Founded by the Romans as Londinium, London grew through medieval markets, the Great Fire of 1666, and the bustle of the Industrial Era to become a global capital of culture and style. Today it pairs royal pageantry with cutting-edge fashion, street food with Michelin stars, and centuries-old pubs with modern speakeasies.

Expect world-class museums (many free), grand palaces and cathedrals, theatre in the West End, and neighborhoods that feel like mini-cities: arty Shoreditch, village-like Hampstead, and elegant South Kensington. Photography lovers can frame Big Ben from Westminster Bridge, St Paul’s from Millennium Bridge, and the skyline from the South Bank.

Practical notes: London is contactless-friendly—tap a bank card or phone on the Tube and buses, with daily caps. Book popular restaurants and activities in advance. Weather changes fast; carry a compact umbrella. Tipping is modest (service charge is often included at 12.5%).

London

London is a city of river views and hidden courtyards, of Georgian squares and glassy skyscrapers, of royal tradition and late-night jazz. By day, browse storied shops like Liberty and markets from Borough to Portobello; by night, cruise past floodlit bridges or share a toast in a vintage-styled speakeasy.

Top sights include Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the Tate Modern. Beyond the icons, duck into St Dunstan in the East (a romantic bombed-out church-turned-garden) or watch the sunset from Primrose Hill.

Where to stay (midrange focus with a few splurges and bargains):

• Riverside convenience (midrange): Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London — spacious rooms, pool/sauna, steps from Big Ben and the South Bank.
• Great value near the London Eye: Premier Inn London County Hall — excellent location for first-timers.
• Budget and well-connected: Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras — compact, clean rooms; excellent transport links.
• Hostel with private rooms: YHA London Central or YHA London St Pancras.
• City classics for a splurge: The Savoy.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com London or apartments on VRBO London.

Getting to London:

• Flights within or to/from Europe: compare on Omio (flights).
• Flights from outside Europe: search via Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com.
• Trains and coaches in Europe/UK: check Omio (trains) and Omio (buses).

Day 1: South Bank Sunset and First Sips

Afternoon (arrival): Check in and stretch your legs along the South Bank from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge. It’s the perfect orientation walk for skyline photos—Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul’s dome, and the Shard all line your path. Pause for specialty coffee at WatchHouse on the Thames or a scoop at Gelateria 3Bis by Borough Market.

Evening: Graze at Borough Market (best Wed–Sat; lighter on Mon–Tue): try Kappacasein’s grilled cheese, Brindisa’s chorizo roll, or Borek at Balkan Bites. For a sit-down pasta date, book Padella (cacio e pepe is a crowd favorite). Nightcap options: Gordon’s Wine Bar (candlelit cellar near Embankment) or Swift Soho for refined cocktails and a short walk back across the river.

Day 2: Royal Westminster, Covent Garden, and a Classic Black Cab Tour

Morning: Start at Westminster Bridge for golden-hour photos of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Step inside Westminster Abbey (arrive at opening to beat queues), then stroll St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace. Quick breakfast ideas: Regency Café (Art Deco spot seen on film), or coffee at Monmouth in Covent Garden with a still-warm pastry.

Afternoon: See a lot in a short time with a private cabbie-guide: The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab. Expect stops for photos at Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s, Tower Bridge, and hidden corners only Black Cab drivers know.

Evening: Wander Covent Garden’s arcades and street performances. Shop the Seven Dials indie boutiques and beauty bars. Dinner picks: Barrafina (counter-seat Spanish tapas; superb tortilla), Clos Maggiore (flower-canopied dining room for a romantic splurge), or Dishoom Covent Garden (Bombay comfort—order the black daal). For nightlife, sip at Cahoots, a 1940s Tube-themed speakeasy.

Day 3: Tower of London, Borough Bites, and City Skyline

Morning: Beat the crowds at the Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition—enter at opening to see the regalia in peace and hear a Yeoman Warder’s tales.

Afternoon: Walk across Tower Bridge and down to Borough Market for lunch. Try Wright Brothers for oysters, Rabot 1745 for cacao-inspired dishes, or Arabica for Levantine mezze. Coffee at Monmouth (if the queue is long, head to Flat Cap or Gentlemen Baristas nearby). Then amble the Thames Path to the Tate Modern and across the Millennium Bridge for a perfect frame of St Paul’s.

Evening: Book timed access to the free Sky Garden for sunset. Dinner near Soho: The Palomar (Modern Jerusalem), Bancone (silk handkerchief pasta), or budget-friendly Flat Iron (great value steak). Late-night jazz? Ronnie Scott’s is the city’s legend.

Day 4: Museums, Knightsbridge Shopping, and Spa Soak

Morning: South Kensington’s “Albertopolis” awaits: choose the V&A (design and fashion), the Natural History Museum (cathedral of nature), or the Science Museum. Coffee and pastries at Fabrique or Kensington’s Kuro Coffee. If you prefer something offbeat, stroll the romantic St Dunstan in the East garden first.

