Itinerary Quick Overview
As in most of the times when I go to big cities, I don’t recommend renting a car, unless you plan on driving out of the city. Take this weekend opportunity to strengthen a relationship with a loved one, regain your energy, and have lots of fun.
Day 1 - Arriving and settling in the hotel
The first day usually has less time since you fly in, have to check in to your accommodation, and might be a bit tired from the trip. I always like to take flights that arrive early morning, so I’ll have enough time to enjoy the day.
I recommend booking Sofitel London St James hotel. It’s a great hotel and close to all the activities on this itinerary.
Park Heihaas by Landal (about one hour drive from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport). It’s perfect for families and has a great location, ideal for a star trip in the area. Holidays park usually allows renting a room for the weekend, mid-week, or both. Therefore this itinerary is for a one-week family trip.
Recommended Arrival Airport
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Book Your Room
Sofitel London St James hotel
Grab a taxi to the hotel
Stay right in the center of London, close to the attractions of this trip. This is a 5 stars luxury hotel located in a beautifully preserved Victorian building. It boasts a luxurious on-site spa, spacious rooms, and a newly opened café restaurant.
Step 2 – Trafalgar Square
- Depend on what you'll do
- Free
If you have some time and energy after the trip, you can take a short walk to Trafalgar Square. One of London’s best-known public squares, with galleries, monuments, and historic buildings. In addition, a range of events is also held there throughout the year.
Visit the official site to learn more about the square and its surrounding.
Day 2
Today we’ll visit an impressive Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, a Gothic abbey church, and finish with a fantastic view of London from London’s famous Ferris wheels.
Sofitel London St James hotel
- 10:00 am
- 12:30 pm
Step 3 – St. Paul's Cathedral
- 1 - 2 hours
- From: € 20.00
We’ll visit the largest marine mammal park in Europe, located in Harderwijk, the Netherlands. You’ll see a lot of marine life, shows, playgrounds, and a water park.
- 10:00 am
- 12:30 pm
Step 4 – Buckingham Palace
- 2 - 3 hours
- Free
Buckingham Palace known mainly for the national royal celebrations and Changing of the Guard ceremony.
If you visit during August or September, you’ll have the opportunity to tour the palace’s staterooms. The tour includes a look at the monarch’s uses of the 19 staterooms, some colorful history relating to them, and a look at some of the royals’ art collections. At other times of the year, you can view the palace from the outside, but you can still watch the changing of the guard ceremony outside the palace.
Take a nice walk along the St James's Park. If you don't mind walking a bit more and have a nice weather, defiantly get in the park and enjoy one of the most beautiful parks in the UK.
- 10:00 am
- 12:30 pm
Step 5 – Westminster Abbey
- 1 - 2 hours
- Free
This impressive structure is a large Gothic abbey church located west of the Palace of Westminster. The
It is one of the most important religious and ceremonial sites in England. Since William, every English and British monarch has received their crown here.
In the abbey, which is more than 700 years old, there are over 600 monuments and memorials. After walking around the abbey, visit the museum. You can use a complimentary audio guide or join a guided tour, an option that can provide a rich context to your visit.
Take a nice walk along the St James's Park. If you don't mind walking a bit more and have a nice weather, defiantly get in the park and enjoy the greens, the lake, the ducks and the vibes.
- 10:00 am
- 12:30 pm
Step 6 – London Eye
- 1 - 2 hours
- From: € 34.00
Enjoy amazing 360-degree views of London over the Thames river, especially from the top, at 135 meters (443 ft) high.
Step into the Ferris wheel capsule and enjoy a relaxed ride of about 30 minutes.
Right next to the London Eye there are other great attraction you should consider. If you still want to get going, check out the London Dungeon, Shrek’s Adventure, or maybe a cruise on the river. You can buy Multi-Attraction Tickets and save some money.
Just note that you must pre-book your tickets online.
Head back to your hotel room and a good night sleep, or get the evening going in a nice show. Check out Ticketmaster for all the shows and events.
Day 3
This is our last day, so depending on your flight departure time, choose what you wish to do. This plan is for full day, assuming you’re departing late.
Sofitel London St James hotel
- 10:00 am
- 12:30 pm
Step 8 – The British Museum
- 2 – 3 Hours
- Free
At The British Museum, you can see the development of human culture from prehistory to the present on every continent. There are approximately 8 million works in the museum, making it one of the largest collections in the world.
Download a digital map from the museum website, or pick up a map from the information point. If you’re unsure which galleries to visit, you can join a highlights tour. The tour departs twice daily, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Remember to pre-book this tour online.
Like many museums in London, it free to visit, but it’s still advised to pre-book your visit time.
- 1:00 pm
- 3:30 pm
Step 9 – Covent Garden
- 2 - 3 hours
- Free
Take a break for a few hours to enjoy a fabulous dining and shopping experience. You’ll find many restaurants, bars, markets, and boutiques.
- 4:00 pm
- 6:00 pm
Step 10 – Houses of Parliament & The Big ben
- 1 - 2 hours
- Free
See British democracy in action at the Houses of Parliament. You can take a guided tour of the building, built in the mid-19th century following a devastating fire in 1834. The comprehensive tour, starts in the Queen’s Robing Room, moves through chambers for debating and voting, and finishes in medieval Westminster Hall (the only part that survived the fire and dates from 1097). You will encounter grandly appointed spaces and understand British parliamentary procedure along the way.
After the visit, take a short walk to view the famous Big Ben.
Head back to the hotel, take your luggage from the front desk and head over to the airport.
Ask the front desk to book a taxi for you in advance. Preferred in the morning, when you give them the luggage to keep.
Recommended Departure Airport
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Taxi to the Airport
Ride to London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Before You Go
If you like this itinerary but want to make it more personal to match your specific time frame, budget, and other preferences, you can find many more things to do using the Traveling FAQ Trip Planner tool or the London Travel Guide.
Don’t forget to check our London Travel Guide to find all the information you need, including alternatives to adjust this itinerary.
To save money, you can check for coupons and consider buying a Go City Pass. You’ll save a lot of money if you plan on entering multiple attractions compared to buying individual tickets.
Also, click here for our free packing list to ensure you won’t forget anything.
Remember that some attraction are closed on certain days or dates. Since this itinerary is not for specific date, please make sure it fit your dates and make sure to check the official attractions site’s for opening hours.
Free Tours
Find free walking tours
Stay Connected
Stay in touch with your loved ones
Be Prepared
Check the weather before you go
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