One Week in London for First Timers!

First-Timer’s One Week in London Itinerary

There’s SO MUCH to do in London that it can be super overwhelming for first time visitors to pick and choose what to do. My advice: choose a theme and stick to it.

It could be a different theme each day of your trip or the same theme throughout, but either way, it’ll help limit your options each day and reduce the overwhelm.

You also want to be smart about how you’re exploring. London is a sprawling urban area. While a theme is a good idea, it won’t help you if you’re crisscrossing the city multiple times a day. Group by theme and neighborhood.

Here’s how I’d spend a week in London with first-time visitors:

• Day 1
  • Buckingham PalaceChanging of the GuardSt James’ ParkThames River Ferry
  • Greenwich Observatory
• Day 2
  • Westminster AbbeyChurchill War RoomsHorse Guards Parade Ground10 Downing Street
  • Houses of Parliament (Westminster Palace)
• Day 3
  • Kensington PalaceHyde ParkAfternoon TeaBond Street or KnightsbridgeStroll the South Bank
  • Southwark Cathedral
• Day 4
  • Trafalgar SquareNational Gallery of ArtLeicester Square
  • Hampton Court Palace
• Day 5
  • King’s Cross StationSherlock Holmes Museum
  • Windsor Castle
• Day 6
  • Tower of LondonTower Bridge
  • British Museum
• Day 7
  • St Paul’s CathedralMillennium BridgeGlobe Theatre
  • Thames Riverfront

Get a London Pass & Save Money

The majority of this itinerary is included in the London Pass, a GoCity sightseeing pass. I HIGHLY recommend a London Pass for visitors that want to see all the iconic, touristy sights.

I’ve personally bought and used this pass several times, even before I was a GoCity affiliate. It’ll save you money if you want to see a lot of sights!

Day 1: Flexible Schedule

Ease into your first day in London with some of the most iconic London sights: Buckingham Palace, the Changing of the Guard, the Thames River, and Greenwich Observatory.

Important: The Changing of the Guard Ceremony doesn’t happen every day. If your Day 1 is a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, swap Days 1 and 2 on this itinerary.

You’ll see Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament first, and then come back tomorrow for the Changing of the Guard.

Start by wandering through St James’ Park towards Buckingham Palace. Tube stations ring the area, so there’s a good chance you won’t have to change lines to get here. The park is free to roam and a lovely spot for people-watching. This neighborhood is full of tourists, government workers, and politicians.

Buckingham Palace is the British Monarchy’s official main residence. Its fabulous State Rooms are where visiting foreign dignitaries are received by the Crown. During the summer, the State Rooms are open to the public for tours.

If you’re visiting in the summer, tours run from 9:30AM to 5:30PM. Be prepared for crowds! If you’re visiting in the off season, limited guided tours are available, but they visit the East Wing of the Palace, an area you don’t see on the regular summer tours.

The Changing of the Guards ceremony starts at 10:30AM on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, and ends around 11-11:15 when the guards actually change places at Buckingham Palace. It’s free to watch and very popular.

The area swells with tourists for the ceremony, and then empties almost as fast once it’s over. Traffic stops and you won’t be able to move from your spot on the sidewalk, so choose a good one.

Pro Tip: One of the best places to watch the Changing of the Guard is from the Queen Victoria Memorial in the little roadway island just in front of Buckingham Palace’s front gates, but you will be stuck there the entire time.

They fence it in so you can’t dart in front of the guards as they march by. If you’re hoping to snap a photo or two and then slip away to beat the crowds, then this is not the spot for you.

After the ceremony, everyone will be beelining towards food as it’s almost lunchtime. I recommend you head for the Westminster Ferry Dock instead, and hop a river ferry toward Greenwich.

You’ll walk by spectacular Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament (also known as Westminster Palace) on your way to the ferry dock. Wave at Big Ben, but don’t worry. You’ll be back in this area tomorrow to tour these awesome spaces.

Good to Know: I recommend you visit the Abbey and Houses of Parliament on a day when they don’t have a Changing of the Guards ceremony so you don’t have a huge, crowded tour.

You have to go through airport-style security to get into the Houses of Parliament, and the Abbey spaces out entry as best they can. You’ll spend less time in line and more time craning your neck in awe inside if you visit on a different day.

The Thames (pronounced like Tims) is a tidal river which connects London to the sea. It’s always been a highly important part of London, and today, taking a ferry down the river is one of the best ways to see the city and many of its sights.

Board the ferry at Westminster and ride it all the way to Greenwich. You won’t be disappointed, but you might want a snack. There will be other stops along the way, so the total ride time is about an hour. (Even if you tried to take the Tube/trains, it’ll take an hour to get there, so enjoy the ferry.)

