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Hayley on Holiday

20 Things To Do in Los Angeles, California

May 25, 2017 in California, North America, USA
Things to do in LA: visit Manhattan Beach

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here.

After visiting on more than one occasion, here are my recommendations for the best things to do in LA.

Los Angeles is undeniably a big city and there are hundreds of things to do in LA. During my first visit I stuck to the Hollywood neighbourhood and did tours to fulfil my celebrity stalking needs. Take two, I visited with two friends. Although I am normally a solo traveller, I did prefer being with friends in Los Angeles. We were able to take Uber and Lyft rides across the city for reasonable prices when divided by three. If I was alone, there were many things I inevitably would have missed out on, as it would have been too expensive to go solo.

Anyway, between the two trips, I’ve ticked off a lot of items on my Los Angeles bucket list. But if you need some inspiration for things to do in LA, here are a few ideas to get you started. I think our itinerary was pretty perfect; the only thing missing was a day at Disney. Next time!

Here are the other cities I recommend visiting alone in the US

Where to stay in LA

Both times in LA I have stayed at the Banana Bungalow hostels: in Hollywood and West Hollywood. I think the West Hollywood location was better this time for seeing other sights. Both hostels, however, do have fun nightly events. There are free dinners and drinks, comedy shows, shuttles to nightclubs and so much more. Here are more luxurious LA accommodation options, if that’s more your style.

Things to do in LA: visit Venice

General LA travel tips

As I mentioned, we did take the bus to Hollywood a couple of times from our West Hollywood hostel, but other than that we relied on Uber and Lyft. Being able to open three accounts helped with discounts, and I don’t think we spent more than $8 each on a ride. A lot of them were under $5 each. This is crazy when you think that the drive from West Hollywood to Manhattan Beach was about 50 minutes one way. Highly recommend using these services to go EVERYWHERE in LA.

The best things to do in LA

1. Visit LACMA

The free light installation at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) was one of my favourite things to do in LA. I recommend visiting at dusk, to get photos with the lights on and off. We spent a long time taking photos here, but we did get some gems. Please see my new profile photo on the right there 😁.

Things to do in LA: visit LACMA

2. Head to Santa Monica Pier

It may be one of the most cliché things to do in LA, but I do like Santa Monica Pier. You don’t have to spend a lot of time here. Just walk up the pier and see the sights, like the colourful Ferris wheel and Route 66 marker.

Things to do in LA: visit Santa Monica

3. Walk from Santa Monica to Venice along the boardwalk

Although most people do ride between the two beaches, we did it on foot. I didn’t mind because it meant I could take more photos, and it was such a nice day for a walk (says the girl who got majorly sunburnt). Venice Boardwalk is tacky, as most locals will tell you. BUT, just saying, the Venice Beach jumpers that are sold in many of the stores are SO soft. I have bought one both times and it’s like walking around in pyjamas. You can read about my love for it here 😂.

Things to do in LA: walk from Santa Monica to Venice

4. Check out Abbot Kinney Boulevard

I read about this street before heading to LA, and people were calling it one of the hippest streets in the United States. It’s lined with local restaurants and independent boutiques. We had lunch at Abbot Pizza Company and it didn’t disappoint.

Los Angeles restaurants and takeaway: Abbot's Pizza Company

5. Do a photoshoot at the Venice Canals

I really enjoyed wandering through the Venice Canals area. It was a great place to take photos and admire the cute canal houses. I also had major Valentine’s Day flashbacks.

Things to do in LA: visit the Venice Canals

6. Devour some Korean BBQ

This meal was another LA highlight for me. It was a reasonable price for the amount of meat we devoured, and the staff were all very attentive. We went to Oo-Kook in Koreatown, but there are many places to choose from.

Los Angeles restaurants: Oo-Kook Korean BBQ

7. Walk down Hollywood Boulevard

It may be suffocated by tourists, but I don’t think you can come to LA without at least seeing the Walk of Fame. We spent just over an hour walking down the boulevard, ducking into a couple of shops (MUJI!) and getting some photos. That’s all you need.

