Those who knew London years ago and think that it is not possible to see anything new in it, are very much mistaken. In the last two decades, the city has been enriched with modern architecture, which is worth seeing with the same attention as the historical buildings.
No less interesting is the life that has moved to the other side of the river Thames. Towns along rivers tend to have a common problem: the river divides them into a richer part and a part that is often neglected by tourists due to apparent poverty. With Buckingham Palace, the British Museum and famous Big Ben all touristic and highly visited monuments are classified north of the Thames. Expensive hotels and reputable shops also flourish next to them. The area on the other side of the bank is mentioned in the tourist guide, but only briefly, which means that tourists who long for something new cross the river. If you visit the city quarter Lambeth and Southwarth, you get to know a real architectural boom, as many architecturally attractive and interesting buildings have been built on the south side of the Thames in the last twenty years. Among the most interesting is certainly the new home of the mayor of London, who arranged his residence in an egg-shaped glass palace, which is the work of architect Norman Foster. Lovers of the Middle Ages will also find a piece of history in the narrow streets, which you can walk down in comfortable shoes, as they are still cobbled. This is the area between the two bridges Southwark and Tower. In this quarter you will find many renovated bars, restaurants and prestigious boutiques. Lovers of aesthetics will find here the world's first design museum.
SHOPPING
There are dozens of markets in London, stretching from Portobello in Notting Hill to Spitalfields Covered Market, which is fighting for its last breaths. Every Friday and Saturday, perhaps one of the most beautiful markets in London, Brixton, which is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., bursts into color. You can get there by tube by getting off at Brixton station. For many Britons, the mere practice of it represents a way of life, a culture brought by immigrants from Jamaica and the West Indies. Around three hundred stalls are decorated with imported exotic fruits and vegetables and a wide range of spices. Part of the market was also occupied by sellers of new or used CDs and records, clothing and Caribbean and African art products. East London's flower market is also colorful (get off at Old Street tube station; it's open every Sunday from 9am to 1pm), and a few miles away is the popular Spitalfields Market, which sells exclusively organic food. To visit Spitalfields Market, get off at Liverpool Street tube station. It is open during the week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You'll find the most joy browsing the textile shops on Oxford Street. The nearest tube station to this street is Bond Street. In addition to the Selfridges department store, where you will find the collections of renowned fashion designers, there are also many stores with cheaper brands. Locals recommend buying clothes and shoes in the Covent Garden area.
NIGHT LIFE
Pubs in London close as early as 11pm, and bars are often open until the early hours of the morning. We recommend visiting fun and relatively cheap bars outside the city, for example in Shoreditch (the nearest tube station is Liverpool Street). Currently, among the most popular bars are Lounge Lover (Whitby Street) or those where music is played by renowned DJs, such as Feet East (Brick Lane) or Medicine (Great Eastern Steet). On Old Street, the most attractive club is Mother at the moment, and you will experience interesting nightlife in Notting Hill and Islington. Even gourmets can get to know London through a varied culinary offer. Farringdon is an area of many distinguished restaurants. Restaurant Moro is a Spanish restaurant and tapas bar. Guests can sit on the street and watch the lively bustle around them. The brave can also opt for the modern British restaurant St. John, in which they serve food from all parts of the animal, including pig ears. You can eat cheaper at the Japanese restaurant chain Wagamama, an Indian restaurant on Brick Lane or in Chinatown next to Leicester Square tube station.
TRANSPORTATION IN LONDON
In London, you can buy a ticket that gives you an unlimited number of trips on the bus and tube. You can buy it for one day, for the weekend (Saturday, Sunday) or for seven days. The subway closes at 00:30 and the buses run all night. Driving in London's black cabs is very expensive. Therefore, we recommend that you take regular taxis, which are cheaper but must be called by phone. Taxi drivers who offer themselves to you on the road often do not have a license, so driving with them is quite risky.
