5 Days in London: A Complete Itinerary

Five days covers London's major landmarks, its best free museums, and a proper West End evening without racing between them. This itinerary groups sights by neighborhood to minimize crosstown travel.

Day 1: Westminster

Start at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, then walk to Westminster Abbey. Continue to Buckingham Palace, timing your visit for the Changing of the Guard if the schedule allows, and finish with an evening walk through St James's Park.

Day 2: The British Museum and Covent Garden

Spend the morning at the British Museum, prioritizing the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian galleries given the crowds. In the afternoon, walk to Covent Garden for shopping and street performers, and consider a West End show in the evening — check TKTS for same-day discounted tickets.

Day 3: The Tower of London and Tower Bridge

Book a morning slot for the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels, then walk across Tower Bridge. Cross the river to South Bank for an afternoon at Borough Market and a walk along the Thames path toward the Tate Modern.

Day 4: South Kensington museums

Spend the day among South Kensington's free museums — the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, and Victoria and Albert Museum are all within walking distance of each other, so pick two rather than rushing all three.

Day 5: Camden or a day trip

Spend the morning at Camden Market for its food stalls and shops, or use the day for a train excursion to Windsor Castle or Oxford if you'd rather leave the city for a few hours.

Getting around

The Underground connects all five days efficiently; a contactless card covers it and buses at capped daily fares. Much of Westminster and the West End can also be covered on foot.

What to pack

A rain layer and comfortable shoes matter in any season — see our London travel guide for the fuller packing breakdown and more on choosing where to stay.