Things to do in LA: visit Hollywood Boulevard

Read all about my first Hollywood experience

8. See a show at El Capitan Theatre

We had the best night at El Capitan Theatre. We bought our tickets a day earlier for Beauty and the Beast, a sing-a-long version. The attendant was so friendly and gave us prime seats for a discount. There were displays inside of the original costumes worn by Belle and the Beast; a Swarovski crystal curtain; and a confetti cannon to begin the show. I really enjoyed being able to sing along with the movie, as all lyrics were displayed at the bottom of the screen. It’s a beautiful theatre though, so definitely check if there’s something happening when you visit.

9. Visit Grand Central Market

Before visiting Los Angeles, I had heard that the downtown area was experiencing a bit of a resurgence. We did walk around the Arts District and that area still seemed quite underdeveloped, but Grand Central Market was a popular spot for lunch. We tried Eggslut for lunch and McConnell’s Ice Cream for dessert. But after looking at all of the different places, I don’t think you could have a bad meal here. Apparently, there’s a delectable barbecue spot too. Okay, I’ll stop now, but add Grand Central Market to your things to do in LA list.

Where to eat in LA: Eggslut in Grand Central Market

10. Do a tour

During my first trip to Los Angeles, I did a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, a celebrity house tour and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour (I know, what a tourist). The hop-on/off tour was great for me as a solo traveller, as I was able to see a lot in one day. It would have cost me a lot of time and money to see all of the same sights without the bus. The best thing about the house tour was our guide and being able to explore other parts of LA, like Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills.


Things to do in LA: Sunset from Griffith Observatory in LA, California

11. See the sunset from Griffith Observatory

Living out our La La Land fantasies, sans Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. But the view from Griffith Observatory is impressive and one of the best things to do in LA. You can see the Hollywood Sign and the sprawling city. I do recommend sunset as you can get those golden hour photos, as well as capture LA glowing at night. But it can be cold up there, so definitely remember your jacket.

Things to do in LA: visit Griffith Observatory at sunset

12. Eat some tacos from Leo’s Taco Truck

Is there anything better than $1.25 tacos? The answer is no. Leo’s Taco Truck has locations around LA, but we visited the truck on Sunset Boulevard after the observatory. It’s nothing special – located in a parking lot with some plastic seating – but the pork and chicken tacos were absolutely delicious.

Here are all of the amazing things we ate in LA

13. Spend the day at Manhattan Beach

Through some blogger research, I realised that the best beaches in LA were outside of the city. So we headed out to Manhattan Beach to spend some time in the sun. Although the water was freezing, the beach was perfect. I was able to huddle in the shade under the pier and comfortably read my book. There are plenty of restaurants near the beach (I recommend Brewco) and walking along the pier leads to some beautiful photos. I’m glad we got to see another beach besides Venice.

Things to do in LA: visit Manhattan Beach

14. Go clubbing in Hollywood

On our last night, we went to Tigerheat at Avalon Nightclub. We recommend purchasing your tickets online beforehand. The drinks inside were insanely expensive, but I do love to dance, and we danced for over two hours straight. My friend even won a prize!

15. Eat In-N-Out

You bet this made the list. Just like visiting LA and needing to see Hollywood, you can’t go to California and not stop by In-N-Out. I now understand why people are obsessed with this place because the burgers were better than their counterparts. I also love the fun palm tree prints.

Where to Eat in LA: In-n-Out

16. Geek out at Warner Bros. Studios

I mentioned this briefly above, but this is definitely one of my favourite things to do in LA. I loved being able to go behind the scenes and see what it takes to create TV shows. On my Warner Bros. Studio Tour back in 2013, we had a preview of an upcoming episode of Pretty Little Liars; saw sets from 2 Broke Girls; sat on the Friends couch, and visited the houses from the Gilmore Girls. If you’re a TV show fanatic like myself, I highly recommend a visit.

17. Street art spot down Melrose Avenue

We had an hour to spare before heading to the airport on our last day, so we went for a walk down Melrose Avenue to take photos in front of all the street art. Between Harper and Fairfax Avenue there’s the Made in LA wall, the infamous Paul Smith pink wall, and a couple of other random displays along the way.

