London is a city that wears its history in plain view: Roman walls beside glass towers, medieval fortresses overlooking the Thames, royal pageantry unfolding in parks that double as wildlife sanctuaries. Founded as Londinium by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago, it has reinvented itself many times—surviving fire, plague, and blitz to become a global capital of culture and commerce.

Today’s London is endlessly browsable: free museums, sensational theatre, cutting-edge galleries, and a dining scene that pulls flavors from every corner of the world. From the Crown Jewels to curry houses, from Georgian squares to street art canyons, each neighborhood has its own tempo and taste.

Practical notes: contactless payment (or Oyster) caps your daily Tube and bus fares; expect frequent service and step-free options on newer lines. Book key attractions and any day trip early, and pack layers—London weather likes to keep you guessing. Come hungry; you’ll meet British classics reborn and a kaleidoscope of immigrant cuisines.

London

London’s headliners—Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, St Paul’s—are just the start. Dig deeper in South Kensington’s museum trio, taste your way through Borough Market, and wander character-rich quarters from Notting Hill to Shoreditch. Don’t skip a riverside stroll at sunset; the Thames is London’s original highway and its best stage.

• Top sights: Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, Covent Garden, British Museum, National Gallery, St James’s Park, Greenwich.
• Food & drink: From flaky sausage rolls and Sunday roasts to Sri Lankan hoppers and Palestinian kebabs—eat broadly and you’ll eat well.
• Fun facts: Over 300 languages are spoken here; the Tube is the world’s oldest (1863); ravens have lived at the Tower for centuries—by royal decree.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• The Savoy – Grande dame on the Strand with a storied literary and theatre heritage.
• Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London – Family-friendly rooms and pool opposite Big Ben.
• Novotel London Tower Bridge – Steps from the Tower; great for first-timers.
• Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras – Compact, modern, budget-smart near Eurostar.
• YHA London Central – Clean, social base near Oxford Circus.
• YHA London St Pancras – Across from St Pancras; superb for early trains.
• Premier Inn London County Hall – Reliable comfort on the South Bank.

Or browse more stays: Hotels.com London | VRBO London apartments

Getting to London (book with these travel partners):

• Flights (global): Compare prices on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: NYC–LHR 6.5–7.5 hrs; LAX–LHR ~10–11 hrs.
• Flights (to/from Europe): Check Omio for regional carriers and deals.
• Trains in Europe: Paris/Brussels/Amsterdam to London via high-speed rail (as fast as 2h15 Paris–London). Search and book on Omio Trains. Typical fares £60–£150+ depending on date and flexibility.

Airport to city: Heathrow to central via Elizabeth line/TUBE ~35–55 min (£13–£15) or express to Paddington ~15 min (£25–£30). Gatwick to Victoria ~30–35 min by express. Contactless/Oyster works on both.

Day 1: South Bank Welcome and Big Ben at Golden Hour

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs along the South Bank from the London Eye to Tower Bridge for postcard views of St Paul’s and the skyline. Coffee stop ideas: Monmouth Coffee in Covent Garden for single-origin pours, or WatchHouse Somerset House for nutty flat whites in a historic courtyard.

Evening: Dinner near the river. Try Skylon (modern British with Thames views), Wahaca Southbank (bright, casual Mexican in a riverside “box”), or pivot to Covent Garden for Dishoom (Bombay comfort food; order the black daal and house chai). Finish with a sunset stroll past Westminster Bridge to see Big Ben illuminated.

Day 2: Royal London, Westminster Abbey, and Theatreland

Morning: Breakfast at The Wolseley on Piccadilly—silver service and Viennese pastries in a grand former car showroom. Walk St James’s to Buckingham Palace; if timing aligns, watch the Changing of the Guard from the Victoria Memorial side of the Mall.

Afternoon: Explore Westminster Abbey’s Poets’ Corner, coronation chair, and soaring Gothic nave. Continue to Parliament Square for views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament; stroll St James’s Park and browse Trafalgar Square’s National Gallery (free).

Evening: Pre-theatre bites in Soho: Barrafina (counter-seat tapas; order the tortilla and croquetas), Kiln (Thai grill; smoky clay-pot noodles), or Hawksmoor Seven Dials (British steakhouse; famed sticky toffee pudding). Catch a West End show, then a nightcap at Swift (fast, flawless cocktails) or Bar Termini (Negroni specialists).

Day 3: The Tower, the Thames, and Borough Market

Morning: Enter the storybook world of kings, traitors, and ravens at the Tower of London. Arrive for opening to meet the Yeoman Warders and see the Crown Jewels with minimal queues.

Book: Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket

Afternoon: Cross iconic Tower Bridge and amble to St Katharine Docks (yacht-lined basin with calm cafes). Then graze your way through Borough Market (open daily; fullest Wed–Sat): Padella for silky cacio e pepe, Kappacasein for sizzling raclette toasties, Bread Ahead for custard doughnuts. Espresso at Monmouth’s Borough outpost.

