London has been reinventing itself since Roman Londinium—layer upon layer of royalty, rebellion, and reinvention. Today, you’ll read the city through its architecture: medieval fortress at the Tower, baroque swagger at St. Paul’s, Victorian ambition in Kensington, and modern glass needles on the South Bank.

Between headline museums and tiny specialist galleries, you could spend months here. In a week, you’ll sample royalty at Westminster, taste the city at Borough Market, browse Soho record shops, and watch dusk fade to twinkling bridges on the Thames. Add a day trip to Stonehenge and Bath for a timeless slice of England.

Practical notes: London runs on contactless cards—tap in and out on the Tube and buses. Pack for fickle weather and comfortable walking shoes. For dining, book popular restaurants where possible; for markets like Borough, go early and hungry.

London

Big Ben keeps time; the city keeps pace. You’ll crisscross neighborhoods that feel like their own worlds—leafy Kensington, creative Shoreditch, stately Westminster, and the river-hugging South Bank. The joy of London is how easily a morning at a royal abbey can end with bao buns in a neon-lit arcade.

• Top sights: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Covent Garden, Greenwich.
• Essential experiences: Borough Market grazing, a West End show, pub culture, a Thames cruise at golden hour, and a countryside day trip.
• Food to try: British pies and roast, South Asian curries, fresh pasta, contemporary Middle Eastern plates, and excellent coffee culture.
• Fun facts: The City of London is a one-square-mile financial district with its own Lord Mayor; over 300 languages are spoken here.

Getting to London

From Europe, trains and flights are frequent. Compare options on Omio (trains) and Omio (flights). From outside Europe, search long-haul fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical times: Paris–London by Eurostar ~2h15; NYC–London ~7h direct; Heathrow to central London: ~15 min on Heathrow Express or ~50–60 min by Tube.

Where to stay (affiliate picks)

• Browse all stays: VRBO London | Hotels.com London
• Classic icon: The Savoy (river views, storied bars): Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3
• Great location for families: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (steps from Big Ben): Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3
• Midrange by the Tower: Novotel London Tower Bridge: Book
• Budget smart: Point A Hotel Kings Cross – St Pancras: Option 1 | Option 2
• Hostels (clean, central): YHA London Central: Option 1 | Option 2; YHA London St Pancras: Option 1 | Option 2
• Value near the London Eye: Premier Inn London County Hall: Book

Day 1: Arrival, South Bank Stroll, and Borough Bites

Afternoon: Land, drop bags, and head to the South Bank for an easy first wander. Ramble from the London Eye to Tate Modern, crossing the Jubilee footbridges for postcard views of Big Ben and St. Paul’s. If you need caffeine, grab a flat white at Monmouth Coffee (Borough Market) or WatchHouse (Borough Yards).

Evening: Graze Borough Market’s later-opening stalls: try Kappacasein’s legendary toasted cheese sandwich, Brindisa’s chorizo roll, or Ethiopian veggie platters at Ethiopian Flavours. For a sit-down dinner, book Padella (silky hand-rolled pappardelle) or Wright Brothers (oysters, seafood). Toast your first night at Gordon’s Wine Bar—candlelit arches, sherry, and British cheeses.

Day 2: Royal Westminster and the West End

Morning: Breakfast at Regency Café (art deco, hearty English plates) or Ole & Steen (Danish pastries). Walk Westminster Abbey’s nave where monarchs were crowned, then pass the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben. If timing aligns, see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace—arrive 30–45 minutes early for a good viewpoint on The Mall.

Afternoon: Stroll St. James’s Park to Trafalgar Square for the National Gallery’s highlights (Van Gogh, Turner). Grab lunch at The Cinnamon Club (modern Indian in a former library) or The Laughing Halibut (classic fish & chips). Explore Covent Garden’s street performers and the covered market’s boutiques.

Evening: Pre-theater plates at Dishoom Covent Garden (black daal, bacon naan) or French bistro staples at The Delaunay. See a West End musical or play; after, celebrate at Bar Américain (art deco cocktails) or the historic pub The Harp near Charing Cross.

Day 3: The City—Towers, Bridges, and Markets

Morning: Arrive early at the Tower of London to beat queues, meet a Yeoman Warder, and marvel at the Crown Jewels. Secure entry with this ticket:

Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket (Viator)

Then cross Tower Bridge and, if you like, visit the high-level walkways with glass floors.

