The Best Cities to Visit in Britain: A Journey Through London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, Bath and York
Britain is a country that rewards curiosity.
You can spend a morning drinking a perfectly poured flat white in a London neighbourhood, an afternoon wandering through medieval streets in York, and by evening be eating oysters beside the River Mersey in Liverpool. A few days later, you might be standing beneath the volcanic silhouette of Edinburgh Castle or soaking in naturally warm waters in Bath.
For Australian travellers, Britain offers something wonderfully familiar and entirely foreign at the same time. The language is easy, the pubs are inviting and the cities are remarkably accessible — yet each has its own accent, rhythm, history and culinary personality.
And while London will always deserve a place on the itinerary, some of Britain's most memorable experiences happen beyond the capital.
From the grand architecture of Bath to the creative energy of Manchester, the musical soul of Liverpool and the atmospheric streets of Edinburgh, these are the best cities to visit in Britain — and how to experience them.
London: The Essential British City Break
There is no getting around it: London is essential.
It is enormous, layered and perpetually changing, with enough museums, galleries, restaurants, theatres, markets and neighbourhoods to fill several holidays.
The mistake is trying to see everything.
Instead, choose a few neighbourhoods and allow yourself to wander.
Start with the classics: the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster and the Houses of Parliament. Cross Tower Bridge at sunrise, wander along the South Bank and watch the city unfold from above.
Then go local.
Explore Notting Hill and Portobello Road, browse the vintage shops of Camden, eat your way through Borough Market, or spend an afternoon in Shoreditch and Brick Lane.
London's official tourism guide highlights the city's extraordinary combination of historic landmarks, museums, theatre, shopping and dining — while VisitBritain describes it as a melting pot of history, culture and green spaces.
What to do in London
Visit the Tower of London
Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
Explore Westminster Abbey
Walk along the South Bank
Visit the British Museum
Browse Portobello Road Market
Explore Borough Market
Discover Shoreditch and Brick Lane
See a West End musical
Have a cocktail with a skyline view
And leave time for simply sitting in a London pub.
Some of the best moments happen between the attractions.
What to eat in London
London's dining scene is now one of the most diverse in the world.
Try a proper Indian curry in Brick Lane or Mayfair, fish and chips in a historic pub, modern British cooking in Soho or Shoreditch, and afternoon tea somewhere appropriately grand.
For a more contemporary London experience, explore the restaurants and bars of Soho, Covent Garden, Marylebone and Shoreditch.
And yes, you should have at least one Sunday roast.
Edinburgh: Britain's Most Atmospheric City
If London is Britain's grand opening act, Edinburgh is the atmospheric one.
Built across hills and ridges, the Scottish capital feels almost cinematic. Medieval closes disappear beneath elegant Georgian streets, while Edinburgh Castle rises dramatically above the Old Town.
It is a city made for walking.
Start on the Royal Mile, explore the Old Town and climb towards Arthur's Seat for extraordinary views across the city and beyond.
Then cross into the elegant New Town, where Georgian architecture, independent shops, galleries and excellent restaurants create a very different mood.
VisitBritain describes Edinburgh as a city of palaces, cobbled alleys and a castle perched on a dormant volcano — which is a rather good summary of its appeal.
What to do in Edinburgh
Explore Edinburgh Castle
Walk the Royal Mile
Climb Arthur's Seat
Discover the Old Town closes
Wander the Georgian New Town
Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Explore the National Museum of Scotland
Take a whisky tasting
Walk through Dean Village
Have a drink in a traditional Scottish pub
What to eat in Edinburgh
Scottish food has moved far beyond haggis — although you should probably try that too.
Look for restaurants showcasing Scottish produce: venison, oysters, salmon, local cheeses and, naturally, whisky.
For something casual, find a cosy pub serving haggis, neeps and tatties.
For breakfast, a good Scottish bakery or café is the perfect way to fuel up before another day on foot.
And never leave Edinburgh without sampling a dram of Scotch whisky.
Manchester: Britain's Creative Northern Soul
Manchester doesn't try to charm you in the traditional way.
It wins you over slowly.
This is a city of music, football, industrial heritage, contemporary art, independent cafés and a distinctly northern sense of humour.
It is also one of Britain's most interesting cities for food and nightlife.
