One of the most visited cities in the world with its deep rooted culture and arts institutions and well preserved historical texture, London is a favorite destination for not only culture travelers but also those who appreciate good food and shopping. Everyone has a different outlook on England. London’s black cabs, red double-decker busses, characteristic phone booths, traditional pubs and the famous British dark beer are among the symbols that first come to mind when talking about England. Named as “The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland” or simply the United Kingdom, the union encompasses more than 10 micro-nations such as Gibraltar, Bermuda, Falkland, Turks and Caicos Islands in addition to Northern Ireland and Great Britain which is composed of England, Wales and Scotland. United Kingdom’s total population is 61 million. Out of the 51 million living in England, 8.3 million live in London. London is the capital city of not only England but also the whole United Kingdom and used to dominate over a much larger territory in the past as the capital of the “empire on which the sun never sets.” SINCE THE ROMANS… The city, which was first established 2000 years ago by the Romans at the banks of Thames River, is receiving more than 30 million tourists every year. The historical castle known as the Tower of London and the adjacent Tower Bridge are the best places to step in the historical atmosphere of London. At the tower, which was once the home of the royal family, one can experience the splendor of jewel encrusted royal crown together with the horror of torture chambers. When looking at the city center from çektirthe city’s landmark Tower Bridge, the high dome of St. Paul Cathedral catches the eye. This 14th century sanctuary is just a few minutes’ walk away from the bridge. This historical cathedral which has miraculously survived the bombardments during the WWII can also be reached from the opposite side of Thames River by walking across the elegant Millennium Bridge for pedestrians. Another famous monument is the obelisk with British Admiral Nelson’s sculpture on top at Trafalgar Square, a main meeting point in the city similar to İstanbul’s Taksim. London’s landmark Parliament Building and the adjacent Big Ben clock tower and Buckingham Palace are all located in Westminster district by the River Thames. “Downing 10”, the resident of the Prime Minister that is named after the address it is located and the famous Westminster Abbey are also among the highlights of Westminster district just like Big Ben and the Parliament. THE PRIME MERIDIAN London’s most famous Hyde Park with its world renowned “speakers’ corner” and the neighboring Marble Arch district are also among the popular places in town. In addition to Hyde Park and Regent’s Park which is also home to London Zoo, the somewhat smaller Green Park just across Buckingham Palace and St. James Park are among the city’s essential recreational areas. So while in London, don’t forget to come to Greenwich Park, visit the Royal Observatory which is located atop the highest hill of the park. Here you can have your picture taken at the “0 meridian” line and receive your certificate. Greenwich is also home to London’s prominent “National Maritime Museum”. Tate Modern Green THE CAPITAL OF MUSEUMS It would not be wrong to say that London is the capital city of the world’s museums. The British Museum with an impressively large collection of artifacts from prehistoric ages to date, the Natural History Museum where you can see all the phases the world has gone through since the Big Bang and the Museum of London which is one of the best examples of the concept of city museums can all be visited free of charge. Home to a large number of museums including the Postal Museum, Science Museum, Geology Museum, Darwin Museum and Planetarium, London also offers a variety of museums designed for tourists such as Tussaud’s Wax Museum which is located just next to the Planetarium, Sherlock Holmes Museum in the London Dungeon and “Believe It or Not Museum” in Picadilly Circus which replaced the old Museum of Guiness Records. The National Gallery with a large collection of more than 2000 paintings from every school of art and the adjacent National Portrait Gallery, Saatchi Gallery and County Hall in neighboring historical buildings, and two large galleries of Tate are the art sanctuaries of London which attract as much attention as the city’s museums. Opened in 1897 Tate Britain features a collection of classical art works while Tate Modern which was opened in a renovated power plant in 2000 presents contemporary art collections. LEGENDARY MUSICALS AND THEATER You can either opt for the best seats which are generally sold out months before the actual performance or buy last minute budget seats for legendary musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Cats, The Lion King, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia that continue to be staged for decades. Among London’s world class art centers, Barbican Centre and Sounth Bank Centre appeal to classical music lovers while the modern halls of national Theater just next to South Bank and the historical atmosphere of Shakespeare’s 400 years old Globe Theater attract theater enthusiasts. You must definitely attend an event at Royal Albert Hall; don’t forget no London trip is complete without seeing an opera or a musical!