As we speak I wish to carry you my itinerary for five days in London. This can be a nice period of time to see the highlights of town, get an outline of what London has to supply guests, and take a day journey. From the principle points of interest to the spots locals love, London has loads to entertain you. Learn on for the official A Girl in London itinerary.
5 Days in London
Among the best issues about being knowledgeable journey blogger is that I get to assist individuals plan their journeys. Whether or not it’s by way of my weblog posts or my journey planning companies, I attempt to make sure my readers and followers have an awesome expertise in London or overseas.
Individuals typically ask me how you can spend 5 days in London, so in the present day I wish to share my itinerary. From sightseeing to native areas and beloved locations to eat, drink, and store, it has a spread of issues to do within the metropolis.
I’ve created plenty of London itineraries, and I hope you’ll discover this one as useful as you’ve discovered the remainder. You may as well check out my 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, 6-day, 7-day, 8-day, and 10-day itineraries for added inspiration.
I’ve even created itineraries for 36 hours, 48 hours, and a weekend in London.
The excellent news is that there’s no proper or improper solution to spend your time within the UK capital. You may modify my 5-day London itinerary to suit your pursuits and journey fashion. No matter you do, you’ll get a very good overview of what the UK capital has to supply.
You need to use my London journey information and my listing of 51 issues to do in London in a 12 months to fill in any gaps and discover seasonal occasions and actions occurring whenever you’ll be visiting as effectively.
The place to Keep in London
In terms of the place to remain in London, you may have loads of alternative. Whether or not you wish to guide a resort or hire a flat, town has a variety of locations for each style, fashion, and funds.
Given how huge London is and the way widespread the points of interest are, selecting someplace in or close to town middle is a good suggestion. You may try my weblog posts in regards to the finest space to remain in London, the finest lodges to your fashion, and quirky lodges for concepts.
You may as well discover offers and guide lodging in London right here. With so many locations to select from, you’re certain to search out someplace you like.
The best way to Pack for five Days in London
When you’ve determined when to go to town, you need to pack for London. Relying what time of 12 months you go to, that can imply various things.
I’ve written packing lists for spring, summer season, autumn, and winter that may make it easier to determine what to put on in London. I’ve even revealed a basic listing of issues to carry all 12 months.
If you happen to’re flying to town, you possibly can check out my long-haul packing listing and my information to how you can pack with only a carry-on for extra assist (I used to be interviewed by the New York Instances in regards to the latter).
Day 1 in London
As soon as right here, you can begin the primary of your 5 days in London with good espresso and meals. Whether or not you select one of many finest espresso outlets in London or one of many high locations for breakfast, you’ll set your self up effectively for the day.
When you’ve taken care of your urge for food, you’ll be prepared for a enjoyable day of exploring the UK capital. My favourite place to kick off a visit to London is Westminster.
I like to recommend starting with Buckingham Palace. This well-known royal residence in London attracts guests from all around the world, and it’s a should on any first-time London itinerary.
If you wish to, you possibly can time your go to to coincide with the formal Altering the Guard ceremony (it occurs a number of days every week). If not, you possibly can admire the monarch’s London house from outdoors the massive gates.
In case your go to occurs to happen throughout the annual seasonal opening, you can too take a tour of Buckingham Palace. You’ll be capable of stroll by way of the state rooms, discover the gardens, and see the particular exhibition. You may guide tickets right here.
After visiting the palace you possibly can meander by way of St James’s Park and out to Horse Guards Parade and Whitehall.
From there it’s a brief stroll to Parliament Sq. in Westminster. This place is house to a few of the metropolis’s most vital landmarks, together with Huge Ben (Elizabeth Tower).
You’ll additionally see Westminster Abbey and the Homes of Parliament. You probably have time, you possibly can tour the abbey and parliament. You may guide tickets right here.
If you wish to, you possibly can take my free self-guided Westminster stroll to find the world past the plain points of interest. The route will present you the quiet lanes and hidden areas locals love.
If you’re completed exploring Westminster, you possibly can stroll throughout the Thames and discover the South Financial institution. This can be a good spot to stroll round, browse the markets, and take in the scene alongside the waterfront.
You may as well journey the London Eye when you’re right here. It has a few of the finest views within the metropolis. You may guide tickets right here (you’ll must guide effectively prematurely, because it sells out).
The South Financial institution is legendary for its road performers, festivals, pop-ups, meals vans, and different leisure, so it’s a good suggestion to take a while to wander round and see what’s on when you’re visiting.
