London Itinerary: How to Spend 7 Days in London
Putting together a London itinerary that includes everything you want to see may seem like an almost impossible task at first glance, but don’t worry: the tips you’ll find here will help you (a lot!) in planning your trip to the capital of England the way that best suits your style.
It doesn’t matter if your trip lasts one, two, three days, or even a week. With the itinerary ideas that I will suggest here, your days in London will be spent in the best way possible.
Want to check it out? Follow everything about what to do in London within 7 days of your trip with tips.
How to Make a London Itinerary
There are a number of factors to consider when you are planning your London travel itinerary. What is the ideal time to go, where is the best place to stay, among many others that you need to pay attention to when planning your itinerary.
On a trip to England, visiting London is almost mandatory. And knowing how many days to stay in London is essential to putting together the best itinerary possible.
Don’t plan for less than 3 days. The ideal is to organize a London itinerary of at least 5 days just so you can start to fall in love with the city. In my opinion, the ideal is to stay in the city for at least 3 days. However, it is so enjoyable to explore everything there is to do in London that you can plan an itinerary lasting 4 days or more, and this time will be very welcome.
The city has a lot to offer, mainly due to its tourist attractions and rich culture.
How to Put Together an Itinerary in London
But after all, how do you put together a London itinerary? First, you should know that the city offers numerous attractions. And with countless attractions, there is always something to see and do.
When deciding what to include or not in your itinerary, it is essential that you have a prior idea of what each place has to offer. This way, it is possible to know which ones are most attractive according to your interests and curiosities and evaluate which activities and spaces are worth traveling more and/or more time during the days dedicated to them.
Discover London itinerary suggestions now and start planning your trip!
Day 1 Itinerary in London
- Big Ben
- Westminster Abbey
- London Eye
- Buckingham Palace
- Trafalgar Square
- Tower Bridge in London
Summary of the 1st Day London Itinerary
One day in London is very little, after all, as you already know, the city has a lot to offer. But don’t worry; it’s perfectly possible to have a pleasant, profitable, and unforgettable day even if you have to cross off many places from your itinerary.
Each traveler has their own taste. Some prefer to explore not-so-known corners of the cities they visit, others go straight to that famous building and then go to the city’s most traditional restaurant and eat a typical local dish.
London has room for both of these types and all the others out there, but I recommend trying to fit in with the more touristy type if your time is limited.
There are places that are trademarks of the British capital, and they are probably the ones you will want to visit if you only have a single day to see a little of London. Avoiding the “obvious” will probably take up a lot of time in your day, increase the chance of unforeseen events, and leave you feeling like you didn’t see much that was important. Imagine returning home without a photo in front of Big Ben.
That’s why I’m going to start my first day in London’s famous clock: Big Ben, one of (if not the most) well-known parts of the city. The tower itself is officially known as the Elizabeth Tower. It is a prominent feature of the Palace of Westminster, which is the seat of the UK Parliament, situated on the banks of the River Thames in London.
The tower was completed in 1859 and stands at the northeastern end of the Palace of Westminster. It was officially renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012 in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.
From there, there are a number of important places in London that can be visited on foot or with a quick metro ride. Minutes away is Westminster Abbey, an Anglican church that is extremely important in England. Key features of Westminster Abbey include its Gothic architecture, intricate stained glass windows, and the Poets’ Corner, a section of the abbey dedicated to the burial or commemoration of famous writers and poets.
The abbey has been the traditional venue for the coronation of English and later British monarchs since 1066. Additionally, it has hosted numerous royal weddings, including the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011. To visit the church, you need to pay £22, but you can see the inside for free if you go during religious services, which are open to the public.
Then you can go to the London Eye, the most famous Ferris wheel in the world. If you want to ride the Ferris wheel, which I personally believe is a really cool experience, it is recommended that you purchase tickets in advance to avoid huge queues. The entry fee via the official website is £27 for normal tickets or £37 for priority queue. If you prefer, book your ticket for the London Eye in advance now.
Buckingham Palace, which is the main royal residence, is also included in the one-day London itinerary. If you want to watch the famous changing of the guard, check in advance if this will be possible on the date you will be in the city.
Visiting Trafalgar Square, which is one of the most important squares in the capital, should be part of your plans. Once there, it is easy to visit the National Gallery, which is an essential tour for those who love art, and, in addition to being located in Trafalgar Square itself, it has free entry!
After having done each of these things, I suggested here, a good part of the day is certainly gone. Depending on how long you spend at each attraction, you can include a few more that are definitely worth it.
If you still have time available, go to Tower Bridge (London Bridge), a bridge that is one of the best-known tourist attractions in London. Next to it is the Tower of London Castle, which may be worth a visit if you have time and interest. If it gets too late and you have more days in the city, don’t insist on visiting the bridge and the castle on the first day.
Going from one place to another, you will, without a doubt, end up seeing other parts of the city that were not on your itinerary. Some store, restaurant, or simply a beautiful building will catch your attention and transform this day in the British capital into an even more special day.
