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Last updated on November 22nd, 2023 at 04:20 pm
There’s a lot to see in London in 5 days, but we won’t lie. You can’t see everything in London in 5 days. You’d need five lifetimes instead. However, 5 days in London is a good start, especially for those visiting the British capital for the first time.
London is a fascinating city, a bustling metropolis where anything could happen. It’s also the most-visited city in Europe. Therefore, it’s no surprise that there are countless exciting things to do in London, a big city that you can visit again and again and still have something new to see or do.
Therefore, this 5-day London itinerary is here to help you plan your first trip to London. From then onwards, don’t worry. The city itself will take you by the hand and guide you to its most enchanting parts. But, for now, here’s what to do in London in 5 days if you’ve never been to the British capital before.
In fact, nobody can visit London just once. The city can and does cast its spell on visitors, who vow to go back before too long. We’ve lost count of how many times we’ve visited London throughout the years. We’re sure that the same will happen to you after visiting London for the first time.
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London Travel Tips
- Where is London: London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom. Situated in the southeastern part of England, London is well connected with other European cities such as Paris and Brussels through the Channel Tunnel. London stands on the Thames River, the longest river in England.
- Best time to visit London: London is great to visit throughout the whole year. Days in winter can be crisp with a constant drizzle. Yet, nothing too extreme to ruin your experience. However, a great time to be in London is autumn and spring.
- How many days in London: We recommend staying at least 5 days in London as there are a lot of things to do and a multitude of landmarks and must-see attractions there. On top of that, as London is a large city, the long distances won’t allow you to do a lot on the same day.
- How to get to London: With six airports, London is the best-connected city by plane in Europe. Other than that, London boasts an excellent train connection with other cities in continental Europe thanks to the Channel Tunnel. The most remarkable train connection is between London and Paris. The journey takes slightly more than two hours.
- Where to stay in London: London can be chaotic for first-timers. Therefore, a central location could make things easier. Mayfair, Soho and Covent Garden are ideal areas to stay for your first visit to London.
- How to get around London: London is one of the largest cities in Europe. Although it’s flat and easy to walk, most of the time you have to use public transport. The historic London Underground, the futuristic DLR and the remarkable red double-decker buses are some of the means you’re going to use during your trip. Even though the Visitor Oyster Card is popular for commuting, contactless cards are a good idea for a hassle-free way to get around the city. Contactless cards use the Pay As You Go system. Therefore, a multi-currency card such as Wise will make your life easier. Last but not least, while walking, always remember to look right.
- Is the London Pass worth it? The London Pass offers access to more than 90 attractions in London with a discount of up to 50%. The pass is available for one to ten days and includes a one-day hop-on hop-off bus tour and a Thames River Boat hop-on hop-off tour. As several of the attractions we mention in our London in 5 days itinerary are included in the London Pass, such as the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey, consider buying one to get some perks.
If you don’t want to spend each of your 5 days in London with excessive sightseeing, this top-notch London in One Day Tour by Walks covers several London attractions in a single day. This way, you can do the bulk of your must-see attraction sightseeing in one day, leaving plenty of time to take in the unique character of London at a slower pace during the other days.
Walks offer well-crafted tours led by local experts and always in small groups. The best way to see a city if you ask us. You can check availability and ticket prices at the official website here.
Travel Resources To Help You Plan Your 5-Day London Itinerary
London in 5 Days: The Best London Itinerary For First-Timers
Many will tell you that 4 days in London or even 3 days in London are enough to get a good taste of the city. We couldn’t disagree more. Ideally, you should spend at least 7 days in London. However, knowing that vacation days are a precious commodity, we did our best to craft the perfect 5-day itinerary for London.
As you can understand, planning to spend 2 days in London is a very bad idea as there’s no such thing as a quick visit to London. Apart from the fact that there are countless super interesting things to see in London, the city’s size is also a factor that hinders the success of a short trip to London.
Which brings us to how we put together this London 5-day itinerary. First of all, each day on this London itinerary includes activities and London attractions that are relatively close to one another or easily connected by public transport.
Another thing to keep in mind about this 5-day London itinerary is that it’s packed. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to enter all the London attractions listed here. Yet, we’ve included all of London’s highlights so that you can mix and match according to your preferences.
Therefore, feel free to skip some of our suggestions to just sit back and take in the unique vibes of this city of wonders. After all, in London, even a ride on the Tube or a red double-decker bus is an experience to cherish in its own right.
