Photo by Toni Pomar on Unsplash
It’s still one of the most popular tourist destination cities in the world.
London is practically overflowing with activities to do, things to see, and bucket lists to be conquered.
But, with so much global competition for tourists these days, is London really worth visiting?
The answer, of course, is a resounding yes, not least as “The Smoke” is always buzzing with electrifying things to see and do.
New exhibitions
2025 is already shaping up to be an especially exciting year and, if you’re looking for inspiration to plan a trip, this is the perfect time.
Why? Well, a couple of major brand new openings promise to add to the city’s enduring popularity.
The latest attractions are located in the east of the city, sometimes often overlooked by overseas visitors. They are the V&A East Storehouse and Cartier, both at the same venue.
The V&A has expanded its presence with this state-of-the-art storehouse in East London which offers behind-the-scenes access to over 250,000 objects.
Meanwhile, Cartier at the V&A is a dazzling retrospective of Cartier’s iconic jewellery, watches and design innovations. This exhibition is expected to be a blockbuster, so book early to secure your spot.
Cocktails and scenery
After expanding all that energy you may well have quickly worked up an appetite so, while in this sometimes forgotten (but recently and rapidly booming) part of London, why not also check out a great place to sate your hunger?
It is called Sotto Cucino, a fabulous Sicilian restaurant located on the lower ground floor of the award-winning Hyatt Place London City East at Aldgate.
Prior to sampling its lovely cuisine, why not first pop upstairs and treat yourself to drinks in PocketSquare, a gorgeous rooftop bar and terrace with stunning views of the London City skyline with iconic landmark buildings like The Gherkin, Canary Wharf and the O2 all visible from its stunning outside terrace. It’s a small, intimate bar with gorgeous views for some blissfully uncrowded summer rooftop terrace vibes.
Its bubbly, Italian-born bar manager Lucrezia (known as Lu) is happy to guide you through a very impressive list of cocktails and other tipples, explaining how, each month, they have different “themes” for their drinks. During Wimbledon it was about the tennis while, currently, it’s all about areas of East London, for example, Aldgate. As such, you’ll find the Stratford Helix”, “Aldgate Gatekeeper” and “Shoreditch Vandalise It” on the card. Look out too for the alcohol-free offerings, but all done “with a twist,” says Lu.
They also believe strongly in being self-sufficient here, for instance, making their own garnishes for the drinks.
Both the 9th-floor bar, resto and hotel opened just four years ago (making it all one of the relative newcomers in this fascinating area) and the bar menu features a selection of carefully crafted cocktails, each with its own unique twist. Highlights include the Taiyo, an exotic blend of Roko Gin, Yuzu, and Plum wine; the 101, a zingy mix of Gin, Tropical cordial, and Della Vita Prosecco; and the Kushty, a refreshing combination of Gin, mint lassi, pineapple, and passion fruit.
There is also a range of light bites available while art by local and international artists adorns the walls and monthly live music nights showcases a mix of rising stars and established musicians.
A steep industrial staircase (or lift) takes you to the lower ground floor, where the 70-seat restaurant with deli bar and outdoor ‘terrazza’ provides something of a peaceful sanctuary from the bustling East End streets above. Wall art includes murals from local London based street artists along with an exhibition of sustainable art and new Sam Kerridge artwork, specially commissioned for the launch of the restaurant.
As with the phenomenally successful hotel, the resto boasts first-class sustainability credentials and a palpable relationship to East London through this bespoke art.
The friendly staff, including Richard, who hails from the Philippines, are readily on hand to explain how their colleague, Palermo-born head chef, Francesco Rossi, combines typical Sicilian flavours to produce some wonderfully-tasty dishes.
These currently include a super seabass, succulent steak and the in-house, homemade brill burger,all among current faves on the mains card. Other best sellers include some sumptuous Sicilian meatballs, baked aubergine, burrata and maccheroni. All are super delicious and, considering the quality, extremely well priced.
At this underground Sicilian kitchen and bar, set in East London remember, guests really can experience the charm of a classic Sicilian trattoria, with an interior that nicely combines rustic elegance with contemporary art.
