7 Days in London: A Perfect Week Itinerary for 2023

When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life. That’s a heck of a high bar set for a city, right? Even though it might seem an exaggeration I have visited London a half-dozen times and lived in London for a year – and I totally agree. London is the best city in the world. Spending 7 days in London is not nearly enough…

If you’re planning your first trip to London, I’m excited for you! You’re about to experience my favorite city and begin to discover her wonders for yourself. I’ve put together this itinerary if you are planning to spend 7 days in London; I also have a post if you have more time (like 10 days in London) or less time (say, 4 days or 5 days in London).

With just 7 days in London, you’ve got to pack a lot into every single day. I’ve done my best to show you the city’s best sights without running you ragged, but don’t be surprised if you’re tired by the end! I’ve also got other tips for your first London trip, including transit and money-saving suggestions. Let’s get into this itinerary for 7 days in London!

This post was originally published in January 2021, and was updated most recently in January 2023.

Table of Contents

Quick Glance: 7 Days in London Itinerary

Before I dig into the details of each specific recommendation I have for each day of your 7 days in London, it’s helpful to get a high-level view. Here’s a quick glance in table form:

Day	Activities
1	Arrival, Westminster, Houses of Parliament, Southbank, London Eye
2	Westminster Abbey, Changing of the Guard, Trafalgar Square, British Museum
3	Brighton Pier, Royal Pavilion
4	Borough Market, Bankside, The Shard, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, The Monument
5	Cutty Sark, Prime Meridian, Royal Greenwich Observatory
6	Shoreditch, Brick Lane Street Art, St. Paul’s Cathedral
7	Sunday Roast in Richmond, Departure

Without further ado, let’s dig into the details of my itinerary for 7 days in London. As always, you you have any questions about my recommendations or the order I’ve put them in – let me know in the comments.

I’m not gonna lie – I never get more excited to share my travel advice than when I’m writing about London. Putting together an itinerary like this is as exciting to me as giving travel advice to a friend who’s planning their first trip.

You’ll find other bloggers recommending other activities because we all have our own travel preferences – but mine come from living in London for a year and thinking after all this time that these are still the best way to spend 7 days in London.

Day 1: Arrival, Westminster & the Southbank

When you touchdown in London, it’ll probably be in the morning. You’re gonna be jet-lagged like crazy unless you’re one of those lucky people who can sleep on planes, but don’t let that slow you down. Take advantage of this first day to stay on your feet and see some of London’s top sights.

If you can drop your bags off at your accommodation early, do that. If not, consider checking your bag into a Left Luggage service at one of the train stations or using a service like Luggage Hero to drop your bags at a secure location. Once you’re free of your bags, hop on the Tube to Westminster station. We’ll start from here on this first day.

See the Houses of Parliament

Nearest Tube: Westminster
Website: parliament.uk

As you emerge from Westminster tube station, it’s impossible to miss the Houses of Parliament (aka Westminster Hall). In fact, people will kinda clog up the sidewalk and Tube station exit trying to get that first view and picture-perfect shot.

Once you’ve snapped all the photos your heart desires, cross Westminster bridge on the western side of the road, and head down the stairs to the riverfront path. This will give you my favorite view of Westminster Hall, pictured above. Many people miss this great view, so this is my #1 pro-tip if you’re headed here.

🎟 Suggested Tour: Guided Tour of Houses of Parliament & Westminster

Explore the Southbank

Now that you’re on the Southbank, it’s time to explore a bit! Cross through the dodgy little tunnel to your right (when viewing Westminster), and you’ll emerge in the shadow of the London Eye.

Stroll on a bit – pass the tourist traps (like the London Aquarium and the London Dungeon) in favor of watching buskers and street performers or browsing book stalls and other vendors. It’s easy to spend an hour or two exploring this little pocket of London; the crowds are almost endearing since there’s so much to see and do.

Ride the London Eye

Nearest Tube: Waterloo
Admission: from £25.20 online (book in advance!)
Website: londoneye.com

A lot of people ask if the London Eye is worth it – and I always say yes.

