Today I want to bring you my best London itineraries. Whether you have 1 day or 10 (or more!), there are lots of great ways to spend your time in the UK capital. From the iconic landmarks to hidden places locals love, London has no shortage of ways to entertain you. I’ve created a lot of itineraries over the years, and now I want to put them all in one place. Read on for the official A Lady in London itinerary guide.
London Itineraries
One of the best things about being a professional travel blogger is that I get to help people plan their trips. Whether it’s through my blog posts or my travel planning services, I always try to ensure people have a great experience in London or abroad.
I often get asked how many days is enough for London, so today I want to share all my London itineraries. From sightseeing to local areas and beloved places to eat, drink, and shop, they have a range of things to do and see in the city.
You can take a look at them and decide for yourself how long you want to stay. The good news is that there’s no right or wrong amount of time to spend in the UK capital.
You can adjust any London itinerary on my list to fit your interests and travel style. Whatever you do, you’ll get a good overview of what the city has to offer. Each one is different, but they all cover a mix of sightseeing highlights and local favorites.
You can use my London travel guide and my list of 51 things to do in London in a year to fill in any gaps and find seasonal events and activities going on when you’ll be visiting as well.
I have more London itineraries in the pipeline, too. I’ll add the new ones to this post as I create them. If you want to bookmark or pin this post on Pinterest, you can use it to find all my guides in one convenient place.
You can see additional itineraries and find further details in Frommer’s London Day-by-Day. You can get it on Amazon here. It has detailed daily guides and lots of photos. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket, too.
Where to Stay in London
First things first. You’ll need a place to stay. When it comes to accommodation in London, you have plenty of choice. Whether you want to book a hotel or rent a flat, the city has a range of options for every taste and style.
Given London is big and the attractions are spread out, I recommend choosing somewhere to base yourself in or near the center of the city.
You can check out my blog posts about the best area to stay in London, the best hotels for your style, unique pubs with rooms, and quirky hotels for ideas.
You can also find deals and book accommodation in London here. With so many places to pick from, you’re sure to find somewhere you love.
How to Pack for London
Once you’ve decided where to stay, you have to pack for London. Depending what time of year you visit, that could mean different things.
I’ve written packing lists for spring, summer, autumn, and winter that can help you decide what to wear in London. I’ve even published a general list of things to bring all year.
If you’re flying to the city, you can take a look at my long-haul packing list and my guide to how to pack with just a carry-on for more help (I was interviewed by The New York Times about the latter).
1 Day in London
First on my list is my 1-day London itinerary. Even if you have a short amount of time in the UK capital, you can still cover a lot of ground. Starting with breakfast, my guide will take you through your day and show you the best things to do and see in the city.
From sightseeing attractions like Buckingham Palace and Big Ben to fun areas like the South Bank and Borough Market, it has all the highlights. You’ll get to experience a range of things the city has to offer and leave with a great overview of London.
If all that appeals, you can see the full guide with all the photos and details on my blog post about how to spend 1 day in London. It’s a fun itinerary for first-time visitors and those looking to experience the best of the UK capital in a day.
36 Hours in London
If you have a bit more time, my London itinerary for 36 hours in the city is just the thing. It covers the same highlights as my 1-day guide, but it will also show you other places visitors and locals love.
Starting with the big sightseeing highlights, the itinerary will take you around to see places like the City of London, Covent Garden, and the Tower of London.
But it doesn’t stop there. It will also show you beloved London neighborhoods like Notting Hill, Kensington, and Knightsbridge. They’re some of my favorite places in the city.
If that sounds like your cup of tea, you can see the complete guide with photos and details on my blog post about how to spend 36 hours in London.
It’s a great one for new visitors and those who want to see a mix of classic sights and local areas. There are detailed maps with all the locations, too.
2 Days in London
Next on my list of London itineraries is my 2-day guide to the city. It will give you a similar broad overview as the previous itineraries, but it does a deeper dive into cultural attractions and local areas.
