As some of you have suggested, I decided to write about my favourite places in the city. If you guys like it, I will try to post my top 5 museums, restaurants, pubs etc. I tried really hard not to mention things that are usually on the city guide such as London Eye, Westminster Abbey, etc but I guess I can’t escape some of the clichê! In any case, here it is!
Number 1 – Hampstead Heath
My favourite place in the entire world is actually a park in the middle of London! But you might be wondering what is it that makes it special? Well, it all started five years ago when I first came to London in 2013. At the time, my partner was living in Camden and the park was close to his place. I remember going there on my own while he was working on a beautiful sunny day. It was Spring and the first thing I saw was this:
I don’t know exactly why but I fell in love with this place immediately. I came back since then with friends and my husband and I just love the idea that the further you walk in the park, the more it looks like the paintings of John Constable. You don’t see many people around and there is no noise apart from the birds and the wind on the trees. In fact, the only thing that reminds you that you are still in London is the view from the top of the hill where you can see the city in the distance.
But the main reason why this is the most special place in the world to me was actually because I got engaged in Hampstead! More specifically in Kenwood House! In May last year, my partner, knowing that I love this place so much, took me for a walk and waited for like 2h – until I was tired of walking around – to bend on his knees and propose to me! Just like in the movies!
I always get surprised when I heard locals saying they have never been there before. If you ever visit London, especially during Spring and Summer, plan a visit to Hampstead Heath and thank me later!
Number 2 – Dishoom Shoreditch
Before coming to London I’ve never tried Indian food before – I know! It’s a shame! But it wasn’t something common in my home country. I still remember the first time I went to Dishoom in Shoreditch back in 2013. I had no idea what to expect apart from eating something spicy, but I was definitely not prepared for that experience! It is still by far the best Indian food I ever had in England AND on the top of this, it’s a super cool place to hang out with your friends. I’ve gone back there several times since then with friends or my partner and every single time it was an amazing experience! So if you would like to try Indian food and don’t know where to go: look no further! Just bear in mind there are always queues for dinner and it usually takes around 45min to get seated, but I promise you it will be worth the wait!
Since 2013, they opened 5 restaurants in London and they are all amazing! I prefer the one in Shoreditch just because it was the first I went to and I am a creature of habit, but if you need something more central try the one near King’s Cross or near Oxford Circus and don’t forget to order the cheese naan and the chicken tikka!
Number 3 – Tate Modern
I know! It’s super clichê, but I guess you guys would expect to see it here since I love museums! When I lived in Brazil I always dreamed of visiting Tate (both Tate Modern and Britain) and when I finally did, it did not disappoint me. I first visited in 2013 and in 2015, thanks to my masters, I had classes at Tate Britain learning from the very best professionals for an entire semester! It is a strange feeling every time I go back there since I feel like I know too much about that place now. But anyway, going back to Tate Modern, you will need to reserve at least 2h to see the public collection plus their special exhibition. However, if money is short, the permanent collection is free and will leave you inspired for days! They have everything you can think of and the building itself is something to be admired. Last year, they had an extension so now there are two huge buildings – which means more things to do! Don’t miss the Louise Borgeouis Room in the new Switch House and the view from the terrace! And if possible, try to avoid weekends as it can be very crowded!
If you love modern art then this the museum for you!
Number 4 – Camden Town
Now, you must be thinking I am crazy putting Camden on the list. Yes, it is dirty, yes, everyone is on drugs on the high street, yes, I saw rats bigger than rabbits in that place BUT it is still one of my favourite parts of the city!
I don’t know, maybe it’s because Camden is such a big part of my life in London. I first stayed there when my husband lived in Camden and I was within a few minutes walk from Camden Market, I got married at the Camden Council, I got a job at the Jewish Museum London which is also in Camden…the list goes on. All I know is that I learned to love that place and the feeling of knowing where to go for a cheap kebab or for a good pint makes me feel a local sometimes.
Camden has this really cool and VERY touristic market which we all heard about. It is worth going on a sunny day to drink near the canal and enjoy the atsmophere and the food market, but be prepared for the other thousands of people trying to Instagram everything! When you are done, on the same high street, just 10 min walk (near Koko) you have a secret gallery called DRAF. I called it secret because unless you know what you are looking for you won’t find it (trust me, I passed by it several times before I realised it was there!). They have really cool exhibitions and if you are on the mood afterwards, you can head to the pub. Camden has 4324324324 pubs, but if you are a tourist why no try Amy Winehouse’s favourite The Hawley Arms?. If you got drunk and want to keep going then Camden at night can be loads of fun! From underground clubs such as Black Heart for the rock’n roll lovers to the dance/techno/doesntmatterimdrunk club Koko, there is something for everyone! Damn, I love you, Camden!
Number 5 – South London
I thought a lot about the place I would write about in number 5 but couldn’t pick anything specifically because I love South London as a whole. So here it is, my last but not the least favourite place in London is….South London! There are so many places I love in the area and that I want to share with my friends that in fact, I think it would be better to write an entire post about the things to do here! But since this is just a top 5, I am going to mention a few of the amazing places South London has to offer. Starting with Horniman Museum & Gardens a museum that has welcomed me from the very beginning, first as a volunteer and later as staff, there is always something fun to see or to do at Horniman. Not only the museum is incredible but the gardens are also beautiful. In 2016, they even had a Brazilian summer with square ball dance and Brazilian food! The museum is also free so if you are in the area you have to visit!
Very close to the museum, you have my favourite neighbourhood: East Dulwich. It is a bit like Hampstead but with more diversity. They have small pubs and shops so the all thing looks like a village. There is also the Dulwich Picture Gallery where I saw Richard Ayoade standing next to me once and tried really hard to pretend I was cool about it!
Also nearby, we have Peckham, which is more like East London: very mixed, a bit dirty but super fun! I loooove going to the really cheap but totally worth it cinema Pechhamplex or just go for a good night out in the area. It’s becoming a bit hipster now with some cool pubs and restaurants so keep it in mind!
Finally, because this post is getting too long and no one is going to read it, I’m just going to quickly mention Brixton, as another option of fun night out in South London and Greenwich for THE BEST PIE OF MY LIFE and my favourite pizza in London followed by an overprice but perfect for a date night cinema.
That is it for now! I hope you enjoy my recommendations. 🙂