Planning a trip to the UK can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially if you’re aiming to visit multiple iconic cities in just one week. In this UK travel itinerary, we’ll cover the best way to experience London, Edinburgh, and Belfast over the course of 7 days. This UK travel itinerary in 7 days will take you through the must-see sights, recommend the best locations to stay in London, and offer tips on how to travel the UK without a car. Whether you’re soaking in the history of England’s capital, exploring the cultural richness of Scotland’s iconic city, or discovering the charm of Northern Ireland, this itinerary for the United Kingdom will help you plan a seamless and unforgettable journey.
Disclaimer: Links may contain affiliate links. This means I may get a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.
Day 1-2: London – Stop #1 on this 7 Day UK Travel Itinerary
Start your 7 day UK travel itinerary with a three-day stay in London. London is not only the bustling capital of the UK but also a cultural hub with something for every type of traveler. For the best locations to stay in London, consider areas like Covent Garden, Westminster, or South Kensington. These locations are ideal for exploring landmarks such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the British Museum. For those wondering how to travel the UK without a car, London has an extensive public transportation system. You can easily use the London Underground, buses, or even bikes to get around the city. Walking tours are also an excellent way to experience the city’s many hidden gems.
- Morning: Start your day with a visit to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.
- Afternoon: Head over to Westminster Abbey and explore the nearby Parliament and Big Ben.
- Evening: Stroll through Covent Garden and enjoy some local dining.
- Theater: We ended our evening with The Lion King
** Buy tickets to tours and theaters in advance. Popular attractions do sell out and we saw signs on several tours that tickets are no longer available for the day we toured.
Where to Stay in London?
We stayed in a lovely flat in the heart of the theater district, one of the best locations to stay in London, especially if you’re interested in theater. This two bedroom, one bath apartment was perfect for our group of 4. We were within walking distance to many of London’s attractions, including the plays we ventured out to see (Les Miserables and The Lion King).
Activities on Days 1-2 in my Itinerary for the United Kingdom:
Firstly, for sightseeing, we did a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tour. This is a great way to get from sight to sight, all while getting information about London and some history. We booked our tickets for Big Bus through the Viator app.
Here is the map of the attractions that Big Bus London will cover. If you click on the attractions map above, it will take you to the Big Bus page with an interactive map of the stops you can see.
Buckingham Palace:
We toured Buckingham Palace, including inside, which was remarkable! No pictures were allowed inside the palace, but I will assure you, it was a beautiful place. Afterwards, we picked up some souvenirs at the gift shop and had some refreshments.
This is the tour we booked through Viator.
The Mews
The Royal Mews in London is a historic complex located near Buckingham Palace, responsible for the care of the royal family’s horses, carriages, and motor vehicles. It houses the iconic Gold State Coach, used for coronations and state occasions, along with several other ceremonial carriages. The Royal Mews is also a working stables and is open to the public, offering a glimpse into the royal family’s transportation traditions.
Tower of London – A Must Stop on this Itinerary to the United Kingdom
The Tower of London is a historic fortress located on the banks of the River Thames, originally built by William the Conqueror in 1066. Over its long history, it has served as a royal palace, prison, armory, and even a menagerie. Today, it is best known for housing the Crown Jewels and as the site of famous historical events, including the imprisonment of Anne Boleyn. As one of London’s most iconic landmarks, the Tower attracts millions of visitors annually.
Be sure to book this tour in advance as it does book up. Also, my biggest piece of advice is if you desire to see the Crown Jewels, go to the Tower of London right when it opens and make a beeline for the jewels. We were able to get in right away, without a wait, but as soon as we were out of the Crown Jewels exhibit, the line grew quite long in a short period of time.
