London for the first time can feel like trying to watch every Oscar-winning movie in one weekend. You can try, but you’ll end up cranky, broke, and eating crisps for dinner on a Tube platform.
This 7-day London itinerary for first-time visitors keeps things fun and realistic. Most days follow a simple formula: one major paid attraction, one free museum or park, and one great food stop. You’ll see the big-name sights like the Houses of Parliament, but you’ll also get neighborhood time, which is where London starts to feel like London.
One heads-up before we start: tickets for the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, and Warner Bros. Studio Tour often sell out, so booking ahead matters. The good news is this itinerary groups days by area, so you won’t spend half your trip underground staring at a Tube map like it personally betrayed you.
Before you go, book smart, pick the right base, and learn the Tube basics
If you do three things before landing, do these: pick a central base, understand how you’ll pay for transport, and pre-book the attractions that sell out. That’s it. Everything else can be decided over coffee and a croissant the size of your head.
Staying central is the cheat code for a first London trip. Covent Garden, Soho, the South Bank, Mayfair, and South Kensington all put you close to the big hitters. You’ll walk more than you think (and you’ll be glad you did), plus it’s easier to pop back to your hotel to drop bags or change shoes when your feet start filing complaints.
For getting around on public transport, contactless payment is your friend. Tap in and out, move on with your life. Buses are also underrated for sightseeing because you actually see the city instead of the inside of a tunnel. Download Citymapper, it’s basically a calm friend who always knows which exit to take.
Pre-book the “anchor” attractions so your week doesn’t turn into a last-minute scramble. Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, and Warner Bros. Studio Tour are the usual sell-outs. If you want a West End show on a specific night, book that too.
Where to stay for a first visit (Covent Garden, Soho, South Bank, and more)
Choosing a London base is like choosing what to watch on Netflix. Too many options, zero patience. Here’s the simple breakdown.
Covent Garden – Walkability, first-timer convenience, theaters | Busy, can be pricey
Soho – Food, nightlife, energy, central everything | Noise at night, smaller rooms
South Bank – River walks, views, easy sightseeing | Less “neighborhood” feel late-night
Mayfair – Quiet luxury, pretty streets, parks nearby | Wallet may cry
South Kensington – Museums like V&A and Natural History, refined vibe | Higher prices, quieter nightlife
Quick hotel checklist, because regret is expensive:
- Elevator (London stairs are not a personality trait)
- Air conditioning (not everywhere has it)
- Breakfast (saves time and decision fatigue)
- Near a Tube line (your feet will thank you)
- Book a hotel in Covent Garden
- Book a hotel in Soho
- Book a hotel on the South Bank
- Book a hotel in Mayfair
- Book a hotel in South Kensington
Getting around London like a local (Oyster, contactless, walking routes)
For most visitors, contactless (tap-to-pay card or phone wallet) is the easiest option. You tap in and out on the Tube and trains, and you tap once on buses. London also has daily caps, so after a certain point, extra rides in the same day stop piling on cost. It’s the closest thing London offers to mercy.
An Oyster card can still make sense if you don’t have a contactless card, or you’re traveling with someone who needs their own setup (kids, some international cards, or anyone who loses things for sport). Either way, the process is simple: tap, ride, repeat.
Buses deserve more love. They’re slower than the Tube, but they’re great for sightseeing and short hops, especially in central zones. Rush hour can be packed, so if you can, avoid the main commuter crunch.
Expect to walk a lot. A comfortable London day often lands around 4 to 7 miles, depending on how many “quick detours” happen (they always happen).
Your perfect 7-day London itinerary for first-time visitors (day-by-day plan)
This week is paced like a smart vacation, not a competition. Each day has a clear morning, afternoon, and evening flow. If you’re a sunrise person, you can add more. If you’re not, London still loves you.
Days 1 to 3: Westminster highlights, the South Bank, and the Tower of London classics
Day 1 (Westminster and classic London photos)
Morning: Start at Westminster Abbey. Pre-book a timed entry and arrive early, it’s calmer and your photos won’t feature 43 strangers’ elbows. After, walk outside for Big Ben and Houses of Parliament shots. It’s touristy because it’s good.
