This plan pairs nearby sights and food spots to keep travel manageable, with a mix of classic London landmarks, lively neighbourhoods and relaxed evenings. Costs are rough per-person estimates in pounds sterling (£), excluding accommodation.
Budget
About £180–£330 per person for the listed activities, meals and show, excluding accommodation and local transport.
Best time to visit
Late spring to early autumn (May–September) for longer days and milder weather; pack a light rain jacket in any season.
Westminster and the South Bank
See London’s landmark sights on foot, then finish across the river among the South Bank’s riverside attractions.
Morning
Walk around Westminster
Start at , then walk about 5 minutes to Big Ben and Parliament Square. Abbey entry is worth booking ahead.
About £29Morning
See
Walk about 20 minutes through St James’s Park to ; check the official schedule if you hope to see the Changing of the Guard.
FreeAfternoon
Browse
Take the Tube from Green Park to London Bridge, around 15 minutes door to door, then explore the market stalls for lunch. Opening days vary, so check before you go.
About £12–£20Afternoon
Walk along the South Bank
Cross London Bridge and stroll about 15 minutes along the river to Shakespeare’s Globe, or continue another 20 minutes to the .
FreeEvening
Enjoy a South Bank riverside dinner
Walk around 10–15 minutes from to the South Bank Centre’s restaurants and cafés for dinner with river views.
About £20–£35
Bloomsbury and Covent Garden
Spend the day among world-class museum collections and the lively theatres, shops and dining spots of the West End.
Morning
Explore the British Museum
Give yourself a couple of hours for highlights such as the Rosetta Stone and the Egyptian galleries; entry to the permanent collection is free.
FreeAfternoon
Have lunch in Covent Garden
Walk about 15 minutes from the museum to , where you’ll find plenty of options for lunch and a browse.
About £15–£25Afternoon
Visit the National Gallery
Walk about 15 minutes from Covent Garden to Trafalgar Square. The gallery’s main collection is free, and a timed visit helps you make the most of it.
FreeEvening
See a West End show
Walk about 10 minutes from Trafalgar Square to the theatre district around Leicester Square and . Book tickets in advance for the best choice.
About £25–£100Evening
Dinner in Chinatown
Walk around 10 minutes from to Chinatown for a broad choice of casual and sit-down restaurants.
About £18–£35
The Tower, Shoreditch and Spitalfields
Pair London’s historic riverside fortress with the independent shops, street art and food scene of nearby East London.
Morning
Tour the
Arrive early to see the Crown Jewels and historic towers before the busiest part of the day. Allow at least two to three hours.
About £35Morning
Cross
Walk about 5 minutes from the Tower to for river views and photos; the walk across is free.
FreeAfternoon
Lunch and browse at
Take the Tube from Tower Hill to Liverpool Street, around 10 minutes door to door, then walk about 5 minutes to the market.
About £15–£25Afternoon
Explore
Walk about 10 minutes from the market to for vintage shops, street art and a lively East London atmosphere.
FreeEvening
Dinner in Shoreditch
Walk about 15 minutes from to the heart of Shoreditch for dinner; stay nearby for bars and live music if you still have energy.
About £20–£35
Good to know
Getting around
Use contactless payment or an Oyster card on the Tube and buses. Fares and daily caps depend on the zones and time of travel.
Booking
Reserve , the and a West End show in advance, especially for weekends and school holidays.
Opening hours
Check current opening times for and museum galleries before setting out, as schedules can vary by day.