Are you planning a trip to London but finding the task of arranging an itinerary daunting? The city certainly has plenty to offer, which can make planning a schedule a tough task, especially for those who have never visited the capital.Â
If a weekend getaway to London is not quite long enough for everything you want to cram in, we think a 5 day trip is perfect. This allows visitors enough time to see all of the sights, enjoying everything from outdoorsy experiences to tours of top landmarks. In this blog, we’ll share our recommended 5 day travel itinerary plus some extra tips and advice to help a trip to the city run like clockwork.
What to Consider When Staying in London for 5 Days?
As is the case when visiting any city, there are a few logistics which need to be planned to ensure a trip runs smoothly. Below we have included a list of things for you to consider:
Travel Arrangements
When planning a trip to London, there are lots of places that are ideal to visit. This means you will need to understand how to get around the city easily via a selection of available transport options. Luckily, the Transport for London network has a variety of convenient connections meaning it’s affordable to travel around the city via road, rail and water. You can also simply tap a debit card instead of purchasing an Oyster card, which then caps costs at a certain amount based on which zones you have travelled between.
Hotel Arrangements
You should also determine the best area to stay in when visiting London based on what has made it onto your itinerary. It’s also important to book a room in advance to benefit from available special offers plus guarantee availability, as London hotel occupancy rates are currently at an average high of 89.3%.
Things to Pack
London is also known for being the hub of British weather meaning you can never quite predict what will greet you during a visit. We recommended packing wisely which should include a comfortable pair of shoes, a waterproof jacket and a portable battery park to ensure your phone has power all day long for taking lots of photos!
What Attractions Should Be Considered When Visiting London?
The itinerary that we have collated offers a chance to experience all parts of London. However, if you are more interested in certain attractions or parts of the city, you can easily tailor your plans to focus on different areas. Some categories of attractions that we recommend considering when planning trip to the city are:
- Taking in the historic sights. These can be explored via booked visits or by walking around the areas.Â
- Visiting the various green spaces as London has plenty of vast parks which make for a relaxing break from busy attractions.
- Planning trips to some modern attractions and notable landmarks shown in TV and movies.
- Visiting art galleries and museums.
- Doing a food tour of restaurants and markets for either snacks or special meals.
- Spending some time exploring independent shops as London has plenty of unique retailers to visit.
- Walking around notable areas such as Keingston or Soho.
- Booking a show as London always has something available for any preference from comedy to drama.
Example Itinerary for 5 Days in London
Day One: Explore Westminster, South Bank and Covent Garden by Night
A great place to start exploring is the Westminster and South Bank areas, as you can spend the day on foot if you want to ease into London gently.Â
Starting at London Waterloo, Westminster, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are just a short walk away. The areas are always filled with an amazing atmosphere and offer lots of famous photo opportunities. Opposite Westminster are popular attractions, including The London Eye, London Aquarium, The Shrek Experience and South Bank Markets meaning you can choose a selection of attractions to explore based on your preferences.
After a stroll along the South Bank, there are also plenty of places to stop for a bite to eat on either side of the river when crossing Waterloo Bridge. You will then end up in Covent Garden by evening which is when the area comes to life with street performers, pop up attractions, bustling markets and plenty of theatre shows to choose from.
Day Two: Visit Royal Landmarks
We also recommend planning a day to take in top royal landmarks early on during your trip while your energy levels are still high!
The best way to navigate landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, Wellington Arch, Hyde Park, and St James Palace is by booking a walking tour or navigating it at your own pace. There are also lots of other landmarks along the way which can be taken in, including stores like Harrods or areas popular in modern culture.
Day Three: Spend a Day Shopping and Visiting Museums
You can’t visit London without spending some time undertaking retail therapy! There are lots of famous shopping spots including Oxford Street and Keningston. It’s best to choose the type of stores you wish to visit and then decide where you will visit.Â
On a shopping day, it’s also great to combine visits to museums and/or art galleries based on where you have chosen to visit. For example, The British Museum is close to Oxford Street or Borough Market is a short distance from both the Tate Modern and Globe Theatre.
Day Four: More Historic Landmarks and Modern Delights
We also recommend spending another day taking in famous landmarks around London.
Some notable landmarks that we think are worth a visit include the Shard, Tower Bridge, Victoria and Albert Museum, the Cutty Sark, and Hampton Court Palace. You should also take the opportunity to visit a nearby food market for lunch, plus you can pick up some gifts to take back with you.
Day Five: Explore Markets and Remaining Places of Interest
The final day of a 5 day trip should be relaxing and done at your own pace. Activities like exploring Camden Market, visiting more of the famous London parks or simply mooching around nearby stores is a great way to end a visit to the city. There are also plenty of places to grab a special evening meal as a way to treat yourself at the end of a visit to the city.Â
Can You Fill More Than 5 Days With a Trip to London?
Yes, you can certainly fill a longer trip to London with lots of fun activities. Some people even comment that they wish they knew that visiting the city can be tiring so choosing to extend a trip is a great option. Thanks to the wide selection of hotels and 7-day a week attractions, you can choose to visit London at any time and for any chosen period of time. Â
Book the Ideal Hotel for a Trip to London Now!
We hope that this itinerary gives you inspiration for planning a trip to London which meets your needs perfectly. Whether you want to explore famous landmarks, visit modern day hotspots or simply stroll around parks with a delicious hot drink in hand, there is something for everyone when visiting London.Â
When choosing the perfect place to stay, we are proud to offer a selection of hotels which make for the ideal locations to unwind after busy days exploring. Stays are available at the Great St Helen Hotel, Hatton Garden Hotel, Bloomsbury Palace Hotel, Mabledon Court Hotel, Hotel Cavendish, and Arran House Hotel, meaning a wide selection of London postcodes are covered by our stays. All of our hotels are also close to transport, ensuring that navigating any of the recommendations made in this article is simple.
Click here to book now, or feel free to contact our team with any of your London travel queries.
