London is a city where Roman foundations and glass skyscrapers share the same skyline. Founded as Londinium nearly 2,000 years ago, it grew into a world capital of trade, culture, and ideas, with layers of history in every square mile. Today, you can stroll from a medieval fortress to a street lined with indie coffee roasters in under 20 minutes.

Iconic landmarks—Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s—are only the beginning. Food halls buzz in Victorian markets, free world‑class museums brim with treasures, and the River Thames hosts everything from leisurely cruises to high-speed boats. Neighborhoods are distinct: the bookish calm of Bloomsbury, the creative pulse of Shoreditch, the maritime grace of Greenwich.

Practical notes: Tap in/out on public transport with contactless or Oyster; off‑peak fares help your budget. Tipping is typically 10–12.5% in restaurants (check if a service charge is added). Pack layers and a compact umbrella—London’s weather can change between stations on the Tube.

London

Welcome to a city of royal pageantry, street markets, and literary ghosts. By day, explore the Tower of London, watch the Changing of the Guard, and wander Sir Christopher Wren’s churches; by night, catch a West End show or hunt down the perfect cask ale in a historic pub.

• Top sights: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, British Museum, National Gallery, Borough Market, Shoreditch street art, Greenwich Royal Observatory.
• Great food stops: Borough Market’s Kappacasein cheese toastie; Dishoom (Bombay comfort classics); Padella (fresh pasta); Flat Iron (value steak); E. Pellicci (East End institution); St. JOHN Bread and Wine (nose‑to‑tail small plates).
• How to get here: Flights to London (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, City). For flights within or to/from Europe, compare on Omio Flights. For long‑haul from outside Europe, check Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Taking the train from Paris/Brussels? Eurostar usually takes ~2h–2h30; compare on Omio Trains.
• Where to stay (curated picks): For value near the South Bank and the Eye, Premier Inn London County Hall. For a polished mid‑range with pool and Big Ben views, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London. Steps from the Tower, Novotel London Tower Bridge. Budget‑friendly hub by the Eurostar, Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras, or hostels like YHA London Central and YHA London St Pancras. For a once‑in‑a‑lifetime splurge, The Savoy.
• Search broadly: Hotels.com: London stays | VRBO: London apartments

Day 1: South Bank Icons and Sunset Views

Morning: Travel day. Land, clear immigration, and ride the Heathrow/Gatwick Express or the Tube into central London. Drop your bags and stretch your legs with a coffee at Monmouth (Covent Garden) or Prufrock (Leather Lane) if you arrive early.

Afternoon: Walk the South Bank from the London Eye toward Tower Bridge. This riverside path strings together Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern, and postcard views. Grab a late lunch: try Padella (Borough) for hand‑rolled pappardelle or Arabica for Levantine mezze.

Evening: Orientation by the lights: the Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour is a flexible way to see the landmarks without planning on jetlag. Expect live or recorded commentary and optional river cruise; typical adult passes from ~£40.

Finish with an easy dinner: Flat Iron (great value steak) or Wahaca Southbank (tacos under fairy lights).

Day 2: The City of London—Medieval to Modern

Morning: Step into 1,000 years of intrigue at the Tower of London and Crown Jewels. Arrive for opening to beat the crowds, see the priceless regalia, and hear Yeoman Warder stories; tickets from ~£33 adult.

After, cross Tower Bridge and peek into the Victorian engine rooms.

Afternoon: Browse Leadenhall Market’s ornate arcades and the “Square Mile’s” hidden churchyards. Lunch at Borough Market: try Kappacasein’s toasted cheese sandwich, Gourmet Goat’s slow‑roast kid, or Bread Ahead’s jam doughnuts. If you booked ahead, pop up to the Sky Garden for free city views.

Evening: Pub heritage on Fleet Street: Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (rebuilt 1667) pours cozy pints in warren‑like rooms. For dinner, St. JOHN Bread and Wine (Spitalfields) for marrow bones and seasonal British plates, or Gunpowder (Spitalfields) for modern Indian small dishes.

Day 3: Royal London—Westminster, St James’s, and the West End

Morning: Tour Westminster Abbey, the nation’s coronation church, then wander Parliament Square for classic shots of Big Ben. Time your walk up the Mall to Buckingham Palace—on certain days you can catch the Changing of the Guard (arrive early for a view).

Afternoon: Cross St James’s Park to Piccadilly. The Wolseley is an elegant stop for schnitzel or afternoon tea; budget pick: Regency Café (art‑deco, hearty fry‑ups). Dip into the National Gallery (free) for Van Gogh, Turner, and Caravaggio.