If you’re completed, you possibly can stroll alongside the river to Tate Trendy and Borough Market. They’re two extra of town’s most beloved landmarks.
Tate Trendy is a world-class artwork museum. It provides free entry, so it’s simple to go inside for as a lot (or as little) time as you wish to. There are nice views from the higher flooring, too.
Borough Market is simply the spot to search out culinary inspiration and get one thing to eat for lunch. It’s enjoyable to wander round and take in the colours and smells of the stalls when you browse.
After lunch, get on the tube and journey it to Covent Backyard. If you arrive, you possibly can stroll by way of the well-known piazza to see what’s on within the markets and outlets.
Afterwards you possibly can discover the world round Neal’s Yard, Seven Dials, Mercer Stroll and St Martin’s Courtyard. There are many outlets to duck into and shiny colours to encourage the senses right here.
When you’re within the space, you can also make your approach by way of Trafalgar Sq., Leicester Sq., and Piccadilly Circus to get to Regent Road and Piccadilly. There’s nice buying right here, together with well-known department shops like Fortnum & Mason.
When night comes, there are many locations you could find dinner in Soho, Covent Backyard, or Mayfair. These areas have a spread of choices for consuming. You may see my suggestions for eating places in London and pubs in case you need assistance discovering a spot to go.
After dinner you possibly can take an open-top bus tour to get extra of an outline of London. It’s a straightforward solution to uncover what the UK capital has to supply in a brief period of time. You may guide tickets right here.
Day 2 in London
You can begin the second morning of your itinerary for five days in London with breakfast or espresso in Bloomsbury. From Lamb’s Conduit Road to Retailer Road, there are good native spots right here.
After consuming you possibly can stroll over to the British Museum. This behemoth is a treasure trove of antiquities from all throughout the globe, and morning is a perfect time to go to as a result of there may be fewer crowds.
The British Museum is cavernous sufficient to take up an entire day of sightseeing in London, so ensure that to stay to the rooms you’re most concerned about.
There’s free entry, although, so you possibly can keep for so long as you want. The Rosetta Stone and Egyptian rooms are musts for many first-time guests.
If you’re completed seeing the elements of the gathering you’re enthusiastic about, you can also make your approach over to the museum’s well-known Nice Courtroom for a lightweight lunch within the cafe or restaurant.
Alternatively, Charlotte Road in Fitzrovia has enjoyable locations to eat. It’s in simple strolling distance of the British Museum. In truth, it’s one of many finest locations to eat close to London’s high points of interest.
No matter you do for lunch, you possibly can proceed the second of your 5 days in London by hopping on the tube and taking it to South Kensington. You have got two decisions right here: head to a museum or buy groceries.
If you happen to select the previous, there are three main museums right here. I like to recommend selecting one. All of them provide free entry, so you possibly can keep for as little or so long as you wish to.
I like the V&A for its world-class artwork and design (to not point out its wonderful cafe), the Pure Historical past Museum for its beautiful structure and larger-than-life shows, and the Science Museum for its stimulating reveals.
If you happen to don’t wish to go to a museum, there’s a lot of nice buying in and round South Kensington. You may try the boutiques on Fulham Street and Brompton Street, or stroll right down to the King’s Street in Chelsea.
You may as well go to well-known department shops like Harrods and Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge when you’re right here. Harrods Meals Halls are wonderful.
You may even stroll down Sloane Road and head over to Belgravia you probably have time. Elizabeth Road is legendary for its floral facades, and it’s price a particular journey to see them.
After going buying or exploring a museum, head as much as Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. The formal backyard by Kensington Palace is one in all my favourite inexperienced areas within the metropolis, and with 5 days in London, strolling by way of its vine arches is a should.
The Serpentine water characteristic in Hyde Park is all the time enjoyable to wander round, and the Diana Memorial Fountain is price seeing, too.
If you get to Hyde Park Nook, you’ll possible be able to relaxation your legs. There’s no higher solution to do it than by settling in for afternoon tea.
There are many nice choices close to Hyde Park, so that you’ll don’t have any downside discovering one which appeals (simply ensure that to guide effectively prematurely).
From The Dorchester to The Lanesborough, The Berkeley to the Mandarin Oriental, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower to Claridge’s, The Halkin to The Goring, The Ritz, Brown’s, and Fortnum & Mason, this a part of London has a number of choices for afternoon tea.
