5 Days in London: Complete First-Timer Itinerary
A realistic 5-day London itinerary that covers the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, British Museum, plus neighborhoods like Notting Hill, Shoreditch, and a day trip to Windsor or Stonehenge—without turning into a forced march through tourist sites.
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5-Day London Itinerary at a Glance
Itinerary Map
Who This 5-Day London Itinerary Is For
This itinerary is designed for first-time visitors or return travelers who want to see the major sights—Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, British Museum—plus neighborhoods like Notting Hill, Shoreditch, and Covent Garden, without rushing from sight to sight.
Expect 18–22k steps per day, with built-in breaks for pub lunches, market visits, and park strolls. If you're traveling with kids or prefer a slower pace, you can drop one museum or extend a neighborhood walk.
Tower of London, Tower Bridge & South Bank Walk
Start with London's most iconic fortress and Crown Jewels, then walk the riverside.
Morning
Tower of London
Nine hundred years of royal history, the Crown Jewels, Beefeater guards, and tales of executions and escapes.
How to Do It:
- • Book first entry slot (09:00) at least a week ahead.
- • Head straight to the Jewel House—lines peak 11:00–14:00.
- • Join a free Yeoman Warder tour—tours usually start every 45 minutes from the main entrance.
- • Explore: White Tower, Medieval Palace, Tower Green, Ravens.
Tips
- → Security is airport-level—arrive 15 minutes early.
- → Beefeater tours are free and hilarious—don't skip.
- → You can loop back through the Crown Jewels for a second look.
View the Tower from outside and walk the free riverside path — you'll see the ravens and iconic walls without paying entry.
Book a private early-access Beefeater tour for a behind-the-scenes experience before the public opening.
Afternoon
- • Padella — Fresh pasta with queues that move fast — worth the wait.
- • Borough Market stalls — Roast pork sandwiches, cheese toasties, and international street food from dozens of vendors.
Tower Bridge Walk + Borough Market
Iconic bridge, free Thames views, and world-class street food.
How to Do It:
- • Walk across Tower Bridge (free) for photos and river views.
- • Continue to Borough Market (10 min walk) for lunch.
- • Graze: roast pork sandwiches, oysters, Ethiopian stews, artisan cheese, brownies.
- • Walk the South Bank west toward Shakespeare's Globe and Tate Modern.
Tips
- → Borough Market is closed Mondays; busiest Thu–Sat. Check the official site for current opening hours.
- → Come hungry with $28–$42 / £21–£31 to sample multiple stalls.
- → Monmouth Coffee in the market is London's best.
Evening
- • The Anchor Bankside — Historic Thames-side pub with classic British dishes — try to grab a riverside table.
- • Flat Iron Steak (Southwark) — Excellent flat iron steak for ~€12 with free ice cream — no reservations, queues move fast.
South Bank Stroll
The Thames at dusk is beautiful, with lit-up bridges and street performers.
How to Do It:
- • Walk west along the South Bank: Millennium Bridge → Tate Modern → National Theatre.
- • Grab a drink at a riverside pub or café.
- • If you're tired, head back early—tomorrow is a big Westminster day.
Tips
- → This is a free, relaxing evening option after a busy first day.
- → Skip if you'd rather rest—you can do South Bank on Day 3 instead.
Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace & West End Show
Royal London: coronation church, palace, and a West End musical.
Morning
Westminster Abbey + Parliament Square
See where kings and queens are crowned, married, and buried. Then photograph Big Ben and Parliament.
How to Do It:
- • Book first entry slot (09:30) online.
- • Rent the included audio guide—excellent.
- • After Abbey: Walk Parliament Square for Big Ben, then cross Westminster Bridge for full Parliament views.
Tips
- → No photos inside Abbey—security is strict.
- → Parliament tours need advance booking—exterior shots are enough for most.
- → Combine with St. James's Park walk toward Buckingham Palace.
Attend a free Evensong service (17:00 weekdays) to experience the Abbey's atmosphere without paying admission.
Book a Verger-led guided tour for behind-the-scenes access to areas not on the standard route.
Afternoon
- • The Cinnamon Club — Indian fine dining in the former Westminster Library — a local favorite.
- • St. James's Park kiosks — Sandwiches and coffee to enjoy by the lake with pelican views.
Buckingham Palace + St. James's Park
The King's official residence plus one of London's prettiest parks.
How to Do It:
- • Check the official schedule if Changing of the Guard is happening today (typically Mon/Wed/Fri at 11:00, but schedule varies)—if so, arrive early.
- • Otherwise, just walk around the palace gates and through St. James's Park.
- • Feed the pelicans, grab an ice cream, and rest on the grass.
