Big Ben, the Tower of London, the British Museum – London 's big-hitting attractions are well-documented and heavily visited. But the joy of visiting any major city is balancing the ‘don’t miss' activities with discovering its authentic side, too. The truth is, London is a city that reveals more of itself with each visit or even each passing year of living here.
Beyond the well-known sights and heavily-trammelled areas, there's more to uncover in every corner of the city than could possibly be ticked off. So, to show off this underrated, often undiscovered, side of London, we asked our editors – and a handful of trusted insiders – to give their guide to the city. These are the places that will help you love London like a local.
London is divided into 32 boroughs, and within each of those, dozens of neighbourhoods jut up against each other, each with its own distinctive personality. To get under the skin of a city like this, first, you need to understand the rhythms of day-to-day life here. There are the better-known areas of London , of course – Soho and Notting Hill and Covent Garden appear in all the guidebooks for a reason.
But beyond the big hitters, you'll find little pockets of the city that might require you to look a little deeper to uncover their treasures but will reward those that do. We asked our editors to share their guides to the neighbourhoods they call home. What do you think of when you think of London? Perhaps the city's vibrant shopping – people travel here from all over the world to peruse some of the world's best boutiques and most stylish streets, looking for designer treasures or vintage finds.
Or perhaps you think of the capital's thriving coffee scene; London has been serving up the silkiest pours and most flavoursome brews for decades. Speaking of flavour, you wouldn't be alone in thinking of food, first and foremost – London has some of the planet's most interesting places to eat and drink. Whatever you want to seek out in London, our editors have found the best iteration of it.
Today, London is the home of some of the world’s best coffee concepts, festivals, brands and people. In a city teeming with such innovation and passion, it’s no wonder there is such an abundance of incredible cafes. So, where should you start? These are the corners of London where the shops are defined by their heritage and distinguished by their art.
Where the Condé Nast Travellers would stay if we were tourists in our own town – whether the occasion calls for a fancy grand dame or a chic little boutique. Any city's beating heart is its people – none more so than London. Its inhabitants comprise the city's fabric, from creatives to sports people to foodies.
So we asked some clued-up Londoners for their guide to what not to miss. Camden -born rugby star Maro Itoje may have won several trophies for England and Saracens, but off the pitch, he has begun venturing into the worlds of art and literature. Here, he reveals his favourite spots around the capital.
Rahel Stephanie is one to watch on London's food scene. Here, the food entrepreneur and chef behind Indonesian supper club Spoons, gives us the lowdown on her favourite spots in London..
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