Take me (back)
to London

Published: 25 May 2022, 15:30

The information published on this page is correct as of the publication or revision date.

London calling!

Whether for a weekend trip or a longer stay, England’s capital city is a popular travel destination. In the year 2019, London occupied 5^th place in the global ranking with more than 19.5 million tourists.

Facts and figures

Time difference: -1 hour
Number of inhabitants: 9.4 million
Official language: English
Currency: British Pound (GBP)

A visit to the famous sights such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace or Big Ben is quite simply a must for any visit to London. And a visit to one of the more than 170 museums, such as the British Museum or the National Gallery, is just as rewarding.

10 Photos, 10 Facts

From 1910 to 1982, the pedestrian bridges of Tower Bridge were closed to pedestrians as they were an attraction for pickpockets. Today they are accessible with a ticket. © Ttstudio / Adobe Stock

Did you know? The concept “Big Ben” refers neither to the famous clock tower nor to the clock itself. The name is actually that of the bell, weighing 13.5 tonnes, inside the tower. © Iakov Kal / Adobe

The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace has been a tradition for 700 years now. The number of Guards on sentry duty depends on whether the Queen is present. © Dusan Kafka / Adobe Stock

Hyde Park is named after an old manor house called “Hyde Manor”. On “Speakers’ Corner” anyone may take to the stand and deliver a public speech. © Nadiyka / Adobe Stock

Fish and chips are just as much a part of England as the Queen. But the wrapping of fish `n` chips in newspaper is forbidden nowadays due to hygiene regulations. © Nelea Reazanteva / Adobe Stock

The London Eye is 135 metres high and thus the largest big wheel in Europe. Up to 800 people at a time may have a ride on the London Eye. © Kristina Blokhin / Adobe Stock

The double-decker buses have long since attained cult status as a splash of red colour in the city and a popular photographic motif. © Mistervlad / Adobe Stock

Many prominent couples have tied the knot in St. Paul’s Cathedral. Lady Diana and Prince Charles married here in 1981. © Jacki / Adobe Stock

The first section of the London Tube was built in 1863. This makes it the oldest Underground in the world. © stp23 / Adobe Stock

The Shard was the tallest building in Europe (309.6 metres high) for a few months until the Mercury City Tower in Moscow opened (338 metres high). © Asvolas / Adobe Stock

To wander on the trail of Harry Potter, James Bond…

… and Sherlock Holmes – only in London is this possible. The metropolis on the banks of the Thames fills many film fans with enthusiasm. The backdrops of the city, as locations for numerous blockbusters during the past years and decades, have long since become part of pop culture, from the Millennium Bridge of the world-famous “Harry Potter” films to the MI6 building, made famous by “James Bond”.

The film “Notting Hill” with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant from the year 1999 brought fame to the London District of the same name. © Alexey Fedorenko / Adobe Stock

This is where, in "James Bond", Daniel Craig comes and goes constantly. The headquarters of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) on the South Bank. © Spotmatik / Adobe Stock

A small talking bear from Peru meets the Brown Family at Paddington Station in London: this is how the story of “Paddington” begins (2014). © William / Adobe Stock

In "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" (2009), the Millennium Bridge is destroyed by the evil Death-Eaters. In real life it is, fortunately, still there. © Victor Moussa / Adobe Stock