Day 2 Itinerary in London
- Harry Potter Tour
- King’s Cross station
- Platform 9 ¾
- Camden Town
- Regent’s Park
- Hyde Park
- Oxford Street
- Picadilly Circus
Summary of the 2nd Day London Itinerary
The first day of your trip is over, but if you have the opportunity to spend more time in the city, it’s time to check out these tips for a second day in London. Now you know most of the most famous places in London, but there is still a lot left to do. After all, as you may have already noticed, the capital is a sea of options.
If you are a fan of Harry Potter, there is a lot to see in England. If you are in London and are only going to spend a few days, probably the most practical place to visit is King’s Cross station. There, you can see and take photos simulating being on Platform 9 ¾, ready to cross the wall.
But don’t go expecting something extremely incredible. It’s worth visiting, taking some photos and leaving. A quick visit that won’t take up much of your day. But if you’re a fan, how about taking a guided walking tour about Harry Potter?
After a glimpse into the fantasy world, it’s time to go to a place that doesn’t even seem real: Camden Town. The neighborhood brings together styles that you won’t find in other parts of the city. It is the neighborhood of alternatives, punks, art, music, tattoos, and piercings. It is undoubtedly eccentric and deserves to be visited.
Not everyone likes the space very much because it is very different from what we are used to and has a younger atmosphere. But for those who love getting to know different people and appreciating cultures and styles, it is an incredible trip. Camden Town is full of little shops, markets, bars, and everything you can imagine.
Nearby is Regent’s Park, one of London’s eight royal parks. There you can take the opportunity to take a walk outside in a green area and, if you’re lucky, enjoy the sun in a country known for its high frequency of rain. In the Park, you can visit gardens, memorials, statues, and even the ZSL London Zoo, the oldest zoo in the world and located in Regent’s Park.
Hyde Park, which is also one of the royal parks and is very famous, is not far away. If you prefer to swap Regent’s Park for Hyde Park or even shorten your time in the parks and visit both, it’s perfectly possible. You can even take a bike ride through London’s parks.
After enjoying one (or two) of London’s many parks, how about doing some shopping? Taking the metro, in 15 minutes, you will be in one of the largest shopping centers in the world: Oxford Street.
Get ready for hours and hours of shopping. There are many stores at your disposal, such as Nike, Adidas, Forever 21, Pandora, Primark, and H&M. In the streets close to Oxford Street, you will also find many shopping options. This is one of the places to take free tours in London.
With lots of shopping in hand and another day of sightseeing coming to an end, it’s time to visit Picadilly Circus. The square, which has a well-known statue of Eros, attracts a lot of attention, especially at night. The various light panels are very bright and provide a view that we are probably not used to.
Day 3 Itinerary in London
- Science Museum
- Natural History Museum
- Victoria & Albert Museum
- Kensington Gardens
Summary of the 3rd Day London Itinerary
You’ve seen many tourist attractions, including squares, parks, galleries, train stations, neighborhoods… There’s still a long way to go before you get to know London completely, of course, but from now on, the pace of your trip can become much more flexible.
In the South Kensington region, for example, there is a lot to do. Not far from each other are the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Each of them offers very different attractions. The Science Museum is great for both children and adults. It is a very interactive and fun museum that tells the evolution of humanity through inventions and discoveries.
The Natural History Museum tells the story from 4.5 billion years ago. There are more than 80 million specimens, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals. A super history and biology lesson in the form of a museum.
The Victoria & Albert Museum is responsible for art and design. It is one of the main area museums in the world and houses a collection of more than 2.3 million objects that display more than 5 thousand years of human creativity.
The three museums have free entry. You can visit all of them or choose just the ones that seem most interesting to you and dedicate some extra time to getting to know them. But if you want to visit other museums in the city and still have access to more than 80 attractions, I recommend purchasing the London Pass.
Furthermore, in the same region is Kensington Gardens, another royal park. There are many leisure options in the Park. Statues, fountains, and gardens, including the Italian Garden, are part of the composition of this iconic green area in London. There is a playground called Diana Memorial Playground, which is a memorial dedicated to Princess Diana, and also Kensington Palace. This royal residence can be visited for £17.50 for adults and £8.70 for children.
Day 4 Itinerary in London
- Madame Tussauds
- Cahoots
Summary of the 4th Day London Itinerary
In my opinion, there is one museum that cannot be missed on your London itinerary: Madame Tussauds. It’s very likely that you’ve already heard about the world-famous wax museum. It has other headquarters, but the first and main one is in the British capital.
There are hundreds of wax statues of famous people and characters. The museum is divided into several sectors, and there you will find statues of royalty, musicians (from the Beatles to more current artists such as pop singer Dua Lipa), historical figures, athletes, and much more.
Tickets cost £30 for adults aged 16 and over and are £3 cheaper if purchased via the official website. It’s an incredible experience, unlike any other museum (unless you’ve already been to another wax museum, of course).
