London has been reinventing itself since the Romans founded Londinium nearly 2,000 years ago. Fires, plagues, Blitz bombs, and booms all left their marks, creating a city where medieval lanes meet glass skyscrapers, and where royalty and street art are neighbors. This 7-day London itinerary helps you explore its famous icons and the local scenes that give the city its everyday magic.

Expect world-class museums (many free), historic pubs, afternoon tea, and markets brimming with flavors from every corner of the globe. You’ll wander the South Bank, trace the Crown’s story in Westminster, step inside the Tower of London, browse Portobello Road, and stand on the Prime Meridian in Greenwich. We’ve balanced must-see attractions with neighborhood strolls, cafés, and hidden gems.

Practical notes: Use contactless payment or an Oyster card on the Tube and buses (zone 1–2 daily cap is about £9). Pack layers for changeable weather and comfortable walking shoes. For flights and trains, book early for better fares; West End tickets and special exhibits also sell out weeks ahead.

London

London is a tapestry of distinct villages—each with its own character. Westminster is the ceremonial heart; the City of London is the ancient square mile where Roman walls once stood; Shoreditch buzzes with creativity; Notting Hill offers pastel streets and Saturday antiques; Greenwich blends maritime history with expansive parkland.

Top sights range from Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace to the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern, the V&A, and the National Gallery. Food lovers should plan for Borough Market, Maltby Street Market, and Shoreditch’s inventive kitchens. Pubs like The Harp and The Churchill Arms pour history alongside pints.

• Where to stay (Hotels.com and VRBO): Browse options on Hotels.com or book apartments on VRBO.
• Specific stays we love:
  • Luxury: The Savoy (river views, storied service, classic London glamour).
  • Upscale: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (big rooms, pool/spa, steps from the South Bank).
  • Mid-range: Novotel London Tower Bridge (modern base near the Tower and St Katharine Docks).
  • Good-value: Premier Inn London County Hall (unbeatable location by the London Eye).
  • Budget: YHA London Central or YHA London St Pancras (clean, social, and central). Also consider Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras for compact, comfy rooms.
• Getting in and around: For flights within Europe, compare on Omio (flights); for long-haul or non-Europe routes, use Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. If you’re coming by rail (e.g., Eurostar from Paris or Brussels), search times and fares on Omio (trains).

Day 1: Arrive, South Bank Walk, and Classic First Night

Morning: In transit. If landing at Heathrow, the Heathrow Express to Paddington takes ~15 minutes (about £25); the Piccadilly Line is ~50 minutes (about £6). From Gatwick, trains to Victoria (Gatwick Express, ~30 minutes) or to London Bridge/St Pancras (Thameslink, ~35–45 minutes) are efficient.

Afternoon: Drop bags and refresh. Start with a South Bank stroll: from Westminster Bridge to the London Eye, past the Southbank Centre and the book market under Waterloo Bridge, to Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe. Grab a flat white at WatchHouse Somerset House or an ice cream from the riverside stands.

Evening: Dinner at Flat Iron (Covent Garden) for reliably great steaks under £20, or Golden Union (Soho) for crispy cod and hand-cut chips. Toast your first night at Gordon’s Wine Bar by Embankment—candlelit nooks carved into a Victorian-era cellar feel delightfully timeworn.

Day 2: Westminster, Royal Parks, and the West End

Morning: Explore Westminster Abbey—1,000 years of royal coronations, Poets’ Corner, and soaring Gothic stonework. Walk past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, then cross into St James’s Park for postcard views and pelicans. If timing allows, catch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (late mornings on select days; arrive early).

Afternoon: Lunch at The Wolseley on Piccadilly for schnitzel or eggs benedict beneath chandeliers, or head to The Palomar (Soho) for modern Jerusalem plates at the kitchen counter. Dip into the National Gallery to stand before Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and Turner’s seascapes.

Evening: Pre-theatre small plates at Barrafina (Adelaide Street) or a curry-and-naan feast at Dishoom Covent Garden. See a West End show (musical or play); for a nightcap, The Harp (Covent Garden) is tiny, friendly, and famed for cask ales.

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

Morning: Be at the Tower of London when it opens to beat queues. Join a Yeoman Warder tour to hear tales of intrigue and see the Crown Jewels. Cross Tower Bridge (visit the high-level walkway if you like).

Afternoon: Lunch at Borough Market: try Kappacasein’s toasted cheese sandwich, Gujarati Rasoi’s veggie thali, or Richard Haward’s Oysters. Grab drip coffee at Monmouth. Walk the Thames Path to the Millennium Bridge and head to St Paul’s Cathedral—climb the dome for sweeping views if you’re up for the stairs.

Evening: Pub stop at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street, rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666. Dinner at Padella (Borough or Shoreditch) for hand-rolled pici cacio e pepe. If you still have energy, reserve free Sky Garden tickets (book in advance) for illuminated cityscapes.

