Things to do in five days in London - A Lovetovisit Itinerary
Check out this itinerary and book your tickets to London attractions today on Lovetovisit.com
Five days in London is sure to be enough time to see the very best of the city, but knowing what to do and when can be a bit of headache to plan.
But don't worry, with this itinerary you'll find the very best things to do in London and how to spend your five days there while taking in close to everything that the city has to offer.
Book your tickets through Lovetovisit.com as you plan this itinerary, where we'll take you through how to get the most of your five days in London.
Get all your days out sorted in one package when you buy a London bundle here!
Day 1 - The Landmarks of London
Morning - City Sightseeing
One of the first things you should do in London is to familiarise yourself with some of the main sites of the city, so what better way to do this than to go on an awesome city tour?
If a walking tour isn't for you then don't worry! You can also explore London by a hop-on and hop-off bus, that gives you the freedom to check out the London Eye, British Museum, the Houses of Parliament and many of the other major landmarks of London. If you're really in the mood for something different, then look no further than the River Thames Sightseeing Cruise, so you can see the very best of London from its famous river.
Book your London tickets via City Sightseeing UK here:
Midday - Thames Cruises
After you've explored London by foot or by bus, set sail and explore by sailing along the famous River Thames.
Whether you want a relaxing and peaceful cruise, or to dart across the Thames at rapid speeds, there will be a Thames adventure for you.
This also makes an excellent way of traversing the capital and getting from place to place with convenience and ease. Plus, it's always a whole lot of fun!
Secure your spot on a Thames Cruise here:
Afternoon - The View from the Shard
The Shard is one of London's newest landmarks but it's already become symbolic of the city.
Take the lift up London's tallest buidling and enjoy a fine dining experience with unbeatable views of the city in The View from The Shard.
It's a must-do if you're interested in a unique dining experience, or if you want to see London in all its glory from as high up as you can possibly get.
Buy your tickets for an experience on The Shard here:
Evening - London Eye
Start your evening by hopping on to the world-famous London Eye (before it shuts at 6:00pm) and get a glimpse of London from above. If you’re visiting late in the year, you’ll get to see a luminous London lit up by the lights of the city. But no matter when you visit, taking at least one spin at the London Eye is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in all of London.
Help yourself to a delightful dinner at one of London’s many restaurants before resting up for another big day of adventures tomorrow.
Take a ride on The London Eye today, here:
Day 2 - A Royal Day Out
Morning - Buckingham Palace
Start your second day off at what’s arguably the most important attraction in all of London, Buckingham Palace.
The royal residency has been the headquarters of the royal family since Queen Victoria ascended to the throne way back in 1837. The birthplace of current monarch King Charles III, you will quickly see why Buckingham Palace hasn’t lost its regal appeal to the masses all these years later.
An event you simply have to see while you’re visiting would be the changing of the Guard. This handover of duty occurs at 10:45 AM every day with a full military band accompanying the marching of the famous Foot Guards. Be sure not to miss this regal spectacle!
Book your tickets to Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guard here:
Midday - Kensington Palace
The official royal home of the heir to the throne, keep an eye out for Will and Kate when you visit the gorgeous Kensington Palace.
Go for a regal stroll on the royal grounds and feel re-energised as you take in the fresh air from its large open gardens. You can even go for a tour of the palace itself!
Get your tickets to Kensington Palace here:
Afternoon - Westminster Abbey
There are few places in all of London more significant than Westminster Abbey. The site of almost every coronation since William the Conqueror, as well as the site where the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton took place and more sadly the recent funeral of Elizabeth II, Westminster Abbey has been a beacon of royalty in the UK for over a thousand years.
You'll notice it's regal prowess upon simply gazing at the abbey when you visit, but you've really not experienced it until you've gone in yourself and take in the majestic presence of the building where so many critical events have taken place.
A stop on many bus tours around London, getting to Westminster Abbey won't be difficult and there are many ways to bundle it up with other nearby attractions in the capital.
