is not to be missed. The historical significance of this gigantic church is hard to beat, serving as the site of every British coronation ceremony since 1066. It has played host to plenty of royal weddings and funerals, as well. In addition to housing the remains of kings and queens like Elizabeth I and Henry VII, tourists can also view the burial sites (and memorials) of famous artists and poets in the church’s renowned “Poets’ Corner.”
• Buckingham Palace, of course, is the royal family’s London residence, as well as the administrative headquarters of the U.K.’s monarchy. Here is where you can witness the famous changing of the guards. However, you might want to refrain from trying to make the famously stone-faced redcoats crack a smile.
• Literature buffs, be sure to tour the home of Charles Dickens, prolific author of books such as Oliver Twist and A Tale of Two Cities.
• For lovers of ancient history, a trek to Stonehenge makes a pleasant day trip from the city. The massive stone circle from the late Neolithic period will leave you awestruck.

 

More Places to See

There’s so much more to see and do in London! No matter your style or budget, you’ll find plenty of places of interest in this city, including:

• Big Ben
• Paul’s Cathedral
• Trafalgar Square
• Royal Opera House
• Little Venice
• Kyoto Japanese Garden in Holland Park

 

The Museum Scene

Besides the British Museum, explore more of London’s rich cultural heritage at these and hundreds of other museums:

• National Maritime Museum
• National Gallery
• Tate Modern
• Victoria and Albert Museum
• Churchill War Rooms
• Madame Tussaud’s of London (the celebrity wax museum)

 

Excellent Transportation Options

Getting around London is fairly simple thanks to its taxis and a superb subway system. It’s also relatively walkable.

One of the biggest perks to staying in central London is that many of the city’s major sites are within walking distance of each other. This allows you to appreciate the city’s great architecture, the River Thames, and more. Tourists can take advantage of the many improvements that the city has made in pedestrian accessibility. After all, some of the most beautiful sights of London can only be appreciated on foot.

Even if you love walking, sometimes you’ll need a quicker way to get around. London is a dream for U.S. travelers thanks to the inexpensive subway network. “The Tube,” as it’s dubbed by locals, can help you reach London’s many significant sites quickly. Just don’t forget to “mind the gap” or you could miss out on some valuable sightseeing time!

 

Incredible Theatre

For those who love live theatre, London has a scene that’s hard to beat. You could spend your entire trip theatre-hopping, if that’s your thing. Take in every type of show imaginable – musical theater, comedy, drama. London’s theatre scene has it all.

In addition to catching a show or two, you may want to spend time exploring Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Built near where the original theatre once stood, this replica of the circular Elizabethan theatre has been bringing the world of Shakespeare to life since 1997.

 

London: A Perfect Introduction to Europe

While one of the biggest benefits of international travel is learning about unfamiliar cultures, heading to a foreign land can be intimidating for first-time travelers. That’s why a trip to London is a great introduction to European travel.

It’s extraordinary sites, incredible history, and easy accessibility to English speakers makes it a comfortable spot for new travelers to explore. Better yet, after enjoying a trip to London, you’ll almost certainly want to explore the other corners of Europe as well.

So, consider making London your first stop in Europe. It’s a choice you’ll never regret.

Greg Johnson is a personal finance and frugal travel expert who leveraged his online business to quit his 9-5 job, spend more time with his family, and travel the world. He is the co-owner of the popular blog Club Thrifty, where he teaches others how to spend less and travel more.