Day 1
Royal & historic core
Start at Westminster for Big Ben and the Abbey, walk through St James's Park to Buckingham Palace, then ride the London Eye for the skyline. End the day among the theatres and bars of Soho and Covent Garden.
London wears a thousand years lightly. Medieval towers and glass skyscrapers share the same skyline, red buses thread past Roman walls, and every neighbourhood feels like its own small city.
Come for the world-class museums, most of them free, then lose an afternoon in a leafy park or a pub with a proper pint. The energy is relentless but the pleasures are simple: markets, music, and endless corners to explore.
Itinerary
Day 2
The City & the river
Explore the Tower of London and cross Tower Bridge, then follow the South Bank past Borough Market, Shakespeare's Globe and the Tate Modern. Finish with sunset drinks at the free Sky Garden.
Day 3
Museums & markets
Spend the morning at the British Museum, then choose Notting Hill's Portobello market or the South Kensington museums. Cap it off exploring Shoreditch's street art and East End eats.
Highlights
🏛️Landmark
Tower of London
A 1,000-year-old fortress guarding the Crown Jewels and centuries of grisly history. Let a Yeoman Warder ('Beefeater') tell you the tales of the ravens and the executions.
🏛️Landmark
Big Ben & Westminster
The gothic Palace of Westminster and its famous clock tower are the postcard image of London. Time your visit for the chimes on the hour, best seen from Westminster Bridge.
🖼️Museum
British Museum
From the Rosetta Stone to the Parthenon sculptures, two million years of history under one glass-roofed courtyard. Entry is free, so head straight for the Egyptian galleries first thing.
🛍️Market
Borough Market
London's oldest food market, a cathedral of cheese, oysters and sizzling street food beneath railway arches. Come mid-week and hungry, and try a salt-beef bagel or a raclette roll.
🏘️Neighbourhood
Shoreditch & Brick Lane
The East End's creative quarter, all street art, vintage shops and buzzing nightlife. Wander Brick Lane for its curry houses and the Sunday markets.
🌄Viewpoint
Sky Garden
A lush indoor garden on the 35th floor with sweeping free views over the Thames and the City. Book a timed slot in advance, and it's the best skyline for the price of nothing.
Neighbourhoods
Soho & Covent Garden
The buzzing heart of the West End, packed with theatres, tucked-away cocktail bars and late-night eats. Base yourself here to walk everywhere and roll out of a show straight into dinner.
Shoreditch & Spitalfields
East London's creative engine: street art on Brick Lane, vintage markets and some of the city's best bagels and curry. Come for the nightlife and the Sunday markets.
South Bank & Bankside
A riverside stretch that strings together the Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe and Borough Market. Ideal for culture with a Thames view.
Notting Hill & Kensington
Pastel townhouses, the Portobello Road antiques market and the grand South Kensington museums. Leafy, elegant and great for a slower day.
Where to eat
Sunday roast
Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and a river of gravy, best eaten in a proper pub. A weekend institution, so book ahead for the good ones.
Pie and mash
A cockney classic of minced-beef pie, creamy mash and green parsley 'liquor'. M Manze in Bermondsey has served it since 1902.
Borough Market feasting
Graze through cheese, salt-beef bagels and sizzling street food at London's oldest food market. Go hungry and mid-week to dodge the crowds.
Curry on Brick Lane
London's love affair with Indian food runs deep, from Brick Lane curry houses to modern regional Indian kitchens. Chicken tikka masala was arguably invented in Britain.
Good to know
Best time to visit
Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) bring the mildest weather and long daylight without peak crowds. Summer is lively but busy; winter is dark and damp yet magical around Christmas. Pack a layer and an umbrella whatever the season.
Getting around
The Underground ('the Tube') and red buses cover everything, so just tap a contactless card or phone with no ticket needed, thanks to a daily fare cap. Walking between central sights is often faster than you'd think, and the Elizabeth line speeds you to the airports. Day trips to Oxford, Windsor or Cambridge are an easy train ride away.
- Currency
- GBP £
- Languages
- English
How much does London cost?
A realistic daily budget per person, in three styles.
Backpacker£60per person / day
Mid-range£120per person / day
Comfort£250per person / day
London is known for being one of the more expensive cities in Europe.
Local tips
- ✓Most major museums are free, so just walk straight in with no ticket needed.
- ✓Book the free Sky Garden or hop a Thames Clipper river bus for cheap panoramas instead of pricey observation decks.
- ✓Tap in with a contactless card or phone; the daily cap means you never overpay for the Tube.