When night comes, proceed your 5-day London itinerary by strolling or taking the tube to the West Finish to see a present. There are many performs, musicals, and comedy acts you may get tickets for on any given evening in London.
The town has a world-class theater scene, so whether or not you’re up for going to a musical in Soho or a drama in Covent Backyard, there’s all the time one thing thrilling on.
If you happen to’re hungry after the present, you possibly can make the most of the late opening hours of most of the eating places within the West Finish.
If you happen to’re within the temper for nightlife, there’s no scarcity of locations you could find it on this a part of London. My favourite spot is Cahoots, a travel-themed bar in Kingly Courtroom.
Different enjoyable locations embrace Ronnie Scott’s jazz membership, the pubs dotted all through the West Finish, and bars like Mr Fogg’s Tavern in Covent Backyard.
Day 3 in London
On the third of your 5 days in London, I like to recommend taking a day journey. There are a number of locations across the UK capital which can be price a particular go to, and so they’re simple to get to by practice, automobile, or on a guided tour.
If you happen to’re a fan of the English countryside, I like to recommend taking a day journey to the Cotswolds. You may go independently with or with no automobile, or on a guided day tour. You may see choices and guide a tour right here.
There’s no scarcity of charming cities and villages within the Cotswolds to go to. My favorites embrace Painswick, Bibury, Higher Slaughter, and Citadel Combe.
If the seaside is your factor, Brighton, Hastings, and Deal are my high picks. All of them have nice seashores and plenty of outlets and eating places to get pleasure from. They’re simple day journeys from London by practice, too.
If you wish to see well-known college cities, look no additional than Oxford and Cambridge. These are a few of the hottest locations to go on a time out from London.
And if cathedral cities are your factor, my high picks are Canterbury in Kent, Norwich in Norfolk, York in Yorkshire, St Albans in Hertfordshire, and Ely in Cambridgeshire. All of them have wonderful church buildings and nice metropolis facilities.
If you happen to’re into historical past, Winchester, Tub, Canterbury and Dover, Lewes, and Amersham are nice. Amersham is so shut you possibly can even take the tube to get there.
If you happen to’re feeling bold, you possibly can take a day journey to Paris from London. There are different day journeys from London to Europe that make for thrilling adventures, too. From Brussels to Lille and Amsterdam, you may have loads of choices.
If you happen to’re searching for seasonal journeys, you possibly can try my guides to spring, summer season, autumn, and winter day journeys from London for concepts.
Day 4 in London
Begin the subsequent morning of your 5-day London itinerary on the Tower of London. Courting again to the eleventh century, this place awes guests with its historical past.
Getting right here early will will let you keep away from the massive crowds later within the day. I like to recommend taking a guided tour with an early-access ticket so you possibly can meet a Beefeater and see the Crown Jewels with out the massive traces.
You’ll additionally be capable of tour the White Tower and go to the opposite heritage landmarks inside the partitions. You may guide your tickets right here.
After touring the Tower of London, you possibly can go for a lightweight lunch at a spot like White Mulberries in St Katharine Docks. This distinctive marina by Tower Bridge is a enjoyable place to get pleasure from a fast meal on a giant day of sightseeing.
After lunch it’s a brief stroll over to Tower Bridge. This inspiring feat of Victorian engineering is among the most eye-catching London landmarks. You may stroll throughout it, then head as much as the highest on a self-guided tour if you wish to. You may guide tickets right here.
If you depart Tower Bridge, you possibly can stroll over to the Metropolis of London. There’s heaps to see on this a part of the UK capital.
From the towering dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to modern viewing platforms just like the Sky Backyard and Horizon 22, this a part of the UK capital incorporates a number of architectural selection.
My self-guided stroll within the Metropolis of London may also help if you wish to hit the highlights. It would present you every thing from the key landmarks to the hidden lanes.
From the Metropolis you possibly can stroll or take a bus or the tube to Spitalfields. You may browse the stalls at Previous Spitalfields Market, wander down Brick Lane, and take a look at what’s on across the Previous Truman Brewery.
After buying and exploring, you possibly can stroll as much as Shoreditch for the night. Right here you’ll be capable of take within the East Finish’s stylish hub.
From Shoreditch Excessive Road and Nice Japanese Road to Redchurch Road and Rivington Road, there’s all the time one thing new to find on this hipster neighborhood.
