Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves! This colorful, compact guidebook is perfect for spending a week or less in City walks and Six detailed tours and walks showcase London's essential sights, including the National Gallery, the Tower of London, and Westminster Abbey, plus handy neighborhood breakdowns Rick's strategic advice on what experiences are worth your time and money What to eat and where to Dig into hearty pub fare with the locals, wash down a classic fish n' chips with a pint, and linger over high tea Day-by-day itineraries to help you prioritize your time A detailed, detachable fold-out map, plus museum and city maps throughout Full-color, portable, and slim for exploring on the go Trip-planning practicalities like when to go, how to get around, and more Lightweight yet packed with valuable insight into London's history and culture, Rick Steves Pocket London truly is a tour guide in your pocket.
Spending more than a week in the city? Try Rick Steves London!
Rick Steves is an American travel writer, television personality, and activist known for encouraging meaningful travel that emphasizes cultural immersion and thoughtful global citizenship. Born in California and raised in Edmonds, Washington, he began traveling in his teens, inspired by a family trip to Europe. After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in European history and business, Steves started teaching travel classes, which led to his first guidebook, Europe Through the Back Door, self-published in 1980. Steves built his Edmonds-based travel company on the idea that travelers should explore less-touristy areas and engage with local cultures. He gained national prominence as host and producer of Rick Steves' Europe, which has aired on public television since 2000. He also hosts a weekly public radio show, Travel with Rick Steves, and has authored dozens of popular guidebooks, including bestselling titles on Italy and Europe at large. Beyond travel, Steves is an outspoken advocate for drug policy reform, environmental sustainability, and social justice. He supports marijuana legalization and chairs the board of NORML. He has funded housing for homeless families and donates to anti-hunger and arts organizations. In 2019, he pledged $1 million annually to offset the carbon emissions of his tour groups. Steves is a practicing Lutheran with Norwegian ancestry and continues to live in Edmonds. He has two adult children and is in a relationship with Reverend Shelley Bryan Wee. Despite health challenges, including a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024, Steves remains committed to his mission of helping Americans travel with greater purpose, empathy, and understanding of the world. His work reflects a belief that travel, done right, can be both transformative and a force for peace.
I went to London in May with my mother-in-law to cross an item off her bucket list. I had been before and happy to revisit staying in a different side of town. We had a blast and we’re thankful for the wealth of information in Rick Steve’s’ guides. You can’t get to everything, but I think you can get a sense of those you miss and definitely plan your priorities.
Rick Steves does it again! Our stay in London was quick--only four days--so this guidebook was more than adequate to make sure that we saw the highlights and top stops. Using this book, we could avoid long lines and/or visiting museums and sites not worth the time. I look for a Rick Steves guidebook for any of my trips to Europe and trust his advice.