London is a city of layers—Roman origins, Tudor drama, Georgian elegance, and the creative pulse of today. In five days, you can trace centuries of history from Westminster Abbey to the Tower of London, and still find time for markets, riverside walks, and a night on the Thames.

Expect world-class museums (many free), a dynamic dining scene from budget-friendly curry houses to celebrated modern British kitchens, and some of the world’s most storied sports venues. The Tube, buses, and rail put almost everything within easy reach—tap in with a contactless card and daily fares will cap automatically.

Pack for mixed weather, book timed-entry tickets where possible, and carry a light scarf or compact umbrella. For evenings, smart-casual fits most places. London’s food highlights range from hearty pub pies and Indian classics to inventive street food at markets across the city.

London

Few capitals combine headline sights and hyperlocal neighborhoods like London. Mornings might mean the Crown Jewels; afternoons, independent galleries in Shoreditch; evenings, a riverside cruise past floodlit icons. With a mid-range budget, you’ll enjoy abundant free culture and splurge where it counts.

• Don’t-miss sights: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Covent Garden, the British Museum, Tate Modern, and the South Bank.
• Sports & stadiums: Tours at Wembley, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Emirates (Arsenal), Stamford Bridge (Chelsea); cricket at Lord’s or The Kia Oval; try for match tickets if you’re visiting in season.
• Foodie zones: Borough Market (street food staples like Kappacasein’s grilled cheese), Soho (small plates and late-night eats), Brick Lane (bagels and curries), Maltby Street Market (weekends), and Chinatown for dim sum.
• Local coffee favorites: Monmouth Coffee (Covent Garden), Ozone Coffee Roasters (Shoreditch), Kaffeine (Fitzrovia).

Where to stay (mid-range focus, with a few budget/splurge picks):

• Search all stays: VRBO London | Hotels.com London
• Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras (value, compact rooms, superb transport): Book Point A Kings Cross
• Premier Inn London County Hall (reliable, riverside next to the London Eye; great for walkers): Book Premier Inn County Hall
• Novotel London Tower Bridge (business-friendly comfort steps from the Tower): Book Novotel Tower Bridge
• Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (indoor pool, spa, across from Big Ben): Book Park Plaza Westminster Bridge
• Budget hostels: YHA London St Pancras (clean, social): Book YHA St Pancras | YHA London Central: Book YHA Central
• Splurge: The Savoy (heritage icon on the Strand): Book The Savoy

Getting to London (choose what fits your route):

• Flights (to/from Europe): Compare on Omio Flights.
• Flights (from outside Europe): Check Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: 6–8 hours from the US East Coast; 11–13 from the West Coast; fares often $550–$1,100 roundtrip depending on season.
• Trains in Europe (Eurostar to London St Pancras): Omio Trains — Paris–London ~2h15m, Brussels–London ~2h, Amsterdam–London ~4h; advance fares commonly $75–$180.
• Buses in Europe/UK (budget option): Omio Buses — slower but often the cheapest.

Local transport: Use contactless or an Oyster card; daily caps keep costs in check (Zones 1–2 cap is budget-friendly). The Tube is fastest; buses offer views; Thames Clippers are fun for river hops.

Day 1: Arrival, South Bank Stroll, and Big-Bus Overview

Morning: Travel into town and drop bags. If you’re early, grab a flat white at Monmouth Coffee (Covent Garden) and a quick bite at Abuelo (Aussie-Argentine café, great for banana bread) before stretching your legs in Covent Garden’s arcades and street performances.

Afternoon: Get your bearings with the London Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise. It loops past Buckingham Palace, Westminster, St. Paul’s, and the Tower—hop off where curiosity strikes and re-board when ready.

Evening: Walk the South Bank from the London Eye to Tower Bridge at golden hour for postcard cityscapes. Eat near Borough Market: Padella (fresh pici cacio e pepe), El Pastor (tacos al pastor), or Wright Brothers (oysters). For a classic pub, try The George Inn (timbered courtyard) or The Harp (cask ales by Trafalgar Square).

Day 2: Royals, Abbeys, Towers, and a Thames Cruise

Morning: Join the Skip the Line Tower of London & Westminster Tour and River Cruise. Start at Westminster Abbey—crowning place of monarchs—then see the Changing of the Guard (when scheduled) and learn the stories behind Parliament and Big Ben.

