Day 1
17 min walk
4 min walk
8 min walk
9 min walk
Day 2
17 min walk
11 min walk
5 min walk
17 min walk
Day 3
12 min walk
21 min walk
17 min walk
17 min walk
Day 4
1 min walk
8 min walk
8 min walk
4 min walk
Day 5
4 min walk
43 min walk · take transport
36 min walk · take transport
22 min walk
How many days do you need in London? Five days is enough to see the big sights and still explore the neighbourhoods. This 5-day London itinerary covers one area per day, so you walk between nearby stops.
Day 1 is Westminster: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the London Eye and the South Bank. Day 2 is the City: St Paul's Cathedral, the Sky Garden, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and Borough Market.
Day 3 is museums and parks: the Natural History Museum, the V&A, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park and Harrods. Day 4 is the West End: Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.
Day 5 is local London: Portobello Road and Notting Hill, the canals of Little Venice, Regent's Park and Camden Market. Many of London's best museums are free.
Day 1
About 2.8 km between stops, from Buckingham Palace along the river.
Open day 1 in Google MapsStart here · Attraction · Royal palace
The King's official London residence. Watch the Changing of the Guard out front, or tour the State Rooms in summer.
Tip: Check the Changing of the Guard schedule; it doesn't happen every day.
Stop 2 · Attraction · Church
The Gothic abbey where English and British monarchs have been crowned for almost 1,000 years.
Stop 3 · Attraction · Landmark
The clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. The best view is from Westminster Bridge.
Stop 4 · Attraction · Observation wheel
The giant wheel on the South Bank. A 30-minute rotation gives views over Parliament and the Thames.
Stop 5 · Area · Riverside walk
A riverside promenade lined with theatres, street food, book stalls and views across the Thames.
Day 2
About 3.8 km between stops, ending with lunch or dinner at Borough Market.
Open day 2 in Google MapsStop 6 · Attraction · Cathedral
Christopher Wren's domed cathedral. Climb to the Golden Gallery for one of the best views of the City.
Stop 7 · Viewpoint
A free indoor garden at the top of the Walkie-Talkie building, with 360-degree views. Book a free slot online in advance.
Tip: Free tickets are released online a few weeks ahead and go quickly.
Stop 8 · Attraction · Castle
A 1,000-year-old fortress, home to the Crown Jewels and the Beefeaters.
Tip: Go to the Crown Jewels first, before the queues build.
Stop 9 · Attraction · Bridge
London's most famous bridge. Walk across, or visit the high-level walkways with their glass floors.
Stop 10 · Market · Food market
London's best-known food market, under the railway arches by London Bridge. Come hungry.
Tip: Some stalls close on Mondays. Weekdays are quieter than Saturday.
Day 3
About 5 km between stops, through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park.
Open day 3 in Google MapsStop 11 · Attraction · Museum
Free museum with dinosaurs, a blue whale skeleton and a stunning Victorian building.
Tip: Entry is free, but booking a free timed slot helps in busy periods.
Stop 12 · Attraction · Museum
The V&A: free museum of art, design and fashion, with a lovely garden café.
Stop 13 · Park & garden · Park
The royal park beside Kensington Palace, with the Italian Gardens and the Peter Pan statue.
Stop 14 · Park & garden · Park
London's best-known park, with the Serpentine lake and pedal boats in summer.
Stop 15 · Shop · Department store
The famous Knightsbridge department store. Don't miss the Food Halls on the ground floor.
Stop 16 · Attraction · Square
The square with Nelson's Column and the four bronze lions, at the heart of the West End.
Stop 17 · Attraction · Art museum
Free gallery of European paintings, from Leonardo and Turner to Van Gogh's Sunflowers.
Stop 18 · Area · Neighbourhood
The covered market hall, street performers, shops and the Royal Opera House.
Stop 19 · Attraction · Square
The West End's cinema and theatre square. Look for last-minute theatre tickets at the TKTS booth.
Tip: The TKTS booth sells same-day discounted theatre tickets.
Stop 20 · Attraction · Landmark
London's answer to Times Square, with the giant curved screens and the Eros statue.
Day 5
About 7.8 km in total. Take the Tube or bus for the long legs.
Open day 5 in Google MapsStop 21 · Market · Street market
The famous street market of antiques, vintage and food. Saturday is the big market day.
Tip: Saturday is the main antiques day. Many stalls are closed on Sunday.
Stop 22 · Area · Neighbourhood
Pastel-painted houses and mews streets, made famous by the film. Look around Lancaster Road and St Luke's Mews.
Too far to walk: take public transport or a Uber taxi.
Walking takes 43 min (3.2 km).
Stop 23 · Area · Canal neighbourhood
Where the Regent's Canal meets the Grand Union, with houseboats and canal-side cafés.
Too far to walk: take public transport or a Uber taxi.
Walking takes 36 min (2.7 km).
Stop 24 · Park & garden · Park
One of the royal parks, with Queen Mary's Rose Garden and London Zoo at its northern edge.
Stop 25 · Market
Canal-side markets with street food from around the world and alternative shops.
Recommended hotels
Strand, by Covent Garden
Best for: Splurge
London's legendary riverside hotel from 1889, a short walk from Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square.
Check pricesHolborn
Best for: Central base
Stylish, good-value hotel near Covent Garden and Holborn Tube, central for every day of the route.
Check pricesTower Hill
Best for: Value
Compact, modern rooms a minute's walk from the Tower of London.
Check pricesRecommended activities
3 hours
Entry to the fortress, the Crown Jewels and a Beefeater tour.
Book1 hour
Hop between Westminster, the South Bank and Tower Bridge by boat.
Book2-3 hours
Book a musical or play in the West End for your Covent Garden evening.
BookBefore you go
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