Is London Really Worth Visiting? My Brutally Honest Review 🇬🇧

London is a city I know inside out. I grew up there for 25 years before moving to Spain, and every time I go back, I see it with slightly different eyes. So today, instead of reviewing a far‑flung destination, I’m turning the spotlight on my own hometown - the good, the bad, and the very British.

If you’re thinking about visiting London, this breakdown should help you decide whether it’s the right trip for you.

📍 Location & Accessibility

London is huge - and you can hear it in the accents alone. Someone from Southeast London sounds completely different from someone in the North or West. But despite its size, the transport system is genuinely impressive.

You’ve got buses, the Tube, the DLR, Overground trains… and they all work brilliantly until it snows. Thankfully, that’s rare.

Score: 4/5
(One point deducted for the infamous “leaves on the track” chaos.)

🔐 A Quick Note on Safety: Protect Your Cards in London

If you’re visiting London, you really do need to be mindful of your belongings. Pickpocketing isn’t extreme, but it does happen - especially in busy areas like Oxford Street, Camden, or on packed Tube lines. One thing people often forget to protect is their credit and debit cards.

That’s why carrying something like the Blackout RFID Blocking Card (2 Pack)

It is genuinely useful. It’s ultra‑thin, sits inside your wallet, and helps prevent wireless skimming. You don’t feel it, you don’t notice it - but it adds a layer of protection that’s worth having in a city as crowded as London.

💸 Cost of Living: Accommodation, Food & Transport

Let’s be honest: London is expensive. Painfully expensive.

Every time I return to visit friends and family, I’m shocked at the price of drinks - even non‑alcoholic beer can cost more than £5. Accommodation isn’t any kinder. Hotels will have you questioning your life choices.

Transport? Reliable, yes. Affordable? Absolutely not.

Can you eat cheaply? Sure - if you plan ahead, research, and make use of supermarkets.

Score: 2/5

💧 Staying Hydrated While Exploring London

London involves a lot of walking - and between the Tube, the parks, and the endless sightseeing, having water on you makes a huge difference. A solid reusable bottle saves money too, especially in a city where drinks can be surprisingly pricey.

Something like the Sparrow Insulated Water Bottle.

It’s leakproof, keeps your water cold for hours, and comes in multiple sizes depending on how much you want to carry. The flip‑flow straw lid also makes it easy to sip on the go without stopping.

One important tip: if you’re flying into London, remember to empty your bottle before going through airport security. You can fill it up again on the other side - most airports now have free water stations, and London itself has plenty of refill points once you’re out exploring.

🌿 Environment, Cleanliness & Natural Beauty

London covers a massive area - the third largest in Europe after Paris and Istanbul. That means you’ll find everything from spotless streets to areas that feel… less polished.

Stick to central London and you’ll notice how clean it is. But natural beauty? Not so much. London is mostly a concrete jungle, though the parks are lovely and the countryside just an hour away is genuinely stunning.

Score: 3/5

🌧️ Weather (Brace Yourself)

This section makes me laugh because I truly despise London weather. Cloudy, windy, rainy, and consistently gloomy - even in summer.

Some people love cool, grey weather. I am not one of them.

London’s weather has a mind of its own. One minute it’s sunny, the next it’s raining sideways - and if you’re spending the day exploring, getting caught without an umbrella is almost guaranteed at some point.

A compact, reliable option like the Mr. Pen Windproof Travel Umbrella.

It is perfect for navigating the city. It’s lightweight, opens automatically, and handles those sudden gusts London is famous for. It fits easily into a backpack or even a jacket pocket, so you’re never stuck sprinting for shelter.

If you’re visiting London, this is one of those small items that makes your trip noticeably smoother.

Back to the review.

Score: 1/5

🍽️ Culinary Experience: Variety & Quality

People love to say British food is bad. They’re wrong - at least in London.

London is a melting pot of cultures, languages, and cuisines. You can find incredible British, Indian, Chinese, Italian, Middle Eastern, Japanese, Thai, French, Spanish, Vietnamese… and even amazing Latin American food (Elephant & Castle, I’m looking at you).

The competition between restaurants and markets keeps quality high. Shame about the price.

Score: 5/5

🤝 Local Hospitality & Customer Service

Londoners aren’t known for being warm and fuzzy. They’re direct, down‑to‑earth, and not overly chatty. Customer service follows the same pattern - polite, but not performative.

Personally, I like that. You always know where you stand.

Score: 4/5
(Stick to central areas for the best experience.)

🚨 Safety & Security

This is where things get complicated.

During the day - especially in central London - you’ll be fine. Police presence is decent, and most areas are safe for tourists.

But compared to Madrid, or even Valencia, where I live, London feels noticeably less safe. Knife crime is a real issue, and I’ve had uncomfortable experiences on public transport, including witnessing aggressive behaviour.

Emergency services, however, are excellent: knowledgeable, patient, and deserving of far more funding.

Score: 3/5

💭 Overall Experience

London will always be special to me. It’s where I grew up, and I’m proud of that. It’s not perfect - far from it - but it’s rich in history, diversity, and food.

And if you have time, explore the countryside outside the city. You might fall in love with it.

Score: 4/5

⭐ Final Rating: 26/40 - GOOD

London is an enjoyable destination, and yes, I do recommend visiting.
Just remember to pack your raincoat… even in summer.