Street art along Melrose Avenue in LA, California

18. Shop at The Grove and Farmers Market

The Grove is a great place to shop and celebrity spot in LA (besides Brentwood Country Mart). It’s next door to the Farmers Market. I love Cost Plus World Market and the Barnes and Noble here is massive.

19. Window shop on Rodeo Drive

I mean, if you have the cash to splash then don’t worry about the windows. But for the rest of us, perhaps just stick to wandering down picturesque Rodeo Drive.

Things to do in LA: visit LACMA

20. Be in the audience of one of your favourite shows

Note to self – organise tickets to be in the audience of Ellen before you get to LA. Check out this post by TripSavvy for information and links to all of the shows in LA that have studio audiences.

Things I’m yet to do in LA

There aren’t too many things left on my Los Angeles bucket list. But I would like to visit Malibu, go to Disney or Universal Studios, and well, eat a lot more food 💁🏻‍♀️.

In case you missed it, here’s a link to my foodie guide to LA!

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Hi 👋🏻. I’m Hayley, an Australian who’s been solo travelling around the world for 10 years. 40+ countries and two working holidays in Canada later, Hayley on Holiday is my one-stop resource for solo and budget travel. I hope it inspires you to take the leap and explore this wonderful world we live in.

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Places to visit in Australia: Mount Wellington in Hobart, Tasmania

The 10 Best Places to Visit Alone in Australia

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here. I’m back with another solo travel-focused post today. This time, we’re talking about my favourite solo travel destinations in Australia for solo weekend getaways. Here are my recommendations for the best places to visit in Australia alone. My solo travels are not limited to overseas destinations. Yes, I’ve travelled solo across Europe and North America. But I’ve also visited many Australian cities alone as well. Don’t be daunted by solo travel in Australia, because I guarantee you can have a great time Down Under with or without a travel companion. Based on my personal experience (and wishlist), here are the best places to visit in Australia alone. Can you tell I’m a Queenslander? 😂   Note: Australia is a big country and most people will recommend hiring a vehicle to see all the best sights: from cute country towns to cosmopolitan cities. However, I chose these Australian solo travel destinations as you can visit them without hiring a car and still have an unforgettable vacation. The best places to visit in Australia for solo travellers 1. Melbourne Let’s start with my current home, Melbourne. Thanks to the immense amount of things to do and its great public transport network, I believe Melbourne is one of the best places to visit in Australia if travelling alone. However, I would recommend spending more than just a solo weekend here. Some of my favourite things to do in Melbourne include visiting St Kilda, having brunch and a browse of the boutiques in Fitzroy, spotting street art in the CBD and going for walks through the city’s many gardens. You also shouldn’t leave Melbourne without doing a trip along the Great Ocean Road. I did an organised tour a few years ago and thought it was excellent. Where to stay in Melbourne: I have a post on where to stay in Melbourne. But my parents have stayed at the Atlantis – great location, good price and comfortable beds. I also recently stayed at Space Hotel, which has dorms and private rooms. The central hostel is fantastic and has a rooftop deck, lounge and gym. I’ll be back on return visits to Melbourne