London is a city that wears its history on its sleeve. Founded by the Romans as Londinium, it grew through medieval trade, survived the Great Fire of 1666, and became a global capital of ideas, theater, and finance. Today, traces of every era—Tudor to tech—sit side by side.

Expect iconic sights—Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London—paired with inventive cuisine, indie coffee roasters, and centuries-old pubs. From street food at Borough Market to West End theater, there’s a rhythm to London days: museum mornings, market lunches, riverside strolls, and evenings lit by marquee lights and pub windows.

Practical notes: London is walkable in clusters; use contactless payment or an Oyster card for the Tube and buses. Book popular attractions and restaurants ahead (especially weekends). Pack for changeable weather; even in summer you’ll want a light layer.

Getting to London (book with our partners):

• Flights within or to/from Europe: Search flights on Omio. From major EU hubs to London typically 1–3 hours.
• Flights from outside Europe: Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Trains in Europe/UK: Search trains on Omio. Eurostar to St Pancras from Paris/Brussels in ~2–2.5 hours.

Airport to city: Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express to central London (15–35 minutes); Gatwick rail to Victoria or London Bridge (~30 minutes); Stansted/Cambridge services to Liverpool Street (~45 minutes).

London

London is a mosaic of villages: royal Westminster, Shakespearean South Bank, the medieval City, creative Shoreditch, pastel Notting Hill, and maritime Greenwich. Each neighborhood offers a different lens on the city’s 2,000 years.

Top sights include the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, the Gothic fan vaulting of Westminster Abbey, the dome of St. Paul’s, and the British Museum’s vast collections. Balance heavyweight history with markets—Borough, Maltby Street, Camden—and peaceful parks like St James’s and Regent’s.

Eat your way across the city: silky hand-rolled pasta at Padella, Indian comfort dishes at Dishoom, oysters and natural wine at Borough, and Sunday roasts that would make a grandmother proud. End days on the South Bank promenade, the Thames glinting beneath bridges old and new.

Where to stay (book with our partners):

• Search across vacation rentals: VRBO London
• Search hotels by neighborhood/budget: Hotels.com London

• The Savoy (Strand): Old-school glamour on the Thames; beloved for its storied American Bar and polished service.
• Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London: Big rooms, spa, and postcard views of Big Ben/London Eye—ideal for walkers.
• Novotel London Tower Bridge: Excellent value steps from the Tower; great for early Crown Jewels entries.
• Premier Inn London County Hall: Reliable, quiet rooms in a landmark building by the London Eye.
• Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras: Clean, compact base near Eurostar and multiple Tube lines.
• YHA London Central or YHA London St Pancras: Budget-friendly, social, and well located for first-timers.
• The Savoy duplicate listing

Day 1: South Bank Stroll, Borough Market Bites, and an Open-Top Overview

Morning: Travel day. After you land, ride the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express into the city and drop bags at your hotel. For a pick-me-up near the center, try Monmouth Coffee in Covent Garden (single-origin filters) or Prufrock on Leather Lane (champion baristas and pastries).

Afternoon: Orient yourself with a classic city loop on the Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour—use it as an open-air primer on the landmarks and neighborhoods you’ll cover this week.

Hop off around London Bridge for a late lunch at Borough Market. Sample Kappacasein’s molten raclette over potatoes, Brindisa’s legendary chorizo roll, or Gujarati vegetarian thalis at Gujarati Rasoi. Grab a seat by Southwark Cathedral with Bread Ahead doughnuts for dessert.

Evening: Walk the South Bank from London Bridge to Westminster at golden hour. You’ll pass Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern, Blackfriars, and the London Eye, with continuous skyline views. Dinner nearby: Dishoom Covent Garden (black daal and bacon naan), The Palomar (Jerusalem-style small plates; sit at the counter), or Hawksmoor Seven Dials (grass-fed steaks). Nightcap at The Harp (award-winning cask ales) or Swift Soho (short, elegant cocktails).

Day 2: Crown Jewels to Covent Garden, Plus a Thames Dinner Cruise

Morning: Be at the Tower of London for opening to beat queues. Book the Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket for fast, focused entry, then join a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour to decode 1,000 years of intrigue.

Pre- or post-visit breakfast: WatchHouse Tower Bridge (house-roasted coffee, shakshuka) or White Mulberries in St Katharine Docks (harborside tables).

