Canary Wharf. CC Image by sunnyUK (Flickr).

London is renowned around the world for its diversity and attracts millions of tourists year after year. Visitors are never short of things to do in the English capital – after all, there are 32 different boroughs in Greater London – but there is no way that anybody can see everything worth seeing in London in one day. London is a long-stay city.

Apartment rentals in the capital are popular amongst tourists because they provide the opportunity to chill out in luxury and see the city in style. The attractiveness of Kensington and Canary Wharf apartments, for instance, as alternative ways to experience London is growing, even despite the recession.

The best bits of London are spread right across the city, so you’d be hard-pressed to fit them all into one day when you consider the travel time involved. Yes, taking the Tube is quick and easy (and an essential part of experiencing London), but the layout of the city means that you’d spend half your day on it travelling to your destinations. It’s best to take your time, soak it all up and be able to put your feet up at the end of the day.

Most first-time visitors want to see all the major attractions like Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace, and but there is so much more to London than the international tourism industry recognises. Have you heard of the Ice Bar just off Regent Street? A bar made of ice in which you can enjoy an ice cold cocktail in a glass made of ice with your friends. Cool, huh? Then there’s the London Dungeons to send even more shivers down your spine.

For accommodation, people who visit London tend to prefer centrally located properties in zone 1 or zone 2. We may not be able to afford the penthouse apartments the city has to offer but, with some research, you can find luxurious and affordable apartments based right where you want to be.

Enjoying London is much about not rushing from one place to the next. You’ll enjoy your stay in the city more if you take things in your pace and discover the city on your own (instead of only following a guidebook’s advice). And while the touristy sights are highly visited for a reason, you’ll be glad you saved time to see London beyond the tourist attractions.