for sure. Read more: Where to eat in Melbourne, free things to do and general things to do, where to take the best photos and other day trips to check out. 2. Magnetic Island This may be a surprise entry, but I had to include Magnetic Island on this list of solo weekend getaways in Australia. Located a 20-minute ferry ride from my hometown, Townsville, this is where my parents live. It’s one of the best solo travel destinations in Australia because it’s made for tourists. With public buses and two great hostels located in different bays, Magnetic Island is one of the best places to visit in Australia if you’re travelling alone. On Magnetic Island, I recommend doing the Forts Walk, seeing the sunset at Horseshoe Bay, feeding the rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay and swimming at Alma Bay. You can get to Townsville by flying or taking the Greyhound bus from two other destinations on this list: Cairns and Airlie Beach. The bus even drops you directly at the ferry terminal – now that’s convenience 😉. Where to stay on Magnetic Island: Bungalow Bay or Base are the two hostels I mentioned. Bungalow Bay is probably my favourite though, purely because it’s located in Horseshoe Bay. Read more: Things to do on Magnetic Island, favourite photo locations and where to find koalas. 3. Sydney Ah, Melbourne’s rival and Australia’s biggest city. Sydney is another one of Australia’s best solo travel destinations. Although I think Melbourne has more things to do, Sydney does have the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach. However, I found that it takes longer to get places in Sydney when using public transport, so be prepared. You can get the bus to Bondi and do the Bondi to Bronte Walk. Then you can hop on the train to Instagram’s favourite place: The Grounds of Alexandria. Where to stay in Sydney: Can we talk about the epic views from both Bondi Backpackers and Sydney Harbour YHA?! They’re also top-rated on Hostelworld, which is what matters most to me. Read more: Fun things to do in Sydney As you’ll see with these places to visit in Australia, I only recommend hostels for solo travellers. Read this post for my top hostel tips and check out this post for great ways to meet people when travelling alone. 4. Hobart I know Hobart isn’t the first place you think of visiting on a solo weekend getaway in Australia. But if you have the time, it’s a short flight from Melbourne and a totally different city. It’s home to beautiful architecture, Australia’s most unique museum and some delicious food. I recommend visiting Mount Wellington, getting up close to Aussie animals at Bonorong Sanctuary and wandering around Salamanca. Where to stay in Hobart: I stayed at The Pickled Frog and wouldn’t recommend staying anywhere else. They offer free day trips to MONA and Mount Wellington, and the hostel is conveniently located in the CBD. Read more: A visit to Mount Wellington, top things to do and where to eat in Hobart. 5. Cairns So Cairns is located a five-hour drive north of Townsville (the two cities have been frenemies forever). Thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, it’s the fourth most-visited destination in Australia. Because it’s such a tourist hotspot, Cairns is also one of the best places to visit in Australia when travelling solo. The city centre is compact and easily walkable, and there are plenty of tours available. Top attractions near Cairns include Port Douglas, Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, Kuranda and Fitzroy Island. You could easily spend a week enjoying Cairns and its surrounds. Where to stay in Cairns: I’ve stayed at Gilligan’s before for a friend’s 21st and it’s […]

