London 5-Day Itinerary

Five days gives you enough time to cover the essential sights at a comfortable pace, explore two or three neighbourhoods properly, fit in a day trip and have space for spontaneity. Here's a practical structure — adjust according to your priorities.

Day 1: Royal London & the South Bank

Start at Westminster — Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey (book ahead). Walk along the South Bank to the Tate Modern, then across Millennium Bridge to St Paul's Cathedral. Evening in Soho or Covent Garden for dinner.

Day 2: East London

Morning at the Tower of London (book ahead, arrive at opening). Walk to Tower Bridge for the glass walkway. Afternoon in Shoreditch — street art, Brick Lane, coffee. Evening bar crawl or dinner on Shoreditch High Street.

Day 3: Museum Day (South Kensington)

Natural History Museum in the morning (free, no booking needed on weekdays). V&A in the afternoon (free). Hyde Park walk at the end of the day if energy allows. This is deliberately one-neighbourhood to avoid transit fatigue.

Day 4: Day Trip

Take a day trip — Oxford (1 hour from Paddington), Bath (90 minutes from Paddington), or Cambridge (50–80 minutes from King's Cross) depending on your interest. Return for a neighbourhood dinner in Camden or Islington.

Day 5: Markets & Neighbourhood Exploring

If this falls on a Saturday: Borough Market for late morning, then Bermondsey or Hackney in the afternoon. If a weekday: the National Gallery (free, much quieter), then Covent Garden and the West End. Evening: book a theatre show — this is your best chance if you haven't already.

Tips

• Book Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and any theatre in advance before you arrive.
• Build one rest morning or afternoon into the five days — London tires people out more than they expect.
• If Day 5 is a Saturday, prioritise Borough Market and Bermondsey over the National Gallery.
• Keep your contactless bank card or phone ready for all transport — don't buy paper tickets.