London has been reinventing itself for nearly two millennia—from Roman Londinium to a global capital of culture, finance, and fashion. Its skyline stitches medieval towers to glassy skyscrapers, while street art and stately palaces share the same map. Few cities reward curiosity the way London does: turn a corner and you might step into a royal park, a buzzing market, or a 300-year-old pub.

Beyond the big hitters—Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey—London’s neighborhoods supply the magic. Mornings might start with perfect coffee in Fitzrovia, afternoons wander through South Kensington’s free museums, and evenings end under Soho’s neon or in a candlelit wine bar near the Thames. Reserve a night for the West End, where musicals and plays light up centuries-old stages.

Practical notes: Tap a contactless card or phone to ride the Tube and buses; the daily cap in central zones keeps costs predictable. Book popular attractions and West End shows in advance. London’s dining scene spans historic caffs to Michelin-starred temples—bring an appetite, and leave room for spontaneous market finds.

London

London is a city of layers. Royal pageantry, free museums, live music, inventive cocktails, and some of Europe’s most exciting food all coexist here. Base yourself near a central Tube line (Piccadilly, Central, Jubilee, or Northern) and you can reach nearly everything within 30–40 minutes.

• Top sights: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Greenwich Observatory, Buckingham Palace.
• Neighborhoods to explore: Covent Garden (theatres and street performers), Soho (late-night eats and cocktails), Shoreditch (street art and indie boutiques), Notting Hill (pastel terraces and Portobello Road), Camden (market culture and music), Greenwich (maritime history and park views).
• Why now: Revitalized riverfronts, new Elizabeth line connections, and a post-theatre dining boom make getting around and eating exceptionally good.

Where to stay: Browse well-located apartments and hotels—Covent Garden, South Bank, Marylebone, and South Kensington are ideal for first-time visitors.

• Find London apartments on VRBO
• Search London hotels on Hotels.com

How to get to London:

• Flights (within Europe): Compare options via Omio flights.
• Flights (from outside Europe): Check global fares on Kiwi.com.
• Trains to London (Eurostar/UK rail): See schedules and tickets with Omio trains (e.g., Paris–London in ~2h16m).
• Buses (budget-friendly within the UK/Europe): Compare with Omio buses.

Airport to city: Heathrow–Central London: Elizabeth line (~35 min, about £13), Piccadilly line (~50 min, ~£6), Heathrow Express to Paddington (~15 min, from ~£25). Gatwick–Victoria: Gatwick Express (~30 min, ~£20–25) or Thameslink to London Bridge/St Pancras (~35–45 min, ~£12–18). Stansted–Liverpool Street: Stansted Express (~45–50 min, ~£21–25). Luton–St Pancras: Luton Airport Express (~35–45 min, ~£14–18). Pay with contactless for best prices where available.

Day 1 — South Bank Stroll and a Warm London Welcome

Morning: Fly or train into London. If you arrive early, drop bags at your hotel and grab a flat white at WatchHouse Somerset House; the courtyard is a handsome first impression of the city.

Afternoon: Walk the South Bank from the London Eye to Tate Modern for postcard views of Big Ben and St Paul’s across the Thames. Snack stops: Honey & Co Daily-style bakes at the Bankside area or a scoop from Gelateria 3Bis near Borough Market.

Evening: Dinner at Dishoom Covent Garden—order a bacon naan as a starter and follow with black daal and Chicken Ruby; the room hums with old-Bombay nostalgia. After, clink glasses in Gordon’s Wine Bar (est. 1890), a candlelit cellar near Embankment, or ride the London Eye at dusk for a sparkling city panorama.

Day 2 — Royal London, Westminster Abbey, and the West End

Morning: Classic breakfast at Regency Café (art deco time capsule; try the full English). Stroll St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace; if dates align, catch the Changing of the Guard (typically late morning; arrive early for a view).

Afternoon: Tour Westminster Abbey (royal coronations and poets’ graves; tickets from ~£29). Walk past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, then descend into the Churchill War Rooms to explore the underground nerve center of WWII Britain.

Evening: Pre-theatre dinner at Bancone (silky hand-rolled pasta; the “silk handkerchiefs” with walnut butter are a London favorite). See a West End show in Covent Garden/Soho. Post-curtain, celebrate with impeccable cocktails at Swift Soho (the Sgroppino is a house signature) or a pint at The Harp, one of the best real-ale pubs in the city.

Day 3 — Tower of London, Borough Market, and City Skylines

Morning: Coffee and a croissant at White Mulberries in St Katharine Docks, then be at the Tower of London for opening time to meet the Yeoman Warders and see the Crown Jewels (tickets from ~£34; go early to avoid lines). Cross Tower Bridge and peek into its Victorian engine rooms.

