Not everyone knows that there are, in fact, two Londons: one for the tourists – Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace – and one for the locals who actually live in the city. The one where Sunday mornings mean rummaging through vinyl at Brick Lane Market, where the best coffee isn’t in Soho but tucked away in a Peckham side street, and where a spontaneous evening can lead you to an underground comedy night in a Dalston basement.

If you’re tired of queuing for hours at tourist traps, here’s how to experience London the way it’s actually meant to be lived.

Morning rituals worth waking up for

Skip the chain cafés and head to neighbourhoods where locals actually drink their coffee. Hackney’s Broadway Market is brilliant on Saturdays: grab a flat white from Climpson & Sons, then wander through stalls selling everything from sourdough to handmade ceramics. In South London, Walworth’s got a cracking little spot called The Electric Elephant Cafe that feels more like a community place than a shop, which is precisely the point.

For breakfast with a view that doesn’t cost the earth, climb up to Primrose Hill. Yes, it’s technically a tourist spot, but go early enough and you’ll share it with dog walkers and locals doing their morning jog.

Markets beyond borough

Everyone knows Borough Market, but Columbia Road Flower Market on Sunday mornings is where you’ll find Londoners elbow-deep in tulips and trailing ivy, haggling good-naturedly with vendors who’ve been there for decades. Get there early (around 8 am) for the best blooms and head to Lily Vanilli’s bakery afterwards for something sweet.

For vintage treasure hunting, Portobello Road gets all the hype, but Bermondsey Antiques Market on Friday mornings is where dealers actually go to buy their stock. It’s proper early (starts at 6 am), but you’ll find incredible pieces without the inflated prices.

The art of stumbling upon things

London’s best cultural experiences aren’t always planned. The Barbican’s free exhibitions are genuinely world-class, and their conservatory (open select weekends) feels like stepping into a tropical jungle in the middle of brutalist concrete. In Shoreditch, street art changes weekly; just walk around and see what you find.

Peckham’s Copeland Park hosts everything from craft beer pop-ups to open-air film screenings. The Frank’s Café rooftop bar (summer only) offers London views that rival the Shard, minus the £30 ticket.

Getting in and out without the stress

Here’s something nobody tells you: getting to and from airports doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Forget the expensive taxis. The London to Stansted airport bus is the locals’ choice. Flibco runs direct coaches between the airport and central London that are genuinely cheaper than the train tickets, starting from around £9.99 one-way when you book in advance.

The journey takes from 50 to 90 minutes, drops you at Stratford Station or Liverpool Street, and runs frequently throughout the day. They also have family discounts too, which makes a real difference when you’re watching your budget.

London reveals itself slowly, in layers. The trick isn’t trying to see everything; it’s allowing yourself to get genuinely lost and stumble upon the bits that guidebooks miss. That’s where the real city lives.