Day 4: Kensington Museums, Hyde Park, and Notting Hill

Morning: Choose your museum: the V&A (decorative arts and design), Natural History Museum (dinosaurs to deep oceans), or Science Museum (hands-on galleries). Fuel up with coffee at Kaffeine (Fitzrovia) or the local branch of WatchHouse.

Afternoon: Stroll Kensington Gardens to the Italian Gardens and the Albert Memorial, then continue through Hyde Park. Head to Notting Hill for colorful facades and vintage browsing on Portobello Road (best on Saturdays, but charming any day). Try Kuro Coffee for a minimalist, specialty brew.

Evening: Dinner at Gold Notting Hill (wood-fired sharing plates), or book The Ledbury for one of London’s most acclaimed kitchens. Finish at The Churchill Arms—famous for its flower-strewn exterior and Thai food served in a Victorian pub setting.

Day 5: Greenwich and the Thames

Morning: Ride the Uber Boat or DLR to Greenwich for scenic river views. Tour the Cutty Sark, then climb to the Royal Observatory to straddle the Prime Meridian and enjoy some of the best park panoramas in London.

Afternoon: Classic pie and mash at Goddards at Greenwich. Browse Greenwich Market for artisan crafts and street food. If skies are clear, take the IFS Cloud Cable Car over the Thames to the Royal Docks for a fun aerial perspective (about £6 each way).

Evening: Return via Canary Wharf and hop to Shoreditch. Casual dinner at Smoking Goat Shoreditch (fiery Thai barbecue) or Dishoom Shoreditch. Finish with cocktails and live jazz-era vibes at Nightjar (reservations recommended) or modern classics at Swift Shoreditch.

Day 6: Day Trip to Windsor Castle and Eton

Morning: Take the train to Windsor: from Paddington via Slough (~35 minutes) or from Waterloo direct (~55 minutes). Compare departures and fares on Omio (trains); expect £12–25 return if booked ahead. Explore Windsor Castle—don’t miss the State Apartments and St George’s Chapel.

Afternoon: Lunch at The Two Brewers (a cozy, ivy-clad pub by the Long Walk) or the Duchess of Cambridge pub on Thames Street. Walk part of the Long Walk for royal-park vistas, then cross the bridge to Eton for antique shops and the Eton College area (check for tour availability).

Evening: Return to London. Celebrate with Chinatown favorites: roast duck at Four Seasons, dim sum at Dumplings’ Legend, or buns and noodles at Bao Soho nearby. If it’s your theatre night instead, head to pre-booked seats and raise a glass after at a Covent Garden wine bar.

Day 7: East End Markets, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Depending on the day, pick your market: Columbia Road Flower Market (Sundays; go early), Broadway Market (Saturdays; excellent coffee and pastries), or Old Spitalfields Market (daily; boutiques and food stalls). Grab a bagel at Beigel Bake on Brick Lane or espresso at Prufrock Coffee (Leather Lane).

Afternoon: Quick lunch before you head out—Franco Manca for tangy sourdough pizza or Bancone for silky hand-made pasta. Pick up last-minute souvenirs in Covent Garden’s Apple Market or on Carnaby Street. Depart for the airport or station with extra time for security.

Evening: Fly home (or on to your next stop). For European flights, check Omio (flights); for long-haul or non-Europe, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Where to Eat and Drink (Handy Shortlist)

• Breakfast/coffee: Regency Café (art deco fry-up), E. Pellicci (East End institution), Monmouth Coffee (Covent Garden), Prufrock Coffee (barista training HQ).
• Lunch: Borough Market stalls; Dishoom bacon naan roll; Padella (pasta); Bao (Taiwanese buns).
• Dinner: Barrafina (Spanish), The Palomar (Jerusalem), The Ledbury (fine dining), St. JOHN Bread & Wine (nose-to-tail British), Gold Notting Hill (modern European).
• Pubs and nightcaps: The Harp (cask ales), Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (historic), The Churchill Arms (Thai + blooms), Nightjar (speakeasy jazz), Swift (elegant cocktails).

Logistics and Booking Tips

• Flights/trains: Compare fares on Omio (flights in Europe), Omio (trains in Europe), Trip.com, and Kiwi.com.
• Hotels/apartments: Browse availability and deals on Hotels.com and VRBO. Great picks include The Savoy, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, Novotel London Tower Bridge, Premier Inn London County Hall, YHA London Central, and YHA London St Pancras.
• Local transport: Contactless tap-in/out on Tube and buses is easiest. Off-peak is cheaper; check for weekend engineering works on certain lines.

Optional Viator Experiences (Note: These specific links are for London, Ontario)

If you plan to extend your travels to London, Ontario, here are a few Viator activities to consider:

• Private: Brewery, Winery, and Cider & Spirit Tastings Tour in SW Ontario

  

• Downtown London Walking Food Tour (London, Ontario)

  

In a week, you’ll trace London’s story from abbey stones to skyline views, savoring markets and neighborhood kitchens in between. With a royal day trip and time along the Thames, this itinerary balances big-ticket icons and local favorites—so you depart already dreaming of your return.