Tips
- → State Rooms tour (July–Sept, $46 / £34) is excellent if open during your visit.
- → If no ceremony, St. James's Park alone makes a lovely afternoon.
- → Walk through Green Park toward Hyde Park Corner if you have time.
Skip the ceremony and stroll through St. James's Park instead — the lake view toward the palace is free and gorgeous.
Visit the State Rooms (open July–September, ~$44 / £32) for a peek inside the working royal palace.
Evening
- • Brasserie Zédel — Grand Art Deco brasserie hidden underground on Sherwood Street — stunning décor with surprisingly affordable set menus.
- • Chinatown dim sum — Grab dumplings at Jen Café or Dumplings' Legend for a quick, filling pre-show meal.
West End Show
London's theater scene rivals Broadway at half the price.
How to Do It:
- • Book tickets 2–4 weeks ahead online.
- • Popular shows: Wicked, Les Mis, Hamilton, Phantom, Book of Mormon.
- • Grab dinner in Covent Garden, Chinatown, or Soho before curtain (usually 19:30).
Tips
- → Balcony seats ($42–$84 / £31–£62) often have better views than pricey stalls.
- → TKTS booth has same-day discounts but limited availability.
- → Skip theater district restaurants—eat before in Soho for better value.
Queue at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for same-day discounted tickets — savings of 20–50% on popular shows.
Book premium stalls or a VIP box for the best sightlines and complimentary interval drinks.
British Museum, Covent Garden & Shoreditch
Museum morning, market afternoon, East London bars in the evening.
Morning
British Museum Highlights
Free entry to the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, Parthenon Marbles, and treasures from every civilization.
How to Do It:
- • Book a free timed entry online (weekends need advance slots).
- • Follow: Rosetta Stone (Room 4) → Egyptian mummies (Rooms 62-63) → Parthenon (Room 18) → Sutton Hoo (Room 41).
- • Join a free tour at 11:00 or 14:00 for context.
Tips
- → The museum is massive—stick to highlights.
- → Great Court café is pricey; eat on Museum Street or Coptic Street.
- → Friday late opening (until 20:30) is quieter if you want to return.
Afternoon
- • Dishoom Covent Garden — Bombay-style café with legendary black daal and bacon naan — expect a queue but it moves fast.
- • Neal's Yard salad bars — Healthy grab-and-go options in the colorful courtyard — Wild Food Café is a standout.
Covent Garden + Neal's Yard
Covered market hall, street performers, indie shops, and the heart of theater land.
How to Do It:
- • Walk from British Museum (15 min) to Covent Garden Market.
- • Watch street performers, browse boutiques, visit Neal's Yard (colorful alley).
- • Walk Seven Dials for independent shops and cafés.
- • Grab afternoon tea or coffee.
Tips
- → Market restaurants are touristy—walk one street back for better food.
- → Drop coins for performers if you watch—it's expected.
- → This area is walkable to Chinatown, Soho, and Leicester Square.
Evening
- • Dishoom Shoreditch — Another branch of London's best Bombay café — the lamb biryani and house black daal are unmissable.
- • Brick Lane curry houses — London's famous curry mile — Tayyabs nearby is the local favorite for Punjabi grills.
Shoreditch + Brick Lane
Street art, vintage shops, curry houses, craft beer bars, and a creative local scene.
How to Do It:
- • Tube to Shoreditch High Street or Liverpool Street.
- • Walk Brick Lane for street art (Hanbury Street, Redchurch Street).
- • Grab dinner at a curry house, ramen bar, or pub.
- • End at a craft beer bar or cocktail spot in Shoreditch.
Tips
- → Brick Lane curry quality varies—look for busy spots with locals.
- → Street art changes constantly—wander side streets.
- → Bars stay open late (past midnight)—pace yourself.
Notting Hill, Hyde Park & Kensington Museums
Colorful townhouses, London's biggest park, and world-class free museums.
Morning
Portobello Road + Notting Hill Streets
Pastel townhouses, antique stalls, vintage shops, and the setting of the Hugh Grant rom-com.
How to Do It:
- • Tube to Notting Hill Gate.
- • Walk Portobello Road from top to bottom (antiques north, food south).
- • Explore side streets for photo-op houses (Lancaster Road, Westbourne Grove).
- • Grab brunch at Granger & Co or Farm Girl if you didn't eat earlier.
Tips
- → Saturday is peak market day but also most crowded—Friday is a good compromise.
- → Antiques are expensive; better for browsing.
- → The blue door from the movie is gone—but colorful houses are everywhere.
