Today I want to share my London itinerary for 9 days with you. This is a great amount of time to see the highlights of the UK capital and explore a few places further afield. Whatever you’re interested in or passionate about, you’ll find no shortage of ways to fill your time in London and experience everything from the big attractions to the places locals love spending time in.
London Itinerary for 9 Days
One of my favorite things about being a professional travel blogger is helping people plan their trips. Whether it’s through my blog posts or my travel planning services, it brings me joy to know my readers and followers will have a richer experience in London or abroad.
A lot of people ask me “is 9 days in London enough?”, and the answer is yes. Today I want to share the official A Lady in London itinerary for 1 week and 2 days in the UK capital.
I’ve shared lots of London itineraries before, and I hope you’ll find this one as helpful as you’ve found the others. You can take a look at my 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, 5-day, 6-day, 7-day, 1 week, 8-day, and 10-day itineraries for more inspiration.
There’s no right or wrong way to spend your time in the city. My travel itinerary has a mix of the major London landmarks and the spots locals frequent.
You can tailor the itinerary to fit your personal style, but I hope it gives you a good overview of what the UK capital has to offer visitors. You can use my London travel guide to fill in any gaps and find things for your specific interests as well.
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
If you need a place to stay while you’re in town, there are plenty of options for accommodation in London. Whether you want to base yourself in a hotel or apartment, the city has an abundance of places on offer.
Given the city is enormous, I recommend choosing a location in or near Zone 1. You can see my blog posts about the best area to stay in London, the best hotels for your style, and quirky hotels for ideas. I’ve even written about pubs with rooms.
You can also find deals and book accommodation in London here. With so many choices, you’re sure to find a place you love.
How to Pack for 9 Days in London
Once you’ve decided when to come, you have to pack for London. Depending what time of year you visit, that will mean different things.
I’ve written packing lists for summer, autumn, winter, and spring that can help you decide what to wear in London. I’ve also created a general packing 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 tips (I was interviewed by The New York Times about the latter).
Day 1 in London: Buckingham Palace & Westminster
After you’ve arrived and settled into your accommodation, there’s no better place to start a trip to the UK capital than Buckingham Palace.
You can time your visit to coincide with the Changing the Guard ceremony (you can see the calendar here), or just admire the monarch’s London residence from the big gates.
If your trip takes place during the seasonal opening, you can tour Buckingham Palace. It’s a great way to see the state rooms and gardens while you’re in London. You can book tickets here (you’ll need to book well in advance).
After visiting the palace (or seeing it from outside) you can meander through St James’s Park. The park is stunning with its gardens and fountain, and there are great views from the bridge over the water.
From there it’s a short walk through Horse Guards Parade to Whitehall and Parliament Square in Westminster. This place is home to some of the city’s most beloved landmarks, including Elizabeth Tower and its bell, Big Ben.
You’ll also find the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey here. If you have time and inclination, you can tour the abbey and parliament. You can book tickets here.
You can also go on my free self-guided Westminster walk if you want to see the area beyond the big attractions. It will take you to some of the side streets and hidden spaces locals spend time in.
When evening comes, I recommend having a casual dinner near where you’re staying. If you’re feeling jet lagged or you had to wake up early to travel, you’ll likely be tired.
You can see my recommendations for restaurants in London if you need help finding a place.
If you do have energy left, you can take an open-top bus tour to get a feel for the city’s sights. It’s a fun way to get an overview of what London has to offer as you kick off your trip. You can book tickets here.
Day 2 in London: South Bank & the City
The next morning you can continue your London itinerary for 9 days by exploring the South Bank. Right on the Thames, it’s the ideal spot to stroll around, browse the markets, and soak up the scene along the water.
You can ride the London Eye while you’re here as well. It offers some of the best views in the UK capital. You can book tickets here (you’ll need to book well in advance, as it sells out).
There are always pop-ups, street performers, and other entertainment here, so it’s fun to meander along the Thames and see what’s on while you’re in town.
As you make your way from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge, you’ll pass Tate Modern. This famous art museum is a popular place to visit, and the fact that it’s free means it’s easy to go in for as long or little as you want to. There are spectacular views from the higher floors as well.
Not far away, you’ll find Borough Market. London’s most famous food market, it’s the ideal spot to find culinary inspiration and get something for lunch. It’s fun to walk around and soak up the colors and scents of the stalls before making a decision.
After lunch at the market, you can walks across London Bridge to get to the City of London. Don’t miss the views of Tower Bridge on the way.
