In this guide
Five days allows you to see central London’s essentials and spend meaningful time in at least two distinct neighbourhoods.
Day 1: Westminster and the West End
Visit Westminster Abbey, Parliament Square and St James’s Park. Continue to Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery. Eat in Soho or Covent Garden and optionally see a show.
Day 2: Tower, City and South Bank
Start at the Tower of London, walk across or view Tower Bridge, then eat around Borough Market. Follow the South Bank to Tate Modern and St Paul’s views.
Day 3: South Kensington and west London
Choose two of the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and V&A. Walk through Hyde Park, then eat in South Kensington or Chelsea. Families should leave more unscheduled time than adults.
Day 4: Greenwich by river
Take a scheduled river boat to Greenwich. Visit the Cutty Sark or National Maritime Museum, walk through the park to the Royal Observatory and return by DLR or boat. Add Canary Wharf or the cable car only if timings fit naturally.
Day 5: Pick your neighbourhood
Notting Hill: Portobello Road, colourful streets, Kensington Gardens and Paddington/Little Venice.
Bloomsbury and King’s Cross: British Museum, British Library, Regent’s Canal and Coal Drops Yard.
Shoreditch and Spitalfields: markets, street art, City history and a destination meal.
Choose according to market days and personal interests, not a generic ranking.
Evening ideas
Spread special evenings across the trip:
- West End theatre;
- a restaurant reservation;
- river or skyline views;
- live music;
- a quiet neighbourhood pub.
Do not schedule all of them after full sightseeing days.
Related guides
Confirm market days, museum opening, timed tickets and live transport.