Afternoon: Shop along Knightsbridge and King’s Road. Pop into Harrods Food Halls for a snack, or lunch at Brompton Food Market (green courtyard) or Murano Deli (Italian). Take a slow walk through Belgravia’s pastel mews for photos.

Evening: Sink into couple’s bliss at AIRE Ancient Baths London—a candlelit thermal circuit in a historic building (book ahead). Dinner in Mayfair or Marylebone: NOPI (Ottolenghi’s bright Mediterranean), Hoppers (Sri Lankan hoppers and curries), or St. JOHN Marylebone (nose-to-tail British). Cocktails after at The Connaught Bar or neighborhood-favorite Satan’s Whiskers (Bethnal Green).

Day 5: Romantic Day Trip – Cotswolds Villages and Country Lanes

Full-day tour (no need to split by time): Trade the city for limestone villages, church spires, and storybook lanes on the Cotswolds Small Group Tour from London. Expect honey-hued cottages, riverside footbridges, antique shops, and tearooms—pure photography heaven and tailor-made for a romantic amble.

Back in London, keep dinner easy: Homeslice (shareable pizza in Neal’s Yard), Bao (fluffy buns), or Franco Manca (sourdough pizza). If you still have energy, toast the day at Nightjar (reservations recommended).

Day 6: East London Local Day + Thames Dinner Cruise

Morning: Start at Old Spitalfields Market (fashion, gifts, street food) and browse nearby Brick Lane for vintage stores and the famous 24-hour bagel bakeries. Coffee at Ozone Coffee Roasters or WatchHouse Spitalfields. If it’s Sunday, detour to the Columbia Road Flower Market for a riot of blooms and buskers.

Afternoon: Explore Shoreditch street art along Redchurch Street and around Chance Street—great for photography. Shop Boxpark pop-ups and Redchurch’s boutiques (A.P.C., Aesop, Sunspel), then head to Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross for design-forward shops and canal-side drinks.

Evening: Dress up for a romantic river evening on the London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River—multi-course dining, live entertainment, and London’s landmarks glittering by.

Post-cruise, sneak a final drink at Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration near Charing Cross or stroll the South Bank lights.

Day 7: Farewell Coffee, Markets, and Last Photos (Departure Afternoon)

Morning: Brunch at The Wolseley (grand café on Piccadilly), Lantana (Aussie-style), or Granger & Co. in Notting Hill. For a coffee crawl, hit Prufrock Coffee (barista champions) and Kaffeine (Fitzrovia). Squeeze in souvenir shopping on Carnaby Street or in Liberty London (Tudor revival building with exquisite fabrics and homeware). Snap a last portrait at Primrose Hill or along the colorful mews of Notting Hill (be respectful—these are residential streets).

Afternoon (departure): Head to the airport by train: from Heathrow the Elizabeth line (~35 min) or Heathrow Express (~15 min); from Gatwick, Thameslink/Southern (~30–45 min). Tap your contactless card for the best fares.

Optional Add‑Ons Aligned with Your Interests

• Iconic highlights at your own pace: Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (great for first-day orientation or light days).
• Harry Potter fans: studio magic with transport—choose from this studio tour or the superior transport option.

Dining and nightlife cheat sheet (save for later): For British comfort, try Hawksmoor (steak and Sunday roast) or The Harwood Arms (Michelin-starred pub). For date-night sparkle, Clos Maggiore and Bob Bob Ricard (“press for champagne”). Bars: Nightjar, Swift, Cahoots, Tayēr + Elementary, and the Sky Garden for views.

Shopping highlights: Liberty (heritage textiles), Selfridges, Carnaby (indie brands), Seven Dials, Coal Drops Yard, Dover Street Market (avant-garde), Old Spitalfields (makers), and Portobello Road Market (best on Saturdays).

Photography spots: Tower Bridge at sunrise, Millennium Bridge to St Paul’s, St Dunstan in the East, Primrose Hill at dusk, Greenwich Park’s Royal Observatory view, and little mews lanes in Notting Hill and South Kensington.

Finally, to keep the budget midrange (50/100): mix free museums with paid icons, ride buses and the Tube with contactless caps, target pre-theatre menus (5–7pm), and browse markets for affordable, delicious lunches.

Reserve your key experiences here

• Tower of London & Crown Jewels
• Private Black Cab Highlights Tour
• Thames Dinner Cruise
• Cotswolds Small Group Day Trip

Hotels to book now (handpicked for this route): Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, Premier Inn London County Hall, Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras, YHA London Central, and the classic The Savoy. Or browse more on Hotels.com and VRBO.

In seven days, you’ll experience royal London, neighborhood cafés, storied markets, a countryside escape, and nights on the river. This romantic itinerary balances icons and intimacy—leaving you with time to breathe, explore, and make London feel like yours.