Afternoon: Continue by river to the Tower of London. Meet the Beefeaters, spot raven guardians, and gaze at the Crown Jewels. Fuel up nearby at Emilia’s Crafted Pasta (St Katharine Docks) or Gunpowder (Indian small plates) before crossing iconic Tower Bridge on foot.

Evening: Sunset drinks with views: try a riverside terrace around Butler’s Wharf. Dinner in Shoreditch for an edgier vibe—Brat (wood-fired), Smoking Goat (Thai barbecue), or Manteca (nose-to-tail Italian). Nightcap at Callooh Callay (playful cocktails) or a quiet pint at The Wenlock Arms.

Day 3: Museums by Day, Sports by Night (or Dinner on the Thames)

Morning: The British Museum is free and vast—start with the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and Sutton Hoo treasures. Coffee break at Kaffeine (Aussie-style espresso) or Ozone (artisan roasting and hearty brunch). If you prefer art, swap in the National Gallery (Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Turner seascapes).

Afternoon: Head to Tate Modern for contemporary heavyweights and the river panorama from the Turbine Hall bridge. Walk the Millennium Bridge to St. Paul’s for a stirring skyline. Sports fans: book a stadium tour—Tottenham Hotspur (cutting-edge design), Emirates (Arsenal’s museum), or Wembley (England’s national stadium). Cricket lovers can tour Lord’s or The Kia Oval.

Evening: If there’s a match, join the atmosphere—aim for pub viewing near the stadium or neighborhoods like Hammersmith or Islington. Prefer something scenic? Board the London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River for a multi-course meal with live entertainment as you glide past Parliament and St. Paul’s lit at night.

Day 4: Day Trip—Windsor, Stonehenge, Lacock & Bath

Make a memorable escape on the Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath with Pub Lunch in Lacock. It’s a full day that threads royal Windsor, the mystery of Stonehenge, a traditional pub lunch in the film-famous village of Lacock, and the golden Georgian crescents of Bath.

Tip: It’s an early start; pack a light breakfast and water. Back in London, keep dinner simple near Victoria or the South Bank—Franco Manca for sourdough pizza or Regency Café for classic, affordable British comfort fare if still open in the evening.

Day 5: East End Markets, Street Art, and Farewell

Morning: Explore the East End’s creative energy. On weekends, browse Old Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane’s vintage and food stalls; any day, spot street art around Shoreditch’s Redchurch Street and Rivington Street. Snack on a hot salt-beef bagel from Beigel Bake, or sit down for brunch at E Pellicci (old-school café with heart).

Afternoon (departure day): If time allows, pop to Greenwich for the park and Prime Meridian views, or the free Sky Garden’s indoor viewpoint (book ahead). Grab last-minute souvenirs in Covent Garden’s Apple Market, then head for your train or flight.

Optional upgrade for time-crunched explorers: Book a private overview in a classic cab—The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab—to maximize sights with local commentary.

Where to eat and drink (save these names):

• Breakfast/coffee: Monmouth Coffee (Covent Garden), Ozone (Shoreditch), Kaffeine (Fitzrovia), The Breakfast Club (multiple, hearty classics).
• Lunch markets: Borough Market (Padella, Kappacasein, Bread Ahead), Maltby Street Market (weekends), Seven Dials Market (street-food hall).
• Dinner ideas: Dishoom (Bombay comfort; try black daal), Flat Iron (affordable steak), Gunpowder (spiced small plates), Brat (wood-fired fish), Hoppers (Sri Lankan), Kiln (Thai grill), St. John (nose-to-tail British).
• Pubs/bars: The Harp (ales), Gordon’s Wine Bar (candlelit cellar), The Churchill Arms (façade of flowers), Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (historic warren), Swift (cocktails), Nightjar (speakeasy jazz).

Budget tips (your 50/100 budget sweet spot): Leverage free museums and parks, eat one market meal daily, ride buses/Tubes with contactless caps, and book big-ticket experiences (Abbey/Tower/day trips) in advance for better value. Consider matinee West End shows for cheaper seats.

In five days, you’ve walked through royal ceremonies, stood by the Thames at twilight, and day-tripped to one of the world’s great prehistoric sites. London rewards curiosity—each neighborhood a new chapter—so keep this guide handy for your next return.