Article: London: what to do in London, our top recommendations

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London: what to do in London, our top recommendations

London is best discovered neighborhood by neighborhood, each with its own unique vibe.

A coffee to go on the streets of Notting Hill, a stroll through Hyde Park, a few hours browsing the boutiques of Marylebone, and then a long dinner in Soho. Here, a single day can head in a thousand different directions.

With its mix of fashion, culture, and fine dining, London always gives you a reason to return. For this new City Guide, No Concept shares its favorite spots: must-see locations and a few discoveries we’d almost rather keep to ourselves.

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London, a city of a thousand lives

London has a knack for letting different eras coexist. Founded on the banks of the Thames in Roman times, it has spanned the centuries, survived the Great Fire of 1666, and grown far beyond its original walls. Each period has left something behind: a street, a facade, a way of inhabiting the city.
It is this blend that gives it so much character today. You can move from a neighborhood of Georgian houses to a street buzzing with young designers, then to a pub that seems to have always been there. London cultivates its history while never ceasing to reinvent itself.

Things to do on site

#1 Harrods, a destination in its own right

In Knightsbridge, Harrods deserves a place on your itinerary, even if you don’t plan on buying anything. You come here for the pleasure of wandering through its floors: fashion, accessories, beauty, home decor, and jewelry make up a world where you can easily spend an entire afternoon. Then there are the Food Halls, one of the reasons to extend your visit, with their pastries, chocolates, teas, and exceptional products. A spectacular destination, worth discovering simply for the pleasure of browsing.

#2 Watching the sunset at Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf presents a very different side of London. Here, glass towers line the old docks, and wide promenades invite you to slow your pace. The neighborhood is at its most beautiful at the end of the day: light glides across the facades, reflects in the water, and gradually transforms the silhouette of the buildings.

We come here to walk along the quays, find a terrace, or simply sit for a few minutes facing the water. As the sky turns pink, the first lights flicker on in the towers. A moment to save for the end of the day, when London seems to slow down with us.

#3 Brunching in Notting Hill

In Notting Hill, brunch often begins with a stroll. You walk past colorful facades, stop in front of a bookstore or a small boutique, then choose a table to let the morning stretch out. Around Portobello Road, cafes sit alongside market stalls, and the neighborhood comes alive without losing its charm.
It is the perfect place to take your time: order one more coffee, watch the street from the terrace, and head back out to wander without a specific itinerary. A London morning just as we like it: gentle, lively, and full of lovely discoveries.

Restaurants

El Pastor, Soho's Mexican spot

In the heart of Soho, El Pastor is the place to choose when you're in the mood for a lively dinner and dishes to share. You order a few tacos to sample everything, some tostadas for the center of the table, and a margarita to accompany the evening. The menu celebrates Mexican flavors in a joyful atmosphere, much like the neighborhood itself. The kind of place where you’re happy to linger before continuing your night in London.

Nightjar, a drink to the sound of jazz in Shoreditch

To end the evening, head down the stairs of Nightjar and leave the bustle of the street behind. In this bar with its intimate atmosphere, cocktails are crafted like little creations, while jazz, blues, and swing are played live. You settle in, take your time choosing a drink, and very quickly, you lose track of time. A spot to book for a London evening that’s out of the ordinary.

Our favorite museum

Housed in a former power station on the banks of the Thames, Tate Modern is as much worth a visit for its architecture as for its collections of modern and contemporary art. You enter through the immense Turbine Hall, then wander through the galleries at your own pace, exploring the works and exhibitions. Even without a specific plan, it’s a place where you love to take your time. tate.org.uk
Before you leave, head up to level 10 of the Blavatnik Building. Its panoramic terrace offers a view of the Thames and the rooftops of London: a lovely way to end your visit, with the city as the final work of art to contemplate. tate.org.uk

Where to sleep?

Grand Hotel Bellevue, an address in Paddington

Facing the trees of Norfolk Square, the Grand Hotel Bellevue London occupies a Victorian townhouse tucked away from the bustle of Paddington. Behind its discreet facade, architect Fabrizio Casiraghi has envisioned interiors rich in color and detail, capturing the elegance of a lived-in English residence. Its sixty rooms make it an intimate address to settle into for a few days. Hotel and services
In the evening, guests can enjoy the hotel’s atmosphere over a cocktail at the Pondicherry bar. It is a place one might choose for its location, but will remember most for its decor and the feeling of having discovered a somewhat secret London home.

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