London is a city that has reinvented itself for two millennia—from Roman Londinium to medieval trade hub, from Blitz-scarred resilience to towering global capital today. You’ll feel that layered history in its lanes and along the Thames, where bridges line up like a timeline you can walk.

It’s also a dream for budget travelers. Many of London’s greatest museums are free, parks are plentiful, and its markets feed you well for little. With contactless transit capping and smart neighborhood planning, you can see a lot in 7 days without overspending.

Expect iconic sights—Westminster, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s—balanced with local favorites: Shoreditch murals, Greenwich’s hilltop view, canal paths, and hearty, affordable meals. Pack comfortable shoes, bring a refillable water bottle, and rely on contactless/Oyster for an all-day Zone 1–2 cap around £8–£10.

London

London’s magic is in the contrast: Gothic spires beside glass skyscrapers, Regency terraces near vibrant street art, quiet garden squares around the corner from roaring markets. Plan your days by neighborhoods to cut transit time, then let the city reward your curiosity.

• Top free highlights: British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Victoria & Albert Museum, Natural History Museum, parks and viewpoints (Greenwich Park, Primrose Hill), riverside South Bank strolls.
• Classic icons (budget-friendly ways): See Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard from St James’s Park; enjoy skyline views from Millennium Bridge; book the free Sky Garden in advance for a skyscraper panorama.
• Affordable eats: Borough Market and Greenwich Market stalls; Brick Lane’s Beigel Bake; Franco Manca’s sourdough pizza; Roti King’s Malaysian comfort food; Poppies for fish & chips; Chinatown for noodles and buns.
• Local tip: Use contactless payment on buses and Tube and let the daily price cap do the work. Avoid single paper tickets—they cost more.

Where to stay (budget-first, with a couple of upgrades):

• Hostel: YHA London St Pancras or YHA London Central—clean, social, and walkable to major sights.
• Budget hotel: Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras—compact rooms, reliable comfort, great transport links.
• Good-value midrange: Premier Inn London County Hall—big rooms for London, unbeatable location by the South Bank.
• Upgrade picks: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London or the storied Savoy for a special last night.
• Browse more: VRBO: apartments and studios in London | Hotels.com: London stays

Getting there and around:

• Flights from within Europe: compare on Omio (flights). From outside Europe: check Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com.
• Trains in Europe (e.g., Paris–London Eurostar ~2h20): search and book via Omio (trains). Coaches (often cheapest) via Omio (buses).
• In London: use contactless/Oyster; daily capping keeps costs down. Heathrow–central London by Tube ~45–60 minutes.

Day 1: South Bank Welcome and Westminster at Golden Hour

Afternoon: Arrive and check in near St Pancras or the South Bank for easy transport. Stretch your legs with a Thames-side walk from the London Eye to Tower Bridge—buskers, bookstalls under Waterloo Bridge, and skyline views set the tone.

Evening: Eat well on a budget at the South Bank Centre Food Market (weekends), or grab sourdough slices at Pizza Pilgrims (Soho). For classic fish & chips, try Poppies (Soho or Spitalfields). Cap the night with Westminster Bridge views of Big Ben reflected on the river.

Day 2: Royal London, Trafalgar, and Covent Garden

Morning: Walk past the Houses of Parliament to Westminster Abbey (admire the exterior and cloisters; paid entry optional). Continue through St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace; if timing works, catch the Changing of the Guard (check the schedule).

Afternoon: Refuel at Regency Café (art‑deco fry‑ups) or Chinatown’s BaoziInn for affordable dumplings and noodles. Explore Trafalgar Square and pop into the National Gallery—free entry to masterpieces by Turner, Van Gogh, and Monet.

Evening: Wander Covent Garden’s arcades and street performances. Optional riverside night views from the Golden Jubilee Bridges. For dinner, go with Franco Manca (soft, tangy sourdough pizza) or Roti King near Euston for flaky roti canai and spicy curries.