Spend an afternoon wandering the Northern Quarter, where independent shops, street art, vintage stores, cafés and music venues occupy former industrial spaces. Visit Manchester's official tourism guide describes the area as a dynamic neighbourhood defined by independent shops, creative spaces, music and street art.
Then explore the city's cultural institutions.
The John Rylands Library is spectacular, while the Manchester Art Gallery and Whitworth are worth making time for.
And, of course, there is football.
Manchester is home to Manchester United and Manchester City, making a stadium tour almost obligatory for serious football fans.
What to do in Manchester
Explore the Northern Quarter
Visit the John Rylands Library
See Manchester Art Gallery
Visit the Whitworth
Tour Old Trafford
Visit the Etihad Stadium
Explore the National Football Museum
Discover the city's music history
Spend an evening around Canal Street
What to eat in Manchester
Manchester's food scene is wonderfully international.
Try the city's famous Curry Mile around Rusholme, explore independent restaurants in the Northern Quarter or look for modern British cooking around the city centre.
And don't leave without discovering a few of Manchester's excellent cocktail bars and pubs.
Manchester is also a particularly good base for exploring beyond the city, with the Peak District and Lake District within reach for longer itineraries.
Liverpool: Music, Maritime History and a City That Knows How to Have Fun
Liverpool has one of Britain's strongest personalities.
It is a city of music, football, architecture, maritime history and nightlife — and its compact centre makes it particularly enjoyable for a short city break.
Start at the Royal Albert Dock, where museums, galleries, restaurants and the waterfront come together.
Then follow the Beatles trail.
Even if you're not a devoted fan, Liverpool's connection to the Fab Four is impossible to ignore. The Beatles Story, the Cavern Club and the city's many Beatles landmarks tell one of the most extraordinary stories in modern music.
Football fans can add an Anfield Stadium tour to the itinerary.
For something quieter, explore the Georgian Quarter, Liverpool's cathedrals and the city's growing collection of independent restaurants and bars.
What to do in Liverpool
Explore Royal Albert Dock
Visit The Beatles Story
Visit the Cavern Club
Take a Beatles-themed tour
Visit the Museum of Liverpool
See St George's Hall
Tour Anfield
Explore the Georgian Quarter
Discover the Baltic Triangle
Walk along the waterfront
What to eat in Liverpool
Start with scouse, the hearty stew that gives Liverpudlians their nickname.
But Liverpool's contemporary food scene is just as compelling.
The city has excellent independent restaurants, Asian cuisine, bakeries, bars and Michelin Guide-recognised dining. Hope Street is particularly worth exploring for food, while the Baltic Triangle offers a younger, more creative atmosphere.
Liverpool is also an excellent city for a long weekend: the official tourism guide currently highlights a combination of waterfront landmarks, music attractions, independent restaurants and city views that can comfortably fill a 48-hour itinerary.
Bath: Britain's Most Beautiful Small City
Then there is Bath.
If London is theatrical and Manchester is energetic, Bath is elegant.
The city is famous for its honey-coloured Georgian architecture, Roman heritage and thermal waters — and it feels almost impossibly picturesque.
The Roman Baths are the obvious starting point, followed by the sweeping curves of the Royal Crescent and the elegant Circus.
Bath is also Britain's original wellness destination. The city's thermal waters have attracted visitors since Roman times, and Thermae Bath Spa continues the tradition today.
For fans of period drama, Bath will look strangely familiar. Its Georgian streets have provided the setting for numerous productions, and the city's connection with Jane Austen adds another layer of literary romance.
What to do in Bath
Visit the Roman Baths
Walk around the Royal Crescent
See the Circus
Visit Bath Abbey
Relax at Thermae Bath Spa
Explore the Jane Austen Centre
Walk the Bath Skyline
Browse independent shops
Take a countryside excursion
What to eat in Bath
Bath is a particularly good city for slow lunches, afternoon tea and cosy dinners.
Try the historic Sally Lunn's, famous for its distinctive Sally Lunn Bunn, or explore the city's growing collection of independent restaurants and cafés.
Visit Bath specifically highlights Sally Lunn's and Green Park Brasserie among its current recommendations.
Bath is also an excellent base for exploring Somerset, the Cotswolds and nearby historic attractions.
York: Medieval Britain at Its Most Beautiful
York is the kind of city where getting slightly lost is part of the experience.
