Planning a full week in London sounds like a lot until you start looking at everything there is to do.
Then seven days suddenly doesn’t seem like much.
I wouldn’t try to fill every hour. London is too big for that and you’ll end up spending half the trip checking maps. Better to give each day a rough idea, then see where the day actually takes you.
Monday: Start Slowly
Monday is probably the day to keep things easy.
Get breakfast somewhere near where you’re staying, then head out and walk around.
Covent Garden works well for this. There are shops and breakfast spots, but there’s also a market. It’s a nice selection if you’re unsure where you want to go. Probably not the best idea if you’re not a morning person though. In that case, a black coffee from the closest coffee shop will do perfectly.
Later in the day, you could do some sort of light sightseeing or you could check out the art scene. Stroll around in Soho or check out National Gallery or another museum nearby.
Monday doesn’t need to be impressive.
It’s the first day.
Tuesday: Museums and Central London
Make Tuesday your museum day.
The British Museum can easily take up several hours if you’re actually interested in what’s inside. You don’t have to see everything though. Pick a few sections and take your time.
Afterwards, walk towards Soho.
You’ll probably find somewhere for coffee on the way. London is quite good for these accidental stops.
A theatre show would fit nicely here too.
Or dinner.
Nothing says you need to do both.
Wednesday: Shopping and a Night Out
Wednesday is an awesome day for shopping.
The big stores, flagship stores, and big brands are on Oxford Street and Bond Street. The deeper you go into Mayfair, the more you’ll find higher-end brands and so on.
Don’t spend the whole day carrying bags though.
Drop things back at the hotel before dinner.
Then get changed and get ready for Wednesday night out in London. You’d be surprised at what the city packs on a weeknight.
You could do a dinner and walk around a bit, or you could find yourself a more exciting event for a change of pace.
You don’t need to plan the entire night before leaving the hotel, though, that’s for sure.
Thursday: A Different Part of London
By Thursday I’d get out of Central London for a bit.
Not far.
Notting Hill is an easy option. So is Camden if you want something busier.
You could also head towards Greenwich for some cool park and old street action.
The point is a change of scenery.
Friday: Make a Day of It
Friday is where I’d leave more room for doing whatever sounds good.
Maybe start with brunch.
Then shopping, a gallery, a long lunch, whatever.
If you’re travelling with friends, this is a good day to let everyone split up for a few hours too. You don’t need to spend seven straight days moving around as one group.
Meet later for dinner.
By Friday evening you’ll probably have a better idea of the parts of London you actually like, so go back to one of them.
Saturday: The Big Day
Just pick two or three things and skip the rest, nobody’s grading you on it. By the afternoon you’re gonna want food and a place to sit for a bit — take the break, don’t rush it. Then start gearing up for the evening. Saturday nights people usually want something bigger, could be a nice dinner, a show, live music, or just finding somewhere with a good crowd and parking yourself there.
No need to decide at breakfast.
Sunday: Keep It Easy
Late brunch. Wander. Shop. That’s what Sundays are for. In case of doubt, find a coffeeshop.
One thing I’ve noticed about London is that the last day of a trip can sometimes be the nicest because you’ve stopped trying to see everything.
You know where you’re going now.
You know which areas you liked.
You can go back to somewhere you enjoyed earlier in the week and have one final meal before heading home.
Seven days sounds long when you’re planning it.
Once you’re actually there, it goes quickly.
So leave some gaps. Change the plan when you feel like it. Skip something if you’re tired.
You’ll probably enjoy London more that way.