As Richard kindly explains, every dish tries to “tell its own story” with the aim being to marry its Sicilian roots with freshly sourced and locally produced ingredients, creating “seasonal menus of familial Italian flavours.” It all makes for a great place to sate that appetite.
Retail therapy
While in this part of the now highly fashionable East London you should also check out Westfield Stratford City (perhaps for some retail therapy), which opened in September 2011 and is the most popular retail and leisure destination in the UK, attracting 50 million shoppers annually. It also has over 4,500 car parking spaces across three car parks.
Located at the gateway to the Queen Elizabeth Park, also with spectacular views over London, it is home to over 320 stores and more than 80 dining options, The centre has been successful in attracting nearly 40 pioneering retail and leisure concepts to the UK and since its inception it has played a pivotal role in the revitalisation of East London. As one of the initial legacies of the London 2012 Olympics, it is projected that by 2027, approximately £25 billion will have been invested.
As with the Sotto Cucina & Bar, a real commitment was also made to upholding high standards in sustainability and the project has set a new benchmark for urban retail-led developments by incorporating its own Combined Cooling and Heating Power (CCHP) plant on-site in the area, underscoring its enduring impact on the region’s growth and development.
From Shakespeare to the Royals
Back in central London, there is still much more to do, including a visit to Shakespeare’s Globe which is delighting young and old alike with wonderful performances of the Bard’s famous classics throughout the summer of 2025 and into the autumn.
They include (currently) an imaginative take on Romeo and Juliet, directed by Associate Artistic Director Sean Holmes, which runs until 2 August, followed by The Merry Wives of Windsor (4 Jul-20 Sep).
Since opening in 1997, this iconic Elizabethan playhouse continues to stage world-class productions and fresh takes on the Bard’s work. It is famous for its 360-degree auditorium, where both audience and performers are always visible to each other. The current Globe is the third version of the original, which was first opened in 1599 by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a company Shakespeare wrote for and partly owned.
It can house about 1,500 people, including about 700 standing (who can get wet if it’s raining). Many people, including tourists, may be pleasantly surprised by the inventive way this place treats old Shaky.
A little-known fact is that the Globe is the only thatched-roof building in London, granted special permission due to a law banning thatched buildings since the Great Fire of 1666.
So, what else makes London so special?
Well, one reason is that it showcases much of the country’s rich heritage and culture, a couple of good examples being the Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Royal Mews.
Part of the Historic Royal Palaces, the famous Tower is where you can explore nearly 1,000 years of its history as a mighty fortress, royal palace and infamous prison and marvel at the 100 objects and 23,000 precious stones that make up the Crown Jewels (a spectacular new Crown Jewels exhibition opened in 2023).
The White Tower, also called Bloody Tower, served as a prison for more than 800 years. Marked by extreme political and religious unrest in the 1500s and 1600s, the Tower was well known for using torture on its inmates and there are gruesome tales to be told in the Bloody Tower.
The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, meanwhile, s responsible for all road travel arrangements for King Charles and members of the Royal Family, from horse-and-carriage to car and from livery to harness.
Here, you get the chance to see what goes on behind the scenes at a real working stables in the heart of London and see up front and persona; the iconic 260-year-old Gold State Coach used at State occasions such as the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, the Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023.
It is the grandest coach at the Royal Mews and, at 260 years old, has been used at every coronation since that of William IV.
World-class cuisine
Of course, another great reason to visit London is the world class cuisine in this fab capital which compares favourably with any city anywhere these days.
Curry is said to be the favourite dish of Brits nowadays – there are no less than 18,000 Indian restaurants in the UK – and there cannot be any better place to sample the best of Indian food than the multiple award-winning Dishoom, a highly popular “chain”.
A measure of its success is that you’ll often find long queues outside its restos (therefore, try to book well ahead if possible) and part of the perennial appeal with this place is that it nicely evokes the atmosphere of old style 1970s Bombay café culture. The delightful Dishoom serves some of the very best and tastiest Indian-inspired cuisine this side of the sub-continent.
It has numerous (and equally excellent) restos of the same name in different parts of London, including in Kensington which has some local specials, including “Nihari”, a hearty and robust biryani. Tender shank of lamb is layered with rice and caramelised onions then sealed beneath a pastry blanket and enriched further with kaleji (chicken liver) raita and nihari gravy (best served shared”.
