London

London sits on the River Thames in the south of England, and it's the kind of city that rewards walking. The centre is compact enough that you can cross from one neighbourhood to the next on foot, and the character shifts as you go: the government buildings around Westminster, the theatres and crowds of the West End, the old financial district known as the City, the markets and canals further east. Public transport fills in the rest. The Underground (locals call it the Tube) reaches most places a visitor wants to go, and the red double-decker buses are useful when you'd rather see the streets than a tunnel. A contactless card or phone works on almost everything, so you don't need to buy paper tickets.

The landmarks are spread along the river and clustered by area, which makes it easy to plan a day around a stretch of the Thames. The London Eye stands on the South Bank, a riverside walk lined with cafes, street performers and views back across the water to Westminster. From there you can follow the river in either direction and reach a lot on foot. Many of the big national museums and galleries have free general admission, though special exhibitions and some attractions charge separately, so it's worth checking what needs a booked ticket before you set out. Popular sights often sell timed entry online, and turning up with a slot already reserved usually saves a long queue.

Weather here is changeable rather than extreme. Rain can arrive on any day of the year, so a packable jacket earns its place in your bag even in summer. Spring and early autumn tend to be comfortable for walking, while summer brings the longest daylight and the biggest crowds. English is the working language, but you'll hear dozens of others on any given street, and the food reflects that mix. For visitors travelling from Turkiye, direct flights land at several London airports, each with its own rail or coach link into the centre, so factor the transfer time into your first-day plans.