London: Art, Culture & Classic Sights 04–05 June 2026
This was my third visit to London, and I wanted to do something different this time: visit the Tate Modern (which I hadn’t seen before) and squeeze in a Muay Thai training session at a local gym.
Hotel & Arrival
I stayed at the Ibis Blackfriars Hotel — nothing fancy, but it offered an excellent bed and a super convenient location for the price of just CHF 150 per night. One of the best-value stays I’ve had in London.
From Heathrow (LHR), I took the Elizabeth Line + Tube and reached the hotel in about 45 minutes for roughly 20 USD — way cheaper and almost as fast as a taxi or Uber.
Day 1: Tate Modern & Relaxed Vibes
I walked around 20,000 steps both days — London is perfect for that. On the first day I headed straight to the Tate Modern. It’s an impressive museum with a fantastic collection of modern and contemporary art. Highly recommended if you haven’t been yet.
I had lunch at the Tate Modern Restaurant — the food was surprisingly good and the service excellent, though prices are on the higher side (as expected in such a location).
In the evening I went for dinner at Rosa’s Thai, a really solid Thai restaurant I already knew from Dubai. The food was excellent and felt like a nice homecoming taste.
Safety note: The hotel staff warned me about phone snatchers and to keep my phone away, but I carried it openly the whole time and never had any issues. Over two full days walking around central London, I felt perfectly safe.
Day 2: Classic London Sightseeing
The second day was all about the classics:
- National Gallery (always worth a visit)
- Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament area
- Harrods for a quick wander
For lunch I grabbed a tasty burger at Shake Shack, and I had dinner on the plane back home in Business Class (thanks to miles!).
Final Thoughts
Even on a short 2-day stop, London delivered. The combination of world-class museums, great food options from all over the world, and efficient public transport makes it easy to have a fulfilling visit. The Ibis Blackfriars was a smart, budget-friendly choice in a great location.
Would I recommend this style of trip? Yes — London is always worth returning to. Whether it’s for new museums like the Tate Modern, training sessions, or just hitting the classics, the city never disappoints. Just walk a lot, use public transport, and you’ll have a great time without breaking the bank.
See below Fotos AND Videos after!
