London wears two thousand years lightly. From Roman Londinium and the medieval City to today’s glittering skyline, it’s a capital of continuity—Coronation processions and pageantry set against street art, pop culture, and a culinary scene that raids every pantry of the world.

Expect blockbuster sights: Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and free-to-enter museums like the British Museum and National Gallery. Between them, you’ll wander characterful pockets—Covent Garden’s street performers, Soho’s low-lit bars, South Bank’s riverside strolls, and the foodie temples of Borough Market.

Practical notes: tap contactless or an Oyster card on the Tube and buses (daily caps keep fares sensible). The Elizabeth line speeds you across the city; look right when crossing—traffic runs left. Book timed entries for headline sights and West End shows in advance, and know that a 12.5% service charge on restaurant bills is common.

London

Britain’s beating heart brims with royal landmarks, world-class museums, atmospheric pubs, and markets that could fill a suitcase. The city’s 8 Royal Parks are green lungs; its 300+ languages are a reminder that everything delicious ends up here eventually.

• Top sights: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Tower of London and Crown Jewels, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Covent Garden, Greenwich.
• Food & drink: From a Full English at art-deco Regency Café to butter-laced steak at Hawksmoor, hand-rolled pasta at Padella, and Indian comfort classics at Dishoom. Pubs pour cask ales; Gordon’s Wine Bar is London’s candlelit cave.
• Getting in: Search flights and trains on Omio. Eurostar to St Pancras from Paris (~2h15) and Brussels (~2h) often runs ~$70–$200; flights from major European hubs are ~1–3 hours. From Heathrow: Elizabeth line (~30–35 min, ~£13), Piccadilly line (~50 min, ~£5–£6), Heathrow Express (~15 min, ~£25). From Gatwick: Thameslink (~35–45 min, ~£10–£15) or Gatwick Express (~30 min, ~£19–£25).

Where to stay (curated picks):

• The Savoy — Edwardian-opulent icon on the Strand; expect river views, white-glove service, and afternoon tea in the Thames Foyer.
• Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London — Spacious, modern rooms steps from Big Ben, with a pool and postcard views.
• Premier Inn London County Hall — Reliable value in the historic County Hall building by the London Eye—hard to beat for families.
• Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras — Compact, clean, and convenient for Eurostar and multiple Tube lines.
• YHA London Central — Friendly hostel with private rooms near Oxford Circus; great for budget-conscious travelers.
• YHA London St Pancras — Steps from the Eurostar terminal; private and dorm options with a café downstairs.
• Novotel London Tower Bridge — Bright, family-friendly rooms by the Tower and the river.

Browse more stays: VRBO London | Hotels.com London

Day 1: Arrival, Classic Sights by Bus, and the South Bank at Sunset

Morning: Travel to London and make your way into the city (Elizabeth line from Heathrow is the sweet spot of speed and value). If you arrive early, drop bags and revive with coffee at Kaffeine (Australian-style espresso, Fitzrovia) or Monmouth Coffee (Covent Garden; try the Guatemalan pour-over).

Afternoon: Orient yourself on the Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour to catch open-air views of Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, St. Paul’s, and more. Hop off at Westminster to admire Big Ben and the Abbey, then stroll the South Bank—street performers, book stalls, and skyline views.

For a late lunch, graze through Borough Market: grab the toasted cheese sandwich at Kappacasein, scotch eggs at Scotchtails, Ethiopian platters at Ethiopian Flavours, and doughnuts at Bread Ahead. If queues loom, duck down to Maltby Street Market (weekends) for Little Bird gin cocktails and street eats under the railway arches.

Evening: Dinner in Covent Garden/Soho. Try Dishoom for black daal and chicken ruby (they also do walk-in lists), Kiln for wood-fired Thai and glass noodles with Tamworth pork, or Hawksmoor Seven Dials for steak and dripping chips. Nightcap at Gordon’s Wine Bar (candlelit cellar) or Swift (Soho; award-winning martinis). If you’re keen, catch a West End show—book in advance for the best seats.

