London Travel Itineraries - London Travels

Planning your days in the capital just got easier with these carefully crafted London travel itineraries designed to suit every kind of visitor. Whether you’re a culture connoisseur, first-timer on a whirlwind weekend, family wrangler with kids in tow, or a solo backpacker stretching a tight budget, there’s something here to help you make the most of your trip without the stress of over-planning. London can be overwhelming, sprawling neighbourhoods, dozens of must-sees, and constant temptation around every corner. That’s why these guides focus on balance: ticking off the iconic while still leaving room to stumble across the unexpected.

Each itinerary is tailored not just by sights but by vibe. Romantic walks by the river for couples, quirky museums and affordable eats for students, and elegant stops for the luxury traveler. We’ve even included handy details like opening hours, rough costs, and how to avoid the crowds.

These aren’t cookie-cutter tours. They’re written with the rhythms of real travel in mind, days that start around 10am, with breaks for coffee, space to linger, and the kind of places locals actually go to. So whether you’re here for three days or a week, following these routes will let you see London not just as a checklist of landmarks but as a city full of moments. Let’s dive in.

Family-Friendly 4-Day Itinerary

Ideal for: Families with school-aged children.
Duration: 4 days.

Day 1: London’s Iconic Sights with a Kid-Friendly Twist

10:00 AM – Tower of London, Tower Hill (Family Ticket ~£60)
Start with a history lesson that feels like a movie. Kids love the Beefeaters and Crown Jewels.
Insider Tip: Arrive for the opening to avoid queues.
12:30 PM – Lunch at Borough Market, London Bridge
Try mini fish and chips or a warm sausage roll. Plenty of outdoor seating.
2:00 PM – Thames River Cruise, from Tower Pier to Westminster (~£16 adult, £8 kids)
Great way to rest tired legs while taking in riverside landmarks.
4:00 PM – Explore Westminster, see Big Ben and walk through St. James’s Park
6:00 PM – Dinner at Giraffe, Southbank Centre (Casual world food, kid-friendly menu)

Day 2: Museums and Play Spaces

10:00 AM – Natural History Museum, South Kensington (Free)
Dinosaurs, earthquakes, and a giant blue whale.
Insider Tip: Enter through the side Exhibition Road entrance for shorter queues.
1:00 PM – Picnic at Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens
Let kids run wild near the Diana Memorial Playground.
3:00 PM – Science Museum (Next door, also free)
Hands-on experiments and IMAX options.
6:00 PM – Dinner at Pizza Pilgrims, Victoria (££, kid-sized portions available)

Day 3: A Day in Greenwich

10:00 AM – DLR ride to Greenwich (fun for train-loving kids)
11:00 AM – Royal Observatory & Prime Meridian, Greenwich Park (~£16 adult, £8 kids)
1:00 PM – Lunch at Greenwich Market
Try fresh crepes or Jamaican patties.
3:00 PM – Cutty Sark Clipper Ship, learn about maritime history.
5:30 PM – Return by riverboat
6:30 PM – Dinner at Honest Burgers, Borough (££, good for fussy eaters)

Day 4: Harry Potter & West End Wonder

10:00 AM – Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Leavesden (~£53, must pre-book, allow 7 hours with travel)
Unforgettable for Potter fans.
6:00 PM – Dinner in Covent Garden, casual options like Shake Shack
7:30 PM – Optional family-friendly West End show, e.g. “Matilda” or “The Lion King”

Backpacker & Student 3-Day Itinerary

Ideal for: Budget travelers, solo adventurers, and students
Duration: 3 days

Day 1: Free Sights and Local Flavour

10:00 AM – Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace (Free)
Arrive 15 minutes early for a front-row spot.
12:00 PM – Walk through Westminster, Big Ben, Parliament Square
1:00 PM – Lunch at Camden Market, Camden Town (£–££)
Grab affordable street food from all over the world.
3:00 PM – Explore Regent’s Canal Towpath to Little Venice
Quirky, quiet, and beautifully photogenic.
6:00 PM – Pint at The Hawley Arms, Camden (£)
Historic music pub once loved by Amy Winehouse.

Day 2: Alternative London

10:00 AM – Columbia Road Flower Market (Sundays only)
A colourful explosion of plants and energy.
12:00 PM – Brick Lane Curry Lunch (£)
Try Tayyabs or Aladin for authentic and cheap eats.
2:00 PM – Street art walk in Shoreditch
Self-guided or with a free walking tour.
4:30 PM – Coffee at Rough Trade East, browse the vinyl
7:00 PM – Dinner at DF Tacos, Spitalfields (££)

Day 3: Parks & Museums

10:00 AM – British Museum, Bloomsbury (Free)
See the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.
1:00 PM – Lunch from Pret or Tesco Meal Deal, picnic at Russell Square
3:00 PM – Explore Soho, Chinatown, and Carnaby Street
5:00 PM – Pre-drinks at Simmons Bar, Fitzrovia (£ cocktails at happy hour)
7:00 PM – Cheap eats at Pizza Union, King’s Cross (£)

Luxury Seeker 3-Day Itinerary

Ideal for: Couples or travelers seeking comfort, style, and world-class experiences
Duration: 3 days

Day 1: Historic Elegance

10:00 AM – Private guided tour of Westminster Abbey, (£30+)
12:30 PM – Afternoon Tea at The Ritz, Piccadilly (££££)
3:00 PM – Shopping along Bond Street and Mayfair Boutiques
6:00 PM – Dinner at Sketch London, Michelin-starred dining (££££)
Insider Tip: The futuristic pod bathrooms are an attraction in themselves.

Day 2: Art & River Views

10:00 AM – Tate Modern VIP Tour, Bankside
1:00 PM – Lunch at Swan at Shakespeare’s Globe, riverfront view (£££)
3:00 PM – Private boat ride or guided river cruise
6:00 PM – Cocktails at The Shard’s Gong Bar, Level 52 (£££)
8:00 PM – Dinner at The Beaumont, Mayfair (££££)

Day 3: Royal Touches

10:00 AM – Kensington Palace visit & gardens, Hyde Park (£25)
1:00 PM – Light lunch at The Orangery, if open
3:00 PM – Spa Treatment at ESPA Life, Corinthia Hotel (£££)
6:00 PM – Dinner and show at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

London Travels

Itineraries for Every Traveler