Perfect London Itinerary for First-Time Visitors!

From May and onwards, London is a wonderful place to visit. The skies clear up from the winter rains and cloudy days, the trees blossom, many summer bars gradually open again after months of inactivity, and more and more people get out there, enjoying the plenty of things to see and do in the British capital. If you are coming to London for the first time, the plethora of sights could be overwhelming. For that reason, we have prepared a (sample) itinerary for you so you can see the best of London even if you only have a weekend to spare!

London Itinerary

DAY 1

Tower of London - Lunch with city views – St. Paul’s Cathedral - The Shard

Start your tour by visiting the impressive Tower of London. The iconic castle with the rich history sits on the north bank of the River Thames and is officially HM’s Royal Palace. As part of the tour, you will also be able to view the crown jewels! To avoid the long lines, it is best to get your tickets beforehand.

Complete the visit with a stroll along the promenade by the Thames River. If you are patient enough, you will also see the Tower Bridge in the background open up to allow a ship pass through. Further up the river, you can find London Bridge.

At around lunchtime, how about grabbing a bite at a boho-chic restaurant, some 40 floors up? Duck & Waffle at the summit of the Heron Tower (open 24/7) will treat you with not only delicious food but also incredible panoramas of the city.

Refilled your batteries? Time to pop over to one of the best architectural icons of London, the majestic St. Paul’s Cathedral, and then walk across the London Millennium Footbridge, which links the City of London with Bankside. At some point, around halfway through, stop and take a look behind you. It will be as if two worlds have combined – the old and the new! And, if you are a modern art lover, don’t miss out on visiting the dazzling Tate Modern (entry free), on the other side of the River Thames.

End the day with a glass of champagne at hand and the best views you could ask for. From the tallest building in Western Europe, The Shard, you get to lay eyes on superb cityscapes and also dine at one of the elegant restaurants in the building. Just make sure you book your tickets to the viewing area ahead of time.

DAY 2

Notting Hill – Buckingham Palace – Hyde Park – British Museum

Notting Hill welcomes you with dreamy private gardens and fairy-tale-like houses. The charming London neighbourhood is a superb place to have your breakfast and start the day. Cute streets, including the famous-for-its-market Portobello Road and the equally quaint Westbourne Grove, and a great breakfast nook, Farm Girl Café, wait to become part of your next Instagram story!

Next stop is the Buckingham Palace, and if you want to see the Changing of the Guards, you should make it there before 10.30 a.m. when the ceremony begins. Here is the schedule to plan your visit accordingly.

Green Park, which once served as the Royal Family’s hunting grounds, can host a lovely picnic (if you have time) or provide a splendid sight for your eyes to savour. Stroll through it, and you will find yourself at London’s most elegant department store - yes, the Harrod’s; definitely a must-see for first-time visitors!

Hyde Park is also nearby and is the perfect location to enjoy your evening tea. The Orangery will offer you views of Kensington Palace and, of course, the palace gardens. Feel like moving on? Head towards the British Museum, where you will have the chance to view fantastic treasures, including the Rosetta Stone!

As for dinner, nearby eateries like Sketch will please both your palate and soul.

There comes the end of a fantastic weekend in London! Next time you come, you could continue exploring the bustling capital with a visit to other iconic sights, like the Westminster Abbey, House of Parliament, Big Ben, London Eye, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, Cutty Shark, National Maritime Museum, and more! Or you could switch (or even squeeze) some more sights into your weekend itinerary!

And, don’t forget that if the idea of booking a car to get around or using the tube is not your cup of tea, you can always count on us to provide you with both a car and personal driver to show you around!

Book your taxi now!