Lake Bled, a great day trip from Ljubljana.

My Top Picks For The 21 Best Places To Travel Alone In Europe

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here. Looking for the best places to travel alone in Europe? Well, you’re in the right place. Keep scrolling to discover the best cities in Europe for solo travel and my recommendations for the safest places to travel alone in Europe. So far I’ve published posts on the best places to travel alone in Australia and the United States. Hence it’s now time to turn my attention towards Europe. Altogether, I’ve spent approximately six months travelling solo across Europe and in that time I’ve visited (and revisited) many amazing cities. So, from my personal solo travel experience, here are 21 of the best places to travel alone in Europe.  I base whether a city is a good place to visit alone in Europe on a few elements. This includes good public transport and easy navigation, hostel options, a variety of activities you can do alone and friendly locals.  Before we begin, make sure you check out these two informative guides: top tips for travelling alone in Europe and my Europe budget travel tips.  Best places to travel alone in Europe 1. Dublin I flew into Dublin after visiting family in Bristol and my initial thought was, this city is BUSY. But besides the crowds, Dublin is one of the best cities in Europe for solo travel for multiple reasons. This includes the fact you can easily walk between most attractions or catch public transport. I only caught two buses: one from the airport and the other to the train station. Dublin is also overflowing with hostels and fun things to do. I recommend doing a free walking tour (how unusual), visiting the Chester Beatty Library, having a picnic lunch in St Stephen’s Green and going on a Dublin doors excursion.  Where to stay in Dublin: Abbey Court Hostel, which has pros and cons. Pros: central location and large common area. Cons: small eight-bed dorms and tiny ensuite bathroom. Related Dublin posts: 20 things to do in Dublin and my Ireland/Northern Ireland itinerary for solo travellers. 2. Amsterdam I’ve said this before, but when I first visited Amsterdam at the ripe old age of 18, it was overwhelming. I was overwhelmed by the eccentrically-dressed locals, the smell of pot in the air and by our eye-opening adventures into the Red Light District at night. But when I returned 10 years later, it felt like I was visiting a different city entirely. Amsterdam is now firmly one of my favourite European destinations and it also happens to be one of the best places to travel alone in Europe. With friendly locals, good public transport options and many walkable districts, I highly recommend visiting Amsterdam as a solo traveller. Where to stay in Amsterdam: Generator Amsterdam, which again had pros and cons. Pros: modern facilities in a scenic park setting. Cons: expensive and located about a 30-minute walk from the city centre.  Related Amsterdam posts: My three-day guide to Amsterdam and where (and what) to eat in Amsterdam. Omg, that post makes me want a fresh stroopwafel immediately. 3. London Ah, lovely London. I don’t feel the need to live in London like so many fellow Aussies, but it’s one of my favourites cities in Europe to visit. I love that I’ve been there multiple times, yet I still have things to tick off my London bucket list. As one of the best cities in Europe for solo travel, spend your time visiting museums, having lunch at its many marketplaces, strolling through its colourful neighbourhoods and shopping along Oxford Street, of course. I also highly suggest seeing a show on the West End. I went to two matinees on my recent visit to London and my row alone was made up of multiple people seeing the musical alone. Where to stay in London: I’ve stayed at Wombats multiple times and it’s fantastic. Good common areas, kitchen facilities, an onsite bar with nightly activities, and modern rooms. I also stayed one night at Astor Victoria because it was close to the Victoria Coach Station, but it had nothing on Wombats. Related London posts: My solo traveller’s guide to London, an Oxford day trip from London and London at Christmas. 4. Copenhagen Copenhagen is definitely one of the most expensive cities to visit alone in Europe. Nevertheless, it’s a great city for solo female travellers. There are plenty of hostels to choose from, a long list of things to do and the friendliest locals. From the talkative guy behind the counter in 7/11 to the supermarket clerk, everyone politely switched to English without hesitation.  Where to stay in Copenhagen: Urban House Copenhagen by Meininger was expensive, but the dorm rooms were modern and large with plush beds. There’s also a kitchen, multiple common areas and you’re walking distance from many of Copenhagen’s main attractions. Related Copenhagen post: My budget travel guide to Copenhagen and if you’re interested in a Malmö day trip, check out this post. 5. Belfast Belfast may be one of the most surprising cities on this list of the best places to travel alone in Europe. However, I really enjoyed my weekend in the city. I did a day trip to Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and spent the following day seeing the sights and joining an eye-opening political walking tour. This is my top pick for things to do in Belfast if you want to learn more about the city’s history.  Belfast isn’t the city that instantly comes to mind when thinking about the safest places to travel alone in Europe. But I felt comfortable walking around the sleepy city centre during the day and along the main street at night to get back to my hostel. I didn’t know what to expect in Belfast as I’d previously heard mixed reviews, but I highly recommend visiting if you’re travelling alone in Europe and the UK. Where to stay in Belfast: Vagabonds, a very […]

Enjoying the view at Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida in Bali, Indonesia

The Ultimate Bali Solo Travel Guide – What You Need To Know Before You Visit Bali Alone