Within the old city walls, medieval streets twist between timber-framed buildings, ancient churches and hidden courtyards.
The centrepiece is York Minster, one of Europe's great Gothic cathedrals.
Then comes The Shambles — perhaps Britain's most famous medieval shopping street — where overhanging timber buildings create an atmosphere that feels remarkably untouched by time.
What to do in York
Visit York Minster
Walk The Shambles
Explore York's medieval city walls
Visit the JORVIK Viking Centre
Explore the National Railway Museum
Walk beside the River Ouse
Discover York Castle Museum
Browse independent shops
Take a traditional afternoon tea
What to eat in York
York is excellent for traditional British food with a modern edge.
Try a classic Yorkshire pudding, local cheeses, pies and Sunday roast.
And because this is Yorkshire, make time for tea.
The city is also home to a growing independent food and café scene, making it easy to alternate between historic pubs and contemporary restaurants.
How to Plan a Britain City-Hopping Holiday
The beauty of Britain is that you don't need to choose just one city.
A first-time itinerary could look like:
10–14 days
London → Bath → York → Manchester → Liverpool → Edinburgh
This gives you a wonderful cross-section of Britain, from southern England to Scotland.
If you have less time, choose two or three cities rather than trying to conquer the entire country.
For history lovers
London → Bath → York → Edinburgh
For food and culture
London → Manchester → Liverpool → Edinburgh
For music and nightlife
London → Manchester → Liverpool → Edinburgh
For architecture and romance
London → Bath → York → Edinburgh
And if you have additional time, consider adding Bristol, Brighton, Cardiff or Glasgow to the itinerary.
VisitBritain currently highlights cities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including Bristol, Brighton, Manchester, Bath, Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh.
A Note for Australian Travellers: Don't Forget the UK ETA
Before travelling, Australians should check the latest UK entry requirements.
As of 2026, Australian passport holders generally need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for tourism unless an exemption or another form of UK permission applies. The ETA allows eligible visitors to travel to the UK for tourism for up to six months.
The UK government currently lists the ETA cost as £20, and it is linked to the passport used for the application. It is valid for two years or until that passport expires, whichever comes first.
Always check the official UK government requirements before booking or travelling, as immigration requirements can change.
Stay Connected in Britain Without Expensive Roaming
There is a particular moment on any overseas trip when you realise just how dependent you are on your phone.
It usually happens somewhere between the airport and the hotel.
You need Google Maps.
You need to check the train platform.
You want to message your hotel.
You want to book dinner.
And suddenly the idea of relying on free Wi-Fi doesn't seem quite so charming.
That's where an AussieRoam UK eSIM comes in.
Instead of relying on potentially expensive international roaming from your Australian mobile provider, you can organise your UK travel eSIM before leaving Australia, install it on your compatible phone and use mobile data when you arrive.
That means you can use:
Google Maps
WhatsApp
Google Translate
Train and transport apps
Restaurant bookings
Travel apps
Social media
Email
Ride-hailing and taxi apps
without needing to hunt for Wi-Fi every time you leave your hotel.
And because you can organise your travel eSIM before departure, there's no airport SIM kiosk, no tiny piece of plastic to lose and no need to replace your Australian SIM on your trip.
For travellers moving between London, Bath, York, Manchester, Liverpool and Edinburgh, having reliable mobile data makes the journey itself considerably easier.
Your phone becomes what it should be on holiday: a useful travel companion, rather than another thing to worry about.
Britain Is Best Experienced Slowly
The temptation on a first trip to Britain is to tick off the landmarks.
Buckingham Palace.
Edinburgh Castle.
The Beatles.
York Minster.
The Roman Baths.
But Britain's real charm is often found between them.
It's the first pint after a long train journey.
A table beside a pub window while rain moves across the street.
A late-night curry in London.
A whisky in Edinburgh.
A football crowd in Manchester.
Live music in Liverpool.
Afternoon tea in Bath.
A quiet walk through York before the crowds arrive.
Britain's cities are not simply collections of attractions. Each has its own personality, and the joy is discovering which one feels most like yours.
So take the train, pack a good coat, leave a little room in the itinerary — and make sure your phone is connected before you leave Australia.
Your next British adventure is waiting.
Stay connected with AussieRoam. Explore Britain your way.