Day 1: Our London
On your first of 5 days in London, we’re recommending some of our favourite places in London, most of which are situated along the south bank of the River Thames.
Tower of London
Start your five days in London with a visit to a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Tower of London. For over 500 years, the White Tower, as it’s also known, was a royal residence. It has remained an ornament to the monarchy and London’s incredible past to this day.
You can take a tour of the Tower of London, which will outlay the many prominent events that shaped the city’s rich history. Afterwards, check out the Crown Jewels, a stunning display of crowns, before wandering the tower walls and the Royal Armory.
Avoid the crowds by joining this splendid early morning tour of the Tower of London with access to the Crown Jewels and a flexible pass for a relaxing sightseeing cruise on the River Thames.
Tower Bridge
From the Tower of London, you’re mere moments away from the picturesque Tower Bridge. Crossing the bridge over the River Thames provides memorable views. But the glass walkway takes you up one of the towers where the world opens up before you.
Book your online ticket to the Tower Bridge’s glass walkway.
The Queen’s Walk
Now, on the other side of the Thames, take a right to begin the Queen’s Walk. Curving around the South Bank, this stroll is packed with highlights including the futuristic City Hall and the HMS Belfast. The latter is a WWII warship that strikes a hefty presence on the banks of the Thames.
Less than a 15-minute walk from the HMS Belfast, the unassuming London Bridge awaits. Although the London Bridge is the city’s oldest river crossing, it often goes unnoticed. That’s because most people presume that London Bridge is another name for the iconic Tower Bridge, rather than a different bridge altogether. Don’t make the same mistake.
The Shard
Soon you’ll pass under the London Bridge where you can take a peek to your right and spot The Shard. The jagged peak of this skyscraper marks the top of this 95-floor building, comfortably the tallest in London.
Borough Market
By now, you must have worked up quite the appetite. So head on under the railway lines to the Borough Market and enter a foodie’s heaven. A market has stood here since the 12th century and it continues to be a hot spot for hungry locals and travellers alike. Indulge in international cuisine or load up on picnic goods and head back to the river.
For foodies, this Ultimate London Food Tour will take you on a culinary journey through the Borough Market and Southwark.
Bankside
After crossing the Southwark Bridge, you’ll enter Bankside, home to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. It’s here you’ll find an immersive re-creation of the famous Globe Theatre where the world of Shakespeare began. The building itself is captivating, but for the full experience, you must enter and see the likes of Hamlet and Macbeth come to life.
Buy your tickets to watch a play or a performance at Shakespeare’s Globe for an unforgettable experience.
Continue along on our London itinerary to pass the beautiful Millennium Bridge which links Tate Modern with the 17th-century St. Paul’s Cathedral. Soon you’ll be standing alongside the historic 18th-century Blackfriar’s Bridge, complete with its original iron arches.
South Bank
But your next big destination is the London Eye. Pass the Oxo Tower and the Thames Beach to arrive at the beloved landmark in time for dusk where the city lights dazzle across the River Thames.
Book your tickets in advance as London’s iconic Ferris wheel is usually sold out.
Read our detailed itinerary along London’s South Bank here.
Westminster Bridge
As much as you’d love to jump on a train at the nearby underground station and nestle in your hotel, hold on and take the extra mile to Westminster Bridge. End your first day with astonishing views of the glowing Westminster and the Thames River from the 18th-century bridge.
Day 2: London Essentials
Start your second of 5 days in London right where you left off before continuing to visit some of London’s landmarks.
Big Ben, Westminster Abbey & Westminster Palace
Day two of exploring the best things to do in London starts, once again, along the Thames. Taking the Tube to Westminster Station will have you face to face with Elizabeth Tower, previously known as Clock Tower and nowadays called Big Ben. While the view of the towering structure is memorable, for the best photos, head towards the Parliament Square Garden.
With your phone packed with pictures, make your way to the nearby Westminster Abbey. Since 1066, these grounds have been where kings and queens have been anointed, married, and even buried. The church stands above the rest of the city, with its captivating Gothic architecture from the 13th century.
Right next to Westminster Abbey, the Palace of Westminster is home to the Houses of Parliament, the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Visit both Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament on this skip-the-line exclusive tour with an expert guide to discover the whole story behind British monarchy and democracy.
Churchill War Rooms
A short walk from Westminster Abbey takes you to the Churchill War Rooms. This site provides you with an impressive insight into the underground headquarters where Winston Churchill lived and operated during the Second World War.