While I used to have different advice for when to book your ticket, I’m adjusting my suggestion based on my experience riding the eye for a fourth time in 2022. The hours of operation are shorter than they used to be, so I recommend booking the last time available on the day you want to ride the Eye. Depending on the time of year you visit, this means you may get to enjoy seeing the sunset over London while on your ride.

You’re exhausted now, right? After the Eye, call it a night. You could pop into a pub for dinner on your way back to your hotel for a pint and plate of fish and chips if you’re hungry. There are a few pubs near Waterloo station which is the closest tube station to the Southbank.

🎟 Suggested Tour: The London Eye Entry Ticket

Day 2: Royal London

Part of the draw to visit the U.K. is the monarchy. Brits don’t get why we Americans are so obsessed with the royals; I don’t know either but I’m guessing it has something to do with the fact we don’t have them. We don’t have palaces and that kind of wealth on display… Our royals (celebrities) live behind locked gates in Beverly Hills and we don’t see it. So yeah, if you are curious about the Royals like I was (am), this day’s for you.

Visit Westminster Abbey

Nearest Tube: Westminster
Admission: £10
Website: westminster-abbey.org

Westminster Abbey is one of the most beautiful buildings in London; it’s an amazing example of Gothic architecture and has some spectacular flying buttresses (my favorite!). It’s most well-known as the building where the majority of royal weddings take place – and almost everyone has seen at least one of the royal couples married there (Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip or Prince William and Kate).

You can choose to go in and see the interior, or just stroll around the outside and admire the view. Personally, I’ve always only stayed outside and never feel like I’ve missed an experience by not going in.

🎟 Suggested Tour: Westminster Abbey Entrance Ticket

See Buckingham Palace & the Changing of the Guard

From Westminster Abbey, walk through St. James’ Park to Buckingham Palace. Again, you could pay to go inside but this isn’t necessary to admire the view and opulence. There are always crowds outside the gate, and it’s a beautiful facade for photos. If you time it right, you can visit Buckingham Palace and time your visit to see the Changing of the Guard, which occurs at 11am each day.

Can I be honest? I’ve never seen the Changing of the Guard! It’s mostly just that it has never worked for the timing I’ve been in the area around Buckingham Palace. It just fits so well into today’s itinerary that I have to recommend it.

🎟 Suggested Tour: Changing of the Guard & Buckingham Palace Tour

Stroll through Trafalgar Square

From Buckingham, walk down The Mall to the Admiralty Arch and Trafalgar Square. To me, Trafalgar Square has always felt a bit like the heart of London, the epicenter from which all streets move out in spokes. I’m not sure if that’s geographically true, but a lot of my thoughts about London are based on impressions… so this is one of them.

Trafalgar Square is great for people-watching – there’s always something going on in the Square!

From Trafalgar Square, walk or catch a bus up Charing Court Road. Then turn east onto New Oxford Street toward the British Museum.

Explore the British Museum

Nearest Tube: Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, or Russell Square
Admission: Free with suggested donation of £5
Website: britishmuseum.org

I’m not a huge museum person, but the British Museum is a particular treat because it is home to so many amazing artifacts from around the world. Admittedly, these were almost all added to the collection by way of invasion or colonization – but they’re still one of a kind. As an example, that’s the Rosetta Stone pictured above.

The British Museum is also free to visit (donations suggested) which will make you love it even if you don’t normally do museums.

🎟 Suggested Tour: British Museum Guided Tour

Day 3: Escape to Brighton

With just 7 days in London, why should you do a day trip? Because London is part of the United Kingdom, and it helps a lot to get a point of comparison on what life in the U.K. is like outside London. My favorite suggestion is the seaside town of Brighton. It’s got salty sea air and crashing waves and fresh seafood – need I say more to convince you?

To get to Brighton, catch a Thameslink train; the biggest station option is Blackfriars but there are stations all through Central London where you can catch one. They run regularly, every 30-60 minutes depending on the time day.

Relax on Brighton Beach

Once you arrive in Brighton, head straight out of the train station and down the hill toward the beach. Brighton Beach has been a lure for visitors of all kinds for centuries – as you’ll see below, even the royals have loved the ocean air and sea breeze.