Day 3: The City, Bankside, and an Atmospheric Night Walk

Morning: Start at St Paul’s Cathedral’s forecourt, then cross the Millennium Bridge to Tate Modern for free contemporary art. Grab a coffee at Monmouth (Borough) and browse Borough Market; try Kappacasein’s grilled cheese toastie or Eritrean/Indian stalls for hearty, low-cost plates.

Afternoon: Follow the river to Tower Bridge for photos, then the Tower of London’s outer walls for imposing history. If you want a budget-friendly view from the water, cruise downriver later today.

Evening (Optional Viator experience): Join a gripping walk through Victorian East London on the London Jack the Ripper Guided Tour with Ripper‑Vision.

It’s an engaging, budget‑friendly way to explore Whitechapel by night. Afterwards, grab a late snack at Beigel Bake on Brick Lane—salt beef bagel is a classic.

Day 4: Museum Mile to Notting Hill

Morning: Head to South Kensington’s free museums. The Natural History Museum’s Hintze Hall (with its blue whale) is awe‑inducing; the V&A offers design and fashion from across centuries. Rotate between them to match your interests.

Afternoon: Picnic in Hyde Park—groceries from a local supermarket keep costs low. Continue to Kensington Gardens for the Italian Gardens and the Albert Memorial. Ride a bus up to Notting Hill for pastel terraces and vintage browsing along Portobello Road (busiest on Saturday).

Evening: Affordable eats nearby: Franco Manca (Notting Hill), Sugo for pasta-to-go, or a rotisserie chicken box from a market stall. Finish with a custard doughnut from Bread Ahead if you missed it at Borough.

Day 5: East London Markets and Street Art

Morning: Explore Shoreditch’s murals along Redchurch Street and around Brick Lane. If it’s Sunday, dive into Columbia Road Flower Market early; otherwise browse Old Spitalfields Market’s indie traders any day.

Afternoon: Budget lunch along Brick Lane—Bangladeshi curries, filled parathas, or a beigel. Pop into the historic Leadenhall Market (free to wander) and the Art Deco wonder that is The Blackfriar pub (worth a peek even if you don’t drink).

Evening: Pub culture sampler in central Soho without overspending: split a couple of half‑pints and enjoy the atmosphere. For dinner, consider Tayyabs in Whitechapel for sizzling lamb chops and fluffy naan at excellent value.

Day 6: Greenwich Day—Views, Park, and Market

Morning: Ride the DLR to Greenwich. Climb to the Royal Observatory hill for the best free panorama of London—the City’s skyline framed by the Queen’s House and the Old Royal Naval College.

Afternoon: Graze your way through Greenwich Market: Venezuelan arepas, Ethiopian injera plates, bao, and brownies. Stroll the riverside or peek at the Cutty Sark’s striking hull from the outside.

Evening (Optional Viator experience): Float back into Westminster on the Westminster to Greenwich Sightseeing Thames Cruise.

It’s a scenic, good‑value way to see London’s riverfront icons from the water. Back ashore, warm up with a curry at Roti King or a bowl of pho near Soho.

Day 7: Camden, the Canal, and a Farewell View

Morning: Wander Camden Market’s labyrinth of food stalls and vintage shops. Try Oli Baba’s halloumi fries or a budget falafel wrap.

Afternoon: Walk the Regent’s Canal to Primrose Hill for one last, free skyline view. Grab lunch from a bakery en route and picnic on the grass before your afternoon departure.

Evening: Departure day—if you have extra time, detour through Marylebone’s village-like high street for window‑shopping and coffee at Kaffeine or Prufrock near Holborn.

Need more activities? If you decide to add a paid icon, consider timed tickets for the London Eye or Tower of London; if your visit is in winter, a festive night bus tour can be fun. But with this plan, you’ll already have a rich mix of history, culture, markets, and river vistas without straining your wallet.

In seven days you’ll trace London’s story from royal pageantry to docklands reinvention, tasting the city’s global flavors along the way. Use this itinerary as your budget‑savvy backbone, then let your feet and appetite pull you into the side streets—where London’s daily life shines.