Check out this World War II walking tour with entrance to the Churchill War Rooms to explore in depth how decisions were made during the war.
St James Park & Green Park
The Churchill War Rooms are across from the beautiful St. James Park. Alongside St. James Park, the neighbouring Green Park is one of the eight Royal Parks in London. Take an early morning stroll through St James Park, the oldest in London. Grab a coffee at the local café and take in the lake and sparkling fountain.
10 Downing Street
From there, it’s off to 10 Downing Street. This is the official home of the country’s prime minister and another box ticked off the list of London’s most historic buildings. Armed with guards, you won’t be able to get too close. But it’s worth a quick photo.
Trafalgar Square
Continue a few minutes north into the Charing Cross neighbourhood, home to Trafalgar Square. Arguably the city’s most popular public square, there’s always a wonderful atmosphere here. Aside from people watching and enjoying the buskers and live music, admire the famous Nelson’s Column, which stands at 52 metres. It’s also surrounded by four enormous stone lions.
Horatio Nelson was the Vice-Admiral of the British Royal Navy who died during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 when the British defeated the Spanish and French Navies.
National Gallery
Also in the square is the National Gallery. Since its opening in 1824, it has become one of the world’s most visited art galleries. Featuring over 2300 paintings that span almost 1000 years, it’s bound to capture the minds of art aficionados and history buffs alike.
The National Gallery is free to visit. That said, it can be hectic in there, especially on busy days. Therefore, joining a tour of the National Gallery led by an art expert can never be a bad idea.
Leicester Square & Soho
As the afternoon turns to evening, begin making your way towards Soho. Home to some of London’s best eats and zesty cocktails, this is the best place to end your second day in London.
Along the way, walk from Leicester Square to Piccadilly Circus, both tourist hot spots with neon signs, cinemas and theatres, before taking your pick between the eats and treats along Carnaby Street and Soho’s Chinatown. Both showcase Soho’s cultural mix where it’s easy to find worldwide cuisine and drinks served in quintessential London architecture, like Kingly Court.
Day 3: Iconic London
Your third day on this London in 5 days trip is all about some of the most emblematic locations in London, such as Buckingham Palace, the British Museum and Covent Garden.
Buckingham Palace & The Changing of The Guard
Start your third day in London with one of the city’s most iconic sights, the Changing of The Guard. This, of course, takes place as it has for the last 500 years, at Buckingham Palace, the official Royal family’s residence.
The memorable event occurs daily at 10:45 AM and lasts for 45 minutes. So be sure to arrive 15 minutes earlier to get a suitable spot and take some photos of the famous guards.
Join this small-group Changing of the Guard tour to experience two separate ceremonies from four different locations.
Hyde Park & Marble Arch
After the ceremony, take some time to admire the beauty of Buckingham Palace before making your way to Hyde Park. A late morning wander through London’s beloved park will help you experience the city’s everyday culture, with joggers, dog walkers and families hanging out.
Hyde Park is one of four royal parks surrounding Buckingham Palace and it’s captivating in its beauty. A wander through the park will take you by Serpentine Lake, the Italian Gardens and the spectacular 19th-century Marble Arch with the adjacent fountains.
Oxford Circus & Oxford Street
Head to Oxford Street, Europe’s busiest shopping district. With over 300 shops and 200 million visitors per year, it’s easy to get swept up in the pandemonium. But by indulging in your inner-tourist, it’s easy to appreciate, and it’s one of the best things to do in London.
Continue along for around 20 minutes (if you didn’t stop at any of the many stores) to reach Oxford Circus, where Oxford Street meets Regent Street, another popular street for shopping lovers. This captivating intersection features marvellous architecture that connects early 20th-century London with modern life.
British Museum & Afternoon Tea
Once you’ve soaked in the atmosphere of Oxford Circus, jump on the Tube and take the Central line to the British Museum. Featuring an enormous collection of prominent archaeological discoveries, it’s one of the world’s truly great museums. Like many London museums, it’s free to enter.
You could spend a whole day here, such is the scale of the British Museum. But as time is short, be sure to check out the Rosetta Stone, ancient hieroglyphics, and original pieces from the Parthenon, the monumental temple in the Acropolis of Athens.
By the time you finish admiring the treasures of the British Museum, you must be seriously hungry. Now’s the perfect time to indulge in a quintessentially English Afternoon Tea session.
