London England 5 Day Itinerary

Title: 5-Day London Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival & Central London Exploration

  • Morning: Check-in at your accommodation (recommended: Covent Garden area for its vibrant atmosphere and central location). Freshen up and have breakfast at a local café, e.g., Flat White or Bills.

  • Afternoon: Start your London journey with a visit to the iconic Buckingham Palace. If you’re lucky, you might catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. From there, head towards St. James’s Park and walk along the Serpentine lake to Kensington Gardens and Kensington Palace.

  • Evening: Explore Notting Hill neighborhood and grab dinner at a charming restaurant like The Little Blue Door or Portobello Road Market. End your day with a stroll down Portobello Road’s antique market.

Day 2 - Museums & Westminster

  • Morning: Visit the British Museum, home to millions of works spanning two million years of history and culture. Don’t miss the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, and the Mummies.

  • Afternoon: Head to the Natural History Museum or the Science Museum (both are free!). Afterward, take a quick walk to Hyde Park for some relaxation before moving on to…

  • Evening: Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. If possible, catch the sunset over the River Thames from the Millennium Wheel (London Eye) or St. Thomas’s Church. Have dinner at a riverside pub like The Dukes Head or The Ship.

Day 3 - Modern London & Shoreditch

  • Morning: Explore the Tower of London, the Crown Jewels, and the adjacent Tower Bridge. Don’t forget to visit the Beefeaters!

  • Afternoon: Catch a ride on the iconic Routemaster bus (route 15 or 38) to hipster Shoreditch. Check out the vibrant street art scene, Brick Lane Market, and Boxpark. Grab lunch at Dishoom Shoreditch or The Canteen.

  • Evening: Head back towards the City of London area for dinner at a high-end restaurant like Dabbous, followed by a nightcap at Milk & Honey cocktail bar.

Day 4 - Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

  • Morning: Visit the Victoria and Albert Museum (the world’s largest museum of applied and decorative arts and design). Next, head to the Royal Albert Hall for a quick photo op before lunch.

  • Afternoon: Pop into Harrods or Harvey Nichols for some retail therapy. Head to Chelsea, explore the King’s Road, and take a stroll through Chelsea Physic Garden. Have dinner at The Ivy Chelsea Garden or Bluebird Cafe.

Day 5 - Greenwich & Departure

  • Morning: Take the DLR to Greenwich. Explore the National Maritime Museum, the Cutty Sark, and the Royal Observatory (for a photo at the Prime Meridian line). Grab lunch at a traditional British pub like The Trafalgar Tavern or Gipsy Moth.

  • Afternoon: Return to central London for some last-minute shopping or sightseeing, then make your way to the airport. Aim to depart from Heathrow or Gatwick (both easily accessible via the tube) by late afternoon/evening.

Tips:

  • Transportation: The London Underground (Tube) and buses are your friends! Get an Oyster card for unlimited travel within zones 1-6.
  • Weather: Be prepared for all types of weather, even in summer. Pack layers and a light raincoat.
  • Hours & Days: Many attractions have different opening hours on Sundays or are closed entirely. Plan accordingly.
  • Pace Yourself: London is vast; don’t try to do too much in one day! Enjoy the city at its leisurely pace.