Evening: See a West End show (book ahead), then late‑night bites at Dishoom Covent Garden (black daal and garlic naan) or Bancone (silk handkerchief pasta). Cocktails at Swift Soho (two‑level bar; upstairs is brisk and bright, downstairs is moody and melodic).

Day 4: Museums, Kensington, and a Night on the Thames

Morning: South Kensington’s “Albertopolis” packs three heavy hitters: the V&A (design and decorative arts), the Natural History Museum (a cathedral to the natural world), and the Science Museum. Coffee at Kaffeine or Over Under; grab pastries en route.

Afternoon: Stroll Kensington Gardens to the Italian Gardens and the Round Pond. If you love colorful streets, continue to Notting Hill and Portobello Road’s antiques arcades (busiest on weekends). Snack stop: Ottolenghi (Notting Hill) for vibrant salads and cakes.

Evening: Dress for skyline views and live music aboard the London Dinner Cruise on the Thames—glide past illuminated St Paul’s, the Shard, and Tower Bridge while dining and listening to a cabaret singer; from ~£90.

If you prefer to save, take a budget‑friendly Thames clipper ride at dusk and dine shoreside at Padella or Franco Manca.

Day 5: A Wizarding Detour—Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Spend a magical half‑day at the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport, including round‑trip coach from central London; typically 6–7 hours door‑to‑door, from ~£110. Walk the Great Hall, peer at potion vials, photograph Platform 9¾, and sip butterbeer.

Back in town, wander Coal Drops Yard at King’s Cross. Dinner nearby: Dishoom King’s Cross (queue moves fast), German Gymnasium (grand Mittel‑European brasserie), or The Lighterman (canalside).

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

Morning: Classic café breakfast at E. Pellicci (since 1900) in Bethnal Green—order a full English or a simple bacon bap. Join a DIY street art hunt around Shoreditch (Rivington Street, Chance Street) and browse Old Spitalfields Market’s makers’ stalls.

Afternoon: Lunch on Brick Lane: Beigel Bake (salt beef and mustard on warm bagels), or head to Smoking Goat Shoreditch for Thai‑inspired grilled corn, fish sauce wings, and smoked brisket fried rice. Coffee at Ozone Roasters on Leonard Street.

Evening: Sip a pre‑dinner pint at The Ten Bells (historical Spitalfields pub), then graze at Dishoom Shoreditch or Manteca (hand‑rolled pasta, nose‑to‑tail). Nightcap at Nightjar (speakeasy jazz; reservations advised) or Queen of Hoxton’s rooftop for seasonal pop‑ups.

Day 7: Greenwich and the Thames

Morning: Ride the Thames to Greenwich on a river boat for a scenic commute. Explore the Cutty Sark, the colonnades of the Old Royal Naval College, and the National Maritime Museum (free). Climb to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park for one of London’s best skyline views along the Prime Meridian.

Afternoon: Traditional lunch at Goddards at Greenwich (pie, mash, and liquor), then browse Greenwich Market’s crafts and street food. If maritime history calls, peek into the Painted Hall—often dubbed “the UK’s Sistine Chapel.”

Evening: Cruise or DLR back toward Canary Wharf’s glass canyons for a modern contrast. Dinner options: Hawksmoor Wood Wharf (steakhouse with dock views) or Emilia’s Crafted Pasta (handmade, affordable). For drinks, The Gun (historic riverside pub) or a simple riverside stroll.

Day 8: Art, Markets, and Farewell

Morning: Final tastes at Borough Market or a quick Monmouth Coffee with pastries from Bread Ahead. If time allows, step into Tate Modern for one last dose of modern art and views from the Blavatnik Building terrace.

Afternoon: Depart for the airport or rail station. If you’re train‑hopping across Europe, compare times and fares on Omio Trains; for intra‑Europe flights, look at Omio Flights. Long‑haul? Check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Safe travels.

Budget tips for a 46/100 spend level: Use contactless/Oyster caps on public transport; build your days around London’s free museums; mix markets and high‑value restaurants (Padella, Flat Iron, Bancone) with the occasional splurge (Thames dinner cruise). For day trips beyond London without tours, Windsor and Hampton Court are easy by train—compare on Omio Trains.

Optional swaps if your interests shift: Prefer countryside villages? Trade Day 6 for a Cotswolds ramble on a guided minibus (small groups, photogenic stone cottages). Passionate about royal history? Add an in‑depth Westminster guided tour day. Food‑first traveler? Dedicate an evening to a Soho food crawl.

In eight days, you’ll trace London’s story from fortress to modern capital, taste your way through markets and small plates, and watch the city glow from the river. With a smart blend of free culture, neighborhood wanders, and a handful of bookable highlights, this plan packs depth without rushing—leaving room for serendipity.