Romantic Things to Do in London: A Relaxed Itinerary for Two

Morning: the river, a bridge and a market lunch

Start in the east with the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and Borough Market. These three form one walkable group, so there is no need for transport between them. The Tower is a heavy-hitting historic site, so go early in the morning while the grounds are calmer, and give it a leisurely pass rather than trying to see every corner.

Tower Bridge is about 300 metres from the Tower of London stop on both the Red Route and the Blue Route, which makes it an easy stroll. Stand mid-span or on the riverside walk and let the crowds move around you; it is one of the best photo spots in the city and costs nothing to enjoy.

End the morning at Borough Market, about 400 metres from the London Bridge stop on both routes. Grazing from stall to stall is a good shared lunch: pick a few things, find a corner to eat, and avoid booking anything tight afterwards.

Afternoon: Westminster, the South Bank and the Thames

The afternoon belongs to the biggest cluster in the city: the London Eye, Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square and the Thames riverside all sit within one walkable group. For a slow couple's afternoon, choose no more than three of them. A good trio is Westminster for the Big Ben view, the London Eye for the slow rise over the river, and Trafalgar Square for a sit by the fountains.

This is also where a bus ride makes sense as a pleasant orientation. The Red Route has a stop at Westminster Pier, right at Westminster and about 150 metres from the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey is about 400 metres from it. Both the Red Route and the Blue Route stop at the London Eye and at Trafalgar Square. Sitting on an open top deck for a stretch gives you the river and the skyline together before you step off and walk.

The Thames itself is the thread through the afternoon, and the South Bank walk by the London Eye needs no stop at all. Pause on a bridge or embankment as the light softens.

Evening: a royal finish near Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard form the third cluster, and the area suits a calm finish to the day, whether or not the ceremony fits your timing. The Red Route has a Buckingham Palace stop right at the palace, with the Changing of the Guard about 100 metres away. Check the ceremony schedule before you plan around it, as it does not run every day, and arrive early if you want a decent view.

If you would rather skip the crowds, come later and simply walk the Mall toward the palace. The wide avenue and the neighbouring royal parks give you the breathing space this itinerary is built around. Dinner can then be somewhere unhurried near your accommodation instead of another sight.

Where the bus fits for couples

The open top deck suits a relaxed overview of the West End, the river and the City. For two people, the main value is the seat and the view, not the route. Use it for one loop to see how the neighbourhoods connect, then hop off where something catches your eye.

The Red Route is the natural pick for this itinerary because it links Trafalgar Square, the South Bank, St Paul's, the Tower of London and Westminster. The Blue Route is a much longer loop, taking in Hyde Park Corner, Harrods, the South Kensington museums, Kensington Palace and Paddington. It takes about 3 hours 35 minutes, so save it for a second day. Buses on the Red Route run every 15 to 20 minutes and on the Blue Route every 20 minutes, so waiting is rarely long. Rain can arrive in any month, so carry a light layer; a top deck is breezy in the evening.

If you have a second day

Add the Blue Route for a slow ride past Kensington Palace and the South Kensington museums, then walk in Hyde Park or Kensington's gardens. St Paul's Cathedral is a good extra: both the Red Route and the Blue Route stop right at it. Climb for the view or simply sit on the steps and watch the city pass. Keeping the second day equally light preserves the point of the trip.