Afternoon
- • Granger & Co — Australian-style brunch café on Westbourne Grove — excellent avocado toast and flat whites.
- • Portobello Road food stalls — Pick up a falafel wrap or toastie from the market stalls and eat in Hyde Park.
Hyde Park Walk
Green space, the Serpentine lake, and a break from sightseeing.
How to Do It:
- • Walk from Notting Hill through Hyde Park toward Kensington.
- • Pass the Serpentine, Diana Memorial Fountain, and Speaker's Corner.
- • Rest on the grass or rent a pedal boat if weather is nice.
Tips
- → This is a good spot for a picnic if you grabbed food from Portobello.
- → Skip if it's pouring rain—head straight to museums.
Natural History Museum OR V&A Museum
Two of the world's best museums, both free, side-by-side in South Kensington.
How to Do It:
- • Natural History Museum: Dinosaurs, blue whale, Darwin Centre. Best for families and science fans.
- • Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A): Fashion, design, art. Best for adults and design lovers.
- • Choose one (2–3 hours) or skim both (1 hour each).
Tips
- → Both are next to each other—easy to switch if one is too crowded.
- → V&A café is stunning—worth a quick drink even if you skip exhibits.
- → Avoid weekends when school groups dominate Natural History.
Evening
- • Churchill Arms — Iconic flower-covered pub in Kensington — famous for its excellent Thai food upstairs and traditional ales downstairs.
- • Fernandez & Wells (South Kensington) — Excellent charcuterie boards, wine, and simple plates — perfect for a relaxed light dinner.
Neighborhood Dinner
Kensington and Chelsea have great pubs and restaurants without the West End tourist pricing.
How to Do It:
- • Try a classic pub like Churchill Arms (Kensington) for Thai food or Sunday roast.
- • Or walk to South Kensington for Italian, Indian, or British gastropub.
- • Book ahead for Friday/Saturday.
Tips
- → This area is pricier than East London but still reasonable.
- → Pubs fill up 18:00–20:00 with after-work crowds—book or arrive early.
- → If exhausted, grab takeaway and rest—Day 5 is a day trip.
Windsor Castle Day Trip OR Stonehenge + Bath
Choose between a royal castle half-day or a full-day prehistoric/Roman trip.
Morning
Option 1: Windsor Castle (Half Day)
The King's weekend home and the world's oldest occupied castle.
How to Do It:
- • Train from Waterloo or Paddington to Windsor (35–50 min, $16 / £12 return).
- • Book castle tickets online for priority entry.
- • Tour: State Apartments, St. George's Chapel, Round Tower views.
- • Return to London by 14:00–15:00.
Tips
- → Check opening days—occasionally closed for royal events.
- → Changing of Guard at Windsor: 11:00 Tue/Thu/Sat.
- → Combine with Eton College across the river for a longer visit.
Explore Windsor town and the Great Park for free — the castle exterior and Long Walk are impressive without going inside.
Combine with a visit to Eton College across the river for a unique behind-the-scenes tour of Britain's most famous school.
Option 2: Stonehenge + Bath (Full Day)
See the mysterious stone circle and the beautiful Roman baths town.
How to Do It:
- • Book a full-day coach tour (easiest, $105–$126 / £78–£93) or DIY by train ($64–$84 / £47–£62).
- • Coach tour: Leaves Victoria 08:00, returns 19:00. Includes transport + entry.
- • DIY: Train to Salisbury (1.5hr), take the Stonehenge shuttle bus to the stones, then train to Bath or return to London.
Tips
- → Coach tours are long but convenient.
- → Stonehenge is smaller than you expect—Bath is the real highlight.
- → Pack snacks and water—service areas are pricey.
Afternoon
- • The Wolseley — Grand European café-restaurant on Piccadilly — excellent for afternoon tea or a late lunch.
- • Pret A Manger — Reliable grab-and-go sandwiches and coffee — branches everywhere in central London.
Free Afternoon (Windsor option only)
Use this time for shopping, a museum you skipped, or just relaxing.
How to Do It:
- • Visit National Gallery (free, Trafalgar Square) if you missed it.
- • Shop Oxford Street or Regent Street.
- • Or rest at your hotel before dinner.
Tips
- → This is a flexible block—use it however you want.
- → If you did Stonehenge + Bath, you'll return around 7pm—skip this and head to dinner.
Evening
- • Hawksmoor (Seven Dials) — London's best steakhouse — the pre-theater menu is excellent value. Book ahead.
- • A local pub — End with a proper Sunday roast (if it's Sunday) or classic fish & chips at a neighborhood pub.
Final London Meal
Celebrate your last night with good food and a reflection on your trip.