You can grab lunch once you get to Greenwich, after you’ve sailed past the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral and Millennium Bridge, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, the Shard, and many other famous sights.

Once in Greenwich, you have sightseeing options. The most famous is the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory. Stand in two hemispheres at once! It’s a bit of a hike up the hill to the observatory, but the views from the top are pretty great. Worth the hike, in my opinion.

If you don’t care about arbitrary, invisible lines, then you could skip the observatory and visit the Royal Naval College or National Maritime Museum instead. The British Empire had the best navy in the world for a very long time. This museum will show you a thing or two about ships.

At this point in day 1 you’re probably starting to drag from the time change. That’s ok.

I suggest taking the Tube (or ferry) back to wherever you’re staying, grab an easy dinner somewhere nearby, and settle into your room for the night. You’ll have other nights to explore this week.

Good to Know: If you’re doing ok, Canary Wharf isn’t far from Greenwich. Go explore and find good food for your first dinner in London.

Day 2: Westminster

Back in the Westminster area today, I recommend Westminster Abbey, Westminster Palace (the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben), and the Churchill War Rooms.

Start at the Abbey. Schedule your timed entry tickets for the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben for mid-to-late afternoon. That leaves time in the middle of the day to wander to a few close by spots that you can really only take a photo of and then leave, like 10 Downing Street.

Westminster Abbey is an awe-inspiring space. Start here to minimize crowds, arriving right at or just after opening.

There’s so much history in this building! Dozens on dozens of famous historical figures, authors, poets, scientists, kings, queens, and explorers are all buried here.

I can’t name them all, but some of my personal favorites were Sir Isaac Newton, Queen Elizabeth I, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Rudyard Kipling.

The Abbey is where the monarch is crowned and host to many royal weddings, including Charles and Diana’s in the 1980s and their son, Prince William, and Kate Middleton’s in the 2010s.

The architecture is stunning, too, inside and out.

You’ll notice brighter-colored stonework here and there on the outside and replacement glass in some of the stained glass windows. That’s mostly from bomb damage from World War II.

The ceiling in the Lady Chapel inside is absolutely stunning, even more so when you realize it was completed in 1513.

It’s a photographer’s dream, and you’re lucky you’re visiting when you are. They didn’t use to allow photography inside!

After a leisurely stroll through the Abbey with your audio guide, head around back to the Cellarium Café & Terrace for some lunch. There aren’t a lot of places to eat in this area, so get here on the early end of lunchtime if you can.

After lunch, head a few blocks east to The Churchill War Rooms. This fascinating museum gives you a glimpse into how the British government weathered the Blitz and functioned during World War II. History buffs will love it, and everyone will find it interesting enough for a visit.

If you have some more time before your Houses of Parliament ticketed entry, wander over to the Horse Guards Parade Grounds or to 10 Downing Street, home of the UK’s Prime Minister, for some photos. The Household Cavalry Museum is another option, if you’re interested in that and have time.

Head over to Westminster Palace (the Houses of Parliament) about 20-30 minutes before your timed entry. You’ll go through airport-style security, so there’s always at least a short wait to get in.

If you timed it right, you’ll have missed the worst of the crowds. The last couple of hours before closing see fewer people. However, if you were lucky enough to get Big Ben tickets, then you might be here at a different time of day. That’s fine. Enough the Big Ben tour!

The Houses of Parliament tour is amazing. They have self-guided audio tours which are thorough and fascinating, but you can also book a guided tour if you prefer. Both are about 90 minutes.

This is also where you can tour the Elizabeth Tower and see Big Ben, the enormous clock that towers over the Palace. These tickets are hard to get because they’re so popular. They always sell out.

Big Ben tickets release on the second Wednesday of every month at 10AM London time, which is 5AM Eastern time in the US. It’s worth getting up early to snag tickets. Then, you can go back to bed.

Good to Know: Big Ben tour tickets are separate from the Houses of Parliament tour tickets, but they’re sold on the same website. Parliament tours have many timeslots available and can sell out during peak times, but Big Ben tours can and will sell out almost immediately.

Get your Big Ben tickets first. Then get your Houses of Parliament tickets. (Your Big Ben tour tickets allow you access to Old Westminster Chapel, but not to the Parliament chambers.) Get your tickets online here.

Day 3: Be Fancy

Day 3 will be your fancy day in London. You’ll tour Kensington Palace, enjoy a posh (or fun!) afternoon tea, and stroll the high-end shopping district.

Kensington Palace is typically where the kids of the reigning monarch live. Right now, that’s William, Kate, and their children, but let’s be clear: you don’t get to tour their living spaces. A Kensington tour is still worth it though!

You’ll see where Queen Victoria raised her large family and how the Stuarts lived before her. Princess Diana also lived here during her time as a royal, and there’s often an exhibit or two in her honor.

