8 must-have apps when visiting London for the first time

You have booked your tickets to travel around London for the first time, have all your bags ready, and have been excited to accomplish everything you wrote in your to-do list.

You ask yourself, “How can I maximise my stay and stay productive?” London after all is a massive city (not to mention Europe’s third largest), with plenty of tourist attractions to explore and many delightful things to do. It has been home to the Parliament, the iconic White Tower, world-famous museums, and West End theatres.

When you have only a few days to see London, you need careful planning to make the most of your stay. Mobile apps on your smartphone are becoming more essential as they are now used as necessary guides to the best places to hang out, dine, shop, and visit. With thousands of apps now available on Apple Store and Google Play, there’s never been so much choice. Both stores are now a chock-full of quality free and paid apps that getting the best ones to perfectly suit your needs can be quite difficult. Choosing the best apps should not be a hassle, so we recommend these delights we believe will come in handy as soon as you land at Heathrow Airport.

Eat to your heart’s content

London is a moveable feast, an endearing blend of the traditional and the contemporary. If you want to instantly find the trendiest restaurants and pubs, Dojo (Cost: Free; Available in iOS and Android) is the app you should not miss. You will be surprised to discover London’s prized finds – those secret gems which are actually the ‘best’ places to dine and drink – in one mobile app. It’s with Dojo that you can find upcoming food festivals and markets, underground night life, hidden bars and a whole lot more. Plus, you get insider tips and reviews as well as recommendations based on time and weather. The Dojo app is just so good that Boris Johnson commented, “Dojo is the way to enjoy London.”

When you have been at your most adventurous with food, you might want to check out London on a Plate (Cost: Free; Available for iOS only). This smartphone app is a luxurious guide to the capital’s best cuisine, has chock-full of dining ideas curated by author and journalist Charmain Ponnuthurai, food experts, and society celebrities all based in London. It offers impartial reviews on restaurants, useful tips on the best markets and food shops as well as recipes from chefs. It’s a great reference for people who wish to meet with their mates for lush treat.

Shop ‘til you drop

London has been renowned as the world’s most international shopping destination. From Bond Street to Westfield, from Oxford Street to Carnaby, London has a big surprise waiting to be revealed! For starters, you can use the Regent Street app (Cost: Free; Available in iOS and Android) to know the very best of what this famous shopping street has to offer. This smartphone app is making waves in the mobile world as London’s definitive guide to shopping. It offers a wide variety of choices from the world’s preeminent luxury brands, bespoke shops, restaurants, historical tours, maps, events and more. This app delivers ‘exclusive’ personalized recommendations of shops, promotions and more to visitors and shoppers. You also receive new in-store promotion alerts, upcoming events and offers, which are ranked by personal tastes and interests, to users.

If you want a treat for your senses round every corner, try the London Shopping Guide (Cost: Free; Available for: iOS and Android). It’s an incredibly handy app for shopping in the most gorgeous shopping hubs – from luxury stores like Harrods to bargain fashion at markets. You get directions that show where to find the nearest shops, thanks to its map views and superb photos. In addition, you see customer reviews and practical tips from shoppers about the store.

See the city’s stunning destinations

Of course you want to see the city’s finest. Try the London Official Events Guide (Cost: Free; Available for iOS and Android) if you wish to see London’s most fascinating sights and local attractions: The London Eye, British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Tate Modern, National Gallery, and more of the capital’s hidden gems. The best thing about using this app is that you get information about the weather, top-10s, markets, restaurants and travel without incurring additional roaming charges.

You might want to find out more about the happenings in London’s North, South, East and Central neighbourhoods in real time with this spectacular app called Hype (Cost: Free; Available in iOS and Android). You get bits about the best coffee shops, art galleries, small quaint boutiques, and forthcoming events. Hype’s content is always revitalised, thanks to the app’s curators who are on the streets reporting live, so you get fresh and relevant content anytime.

Do what you love

We want you to enjoy your days in London as safely and comfortably as possible. Try using the London Pocket Guide (Cost: Free; Available in iOS and Android). What does Pocket London Guide offer first-time London visitors?

  • 280 attractions
  • 50 shopping streets and shopping information
  • 2500 restaurants
  • Theatres and maps

The best part is, it’s updated every day!

The Pocket London Guide mobile app is considered by users and experts as the best visitor and travel information App on London.

And to optimise your commute and save money, we recommend using CityMapper (Cost: Free; Available for: iOS and Android). This app is considered ‘The Ultimate Transport App’, giving you get real-time routes and schedules for buses or trains to arrive. Furthermore, it utilises Google Maps to provide travelers with transport options when they tap in a destination. It even tells users how long a journey will take if you take a bus, train and taxi and how much it will cost to get there, not to mention bicycle and on foot (which is absolutely free). This critically acclaimed app is just so good that you will sorely miss it when you return home.

Now you know what we suggest, what apps do you think should be in your smartphone?

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Quick Enquiry

Share with us any information that might help us with your request
+44 (0) 1784 489 200  |  enquiries@clarendonuk.com  |  Frequently Asked Questions

Please check your entries - from is a required field, to is a required field, from date must be in the future and to date must be after the from date
Approximately when would like to stay?
Number of rooms required
Studio 1 Bed 2 Bed 3 Bed
Email Phone