Book Westminster Abbey tickets
Afternoon: Walk through St James’s Park toward Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard. Even if you don’t go inside, the area is peak London postcard. Continue to Trafalgar Square, then wander into the National Gallery (free) in Trafalgar Square. Two hours here is plenty for a first visit unless you’re the type who reads every plaque like it’s a thriller.
Evening: Head to Covent Garden for dinner. If you want maximum “I’m in London” energy, look for a cozy pub or do pre-theater dining and watch the street performers.
Food idea: a classic pub dinner in Covent Garden (fish and chips tastes better when you walked for it).
Day 2 (South Bank, markets, and sunset at the bridge)
Morning: Ride the London Eye. Pre-book it and aim for the first slots of the day for shorter lines. Book London Eye tickets
Afternoon: Do the South Bank walk along the River Thames. It’s an easy, scenic route with street food, buskers, and river views. Pop into Tate Modern (free), then cross Millennium Bridge for that movie-scene moment.
Lunch: Borough Market. Go on a weekday if you can, and skip Sunday because the market is closed then. Saturdays get packed, so bring patience and flexible expectations.
Evening: Walk toward Tower Bridge for golden hour. If you want to do a river cruise, this is a great day for it because you’re already river-adjacent.
Book a Thames river cruise
Day 3 (Tower of London, St Paul’s, Shoreditch at night)
Morning: Go straight to the Tower of London at opening time and prioritize the Crown Jewels early. It’s one of those places that lives up to the hype.
Book Tower of London tickets
Photo by Pixabay
Afternoon: Walk Tower Bridge (or visit the Tower Bridge exhibition if you’re into engineering and glass floors). Then head to St. Paul’s Cathedral. If you’re up for it, the dome climb is a full-body experience, but the views are worth the drama.
Book St. Paul’s Cathedral tickets
Evening: Take the Tube to Shoreditch for street art around Brick Lane and food. This is the night for something casual, like a food hall, curry, or whatever smells amazing when you walk by.
Food idea: a Shoreditch food hall situation where everyone can pick their own thing and nobody has to compromise.
Days 4 to 5: Museums, parks, and the day trip most first-timers love
Day 4 (British Museum, pretty streets, and parks)\ Morning: British Museum (free). Give it 2 to 3 hours. Don’t try to “finish” it, you can’t. Pick a few highlights and enjoy them like a normal human. If you want a guided tour so it actually makes sense, this is a good place to do it.
Book a British Museum guided tour
Afternoon: Browse around Covent Garden again, this time slower. Then wander into Soho for a snack, coffee, or a “we deserve a treat” moment.
Late afternoon: Head to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. This is London’s reset button. Take a long walk, sit by the water, and pretend you’re in a period drama, minus the corset.
Optional: If you still have energy, the Natural History Museum is nearby and free. If you don’t have energy, congrats on listening to your body.
Food idea: Soho noodles, dim sum, or a casual international spot. Soho is basically the “what do you feel like eating?” neighborhood.
Day 5 (Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, then Notting Hill)
Morning and afternoon: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, the famous Harry Potter Studio Tour. Pre-book. People book this months ahead for a reason. You’ll usually choose between a tour bus option (easy) or a train plus shuttle combo (also doable, slightly more steps). Leave plenty of time, it’s not a quick pop-in.
Book Warner Bros. Studio Tour London tickets
Evening: Back in London, keep it mellow with a stroll through Notting Hill along Portobello Road. The streets are cute, the shops are tempting, and it’s a great “walk it off” neighborhood after a big day.
Food idea: Notting Hill dinner at a cozy neighborhood spot, then grab something sweet to-go for the walk.
Days 6 to 7: A classic day trip, then a relaxed final day with a West End night
Day 6 (Stonehenge and Bath day tour, the long but iconic day)
This is a long day, but it hits the “I can’t believe I’m really here” feeling. Book a guided tour so transport is handled and your brain can stay in vacation mode.
