London wears its history with flair. Roman Londinium grew into a powerhouse of ideas, commerce, and culture; today you’ll walk from medieval towers to glass-clad skyscrapers in minutes. From the Crown Jewels and Big Ben to street art in Shoreditch, the city rewards both first-timers and repeat visitors.

Food lovers eat especially well here. Start with a bacon naan roll, graze through Borough Market’s world foods, sip serious coffee in Shoreditch, and book a proper afternoon tea. Evenings mean West End shows, cozy pubs, and twinkling Thames views.

Practical notes: Contactless cards and phones work like an Oyster on TfL; most museums are free; service charge is often added (around 12.5%). Pack layers for capricious weather and book timed entries for headline sights in advance during peak seasons and holidays.

London

London’s greatest trick is range: royal pageantry and gritty creativity, blockbuster museums and tiny neighborhood bakeries, quiet Georgian squares and neon-lit theatreland. This 7-day London itinerary mixes the classics with local favorites and time to wander.

• Top sights: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, the British Museum, Tate Modern, Tower Bridge, Covent Garden, Camden.
• Great neighborhoods: South Bank for riverside walks, Soho for dining and theatre, Shoreditch for street art and coffee, Notting Hill for pastel terraces and antiques, Kensington for museums and parks.
• Fun fact: The City of London covers just one square mile yet handles a vast share of global finance—and it’s where you’ll find Roman ruins beneath skyscrapers.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• The Savoy – A storied riverside grande dame with Art Deco glamour and world-class service; steps from the West End.
• Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London – Modern rooms with postcard views of Big Ben and the London Eye; ideal for first-timers.
• Novotel London Tower Bridge – Family-friendly comfort near the Tower, Tower Bridge, and the river.
• Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras – Smart, budget-friendly base with quick access to Eurostar and multiple Tube lines.
• Premier Inn London County Hall – Reliable rooms in a historic building beside the London Eye and South Bank.
• YHA London Central – Clean, social hostel near Oxford Circus; good for solo travelers.
• YHA London St Pancras – Budget-friendly and opposite the Eurostar terminal; easy for early trains.

Or browse more options: VRBO apartments in London | Hotels.com: London stays

Getting there & around:

• Flights: Fly into Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), City (LCY), Stansted (STN), or Luton (LTN). Compare fares in Europe on Omio Flights. Coming from North America or Asia? Check Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com.
• Trains: Eurostar to St Pancras from Paris/Brussels/Amsterdam (about 2–4 hours). Search and book on Omio Trains. For intercity buses or ferries, use Omio Buses and Omio Ferries.
• Airport transfers: Heathrow Express (15 min, from ~£25), Elizabeth line (30–35 min, ~£13–£14), Piccadilly line Tube (45–55 min, ~£5–£6). Gatwick Express to Victoria (30 min), Thameslink to London Bridge/St Pancras (30–45 min). Tap in/out with contactless—daily caps apply.

Day 1: Arrival, the South Bank stroll, and first tastes

Afternoon: Arrive and drop your bags. Shake off jet lag with a South Bank walk: start at the London Eye, then follow the river past street performers, book stalls, and skyline views of St Paul’s and the Shard. Cross Westminster Bridge for that classic Big Ben photo, then back to the river.

Evening: Casual dinner on the river. Try Wahaca Southbank (lively Mexican plates in a recycled shipping-container pavilion) or the OXO Tower Brasserie for sunset views over the Thames. For a nightcap, slip into Gordon’s Wine Bar near Embankment—candlelit vaults and fortified wines since 1890.

Day 2: Royal Westminster, parks, and a West End show

Morning: Fuel up at the Regency Café (art deco icon; hearty English breakfasts) or Dishoom Covent Garden (bacon naan and house chai). Tour Westminster Abbey—coronations since 1066—and peek at Parliament and Big Ben. If timing suits, see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (check the schedule).

Afternoon: Stroll St James’s Park to the Mall and Trafalgar Square. Visit the National Gallery or Churchill War Rooms. Lunch ideas: The Wolseley on Piccadilly (grand European café classics) or a quick bite at Pret-a-Manger picnic-style in the park if the sun’s out.

Evening: Dinner near theatreland—try Barrafina (counter-seat tapas), The Palomar (modern Jerusalem plates), or Rules (London’s oldest restaurant, famed for game and puddings). See a West End show: The Lion King, Hamilton, Wicked, or Les Misérables—book ahead.