Kensington is a smaller palace, almost homey compared to the sprawling, meant-to-impress Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. It’s a different experience and worth a tour.

Once you’re done at Kensington, consider picking up a scone or an ice cream at the little café on-site. Then, head out into Hyde Park.

There’s plenty to see in this park: memorials to royals, lakes with swans, and Speakers’ Corner. It’s a lovely green space in the bustling city.

Rather than lunch, opt for an afternoon tea service at your location of choice. If you want super fancy, book a spot at Claridge’s or The Ritz. If you prefer munching on snacks with a phenomenal view, opt for The Shard or The Bingham Riverside.

Afternoon tea is one of the best things to come from the British. It might seem silly to your male travel companions, but they’ll get into it, too, if you choose the right themed service, like Jurassic Park. Something to consider!

Now that you’re full of tea, sandwiches, scones, and clotted cream, take a stroll through a high-end shopping district while you’re still in fancy mode.

Bond Street or the Knightsbridge neighborhood both have all the luxury brands you’d expect and some British favorites. Harrod’s is an adventure to be explored all on its own, with several floors of wonders and its own cafeteria.

As day fades to dusk, I suggest you keep strolling, but this time along the South Bank. Generally everything between Westminster and London Bridge is fair game, and you’ll find plenty of food options nearby.

This is also where you’ll find the London Eye and The Shard. Book a nighttime ride or observation deck viewing time and enjoy the glittering city views.

Need a cheaper option? Go to the Sky Garden instead. It’s free but still requires a ticket, which you can book online. Or, book a table for drinks with a stunning view!

Day 4: Art & Henry VIII

Mix in a healthy dose of free with paid sightseeing today. Just like the Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC are free, many of the national museums in London are free.

Make your way to Trafalgar Square and meet the famous lion statues. Then, walk up the steps and into the Portico Entrance for the National Gallery of Art.

See Da Vincis, Boticellis, Monets, Picassos, and, of course, Hans Holbeins, all for free. You can easily spend a few hours here, admiring priceless works of art throughout the ages.

Good to Know: Entry is free, but you’ll get in faster if you prebook a free ticket online.

When you’re ready for lunch, exit the gallery on the Leicester Square side. The gallery has food options, but the square has more. There’s plenty to eat here, and you’re just steps from Chinatown, too. If you’re lucky, you might catch a movie premiere in the square.

Next, hop on a train to the suburbs to visit Hampton Court Palace. This was Henry VIII’s favorite residence, and the palace today splits its history covering him, the early Georgians, and King William, who apparently loved to decorate with weapons.

The gardens are worth a stroll, too, with fun trees that look like mushrooms and the original hedge maze to play in. The Great Vine is also tucked away in the back corner, near the Privy Gardens. It’s the world’s largest grapevine and is over 250 years old.

Good to Know: Mind the time. The train ride out to Hampton Court takes about an hour from Leicester Square, and you’ll have to walk a short way from the station to the palace.

If you prefer, head to Hampton Court first thing and save the National Gallery for the afternoon. The Gallery is free, so if you run out of time you can always come back another day without losing any money, and it’s also open late on Fridays until 9PM.

Day 5: So Much History & The Crown Jewels

A trip to the Tower of London was once cause for concern, but today, it’s one of the biggest tourist sites in London. The Tower has been a royal residence, a prison, a zoo, a treasury and mint, and a fortress.

There’s a lot of unique history here, and the resident beefeaters (all retired members of the military) would love to share it with you on a guided tour. I highly recommend you take the tour! It gives a great overview of the hundreds of years of history.

The British Crown Jewels are also stored here, including the monarch’s crown, orb, and scepter. You won’t be disappointed on a visit here.

Right next to the Tower of London is the appropriately named Tower Bridge. This is the colorful drawbridge you see in all the movies.

Opt for the Tower Bridge Experience which gives you access to the towers and includes a skywalk with a glass floor. You can walk across the bridge on the sidewalk for free, but the views from the skywalk are pretty neat!

Your ticket also gets you into the small museum on the south bank which shows how the bridge raising mechanism works. The bridge was built in the 1800s and uses the same equipment today to raise and lower the bridge. The only change is steam power (to move the cogs) was swapped out for electricity in the 1970s.

Pro Tip: Check the schedule for bridge raises and time your visit to coincide with one. You can stand on the glass floor of the skywalk above as the bridge beneath you raises and a ship sails through. It’s a cool experience, for those not afraid of heights.

Grab a bite to eat from Borough Market, one of London’s best food markets and a short, 10 minute walk from Tower Bridge. After you’ve explored the market and satisfied your hunger for the moment, head to the British Museum.

The British Museum is free entry but requires tickets because it’s so popular. This is where you’ll find all the plundered treasures from many civilizations around the world.