Afternoon: Lunch at Maltby Street Market (weekends; compact and delicious), or circle back to Borough Market for fried fish tacos at El Pastor or bao at Bao Borough. Walk the Thames Path to St. Paul’s Cathedral; climb the dome for sweeping views if skies are clear.

Evening: East End flavors: book Gunpowder (small-plate Indian, spice-forward) near Spitalfields or Tayyabs in Whitechapel (famously sizzling lamb chops; go early). For a classic pub, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (rebuilt after the Great Fire) offers snugs and history.

Day 4: Day Trip—Windsor, Stonehenge, and Bath

Make a grand loop through English history on this full-day tour (10–12 hours), typically departing central London by coach. You’ll explore Windsor Castle’s State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel, ponder Neolithic Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain, and finish among Georgian crescents in Bath—with a traditional pub lunch in Lacock village en route.

Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath with Pub Lunch in Lacock (Viator)

Day 5: Bloomsbury Classics and the Wizarding World

Morning: Coffee at Store Street Espresso; then tour the British Museum’s Rosetta Stone, Parthenon marbles, and the Enlightenment Gallery. For lunch, try Roti King (Malaysian roti canai near Euston; expect a queue) or Noble Rot Bloomsbury (British seasonal menu, stellar wine list).

Afternoon & Evening: Dive into cinema magic at Leavesden on a comfortable coach with timed entry. Sets, costumes, butterbeer—the works. This option includes round-trip transport from central London:

Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport from London (Viator)

Back in town, grab late bites at Poppies Fish & Chips (Soho) or Bao (Soho) for Taiwanese buns.

Day 6: East London Creativity and Greenwich, Then Dinner on the Thames

Morning: If it’s Sunday, wander Columbia Road Flower Market (breakfast at E5 Bakehouse nearby). On other days, explore Spitalfields and Brick Lane’s street art and food halls; hit Beigel Bake for salt-beef bagels or Lahpet for Burmese tea leaf salad.

Afternoon: Ride an Uber Boat downriver to Greenwich—visit the Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory (stand on the Prime Meridian), and the National Maritime Museum. Refuel with traditional pies at Goddards at Greenwich or a pint by the water at the Trafalgar Tavern.

Evening: Dress for a memorable night: dine as London’s skyline glides past on this cruise with live entertainment. It’s a photogenic, relaxing finale before your last day’s wind-down.

London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River (Viator)

Day 7: Kensington Museums, Hyde Park, and Departure

Morning: Check out and store luggage. Choose one museum cluster in South Kensington: Natural History (dinosaurs and gemstones), Science Museum (hands-on galleries), or the V&A (design and fashion). Brunch at Granger & Co. (ricotta hotcakes) or CERU South Kensington (Levante plates, great for sharing).

Afternoon: Stroll Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park—serene lakes, the Italian Gardens, and the Serpentine. Pick up last-minute treats at Harrods Food Halls or Fortnum & Mason before heading to the airport. Transfers: Piccadilly line to Heathrow (~£6, ~50–60 min), Heathrow Express to Paddington (~15 min), or Gatwick Express to Victoria (~30 min).

Local transport tips

Use an Oyster or contactless card; daily/weekly caps keep costs reasonable. Black cabs are iconic; ride-hailing is ubiquitous. Most central journeys are 10–25 minutes by Tube—walk when sights are a stop or two apart to see more street life.

Optional swaps if your dates align

• Portobello Road Market (Saturdays) in Notting Hill for antiques and vintage.
• National Theatre matinee, then sunset from the free-to-book Sky Garden.
• Football fans: tour Arsenal’s Emirates or Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge (book ahead).

Estimated costs (per person, typical ranges)

• Public transport: £8–£12/day with caps.
• Meals: breakfast £6–£15; lunch £12–£25; dinner £20–£45 (high-end more).
• Paid sights (each): £15–£35; day trip tour: ~£110–£150 including entries and lunch as specified.

Summary

In a single week, you’ll trace London’s story from royal processions to avant‑garde galleries, from market stalls to candlelit pubs, from city lights to ancient stone circles. This itinerary balances big-ticket icons with local flavor—and leaves just enough unscripted time for your own discoveries.