London is a city of palaces and punk, Roman ruins and glass towers, royal pageantry and late-night music. Founded by the Romans as Londinium, it grew into a maritime powerhouse and the beating heart of an empire. Today it’s a global capital where centuries-old pubs sit around the corner from world-class museums and daring modern architecture.

Fun fact: the city’s “Big Ben” is actually the bell, not the clock tower (now the Elizabeth Tower). The Thames once froze solid; now it hosts sleek riverboats and sunset cruises. With the Elizabeth line open, you can zip from Heathrow to the West End in about 35 minutes—perfect for maximizing your 7-day adventure.

Expect a lively mix of bucket-list landmarks and off-the-beaten-path experiences. Pack layers for changeable weather, use contactless payment on transit (daily cap around central London keeps costs tidy), and reserve major sights and popular restaurants ahead. London’s food scene ranges from market classics at Borough to Indian grills in Whitechapel and modern British tasting menus.

London

London rewards curiosity: turn down an alley and you’ll find a centuries-old church or a mural by a world-famous street artist. Start with the icons—Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace—then dive into neighborhoods like Shoreditch, Greenwich, Hampstead, and South Bank.

• Top sights: Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Sky Garden (free but timed), Greenwich Observatory and Prime Meridian.
• Adventurous ideas: “Up at The O2” roof walk, wild swimming at Hampstead Heath Ponds, paddle on Regent’s Canal, sunrise run along the Thames Path, urban hikes across the Royal Parks.
• Food & drink: Borough Market for grazing; Tayyabs or Lahore Kebab House (Punjabi grills); Flat Iron (steak), Padella (pasta), Dishoom (Parsi-Indian breakfast), Bao (Taiwanese), Brat and St. JOHN (modern British). Coffee standouts include Monmouth, Prufrock, Kaffeine, and WatchHouse.

Getting in and around: Fly into Heathrow, Gatwick, City, Stansted, or Luton. Search flights to or within Europe on Omio; if flying from North America, the Middle East, Africa, or Asia, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Eurostar trains from Paris/Brussels take ~2–2.5 hours—book on Omio (from ~€60–€180 depending on date). Within London, tap in/out with contactless; the daily cap in Zones 1–2 keeps costs predictable.

Where to stay (mid-budget friendly): Browse apartments on VRBO London or hotels via Hotels.com London. Specific picks: budget hostels like YHA London Central and YHA London St Pancras; wallet-friendly hotels such as Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras and Premier Inn London County Hall; solid midrange at Novotel London Tower Bridge or Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London; splurge at The Savoy.

Day 1: Arrival, South Bank Stroll, and Classic Views

Morning: In transit. If landing at Heathrow, ride the Elizabeth line to central (about 35 minutes). Drop bags at your hotel and freshen up.

Afternoon: Stretch your legs with a South Bank walk: start near the London Eye and meander past the National Theatre to Tate Modern and Millennium Bridge. Grab a light late lunch at Borough Market—try Kappacasein’s toasted cheese sandwich, Brindisa’s chorizo roll, or Bread Ahead doughnuts.

Evening: Cross to Covent Garden for street performers and independent shops. Dinner options: Flat Iron (no-fuss steak, great value), Dishoom (order the black daal and house garlic naan), or Bancone (silky silk handkerchief pasta). Nightcap at Gordon’s Wine Bar (candlelit vaults) or Swift Soho for exceptional cocktails.

Day 2: Tower of London, River, and City Icons

Morning: Kick off at the medieval fortress that shaped British history with a prebooked ticket:

Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket

Arrive for opening to see the Crown Jewels before the queues, then join a Yeoman Warder tour for tales of intrigue and escape attempts. Pause at St Katharine Docks for coffee at White Mulberries or lunch at Emilia’s Crafted Pasta.

Afternoon: Orient yourself with an open-top loop and optional river cruise:

Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (with optional Thames cruise)

Use it to hop between St Paul’s, Trafalgar Square, and Buckingham Palace. The river segment offers stellar views of Westminster and the Shard.

Evening: Dinner around Soho/Chinatown—Bao (gua bao and fried chicken), JinLi (Sichuan spice), or Kiln (Thai grills at the counter). Catch a West End show or head to the Coal Drops Yard bars by King’s Cross for a laid-back night.

Day 3: Royal Westminster, Museum Mile, and an O2 Roof Walk

Morning: Explore Westminster. See Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, then visit Westminster Abbey (coronations since 1066; allow 90 minutes). Time your stroll up the Mall for the Changing of the Guard (check schedule) and wander St James’s Park for pelicans and palace views.

Afternoon: Dive into South Kensington’s free museums. The Natural History Museum wows with its Victorian hall and blue whale; the V&A showcases design and fashion (don’t miss the Cast Courts). Lunch nearby at Ceru (Levantine bowls), Honest Burgers, or Brompton Food Market.