Just so you’re aware: Brighton Beach is a rocky beach, so you won’t find soft sand to stroll in – but you might spot intrepid sunbathers and plenty of locals and visitors soaking up the rare sun if it’s out.

Visit Brighton Pier

After a relaxing stroll or sit on the beach, head east toward the Brighton Pier. This is one of the main tourist destinations in town, and a charming blend of modern and old-time rides and attractions. If you love rides, be sure to snag a wristband in advance to save 25% over buying one on the pier. It’s £22 for adults and £12 for children, to get unlimited rides.

Visit the Royal Pavilion

Admission: the grounds are free, or £13.50 for adults and £8 for children
Website: brightonmuseums.org.uk

Built in the early 19th century for George, Prince of Wales – who would become Prince Regent in 1811 –, the Brighton Palace is one of the most fascinating buildings I’ve seen in England. It’s designed in the Indo-Saracenic style which was popular in India at the time; it gives the building an even more exotic look, far from the grey gloom of pre-Victorian London. You can either pay to go inside the palace or stroll around the grounds which are free and open to the public.

After you’ve finished at the Royal Pavilion, you can head to the train station, or stop for dinner in Brighton. Pick a restaurant in The Lanes, Brighton’s narrow, winding pedestrian streets with all the ethnic restaurants and little eateries you could want. If you love street art, be sure to seek out Banksy’s Kissing Coppers on the way back to the train station.

🎟 Suggested Tour: Royal Pavilion Admission Ticket

Day 4: Bankside & the Towers

On the middle day of your trip, you’re back to London’s top sights – this time on the other side of the central part of the city. If you’re feeling wiped, take this day easy; there are lots of things to see but no specific timetable so you can go at a more leisurely pace.

Wander through Borough Market & Bankside

Nearest Tube: London Bridge

Borough Market is a foodie’s market. Located near London Bridge station, this one is great for brunch. The market opens at 10am, and most of the food vendors are open by no later than 11am for the lunch rush. My favorite one is Scotchtails, who sell the best Scotch Eggs in London.

Once you’ve strolled through the market and eaten your fill, strike out to the east. The neighborhood near Borough Market is called Bankside; my top suggestion in this area is Bermondsey Street, a street of restaurants, galleries, and art studios. You can grab a coffee at Fuckoffee to keep your energy up, then pop into the Fashion & Textile Museum.

Bonus: if you’re interested in spending a bit more, consider taking in the sunset from View from the Shard. I’ve never been, but I’ve seen the pics on Insta and it looks pretty stunning!

Cross Tower Bridge

Nearest Tube: Tower Hill or Tower Gateway
Admission: from £10.60 for adults and £5.30 for children
Website: towerbridge.org.uk

The iconic Tower Bridge was built between 1886 and 1894 during the reign of Queen Victoria. You can walk across the bridge, or purchase admission to climb the two bridge towers and cross the span above street level. You can learn about the history of the tower and engineering feats that make it possible.

Visit the Tower of London

Nearest Tube: Tower Hill or Tower Gateway
Admission: £22.70 for adults, £17.70 for seniors and students
Website: hrp.org.uk

I always loved going for a run around the Tower of London when I lived in the area; there’s something deeply impressive about the amount of history held within its stone walls. After all, the White Tower inside the Tower of London dates to 1097 CE!

If this is your first trip to London, I recommend queuing up for tickets and doing the tour inside the Tower of London. You’ll learn a ton about English history up through the modern era, and have a great appreciation for the history literally right under your feet. Oh – you can also see the crown jewels which are outrageous and beautiful.

As you’ve taken your time exploring today, it’s time for dinner, a pint, and bed. The nearest tube station is Tower Hill, which has access to the Circle and District lines.

🎟 Suggested Tour: Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket

Day 5: Historic Greenwich

On my first trip to London, I actually stayed out near Greenwich. Let me tell you: it’s not close to Central London, so I recommend staying more centrally and just visiting the area. To get to Greenwich, you’ll need to take the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) which connects to the tube system at Bank (Central/Northern Lines).