From the eye-catching dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to contemporary viewing platforms like the Sky Garden and Horizon 22, this part of the UK capital contains a lot of old and new architecture.
If you want to, you can go on my free self-guided City of London walk to see the highlights. It will take you around to see the hidden historic streets and places like Temple.
If not, make your way over to the Tower of London. You can take a tour to see the White Tower and the crown jewels if you’d like to, or just admire the fortress from the outside. You can book Tower of London tickets here.
Afterwards you can walk over to Tower Bridge. This inspiring feat of Victorian engineering is one of the most popular landmarks in London. You can walk across it, or head up to the top on a self-guided tour. You can book tickets here.
For dinner, I recommend continuing your walk across Tower Bridge and going to Bermondsey Street. This is a local favorite, and there are lots of great pubs and restaurants to choose from. Whether you want tapas or fish and chips, you can find it here.
Day 3 in London: Belgravia, Chelsea, Knightsbridge & South Kensington
Start the third of your 9 days in London in Belgravia. This elegant neighborhood is full of cafes and shops, particularly those on Elizabeth Street.
You can go on my free self-guided Belgravia walking tour to see the highlights of the area, or just stroll around the leafy squares and hidden mews. Highlights include Pimlico Road (there’s a market here on Saturdays), Motcomb Street, and Belgrave Square.
From Belgravia, walk over to Sloane Square and the King’s Road in Chelsea. This is a great place to shop and eat, and you can find lunch at any number of restaurants in the area.
If it’s a Saturday, the food market in Duke of York Square is a must. If it’s not, there’s still a lot to do here. The King’s Road is one of the best shopping streets in London, after all.
If you want to, you can go on my free self-guided Chelsea walk to see more of the area’s side streets and riverfront.
From Chelsea, you can make your way up to Knightsbridge for some shopping at iconic department stores like Harvey Nichols and Harrods. Alternatively, you can walk over to South Kensington to explore the museums.
The Natural History Museum, V&A, and Science Museum are right next to each other. They all offer free entry, so you can spend as much or as little time exploring them as you’d like to. They’re all huge, so make sure to pace yourself.
In the evening you can have dinner at one of the restaurants outside the South Kensington tube station. There are plenty of different cuisines to choose from, so you’re bound to find something that appeals.
If you want to end your day in style, there’s fun nightlife around Walton Street and the King’s Road. From pubs to bars and clubs, you have a lot of options.
Day 4 in London: Notting Hill, Royal Parks & the West End
The next morning you can continue your London itinerary for 9 days with a trip to Notting Hill. This west London neighborhood is full of color. You’ll find everything from the boutiques to the mews delightful.
If it’s a Saturday, you’ll be able to experience the famous Portobello Road Market in all its glory. I recommend arriving early to avoid the crowds.
If it’s not a Saturday, I still recommend going and checking out the market stalls and shops that are open when you visit. There’s some form of market going on here almost every day of the week.
Beyond the market, my free self-guided Notting Hill walk is a great way to see the highlights of the area. It will take you around to see everything from the high streets to the hidden corners.
You can have lunch in Notting Hill, then walk down into Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park for the afternoon. There’s plenty to see and do here, from Kensington Palace to the Serpentine lake and the art galleries.
When the sun starts to sink, you can take the tube or walk through Mayfair to get to Soho and Covent Garden. They’re some of the most exciting places in central London, and they come alive in the evenings.
There are plenty of good options for eating and drinking here, and Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, the Covent Garden Piazza, and Leicester Square are always fun places to be in London at night.
You can have dinner in the West End before or after going to see a show. Whether you dine at a beloved restaurant like Rules or at one of the many new ones opening all the time, you can’t go wrong in this part of London.
There are always plenty of plays and musicals on, and seeing one is a fun way to cap off a day of exploring the UK capital. From dramas to comedies and farces, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to options.
If you’re up for going out afterwards, there’s any number of bars and pubs in Soho and Covent Garden you can go to. They’re ideal ways to experience London’s exciting nightlife scene.
My favorite is Cahoots, a London Underground-themed speakeasy just off Carnaby Street. It’s one of my top picks for travel-themed bars in the city.
Day 5 in London: Day Trip
I recommend taking a day trip from London on the fifth of your 9 days in London. There are loads of places near the city that are worth visiting, and they’re easy to get to by train, car, or on a guided tour.
If you want to see classic university cities, my top picks are Oxford and Cambridge. They’re two of the most popular days out from London.