How to Do It:
- • Choose a restaurant you spotted earlier but didn't have time for.
- • Or return to a neighborhood you loved—Covent Garden, South Bank, Shoreditch.
- • Book ahead for Friday/Saturday.
Tips
- → Traditional options: Sunday roast at a pub (if it's Sunday), fish & chips, pie & mash.
- → Confirm your departure transport and packing before bed.
- → If you have an early flight, keep this evening low-key.
Arrival & Departure: Airports and Transport
Fly into Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), or Stansted (STN). For a 5-day trip, arrive by early afternoon on Day 1 and depart evening of Day 5 or morning of Day 6.
From Heathrow: Piccadilly Line (from ~$7.82 / £5.8 with Oyster/contactless, ~50 min) or Heathrow Express (~$35 / £26 standard single, 15 min to Paddington; advance fares from ~$13 / £9.99). From Gatwick: Gatwick Express (~$28 / £21, 30 min to Victoria) or Thameslink (~$14 / £10, 45 min). From Stansted: Stansted Express (from ~$13 / £9.6 advance, ~$28 / £21 on the day, 47 min to Liverpool Street).
Use contactless payment (credit card or phone) on all Tube/bus journeys — Zones 1-2 daily cap is ~$12 / £8.9 (2026 prices). No need to buy a separate Oyster card.
Where to Stay for 5 Days in London
For a 5-day trip, location beats room size. Stay in Zones 1-2 near a Tube station so you can reach most sights in 15–25 minutes.
Best bases: Southwark/Borough (near Tower + South Bank), Westminster/Victoria (near Big Ben), Bloomsbury (near British Museum), King's Cross (great transport hub), or Bayswater (near Hyde Park, budget-friendly).
Avoid staying in Zone 3+ or far from Tube stations—saving $28 / £21/night isn't worth 90 minutes of daily commuting.
Consider Airbnb in residential areas like Islington or Clapham for better value and a local feel.
Is the London Pass Worth It for 5 Days?
The Go City London Pass costs roughly $262 / £194 for 5 days and includes 110+ attractions — Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, Tower Bridge Exhibition, St. Paul's Cathedral, HMS Belfast, and more.
For this 5-day itinerary, the pass starts to make sense. Your paid attractions total ~$154–$176 / £114–£130 (Tower of London ~$48 / £36 + Westminster Abbey ~$41 / £31 + Windsor Castle ~$44 / £32 + optional Tower Bridge Exhibition ~$21 / £16). Adding just one or two more covered sights — St. Paul's Cathedral (~$29 / £22), The View from The Shard (~$44 / £32), or HMS Belfast (~$34 / £25) — pushes you past break-even.
The 5-day window gives you flexibility. Unlike shorter passes, you don't need to cram attractions into back-to-back days. Use it strategically on your London days (not the Stonehenge day trip) to maximize value.
Worth it if you add 1-2 extra paid attractions beyond the core itinerary. Buy it for the convenience of skip-the-line access plus the savings — especially in summer when queues are longest.
Book Tours & Activities in London
Top-rated experiences, day trips, and skip-the-line tickets for your itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 5 days enough in London?
Is 5 days too long for just London?
Should I do a day trip or stay in London all 5 days?
Can I rearrange the days in this itinerary?
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What transport pass should I buy for 5 days in London?
How much should I budget for 5 days in London (excluding flights and hotel)?
How Many Days in London?
Not sure if 5 days is right? Here's what each trip length covers.
- Day 1: Tower of London, Tower Bridge & South Bank Walk
- Day 2: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace & West End Show
- Day 3: British Museum, Covent Garden & Shoreditch Evening
- Day 1: Tower of London, Tower Bridge & South Bank
- Day 2: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace & West End Show
- Day 3: British Museum, Covent Garden & Shoreditch Evening
- Day 4: Notting Hill, Hyde Park & Kensington Museums
- Day 5: Day Trip to Windsor Castle or Stonehenge + Bath
- Day 1: Tower of London, Tower Bridge & South Bank
- Day 2: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace & West End Show
- Day 3: British Museum, Covent Garden & Soho
- Day 4: Notting Hill, Hyde Park & Kensington Museums
- Day 5: Windsor Castle Day Trip
- Day 6: Shoreditch, Camden Market & East London
- Day 7: Greenwich, Thames Cruise & Farewell Pub Dinner
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- Official tourism boards and visitor guides
- GetYourGuide and Viator activity data
- Booking.com and Numbeo pricing data
- Google Maps reviews and ratings
Methodology: This guide combines historical climate data, current tourism patterns, and real traveler budgets to provide accurate, actionable recommendations for London.
Updated: February 20, 2026
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