See the Cutty Sark

Nearest Tube: Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich (DLR)
Admission: £12.15 in advance / £13.50 day-of for adults, £6.30 in advance / £7 day-of for children
Website: rmg.co.uk

As you step off the DLR in Greenwich, head left out of the station and left again to the banks of the River Thames. You can’t miss the Cutty Sark – a massive clipper ship that was one of the fastest and one of the last ever built.

The ship has been preserved as a museum you can pay to enter; it’s especially impressive as they’ve dry-docked the ship so you actually descend ‘below’ sea level to see the undersides of the ship. If you’re not up for the museum, you can walk around the whole ship and admire it from the outside.

🎟 Suggested Tour: Entrance Ticket to the Cutty Sark

Visit National Maritime Museum

Nearest Tube: Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich (DLR)
Admission: free

Maritime history buffs can’t miss the National Maritime Museum, which is a short walk from the Cutty Sark in the direction of the Royal Greenwich Observatory. This museum is free to enter and stuffed full of fascinating ship memorabilia, marine engineering relics and feats, and interactive displays for kids too.

Stand on the Prime Meridian & Visit the Royal Greenwich Observatory

Nearest Tube: Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich (DLR)
Admission: £13.50 in advance / 15 day-of for adults, £5.85 in advance / £6.50 day-of for children includes access to the Prime Meridian and all of the museums at the Royal Greenwich Observatory
Website: rmg.co.uk

It’s a short but somewhat ambitious hike up the hill to the Royal Greenwich Observatory, but it should come as zero surprise that this is one of my favorite places in Greater London. I am a space nerd after all!

The Royal Greenwich Observatory is home to a paid museum, a number of free areas with importance to astronomical history, and the Prime Meridian. Yes, the Prime Meridian, which helped establish Greenwich Mean Time – GMT – which we all set our clocks by. You do have to pay to see the official marker of the Prime Meridian inside the gates, or you can look for tick marks on the nearby walls and stone pathways which also indicate where the Meridian runs.

🎟 Suggested Tour: Royal Observatory Greenwich Entrance Ticket

At the end of the day, you can grab dinner here in Greenwich or back in Central London. I’ve eaten at The Mitre before.

Day 6: East London & The City

Over the course of this itinerary, we’ve moved from West London to Central London and now to the City and East London. This allows you to get a slice of life through London’s different areas which each have their own personality and vibe.

I lived between The City and East London and love the area. Hopefully after today, you will too! The easiest way to start the day is by catching a bus, or by taking the Northern Line to Old Street station or the Overground to Shoreditch High Street station.

Explore Shoreditch

Nearest Tube: Old Street or Shoreditch High Street (Overground)

Shoreditch is London’s epicenter of cool, though admittedly the most hip neighborhoods are no longer in this part of the city… When I lived in London though, Shoreditch was the place to be and I spent plenty of time eating at weird concept restaurants and in ‘secret’ underground bars here. By day, you can stroll the streets looking for street art (or take a street art walking tour), boutiques, and a spot for brunch.

See Brick Lane Street Art

Giant London Street Art Mural by Daleast

Nearest Tube: Shoreditch High Street (Overground) in the north or Aldgate East in the south

Brick Lane begins in Shoreditch and stretches south into Whitechapel; it’s known for two things: street art and fantastic Indian and Bangladeshi food. I recommend you try both! You can find street art walking tours if you’re keen, or just wander a bit to discover artists you love. (My favorite, Dal East) had two pieces in London when I lived there, pictured above.)

I also strongly recommend you flip a coin and pick a place for a late lunch. Even if you share a dish of Chicken Tikka Masala and naan, this is the place to experience the impact of British Colonialism in India and the delightful back-transfer of culture to the U.K.

Once you’ve finished exploring Brick Lane, work your way south to Aldgate East station. From there, catch a District Line train to Monument station.

Ascend The Monument

Nearest Tube: Monument
Admission: £4.50 for adults, £2.30 for children
Website: themonument.info

The Monument to the Great Fire of London is dwarfed by surrounding buildings, but it’s one of London’s earliest landmarks. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, who also designed St. Paul’s Cathedral, to commemorate the Great Fire of London in 1666, which started about 200 feet from this monument and leveled most of the city.

