The Ultimate 5-Day London Itinerary
Five days in London: steal this perfectly paced plan
This itinerary moves chronologically through five days, starting in Westminster and spiralling outward to encompass East London's street food, West London's elegant streets, and a day trip to Windsor. Each stop accounts for the actual walking distances and opening hours current to September 2026. Where crowds matter, the timing is staggered to favour mornings and weekdays. The plan prioritises neighbourhood depth over a list of ticked boxes: you'll eat where locals eat, walk where locals walk, and finish with enough detail to know whether to book ahead. Ordered by day, then by the time you'd reasonably arrive.
Westminster Abbey
Parliament Street, Westminster · Church and Royal Palace · Monday–Saturday 9:30am–3:30pm, entry £28
Westminster Abbey is where Buckingham Palace, the Changing of the Guard and Trafalgar Square anchor a morning's work. The queues move faster in the first hour after opening. Once inside, take the door to the cloisters instead of rushing through the nave—it's quieter and the light is better. The palace State Rooms open only in summer (9 July–27 September 2026), so Book Buckingham Palace for the afternoon if you want the full royal picture.
Borough Market
8 Southwark Street, South Bank · Food market with international traders · Tuesday–Friday 10am–5pm, Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday 10am–4pm, free entry
Borough Market opens from 10 am - 5 pm Monday to Friday, 9 am - 5 pm on Saturday and 10 am - 4 pm on Sunday. It gets busy on weekend afternoons, and some traders aren't open on all days—typically on limited market days early in the week. Come before noon on a Thursday for the real market experience without the Instagram crowd. The nearest station is London Bridge, which is about four minutes walk away.
Tower of London and Tower Bridge
Tower of London, Tower Hill · Historic fortress and Crown Jewels · Sunday–Monday 10am–4:30pm, Tuesday–Saturday 9am–4:30pm, entry £35
The Tower of London has served as a royal palace, fortress, prison and even a zoo, originally built by William the Conqueror in 1078. Start with the Crown Jewels before they grow crowded, then work outward through the medieval White Tower. Tower Bridge offers better views of the Thames from inside its walkway than from outside it. Set aside three hours minimum.
Shoreditch Street Art and Brick Lane
Shoreditch High Street and Brick Lane, East London · Street art quarter with cafes and vintage shops · Daily, free entry
Shoreditch is London's street art capital—and arguably one of the most important open-air galleries in Europe, spread across the East End boroughs of Hackney and Tower Hamlets. Walls change within weeks, new artists arrive constantly, and the tension between spontaneous graffiti and commissioned murals plays out daily. The café scene supports extended browsing. Come early on a weekday before the tour groups.
The Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum
Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury · Medieval textile exhibition · Daily 10am–5:30pm (extended hours on some days), timed entry ticket required
The Bayeux Tapestry arrives at the British Museum on September 10, on loan from France and on display until July 2027—the first time the 230-foot embroidery has left France in over 900 years. Tickets from 10 September – 31 December 2026 have sold out, but there will be further ticket releases with bookings for 1 January – 31 March 2027 opening on 21 October 2026. Book the second release as soon as it opens. The museum's permanent galleries are free if you can't secure a ticket.
Covent Garden Piazza and Market
Covent Garden, West End · Historic market hall and street performances · Apple and Jubilee Markets daily from 10am, free to enter
The iconic Covent Garden Piazza hosts live street performances every day, with a rotating mix of opera singers, classical musicians, magicians, acrobats and comedy acts performing throughout the afternoon and early evening. Apple Market and Jubilee Market Hall offer arts, crafts, jewellery, gifts, antiques and collectables, with the mix of traders and stalls changing by day. Go for coffee mid-morning before the lunchtime rush, or time an early dinner for a pre-theatre show at one of the 20+ theatres in Covent Garden, home to The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet.
Portobello Road Market, Notting Hill
Portobello Road, Notting Hill · Antiques and vintage market · Saturday 9am–5pm for full market, weekdays 8am–6pm (partial stalls), free entry
The main market day for antiques is Saturday, the only day when all five sections are opened: second-hand goods, clothing and fashion, household essentials, fruit, vegetables and other food, and antiques. The market's main trading day is Saturday; arrive early to beat the crowds. After decades of gentrification, Notting Hill has a reputation as an affluent and fashionable area, known for attractive terraces of large Victorian townhouses, high-end shopping and restaurants. The cream townhouses are worth the trip alone.
Windsor Castle
Windsor, Berkshire · Royal castle with State Apartments · Thursday–Monday 10am–5:15pm (last entry 4pm), closed Tuesday–Wednesday, entry £32 advance
The best way from London to Windsor Castle is by train from Paddington (fastest: 22–28 min via Slough) or Waterloo (direct: ~55 min). Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world and an official royal residence, with the State Apartments, St George's Chapel, and Queen Mary's Dolls' House inside. July, August, September: Castle open six days a week; closed on Wednesdays only, so timing works in September. Book tickets online in advance and give yourself four hours minimum.
Impala
Soho, West End · Modern Mediterranean with live energy · Dinner from 6pm, booking essential
September 2026 brings the frankly exceptional Impala in Soho as the top new restaurant in London. This is where to eat on day three once you've done Covent Garden's theatre district. The room runs hot and loud—exactly what September in London should sound like. Book a week ahead for a Friday or Saturday, or take your chances with a walk-in on Tuesday.
Tea at Kensington Palace or a Thames Riverside Walk
Kensington Gardens, Kensington · Royal palace and gardens · Daily 10am–6pm, entry £25, or free riverside walk from Westminster Bridge
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are the classic choice, with boating on the Serpentine and Kensington Palace (open year-round, around £25) on their western edge. End with a leisurely stroll along the River Thames—as the sun begins to set, the illuminated skyline creates one of London's most memorable views, and depending on your energy level, you can continue toward the London Eye or simply enjoy dinner at one of the riverside restaurants. This doubles as your farewell to the city.
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