London is a city that wears its history on its sleeve. Romans laid the first roads here; medieval guilds chiseled their coats of arms into stone; Victorians built palaces for steam and science. Today, you can stand beneath Gothic spires at Westminster in the morning and sip third‑wave coffee in Shoreditch by noon.

Beyond icons like Big Ben, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace, London’s allure lives in its neighborhoods: canals in Camden, Georgian squares in Bloomsbury, riverside strolls on the South Bank, and village vibes in Greenwich. Food lovers find treasure at Borough Market and in Soho’s small dining rooms; art-seekers drift between Tate Modern, the National Gallery, and the V&A.

Practicalities are blessedly simple: tap your bank card on the Tube and buses, and daily fare caps keep costs in check (about £8–£10 for Zones 1–2). Pack a light rain layer, smart-casual clothes for nicer dinners, and comfy shoes—this is a walking city, and the best discoveries often hide down side streets.

London

London is equal parts royal pageantry and creative grit. Come for the Changing of the Guard; stay for curry house legends, pub snug rooms, and sunset views over the Thames. The city’s center is compact enough for walkers, with the Tube and buses to connect the dots quickly.

• Top sights: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Covent Garden, Camden, Greenwich.
• Unmissable experiences: Borough Market grazing, a pub session at The Harp or The Churchill Arms, a Thames-side stroll on the South Bank, Shoreditch street art, and a day trip to Windsor Castle.

Getting there: Flying within Europe? Compare routes on Omio (flights in Europe)—many hops are 1–3 hours and often from $50–$150. From outside Europe, check Trip.com (global flights) and Kiwi.com for long-haul deals. Traveling from Paris or Brussels? Book the Eurostar via Omio (trains in Europe)—about 2–2.5 hours; typical fares $70–$200 depending on time and how early you book.

Where to stay: Browse centrally located options on Hotels.com (London) or apartments on VRBO (London). Handpicked stays: The Savoy (historic grandeur on the Strand), Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (great for families opposite Big Ben), Premier Inn London County Hall (solid value by the London Eye), Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras (budget, steps from national rail), YHA London Central (social and clean), or YHA London St Pancras (overnight train convenience).

Day 1: Arrival, South Bank Stroll, and Covent Garden

Morning: Fly or train into London. If arriving from Europe, Eurostar to St Pancras via Omio (trains); from farther afield, compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Drop bags and grab a flat white at Monmouth Coffee in Covent Garden or WatchHouse Somerset House; both roast excellent beans.

Afternoon: Walk the South Bank from the London Eye to Millennium Bridge. Street performers, book stalls under Waterloo Bridge, and postcard views of St. Paul’s along the way. Pop into the Tate Modern’s free galleries for a quick art fix.

Evening: Dinner at Dishoom Covent Garden—order the black daal and bacon naan if you’re hungry from travel. Nightcap at Gordon’s Wine Bar, London’s oldest, where candles flicker in a vaulted cellar; arrive early for a table.

Day 2: Royal Westminster and Whitehall

Morning: Breakfast at Regency Café (art‑deco time capsule; great full English). Walk St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace; if the Changing of the Guard is scheduled, stand near the Victoria Memorial for a good view. Continue to Westminster Abbey—tomb of monarchs, poets, and scientists.

Afternoon: See Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from Westminster Bridge, then tour the Churchill War Rooms to step into the subterranean nerve center of WWII. Coffee at Flat Cap Coffee in Horse Guards Parade courtyard or Notes Trafalgar Square.

Evening: Dine at The Cinnamon Club (modern Indian inside a former Victorian library) or Rules (est. 1798; classic British game dishes). Cocktails at Swift Soho—short list upstairs, serious martinis downstairs.

Day 3: Tower of London, Borough Market, and the Bankside

Morning: Arrive early at the Tower of London to beat queues; join a Yeoman Warder tour and see the Crown Jewels. Walk over to Tower Bridge and explore the engine rooms and glass walkway if you fancy.

Afternoon: Lunch graze at Borough Market: try Kappacasein’s toasted cheese sandwich, Brindisa’s chorizo roll, and Bread Ahead doughnuts. Cross to the Tate Modern; the Blavatnik Building’s high terrace is ideal for skyline photos. Coffee at Monmouth (there’s a Borough outpost) or WatchHouse on the river.

