Updated July 2025. Originally published February 2023.
If you’re looking for a magical city trip packed with history, I couldn’t recommend London more. I’m convinced London is the perfect city trip for just about anyone. Whether you’re traveling with young kids, going for a fun couples trip, or just taking it solo, you’ll find a version of London perfectly fit for you.
My name is Brenna, and I’m a travel blogger on Instagram (@travelbybrenna) and am obsessed with great design and unique stays. I’m also a huge foodie and love a great food market, restaurant, or quality coffee shop. I create Instagram guides for every place I visit, with options in all of the categories above and more.
I recently spent a week in London and did hours of research ahead of time to make sure I could try out some incredible spots. These are my favorite things to do in London!
Short on Time? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Hotels and Things to Do in London:
Hotels
- The Henrietta Hotel, for the best central London hotel
- The Langham London, for the best luxury hotel
- Cheval Gloucester Park at Kensington, for the best hotel for families
Airbnbs
- 1 Bedroom Flat Near Royal Opera House, for the best sunny apartment
- 1 Bedroom Luxury Apartment with Terrace, for the best luxury stay
- 3 Bedroom Condo in Mayfair, for the best colorful group stay
Things to Do
- Visit the Tower of London and see the Crown Jewels
- Ride the London Eye and take in panoramic views of the city
- Visit Buckingham Palace and watch the changing of the guard
- Tour Westminster Abbey
- Enjoy Royal High Tea at Kensington Palace
- Visit Tower Bridge
Travel Tips
- Get Cell Data Before You Arrive — We use Holafly unlimited data eSIMs (5% off!) for all international travel.
- Book an Airport Transfer in Advance — We use Welcome Pickups for our private transfers to and from the airport.
- Rent a Car for Day Trips — We use Discover Cars for our rental cars in Europe, choose full coverage insurance, and opt for trusted companies like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
Helpful Guides to Plan Your Trip
For even more London intel, don’t miss my London itinerary and in-depth guide to where to stay in London!
The 15 Essential Things to Do in London
Top Tip For Visiting London
Best Time to Visit London
I honestly think London would be incredible to visit just about any time of year. In the winter, you’ll get the iconic English Christmas experience with gorgeous lights all around the city. In the spring and fall, mild temperatures and beautiful colors. The summer typically features mild temperatures and lovely, long days, although it is the busiest tourism season. We visited in late August and were surprised by the crowds, but that didn’t deter us from having an incredible time.
1. Have a Traditional Afternoon Tea at Fortnum and Mason
Fortnum and Mason is the most famous traditional British afternoon tea experience. It’s expensive ($75 pp), but worth it if you come hungry. Food and tea are unlimited, and there’s a beautiful selection of elegant pastries, finger sandwiches, desserts, and more.
The tea room sits atop a beautiful store filled with home goods, treats, and, of course, tea to take home. While my husband and I were there, I couldn’t help but think that this would be a lovely experience for families, especially those with young girls.
2. Share Incredible Street Food at Borough Market
Borough Market is the biggest and most important food market in London to visit by far. You can find just about everything here, from cheese shops to fish and chips to curry. We stayed nearby for a couple of nights and visited here for lunch twice, as we simply couldn’t try enough!
3. Have a Traditional English Breakfast at The Wolseley
The Wolseley is an absolute must‑visit for a classic English breakfast. It has a stunning interior, excellent service, and delicious traditional British fare. Be sure to get a reservation ahead of time, as it fills up fast!
4. Ride the London Eye with a Glass of Bubbly
Riding the Eye felt essential to us, but since we were visiting in peak season, the lines were massive. We paid an extra $15 to do the “champagne experience,” where you get to skip the line, have a glass of wine, and chat with a group guide throughout the ride. Our fabulous guide gave us tons of recommendations and helped us get our bearings on the layout of the city from above.
5. Walk into a Movie Scene at Leadenhall Market
One of the most ornate and oldest markets in London, Leadenhall Market is a must‑stop for a beer or even just a few quick pictures. It was the inspiration behind Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, and stepping inside really feels like walking into a movie.
6. Catch Views of the City from a Rooftop Garden
A rooftop bar, garden, and observatory with the best city view all in one? When I saw pictures of Sky Garden, I was sold. It’s free to enter, but you must make reservations in advance. Our experience at the bar was just ok; however, the garden and views are unlike anywhere I’ve been, so I wouldn’t hesitate to visit just for the views and pictures.
7. Have a Martini at the Bar Which Inspired James Bond
Duke’s is said to be the bar that inspired the writer of James Bond’s iconic Vesper Martini. This tiny, fancy bar inside a hotel offers its iconic martinis (stirred only) to walk-ins and hotel guests. We visited at 3 pm on a Monday and had no problem getting in, but during peak hours, it’s known to have a significant wait.
8. Enjoy a Seasonal Menu at Rochelle Canteen
Set inside a peaceful garden on old-school grounds, Rochelle Canteen offers modern British cuisine and is essential for lunch. It was our favorite sit‑down place we visited in the city. Everything was incredibly fresh. Be sure and order dessert, as ours was to die for.
9. Sip a Modern Coffee at WatchHouse
WatchHouse has locations throughout the city and is a modern coffee shop with chic decor. The drinks are served on a platter with information about the beans and brew method you’re drinking. Coffee crafted with care and in a beautiful environment.
10. Stay in the Beautifully-Designed Hoxton Holborn
Now an international boutique chain, Hoxton is based in London and has multiple locations in the city. We stayed in the Holborn location and were incredibly impressed with the gorgeous lobby, great service, and lovely cafe. Be sure to get a room with a size that fits your needs as they offer some that are extremely small — likely catered to solo travelers.
11. Learn Fascinating History at The Tower of London Museum
One of London’s most iconic museums, this castle has been around since 1066. Former home of many kings and queens and current home of the Crown Jewels, it has seen a lot in the past Millennium. It’s worth stopping by if you have a few more hours for some history. Book tickets here.
12. Tour the Beautiful Westminster Abbey
We were super happy we did the Westminster tour ‑ you get to see where the coronations & royal weddings happen, learn a ton about how the history of the Christian faith developed in the abbey, and there are hundreds of incredibly impactful people buried here. The tour is self‑guided, so you can take as much or as little time as you like, making it a great option if you get “museumed‑out” easily.
13. Go Shopping in Shoreditch
If you love vintage stores and a more alternative, youthful scene, be sure to spend a day in Shoreditch. This area is packed with local shops and fabulous restaurants, and there’s even a new development called BOXPARK, which is built out of old shipping containers.
14. Have a Casual Bite and Brew at Market Halls Victoria
Market Halls Victoria is a super fun food court with multiple bars and rooftop views. It’s close to multiple popular attractions and is the perfect place for lunch or a casual dinner. You can have anything from dumplings to pasta, and don’t forget to grab a pint to accompany it!
15. Take a Stroll Through Hyde Park
What feels like “The Central Park of London”, Hyde Park is the perfect place for a bike ride or stroll. Stop through on your way to the famous Harrods department store or Kensington Palace.
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
1 Comment
Really enjoyed this London itinerary. It’s refreshing to see a plan that actually feels doable without trying to cram in too many things to do in London all at once. The mix of iconic landmarks and local spots is spot on. It gave me a clearer idea of how to plan a trip to London without missing the highlights. Definitely saving this as a reference.