London is a city of layers: Roman wall fragments beside glassy skyscrapers, venerable abbeys shadowed by bright red buses. Founded by the Romans and shaped by monarchs, merchants, and mavens of art and science, it rewards both first-timers and repeat visitors with iconic sights and fresh discoveries every block.

From royal pageantry at Buckingham Palace to the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, this 5-day London itinerary balances big-ticket landmarks with local favorites: bustling markets, cozy pubs, and creative corners like Shoreditch and the South Bank. You’ll sample Borough Market, see Big Ben up close, and glide along the River Thames at night.

Practical notes: tap in and out of the Underground and buses with contactless cards; expect a daily cap around central zones so you won’t overspend. Heathrow Express or the Elizabeth line whisk you into town quickly; book intercity flights or trains via trusted platforms below. Pack a rain layer, bring comfy shoes, and arrive hungry.

London

Why go now: London’s cultural calendar never sleeps—blockbuster exhibitions, exciting dining, and revived heritage sites like Battersea Power Station. Pair royal history with contemporary neighborhoods and green parks in one compact, walkable core.

• Top sights: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Covent Garden.
• Local flavor: Street food and artisan producers at Borough Market and Spitalfields; classic pubs; West End theatre; Sunday roasts; afternoon tea traditions.
• Fun fact: The London Underground (1863) is the world’s oldest metro—its roundel is as iconic as the red phone box.

Getting to London: For flights and trains within Europe, compare schedules and fares on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). Eurostar from Paris to London takes about 2h 17m (typical fares ~£60–£160). Flying in from outside Europe? Search long-haul options on Kiwi.com.

Airport to city tips: Heathrow Express to Paddington ~15 min (~£25–£28); Elizabeth line ~30–35 min (~£13); Piccadilly line ~50 min (Underground fare). Gatwick Express to Victoria ~30 min (~£20), or Thameslink to London Bridge/Blackfriars ~35–45 min (~£10–£12). Book UK rail on Omio.

Where to stay: Browse broad options on Hotels.com (London) or apartment-style stays on VRBO (London). Handpicked picks:

• The Savoy (heritage glamour on the Strand; legendary American Bar) — Check rates.
• Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (family-friendly, pool; steps from Big Ben) — Check rates.
• Novotel London Tower Bridge (great for Tower/City access) — Check rates.
• Premier Inn London County Hall (value by the London Eye) — Check rates.
• Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras (budget, excellent transport) — Check rates.
• YHA London Central (clean hostel near Oxford Circus) — Check beds.
• YHA London St Pancras (across from the British Library; Eurostar handy) — Check beds.

Day 1: South Bank Stroll, Covent Garden Flavors, River Views

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags. Stretch your legs along the South Bank from Westminster Bridge to the London Eye and Jubilee Gardens for postcard views of Big Ben and Parliament. Duck into Covent Garden’s Apple Market and Neal’s Yard for indie boutiques and street performers.

Evening: Dinner in Covent Garden: Dishoom (Bombay comfort—order the black daal and house chai), The Oystermen (daily oyster specials, crab linguine), or Hawksmoor Seven Dials (grass‑fed steaks, sticky toffee pudding). Nightcap at Gordon’s Wine Bar near Embankment—candlelit vaults and fortified wines since 1890—or a classic cocktail at The Savoy’s American Bar if you’re staying nearby.

Day 2: Royal London, Westminster Abbey, and the West End

Morning: Join a guided Westminster immersion to maximize context and timing for the Changing of the Guard. Book the Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Guided Tour of London for expert commentary and Abbey entry.

Afternoon: Stroll St. James’s Park to Buckingham Palace. For lunch, book The Wolseley on Piccadilly (grand café classics), or go casual at The Laughing Halibut (crispy cod and chips). Art lovers can pop into the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square; museum fans might head to the British Museum’s Enlightenment Gallery for a first peek at world treasures.