You’ll be in the correct place for a enjoyable evening out, too. East London is among the metropolis’s finest nightlife areas, and there’s no scarcity of eating places, pubs, speakeasies, bars, and pop-ups to go to.
You probably have power for going out after dinner, there are nice bars and golf equipment in and round this a part of town. They’re thrilling locations to finish the fourth evening of your journey to London.
Whether or not you select to go to Hackney, Bethnal Inexperienced, Hackney Wick, or one other cool space within the East Finish, you’re certain to have a good time.
Day 5 in London
On the final of your 5 days in London, you possibly can discover one of many metropolis’s beloved native neighborhoods.
Whether or not you want a village ambiance, a giant park, riverfront surroundings, or fascinating historical past, there’s a spot for you. I’ve listed a few of my favorites under to present you concepts.
You may examine extra under-the-radar locations within the metropolis within the well-known guide Secret London – An Uncommon Information. You may get it on Amazon right here.
Hampstead
Hampstead is my favourite London neighborhood. I spent years dwelling right here and I nonetheless return on a regular basis. Up in north London, it’s simply accessible by tube and there’s sufficient to see and do right here for a full day.
Hampstead is for you in case you love the thought of an English village conveniently situated in London. The facet streets are filled with fairly homes and the neighborhood has one of many metropolis’s greatest and wildest parks.
You can begin your day in Hampstead with espresso or breakfast on Hampstead Excessive Road. There are nice cafes on Flask Stroll and Perrin’s Courtroom, too.
After breakfast you possibly can store. There are many boutiques on the excessive road and Heath Road. You could find every thing from house items to clothes and niknaks right here.
If you’re completed buying, you possibly can meander across the space. Church Row, Flask Stroll, Holly Stroll, and Mansfield Place are native favorites, however it’s arduous to go improper in Hampstead.
My free self-guided Hampstead stroll has a route and map that can present you the most effective locations.
If you’re hungry for lunch, head to the Holly Bush. It’s my favourite pub in London. Tucked away on a curving facet road, it has a warren of rooms that can transport you again in time.
If you’re completed with lunch, head to Hampstead Heath for a stroll with sweeping views of London from Parliament Hill. Kenwood Home, a stately house in London, is enjoyable to discover as effectively.
Within the late afternoon you possibly can head to South Finish Inexperienced to buy at Daunt Books and have a drink at one of many many pubs with beer gardens.
If you’re completed exploring the world, you possibly can head again as much as Hampstead Excessive Road for dinner at an area restaurant. Whether or not you select a traditional Italian spot like Villa Bianca or a beloved Japanese place like Jin Kichi, you’ll be spoiled for alternative.
Notting Hill
Another choice is to spend the final of your 5 days in London exploring Notting Hill. This space is understood for its vibrant colours, buzzing market, enjoyable outlets, and hidden mews.
If that appeals, you can begin your day in Notting Hill with a stroll by way of the well-known Portobello Street Market (it’s busiest on Saturdays, so attempt to go then and get there early).
If you’re completed strolling across the market, you possibly can have lunch there or at one of many space’s many eating places and cafes. From informal locations to upscale ones, there’s a range round Portobello Street and Westbourne Grove.
Within the afternoon you possibly can discover the world’s facet streets and hidden mews. My free self-guided Notting Hill stroll is a good way to do it, as it would take you round to the most effective of them.
When night comes, you possibly can have dinner at one of many neighborhood’s beloved pubs and take a look at the nightlife scene. There are many locations to exit right here, and it’s a enjoyable neighborhood to get pleasure from a meal and drinks on the finish of a giant day.
Greenwich
Greenwich is one other of the loveliest London neighborhoods. If you happen to like historical past, it’s an awesome place to spend the final day of your 5-day London itinerary.
Situated within the southeast of town, Greenwich is finest reached by boat from central London. The journey is among the highlights of spending a day right here, and it’s enjoyable to absorb the views of London from the Thames. You may guide tickets right here.
Greenwich is good for historical past lovers and stargazers. It has extra museums per sq. foot than seemingly another a part of the UK capital, and it’s house to the Royal Observatory of Greenwich Imply Time fame.
This space is the proper place so as to add to your itinerary for five days in London in case you love digging into the previous, staring on the evening sky, or having fun with good views.
The buying is nice, too. Whether or not you’re into excessive road outlets or historic lined markets, Greenwich has one thing for you.
If that each one sounds good, you can begin your day in Greenwich with the aforementioned boat journey. It would drop you off proper within the coronary heart of Maritime Greenwich.