Evening: Crank up the adventure with “Up at The O2”—a guided roof climb yielding 360° sunsets over Canary Wharf and the Thames. Celebrate with dinner at Din Tai Fung (xiao long bao) in Centre Point or at Hawksmoor Wood Wharf (excellent British beef and sticky toffee pudding).

Day 4: Full-Day Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, Lacock Pub Lunch, and Bath

Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath with Pub Lunch in Lacock

Trade the city for rolling countryside and millennia of history. Marvel at Stonehenge’s prehistoric stone circle, tour Windsor Castle’s State Apartments and St George’s Chapel, savor a pub lunch in the photogenic village of Lacock, and admire Bath’s Georgian crescents and Roman Baths. Expect an early start and a 10–12 hour day—worth every minute for a broad sweep of English heritage.

Day 5: East London Street Art, Markets, and Hampstead Heath

Morning: Shoreditch and Spitalfields. Fuel up with a salt-beef bagel at Beigel Bake or eggs at E. Pellicci (a classic Formica-clad caff). Wander Brick Lane’s murals and vintage shops. If it’s Sunday, pop to Columbia Road Flower Market; Saturday shines at Broadway Market along the canal.

Afternoon: Head north for green expanses. Hike Hampstead Heath to Parliament Hill for one of London’s best skyline views. On warm days, bring swimwear for the Hampstead Ponds (lifeguarded; mixed and single-sex ponds). Coffee and cake at Kenwood House café or a pint at The Spaniards Inn, a coaching inn since the 16th century.

Evening: Camden for live music (Electric Ballroom, Jazz Cafe) or Bermondsey Beer Mile for craft breweries. Dinner ideas: Tayyabs (tandoori lamb chops), Som Saa (northern Thai), or Manteca (nose-to-tail Italian).

Day 6: British Museum Treasures and the Wizarding World

Morning: See highlights at the British Museum—Parthenon sculptures, the Rosetta Stone, Sutton Hoo treasures. Brunch nearby at The Black Penny (great hash) or Kaffeine (Aussie-style coffee and toasties).

Afternoon–Evening: Set off for the studios that brought Hogwarts to life:

Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport from London

Walk the Great Hall, peer into Dumbledore’s office, and try butterbeer. With round-trip coach transport included, expect ~6–7 hours total. Back in town, grab a late dinner in King’s Cross: Coal Office (contemporary Middle Eastern) or Roti King (Malaysian roti canai; queues move fast).

Day 7: Greenwich Time, River Views, and Farewell Flavors

Morning: Ride to Greenwich (DLR or boat). Explore the Royal Observatory and stand astride the Prime Meridian, then descend through Greenwich Park to the Cutty Sark and the covered market (great street eats—Ethiopian stews, empanadas, artisan bakes).

Afternoon: Cruise or ride back toward Westminster for final photos of Big Ben and the Abbey. Souvenir hunt in Covent Garden’s Seven Dials (indie brands and chocolatiers). Coffee at Monmouth or WatchHouse on the Strand.

Evening: Celebrate your last night on the Thames with a dinner cruise or keep it classic in a pub. Final meal ideas: St. JOHN (nose-to-tail British—book ahead), Padella (handmade pappardelle with beef shin ragu), or The Palomar (bright, joyful Jerusalem-style plates). Raise a toast to a week well spent.

Practical Notes and Budget Tips

• Transit: Contactless/Oyster caps your daily spend (Zones 1–2 are typically under £10/day). Heathrow Express is fastest to Paddington (~15 min) but pricier; the Elizabeth line is a sweet spot for speed and value.
• Costs: With a mid-range budget (~50/100), aim for £35–£60/day on food by mixing markets and sit-down spots; many museums are free. Book paid attractions and day trips in advance.
• Shows & reservations: West End tickets—go for weekday evenings or matinees for value. Popular restaurants (Dishoom, Padella, St. JOHN) benefit from early or off-peak dining.

Optional Add-Ons (If You Have Extra Energy)

• Churchill War Rooms (deep-dive into WWII strategy, audio guide is excellent).
• Thames Path run from Battersea Power Station to Tower Bridge at sunrise.
• Kayak on Regent’s Canal or the Docklands; or white-water at Lee Valley (book ahead).

Booking Shortcuts

• Flights (Europe): Omio
• Flights (beyond Europe): Trip.com or Kiwi.com
• Trains (Eurostar/within Europe): Omio (Paris–London ~2h15)
• Buses (budget Europe–UK): Omio
• Stays: VRBO London | Hotels.com London

Viator Activities Used in This Itinerary (for Easy Reference)

• Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket
• Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (with optional river cruise)
• Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath with Pub Lunch in Lacock
• Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport from London

Seven days in London gives you its greatest hits and a taste of its restless creativity: royal pomp, river light, edgy galleries, and brilliant food. With an adventurous lens, you’ll climb rooftops, chase street art, and wander green hills—then toast the skyline as the city glows.