The best apps to download to visit London suggested by a local

The new EU roaming laws, approved last summer, enable us to travel easily. We can now use all the apps of our smartphone, because we can use the same call and data plan of our country. Are you ready to come to London? Then this post will show you what are the best apps to download to visit London, suggested by a local.

All the times I was abroad abroad, I had wanted to take advantage of apps to move and get information but I limited myself because of the costs of data roaming. Since July 2017 this is no longer a problem.

I don’t know if something is going to change cause of Brexit, but meanwhile if you are coming over, I would suggest to download the following app for…

But first, for my blog’ readers, here some discounts:

You can click here to get a discount on your first Airbnb booking!

You can click here to get 10% refund on your booking with Booking  

THE BEST APPS TO VISIT LONDON FOR… TRANSPORT

Citymapper

With this app you will always know, wherever you are (it detects your location), the fastest means of transport to reach your destination. If you don’t know the exact address, you can put the name of the place (for example the name of a museum) and you can get which is the best itinerary, the fastest, with less changes or with less time to spend walking. It depends on what you choose.

In case you are a family, probably you’d rather ride by bus, avoiding to lift the buggies along the stairs of the most of the tube stations (there are only a few with lift, you can have a map with accessible access here). In case you are evaluating to rent a bike or to call for Uber transport, it also gives the time needed for each.

It is an app I use for myself every time I have to go to London town, because it also gives upated information about strikes or delays that believe me, unfortunately happen very frequently.

* * Available for IOS and ANDROID

THE BEST APPS TO VISIT LONDON FOR… VISITING

ULMON LONDON TRAVEL GUIDE

Voted as one of the best travel app, I confirm this is one of the most complete as well as with unique features. Every time you select a place to visit, the app displays a whole range of information:

• Distance from current position
• Map, phone address and timetable
• User reviews updated by date
• Information
• Activities to do in the surrounding area
• Photos uploaded by users
• Tips and reviews of popular sites (not only Wikipedia, but also History Channel or Time Out London)
• List of closest hotels (in partnership with Booking)
• A selection of similar places to visit (because historically related or of the same typology)
• Activities that can be done nearby

One of the features that makes it unique to me is the ability to plan a visit with other friends, creating lists of places to visit and which can be shared.

* * Available for IOS and ANDROID

LONDON ARCHITECTURE GUIDE

Recently released, this app, is absolutely fantastic because can fulfill a real need when you go around in a city. As result of a partnership, it was conceived and wanted by the Architecture Foundation, which gathers interior designers and architects and has been operating for several decades. A serious thing in short. And indeed it is, each building is described both architecturally and historically, with detailed comments on over 1000 points of interest.

You will find an interactive map with lots of blue dots, so many are the London buildings reviewed by this app.  But also photos, directions to go on foot and lists of events.

* * Available for IOS

NATIONAL TRUST APP

There are places in London that you will not find in the most common tourist apps. The National Trust is a non-profit organization that operates throughout the United Kingdom and which deals with the preservation of spaces and places considered of cultural and historical heritage. We speak of about 500 historical houses, castles, ancient monuments, gardens and parks and nature reserves scattered throughout the UK.

If you are visiting London but want to see something new, a secret garden or a historic site, then I recommend you download this app that will give you countless hints on hidden gems to visit as well as , very interesting, an updated calendar of events, to be scrolled by location.

* * Available for IOS and ANDROID

THE BEST APPS TO VISIT LONDON FOR… ENTERTAINMENT

Dojo

What to do, where to go, where to drink what, in which places to eat. A valuable app, divided into sections:

• Around me
• District Guide
• Seasonal Events
• What to do in rainy days (my favorite)
• Exhibitions
• New entries
• Restaurants
• The Sunday Roast
• Nightlife
• Cocktails
• Veggie Friendly Places
• Outdoor activities
• Breakfast & Brunch
• Cheap food
• Live music
• Coffee
• Markets
• Street food

I mean so much stuff.  As soon as you download the app, you will be asked to register but you can skip quietly.

* * Available for IOS and ANDROID

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There’s pretty much nothing to do, unless you have already booked a flight!

See you soon!

Francesca