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is an iconic bascule and suspension bridge that spans the River Thames in London, completed in 1894. Known for its twin towers and striking Victorian Gothic architecture, the bridge is both a functional crossing and a popular tourist attraction. The bridge’s upper walkways offer panoramic views of the city, while visitors can also explore its engine rooms and learn about its history. Tower Bridge is often confused with London Bridge, but it remains one of the most recognizable symbols of London.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is a historic Gothic church in London, renowned for being the coronation site of British monarchs since 1066. It also serves as a royal burial ground and houses memorials to prominent figures such as Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of the most important religious and cultural landmarks in the UK.
Book tickets in advance, they often sell out otherwise.
Big Ben
Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell within the Elizabeth Tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London. Often mistakenly used to refer to the entire clock tower, Big Ben specifically refers to the massive bell that chimes the hour. The tower, completed in 1859, is one of London’s most iconic landmarks and a symbol of British parliamentary democracy.
How to get around London?
Getting around London, using public transportation, is efficient and convenient, with an extensive network of buses, trains, taxis and the iconic London Underground, commonly known as the Tube. We used the Tube often on our 7 day UK travel itinerary. Visitors can easily navigate the city by purchasing an Oyster card or using contactless payment methods for seamless travel across all modes of transport. The Tube is particularly popular for its speed and coverage, connecting key attractions and neighborhoods. Buses offer a scenic view of the city and operate throughout the day, making them an excellent option for exploring local areas. Additionally, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and London Overground provide access to areas beyond the central zone, ensuring that travelers can reach their destinations with ease.
We used all of the above in our travels and all were easy to navigate. The Tube and city buses were as simple as tapping your credit card for payment. Checking out the Tube site and city bus site, figuring out which bus or Underground to get on can be manageable. If you are less confident with these modes of public transportation, you can always call for a cab. We used a cab a few times and scheduled it through Addison Lee.
As mentioned above, we also booked the Big Bus Hop-On-Hop-Off tour, which was another way we got around.
If you have time on one of your evenings in London, consider a ghost tour. We did the one linked below and loved the
Day 3: London – Last Day in London on this Itinerary to the United Kingdom
On our final day in London, we focused on exploring the city and shopping. We also ended our day with an amazing play at the theatre.
- Morning: Start your day with a pastry and coffee at Sky Garden. Discover Leicester Square and take pictures with the statues of Mary Poppins, Sir Isaac Newton, Paddington or Mr. Bean.
- Afternoon: Shopping is great in London, whether you’re looking for souvenirs or high class fashion. We also explored chinatown and had amazing Korrean BBQ.
- Evening: Head to a West End show for an unforgettable London theatre experience. We watched Les Miserables on our last evening in London.
Some items I loved having along for touring the city?
I used my leather backpack purse while out and about during our 7 day travel itinerary to the UK. It’s the perfect size and it more comfortable to have along while walking around. The side pocket held my collapsible water bottle with ease. Having water along is important to me and since many restaurants will charge you for water, it was great to have my own with me. I also had a power bank along. We used our phones quite a bit for pictures, directions, apps that helped us navigate the city, so having a way to power our phones when the battery would run low was helpful.
Day 4-5: Edinburgh – Continuing on this Itinerary to the United Kingdom
On Day 4, take the train to Edinburgh, Scotland’s charming capital. Trains are a comfortable and efficient option for how to travel the UK without a car, with scenic views along the way. Edinburgh is a city steeped in history, perfect for wandering through its medieval streets and visiting iconic landmarks.
- Morning: We didn’t arrive until the afternoon, due to the 4 hour train ride.
- Afternoon: Check into your hotel or Airbnb in Old Town, one of the best locations to stay in Edinburgh for history lovers. This is a great time to take a Free Walking Tour to learn about sites and attractions you’ll want to see. Explore the Royal Mile, packed with historical landmarks, quaint shops, and restaurants.
- Evening: Visit to Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. Climb Arthur’s Seat for panoramic views of the city and then dine at a local pub.
Where to Stay in Edinburgh?
