With the games fast approaching, travellers will be busy planning their itineraries with an extensive list of London’s most popular tourist attractions and must-sees. However, sightseeing can quickly turn into a costly process when you add the entrance fees, ticketing charges and transport.
Flight Centre has put together their top tips to keep travellers busy in London, without breaking the bank!
Marathon & road cycling races
The marathon events and road cycling races during the games don’t require tickets and can be watched for free. Taking place in early August, both events begin and finish on The Mall – near Buckingham Palace. Grab your fix of sporting history without the hefty price tag.
St Paul’s Cathedral & Westminster Abbey
Both are huge attractions in London and are known to welcome visitors to their evensong services free of charge. This is a great opportunity to witness the amazing architecture on display, not to mention a chance to marvel at the beauty where Kate and Wills tied the knot.
Changing the Guard
Get your hit of royal tradition with a visit to Windsor, you can watch the guards as they march up High Street and into the castle, free of charge. To witness the actual ‘changing’ ceremony, you must pay the entry fee for the castle.
Markets
Camden and Portobello markets offer everything from antiques to fresh produce and are a must for anyone who enjoys wandering between stalls. For all the foodies out there, head to Borough Market. It’s one of the top attractions south of the river with a huge range of everything edible.
Art Galleries
National art galleries, Tate Modern and Tate Britain offer free entry except for special exhibitions. Open daily with free guided tours and interactive zones, this is a fantastic way to spend a rainy day.
The former has a collection of 60,000 works and a café offering wonderful views of the Thames, while the latter offers one-hour thematic tours and 15 minute talks on painters and paintings.
Browse the aisles at Harrods
The world’s most famous department store stretches over seven floors and 330 departments - you can get lost in Harrods for hours. The infamous food hall alone is enough to keep you occupied. We recommend picking up a few nibbles, packing your own picnic and heading to the park for a leisurely afternoon.
Live coverage at Hyde Park, Victoria Park & Trafalgar Square
With giant screens, state-of-the-art technology and concert-quality sound systems, these public sites with be among the best places to watch the games with your family and friends.
As well as promising live coverage, there will be ‘have a go’ sports sessions, music and outdoor arts and entertainment.