Evening: Classic pub circuit: The George Inn (Shakespeare-era coaching inn), Gordon’s Wine Bar (candlelit cellar carved into the embankment), and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street (rebuilt after the Great Fire). For dinner, St. John Bread & Wine in Spitalfields (nose-to-tail British; roast bone marrow) or Flat Iron (affordable steaks; free popcorn while you wait).

Day 4: Museum Mile—V&A, Natural History, and Knightsbridge

Morning: South Kensington’s “Albertopolis” awaits. Start at the Victoria & Albert Museum—design, fashion, Islamic art, and the Cast Courts’ jaw-dropping replicas—in a palace of light and tile. Coffee and pastries in the Morris-designed café rooms.

Afternoon: Pop to the Natural History Museum to meet the blue whale, then choose the Science Museum if you’re traveling with kids. Lunch at Brompton Food Market (fresh salads, excellent sandwiches) or CERU (Levantine small plates; don’t miss the lamb shoulder).

Evening: Knightsbridge wander past Harrods’ glowing facade. Dinner at The Churchill Arms (a flower-clad pub serving surprisingly great Thai), or Dishoom Kensington for smoky grilled meats, vibrant veg, and kulfi. For a sweet finish, Knoops in Kensington makes bespoke hot chocolate with cacao percentages to your taste.

Day 5: Day Trip—Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath

Let London rest while you explore royal, Roman, and prehistoric Britain in one expertly organized day. Expect an early start and a full 11–12 hours with commentary, transport, and timed entries.

Book: Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath from London

Highlights include Windsor’s State Apartments and St George’s Chapel (royal weddings), the mystical sarsens of Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain, and Bath’s honey-stone crescents plus the Roman Baths. Pack snacks; pubs and cafes feature in Windsor or Bath depending on timings. Back in London, a late bite near Victoria: Sipsmith gin at Greenwood’s bar and a quick burger, or Franco Manca for sourdough pizza.

Day 6: Harry Potter Studios and Covent Garden Flair

Morning: Dive into the wizarding world at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London—The Making of Harry Potter, including round-trip coach transport. Walk the Great Hall, sip Butterbeer, and marvel at Diagon Alley and the model of Hogwarts.

Book: Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport

Afternoon: Return to central London and browse Covent Garden’s Apple Market and street performances. Coffee at % Arabica or The Espresso Room; macarons at Ladurée kiosk; hidden gem: Neal’s Yard’s colorful courtyard for a quick slice at Homeslice or fresh pasta at Bancone (Covo branch nearby).

Evening: Soho supper at Bao (Taiwanese buns; the classic pork is a must) or The Palomar (Jerusalem-influenced small plates; order the polenta “Jerusalem style”). For dessert-with-a-view, Duck & Waffle serves late-night sweets above the city lights.

Day 7: East End Markets, Street Art, and Farewell

Morning: Explore the East End. Grab a classic salt-beef bagel at Beigel Bake (open round-the-clock) on Brick Lane, then weave through Spitalfields Market (fashion, crafts, artisans). On Sundays, add Columbia Road Flower Market for riotous blooms and buskers; any day, hunt Shoreditch murals along Redchurch Street and Chance Street.

Afternoon: Early lunch before your departure: Dumpling Shack (noodles and shengjianbao in Spitalfields), Gunpowder (punchy Indian small plates; Kashmiri lamb chops), or Tayyabs in Whitechapel (legendary Punjabi grills). Swing by E. Pellicci on Bethnal Green Road if you crave one last proper fry-up in a 1900s Art Deco café.

Evening (if you have time on a late flight): Toast the Thames on a dinner cruise—live music, city lights, and the river’s best angles on London’s landmarks.

Book: London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River

Where to base yourself (neighborhood notes): First-timers love Covent Garden (walkable to the West End), the South Bank (river walks and family-friendly hotels), or the City/Tower Hill (history on your doorstep). Night owls should pick Shoreditch; museum lovers, South Kensington.

Backup hotel shortlist (with easy links): Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London | Novotel London Tower Bridge | Point A Hotel London Kings Cross | YHA London Central | YHA London St Pancras | Premier Inn London County Hall | The Savoy

Local transport tips: Use contactless or Oyster; daily caps make it affordable. Buses are scenic and cheap; the Tube is fastest for cross-town hops. Factor 45–60 minutes for most airport transfers, or 15–35 minutes on dedicated express services.

With this 7-day London plan, you’ll see royal pageantry, riverside icons, blockbuster museums, neighborhood markets, and the green countryside beyond. Keep an appetite—London’s food scene is an itinerary in itself—and leave room for serendipity along the Thames.