Six Days in London: Your Ultimate City Sightseeing Itinerary

Kick off your six-day adventure the right way: with a fascinating plunge into royal drama at the Tower of London (nearest tube: Tower Hill). The Yeoman Warder tours are brimming with quirky details—plus, you get up close with the Crown Jewels. You’ll be walking among timeworn tales of intrigue and escape, with ancient walls and resident ravens that set the atmosphere perfectly.

After ogling some of the most priceless jewelry on the planet—crowns, scepters, tiaras and more—cross to Tower Bridge. It’s a five-minute walk and gives you the opportunity to stand atop the glass walkway, so you can peer down at the River Thames 138 feet below your feet (brace yourself, it’s a thrill!). The engine rooms below give a glimpse of Victorian ingenuity—a must for history and design fans.

From Tower Bridge, walk (or take bus 343) 10 minutes west for lunch at Borough Market. This lively market thrums with flavors from every corner of the globe. We love the salt beef beigels or Ethiopian stews from the food stalls—plus doughnuts bigger than your face. There’s plenty of seating by Southwark Cathedral if you fancy some fresh air.

Ready for more sky-high London views already? Course you are. You can’t really miss The Shard, which towers above Borough Market from just over the road in London Bridge. Shooting up 72 stories to The View from The Shard in mere seconds, you’re rewarded with panoramic city views that stretch past Wembley to Windsor (and beyond) on a clear day.

For dinner, Flat Iron London Bridge serves succulent steak with their signature cleaver logo branded on every wooden board. The vibe is communal, buzzy, and all about the food. Order the creamed spinach and don’t skip the complimentary popcorn when you arrive.

Round off day one with a City Cruises boat ride from London Bridge pier toward Westminster. Watching the city turn golden as the sun lowers, with famous sights sparkling along the riverbank, is magical—especially after a day on your feet.

Begin day two at Westminster station (Jubilee, Circle, District lines), emerging right beside Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Today’s focus? Royalty and quintessential London sites.

First, it’s Westminster Abbey. Inside, you’ll find memorials, chapels, and the setting of every royal coronation for hundreds of years past. The atmosphere is one of serene grandeur, and the Poets’ Corner never fails to inspire with its tributes to Shakespeare, Dickens and so many more.

Next, amble through St James’s Park—a riot of flowerbeds, friendly ducks, aloof pelicans and photogenic views of Buckingham Palace. You might even catch the Changing of the Guard, a must for the marching bands and impressive uniforms alone.

Book a slot at the King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace. Here, masterpieces from the Royal Collection are on display, with regular themed exhibitions and a sense of hushed anticipation as you step inside. Afterwards, pop in to the Royal Mews right next door to see the royal horses and those famous golden coaches.

For lunch, The Goring Dining Room in nearby Victoria offers classic British fare (their roast chicken and eggs Drumkilbo are legendary), or try The Wolseley for high ceilings, art deco flair and proper afternoon tea.

In the afternoon, stroll up to Trafalgar Square to catch the National Gallery—admission is free and there are masterpieces aplenty to ogle from Van Gogh, Constable, Rembrandt, Monet and many more. If art isn’t the mood, zip across the Thames for a late-afternoon spin on the London Eye, for countless different perspectives on London as your glass capsule completes its 30-minute rotation.

Dinner tonight? Try Dishoom Covent Garden for standout Bombay comfort food (their black daal and bacon naan roll are our picks). For something extra special, Rules in Covent Garden is London’s oldest restaurant—order the steak and kidney pie if you’re feeling decadent (and hungry).

End your evening with a stroll around the Strand and Covent Garden—soaking up street performers, twinkle-lit squares, and maybe a cocktail at The Delaunay Counter.

Kick off at St Paul’s Cathedral (Central Line to St Paul’s): Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece with its soaring dome is one of the most awe-inspiring icons of the London skyline. If you have the energy, climb up to the Whispering Gallery—whisper a secret on one side and your friend will hear it clear as day way over on the other side of the dome. Don’t skip the crypt, where grand tombs commemorate Admiral Lord Nelson, Florence Nightingale, Winston Churchill, Joseph Turner and Wren himself, among many more huge figures from British history.

Next, take bus no.87 west to Millbank for Tate Britain. The Discovery Tour spotlights the evolution of British art, and with works from Turner to Hockney, there’s art for every mood and taste.

Take the Victoria line tube from Pimlico to Victoria station, then walk to Regency Café. This retro spot has starred in films like ‘Layer Cake’ and serves classic English breakfasts—poached eggs, crispy bacon and the fluffiest toast beneath art deco windows.

Suitably fortified, hop back on the Victoria Line north to Oxford Circus then switch to the Bakerloo for Baker Street and Madame Tussauds. Pose with A-listers and sporting heroes, and go behind the scenes of London’s pop culture history in quirky themed zones. The Marvel Heroes cinema experience is always a crowd-pleaser.

Regal Regent’s Park lies mere steps from Madame Tussauds, and the London Zoo sits on its northern edge. Wander through perfectly pruned rose gardens or make straight for the zoo’s penguin pool and monkey jungle.

