Ever since I was a little kid, the Olympic Games have always fascinated me. I still have (vague) memories of Barcelona 1992, a turning point for Spain. Simply put, I find there’s something magical about the energy of the host city, the passion of the athletes, and the unity it brings to people from all over the world. So when the 2012 Summer Olympics came to London, my friends and I knew we had to be there, especially because one of our dear friends would be competing for a medal and we were already in Europe. Looking back, it was certainly one of the most memorable trips we’ve ever taken as a group! In this post, you´ll find my detailed experience at the Summer Olympics in London 2012. I hope that it will inspire you to book your tickets for the next Olympic Games!

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Disclaimers:

• Although our trip to the London Summer Olympics took place at the end of July 2012, this updated post reflects the latest information available.
• Please note that this post includes some affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost for you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. In case you have any question about the companies advertised here or my status as an affiliate, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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Throughout this trip, I used this Great Britain travel guidebook by Lonely Planet to plan our stay and make the most out of it. I hope you’ll find it helpful too!

📆 When and where were the London 2012 Olympics held?

London made history by becoming the first city to host the modern Olympic Games three times (in 1908, 1948 and 2012). Should you want to learn more, you can refer to the section on Olympic Games history in my post.

The London 2012 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXX Olympiad, took place in the British capital from 27 July to 12 August 2012. They were then followed by the London 2012 Paralympic Games from 29 August to 9 September 2012.

Events were spread out across the city of London and beyond, with iconic locations like Olympic Park in Stratford, Wembley Stadium, Hyde Park, and even Lee Valley White Water Centre in Hertfordshire hosting different sports. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies were held in the newly built Olympic Stadium, a masterpiece that could hold 80,000 spectators.

✈️ Planning our Olympic adventure in London

🚋 How to get around during the 2012 Olympics

Like any Olympic host city, London in 2012 was buzzing — which meant planning ahead was key. We booked our flights months in advance and flew from Bilbao into Stansted Airport. From there, we took the train and then the London Underground to Liverpool Street Station, which felt like stepping right into the heart of the Olympic action. The city was dressed in Union Jacks and Olympic banners, and you could feel the contagious energy everywhere.

We bought a Travelcard, which turned out to be a life-saver. With so many Olympic venues scattered around the city and outside of it, having unlimited access to public transport was essential — especially the Tube, which ran late into the night during the Games.

Last but not least, remember to get insurance. For extra peace of mind when traveling abroad, you can calculate how much you would pay for your health insurance with the SafetyWing widget below.

🛏 Where we slept: The White Ferry House

Our London home during the 2012 Olympics was The White Ferry House. Conveniently located near Victoria Station, it had easy access to transport lines that took us to the Olympic venues and back without hassle.

This lively hostel was our base after a full day of walking, cheering, and sightseeing. We were a noisy bunch of 19 and we were lucky to share a big dorm that accommodated all of us (plus a poor soul that was traveling solo; I bet the didn´t sleep much 🙂 ).

For more information on where to stay in London, check out my post featuring the best accommodation options in the British capital.

🍻 Where we ate and drank: Zoo Bar

If you’ve ever been to Zoo Bar, you’ll understand why it became our unofficial Olympic headquarters at night. Located just off Leicester Square, it was the perfect place to unwind, grab some food and drinks, and celebrate the day’s competitions. We had so much fun here and spent a few memorable nights at this London bar!

Feel free to browse this section on where to eat and drink in London for additional ideas.

🏅 The events we saw and cheered during London 2012

Now, let’s talk about the real stars of the trip: the Olympic events. For the full recap of London 2012, you can refer to the official Olympics website.

🚣‍♂️ Canoe Slalom at Lee Valley White Water Centre

We traveled out to Lee Valley White Water Centre in Hertfordshire to watch the C1 Canoe Slalom, and I still remember the adrenaline of the racers as they paddled through the turbulent rapids.

This was hands down the most exciting competition we saw. Obviously, we were biased because we were there to support our friend Ander Elosegi, who finished in 4th place — just shy of a medal. The atmosphere was wild, with people from all over the world cheering like mad, including ourselves.

🏊 Swimming at Hyde Park

We watched some swimming competitions on giant screens set up in Hyde Park. And we also walked through the massive Olympic Park near Stratford, exploring the shops and pavilions. The energy was everywhere, and even if you didn’t have tickets for a specific event, there were always people, cheers, and celebrations happening.

🇬🇧 Discovering London between events

Even though our primary reason for visiting London was to watch the Olympic competitions, we made the most of our trip by playing tourists too. As you know, the UK capital is a vibrant city packed with history, charm, and photo opportunities on every corner.

Between events, we explored museums (such as the British Museum or the Natural History Museum), stood in front of the iconic Big Ben or Buckingham Palace, and strolled along the South Bank for breathtaking views of the London Eye or Tower Bridge.

I even managed to meet up with a friend and former colleague from my traineeship in Brussels!

Browse my comprehensive travel guide to discover the best things to do in London!

💡 Tips, lessons, and why the Olympics are worth every penny

🎟 Book (really) early

Flights, accommodations, and tickets for the Olympic events sell out fast — and get expensive. Booking early allowed us to find decent deals and stay close enough to the action without going broke.

For a worldwide event such as the Olympic Games, remember to buy your tickets from an official website and/or partner.

🚇 Get a Travelcard or Oyster Card

London’s transport is one of the best in the world — and during the Olympics, it was incredibly efficient. With venues spread across the city and outskirts, having a Travelcard made getting around affordable and easy.

📅 Mix events and sightseeing

Don’t just focus on the sports. One of the best parts of attending the Olympics is experiencing the host city during its moment to shine. Meet fellow travelers from around the world, explore, get lost — it all becomes part of the memory

🌐 Join the Olympic movement

Since their revival in 1896, the modern Olympic Games have been taking place across continents, bringing athletes and spectators together while leaving an enduring Olympic legacy in the host cities.

Below you will find all the Olympic cities that I’ve visited over the years, including the year in which the Games took place there!

Read these posts for more Olympic inspiration!

Atlanta (1996)

Barcelona (1992)

Chamonix (1924)

London (1908, 1948, 2012)

Los Angeles (1932, 1984)

Mexico City (1968)

Montreal (1976)

Oslo (1952)

Paris (1900, 1924, 2024)

Rio de Janeiro (2016)

Rome (1960)

Stockholm (1912)

📍London Olympics map

For your ease of reference, below you will find a London map with all the spots mentioned throughout this blog post on the Summer Olympics. Use it to get inspired for your next Olympic adventure!

💭 Final thoughts on the Summer Olympics in London

On a final note, London 2012 was intense and fun. It wasn’t just about watching sports with friends; it was about being part of a global celebration.

If you ever get the chance to attend any Olympic Games, do it. London 2012 set the bar high, and I was lucky to also travel to Rio de Janeiro for Rio 2016!

Looking ahead (as I write these lines, we´re in 2025 🙂 ), the next Olympics will be the following:

• 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles (USA)
• 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps
• 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane (Australia)

If you get to travel to the Olympics, I´m certain you´ll find this is a memorable experience worth living at least once in a lifetime!

How did you like this post detailing my experience during the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games? I hope that you found it useful if you’re planning to attend the next Olympics. Feel free to leave your questions and comments below!

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In the meantime, safe travels around the world!

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