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here. As someone who’s visited Bali, Indonesia on multiple occasions (both with my family and as a solo female traveller), here is my top advice for solo travel in Bali. Keep reading to discover the best places to visit in Bali for solo travellers and the top things to do in Bali alone. Hi, my name is Hayley and I miss Bali. But seeing as we can’t travel there right now, the next best thing (for me, anyway) is to write about it. I’ve visited Bali on several occasions and last year I stayed for a whole month (and didn’t get sick 🙌🏻). Bali will always be one of my favourite places and it’s already been the focus of quite a few blog posts. But I thought I would talk about Bali from a solo female traveller’s perspective today. With detailed information on the best places to visit, things to do in Bali alone and general travel tips, this is the only travel guide you’ll need to read before you solo travel in Bali. General solo travel in Bali tips Firstly, I want to direct you to this post, as it covers all of my top Bali travel tips. But here are some additional tips, specifically in regards to solo travel in Bali. Getting around Bali as a solo traveller Arriving at the airport You’ll undoubtedly be arriving in Bali via plane. The airport has gotten a lovely renovation in recent years (I still have fond memories of the previous airport). Nonetheless, once you step outside you will be overwhelmingly greeted by hundreds of locals holding signs that display different names. Most accommodation in Bali will offer to organise airport transport for you. I take them up on the offer as it’s the easiest option, especially when you’re arriving in a foreign country late at night. Alternatively, you can visit the taxi desk at the airport. Day to day transport As for day to day transport, if you feel comfortable renting a scooter, it’s one of the most popular options. There are locals renting scooters everywhere in Bali, which shouldn’t set you back more than 60,000 IRP per day. However, if you want to hire a scooter I recommend organising an international driver’s licence before you leave your home country. Personally, I rely on walking and Blue Bird taxis as a solo traveller in Bali. Blue Bird has an app, but I’d just walk and wait for one to appear on the main road. Once you arrive in Bali you’ll understand what I mean. The Balinese streets are overwhelmingly filled with a lovely combination of scooters, cars and taxis. Now, Blue Bird is the best company because all taxis have meters for the most affordable rate. If you hop into a different taxi, the driver may try to barter with you or “forget” to turn the meter on and no one has time for that. Uber and Grab are also present in Bali, but drivers are prohibited from entering many of the main tourist areas. As for public transport, the only option is the Kura-Kura public shuttle bus service. It travels between Bali’s most popular tourist attractions and destinations. I’ve never used this bus network, but I have seen them travelling around Bali. Travelling around Bali alone On my last solo trip to Bali, I also travelled from Kuta to Ubud and back again. In the first instance, I got my family’s driver to drive me as I wanted to stop at a few different places along the way. He’s fantastic, isn’t pushy like some drivers and speaks great English. If you’d like his details, let me know. On the other hand, from Ubud to Kuta I paid 60,000 IRP to travel on a shuttle bus with other people backpacking Bali alone. I just booked it at the travel desk outside my homestay in Ubud. If you’re a fellow budget traveller, this is a good option.  Money tips When I visit Bali, I travel with my Citibank debit card as I don’t get charged any international fees. I also predominantly use official bank ATMs. If you prefer, you can also bring cash in your local currency and change it at a money exchange. Although a few high-end restaurants have card facilities, cash is king in Bali. Tipping is also always appreciated at both restaurants and spas.  What to pack for solo travel in Bali As luck would have it, I’ve already written a post that highlights the 10 things I highly recommend packing for a trip to Bali. Check it out here. How to avoid Bali Belly on your solo trip to Bali We have to get real for a second because Bali Belly is a menace I am, unfortunately, all too well acquainted with. It’s essentially an upset stomach or travellers’ diarrhea that you can get while travelling around Bali. Predominantly caused by contaminated food and water, stay away from Bali’s tap water as it isn’t potable. Although experts say to not drink the ice in Bali, it’s government-regulated now and safe to drink.  I also take Travelan before lunch and dinner in Bali and it seems to be the magic ingredient. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited as I was when I travelled around Bali for one month without getting sick. Life goals, friends 😂. If you do inevitably get struck down by Bali Belly, make sure you stay hydrated, take rehydration drinks (available from convenience stores) and stick to a bland diet. Bali Belly is also why I highly recommend purchasing travel insurance before your solo trip to Bali.  Is Bali safe for solo female travellers? This is probably one of the most commonly-asked questions when it comes to solo travel in Bali. In my option, Bali is safe for solo female travellers. Personally, I’ve never felt afraid while walking around Bali alone. On my last trip, I stayed […]

