London is a global metropolis with world-class attractions—Big Ben, the River Thames, and the Tower of London need no introduction. If you’re a first-timer to London, you should definitely include at least a few things from the top tier, but don’t stick to it exclusively. There are so many other things waiting for a chance to charm you in The Big Smoke.
There’s the National Gallery, the spectacular greenhouses of Kew Gardens, and the lion sculptures of Trafalgar Square. Then there are the true insider tips, such as the wine bars in the arches of Bermondsey, the quirky Sir John Soane’s Museum, and the clubs of Peckham. London is layered and endless, and there’s always something more to do, see, experience, love, and let change you.
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Day 1
St James’s Park and Soho
For your first day in London, start with two opposing vibes—both very much the “real” London.
Starting in Westminster, get your moment with Big Ben first. Then, walk over to St. James’s Park. There are lots of great parks in London, but this flower-filled gem—full of water, birds, and petals of every color—is something special.
On the west side of the park is Buckingham Palace, the King’s home, where you can go inside for ten weeks in the summer and on certain days in spring and fall. If it’s not open, lounge on the massive fountain out front next to a Queen Victoria statue sitting sagely underneath the golden statue of Victory.
If you have time, pop into Hyde Park and visit the Serpentine Gallery, which puts on contemporary art shows plus the always-interesting summer pavilion (in 2025, it’s by Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum), or rent a boat and serenade your loved ones on the Serpentine Lake.
Cream tea is technically an afternoon meal, but making a reservation for lunch is always a good idea. The Ritz, located on the edge of Green Park, is a great choice. Expect sharply cut sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and perfect little cakes, as many as you’d like. And the tea is endless.
From there, wander about a half mile northeast to Piccadilly Circus. The fountain topped by Eros is tiny in comparison to the one you've just seen at the Palace, but the digital screens are certainly not. This is the entrance to Soho, with its warren of streets stretching out behind. London’s coolest little neighborhood is only one square mile, and it’s not south of anything, as the name comes from an old hunting cry. (And yes, London’s Soho predates any other Soho.)
Here, you can do whatever strikes your fancy. Shop on Carnaby Street, peruse the custom fabrics at Liberty department store, go digging through the shops that sell old records, indie magazines, X-rated books, imported coffees, vintage whiskies, and impossible pasta shapes—everything happens in Soho.
When you’ve had your fill, find yourself a pub that’s a living legend, like The French House (established in 1891), where the beer comes in half pints only. Tear yourself away in time for your reservations at 10 Greek Street, a typical Soho neighborhood restaurant with a seasonal menu and a “little black book” of wine gems (available upon request), or steel yourself for the queue at Barrafina on Dean Street, which doesn’t take reservations for its popular tapas but serves drinks while you wait.
Afterward, tumble out into the buzzing night and let Soho swallow you up. It’s hard to go wrong here, but one tip is to look out for hidden bars—if there’s a very plain door that inexplicably has a well-dressed doorman, you might be on the right track. One such place is the Experimental Cocktail Club in Chinatown, whose cocktails are made up of an eclectic mix of hard-to-find spirits.
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Day 2
South Bank and Greenwich
It’s time to see London from some unique vantage points. Start the day on Tower Hill. If you get up early, you can visit the Tower of London first and get a tour from one of the beefeaters (ceremonial guards) who will tell you stories and point out the spot where Anne Boleyn lost her head.
Or if you’d like a more leisurely morning, go straight to see Tower Bridge open. (You want Tower Bridge, not London Bridge. Visitors often confuse the two.) Chance is a fine thing, but if you want to be sure to catch the show, confirm the opening schedule and arrive with plenty of time to find your spot. For the best view, walk up onto the bridge to the tower on either side.
Leaving Tower Bridge on the South Bank, walk west toward London Bridge and on to Borough Market, where you can snack your way through the stalls. If you pick up lunch from one of the traders, you can eat it by the Thames, right next to Southwark Cathedral. For a sit-down lunch at the market, try Bao (bao buns and grills), Elliot’s (small plates and wine), and of course, a Monmouth Coffee to cap it all off.