I don’t recommend considering a quick visit to Madame Tussauds. Firstly, because there is a lot to see, and I think it is difficult for anyone to enter and not be enchanted by all the art there is. Another reason is the price of the ticket, which does nothing to save money in London.
Using the metro, less than 20 minutes from the wax museum, is an iconic bar called Cahoots. It is a themed bar that was set up to simulate a subway station after the Second World War. Cahoots’ proposal is that you feel like you are entering a deactivated station and that the bar itself is illegal, making the experience even more interesting.
It is open daily, but it’s a good idea to check the official website to see if any special events are happening on the date you plan to go. Entry is prohibited to anyone under 21, but anyone who can enter the bar will certainly have a great time.
Day 5 Itinerary in London
- Warner Bros studios
- Watch a musical
- Take a Beatles tour
Summary of the 5th Day London Itinerary
An incredible trip for those who love Harry Potter and cinema is to visit the studio where several scenes from the films were filmed: Warner Bros. You can take photos with the Hogwarts Express, visit Diagon Alley, have a butterbeer, and much more.
To visit the studio, you need to reserve a considerable amount of time in your day. There are almost 100 km round trip. The full ticket costs £134 and can only be purchased online. The price is high, but it is certainly worth it for fans of the wizarding world. It’s the kind of thing you can’t find anywhere else. Also, consult an advance reservation for a visit to the Warner Bros studios.
How about a musical after enjoying a day in the Harry Potter universe? London musicals are very famous, and for good reason. Performances such as The Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King are unforgettable. In addition to these two, there are many other musical options; it will be difficult not to find at least one that you like. Ticket prices may vary. The ones I mentioned here cost £30 and £42 respectively.
For those who enjoy the Beatles universe, London also has great attractions for the band, such as The Beatles Walking Tour in Marylebone and Abbey Rd.
Day 6 Itinerary in London
- Cruise along the River Thames
- The Notting Hill neighborhood
Summary of the 6th Day London Itinerary
The trip is almost over, and there are still many places you would like to visit. Yes, London is a wonderful city, but it always leaves us feeling like “I want more.”
A cruise along the River Thames can be included in your London itinerary. The price to pay for this can vary a lot, as it depends on the route and what else the tour includes, such as meals, tour guides, etc.
During the part of the day when you are on land, how about visiting the incredible place called Notting Hill? Set in the film A Place Called Notting Hill, the district is much more than that.
This is where Portobello Market is located, a street fair that is one of the largest and most popular in existence. To find the fair in full operation, with all its stands open, the ideal is to go on Saturday, from 9 am to 7 pm. But if it’s not possible, don’t worry: the visit is worth it on other days of the week too! It’s even worth taking a walking tour of Notting Hill.
Discover Notting Hill and come across hundreds of colorful doors that look like they came out of a movie. If you want to shop, set aside some money for it, as the variety of stores is great.
Day 7 Itinerary in London
- Day trip to Stonehenge
- Visit Windsor Castle
- Stonehenge and Bath.
Summary of the 7th Day London Itinerary
Your last day in London has arrived. My tip is that you take advantage of this day to make your last purchases, such as souvenirs or that special item that you left for later, so as not to spend money at the beginning of the trip.
Go again to the places you’ve been to and loved but believe you didn’t enjoy enough. Discover bars, restaurants, and shops that weren’t on your itinerary but were suggested to you during those days. Or places you passed by, were interested in but didn’t go into so as not to deviate too much from your plan.
End your stay in London enjoying the city without the pressure of having to tick off a list of things. Get your own feel of the British capital and come back full of stories to tell!
But if you already feel satisfied with having seen the city, how about taking advantage of the last day and doing some day trips?!
You can visit the incredible formations of Stonehenge with the half-day tour, or if you are more romantic, you can choose a tour to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath.
How Much Does London Cost Per Day?
To find out how much London costs per day, the calculation takes into account the means of transport used for travel, food, tours, and accommodation. And this bill varies according to the traveler’s profile.
Accommodation generally greatly impacts the trip’s total cost, so I recommend choosing carefully among good hotels in London, as depending on the location, the price and expenses for the itinerary increase.
As for tour tickets, you can find great offers by purchasing online. That’s why I recommend organizing activities in advance, especially as tickets for the main attractions in London may become unavailable.
When planning your itinerary in London, visit websites like Numbeo to check how much public transport, food, and other relevant items cost. This way, you avoid unpleasant surprises in your travel budget.
Final Tips for Organizing the Best Itinerary in London
Planning your travel itinerary well is essential to make the most of it. Research the places, the parks, the shops, the museums well. Include the “must-have” points in your itinerary, but if you end up liking something more than you expected, rearrange it.
Remember that the London itinerary suggestion you just read considers 7 full days or at least 6. Create your itinerary carefully and enjoy the British capital in the best way possible!
Just don’t forget to purchase tickets in advance for the attractions you most want to see. London is a popular city for tourists from all over the world, so purchasing in advance will optimize travel time.
