Why London?
London is one of the world's great cities for a reason: nowhere else can you visit a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre, a world-class gallery with free entry, and the riverside Globe theatre where Shakespeare's plays were staged, all within a mile of each other. It's a city of extraordinary depth, every neighbourhood has its own character, every market its own story.
The challenge is scale. London is vast, and attempting to see too much in too little time leads to exhaustion and Tube-lag. This guide gives you structured, geographically efficient itineraries for 3, 5, and 7 days.
London at a Glance
Best Time to Visit
May–Sept (warm & long days)
Currency
Pound Sterling (£)
Language
English
Getting Around
Tube, Bus, Walk
Budget/Day (Mid)
~£100–160 p/p
Time Zone
GMT / BST (UTC+0/+1)
3-Day London Itinerary
Day 1, Royal London & the South Bank
Westminster to Tate Modern
- Westminster Abbey, A working church and the burial place of monarchs, poets, and scientists since 1066. Book in advance. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
- Houses of Parliament & Big Ben, Exterior viewing of the iconic tower (currently unscaffolded). Tours available when Parliament is in recess.
- St James's Park, The most beautiful of London's royal parks. Walk through to Buckingham Palace; worth checking the Changing of the Guard schedule.
- Tate Modern, Free admission. The world's most-visited modern art museum, housed in a converted power station on the South Bank. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
- Millennium Bridge & Shakespeare's Globe, Walk across the pedestrian bridge, visit the Globe's exterior, and stroll Borough Market (open most days, best Thu–Sat).
Day 2, The City & East London
Tower of London to Shoreditch
- Tower of London, The Crown Jewels, Yeoman Warders, and 900 years of history. Book ahead. Allow 2–3 hours. Easily combined with Tower Bridge.
- Tower Bridge, Walk across and visit the glass walkway for panoramic views. Far cheaper than it looks from outside.
- Lunch: Leadenhall Market, A stunning Victorian covered market inside the City. Good lunch options in beautiful surroundings.
- Shoreditch & Brick Lane, London's street art capital. Brick Lane for bagels, vintage shops, and Bangladeshi food. Boxpark and the surrounding streets for cafés and independent retailers.
Day 3, Museums & Kensington
Bloomsbury to South Kensington
- British Museum, Free admission. The Rosetta Stone, Elgin Marbles, Egyptian mummies. Allow 2–3 hours for the highlights. Arrive early.
- Natural History Museum, Free admission. The dinosaur galleries, the blue whale skeleton, and the stunning architecture. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
- Science Museum, Free admission. Right next door. Excellent if you have children, or are interested in space, computing, or engineering history.
- Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens, Walk through to the Serpentine Gallery (free, contemporary art), rent a rowing boat, or simply sit in the sun.
5-Day London Itinerary
Day 4, North London & Camden
Regent's Park to Primrose Hill
- Camden Market, The most eclectic market in London. Street food from around the world, vintage clothing, tattoo studios, live music. Best visited before noon.
- Primrose Hill, A short walk from Camden. Climb the hill for the best free panoramic view of the London skyline.
- London Zoo, Inside Regent's Park. One of the world's oldest zoos. Good for a full afternoon visit.
- Abbey Road, A short detour to cross the famous zebra crossing outside the Beatles' recording studio.
Day 5, Greenwich & the Thames
Maritime London
- Cutty Sark, The world's only surviving tea clipper. Interactive museum in Greenwich. Fascinating even if you're not a maritime history buff.
- Royal Observatory Greenwich, Stand on the Prime Meridian (0° longitude). Stunning views over London from the hill.
- National Maritime Museum, Free admission. One of the largest maritime museums in the world.
- Thames Clipper back to central London, Take the river boat service back, a completely different perspective of the city.
London Travel Tips
- Get an Oyster card or contactless payment for the Tube and buses, cash is no longer accepted on most services.
- London's major museums (British Museum, V&A, Natural History, Tate Modern, National Gallery) are free admission.
- The Elizabeth line (opened 2022) dramatically speeds up east-west journeys. Use it.
- Book Tower of London and Westminster Abbey online in advance, queues can be 45–90 minutes without tickets.
- Restaurants and cafés serve food until 9–10 pm. Kitchens in tourist areas close earlier than you'd expect.
- London is vast. Don't underestimate transit time, 30 minutes on the Tube plus walking is common between zones.
- The Night Tube runs Friday and Saturday nights, making late evenings easier to manage.
London Budget Guide
Budget Traveller
£50–70 / day
Hostels, meal deals, free museums, Oyster card
Mid-Range
£100–160 / day
3-star hotel, café lunches, restaurant dinners
Luxury
£300+ / day
5-star hotel, Michelin dining, private tours
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