Wander west along the South Bank for a bit. Just past Shakespeare’s Globe is the Tate Modern, the spectacular old power station that houses a world-class gallery. Even if the weather is too good to spend much time indoors, step inside for a minute to see the Turbine Hall, the gigantic arts space that’s home to works that would fit nowhere else. After all, entry is free. Beyond the Turbine Hall, the Tate Modern curates shows from all around the world, showing you artworks you’ve only ever seen in pictures (Dalí’s “Metamorphosis of Narcissus” and Rothko’s Seagram murals are among the works you might see on display) and even more to challenge and amaze you.
From Bankside pier, hop onto a Thames Clipper boat heading east and get the view of Tower Bridge from below as you head to Greenwich. Once there, walk through the park to the Greenwich Observatory, and get your photo standing with a leg on either side of the east and west hemispheres at the Prime Meridian.
Then, head to Trafalgar Tavern (established in 1837) for a bevvy by the river—for a city with such a prominent waterway, surprisingly few pubs have riverside seating. Stay for a traditional pub dinner of bangers and mash or fish and chips. However, if you fancy a London pie and mash—that’s eel pie with parsley sauce—head to Goddards at Greenwich, where they make them using old-fashioned recipes.
Take the river boat back to Bankside to finish the evening at Lyaness, the award-winning cocktail bar situated within the Sea Containers hotel (you’ll want to reserve a table beforehand). Try one of the cocktails with tree caramel, a house specialty made by manipulating braai wood to extract unique flavors.
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Day 3
Hampstead Heath and Covent Garden
Get some fresh air by starting the day in London’s city woods. From Hampstead Tube station, wander through streets of beautiful houses. This area started out as a village that was absorbed into London, and it continues to be both aspirational and picturesque. Once you get to Hampstead Heath—a nearly-800-acre public space comprising woodland and meadows—make your way to the Parliament Hill outlook, London’s best place to get an overview of the city and a lovely place to sit and contemplate the world.
Beyond the woods and grassy bits, there’s still a fair bit to do: There’s a playground for kids, tennis and croquet, and ample swimming opportunities, perfect for the warmer months (but if you’re brave like the Londoners, you can swim outside on the Heath year-round).
Choose from the Parliament Hill Lido, a historic open-air swimming pool (unheated), and the Ponds. There’s the mixed pond, which is open to all, and the ladies’ and the men’s ponds. Children under 8 are not permitted at the ponds as they are deep and can be cold. Check the website to plan your visit. Opening hours vary, but there is an option available every day of the year. If you’re visiting during the heat of summer, book your swimming tickets in advance as they sell out.
For lunch, walk back toward Hampstead station to Ginger & White for your eggs and sandwiches. Or if you’re in the mood for something fancier, Jin Kichi is the locals’ choice for great Japanese food.
Afterward, get on the Tube and take the Northern Line to Tottenham Court Road station—it’s time to immerse yourself in the wonders of the British Museum. Contrary to the name, this museum covers the entire world, so have a look at the map and make your choices, unless you want to spend the entire day there (not a terrible idea!). There are more than 50 galleries to choose from, including exhibits from the Roman Empire and ancient Egypt. Don’t miss the Rosetta Stone (which unlocked the mystery of the hieroglyphs), the Parthenon sculptures from the Acropolis in Athens, and a Rapa Nui moai statue.
Finish the day in Covent Garden. The history of the Lamb & Flag pub goes all the way back to 1772—it was once known for staging bare-knuckle fights. While there’s no fighting anymore, the alley location still makes it feel like you’ve happened upon something hidden.
For dinner, book ahead at J Sheekey for the quintessential Theatreland seafood restaurant experience, popular with actors as well as audiences since its establishment in 1896. If it’s a Sunday, stay for the live jazz show, and if not, head out to Covent Garden Market and see what kind of street performances you might catch.
How to spend several more days in The Big Smoke, when to visit, where to stay, and more: Find it all online.
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With local expert:
Jessica Furseth
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Jessica Furseth is a journalist who writes about culture, places, food, and quirks. Her favorite destinations are Amsterdam, Copenhagen, California, and London, where she lives. She is happiest with a flight booked.
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