The Best 5-Day London Itinerary
London is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK with 607 square miles of incredible historic buildings, architecture, tours, and food. It truly has something for everyone and is a fun destination for the entire family year-round!
Even though you could spend a long time exploring everything London offers, you can see many must-see attractions in 5 days. We spent a week exploring London and were able to see everything on our itinerary.
This guide has everything you need to know about creating the perfect 5-day London itinerary, with must-see attractions!
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Tips for Planning a 5-Day London Itinerary
Pack warm layers and a rain jacket. London’s weather is unpredictable. I recommend bringing a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Wear comfortable shoes because you will be walking a lot. One of the best ways to get around London is walking, so it is important to have comfortable and supportive shoes. I always recommend wearing comfortable sneakers because they provide great support and comfy socks.
Familiarize yourself with the tube. The best way to get around London is by riding the tube, the underground train system. The tube is easy to follow if you have a map and can bring you almost anywhere you need to get to on your itinerary in London. You can also buy an Oyster Card, which is cheaper than single-ride tickets for the tube.
Book your tickets in advance. If you are visiting an attraction that requires tickets during your 5 days in London, I recommend buying them beforehand to save time. And you are likely to get a better price if you book online! You can also buy a Go City Pass to get discounts on must-see London attractions!
Buy a pass to get into attractions at discounted prices. Your trip to London does not have to be expensive if you want to see many attractions. Many passes give you discounted rates, like the London Pass.
How to Get to London
There are two airports near London that you can fly to that have many direct flights. Heathrow Airport is west of London and about a 15-minute ride into the city on the Piccadilly line of the tube. Gatwick Airport is south of London and about a 30-minute ride into the city on an express train. Both are large airports, and most airlines fly into them, so you will not have a problem finding a flight to London.
Where to Stay For 5 Days in London
London has many neighborhoods that are great places to stay during your 5 days, including Covent Garden, the West End, Westminster, South Bank, Kensington, and Soho. These neighborhoods are near downtown London and are close to many must-see attractions. Here are some of the best hotels during your 5-day London itinerary:
The Best 5-Day London Itinerary
Your 5-day London itinerary has history, architecture, and fun attractions. And the best part? The itinerary is flexible, and you can rearrange the 5 days to best fit your wants. You can also walk to most attractions each day, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful city as you make your way to your next destination.
Day 1 of Your 5-Day London Itinerary
On the first day of your 5 days in London, you will explore some of the most iconic attractions! Get ready for history, royalty, and stunning architecture.
Buckingham Palace is one of the most iconic places in London because it is the residence of the royal family! The palace has stunning architecture you can experience from a distance outside the gate. There are also ten weeks in the summer when visitors are allowed to explore the beautiful state rooms. You can also witness the Changing the Guard, which is a traditional ceremony and a cool thing to see! The ceremony occurs on specific dates throughout the year around 10:45 AM and lasts for about 45 minutes. The best part is the Changing of Guard is free to watch!
Churchill War Rooms is a short walk from Buckingham Palace through the beautiful St James’s Park. The museum gives you a glimpse into the World War II underground headquarters where Prime Minister Winston Churchill lived. You can explore the museum to learn more about the secret underground headquarters, World War II, and Churchill’s life.
Big Ben is another iconic landmark in London with a beautiful clock tower on the Palace of Westminster. Big Ben is a nickname for the Great Bell, although many people do not know that. The best way to view Big Ben is by walking around its grounds to see how beautiful the building and clock tower are.
Westminster Abbey is a short walk from Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster and will quickly leave you in awe of its stunning architecture. The royal church is over 750 years old and has been the home of many royal weddings. The church is active, so it is free to explore the inside. The architecture is incredible and will blow you away with its beauty.
The London Eye is the iconic scenic ferris wheel in London, where you can get a unique perspective of the city! You can purchase tickets to ride in one of the glass cabins on the wheel for about a half-hour. The views of London are incredible, and it is a fun experience!
Day 2 of Your 5-Day London Itinerary
The second day of your 5-day London itinerary has beautiful parks, museums, and fun nightlife activities! Also, if you love shopping, this will be one of your favorite days!
The Natural History Museum is one of the best museums in London, with preserved animals and plant species. It also has stunning architecture. The collection of artifacts grows yearly and now includes over 80 million items! And the best part? The museum is free! You only need tickets for specific exhibitions and events.
Kensington Palace is a stunning building and home to royal residences, the birthplace of Queen Victoria, and the Kensington Gardens. You can explore the inside of Kensington Palace for a fee or walk through Kensington Gardens for free. The gardens are the perfect place to enjoy a morning stroll.
Hyde Park is a beautiful 350-acre park and the largest of the four Royal Parks. It connects to the Kensington Gardens, so your morning stroll can explore two beautiful parks in London. Hyde Park has flowers, ponds, fountains, and sitting areas to enjoy. It also has cafes and restaurants to get delicious food and drinks!