The Rosetta Stone, Easter Island statues, statues and friezes from the Athens Acropolis, and Egyptian mummies are just a few of the incredible historical artifacts on permanent display here.

Good to Know: The British Museum stays open late on Fridays, until 8:30PM. I recommend you move this day of the itinerary to whichever day that is during your trip. There’s A LOT to see in this museum and it can take a while to get through it, especially if you visit during the middle of the day with all the crowds. Arrive in mid-afternoon and stay until closing, if you wish.

Pro Tip: The National Gallery and the British Museum both stay open late on Fridays. I’d choose the British Museum if I had to pick between the two for crowd control.

Day 6: Regent’s Park area & a Windsor Afternoon

Today’s itinerary is a collection of London sights that are pretty niche but worth your time.

221B Baker Street is the home of the Sherlock Holmes Museum and gift shop. It’s worth a stop for a photo and a look through the gift shop. If you’re a big fan, you might also like the tour. Don’t miss the Baker Street Tube station! The decoration was fun.

Nearby is Regent’s Park, home to the London Zoo and plenty of beautiful green space, if you’d rather take a stroll than see another tour.

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll want to make your way to King’s Cross Station.

You can’t go onto the platforms unless you have a transit ticket, but there’s a permanent Harry Potter gift shop and photo opportunity inside the station. For a fee, of course, get your photo taken with your choice of House scarf and a luggage rack disappearing into the brick wall.

Between King’s Cross and St Pancras station next door, you should be able to find something decent to eat for lunch before hopping a train to Windsor.

The train ride is about an hour from King’s Cross, and you’ll arrive in time to tour Windsor Castle during the afternoon. More airport style security awaits before you can enter, so be prepared for that.

Windsor Castle is the monarch’s second London home. This is a castle, unlike Buckingham which has always been a fancy palace.

You’ll still find beautiful state rooms at Windsor, but also castle architecture with towers and gates. St George’s Chapel is also on the grounds, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married.

Pro Tip: Windsor also has its own Changing of the Guards ceremony on Thursday and Saturday with considerably smaller crowds than you’ll find outside of Buckingham in downtown London.

Day 7: St Paul’s and the South Bank

For your last day in London, enjoy a laid back day of sightseeing. St Paul’s Cathedral is nearly as famous at Westminster Abbey.

Take a self-guided audio tour around the first floor and crypt, but don’t miss your chance to climb to the Whispering Gallery in the Dome. It’s quite the climb up, but you’ll be in the bottom layer of the dome when you’re done. Beautiful views from up here!

Once you’re done exploring the church, take a walk across Millennium Bridge to the South Bank. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, this was the bridge destroyed by dementors at the beginning of the sixth movie.

On the South Bank, you can stroll in either direction and find many interesting sights.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theater will be right in front of you to the right when you exit the bridge. Take a tour or catch a performance in the historic theater!

Continuing right down the riverfront you’ll find the London Eye and beautiful views of Westminster across the river.

Take a left off of the bridge and you’ll find Southwark Cathedral, the Golden Hinde, and eventually, the Shard.

More Things to Do in London

You could live here for a year and not run out of new and interesting things to see and do in the London area. That being said, it makes it super easy to tailor your vacation to your personal tastes.

We’ve pretty thoroughly covered the historical aspects of London in our 1 week itinerary above, but here are some more ideas if you want to mix it up a bit.

See a Show

You can easily add a West End show to any day of this London itinerary. Which day is completely up to you and which showtimes you can get tickets for.

We already mentioned you could catch a performance at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, but the West End is like New York’s Broadway: louder and prouder!

Movie & Pop Culture Tours

Want to learn all about the Beatles? There’s a London walking tour for that.

Want to tour the Warner Brothers studio where Harry Potter was filmed? There will always be a tour for that from London.

Chances are, if you can think of a movie or show that filmed in London, there’s likely a tour for it. Get on Viator or Get Your Guide and search for your favorites.

Parks and Gardens

If you prefer to be outside in gardens rather than inside museums, London can deliver for you!

Hyde Park and Regent’s Park are like Central Park in New York City. Large open green spaces for doing whatever, with memorials and water features to mix it up.

Kew Gardens is a large botanical garden alternative if you’re looking for pretty flowers and manicured displays.

Sports Games & Stadiums

Would you like to see Wimbledon Green, Chelsea FC’s stadium, or the 2012 Olympic Park? London’s got ‘em all.

London is constantly hosting one world-famous sporting event or another.

We accidentally timed our first visit to coincide with something like the European rugby finals. It made riding the trains on game day quite the adventure! But the good news is London can handle that influx of people.

When they’re not hosting games, you can tour the stadiums and sports facilities. Get a look at the locker rooms and fields that your favorite players use!

Happy travels!

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