The London-born ritual of enjoying top-quality tea paired with freshly made sandwiches, cakes and fluffy scones is intertwined with British history and culture. In our humble opinion, no trip to London is complete without a proper Afternoon Tea experience. One of the best places to be initiated in this unparalleled rite is under the glass roof of the British Museum.
Reserve your Afternoon Tea at the British Museum here.
Covent Garden & Neal’s Yard
A half mile from the museum is Covent Garden, one of London’s most recognisable hubs for shopping and entertainment. Your stroll takes you by the Royal Opera House to Apple Market and Neal’s Yard.
The latter is a charming alley encased in vivid colours and trees covered in bright lights. The narrow walkway is eye-catching and a good place to buy local artisanal cheese at Neal’s Yard Dairy or organic cosmetics, essential oils, homoeopathic products and Bach flower remedies at Neal’s Yard Remedies, an essential stop for us every time we visit London.
Camden Town
Jump on the Northern line and head to Camden Town. Like Neal’s Yard, Camden Town has an equally colourful and alternative vibe. Here you can explore Regent’s Canal and Litlle Venice, take a boat ride, or head to the top of Primrose Hill for city and sunset views. Once the sun goes down, Camden Town has some of the best nightlife in London.
Day 4: Cinematic London
Who hasn’t fallen in love with London simply by watching a film or two set in this miraculous city? From Notting Hill to Leadenhall Market, London has inspired countless films throughout the decades.
Notting Hill
One of the best things to do in London is to hop around the city’s many beautiful neighbourhoods. You’ve done a little of that already, but today, take it up a notch by heading into Notting Hill.
The Tube will take you to Notting Hill Gate (Ladbroke Grove also works) placing you in the heart of rows of houses boasting pastel-hued colours that will have your camera working overtime. Under the sunshine, the pastels glow as the homes create a stunning architectural rainbow.
You can also opt for this guided walking tour of Notting Hill to learn all of this colourful neighbourhood’s secrets.
Portobello Road Market
But there’s much more to Notting Hill than these vaunted homes. It’s here you’ll find the Portobello Road Market. This is the world’s largest antique market, with some of those pastel homes set as the backdrop. Now pedestrianised, you won’t have any issue getting around the sizeable market, leaving more time to enjoy the array of antiquities on offer.
The market runs six days a week, but to really get among the treasure trove of items that are found here, it’s best to explore it on a Saturday. Crowds be damned. See the opening times here.
As you work up an appetite and a love for 16th-century riches, you won’t be far from food. Vendors set up street food, while Lowry & Baker has become a local culinary institution. With your hunger satisfied, look for the iconic Blue Door from the Notting Hill film, one of our all-time favourites, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.
City of London
From the famed neighbourhood, it’s time to make your way back to central London. So jump on the Tube and head towards Bank Station. From there, you can finally explore St. Paul’s Cathedral. Since the 18th century, the alluring Cathedral hosted the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and the wedding of Diana and Charles.
While it’s interesting to revel in the past and admire the impressive interior design, all visitors must head to the Whispering Gallery. This takes you up into the Cathedral’s dome over 250 steps.
By standing along the gallery’s wall, you’ll be able to pick up whispers from anyone also standing on the wall’s edge. Something like the excellent acoustics in the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus near Nafplio Greece. Continue up the stairs to the rooftop for beautiful city views.
You can get your Saint Paul’s Cathedral tickets online here.
The Cathedral was built after the Great Fire of 1666. To learn more about this fire which essentially wiped out the city, make your way to the nearby Monument of the Great Fire of London.
The monument has yet another great view from its peak. However, for arguably the best view in London, take a three-minute stroll to the Sky Garden. As the name suggests, this is the highest public park in the city at 160 meters tall. While you can walk in for free, we recommend booking a free ticket in advance as it can get busy, especially at the weekends.
Once you’re at the top, you’ll be amazed. Not only by the beauty and colour of the gardens but of the all-encompassing 360-view that allows you to retrace your footsteps from the previous days.
As an optional extra, the nearby Leadenhall Market is a veritable gem. The indoor market has great shopping and exceptional eats. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you should know that the Leadenhall Market is one of the famous film series filming locations.
Huge Harry Potter fans should make time for this Magical Harry Potter Walking Tour.
Shoreditch
End your fourth day on this London itinerary in the trendy food hub of Shoreditch. For several hundred years, the Spitalfields Market has been at the centre of life in Shoreditch. Like the neighbourhood itself, the market is a conglomeration of fashion, antiquities and food. While the history hasn’t been lost, it’s embraced the 21st century to create a market with charming character and modern influence.
