Two iconic cities, one unforgettable journey. This 10-day UK itinerary blends London’s royal pageantry and cutting-edge culture with Edinburgh’s storybook skyline and Highland drama. You’ll weave in Harry Potter highlights—from Platform 9¾ and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour to Edinburgh’s literary nooks and the Glenfinnan Viaduct—without skimping on classic must-sees.

London grew from a Roman outpost into a globe-spanning capital, reshaping finance, fashion, and food with every era. Edinburgh’s Old Town rose around an ancient volcanic ridge, crowned by a fortress that witnessed sieges, coronations, and scientific revolutions. Together they make a perfect pair: polished and punk, scholarly and supernatural, historic and constantly renewing itself.

Practical notes: UK plugs are Type G; bring an adapter. Contactless cards work on London transport; tap in/out. Tipping is modest (10–12.5% when service isn’t included). Rail strikes can pop up—check schedules and book flexible fares. Pack layers; British weather loves surprises.

London

London is a living museum and a trendsetter in one breath. Historic halls like Westminster Abbey sit minutes from street art, food halls, and indie theaters. Follow the Thames to stitch together centuries: Roman walls, Tudor towers, Victorian bridges, and gleaming glass spires.

• Top sights: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, St. Paul’s, British Museum, Borough Market, the South Bank, Sky Garden.
• Harry Potter moments: Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross, “Diagon Alley vibes” at Leadenhall Market, Millennium Bridge (Death Eaters scene), and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour.
• Food & drink: From market legends (Kappacasein’s grilled cheese at Borough Market) to cult favorites (Padella for hand-rolled pasta; Dishoom for a Bombay café spin on British breakfasts).
• Fun fact: London’s subterranean rivers still flow beneath neighborhoods—Fleet Street was once the River Fleet.

Where to stay: For classic sightseeing, pick Covent Garden or Westminster. Foodies love Southwark/Borough Market; nightlife seekers gravitate to Soho. Compare options on Hotels.com (London) or browse apartments on VRBO (London).

How to get there: Fly into Heathrow, Gatwick, or City. For flights to or from Europe, compare options on Omio (flights). In town, use the Tube with contactless tap; Heathrow to central London is ~45–60 minutes by Underground or 30 minutes on the Elizabeth line.

Day 1: Arrival, South Bank stroll, and a warm London welcome

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Land and check in. Shake off jet lag with a South Bank walk from the London Eye toward Tate Modern. Grab coffee at WatchHouse (Tower Bridge) or Monmouth Coffee (Borough) and peek into Borough Market for a first taste—try Bread Ahead doughnuts or Scotchtails scotch eggs.

Evening: Dinner at Dishoom Covent Garden (black daal and house chai are worth the queue) or Flat Iron (great-value steak; order the creamed spinach). Nightcap at The Harp near Covent Garden—tiny, convivial, and serious about cask ales.

Day 2: London in a day—royals, ravens, and the river (guided)

This is a full-day guided experience that efficiently strings together London’s headline acts, including coveted Tower of London entry and a Thames river cruise.

Skip the Line Tower of London & Westminster Tour and River Cruise

Expect Yeoman Warder stories, a Crown Jewels jaw-drop, a Westminster Abbey deep-dive, and riverside views that stitch the history together. Breaks built in for coffee and photos.

Day 3: The Wizarding World—Warner Bros. Studio Tour (with transport)

Spend the day wandering authentic sets—Great Hall, Diagon Alley, Forbidden Forest—and learn filmmaking secrets from animatronics to broomstick rigs. Convenient coach transport saves you the suburban navigation.

Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport from London

Post-tour, swing by King’s Cross for a Platform 9¾ photo, then dinner at Coal Drops Yard: pick Plaza Pastor for tacos and mezcal or Dishoom King’s Cross for a late-night ruby. Finish with soft serve at Canopy Market if it’s open.

Day 4: Museums, markets, and skyline views

Morning: The British Museum when doors open—Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and the Enlightenment Gallery. Coffee at Kaffeine (Fitzrovia) en route.

Afternoon: St. Paul’s Cathedral (climb the dome if you’re up for it). Stroll to the Sky Garden (free but time-slot required) for 360° views. Late lunch around Spitalfields—Hoppers (Sri Lankan hoppers and black pork curry) or Gunpowder (home-style Indian small plates).

Evening: West End show night. Pre-theatre at J. Sheekey (seafood, brisk service) or Rules (classic British game and puddings, est. 1798). Nightcap at Swift (Soho), famed for elegant sours.

Day 5: Oxford day trip—colleges, cloisters, and Potter echoes

Morning: Train from London Paddington to Oxford (~1 hour; advance fares from ~£15 each way). Compare times and prices on Omio (trains). Start at Christ Church to see the Grand Staircase and Great Hall inspirations; continue to the Bodleian’s Divinity School (hospital scenes) and the Radcliffe Camera.

Afternoon: Lunch at The Handle Bar (light, seasonal) or The Nosebag (budget-friendly). Stroll the Covered Market for cookies from Ben’s or cheese at the Oxford Cheese Company. Punt on the Cherwell if weather behaves; otherwise pop into the Ashmolean Museum.

Evening: Back to London. Late-eve bites at Barrafina (walk-in counter; impeccable tapas) or Bao (Taiwanese buns; the fried chicken bao is beloved).

Edinburgh

Edinburgh wears its history on basalt. The Old Town’s wynds tumble from the Castle to Holyrood; the Georgian New Town whispers of Enlightenment salons. Cafés buzz with writers, bars pour stories with their whisky, and the skyline seems penned by an illustrator.

