You have booked a hard-earned week's holiday in London and are now wondering how to plan the itinerary. But the problem is what to see? And how to cram in as much as possible? The answer is not really quantity, but quality because in London you can never have enough time or money to see absolutely everything. To be frank, some of the attractions are not worth the journey anyway, so you need to prioritize your time and resources. So with this in mind we have drawn up a list of the best of tourist sites in London.

Buckingham Palace

Home to Queen Elizabeth II when she is resident in the city. Hundreds of years of Royal heritage all under one roof.

London Eye

Surprisingly new to London, but the London Eye has rapidly become a major London icon. It is a great way to see and rejoice at the beautiful city.

Tower of London

One of the oldest relics from London's history. Harking back to William the Conqueror's invasion in 1066, this very famous tower has seen many executions, including Anne Boleyn (second wife of King Henry VIII).

Covent Garden

A really vibrant square with a great collection of shops offering tea, clothes, jewelery. There has been a market here for the last 500+ years, and sometimes it is as though the past echoes of traders past are still around! If you are lucky, you can catch a live performance of opera, music or jugglers.

Trafalgar Square

Since the pigeons have been banned from the square, it has lost some of its grubby character. But the gleaming, pigeon-free square has Nelson's column, and of course the water fountains. The National Gallery, Chinatown and St James' Park are all a short walk away.

Hyde Park

One of the biggest in London with a lake for a leisurely boating experience. Go for a jog, relaxing stroll or bird watching (of the winged kind!)

Oxford Street

Even though some parts of this famous street need a lick of paint, it is still a huge attraction for the sheer variety of shops. A favourite is Selfridges, on the marble arch side.

St Paul's cathedral

Designed by Sir Christopher Wren but had to be partly rebuilt after World War II, it is a stunning piece of architectural genius.

Houses of Parliament

If you wan to see the epicenter of British politics, the Houses of Parliament is the ideal place to see the policy-making centre. Not to forget the machinations, back biting and power games played within these walls.

Modern Tate

Cutting edge art exhibitions ensure the Modern Tate's place in London's icon of cool!

To be honest, you will probably need 2 weeks in London to see all of these iconic tourist sites. A tip: check out www.londonpass.co.uk and buy a family pass which will give you discounts to over 100 attractions and also include transport cost as well if required. London can be very expensive and any way to save money whilst enjoying your holidays is welcomed.