The Short Answer to How Many Days to Spend in London
5-7 days is a great length for a balanced visit to London’s highlights and 1-2 day trips to sight see outside London.
I recommend staying in London for at least 3 days. That assumes you want just a taste of this wonderful city and will likely stay in Central London for your full visit.
Below you’ll find what I consider One Perfect Day in London if you’re really strapped for time.
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Why Visit London
London is a fantastic city, and often top of the list when people think about visiting the UK. It’s also large, hectic, and can be overwhelming when you try to pare down all there is to do to fit in your travel timeline. This guide will help you figure out how many days to spend in London to make sure you get a chance to see all your top sights. It also includes the one perfect day itinerary that I suggest to all my family and friends who are short on time in London.
Table of Contents
How Many Days to Spend in London: Choosing a Place to Stay
How much time you need to spend in London starts with sorting out where in London you’re going to stay. You can save money staying further out, but you’ll need more time to get around if you choose this option.
London has lots of hotels and rental flats, and they are all very expensive. I have a couple specific hotel recommendations, but mostly want to share with you the strategies I use to find a stay for myself or family and friends.
To Minimize Dragging Luggage Around
I like to figure out which train station I’ll be using to start my search. More on how to figure out your best station below. If you fly into Heathrow for example, then there’s a good chance you’ll arrive in Central London via Paddington Station. Choosing a place to stay within a short walk of that station will prevent you from dragging your luggage a long distance.
When you decide how many days to spend in London, you will find a shorter trip works best with less unnecessary luggage lugging. Check out Radical Storage for a short-term solution if you just need to drop your bags for a few hours
To be Near the Most Sights
Covent Garden or Soho are your best bets to be right in the middle of everything. There are a lot of hotels in this area. Unsurprisingly, you’re going to pay the highest rates in this area as well. Keep your budget in mind when deciding how many days to spend in London. You’ll max out much budget faster here, but save a lot of time.
To Find the Best Price
I’ve booked stays in London numerous ways in a bid to find the right balance of comfort and affordability. I’ve booked through a credit card travel points service, through AirBnB, Booking.com, and directly with a hotel. All of these have their uses in the right circumstances, but my best experiences have come from using Booking.com.
Using Credit Card Points
It is very tempting to trade in points for hotel stays in expensive London. I look into this option almost every time, but have only gone through with a purchase this way once. Hotels limit the rooms available for points booking and you’ll need to book well in advance to find one. Then, the number of points for a single night is usually very high.
It’s not uncommon for me to find booking one night with points followed by two nights paid comes out to more money than simply paying for all three nights at a nearby boutique hotel. Wiping out my points balance just to pay more money in the end is just not appealing.
Booking one night on points may help you extend how many days you spend in London but don’t forget about the time lost to moving between hotels.
Three Star Boutique Hotels
I love boutique hotels and you have many options in this category in London. Usually in the 3 to 4-star range, these are a great choice if you want a clean room with charm and little fuss. These hotels will also be a better fit to allow you to spend more days in London.
For an example of what you can find, the Hotel La Place is where I’ll next be spending a few nights in London. This hotel is in Marylebone, which is still quite central. It also looks just fancy enough to impress my tween daughter on our girls weekend.
There are a few reasons why this type of hotel might not be your best bet. First, you’re less likely to find a lift and more likely to encounter stairs. Many of these hotels are in old buildings that are not fitted with modern accessibility elements. Pay close attention to the hotel description and reach out before booking if this is a concern.
Finally, hotels in general aren’t always the best choice if you’re travelling with a group or multiple kids. London hotel rooms are rarely spacious. Two adults and two children may be forced into a 2-room booking if room occupancy caps at two people. I’ve had good luck finding rooms that will work for our 3-person family, but definitely check ahead for crib or rollaway availability if you’re not planning to all squeeze into bed together.
Booking Flats
Ever since I had my daughter, I’ve been a fan of booking apartments and houses when I travel. When she was little, it was great to keep her bedtime intact and still be able to spend time with my husband in a different room. More recently, we spent several days in London with a friend group of seven and wanted to have a shared space at the end of each day.