The guide begins with an overview of the big landmarks. From there it continues with popular places like Covent Garden, local areas like Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury, and institutions like the British Museum.
It will also take you to Hyde Park and show you great options for afternoon tea and West End shows.
If all that sounds good, you can check out the full guide with the details and photos on my blog post about how to spend 2 days in London.
It’s an ideal one for first-time visitors and those looking to experience as much of the city as they can in a quick visit.
48 Hours in London
If you have 2 days in London and you arrive in the afternoon or evening, my 48 hour itinerary is perfect for you. It’s a great guide if you’re looking to see the sightseeing highlights and get a feel for the city’s iconic attractions.
This one starts with an evening in the most exciting parts of the West End. The following morning you’ll kick off a day of sightseeing that will take you to the major landmarks. You’ll end with a tour of the Tower of London, a walk in Hyde Park, and afternoon tea.
If that all sounds good, you can see the complete guide with photos and details on my blog post about how to spend 48 hours in London. It’s a good one for first-timers and those looking to do and see a lot in 2 days.
Weekend in London
Next on my list of London itineraries is one for a weekend. If you’re here from Friday night to Sunday evening, it’s the perfect guide for you.
Not only will it show you the sightseeing highlights, but also the best things to do on the specific days of the week you’re visiting the city.
This itinerary starts with an open-top bus tour or a Thames river cruise that will give you an introduction to London. From there you’ll have a fun night out in Soho before seeing the sights the next day.
On your last day you’ll get to explore local areas and go to some of the best Sunday markets in London.
If all that appeals, you can see the full guide with all the photos and details on my blog post about how to spend a weekend in London. It’s a great one if you want a mix of sightseeing highlights and beloved local places.
3 Days in London
My next London itinerary is one for spending 3 days in the city. It’s perfect if you have a bit more time in the UK capital and you want to see the main sights and some local highlights.
The guide starts with the classic landmarks and attractions. It continues with cultural institutions like the South Kensington museums and green spaces like Hyde Park. You’ll enjoy afternoon tea and a West End show, too.
On your last day you’ll explore historic places like Clerkenwell and hipster areas like Shoredtich, Spitalfields, and Hackney.
If a mix of classic and cool appeals, you can see the full guide, photos, and details on my blog post about how to spend 3 days in London. It’s a fun one for visitors looking to experience the best of all worlds.
4 Days in London
The next of my London itineraries is one for spending 4 days in the city. It will show you the same things as my 3-day itinerary, plus a day of living like a local in a beloved neighborhood outside of Zone 1.
The itinerary starts with the classic sights, the West End, and experiences like afternoon tea and walks. It continues with options for exploring an area most visitors miss.
From Hampstead to Richmond and Greenwich, you’ll get to choose a place that fits your style. I’ve recommended things to do in each one so you can get a feel for what they have to offer.
If all that sounds good, you can check out the guide with the photos and details on my blog post about how to spend 4 days in London. It’s a fun one if you want to see the sights and have a local experience in one trip.
5 Days in London
Next on my list of London itineraries is my guide to spending 5 days in the city. This is a great amount of time to be here if you want to take in the highlights, explore some local areas, and go on a day trip.
The itinerary covers iconic landmarks and visitor attractions like the London Eye and Tower Bridge. You’ll also experience a day in a local neighborhood and a trip to somewhere easily accessible from London by train, car, or guided tour.
If that sounds like your kind of trip, you can see the itinerary, details, and photos on my blog post about how to spend 5 days in London.
It’s a fun one for first-time visitors and those looking to experience a range of what the city and surrounding area have to offer.
6 Days in London
My next London itinerary is one for spending 6 days in the UK capital. It covers the same highlights as my 5-day itinerary and continues with more fun.
The itinerary gives you the option of taking a second day trip, going on an overnight trip somewhere in the UK, or spending more time discovering London. It’s great if you want flexibility in how you spend your visit.
If all that appeals, you can see the full guide with the photos and details on my blog post about how to spend 6 days in London.