Evening: See a West End show in Soho/Covent Garden. Pre‑theatre bites: Barrafina Drury Lane (superb tapas; arrive early for counter seats) or historic Rules (since 1798—game dishes and suet puddings). Post‑show drinks at Swift Soho (two‑level cocktail haven) or speakeasy‑style Cahoots for a playful 1940s tube-station vibe.

Day 3: Tower of London, Borough Market, St. Paul’s and the South Bank

Morning: Start at the Tower of London; get in right at opening to see the Crown Jewels with minimal queues. Secure timed entry with the Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket. Grab coffee beforehand at WatchHouse Tower Bridge.

Afternoon: Walk across Tower Bridge and continue riverside to Borough Market. Eat like a local: Kappacasein (oozy raclette toastie), Brindisa (chorizo roll), Padella (hand‑rolled pici cacio e pepe), and Bread Ahead (custard doughnuts). Cross the Millennium Bridge to St. Paul’s Cathedral; climb the dome for sweeping views, or pivot to Tate Modern for world-class contemporary art.

Evening: Pre-theatre pints at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (rebuilt 1667—Dickens favorite). Dinner on the South Bank: Arabica (Levantine sharing plates), Casa do Frango (charcoal-grilled piri‑piri chicken), or Swan at the Globe for Shakespearean river views. For a final vista, time free Sky Garden tickets or sip a cocktail at Madison rooftop facing St. Paul’s.

Day 4: The Wizarding World and a Thames Dinner Cruise

Day activity: Venture beyond central London for the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport from London (plan ~7 hours including coach transfers; departures typically from Victoria or King’s Cross). Walk the Great Hall, explore Diagon Alley, learn filmmaking secrets, and photograph the Hogwarts Express. It’s a magical deep-dive even for non‑wizards.

Evening: Back in town, dress up for a glittering London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River featuring a multi-course meal, live entertainment, and illuminated views of St. Paul’s, the Shard, and the Houses of Parliament.

Day 5: Kensington Museums, Hyde Park, and Farewell London

Morning: Keep it central and smooth before your afternoon departure. Breakfast at Granger & Co Notting Hill (ricotta hotcakes, great coffee) or Dishoom Kensington (bacon naan rolls). Choose one museum cluster in South Kensington: design-forward V&A or the family-favorite Natural History Museum. Then stroll Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens past the Serpentine to breathe London in one last time.

Afternoon (departure): Pick up edible souvenirs at Harrods Food Halls or Fortnum & Mason. For trains or airport links, check real-time options on Omio (trains) and Omio (flights within Europe), or long-haul with Kiwi.com. Aim to arrive 2–3 hours before international flights.

Alternate and Add-On Ideas (swap into any afternoon)

• Greenwich: ride the Uber Boat on the Thames, visit the Royal Observatory, and straddle the Prime Meridian.
• Shoreditch: street art around Brick Lane, vintage shops, and bites at Spitalfields Market (Bleeker Burger, Dumpling Shack).
• Afternoon tea: book classic tiers at The Savoy’s Thames Foyer or Fortnum & Mason’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon.

Practical dining notes: Popular restaurants often hold back seats for walk-ins; arrive at opening for the best shot. Many pubs serve excellent Sunday roasts—try Blacklock or The Harwood Arms if your trip includes a Sunday.

Need a quick overview tour instead? If you prefer a focused half-day of highlights, consider a private black cab overview or a hop-on hop-off loop; for this plan we included deeper dives and the dinner cruise for variety.

Hotel booking tip: If you’re split between neighborhoods, consider two bases: a South Bank/Westminster hotel for classic sights, then a Tower/City stay for markets and the East End. Compare availability and map locations on Hotels.com or browse whole flats on VRBO.

Summary: In five days, you’ll walk royal aisles at Westminster Abbey, stand before the Crown Jewels, graze through London’s most storied market, and see the skyline glow from the Thames. London’s history, theatre, and food culture mesh into a city that feels grand yet intimate—ready to welcome you back for the corners you didn’t reach this time.