Book a Stonehenge and Bath day tour
Bring a small day-trip kit:
- Water and a snack
- Portable charger
- Light layers and a rain jacket
Evening: When you get back to London, don’t plan something ambitious. Do an easy dinner near your hotel. Your feet have carried this trip.
Food idea: a simple neighborhood dinner, pub, pasta, or whatever requires the least decision-making.
Day 7 (slow morning, afternoon tea, and a West End finale) Morning: Start in Regent’s Park for a calm walk. Then head to Marylebone for pretty streets, bookshops, and coffee. This is your “I live here now” fantasy day.
Afternoon: Do afternoon tea if it’s on your London wish list. It’s silly in the best way. You’ll eat tiny sandwiches like they’re a lifestyle choice, then you’ll wonder why you don’t do this at home. Book an afternoon tea experience
Late afternoon: Choose one last paid attraction. Churchill War Rooms is a strong pick because it’s unique, indoors, and genuinely interesting even if you’re not a history superfan. Book Churchill War Rooms tickets
Evening: Finish with a West End show. Book ahead if you want specific seats and a specific show, or keep it flexible if you’re fine with whatever’s available. Book a West End show
Food idea: pre-theater dinner in the West End, then dessert after the show because it’s your last night and rules are fake.
Make it your own: easy swaps for food, museums, and budgets
This itinerary is a strong default, not a strict contract. If you want more markets, swap in Camden Market or more time around Borough Market. If you want more museums, trade out a park afternoon for the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum, or the Imperial War Museum, or head to Greenwich for history and stunning views.
Rainy-day backups are easy in London because the city is full of great indoor options. Museums, covered markets, afternoon tea, and historic houses all work when the weather does its moody thing. Just pack layers and be ready for random drizzle year-round.
If you’re traveling with kids, the South Bank is a win (space to move), the Natural History Museum in South Kensington is a classic, and the Studio Tour day is basically a guaranteed highlight.
For budgets, London can be surprisingly kind if you plan it right. Many of the best stops are free, like the British Museum, National Gallery, and Tate Modern. Parks cost nothing, and a picnic can feel like a treat when you grab groceries from a nice market.
A simple rule that keeps the week balanced: one big ticket item per day, one free stop, one neighborhood meal like a Sunday roast. You’ll see a ton without feeling like you’re speed-running the city.
A quick note on the London Pass: it can save money if you plan to do a lot of paid attractions in a short span and you’ll actually use it hard. It won’t save money if your vibe is slow mornings, long lunches, and “let’s just wander.”
If you have less energy, what to cut without regrets
London is huge, and your body is not a robot. The easiest cuts are the ones that reduce travel time for day trips from London and long days.
If you need to simplify, skip one day trip from London (either the Studio Tour or Stonehenge and Bath). Keep the one that excites you most. Also avoid stacking museums back-to-back. One big museum day is enough for most people.
If you want an easy viewpoint swap, choose either the London Eye or another viewpoint experience, not both. Your camera roll doesn’t need 47 skyline photos to prove you were there.
If you only do a short “musts” list, make it:
Westminster area, Tower of London, a Thames walk, one big museum, one theater night.
If you want to splurge, where it feels worth it
Some splurges in London feel like a flex. Others feel like buying your future self peace and quiet. The second kind is the best kind.
Good splurge picks:
- Afternoon tea at a well-known spot, book ahead and lean into it
- Premium Tower of London tour for smaller groups and better stories
- West End premium seats if you care about seeing facial expressions
- A nicer central hotel so you can walk more and commute less
- Private airport transfer when you want door-to-door ease
- Book a premium Tower of London tour
- Book a private London airport transfer
Conclusion
This week works because it’s simple: a central base, neighborhoods grouped together, a few pre-booked anchor attractions, and enough breathing room to actually enjoy London. Save this 7-Day London Itinerary for First-Time Visitors, book the sell-out tickets first, then fill in meals and free stops as you go.
London rewards a plan, but it also rewards wandering. Lock in the big stuff, keep your days flexible, and let the city surprise you. When you’re ready, start with hotels and top tickets, then build the fun around them using the replaceable links above.