You can pay a small fee to climb the 311 to the top of the Monument and get a different perspective on the City of London – when it was built in 1677, it was one of the tallest structures, and now it’s dwarfed by high rises and skyscrapers!

Once you’ve finished at the Monument, head west along Cannon Street toward St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral

Nearest Tube: St. Paul’s
Admission: £16 advance/£18 day-of for adults, £7 online/£8 day-of for children
Website: stpauls.co.uk

What can I say about St. Paul’s Cathedral that I haven’t already said? It’s my favorite building in London, and they recently started to allow photos inside (they also recently started compelling admission fees, which is a bummer but helps preserve the building so I won’t complain too much).

I love to admire St. Paul’s from every angle, so I always make a walk around the building and through the grounds.

🎟 Suggested Tour: St Paul’s Cathedral Entry Ticket

You can also ride the elevator up in nearby One New Change for stunning views from their public rooftop area. They have a restaurant and dinner too, so you can stay on One New Change to watch the sun set behind St. Paul’s… What an epic last night on your first London trip!

Day 7: Departure

Today’s your last day in London – how sad! Most flights to North America leave in the afternoon, which gives you time for a roast or one last pub meal before you depart.

If you’re flying out from Heathrow, head to Richmond to enjoy a slice of small-town life within the bounds of London. If you happen to be flying home from your trip for 7 days in London on a Sunday, be sure to try a Sunday Roast. This meat-and-potatoes-style meal is hearty and will ensure you don’t starve on the plane.

If you’re flying out of Gatwick, you might try grabbing a meal in London before catching a train south to the airport. Be sure to give yourself enough time to get to the airport.

Other Great Experiences for Your 7 Days in London

Don’t love one of the days I suggested? There’s so much more to explore. Here are some suggestions, briefly:

Theatre in the West End – If you’re an arts and culture vulture, you have to take in a show! There are three dozen theatres in London’s West End, and you can get discount tickets in areas like Covent Garden and Leicester Square once you arrive and know what you want to see.
Regent’s Park, the London Zoo & Baker Street – Head up toward North London to stroll in this large park, see the animals at the zoo, and ogle 221B Baker Street if you love the famous detective who ‘lived’ there.
Hyde Park, Green Park & St. James’ Park – These three parks are also worth exploring if you love some fresh air in the city. London is full of great parks, especially in West and Central London.
Thames River Cruise – Another fun option to get around the city beyond the tube and buses, there are ferries and boats that take you from one part of the Thames to the other. Here’s a guide to the best Thames cruises.

Obviously, there are countless more things you could do while spending 7 days in London – my itinerary and this shortlist of alternatives barely scratch the surface! As you plan your trip, I also have a list of must-see sights in London, a London bucket list, and tips for your first London trip.

Where to Stay in London for 7 Days

A lot of people will advise you to stay in Central London on your first trip… Normally I advise against that, but if you have seven days in London, you don’t want to spend them all on the Tube getting to and from your hotel! If you have your heart set on staying in Central London, look at neighborhoods like Hoxton or Clerkenwell. These neighborhoods are away from the crowds but within walking distance of attractions like Covent Garden, the West End, and the British Museum, which you can squeeze into this itinerary.

Otherwise, if you need to save or are open to staying in another part of town, look at:

West London, like Kensington, Chelsea, or even Brompton, is still the poshest part of town. It’s a bit more spendy but has a more residential vibe.
North London, or should I say near-North London like Angel or King’s Cross, is in close proximity to Central London but often quieter and a bit cheaper.
East London, including Brick Lane, Shoreditch, and Aldgate East, is the place to be especially if you love nightlife, street food, and street art.
South London, like Bankside or Bermondsey, is a lesser-visited part of the city, but still has an urban feel and great public transit access (mostly bus).

Need more advice on where to stay in London? Take my quiz for a specific neighborhood suggestion:

Other London Itineraries to Consider

Do you actually have more or less time to spend in London? Here are other London itineraries I’ve written to help you plan:

If you have other questions about spending 7 days in London, let me know in the comments!

7 Days in London: A Perfect Week Itinerary for 2023

Quick Glance: 7 Days in London Itinerary