Finish off your night with a wander through Brick Lane, where great street art meets even better Indian cuisine. Quench your thirst with a pint in one of our favourite pubs in London, The Pride of Spitalfields.
Day 5: Unique London
Your last of 5 days in London is dedicated to the things that make London special and challenges you to find what makes London unique for you.
Canary Wharf
Begin the last of your five days in London at Canary Wharf. This part of the city is different, unique and utterly futuristic. While much of London lacks high-rises, compared to other major cities, Canary Wharf boasts the bulk of the UK’s tallest structures.
Greenwich
From one unique thing to another, from Canary Wharf, take the Tube to the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. The tunnel guides you under the River Thames and it’s a great way to cross from one side to the other.
Waiting on the other side is Cutty Sark. One of the fastest ships to hit the ocean in the 19th century, it’s well worth the visit as you can explore below deck and man the wheel.
Book your Cutty Sark tickets here.
Your last major stop on our London 5-day itinerary is Greenwich Park. But not before a walk through the lovely Greenwich Market where you can make a pit stop for a quick lunch. Not only is Greenwich Park a great place for panoramic views of downtown London, but it’s also home to the Royal Observatory & Prime Meridian. Here you can stand on either side of 0-degrees longitude.
You can grab your tickets online here.
Thames River Cruise
Skip the Tube and take this hop-on-hop-off sightseeing river cruise back to Central London instead.
Before jumping aboard though, take another stroll through Greenwich Market for any last-minute gifts for those back home.
Toast To Your Next Trip To London
After seeing London in 5 days, you must have a clear-ish idea of the city. Therefore, for the perfect ending to your last day in the British capital, we recommend going back to the place you loved the most in this 5-day London itinerary.
Pick your favourite neighbourhood, bar or street and go back there to spend your final precious moments in the city that is sure to have captured your soul without you even noticing. Don’t feel sad that your journey has come to an end. This is definitely not goodbye, it’s see you later. London will make sure of this.
If You Have More Than 5 Days in London
Other Places To Visit in London
In case you plan to stay more than 5 days in London, you’re in luck. You will never run out of amazing things to do in London. Here are some more fantastic places you can visit in London:
- Natural History Museum: Exhibiting huge dinosaur skeletons, the Natural History Museum on Exhibition Road in South Kensington will impress the little ones. Like in most of London’s museums, entrance is free.
- Science Museum: Right next to the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum is home to several interactive exhibitions related to technology and space that make it the perfect place for families. Entrance is also free of charge but you have to book your free ticket in advance here.
- Victoria & Albert Museum: Named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the V&A Museum boasts a massive 5000-year-old collection of art objects, designs, furniture and more. V&A is yet another must-visit museum in South Kensington and welcomes its guests with free entry.
- Kensington Palace & Kensington Gardens: Step inside the historic royal residence to visit its lavish apartments and rooms. Take a stroll around the royal gardens and enjoy a traditional Afternoon Tea at the Kensington Palace Pavillion. Book your tickets to the Kensington Palace here.
Day Trips From London
Apart from spending time in the city, if you have more than 5 days in London, you can also take the opportunity to enjoy a day trip from London. You can find some of the best day trips from London below:
- Visit Windsor Castle on a guided tour that includes not just the historic castle, but also the town of Windsor.
- Visit the Warner Bros Studio where the Harry Potter series was filmed on a behind-the-scenes Harry Potter Tour.
- Take this half-day trip from London to Stonehenge, a prehistoric mysterious stone circle in Wiltshire.
- Visit Oxford, one of the oldest university cities in the world. Read more on our detailed Oxford day trip from London guide.
- Explore some of the best villages in the Cotswolds on this charming day trip.
We don’t know if you’ve read it between the lines but, no matter its hectic pace of life and long distances, London is and forever will be one of our favourite cities in the world. One trip to London isn’t enough for the city to unfold all of its magic. We can’t stress this enough. Yet, seeing London in 5 days is a very good start.
Therefore, if it’s your first time in London, we do hope that this 5-day London itinerary proves to be an excellent guide that will enhance your experience in the British capital. Hopefully, it will also help London find its way into your hearts and nestle there for good. For London can and will take hold of your hearts sooner or later. It’s inevitable.
WORDS: Maria & Katerina
IMAGES: Katerina
EDITING: Maria