Afternoon: Walk across Tower Bridge for views into the Pool of London, then follow the Thames Path toward the Millennium Bridge. Pop into St. Paul’s for the whispering dome, or cross to Tate Modern for cutting-edge installations. Lunch options: Padella (hand-rolled pici cacio e pepe), Arabica Borough (Levantine mezze), or Flat Iron Square (street food courtyard with craft beer).

Continue to Covent Garden for arcaded shopping, street performers in the piazza, and Neal’s Yard’s colorful courtyard. Coffee break at Abuelo (Aussie roast meets Latin flavors) or The Espresso Room.

Evening: Celebrate your first full day on the river with a London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River—multi-course meal, live entertainment, and illuminated views of Parliament, St. Paul’s, and Tower Bridge from the water.

After docking, slip into Gordon’s Wine Bar (1880s cellar, candlelit) for a glass of port and a slab of cheddar, or Bar Termini for Italian aperitivi.

Day 3: Day Trip to Windsor, Stonehenge, Lacock, and Bath

Trade city streets for rolling hills and royal history on this full-day countryside excursion: Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath with Pub Lunch in Lacock. Visit Windsor (oldest and largest occupied castle), stand before the prehistoric stones of Stonehenge, break for a hearty pub lunch in the film-perfect village of Lacock, and stroll Bath’s Georgian crescents and Roman Baths exterior. Expect an early start and early evening return to London.

Tip: Bring a light rain layer and comfortable shoes. If you’d rather keep it city-based, swap this day for a Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter experience or a deep-dive Westminster guided tour (also available via our partner links).

Day 4: Royal Parks, Museums, and a Farewell Lunch (Departure Day)

Morning: Start early with a peaceful loop through St James’s Park—pelicans, flowerbeds, and palace views—then pass Buckingham Palace. If schedules align, you can glimpse the Guards around 10:45 a.m. Alternatively, head to the British Museum for a “greatest hits” hour: Rosetta Stone, Parthenon Marbles, Sutton Hoo treasures, and Assyrian reliefs.

Afternoon: Squeeze in a final bite before you depart. Classic British? Rules in Covent Garden (since 1798) for steak and kidney pudding or seasonal game. Quick and excellent? BAO Soho (pillowy gua bao) or Flat Iron for wallet-friendly steak with beef-dripping chips. Grab last-minute souvenirs in Covent Garden’s Apple Market, then make for your airport/train with 60–90 minutes of buffer time.

Evening: Departure day—if you’re still in town, toast your trip with a riverside pint at The Founders Arms or round off with gelato at Gelupo.

Optional add-ons if you have extra time:

• Greenwich half-day: DLR to Cutty Sark, walk the market, climb to the Royal Observatory for the Prime Meridian and hilltop views.
• Notting Hill and Portobello Road: Colorful terraces, antique shops, and weekend market bustle; brunch at Farm Girl or Eggslut (Notting Hill Gate).
• Camden Market and Regent’s Canal: Street food from around the world and a canal walk toward Little Venice.

Getting around: Use the Tube for speed (tap contactless), buses for scenic surface rides, and Thames Clippers for river hops. Many clusters are walkable: Westminster–Trafalgar–Covent Garden, City–St Paul’s–Borough, South Bank, and Kensington museums.

More bookable experiences you might like (city alternative picks):

• Private overview in a classic cab: The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab
• Harry Potter fans: Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport or the Superior Transport option

Dining and drinks hit list (save this):

• Breakfast/coffee: Kaffeine (Fitzrovia), Ozone Coffee Roasters (Old Street), The Breakfast Club (Soho), Regency Café (art deco, film-famous).
• Lunch/markets: Borough Market; Maltby Street Market (weekends); Padella (Borough); Flat Iron Square; Eataly (Liverpool Street) for quick Italian bites.
• Dinner: Dishoom, Barrafina (Spanish tapas counter), Gymkhana (North Indian), Kiln (Thai barbecue), St. JOHN (nose-to-tail British).
• Pubs/bars: The Churchill Arms (Kensington), Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (historic Fleet Street pub), Nightjar (speakeasy jazz), Callooh Callay (Shoreditch).

Local tips: Book major attractions for morning slots to avoid lines. Many museums are free—donations encouraged. For theater, look for day-of tickets or lotteries; Tuesday–Thursday often prices better than weekends.

Ticketed experiences included in this itinerary (book here):

• Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
• Tower of London and Crown Jewels Ticket
• Thames Dinner Cruise
• Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath Day Trip

In four days, this London itinerary layers royal landmarks, riverside walks, markets, and a classic countryside escape. It’s a rich first taste of the capital’s history and flavor—with enough left over to pull you back.