Day 3: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, and the Thames at night

Morning: Coffee near the river at WatchHouse Tower Bridge or White Mulberries in St Katharine Docks. Then step into 1,000 years of intrigue with the Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London and gaze at the Crown Jewels. Book timed entry with this ticket:

Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket (Viator)

Afternoon: Cross the glass-floored walkways of Tower Bridge, then wander to Borough Market for lunch. Don’t miss Kappacasein’s toasted cheese sandwich, Mei Mei’s Hainanese chicken rice, or Ethiopian from Ethiopian Flavours; for sit-down pasta, Padella’s hand-rolled pappardelle with beef shin ragu is a local favorite.

Evening: Dine on the river as London glows by night with this classic cruise (live music, wine, and skyline views of St Paul’s and the Shard):

London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River (Viator)

If you’d rather stay ashore, book a free ticket for Sky Garden’s panorama and then eat nearby at Flat Iron (well-priced steak) or Hawksmoor Borough (British beef, excellent cocktails).

Day 4: Museums or Kensington gardens by day, Wizarding World by afternoon

Morning: Coffee at Ozone Coffee Roasters (Shoreditch) or Kaffeine (Fitzrovia). Choose your culture: the British Museum (Rosetta Stone, Parthenon marbles) or the South Kensington trio—V&A for design, Natural History for dinosaurs, Science Museum for hands-on fun. Stroll Hyde Park and the Serpentine if the weather’s kind.

Afternoon: Head to the Harry Potter™ Warner Bros. Studio Tour with round-trip transport included—sets, props, costumes, and butterbeer on a behind-the-scenes deep dive. It’s a hit for adults and kids; slots sell out weeks ahead:

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

Evening: Return via King’s Cross—snap a photo at Platform 9¾ and browse Coal Drops Yard. Dinner at Dishoom King’s Cross (black daal, house chaat) or Lina Stores for fresh pasta. For cocktails, try Nightjar (speakeasy jazz) or Swift (two-storey bar with a superb whisky list).

Day 5: East London design, street art, and market bites

Morning: Old-school fry-up at E. Pellicci (family-run, Formica tables, strong espresso) or Scandinavian pastries at Fabrique. Explore Shoreditch murals (Rivington Street, Brick Lane) and browse Boxpark’s indie pop-ups. If it’s Sunday, Columbia Road Flower Market spills over with blooms and buskers.

Afternoon: Graze Old Spitalfields Market—Dumpling Shack (shengjianbao), Bleecker (aged-beef burgers), and Lahpet (Burmese salads). Shop vintage on Brick Lane and peek into the Dennis Severs’ House for a time-travel art experience if you enjoy quirky storytelling.

Evening: Dinner could be at Manteca (handmade pasta with nose‑to‑tail flair), Lyle’s (seasonal tasting menu; minimalist), or Tayyabs in Whitechapel (legendary Punjabi lamb chops—go early). Cap the night with a pint at The Ten Bells or craft brews at Mother Kelly’s Bethnal Green.

Day 6: Full-day Stonehenge and Bath excursion

Trade the city for rolling hills, Roman baths, and ancient stones. This guided day trip pairs the UNESCO-listed city of Bath with Stonehenge; expect an early start from Victoria Coach Station and a late-afternoon return. In Bath, seek out Sally Lunn’s (historic buns) or The Raven (hearty pies) between the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, and honey-colored crescents.

Stonehenge and Bath Tour from London (Viator)

Tip: Pack a small umbrella, a power bank, and snacks. Back in London, grab a late bite near your hotel—Bao (soft steamed buns), Beigel Bake on Brick Lane (24 hours), or Franco Manca (sourdough pizza).

Day 7: Covent Garden, last bites, and departure

Morning: Brunch at The Wolseley (eggs Florentine, silver service) or Granger & Co. (Aussie-style ricotta hotcakes). Wander Covent Garden’s arcades, street performers, and the Apple Market for crafts. Duck into the beautifully revamped National Portrait Gallery if you missed it earlier.

Afternoon: Final shopping around Seven Dials and Neal’s Yard. Quick lunch at Seven Dials Market (ramen, tacos, and more under one roof). Aim for the airport 3+ hours before long-haul flights; the Elizabeth line and Gatwick Express are often the fastest routes.

Optional add-ons if you have extra energy

• St Paul’s Cathedral dome climb for sweeping views.
• Camden Market and a Regent’s Canal walk to Little Venice.
• Kew Gardens for Victorian glasshouses and seasonal blooms.

Another great tour if you prefer a private city overview:

The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab (Viator)

In seven days you’ve covered royal London, riverside icons, neighborhood flavors, and the ancient mysteries of Stonehenge. Keep this itinerary handy for your next visit—London always has another neighborhood to explore and another playbill to collect.