Explore London’s multiculturalism

There’re hundreds of London travel guides out there, with hundreds of recommendations on what not to miss, what to do and what to see. I’m sure some of them are wonderful. But the UK capital is not a place to check landmarks off, it’s a place that has to be lived. The best way to feel the city and to understand it, is to leave your guide behind and get lost. It’ll give you a chance to explore London’s multiculturalism, and to fall in love with the city before you see all the sights. Trust me on this one. The landmarks are gorgeous (and of course you have to get to them), but the vibe is what you’ll remember forever.

I love you before I met you

So much of what we are is where we have been. The places we’ve lived in shape us in one way or another. For me this is completely true about London. I knew before my first step there that I’d fit in. I knew I’d love it. And my prediction couldn’t have been more accurate.

I wanted to move to London since I can remember. Everything about it seemed appealing to me. From the royals to the politics, from the history to the art, from the politeness of people to the diversity. I waited and waited for the opportunity to pack up and go. And my lovely career was my ticket. I was lucky enough to get a scholarship to get a Master’s degree in International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
It was the best way I could have imagined to go to London! Not only I was to live in the most amazing place in the world, I was also going to be taught by the very best in my area.

I counted the days like an inmate, looking how my calendar was telling me *the day* was approaching. Until it came. On a 24^th of September I got on a plane towards Europe for the first time in my life. The continent I knew by heart after examining all the maps I could put my hands on while growing up, and after studying its politics for my undergraduate thesis.

Border control was the first look at how the country, but especially the city, would be: multiculturalism everywhere. I’m sure I didn’t see a single Brit, but I met people from countless former colonies, and then some.

Samuel Johnson was absolutely right when he said “when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”. London has it all, it’s impossible not to fall in love this the city!

Go where the locals go

The first thing I learnt is that to meet people you have to head to a pub. They are an institution. That’s just a fact about London. Every neighborhood has its own one, and you’ll see mostly locals in each of them (there’s where the Brits are hidden!). I can’t recommend a particular place. Choose any, wherever you are, and enjoy a pint and a conversation. For the curious, mine was my Uni’s (yes, pubs are so important that even LSE has one).

Then you’ll have the strength to go through all the landmarks…

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If you want to see how locals live, you have to go to a market. My all-time favorite is Camden Town. You’ll find everything you can think of. World cuisine (because let’s face it, British one is far from good), strange folks, art in all its forms, music… you name it, Camden has it. Also here you’ll find the cheapest and coolest souvenirs. My choice was a group of black & white photographs that spell London with parts of landmarks <3

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Portobello market is also wonderful. In the heart of Notting Hill (yes, the neighborhood of the movie), after you take a photo with the blue door and browse at the travel bookshop, immerse yourself in the colors and magic of the Saturday Market.

Lesser known, but amazing for foodies, is Broadway market. Walk around farmers selling their locally grown fruits and veggies, taste cheeses, olives and breads, and stop to smell the fresh flowers. It’s the perfect place for sustainable travelers looking for homegrown goods.

The heart of London

The last thing you need to do to throw yourself into London’s multiculturalism is go to the museums, especially the British museum. No matter how little time you have in London, don’t miss it. It’s probably the most impressive one I’ve seen anywhere. It’s easy to explain why. Centuries of imperialism led to an impressive collection of things stolen from around the world. At the moment, there are plenty of lawsuits from the robbed countries, asking for their treasures back. However, at least for the time being, it’s amazing to see a bit of almost every culture in only one building.

One of the bright sides of free entry is that I was able to spend days and days there (seriously, I got a map and marked room after room, until I saw them all). But half a day should do it to see the highlights: the Rosetta Stone, an Easter Island Moai, a Greek Caryatid, the Egyptian mummies, the Standard of Ur, the Assyrian Lion Hunt reliefs, the Aztec double-headed serpent, and the Lewis chessmen, to name a few. Also stop at the Africa room, it has lots of hidden gems, and it’s often overlooked.

On your way out, while you’re still trying to take it all in, stop to marvel are the entrance’s great hall. The museum not only has an unbelievable collection, it’s set on a beautifully designed building.

More must sees in London and around

Beyond museums, keep an eye open while strolling around, there’s more than one Banksy in town. If street art is your thing, Shoreditch is your neighborhood. While there, take a look at the chaotic Brick Lane and Old Spitalfields markets.

Another thing you should not miss is the city during Christmas. It’s simply magical. Seriously, there’s nothing more Christmasy than Hyde Park Winter Wonderland anywhere in the world! There are so many thing to do in London at Christmas that you could spend the whole December there.

When it comes to accommodation, check these quirky hotels, these boutique hotels, or the latest offers Booking has in store.

Booking.com

Now, if you want to escape the hectic city, you can do any of the beautiful hikes in the Lake District. Another amazing destination is the Dorset Jurassic Coast –it can be done as a day trip, but I’d suggest to stay there to explore more. You can also take a break in the seaside, in the iconic resort towns of Southend-on-Sea or Brighton, or in the lesser known Whitstable. Another hidden gem is Arundel, an enchanting town in West Sussexor. Or simply pick any other of the best places to visit in England, there are so so many! Here are the best tours, to make the most out of your time around the amazing British capital:

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