Tower Bridge in London, England

My Complete Solo Traveller’s Guide to Lovely London

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here. My latest solo travel guide focuses on lovely London. Keep reading to find out where I stayed in London, solo London travel tips and the best things to do alone in London. It’s about time I wrote a guide on solo travel in London. I’ve spent nearly a month in London overall, so I’m basically a local 💁‍♀️. It’s one of my favourite cities to visit – there’s just so many cool neighbourhoods to visit and attractions to see. It’s also a great city to visit as a solo traveller. So here’s my guide to visiting London by yourself, including the best things to do alone in London. If you’ve ever wondered what to do alone in London, I have you covered. Solo London travel tips First up, here are a couple of travel tips for fellow solo travellers visiting London alone. Most importantly, be aware of your surroundings in busy places as there are pickpockets in London (like every other major city in the world). I also found I felt safe walking from the tube back to my hostel at night alone, as it was located on a busier street and there were always people around. However, I only did this on a couple of occasions. As always, do what feels right to you. All of the amazing things to do alone in London listed below are daytime activities anyway. How to get to London alone Hello, my name is Hayley and I am now a pro at travelling to London alone. So far I’ve arrived and departed from London by plane, train and bus. I’ve flown in and out of London from both Vancouver and Australia – check Skyscanner for the best flight deals. I’ve also taken the Eurostar from London to Paris and FlixBus to Bruges. Within the UK, I have taken National Express buses and the train from London as well. So yes, there are plenty of ways to get to and from London. How to get around London Public transport is fantastic in London, so take advantage. I used the tube most days and even caught a few buses. I simply relied on Google Maps to figure out which tube line or bus would take me to my destination. The best hostel in London for solo travellers In my opinion, the best hostel in London for solo travellers is Wombats City Hostel. I’ve now stayed there multiple times in a six-bed female dorm room (with an ensuite). It’s conveniently located 10 minutes from both Tower Bridge and Brick Lane in East London. The hostel is also within walking distance of two tube lines and two grocery stores. I like the large common areas at the hostel and the onsite bar. The bar hosts weekly events as well, which is the perfect place to meet other solo travellers in London. I’ve also stayed overnight at the Astor Victoria as it’s walking distance from Victoria Coach Station. Let’s just say, Wombats is 100 times better. I had to walk up seven flights of narrow stairs to my female dorm, which isn’t the easiest with a nearly 20kg suitcase. I also thought the shared bathrooms weren’t the cleanest and the common areas at Wombats are so much better.  Here are my top hostelling tips & travel essentials for fellow solo travellers Fun things to do alone in London  Here are lots and lots of things to do in London on your own. You won’t be bored in London after reading this list! 1. Walk along the Thames to see the best London attractions If you’re wondering where to go alone in London, here are several ideas. On my first day in London in 2017, I ended up walking from my hostel near Tower Bridge to Oxford Street. It was a lot of steps, but I passed so many beautiful London attractions on the way. Firstly, there’s Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. I haven’t been to the Tower of London yet, but I’ve heard it’s worthwhile. Then there’s St Paul’s Cathedral before you make it to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It was pretty quiet until I got to Big Ben, which is always overflowing with tourists. Don’t forget Westminster Abbey either. On another day, I walked on the other side of the River Thames to visit some Christmas markets. This is where you’ll find the Shard, the London Eye and Shakespeare’s Globe. A final, but nonetheless awesome option, is to take a cruise along the River Thames.  2. See the Queen at Buckingham Palace Can you even say you’ve been to London if you don’t visit Buckingham Palace? It’s fortunately located in central London, so there are other things to see and do nearby. If you happen to visit in autumn like me, don’t miss seeing all the falling leaves in St James’ Park and Green Park. It’s magical! While we’re on the topic, check out my autumn packing list 😉 3. Do a free walking tour Can you believe I’ve never done a free walking tour in London? I’ve done one in like every other country in Europe, but not London. Anyway, don’t be like me and join a free walking tour. It’s one of the best things to do alone in London (and any place for that matter). 4. Go shopping along Oxford and Regent Streets Oxford and Regent Streets are hectic, no matter when you visit. But Oxford Street is home to all of my favourite English stores (a.k.a. Primark), so it’s always on my personal list of things to do alone in London. If you end up visiting London at Christmas, you also must see the Christmas decorations along Oxford and Regent Streets. While you’re in the area, head to Carnaby Street, which has more independent stores. I loved the handmade products and unique London souvenirs inside We Built This City. Here are […]

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