If the seaside beckons, Brighton, Hastings, and Deal are my favorite places to be by the water. They all have plenty of beaches, restaurants, and shops to enjoy. They’re easy day trips from London by train as well.
If you’re into castles, there are lots of castles near London you can go to. From Windsor Castle to Leeds Castle, Scotney Castle, Warwick Castle, Hever Castle, and Dover Castle, there are plenty to choose from. They’re some of the best castles in England.
If you want to tour historic mansions, there are plenty of stately homes near London you can go to. Downton Abbey fans will love touring Highclere Castle, and royal lovers will enjoy Polesden Lacey.
Then there are impressive places like Blenheim Palace, Petworth House, Burghley House, Knole in Sevenoaks, and Sissinghurst Castle with its famous gardens.
If you’re a history buff, Winchester, Bath, Canterbury and Dover, Hampton Court Palace, Lewes, Battle, Bletchley Park, and Amersham are for you. Amersham is so close you can even get there on the tube.
If you dream of visiting the English countryside, a day trip to the Cotswolds is just the thing. You can go independently with or without a car, or on a guided day tour. You can see options and book a tour here.
There’s no shortage of pretty towns and villages in the Cotswolds to visit. My favorites include Painswick, Bibury, Upper Slaughter, and Castle Combe, but it’s hard to go wrong here.
If cathedral cities pique your interest, my top picks are Canterbury in Kent, Norwich in Norfolk, York in Yorkshire, St Albans in Hertfordshire, and Ely in Cambridgeshire. They all have historic churches and beautiful city centers.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can take a day trip to Paris from London. There are other day trips from London to Europe that make for fun adventures as well. From Brussels to Lille and Amsterdam, you have lots of choices.
If you’re looking for seasonal trips, you can take a look at my guides to spring, summer, autumn, and winter day trips from London for ideas.
Day 6 in London: Hampstead, Camden Town & King’s Cross
The next morning you can continue your London itinerary for 9 days with a trip to Hampstead. This north London neighborhood is my favorite place in the UK capital, not least because it feels like a village in the city.
With impossibly beautiful streets, historic pubs, and one of the city’s largest parks, it’s an exciting place to explore. I lived here for years and I still go back as often as I can.
While you’re here you can walk around the village on your own, or go on my free self-guided Hampstead walk or one of my Hampstead Heath walks.
I recommend having lunch at one of the local pubs or a restaurant on Hampstead High Street. My favorites include the Holly Bush, Villa Bianca, and Jin Kichi. The crepe stands are fun, too, but the lines can be long and slow.
After lunch, you can walk or take the tube down the hill to Camden Town. This place is home to a number of markets, including Camden Market, Buck Street Market, and Hawley Wharf.
You can browse the stalls while you’re here. They’re perfect places to buy gifts and other things to take home as souvenirs.
After the market, it’s fun to walk along Regent’s Canal to get to King’s Cross. The area around Granary Square is packed with cool shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes. It’s a good place to get dinner.
If you have time before or after you eat, you can walk down to the area’s beloved train stations. King’s Cross is famous for its stunning interior architecture and Harry Potter connections.
Once inside, you can take pictures and videos at the Platform 9 3/4 sign or pick up a souvenir from the Harry Potter shop right next to it.
Across the street from King’s Cross station you’ll find St Pancras International. This place is known for its gorgeous exterior architecture.
Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, it’s one of the most beautiful heritage buildings in London. There are great shops and restaurants inside, too.
Coincidentally, St Pancras was also used as a filming location for one of the Harry Potter movies. You can find out which one in my blog post about a Harry Potter walking tour.
If you want to go out after exploring and eating, there are plenty of pubs and bars around here. From the ones on Regent’s Canal in King’s Cross to local spots in nearby Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia, you’re spoiled for choice.
Day 7 in London: St James’s, Mayfair & Marylebone
Start the seventh of your 9 days in London in St James’s. This traditional part of the city is known for its royal palace, men’s shops, luxury hotels, and members’ clubs.
While you’re here, you can walk down Jermyn Street and Piccadilly, admire the historic facade of St James’s Palace, and pop into iconic department stores like Fortnum & Mason.
When you’ve finished exploring, walk across Piccadilly to get to Mayfair. This upscale area is home to luxury goods shops, fine-dining restaurants, and the iconic curve of Regent Street (home of the famous Liberty London). You can go on my free Mayfair walk if you want to explore the area in depth.