Book your visit to Westminster Abbey here:
Evening - Covent Garden
As you close out your second night in London, steer away from the tourist trails and discover something new and amazing in the Covent Garden.
One of the best places in London for shopping, dining and culture, you'll certainly have a packed yet laid-back evening exploring some of the very best cafés, restaurants and shops from big retailers to indie gems.
As there's almost always an event going on, each visit to the Covent Garden will prove to have something different in store for you.
Prepare to be whisked away for an unforgettable evening when you visit the Covent Garden on your London trip!
Book a self-guided walking tour of Covent Garden here:
Day 3 - A trip through time
Morning - British Museum
From Ancient Greece to Rome, Mesopotamia to Egypt – there are millions of years of history that lie within the British Museum, waiting to be discovered.
With exhibits from all around the world, explore the secrets of the past all under one roof in what's one of the world's most extensive collections of historic artefacts.
The museum is free to visit, but if you want to really gain an insight on the impressive range of displays, then you can pay for a private tour or an audio tour that will take you through the museum with information you wouldn't get anywhere else.
Head on a private guided tour or a self guided audio tour at the British Museum here:
Midday - The London Bridge & Tombs Experience
Looking for something spooky on your day out? If you’re feeling brave, visit the depths of the London Bridge & Tombs Experience, where you’ll learn stories of London’s grizzly past through a series of terrifying displays.
Live actors play characters from London's past as you see, hear and smell what London Bridge has been like throughout the years and how it all ties into the London we know today. This makes the perfect thing to do in London if you're visiting during Halloween!
It's not for the faint of heart! While the show is educational and humourous by nature, young children or people uncomfortable with gore may become uncomfortable in the Tombs section. If this is the case, be sure to look on Lovetovisit.com to get a feel for other attractions in the area that are perhaps less intense than the Tombs.
Buy your tickets to the London Bridge and Tombs Experience here:
Afternoon - Royal Museums Greenwich
Hop on the bus over to Greenwich for the next chapter of your London adventure. With Royal Museums Greenwich, you actually get to visit four different museums in just one outing.
Located within a walkable distance of each other, Royal Museums Greenwich includes an insight into naval history at the British Maritime Museum, a journey through space and time at the Royal Observatory, the brilliant Queen’s House gallery and set sail on board an old clipper ship with Cutty Sark.
You can spend more or less time at either of the sites if you choose to, but with each providing an educational and entertaining trip for people of all ages, they’re certainly worth checking out. We recommend the Greenwich Day Pass, which will entitle you to entry at all four of these marvellous museums.
Find out more on the four Royal Museums Greenwich and secure your tickets here:
Evening - Bustronome
Perhaps one of the best ways to eat in London would be on a Bustronome. After all, it's not everyday you get to experience fine dining on a double-decker bus in the UK's capital city!
Enjoy all the sites of London in the evening, as the city lights up throughout the night. All this, while you can help yourself to a tasty meal and even a sip of wine.
Book your Bustronome meal here:
Day 4 - Capital Discoveries
Morning - London Zoo
The next stop of the day should be ZSL London Zoo. In this wild paradise, you can spot all kinds of rare and exotic animals, including lions, tigers, monkeys, giraffes, zebras, hippos, monkeys and more!
Be sure to check out the ‘Tiny Giants’ exhibit for a brand new zoo experience that will delight adults and kids alike. From creepy crawlies to deep sea dwellers, this new part of the zoo will make you feel as though you’ve shrunk to the size of an ant as you explore the wondrous world around you.
Since there's so much here to see and do, London Zoo is likely going to take up a few hours of your day, so be sure to allow a lot of time to explore every little corner of the zoo.
Book your tickets to London Zoo here:
Midday - SEA LIFE Aquarium London
Get ready for an adventure to another world when you visit SEA LIFE London.
In this awesome underwater paradise, you can walk through shark tunnels, chill out with Gentoo penguins and come face to face with some turtle-ly awesome sea turtles!