• Top sights: Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, Arthur’s Seat, National Museum of Scotland, Dean Village, Stockbridge, Leith Shore.
• Harry Potter threads: Greyfriars Kirkyard (names that inspired characters), Victoria Street (curving shopfronts that feel like Diagon Alley), and grand finale views from Calton Hill.
• Food & drink: Oink (hog roast rolls), The Devil’s Advocate (whisky-rich bistro), The Scran & Scallie (gastropub by Tom Kitchin), and bright coffee at The Milkman or Artisan Roast.
• Fun fact: Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns form a UNESCO World Heritage Site—one of the world’s first planned “new towns.”

Where to stay: Old Town for postcard views and easy sights; New Town for elegant crescents and shopping; Leith for waterfront dining. Compare stays on Hotels.com (Edinburgh) or find apartments via VRBO (Edinburgh).

Getting there from London: Morning LNER trains from King’s Cross reach Edinburgh Waverley in ~4h20; advance fares can start ~£35–£60. Check times and deals on Omio (trains). Flying takes ~1h20 plus airport time; compare on Omio (flights).

Day 6: London to Edinburgh, Old Town wander, whisky welcome

Morning: Train to Edinburgh. Grab a window seat for North Sea flashes and cathedral towns.

Afternoon: Check in, then amble the Royal Mile: St Giles’ Cathedral, closes like Bakehouse Close, and views from Calton Hill. Coffee at The Milkman (steep lane, cozy nooks) or Luckenbooths overlooking the Mile.

Evening: Dinner at The Devil’s Advocate (venison, cask ales, and 300+ whiskies) or Howies (seasonal Scottish produce). Post-dinner drams at The Bow Bar—tiny, timeless, and serious about single malt.

Day 7: Castle, Royal Mile stories, and museum treasures (guided)

Morning: Join a historian-led walk that threads the Royal Mile’s big tales into a guided visit of Scotland’s most storied fortress—entry included.

Edinburgh Castle & Royal Mile Walking Tour - Ticket Included

Afternoon: National Museum of Scotland—Dolly the sheep, clans, and soaring galleries. Coffee at Brew Lab by Union or Artisan Roast (Broughton Street).

Evening: Gastropub comfort at The Scran & Scallie (book ahead) or seafood at Fishers in the City. Cocktail hour at Panda & Sons, a speakeasy hidden behind a barbershop facade.

Day 8: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe, and Highland drama (full-day)

Make the pilgrimage to the arched railway made famous by the Hogwarts Express, framed by sea lochs and moorland. This full-day route also sweeps through volcanic Glencoe and Fort William—photography all but guaranteed.

Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William

Pack layers and snacks; there are scenic stops and café breaks en route. Back in Edinburgh, refuel with an Oink hog roast roll or late supper at Mother India’s Cafe (Indian small plates).

Day 9: Peaks, ports, and independent shops

Morning: Hike Arthur’s Seat (60–90 minutes round trip from Holyrood Park) for volcanic crags and citywide views. Brunch at Urban Angel (excellent eggs and sourdough) or The Blue Bear (Stockbridge).

Afternoon: Explore Dean Village and Stockbridge’s boutiques. If seafood calls, head to Leith: The Ship on the Shore for fruits de mer or The Fishmarket for crisp, golden haddock on the waterfront.

Evening: Stroll the New Town’s Georgian crescents, then dinner at Noto (Asian-accented Scottish produce) or Fhior (tasting menu highlighting local growers). End with a whisky flight at The Albanach on the Royal Mile.

Day 10: Last sips and souvenirs, departure

Morning: Coffee at The Milkman and a final sweep through Victoria Street’s rainbow shopfronts for Harris Tweed and local ceramics. Pop into the Scottish National Gallery if time allows.

Afternoon: Depart from Waverley (train) or Edinburgh Airport (tram ~35 minutes to/from city). Compare trains on Omio (trains) and flights on Omio (flights).

Optional add-ons and swaps

• Swap Day 5 for Windsor or the Cotswolds if royal or countryside vibes appeal more than Oxford.
• In Edinburgh, consider a late-night storytelling or ghost walk for atmospheric history without the crowds.
• Summer travelers can time Glenfinnan for a steam-train pass; ask your guide about best viewpoints.

How to get around and book transport

• London and Edinburgh are walkable in their cores; public transit is excellent. In London, tap contactless on buses and Tube; no zones math needed.
• Intercity: LNER’s London–Edinburgh runs ~every 30 minutes at peaks (4h20). Book advance fares on Omio (trains).
• Flights to/from Europe: compare carriers and connections on Omio (flights).

Where to stay (quick picks by vibe)

• London: Covent Garden/Soho (walk to theatres and museums); Southwark (Borough Market food scene); Marylebone (village feel, central). Search Hotels.com or VRBO.
• Edinburgh: Old Town (views and history), New Town (Georgian elegance), Leith (waterfront dining). Compare on Hotels.com or VRBO.

Harry Potter highlights checklist

• Platform 9¾ and King’s Cross concourse.
• Leadenhall Market and the Millennium Bridge in London.
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour London (sets, props, and secrets).
• Victoria Street and Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh.
• Glenfinnan Viaduct viewpoint in the Highlands.

From royal regalia to Highland horizons, this 10-day plan balances big-ticket icons with local haunts you’ll brag about discovering. Whether you come for the wizardry or the whisky, you’ll leave with the kind of stories that make friends say, “Send me that itinerary.”