We stayed at the IBIS Edinburgh Royal Mile, which is in the heart of Edinburgh, during our itinerary for the United Kingdom. It is basically along the Royal Mile, but technically, the door is just around the corner. It is also located about in the middle of the Royal Mile, so about a half mile walk to the Edinburgh castle and a half mile walk to the palace. The Ibis did serve breakfasts for a cost, but we ended up eating at a coffee shop right next door called Mor, most mornings.
Holyrood Palace
On Day 5, continue your exploration of Edinburgh’s natural beauty and culture.
- Morning: Begin with a visit to Edinburgh Castle, overlooking the city from its perch on Castle Rock.
- Afternoon: Visit the National Museum of Scotland, which showcases everything from natural history to Scottish heritage.
- Evening: Take a ghost tour through Edinburgh’s historic underground streets for a thrilling way to end your day.
Day 6: Take a Tour to the Highlands of Scotland on your 7 Day UK Travel Itinerary
We chose the Loch Lomond Tour, but there are many excellent choices to consider, including the famous Loch Ness. This was definitely a highlight to our trip. The Highlands of Scotland are beautiful and we even got to feed a Scottish Highland Cow.
Day 7: Edinburgh to Belfast
On day 7, fly or take a ferry from Edinburgh to Belfast to continue yout UK travel itinerary. Flights are quick and affordable, making it a great option for how to travel the UK without a car. Upon arriving in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, check into a hotel in the Cathedral Quarter or near the city center. We chose to fly.
- Morning: Upon arrival, we booked a Hop-On-Hop-Hop-Off Tour. Walk through the Botanic Gardens and visit the Ulster Museum.
- Afternoon: Visit the Titanic Belfast Museum, a fascinating tribute to the city’s shipbuilding history.
- Evening: Head to St. George’s Market, where you can taste local delicacies and enjoy live music.
The Titanic Museum in Belfast
The Titanic Museum in Belfast was a highlight in the city. The museum takes you through the ship building process to the discovery of the Titanic years later. This is a must-do activity if you travel to Belfast.
Where to Stay in Belfast?
We stayed at Belfast Titanic Hotel We had a comfortable stay and we were in a great location as far as the Titanic Museum is concerned. This was about a block away, which is one reason we chose it. There isn’t a whole lot more around this area, however, so if you’re looking for a place closer to shops and pubs, consider something like Bullitt Hotel or Malmaison Belfast.
Day 8-9: Belfast and Departure from Dublin
On day 8 we took a tour outside Belfast to explore what Northern Ireland has to offer. We booked the tour below through Viator. This was my favorite part of the whole United Kingdom trip. The scenery that Northern Ireland had to offer was remarkable. Highlights of this tour were Giants Causeway, Carrick Bridge, Dark Hedges, Dunluce Castle and Bushmills distillery.
- Morning and Afternoon: Take a tour to attractions in Northern Ireland
- Evening: Take a bus to Dublin.
We booked the 7.5 hour tour on a comfortable coach bus and I would highly recommend this tour. It was on a smaller bus so that meant less people and more leg room. Our tour guide was FANTASTIC. He was filled with so much historical information and humor. He was also keen on trying to beat the big tour buses to all the sights, so we had less of a crowd to deal with, which was great!
Day 9 was departure day. I arrived in Dublin later in the evening on Day 8. Here, I would normally stay in a hotel closer to the airport. I stayed in Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge, simply because other members of my travel group were continuing their journey in Ireland. The hotel was a great place to stay, but if you’re spending time in Dublin, I would look for a hotel closer to the city center, especially when traveling the UK without a car. The morning of Day 9 I took a taxi to the Dublin airport.
This UK travel itinerary 7 days ensures you’ll make the most of your time in London, Edinburgh, and Belfast, with highlights from each city and useful tips on how to travel the UK without a car. Whether you’re captivated by the history, culture, or natural beauty of these cities, this itinerary for the United Kingdom guarantees a memorable trip.