It’s a good one if you have nearly a week in London and you want to see a variety of what the city and the UK have to offer.
7 Days in London
If you have a week, my itinerary for a 7-day trip to London is just the thing. It covers all the landmarks and sightseeing highlights, plus local areas, day trips, and activities like shopping and afternoon tea.
The guide starts with several days of experiencing the classic sights and areas of the city. You’ll take a day trip in the middle of your stay, too.
You’ll then spend a day exploring St James’s, Mayfair, and Marylebone and another discovering Belgravia, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, and South Kensington.
If that sounds like your cup of tea, you can see the guide, photos, and details on my blog post about how to spend 7 days in London. It’s an ideal one for first-timers and those looking to experience the best of the UK capital and the surrounding area.
1 Week in London
My 1-week London itinerary is similar to my 7-day guide, but it offers visitors a chance to really get into some of the hidden places locals love in the city.
The itinerary covers the same sightseeing highlights as many of the others. It goes beyond the obvious, though.
You’ll get a chance to see places like the secret pergola garden in Hampstead, quirky Eel Pie Island, beautiful areas like Dulwich, or some of the coolest London neighborhoods.
If that sounds like your kind of trip, you can check out the complete guide with photos and details on my blog post about how to spend 1 week in London. It’s a great one if you like seeing the sights and getting off the beaten path in equal measure.
8 Days in London
Next on my list of London itineraries is my 8-day guide to seeing the city. This one will show you all the best landmarks and attractions, plus local areas, fun markets, and a day trip.
The guide roughly covers the same things as my 7-day itinerary. It adds a day of exploring local areas. From the beautiful streets of Hampstead to the famous market in Camden and the great shopping and canal in King’s Cross, it has a lot to love.
If all that appeals, you can see the full guide with photos and details on my blog post about how to spend 8 days in London. It’s a perfect one for first-time visitors and those looking to discover a lot of the UK capital and surrounding area on one trip.
10 Days in London
My next London itinerary is one for 10 days. Not only does it cover the same attractions and local highlights as my previous guides, but also the option of a second day trip and digging deeper into the local side of the city.
The itinerary starts with a similar structure to my previous ones. It continues with the choice of taking a second day trip or exploring another local part of the city.
It also offers you free time to fill in any gaps, go on a last-minute shopping trip for souvenirs, or do something you’ve learned about while on your trip.
If that sounds good, you can see the full guide with all the photos and details on my blog post about how to spend 10 days in London. It’s a great one for first-timers and those looking to experience the best of the city and surrounding area.
Saturday in London
Next on my list of London itineraries is my guide to spending a perfect Saturday in the city. Unlike my other guides, this one focuses on the best things to do on a specific weekend day.
From a weekly food market to museums, parks, and local areas, this itinerary will show you my favorite way to spend a Saturday in the city. If you’ve been to London before and you want to live like a local, you’ll love this one.
You can see the full guide, photos, and details on my blog post about how to spend a perfect Saturday in London. It’s a fun one if you’d like to experience the best of the UK capital on a specific day of the week.
Sunday in London
As with my last itinerary, my next guide focuses on one particular day. It’s a great one if you’re here on a Sunday and you want to do and see things that only happen then.
From the best Sunday markets in the East End to beloved local areas outside of Zone 1, this one is great if you’ve been to the city before and you’re looking for something different. You can even combine it with my Saturday itinerary for a great weekend visit.
If all that sounds good, you can see the full guide with the photos and details on my blog post about how to spend a Sunday in London. It’s a fun one if you want a local experience.
London Itineraries
I hope you’ve enjoyed this London itinerary guide and that it’s given you good ideas for things to do in the UK capital. There’s a lot to discover here, and I’m sure you’ll leave wanting to come back and explore more.
If you want additional inspiration or you have a specific interest, my themed London itineraries can help. Whether you love coffee, shopping, pubs, history, or books, there’s one that will show you how to make the most of your time in the city.
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