Mayfair is a fun place to have a meal or afternoon tea. Whether you go to a casual spot on Heddon Street or spring for a tasting menu at a Michelin-starred restaurant, you can’t go wrong for lunch.
When it comes to tea and cake, I love Brown’s Hotel afternoon tea and the amazing yellow room at Sketch.
After eating, you can head across Oxford Street to Marylebone. This is another of my favorite London neighborhoods, not least because it has one of the best high streets in London.
There are lots of fun shops on Marylebone High Street, Marylebone Lane, and St Christopher’s Place, and they’re fun places to get into London’s retail scene.
From boutiques to household names, you’re spoiled for choice. My favorite place to shop in Marylebone is Daunt Books. It’s one of the best (and most beautiful) independent bookshops in London.
If you want to, you can use my free self-guided Marylebone walk to see more of the neighborhood. It will take you around to hidden mews, side streets, grand squares, and gardens.
After you’ve seen Marylebone, make your way north to Regent’s Park. This is one of the best green spaces in London, and it’s a fun place to walk around. If it’s summer, don’t miss the colorful rose gardens.
When sunset approaches, you can head back to Marylebone High Street for dinner, or leave via one of the other exits of the park and eat in pretty Primrose Hill, fun Camden Town, or classic Fitzrovia.
Day 8 in London: Greenwich or Day Trip
On the eighth of your 9 days in London I recommend either hopping on a boat to Greenwich or taking another day trip.
If you choose the former, you can book boat tickets here. After seeing London’s landmarks along the river, you’ll be able to dive into the city’s maritime past, see popular filming locations, tour a historic royal residence, and discover the home of Greenwich Mean Time.
You’ll also be able to enjoy the area’s shops, cafes, and restaurants. Greenwich Market has fun souvenirs and delicious food, and there are great riverfront pubs in the area. The Trafalgar Tavern gets splashed with waves at high tide.
Greenwich is home to the National Maritime Museum the Queen’s House, both of which offer free entry. The former has world-class exhibits and exhibitions, and the latter is a historic royal residence with an art collection and a stunning staircase.
Greenwich Park is famous for having one of the best views in London. You can see through the two towers of the Old Royal Naval College to the skyscrapers in Canary Wharf on the other side of the river.
The park is not only a beautiful place to walk, but also the location of two important landmarks. The first is the Royal Observatory, where you can stand with one foot on either side of the Prime Meridian. You can book tickets here.
The second is Ranger’s House, an English Heritage site and museum that’s known for being a filming location for the TV show Bridgerton (it’s used as the front of the Bridgerton family’s house).
If you want to see the side streets and hidden lanes, you can go on my free self-guided Greenwich walk. It will take you around to see the highlights of the neighborhood.
In the evening, you can have dinner at one of the many restaurants and pubs in Greenwich before heading back to central London on the train, DLR, or boat.
Day 9 in London: Bloomsbury, Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Hackney
I recommend spending the last day of your 9-day London itinerary exploring more of the city center and the East End.
Bloomsbury is a good place to start. You can go to the iconic British Museum or just walk around taking in the leafy squares. My free self-guided Bloomsbury walk can help you see the best of the area.
From there it’s a short walk to Clerkenwell. This is London’s design district, and it’s home to places like Exmouth Market and St John Street. Both are great places to get something for lunch.
St John restaurant is a favorite of mine, as is the Fox & Anchor pub, which is just around the corner.
You can do my Clerkenwell walking tour if you want to as well. It will take you around the neighborhood and to places like Smithfield and Holborn.
Clerkenwell is a short walk from Old Street, where you’ll soon find yourself in Shoreditch. This hip area in east London is famous for its nightlife scene, so if you can time your arrival for dinner-and-drinks o’clock, you’ll get to see the neighborhood at its best.
If you have time beforehand, you can do one of my free self-guided Shoreditch walks or check out the street art the area is known for. My favorite is on New Inn Yard.
If you have energy left later, head to Hackney. This is one of the coolest neighborhoods in London, and it has a fun nightlife scene. The same goes for nearby Hackney Wick, which is one of the most hipster areas in the city.
London Itinerary for 9 Days
I hope you’ve enjoyed my 9-day London itinerary. This is an amazing city, and there’s so much to discover here. I’ve spent years living in the UK capital, and I still don’t feel like I’ve seen it all.
If you want additional inspiration, there’s a lot more about things to do in the city in Secret London – An Unusual Guide. You can get it on Amazon here.
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