Finish with dinner at Gilgamesh in Camden Market, just a few stops away on the Northern line. The pan-Asian fare is a surefire hit. Order duck pancakes and a lychee martini in a mystical, open-air dining room replete with ornate hand-carved woods.

Start bright and early to catch the train from London Paddington to Windsor & Eton Central; journey time is around 40 minutes. There, Windsor Castle’s ceremonial halls, gilded State Apartments, and storied chapel reveal centuries of royal tales. The gardens here are a treat—perfectly manicured and steeped in history. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a Changing of the Guard parade winding through the town’s cobbled streets. Don’t skip St George’s Chapel; both jaw-dropping and atmospheric, it’s where many royal weddings (and dramas) played out.

Windsor’s charming streets just outside the castle gates boast loads of tempting lunch spots. We love The Ivy Windsor for something stylish but unstuffy. Try the melt-in-your-mouth shepherd’s pie or go all-out with a whimsical afternoon tea—think bite-sized sandwiches and the prettiest pastries in town. Large bay windows mean people-watching is an added bonus.

Traveling with kids? Legoland Windsor is a short shuttle ride away and promises unbridled brick-based joy whether you’re three or 73. Rides, brick-built landmarks, and epic play zones guarantee happy faces all round. If you’re grownups-only or maybe just want to swap bricks for palaces, head back into London for Kensington Palace. Set in leafy Kensington Gardens, this royal residence feels both grand and homely. Inside, you’ll explore fascinating exhibits, lavish state rooms, and the beautiful Sunken Garden outside. Pop into The Orangery for a slice of cake or an old-school cream tea. From Windsor, return by train to Paddington, then take the Circle Line to High Street Kensington.

Wrap up day four in Notting Hill, just a short walk north through the gardens. Head to Gold for dinner—a laid-back spot with cool botanical décor and an open kitchen. Their wood-roasted sea bass and burrata-stuffed tomatoes stand out, and the buzz from local diners brings that special ‘London neighborhood’ energy.

We start day five in Greenwich—take the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) from Bank to Cutty Sark. Greenwich’s maritime history is writ large across this pretty riverside village: tour the famous Cutty Sark, then pop into the National Maritime Museum if you fancy more seafaring tales. Next, stroll up the hill to the Royal Observatory—stand on the Prime Meridian Line for a selfie that literally puts you in two hemispheres at once.

Hungry? Greenwich Market brims with artisanal coffee, international street food and irresistible baked goods—ideal if you’re in the market for a quick and tasty lunch. Look for Crosstown for their signature sourdough doughnuts—tangy, fluffy, and always fresh.

Next, hop on the Uber Boat west along the Thames from Greenwich Pier—it’s the most scenic commute in London and a breezy way to tick off riverside landmarks including the Tower of London, St Paul’s, the Tate Modern and more. Jump off at Embankment and stroll up to Covent Garden, where the mighty London Transport Museum houses all manner of vintage buses, trains and carriages. It’s a cool hit of London nostalgia, complete with retro posters and funky souvenirs to take home.

Spend a little time late afternoon exploring Covent Garden—its quirky shops, street performers and lively vibe are the stuff of legend. Pause for a drink beneath the vaulted glass-and-cast-iron roof of the Victorian Apple Market. For dinner, try whichever of Rules or Dishoom you skipped on day two, or head up into Chinatown for spicy noodles and green tea, and maybe even catch a show at one of the world-class theaters that line Shaftesbury Avenue.

Tube up to Wembley Park (Jubilee or Metropolitan Lines) for the Wembley Stadium Tour—soccer fans will thrill to locker room secrets, behind-the-scenes tunnels, and championship history. Prefer something smaller scale? Head south to Stamford Bridge for the Chelsea FC Stadium Tour for pure Premier League atmosphere.

Not a soccer fan? No worries. Spend your morning at Regents Park and London Zoo instead. Bonus: it puts you in pole position for a walking tour of Camden and a hearty burger lunch with rosemary fries and craft beer in Honest Burgers. Keep an eye out for weekly specials—last time, the teriyaki chicken burger had everyone talking.

Yesterday’s flirtation with Shaftesbury Avenue whet your appetite for all things theatrical? Hop south on the Northern Line to Leicester Square for a West End Theatre Walking Tour. A local guide weaves tales of stage legends, secret tunnels, and the musicals that took the world by storm. Even if you’re not a superfan, you’ll love peeking behind the city’s showbiz curtain.

There’s only one way to bid ‘cheerio’ to London: with scones, jam and cream piled high. The Wolseley, a short stroll away on Piccadilly, is timeless—with soaring ceilings and just the right amount of sparkle. Go classic with finger sandwiches, glossy pastries and leaf tea, or toast your trip with a glass of bubbly. 

Finally, circle back to Soho for a farewell dinner at Barrafina—Spanish small plates, sizzling prawns, and convivial counters set the vibe. Then swing by Swift for perfectly balanced cocktails in an art deco-inspired speakeasy packed with locals and late-night energy.

And there you have it: six days packed with royalty and revelry, history and hidden gems, food, fun and views to match. London waits for you, one Tube ride and exciting new adventure at a time.