Regent Street is not too far of a walk from Hyde Park and is a major shopping center in London. Not only does the area have great stores for shopping, but it also has stunning architecture. The buildings on Regent Street are beautiful, so you will enjoy a walk down it even if you do not want to shop. You can walk along Regent Street as you make your way to the next park!
Regent’s Park is another stunning park in London with beautiful flowerbeds, pathways, and fountains through its 410 acres. I hope you are not over exploring parks because Regent’s Park is the perfect addition to the itinerary. It is great for a quick walk before getting ready for dinner and a fun nightlife scene in London!
Soho is one of the best areas in London for nightlife fun! It has many restaurants with delicious food and bars with great drinks. If you want a fun area to enjoy a night out in London, Soho is perfect! You can also visit Soho during any of the nights during your 5 days in London when you want more nightlight fun!
Day 3 of Your 5-Day London Itinerary
The third day of your 5-day London itinerary has more iconic London attractions and fun markets! Make sure to work up an appetite for the delicious food at these markets. If you are a foody, this will be one of your favorite days in London!
St. Paul’s Cathedral has stunning architecture that will leave you in awe, and you can enjoy the beautiful cathedral by walking its grounds outside, exploring the inside, or walking around its dome. I highly recommend walking to the top of the dome because it has stunning views of London and is one of the largest domes in the world! It is also the only thing you have to pay for in St. Paul's Cathedral.
Borough Market is one of the best places in London for people who love food. The historic market is one of the largest and oldest markets in London and has a variety of food. It is the perfect place to grab lunch in one of its many restaurants, cafes, or pubs. You will not be disappointed with eating at Borough Market!
The Shard is one of the newer buildings in London and is a beautiful sight! The 72-story skyscraper was built in 2013, standing out from the surrounding buildings because of its shape and size. It is also the tallest building in the UK! And the best part? It has one of the highest viewpoints of the London skyline! You can enjoy a fun ride to the top and enjoy 360-degree views of the city.
Tower Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks in London! The 800-foot-long bridge has stunning architecture and offers a beautiful view of London. You can enjoy the bridge from various viewpoints along the river, walk across it, or enjoy a thrilling walk along the top with glass floors.
The Tower of London is across Tower Bridge and is another stunning building. The historic castle is considered one of the most secure castles in London and guards royal possessions such as the Crown Jewels. You can enjoy a walk around its grounds or explore the beauty inside of the castle. If you decide to explore the inside, you can view the Crown Jewels, museums, exhibitions, and beautiful rooms. The Tower of London holds a lot of history and is a fun place to visit!
The Sky Garden is the highest public garden in the city, where you can walk through the beautiful garden while enjoying breathtaking 360-degree views of London. And the best part? Admission is free! Every Monday, the Sky Garden releases free tickets, so I recommend buying them as soon as they are released! You will fall in love with this beautiful garden in London.
The Leadenhall Market is the perfect place to end your second day in London and enjoy shopping and delicious food. The covered market is a hidden gem in the city and the perfect place to grab dinner and drinks while taking in the surrounding architecture.
Day 4 of Your 5-Day London Itinerary
The fourth day of your 5 days in London has some beautiful attractions outside the city!
Stonehenge is one of the coolest historic attractions near London. Although it is outside the city, it is an easy half-day trip to see it! If you are not familiar with Stonehenge, it is a mysterious landmark that no one knows what it was used for and why it was created. You can either drive yourself or take a tour. You can also book a tour that includes the following two attractions if that is something you are interested in doing!
Windsor Castle has been a royal residence for over 1,000 years! Queen Elizabeth currently spends most of her weekends at the castle. Windsor Castle sits outside of London in Berkshire county but is easily accessible from the city. You also have the opportunity to explore inside Windsor Castle year-round!
The Roman Baths were once religious spas where people came to pray and bathe in the springs. Today you can explore the beautiful complex with the Roman Baths and take a walk in the past to imagine what it was like in ancient times. The complex is incredible and worth a stop during your 5 days in London!
Day 5 of Your 5-Day London Itinerary
The final day of your 5 days in London is flexible, depending on what you want to do! You can visit the Warner Bros Studio Tour with Harry Potter, ride the iconic double-decker bus tour, or both!
The Warner Bros Studio Tour is the perfect place to visit on your final day in London, especially if you are a Harry Potter fan! The studio allows you to go behind the scenes of the marking of the Harry Potter movies and explore movie sets. It is a fun experience to see where they filmed some of the movies! There is also a store where you can purchase wands or make your own!
Camden Market is among the most-visited attractions in London for good reasons! The outdoor market is a fun place to walk around and enjoy delicious food for lunch and is the perfect stop after visiting the studio to grab food and explore local shops.
If you want to enjoy your last day on an iconic tour, you can ride a Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour. These tours let you ride on the iconic double-decker busses and bring you around London to its famous attractions. There are three routes you can choose from with different attractions on each. The tour is a fun way to experience London and see some attractions you may have missed during your first few days!
If you want to spend 5 days in London, this guide is the perfect starting point for planning your trip! It has everything you need to know about creating the best 5-day London itinerary, with the must-see attractions.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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