Day 2: Westminster Abbey, Royal Procession, and the Crown Jewels

Morning: Fuel up at Regency Café (1930s art-deco, film-famous, excellent Full English) or The Wolseley (grand café on Piccadilly; eggs Arlington and silver coffee service). Then join a guided deep dive: Guided Tour of London Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham. You’ll move from tombs of monarchs and poets to the Mall’s royal vistas, with stories that make the stones speak.

If it aligns, watch the Changing of the Guard near Buckingham Palace (typically late morning on select days—schedule varies). For a quick bite nearby: Franco Manca (sourdough pizzas), or The Admiralty for pies and pints.

Afternoon: Cross to the City for the Tower. Secure timed entry with the Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket. Start with a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour for grisly lore, then see the Cullinan diamonds sparkle in the Crown Jewels vault.

Afterwards, walk across Tower Bridge for panoramas. If modern art calls, Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall is a short riverside stroll away and free to enter. Coffee stop: WatchHouse Tower Bridge (roastery vibes) or Notes by London Bridge.

Evening: Classic afternoon tea or an indulgent dinner. Tea options: Fortnum & Mason’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon (finger sandwiches, scones, seasonal patisserie) or The Savoy’s Thames Foyer (live piano). For dinner, book The Palomar (Jerusalem-inspired plates; the polenta is legendary), Barrafina (counter-seat Spanish tapas; order the tortilla), or St. JOHN Smithfield (nose-to-tail British—order the bone marrow and parsley salad). For a pub finale, try The Harp (Covent Garden, real ale) or The Churchill Arms (Kensington, Thai curries under a jungle of flowers).

Day 3: Day Trip — Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath

Make the most of your final day with a countryside loop that stitches prehistory, royalty, and Georgian elegance: Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath with Pub Lunch in Lacock. Depart central London around 8:00am by coach; explore Windsor Castle’s State Apartments and St George’s Chapel, ponder the mysteries of Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain, then wander Bath’s honeyed crescents and Roman Baths. A hearty pub lunch in Lacock rounds things out. Expect 11–12 hours door-to-door, returning early evening.

Pre-depart coffee: Monmouth (Borough) or Prufrock (Leather Lane). Back in London, a late plate awaits: Bao (hand-kneaded buns and Taiwanese small plates), Flat Iron (no-fuss steak; free salted caramel soft-serve), or Brick Lane Beigel Bake for a classic salt-beef bagel if it’s truly late.

Local tips: Use the Omio trains planner for day trips if you go DIY; for city transport, contactless fares cap daily, so change lines freely. Many headline museums are free—build in an hour at the National Gallery (Room 45’s Van Goghs) or the British Museum (the Enlightenment Gallery is a quiet gem).

How to get here and around: Fly or train via Omio. Within London, the Tube is fastest for distance, buses are scenic, and walking connects the best dots. The river is a delight—the Thames Clippers function like watery buses with skyline views.

Optional add-ons if you have more time: Greenwich by boat (Cutty Sark, Royal Observatory), Camden Market and Regent’s Canal, Notting Hill’s pastel rows and Portobello Road on Saturdays, and the Victoria & Albert Museum for design lovers.

Booking pointers: Reserve Westminster Abbey and the Tower in advance for popular slots; restaurants like Kiln, The Palomar, and Barrafina fill quickly (some are walk-in only—go early). Check the Changing of the Guard schedule before you plan your morning.

Activity recap (bookable via Viator):

• Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
• Guided Tour of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham
• Tower of London and Crown Jewels Ticket
• Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath with Pub Lunch

Where to book transport: Flights and trains to London on Omio; European trains on Omio Trains; intercity buses on Omio Buses; ferries on Omio Ferries.

In three brisk days you’ll stand beneath Parliament’s clocktower, read jeweled light on abbey tombs, taste London on a fork, and follow kings, queens, and Druids across the countryside. It’s a snapshot of a vast city—with enough flavors and stories to bring you back for a deeper dive.