London is a city that reinvents itself without losing the thread of its history. Founded by the Romans, transformed by the Tudors, and modernized by waves of global influence, it is a place where a medieval fortress guards diamond-studded crowns and a cutting-edge art scene flourishes in former warehouses.

More than 300 languages are spoken here; free museums sit steps from bustling markets; and centuries-old pubs share streets with trailblazing restaurants. The joy of a week in London is the mix: pair royal pageantry with a neighborhood curry, a Shakespeare matinee with late-night jazz, a Thames stroll with a rooftop sunset.

Practical notes: contactless cards work on the Tube and buses; book popular sights in advance, especially Westminster Abbey and the Crown Jewels. Dress for microclimates—layers and a compact umbrella are your best friends. And come hungry: from Borough Market to Soho, London’s food scene is world-class.

London

London rewards walkers and wanderers. Start with the big hitters—Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London—then dive into characterful corners like Shoreditch’s street art lanes, pastel Notting Hill, and bookish Bloomsbury. Hop between them on the Underground or by boat along the Thames.

Top sights include Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the Sky Garden. Markets are a must: Borough (artisan food), Camden (alternative fashion and global eats), Portobello Road (antiques), and Spitalfields (design and vintage). Evenings shine in the West End, in cozy wine bars under railway arches, and in historic theaters on the South Bank.

Dining highlights: Sri Lankan and South Indian at Hoppers (Soho), elevated pub fare at The Harwood Arms (Fulham; Michelin-starred), Thai grill at Kiln (Soho), modern British at St. JOHN (Smithfield), and flaky buns at Bread Ahead (Borough). For a classic pint, try The Churchill Arms (Kensington) or Ye Olde Mitre (Holborn).

Where to stay

• Luxury: The Savoy (Art Deco icon on the Strand; stellar service and river views).
• Upscale value for families: Novotel London Tower Bridge (steps from the Tower; spacious rooms).
• Great mid-range with a view: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (big rooms; easy access to Westminster and the South Bank).
• Budget: Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras (compact, clean, perfect for Eurostar flyers).
• Hostel: YHA London Central (near Oxford Circus; friendly, modern common spaces).
• Browse more options: Hotels.com London or VRBO London.

Getting to London

• From Europe: compare flights and trains on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). Eurostar to St Pancras from Paris/Brussels takes ~2–2.5 hours (often £60–£150 when booked early).
• From North America/Asia/Africa: check fares via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Airport to city: Heathrow Express (~15 min, ~£25), Elizabeth line (~35–45 min, ~£13), Piccadilly line Tube (~50–60 min, ~£5–7). Gatwick Express (~30 min, ~£18–20) to Victoria. Citymapper app is helpful for live routes.

Day 1: South Bank Stroll, Covent Garden Bites, and a Sunset Welcome

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, drop bags at your hotel and caffeinate at WatchHouse Somerset House (heritage setting, excellent flat whites) or Black Sheep Coffee at Villiers Street. Stretch your legs with a gentle walk along the Victoria Embankment.

Afternoon: Start on the South Bank by Waterloo. Walk past the street performers of the Southbank Centre to the riverside book market under Waterloo Bridge. Cross the Golden Jubilee Bridges for wide-angle views of Big Ben and the London Eye. Snack at the Southbank Centre Food Market (weekends: Venezuelan arepas, Filipino BBQ, fresh gnocchi).

Evening: Explore Covent Garden’s piazza and Apple Market. Dinner picks: Dishoom (Bombay comfort classics; black daal and bacon naan), Flat Iron (great-value steak), or Barrafina (counter-service Spanish tapas). Post-dinner, sip sherry and small plates at Barrafina’s sister Parrillan, or find candlelit nooks at Gordon’s Wine Bar (London’s oldest wine bar in a cave-like cellar).

Day 2: Royal Westminster, Abbey Secrets, and St James’s Sophistication

Morning: Join a guided walk through royal London culminating with entry to Westminster Abbey for context you won’t get on your own.

Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Guided Tour of London

Time your walk to catch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham (on scheduled days). Your guide will decode coronations, cloisters, and poets’ corner with verve.

Afternoon: Lunch on Piccadilly: The Wolseley (grand café classics; schnitzel, salade Niçoise) or Franco’s for pasta. Stroll St James’s Park—pelicans have lived here since the 1660s—then browse historic shops on Jermyn Street and Fortnum & Mason’s food halls.

Evening: Pre-theater bites in Soho: Kiln (wood-fired Thai; the clay pot glass noodles are famous) or The Palomar (Jerusalem-inspired small plates; polenta “Jerusalem style” is a must). Catch a West End show (musicals around Shaftesbury Avenue). Nightcap at Cahoots (1940s Tube-themed bar) or Swift for impeccable martinis.

Day 3: Tower of London, Borough Market, and St. Paul’s

Morning: Beat the queues and witness the Crown Jewels at the capital’s most storied fortress.

Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket

Join a Yeoman Warder talk for darkly funny tales of ravens, rebellions, and royals. Walk to Tower Bridge for photos and, if time, the glass-floor walkway.

Afternoon: Cross to Borough Market for lunch: try Kappacasein’s toasted cheese sandwiches, Padella’s hand-rolled pappardelle with beef shin ragu, or Gujarati Rasoi’s vegetarian thalis. Coffee and doughnuts at Bread Ahead. Then head to St. Paul’s Cathedral—climb the Whispering Gallery and Golden Gallery for a skyline that rewards the effort.

Evening: Amble the Thames Path to the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe. Dine at Anchor & Hope (gastropub hero near Waterloo; book roast on Sundays) or at Padella if you skipped it earlier. For a view without a ticket, reserve a free slot at the Sky Garden and toast London from 35 floors up.

Day 4: Bloomsbury and the British Museum, Fitzrovia Cafés, and Soho After Dark

Morning: Breakfast at The Gentlemen Baristas (Eastcastle Street) or Kaffeine (Aussie-style in Fitzrovia). Explore the British Museum’s highlights: the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, Sutton Hoo hoard. Tip: focus on two or three galleries and take breaks in the Great Court.

Afternoon: Lunch at Rovi (Ottolenghi’s veg-forward grill; charred hispi cabbage is excellent) or Honey & Co. Daily for Middle Eastern salads and bakes. Browse tiny Bloomsbury bookshops, then pop into the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square for Turner, Constable, and Van Gogh.

Evening: Pre-dinner negronis at Bar Termini (standing room, perfect pours). Dinner at St. JOHN (nose-to-tail British; roasted bone marrow and parsley salad) or Hoppers (short eats and hoppers; book if you can). Jazz afterward at Ronnie Scott’s or basement sips at The Blind Pig.

Day 5: Harry Potter™ Day and Camden Canals

Morning–Afternoon: Step into the wizarding world on a studio visit with return transport from central London. You’ll wander the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and the Forbidden Forest, see sets, costumes, and animatronics, and enjoy a butterbeer break.

Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport from London

Plan 6–7 hours door-to-door. It’s great for families and fans, but even non-fans appreciate the film-making craft.

Evening: Return to London and head to Camden Market for global street food (try Halloumi fries at Oli Baba’s, or Arepazo Bros). Stroll Regent’s Canal toward Primrose Hill for a twilight skyline view. Dinner options nearby: Roti King (Malaysian; legendary roti canai) by Euston or Mildreds (vegetarian comfort dishes) in Camden.

Day 6: Day Trip—Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath

Swap city bustle for ancient stones, royal apartments, and Georgian crescents on a well-paced guided day trip. Expect an early start from Victoria or similar pickup, with commentary en route, timed entries, and free time in Bath to see the Royal Crescent or the Roman Baths.

Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath from London

On return, grab dinner near Victoria: A. Wong’s casual sibling Kym’s (if available) or bistro classics at The Cambridge Street Kitchen. Alternatively, hop to Belgravia’s The Thomas Cubitt for seasonal British fare and a proper pint.

Day 7: Notting Hill Colors, Shoreditch Street Art, and Greenwich Finale

Morning: If it’s Saturday, browse Portobello Road Market (antiques early, street food late morning). Breakfast at Farm Girl (healthy bowls, rose lattes) or Granger & Co. (ricotta hotcakes). Not market day? Explore pastel lanes around Westbourne Grove and the mews streets off Ledbury Road.

Afternoon: Cross town to Shoreditch for a street art wander along Brick Lane and Redchurch Street. Lunch at Spitalfields Market (Bleeker for burgers, Dumpling Shack for chili oil wontons, Humble Crumble for… crumble). Coffee at Origin on Charlotte Road. If it’s Sunday, detour to Columbia Road Flower Market.

Evening: Ride a Thames boat east to Greenwich for golden-hour views, the Cutty Sark, and the hilltop lookout by the Royal Observatory. Dine at Goddards at Greenwich (classic pie and mash) or The Gun (riverside, seafood and pub staples) back toward the Docklands. Close your trip with a leisurely riverside walk and one last photo of the skyline.

Local logistics and tips

• Transport: Use contactless payments or an Oyster card. The Tube is fastest; buses are scenic. Black cabs are metered and plentiful; ride-hailing is widely available.
• Timing: Major sights open around 10:00; arrive right at open or late afternoon to dodge peak crowds. Many museums are free; special exhibits may require timed tickets.
• Weather: Pack layers and a light waterproof. Summer evenings can be cool; winter sunsets are early—plan indoor highlights then.

Included bookable activities (handpicked)

• Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Guided Tour of London — immersive royal history and Abbey entry.
• Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket — arrive at opening for the calmest Jewel House experience.
• Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport — film set magic with easy coach transfers.
• Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath from London — classic countryside trio in one day.

Seven days in London gives you the sweep of its story—from coronations and crown jewels to street art and steaming market stalls—plus a restorative breath of English countryside air. With savvy planning and the right neighborhoods on your map, you’ll leave already plotting your next visit.