When I first stepped off the Tube in London, I wasn't prepared for how layered this city actually is. Sure, everyone knows about Big Ben and the Tower Bridge, but what really gets you is walking along the Thames at different times of day and watching the light change everything.

The Queen's Walk became my daily routine during my last visit. Starting from Westminster Bridge and heading toward the London Eye, you get those classic postcard views of Big Ben, but honestly, they're better in person than any photo suggests. The river moves fast here, and there's something hypnotic about watching the boats while double-decker buses cross overhead.

What surprised me most were the neighborhoods that don't make it into most guidebooks. Wandering through Borough Market on a Thursday morning, or getting lost in the backstreets of Shoreditch where street art changes weekly. London's 9.1 million people create this constant energy, but the city never feels overwhelming because of all the green spaces scattered throughout.

The museums here operate on a different scale entirely. You can spend three hours in the British Museum and barely scratch the surface. Same with the Tate Modern or the V&A. I learned to pick one section per visit rather than trying to see everything.

London's weather reputation is overblown, by the way. Yes, it rains, but those April and May days when the sun breaks through? The whole city transforms. Parks fill up, pub gardens come alive, and you understand why people stay here despite the housing costs.

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The Underground still amazes me. You can pay with any contactless card now, which makes getting around incredibly simple. Four or five days gives you enough time to visit London properly without rushing, though I always end up finding new things to do in London each time I return. The city reveals itself in layers, and that's exactly what makes it compelling.

The traditional British food gets unfairly criticized too. Finding proper fish and chips or a decent Sunday roast isn't difficult if you know where to look.