This plan pairs nearby sights so you spend more time exploring and less time crossing the city. Costs are rough per person in pounds sterling (£), and opening hours and ticket prices can vary.
Budget
About £110–£280 per person, excluding accommodation and local transport; many major museums and outdoor sights are free.
Best time to visit
Late spring to early autumn (May–September) for longer days and pleasant park walks; expect larger crowds and book major attractions ahead.
Westminster and the South Bank
See London’s landmark sights around Westminster, then cross the river for a relaxed evening.
Morning
Explore
Allow around two hours for the abbey’s historic interior. From Westminster Underground station, it’s about a 5-minute walk.
About £30Morning
See Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
Admire the riverside views and Gothic architecture from outside; it’s about a 5-minute walk from .
FreeAfternoon
Stroll through
Walk through the park toward , around 15 minutes from the .
FreeAfternoon
See
Take in the palace from its forecourt; it’s about a 10-minute walk from the park’s Blue Bridge. State Rooms visits are seasonal and require a ticket.
FreeEvening
Walk the
Cross Westminster Bridge and follow the river past the London Eye, about 20 minutes on foot from .
FreeEvening
Dinner at
Take the Tube from Waterloo to London Bridge, about 15 minutes door to door, then browse the food stalls. Check opening times, as they vary by day.
About £15–£30
Bloomsbury and Covent Garden
Spend the day among world-class collections and literary history, ending with dinner and theatre in the West End.
Morning
Visit the British Museum
Set aside a few hours for highlights such as the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian galleries. From Russell Square Underground station, it’s about a 10-minute walk.
FreeAfternoon
Browse the shops and arcades of
Walk south to the piazza and market halls, around 20 minutes from the British Museum.
FreeAfternoon
Explore
Find this colourful courtyard among ’s lanes, about a 5-minute walk from the piazza.
FreeEvening
Have dinner in Chinatown
Walk to Gerrard Street in around 10 minutes from Neal’s Yard; choose from a wide range of restaurants.
About £20–£40Evening
Catch a West End show
Theatreland is a short walk from Chinatown; allow about 10 minutes to reach many nearby venues. Book popular performances ahead.
About £25–£100
South Kensington and Kensington Gardens
Enjoy South Kensington’s museums, then unwind among the gardens and elegant streets of nearby Kensington.
Morning
Explore the
Start with the galleries that interest you most; entry to the permanent collections is free. From South Kensington Underground station, it’s about a 10-minute walk.
FreeAfternoon
Visit the
See decorative arts, fashion and design in this extensive museum, around a 5-minute walk from the .
FreeAfternoon
Relax in
Walk north to the gardens in about 20 minutes from the V&A; enjoy the paths and views around the Serpentine.
FreeEvening
Dinner in Kensington
Walk about 15 minutes from toward for plenty of dinner options.
About £20–£40
Good to know
Getting around
Use contactless payment or an Oyster card on the Tube and buses. The listed walking times are approximate and start at the previous stop.
Tickets
Reserve and theatre tickets in advance. Check museum and market opening hours before setting out.
Museums
Free museum entry covers permanent collections, while special exhibitions may cost extra. A timed entry reservation can help during busy periods.