Evening: Pasta at Padella (no‑res fresh tagliarini with beef ragu is a favorite) or tapas at Barrafina (daily specials on the board). End with a riverside walk past Shakespeare’s Globe and over the Millennium Bridge, St. Paul’s glowing ahead.

Day 4: South Kensington Museums and Hyde Park

Morning: Breakfast at The Wolseley (grand café ritual on Piccadilly) or Muriel’s Kitchen in South Kensington. Then choose your museum: the Natural History Museum for dinosaurs and the vast Hintze Hall, or the V&A for design from couture to ceramics.

Afternoon: Quick lunch at Ceru South Kensington (vibrant Levantine plates) or Honest Burgers (rosemary chips!) nearby. Stroll Hyde Park and the Serpentine; detour to the Serpentine Galleries if contemporary art calls. Peek at Kensington Palace’s gardens.

Evening: Dinner at Hoppers Soho (Sri Lankan hoppers and short eats) or Gymkhana (Michelin‑star North Indian; book ahead). For late drinks, try Nightjar in Shoreditch for Prohibition‑era cocktails and live jazz.

Day 5: Day Trip to Windsor & Eton

Morning: Take the train from London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central (usually 35–45 minutes via Slough; from ~$15–$30 round‑trip). Search times and fares on Omio (trains in Europe). Tour Windsor Castle—the State Apartments and St George’s Chapel (resting place of monarchs) are the highlights.

Afternoon: Lunch at Cinnamon Café in Windsor Royal Station (excellent sandwiches and cakes) or The Two Brewers (cozy pub near the Long Walk). Cross the pedestrian bridge to Eton; wander the college’s historic lanes and antique shops.

Evening: Return to London in time for fish and chips at Poppies (Spitalfields) or a steak at Hawksmoor Seven Dials (prime British beef, peerless sticky toffee pudding). Finish with negronis at Bar Termini in Soho—standing room, Italian aperitivo vibes.

Day 6: East London—Shoreditch, Spitalfields, and Brick Lane

Morning: Coffee and a pastry at Ozone Coffee Roasters (roastery breakfasts are hearty). Join a street art walk around Shoreditch to spot ever-changing murals and Banksy echoes; browse independent designers at Redchurch Street.

Afternoon: Explore Old Spitalfields Market (crafts and street eats). On Brick Lane, grab a salt‑beef bagel at Beigel Bake, then browse vintage shops. If it’s Sunday, Columbia Road Flower Market blooms from morning into early afternoon.

Evening: Dinner at Brat (wood‑fire Basque cooking; whole turbot if you’re a group) or Mangal 2 (Dalston—modern Turkish with natural wines). Cocktails at Callooh Callay or the speakeasy classic, Nightjar (book if you can).

Day 7: Greenwich and Departure

Morning: Ride the DLR to Greenwich Cutty Sark. Tour the tea clipper, then walk uphill through Greenwich Park to the Royal Observatory—straddle the Prime Meridian and savor sweeping city views.

Afternoon: Lunch at Goddards at Greenwich (traditional pie, mash, and liquor) or snack your way through Greenwich Market (global street food, local makers). Head to your airport or station; for last‑minute rail or coach options in Europe, check Omio (trains) and Omio (buses); for flights, use Omio (flights in Europe) or, for global routes, Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you have time before departure, cap your trip with a quiet pint at The Harp (Covent Garden) or a sunset walk along the Victoria Embankment with the skyline aglow.

Local extras to swap in: Hampstead Heath and The Spaniards Inn for a countryside‑in‑the‑city afternoon; the British Museum (don’t miss the Enlightenment Gallery); a ride on the river from Westminster to Greenwich; or Kew Gardens for glasshouse grandeur.

In seven days, you’ll have traced Britain’s story from coronations to contemporary culture, tasted your way through markets and modern kitchens, and found your favorite corner pub. London rewards curiosity—each neighborhood a new chapter, each walk a fresh angle on the skyline. You’ll leave with a full camera roll and a list of reasons to return.