From the waterfront you possibly can take within the Cutty Sark, a Nineteenth-century British clipper ship. You may tour it if you wish to, or simply peer into it from the glass outdoors.
From the Cutty Sark you possibly can head to the Nationwide Maritime Museum. This place is filled with all issues British historical past, and its wealth of treasures and interactive reveals makes it enjoyable for guests of all ages. It provides free entry, so you possibly can keep for so long as you wish to.
Afterwards you possibly can duck into the chapel of the Previous Royal Naval Faculty to see the wonderful painted ceiling. This place has been used as a filming location for a lot of motion pictures and TV exhibits, so that you may acknowledge it.
The identical goes for the buildings that make up the Previous Royal Naval Faculty. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor, they’re not solely stunning to see, but additionally common filming websites.
From the Previous Royal Naval Faculty it’s a brief stroll to the Seventeenth-century Queen’s Home. It’s a shocking instance of Palladian structure, and there’s a fantastic spiral staircase inside. It provides free entry, too, so it’s simple to pop in and probe for a bit.
From the Queen’s Home you possibly can stroll to lunch on the historic lined market in Greenwich. This place has a spread of stalls promoting every kind of ready meals, so that you’re certain to search out one thing that appeals. There are candy treats, too.
After lunch, you possibly can stroll into Greenwich Park and up the hill to the Royal Observatory. This place is enjoyable to discover, particularly in case you’re concerned about all issues astronomy.
It’s thrilling to face with one foot on both facet of the Prime Meridian and take in the spectacular views of London from the crest of the hill in Greenwich Park.
If you’re completed absorbing the views, you possibly can head again down into Greenwich and discover the facet streets with their colourful doorways. There are many fairly lanes round right here, and so they’re price discovering.
If you wish to see the most effective of the world, my free self-guided Greenwich stroll will lead you to all of the locations I discussed above (and extra!).
When it’s meal time, you may have loads of choices. Greenwich has enjoyable pubs, together with the well-known Trafalgar Tavern. You may watch the waves splash towards the outer partitions right here when it’s excessive tide on the Thames.
After dinner you possibly can finish your day with a ship journey again into central London. It’s a enjoyable solution to see the sights at evening.
Richmond
Within the southwest, Richmond is a 3rd London neighborhood that’s price a visit. It’s simple to get to by tube or practice from central London, and it makes a very good vacation spot for the final day of your 5-day London itinerary.
House to a fantastic riverfront space, a park crammed with deer, and cute outlets and eating places, Richmond is for you in case you get pleasure from being outdoor and also you wish to really feel like an area in London.
You can begin your time out in Richmond with breakfast or espresso at one of many space’s cafes. Whether or not you select a well-known chain or an impartial quantity, there are many good choices.
If you’re completed fueling up, you possibly can discover the world’s facet streets. The lanes, walks, and courts that radiate from the excessive road are filled with little surprises (to not point out Ted Lasso filming areas).
Richmond Inexperienced is picturesque, too. If you happen to’re fortunate, you may see an area cricket match occurring when you’re exploring. If you happen to want some route, my free self-guided Richmond stroll is simply the factor.
If you’re completed, you possibly can store on the excessive road. There are every kind of recognizable names and enjoyable boutiques on and across the neighborhood’s foremost thoroughfare.
After buying, head to lunch at a riverside pub. They’re excellent locations to take in the solar and watch the boats go by on the water.
You may take a stroll alongside the Thames after lunch. Whether or not you desire a brief stroll or an extended one, the Thames Path gives you choices. You may even stroll all the way in which to Ham Home, a Nationwide Belief property in London. It’s price touring in case you like historical past.
After your stroll you possibly can head up the hill to Richmond Park. Like Hampstead Heath, it’s one of many metropolis’s greatest and most stunning inexperienced areas.
Richmond Park is legendary for its deer, too, so ensure that to have your digicam prepared as you’re exploring. They’re wonderful to see up shut.
If you need some route, you possibly can see routes without spending a dime self-guided walks on my weblog put up about park walks in London.
When the solar begins to go down, you possibly can head again into the neighborhood for dinner at one of many eating places or pubs close to the excessive road, then hop on the tube or a practice again to central London.
5 Days in London
I hope you’ve loved this 5-day London itinerary and that it’s given you good concepts for issues to do within the UK capital. There’s loads to see and do right here, and I’m certain you’ll depart wanting to return again and discover extra.
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