Check out over 500 species of fish and marine life and the conservation methods being undergone by SEA LIFE to protect them when you visit SEA LIFE London Aquarium.
Book your tickets to SEA LIFE London here:
Afternoon - The National Gallery
Monet, van Gogh, da Vinci, these are just some of the legendary artists with works on display at The National Gallery.
With over 2,300 works, it makes for one of the UK's most comprehensive art collections with a variety of styles, eras and displays that are on show for when you visit.
There are events and exhibitions all year around, so be sure to keep an eye out for any exciting going-ons when you visit The National Gallery.
Get your tickets to The National Gallery here:
Evening - A Night on Shoreditch
Shoreditch is famous in London for its lively party atmosphere, so for all you party-people, be sure not to miss it!
On the London Shoreditch Pub Crawl, you'll explore a variety of pubs and clubs, with free shots at each one you visit. Get ready for mingling, laughing and dancing as you hit the town with your friends or make new ones as you embark on a night out like none other that you've been on before.
For obvious reasons, this tour is for 18+ only, so if you're looking for something to do with younger kids, or if you're not much of a drinker, then take a look on the Lovetovisit.com search engine in the area to find more family-friendly activities to get up to in the evenings.
Reserve your spot on a Shoreditch pub crawl here:
Day 5 - A Hollywood Finale
Morning - The Tower of London
Start your final day in the capital at the Tower of London, the world-famous cultural landmark that attracts visitors from far and wide. Most go to see the Crown Jewels, but there’s a lot more to the tower than just these.
William the Conqueror’s white tower overlooks the site of many scandals, executions, historic events and was even the site of execution of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, where her ghost is said to haunt the grounds to this day! Don’t get too spooked because you still have to meet the beefeaters in their famous red robes or to spot the curious ravens that visit the famous tower.
With so much intrigue, awe and mystery surrounding the Tower of London, it really does make an essential part of any London trip.
Book your Tower of London tickets here:
Midday - Brit Movie/Music Tours
It's time to see the city from the pop culture perspective of your favourite films and music. Brit Tours offers insightful tours around the city, focusing on specific media that is central to the cultural hub of London.
For movies, visit locations central to films and TV as varied as Doctor Who, Batman, Wonder Woman, Sherlock, The Crown, Doctor Strange, Paddington, Mary Poppins, Bridget Jones to name a few. If it's music you're after, then you'll find walking, bus and taxi tours for classic artists like The Beatles, David Bowie, Elton John, Queen and George Michael.
Whatever movies or music you love, there's going to be a tour that you're certain to love with Brit Tours.
Book a Brit Movie or Music Tour here:
Afternoon - Madame Tussauds
As the afternoon sets in, your next stop should be Madame Tussauds. Needing very little introduction, the famous London attraction has a massive collection of waxwork displays of celebrities, fictional characters and even the royal family.
Where else can you take selfies with Beyonce, The Rock, Darth Vader, Ed Sheeran and King Charles III all in one afternoon?
The iconic Made Tussauds remains a star of London’s many attractions and is still the best place to go celeb-spotting outside of the red carpet!
Get your tickets to Madame Tussauds in London here:
Evening - Catch a show on the West End
You must be exhausted from all the walking over the last five days, so for your trip’s grand finish, you can finally put your feet up and take in some spectacular shows. That’s right, it’s time to hit the West End!
The very best shows in the world call the famous West End their home, so there’s certainly no shortage of choices for what to watch on your big night out in London.
Experience that Disney magic with Frozen at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane or The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre. Catch a West End classic with Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre or The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Laugh at a comedy in Only Fools & Horses: The Musical at the Theatre Royal Haymarket or The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre. Or maybe you’re gearing up for Christmas season, in which case you should get yourself a ticket to A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic or The Nutcracker at the Royal Albert Hall.
Book your West End tickets here:
Whatever you choose to see, you’ll be concluding your London adventure with a huge smile on your face while you think about what to do for your next visit to the capital. Check out these Lovetovisit.com itineraries on how to spend one day, two days and three days in London.