The food is totally fab as is the Art Deco surroundings (all voluptuous curves and chandeliers), all played out against a backdrop of a cracking ambience which further benefits from live music every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings by the resident house band who play a 450-minute et.
As Rob, the manager at Kensington, explains there are no traditional “starters” or “mains” as such here but, rather, “small plates”, grills and other dishes and the good news is that all are quite delicious and mouth-watering. They include the very tasty Murg Malai, chicken steeped overnight in garlic and ginger, and Chicken Ruby, tender chicken in a rich sauce.
It also serves breakfast daily until 11.45am – a great way to start any day and try not to leave without sampling the lovely house chai and specially-produced Dishoom India pale ale.
The staff at this branch, which is big, seating nearly 300, are very friendly and that may have something to do with what Rob also says: “we’re just passionate about the staff here as we are about our diners.”
Location, location, location
Quite close by is another “must visit” for the many Belgians who are known for their love of good food: the resto at the famous Hilton Park Lane hotel (the first Hilton in London).
A modern, British resto, which can seat well over 100, it’s called “Park Corner Brasserie” and offers free-range meat, including Youngman & Son’s dry-aged beef and grilled lamb cutlets, plus scallops, oysters and lobster tails, fresh from the sea and served with a super savoury sauce.
Starters include pork belly and ham hock while an impressive mains duck leg, Dover sole, burgers and tandoori chicken. There’s also a great selection from the grill, including Scottish salmon, rib eye and lamb cutlets.
As well as the lovely a la carte, including some nice puddings, there are 2 and 3-course set menus (served noon to 5pm) and that other great British tradition, the Sunday Roast.
The kitchen is overseen by Mauritius-born head chef Jean Didier and front of house is well served by the welcoming Roberta who explains that current best sellers for its diverse mix of clients include the chicken burger and duck.
The food really is lovely as is the location: directly opposite the wonderful Hyde Park.
Where to stay?
Just up Edgware Road is a great base for any stay in London: the Wilde self-catering apartments, conveniently located at Paddington (next to two Tube stations).
This pleasant place gives you the freedom of an apartment with all the usual hotel comforts. You can cook, eat, work, rest and play in a fully furnished apartment just like you would in the comfort and privacy of your own home but with the bonus of standard hotel services such as 24-hour reception. The staff are super friendly and there’s also a gym to work off any excess weight from all that fine dining.
Getting there
Getting to London from Brussels and the rest of Belgium couldn’t be much easier via a DFDS ferry.
Its Calais to Dover ferry route is the perfect way to cross the Channel, with the shortest crossing time of any of its routes at just 100 minutes each way. You can relax and enjoy the pleasant on board facilities, including duty free shopping and, if you fancy traveling in some style, why not opt for the Premier lounge (with complimentary drinks and snacks) before looking forward to exploring London.
DFDS is a multiple award winner and has been nominated as Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator for 2025. This follows its 2024 European and World award wins and is an indication of the quality of service it continues to offer – the anchor of its growth and evolution and ongoing success from as far back as 1866 when it was founded by Danish financier Carl Frederik Tietgen.
Worth recalling there are no luggage restrictions on DFDS routes and this is also a pet-friendly way of getting to the UK.
So, there you have it: some great tips to visit a city that is teeming with exciting new openings, events, activities, shows and exhibitions.
London tends to enjoy its warmest and most reliable sunshine through August and into September so there is probably no better time to visit than now.
But, whenever you go, you are sure to sample some super sightseeing – along with cracking cuisine that compares with just about anywhere else in the world.
Not just that but London and the UK now make for a great destination for your pocket as travellers from Belgium and the rest of Europe will also get a very good exchange rate. What’s not to like?
Further info:
https://www.hyattrestaurants.com/en/london/restaurant/sotto-cucina-bar
https://www.hyattrestaurants.com/en
London Hilton on Park Lane
https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/
https://www.rct.uk/visit/the-royal-mews-buckingham-palace
https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/
https://www.westfield.com/en/united-kingdom/london
