United Kingdom · Weekend · 3 days · 13 stops
A weekend in London: Friday to Sunday
Friday evening belongs to the river: St Paul's in the evening light, across the Millennium Bridge and dinner on the south bank. Saturday is for Westminster Abbey, which is closed to visitors on Sundays. On Sunday you explore the Tower and wrap up at the Sky Garden early enough to get home without a rush.
In short
- Length
- Friday evening to Sunday, 13 stops
- Highlights
- St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Millennium Bridge, Buckingham Palace
- Where to stay
- South Bank, Bloomsbury
- Getting around
- The Tube gets you everywhere quickly.
- Best time to go
- May to September is warmest with the longest days, but busy in high summer.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Friday
Arriving by the Thames
St Paul's Cathedral
From the steps in front of the portico the dome looks its biggest. It's too late to go inside, but the outside is enough tonight.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St Paul's Cathedralabout 5 min on foot
Millennium Bridge
The footbridge runs in a straight line from St Paul's to Tate Modern. Turn round halfway for the dome behind you.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Millennium Bridgeabout 5 min on foot
Bankside
Dinner on the south bank, right by the Globe. Pubs and restaurants line the riverside path.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Bankside
Saturday
Westminster and the West End
Westminster Abbey
Saturday is the day for it. Allow a good hour and a half and take the audio guide.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Westminster Abbeyabout 15 min on foot
Buckingham Palace
Walk there through St James's Park. Whether there's a Changing of the Guard on Saturday is in the Royal Family's calendar.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Buckingham Palaceabout 20 min on foot
Café in the Crypt, St Martin-in-the-Fields
Along The Mall to Trafalgar Square for lunch in the church crypt – quieter than the places around it.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Café in the Crypt, St Martin-in-the-Fieldsright next door
National Gallery
Wander the rooms for free: Leonardo, Rembrandt and Monet. Grab a floor plan at the entrance to pick your highlights.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): National Galleryabout 10 min on foot
Covent Garden
Saturday is the busiest day on the piazza, with street performers on almost non-stop.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Covent Gardenabout 10 min on foot
Soho
Dinner in Soho's side streets, with small restaurants from all over the world. Book ahead on a Saturday night.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Soho
Sunday
Tower, bridge and a view
Tower of London
The Tower opens a little later on Sundays. Join a Yeoman Warder tour first, then head to the Crown Jewels.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Tower of Londonabout 5 min on foot
St Katharine Docks
The old dock right next to the Tower, with cafés and restaurants among the boats for lunch.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St Katharine Docksabout 5 min on foot
Tower Bridge
Walk across and back, or go up to the exhibition with its glass floor above the road.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Tower Bridgeabout 15 min on foot
Sky Garden
End with a view over the whole city. Entry is free, but book your time slot in advance.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Sky Garden
Good to know
Why this order
Westminster Abbey is only open for worship on Sundays, while the Tower opens every day. That's why the Abbey is on Saturday.
Book Sky Garden early
The free time slots are released a few weeks ahead and weekend slots go quickly.
Luggage on Sunday
If you leave on Sunday, keep your case at the hotel or a left-luggage office at the station. Large bags aren't allowed into the Tower.
For the best time to go, public transport and where to stay, see the 3-day plan for London.
Your plan
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A weekend in London: frequently asked questions
Is a weekend enough for London?
For the classics between Westminster and the Tower, yes. Museums like the British Museum or the Natural History Museum need their own time – they fit into a long weekend.
What is open in London on a Sunday?
The Tower, Tower Bridge and the Sky Garden open on Sundays, many shops have shorter hours. Westminster Abbey is closed for sightseeing. Check opening hours before you go.
More plans for London
- One dayOne day in London – Westminster to SouthbankA loop through Westminster, past Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden to the big wheel on the Thames – all on foot.
- 3 days3 days in London – a ready-made itineraryWestminster and the royal parks, the Tower and the South Bank, museums with free entry.
- 5 days5 days in London with WindsorThree neighbourhoods, a day at Windsor Castle and Greenwich on the Prime Meridian to finish.
- With kidsLondon with kids: 2 easy daysDinosaurs and experiments on day one, sharks, the big wheel and a boat ride on day two.
- On a budgetLondon on a budget: 2 days, mostly freeWorld-class museums with no entry fee, a free view from the top and food from markets and takeaways.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Fuzzypiggy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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