Afternoon: Wander Borough Market for lunch: try Kappacasein’s toasted cheese sandwich, Brindisa’s chorizo roll, or Mei Mei’s Hainanese chicken rice; finish with Monmouth Coffee. Walk across the Millennium Bridge to St Paul’s Cathedral (whispering gallery and dome views; tickets from ~£25), or head into Tate Modern for cutting-edge art.

Evening: Feast at Blacklock City (smoky chops, white-anchovy starter, and legendary sticky toffee pudding; great value). For a free skyline, book the Sky Garden or pop up to the Garden at 120; then tuck into history at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street, rebuilt after the 1666 Great Fire.

Day 4 — South Kensington Museums, Hyde Park, and Notting Hill

Morning: Start in South Kensington with pastries at Aux Merveilleux de Fred (delicate meringue creations) or a savory bite at Brompton Food Market. Explore the Victoria & Albert Museum (design treasures) and the Natural History Museum’s cathedral-like Hintze Hall—both free to enter.

Afternoon: Stroll through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens; if you like royal stories, tour Kensington Palace. Pause for an elegant afternoon tea at The Ampersand Hotel’s Drawing Rooms, themed to nearby museums—playful yet refined.

Evening: Head to Notting Hill. Dinner at The Ledbury (two Michelin stars; wood-fired brilliance—book well ahead) or Gold Notting Hill (Mediterranean-leaning plates, warm glow). Cap the night with a pint at The Churchill Arms, famous for its flower-bedecked façade and Thai kitchen in back.

Day 5 — Camden Market, Primrose Hill, and East London After Dark

Morning: Espresso and banana bread at The Coffee Jar (Camden), then dive into Camden Market. Street-food picks include Oli Baba’s halloumi fries, Magic Falafel, and Yorkshire Burrito. Browse vintage stalls and vinyl, then amble the Regent’s Canal to pastel Primrose Hill; the hilltop view is one of London’s best.

Afternoon: Shift east for a Shoreditch street-art wander—spot works by Banksy alumni and rising locals along Brick Lane and Redchurch Street. Snack on a warm salt-beef bagel from Beigel Bake (open late, cash-friendly vibe) and poke around Spitalfields’ boutiques.

Evening: Dinner at Brat (Basque-inspired, whole turbot and grilled breads) or Smoking Goat Shoreditch (Thai barbecue; order the fish-sauce wings). Cocktails at Nightjar (speakeasy showmanship) or Tayēr + Elementary (boundary-pushing mixes) round out the night.

Day 6 — Day Trip to Windsor & Eton

Ride out to Windsor for royal grandeur and riverside charm. Fastest routes: London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central (via Slough) in ~30–40 minutes, or London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside in ~50–55 minutes; return fares typically ~£15–£25 off-peak. Check times and book UK rail with Omio trains.

Tour Windsor Castle (the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castle): State Apartments, St George’s Chapel (resting place of Elizabeth II), and, time permitting, a stroll down the Long Walk. Cross the footbridge to Eton for collegiate lanes and antique shops. For a cozy pub lunch, try The Two Brewers (book for the tiny dining room) or classic pies at The Horse & Groom. Return to London for a relaxed evening near your hotel—Hawksmoor (multiple locations) is a strong bet for perfectly cooked British beef and sticky toffee pudding.

Day 7 — Notting Hill Morning and Bon Voyage

Morning: Brunch in Notting Hill at Granger & Co. (ricotta hotcakes and sweetcorn fritters) or Farm Girl (Aussie-accented healthy plates). Browse Portobello Road’s antiques and colorful mews lanes for last-minute photos and souvenirs.

Afternoon: Pick up treats for the journey—bread and pastries from Pophams or a bag of Monmouth beans—then head to your airport or station. If flying from Heathrow, the Elizabeth line is the best mix of speed and value; for Gatwick, consider Thameslink if you’re near London Bridge or St Pancras.

Evening: In the air—or, if you have a late departure, enjoy an early pre-flight dinner at Dishoom Shoreditch or Padella (Borough Market) before you go.

Local Tips and Logistics

• Getting around: Use contactless or an Oyster card; buses are scenic and cheaper than the Tube for short hops. The Thames Clippers river bus is a fun way to link the South Bank and Greenwich.
• When to go: Spring and autumn mean gentler crowds and park blossoms or foliage. Pack layers and a compact umbrella any time of year.
• Free culture hits: The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, and the V&A all have free general admission; special exhibitions may be ticketed.
• Reservations: Book high-demand restaurants (The Ledbury, Brat, Blacklock at peak times) and West End shows ahead, especially on weekends.

Booking Links (save for later)

• VRBO: London stays | Hotels.com: London hotels
• Omio: Flights (Europe) | Omio: Trains (UK/Europe) | Omio: Buses (Europe/UK)
• Kiwi.com: Global flights

Seven days in London let you sample royal history, cutting-edge culture, and the city’s endlessly inventive food scene. With smart transport, a few key reservations, and room for serendipity, this itinerary balances icons and local favorites—so you’ll leave already plotting your return.