London’s story sweeps from Roman Londinium to the Great Fire, from suffragettes to street art. Today, this capital is a mosaic of distinct neighborhoods stitched together by the Underground and the Thames—where 300+ languages mingle, and history and pop culture share the same stage.

Iconic sights—Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge—sit next to modern landmarks like the Shard and the Sky Garden. World-class museums are often free; markets like Borough, Portobello, and Camden fuel the city’s appetite for craft and creativity. Coffee culture thrives, from Kiwi roasters to London-born micro-roasteries.

Practical notes: Tap in/out with a contactless card for the best fares (daily caps keep costs in check in Zones 1–2). Allow extra time on strike days and peak hours. Pack for changeable weather, and book headline attractions and theater in advance for the smoothest trip.

London

London rewards curiosity: walk the South Bank at sunset, dive into the National Gallery’s masterpieces, ride a red bus through Holborn, and end with a jazz set in Soho. With a mid-range budget, mix free museums with a handful of paid highlights and neighborhood dining that punches above its price.

• Top sights: Westminster & Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square & National Gallery, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Shard, Greenwich, Camden, Notting Hill.
• Best neighborhoods for browsing: Covent Garden and Seven Dials, Carnaby and Liberty, Shoreditch & Spitalfields, Coal Drops Yard at King’s Cross, Portobello Road (Sat).
• Coffee to seek out: Monmouth Coffee (Covent Garden/Borough), Kaffeine (Fitzrovia), Ozone Coffee Roasters (Shoreditch), WatchHouse (multiple), Rosslyn (City).

Where to stay (mid-range friendly, by location):

• South Bank/Westminster for easy sightseeing: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (pool, steps from the London Eye) and Premier Inn London County Hall (value in a historic building).
• King’s Cross transport hub: Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras (budget-friendly) or hostel options such as YHA London St Pancras.
• Splurge classic: The Savoy.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com London or apartment rentals on VRBO London.

How to get to/around London:

• Flights: Compare global fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. For travel within Europe, check Omio (flights in Europe).
• Trains in Europe/UK: Eurostar Paris–London ~2h15; Manchester–London ~2h10; Edinburgh–London ~4h30. Search times/prices on Omio (trains in Europe); coaches (often cheaper) on Omio (buses in Europe).
• Airports to city: Heathrow: Elizabeth line ~35 min (about £13), Tube ~50–60 min (about £6), Heathrow Express ~15 min (about £25–28). Gatwick: ~30 min on fast train to central London.

Day 1: South Bank Icons and Sunset Views

Morning: Fly or train into London and check in. If you’re early, drop bags and power up with specialty coffee at WatchHouse Tower Bridge (smooth house espresso and seasonal filters) or Monmouth Coffee on Borough High Street.

Afternoon: Walk the Thames Path from London Bridge to the South Bank: Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall, and bookstalls under Waterloo Bridge. Snack through Borough Market—try Kappacasein’s molten cheese toastie or Brindisa’s chorizo roll—then stroll to Jubilee Gardens.

Evening: Time your \"flight\" on the Eye for golden hour. Book the London Eye Fast-Track Ticket to skip the main queue and spot Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and St Paul’s from 135m up (roughly 30 minutes).

For dinner, try Padella (hand-rolled pici cacio e pepe) or El Pastor for al pastor tacos by Borough Market. Nightcap at Bar Elba (rooftop) or the Anchor Bankside overlooking the river.

Day 2: Royal London, Westminster, and Churchill’s Bunker

Morning: Classic London loop: Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park, then along Whitehall to Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. Breakfast at Regency Café (1930s art deco, hearty fry-ups) or The Wolseley if you want polished service without breaking the bank.

Afternoon: Step into WWII decision-making on the WW2 London Walking Tour & Churchill War Rooms Entrance Ticket. Your guide threads through Westminster’s war sites before you descend into the preserved Cabinet War Rooms—maps, phones, even Churchill’s chair.

Evening: Eat in Soho/Carnaby: Kiln (Thai grill, counter seats), Bao (gua bao and Taiwanese fried chicken), or Brasserie Zédel (grand Parisian brasserie with excellent fixed-price menus). For music lovers, look for sets at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club or The Jazz Café in Camden.

Day 3: The City, Crown Jewels, and a West End Show

Morning: Arrive early at the Tower. The Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket grants entry to the fortress, White Tower, and glittering regalia; go to the Jewel House first before lines build. Afterwards, cross Tower Bridge and peek into St Dunstan in the East, a bombed-out church turned poetic garden.

Afternoon: Explore the Square Mile: Leadenhall Market’s Victorian ironwork, the Royal Exchange, and St Paul’s Cathedral from the Millennium Bridge. Coffee at Rosslyn (precision espresso) or WatchHouse on Fenchurch. For lunch, head to Spitalfields: Dumpling Shack (shengjian bao) or Gunpowder (spiced venison and crispy okra).

Evening: West End night. Book Moulin Rouge! The Musical for high-energy spectacle and pop mashups, or choose a classic drama—London’s theater scene is unmatched. Dine pre-theater at Bancone (silk handkerchief pasta) or Dishoom Covent Garden (house black daal, gunpowder potatoes) and grab gelato at Gelupo after the curtain.

Day 4: Museum Masterpieces and Shopping Districts

Morning: The British Museum opens a treasury: the Parthenon marbles, the Rosetta Stone, Assyrian reliefs. Beat crowds by starting with your must-sees, then recharge at Redemption Roasters (Bloomsbury) where the house roast is balanced and bright.

Afternoon: South Kensington for design and natural wonders—split time between the V&A (fashion to Islamic art) and the Natural History Museum (Hintze Hall’s blue whale). If shopping calls, head to Carnaby Street for indie labels, Liberty London for Tudor-fronted heritage, or Knightsbridge’s Harrods for food halls. Coffee stop: Hagen (tiny but excellent) or Kaffeine (Fitzrovia) en route.

Evening: Dinner in Soho or Covent Garden: Flat Iron (great-value steak), The Palomar (Jerusalem-inspired small plates), or Hoppers (Sri Lankan hoppers and karis). For live music, check Barbican Centre or Royal Albert Hall schedules; otherwise, end with a speakeasy drink at Cahoots (tube-themed) or Swift (two-level cocktail bar with a snug upstairs).

Day 5: Greenwich Morning and Last-Minute Finds (Departure Day)

Morning: Sail east by Thames boat or ride the Tube to Greenwich. Wander the Cutty Sark, the colonnades of the Old Royal Naval College (a favorite film location), and climb through Greenwich Park to straddle the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory. Coffee at Heap’s Sausages (excellent baps) or Greenwich Grind.

Afternoon: Ride back to central London for a final browse at Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross—design shops and calm canalside spots for a quick lunch. Pick up last treats at Fortnum & Mason or Neal’s Yard Dairy before your afternoon departure.

Optional Add-Ons If You Have Extra Time

• Harry Potter fans: the Warner Bros. Studio Tour with transport (half-day+).
• Countryside in a day: Stonehenge, Windsor & Bath day trips run from London (multiple options on Viator).
• Romantic evening: a Thames dinner cruise pairs skyline views with live music and a set menu.

Money & time savers: Use contactless for the Tube and buses (daily caps), book headline attractions in advance, aim for museums early or late, and plan market visits on weekdays or early weekends. If shopping is a focus, cluster Covent Garden–Seven Dials–Soho to minimize backtracking.