My favourite platform to find this type of booking is still Booking.com. I used Booking.com to find a flat right on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh last December that was the perfect amount of space. I also found a flat in Venice this year that is one of my favourite places I’ve ever stayed. It’s easier to spend more days in London when you aren’t cramped at the end of the day.
For that friend group of seven, I booked through AirBnB. I still use AirBnb, but have found I need to be a lot more cautious with their site. I avoid any new listings and carefully read all recent reviews. We’ve got on fine with the places I’ve booked, but I’ve had friends scammed or found themselves in accommodations that didn’t match the description.
Luggage Storage
When booking a flat, it’s often harder to leave luggage at the property before check-in or after check-out. Luckily, London has plenty of options for storing your luggage short-term. Check out Radical Storage to book a nearby safe storage so that you can maximize your exploring time.
Further from Central
Whatever type of lodging you hope to book, you can often save money by looking further out from Central London. Keep in mind that traveling around London can be time consuming. Is it worth the price difference to add a 40-minute commute to all the sights you’re hoping to see? Look at a map of where the lodging is located and see how far the closest Tube station is at a minimum.
If you want to get a general idea of the commute, I recommend searching for how long it will take to get to Trafalgar Square. London sights are spread out, but Trafalgar Square is reasonably central to a lot of them.
To Get Outside London
Not really a city person at heart? I get it. If you want to experience Central London, but retreat someplace quieter at the end of the day, I’ve still got you covered. As with any location not in Central London, choosing to stay outside London adds to how many days you should spend in London due to the commute.
Richmond Upon Thames
The first place I’d consider is Richmond Upon Thames. Richmond is a gorgeous affluent town perched on the Thames. It’s also a favourite of celebrities and a filming location for Ted Lasso. You’ll also be very close to Kew Gardens, home to 50,000 plants and UNESCO World Heritage site.
Richmond makes for a useful base when visiting London because it is one of the final outposts on the Tube’s District Line. It’s a commute to get to Central London locations, but you can reach many spots without a train change.
In the summer, you can visit Kew Gardens or Hampton Court Palace from Richmond by boat. Arrive the same way Henry VIII did! Along the way, you’ll navigate Teddington Lock and have plenty of choices for new dream homes spotted along the Thames. Speedier routes to Hampton Court Palace can also be had via overland trains and buses.
Finally, staying in Richmond places you close to Richmond Park. A former royal hunting ground, this expansive park is still a good spot for deer and other wildlife spotting. From King Henry’s Mound outside Pembroke Lodge you can see all the way to St. Paul’s Cathredral thanks to a protected sightline. For a convenient day out in nature as a break from the London tourist bustle, I can’t imagine anywhere better.
Hampstead
Hampstead is a charming residential community very popular with families in London. To the north of Central London, Hampstead is best known for Hampstead Heath. Hampstead Heath is an expansive nature area with woodlands and even swimming ponds open in the summer. Parliament Hill is a great choice for a sunset picnic enjoying views over London.
There aren’t as many hotels in Hampstead, but this would be a good place to seek a flat rental.
How Many Days to Spend in London: Getting Around – Arrival
Connecting to Central London via Trains or Planes
If you arrive to London via train, you should be arriving into one of London’s central train stations. These are most likely to be: London Euston (for arrivals from Ireland via ferry and train or from Manchester); St. Pancras International (for arrivals from Europe); or King’s Cross (for arrivals from Scotland). Helpfully, these stations are all very close together and have lots of easy connections for Tube journeys onward. Staying in this area will be convenient to the British Museum, Regents Park, and the British Library.
London has six major airports, but you’re most likely to arrive at either Heathrow or Gatwick airport. Both are a fair distance from Central London. Luckily, there are express trains from both and this is the method I suggest if you’re heading into London directly from the airport.
Note that it’s simple to fly into Heathrow and out of Gatwick, or vice versa. If you’re staying in Central London, both will be easy connections. You don’t need to add time to how many days you spend in London to take advantage of flight deals split between these airports.
Heathrow Express
The Heathrow Express service can be a lifesaver when you’re arriving jetlagged and just want to reach your destination already. Less direct trains are available as well, but take much longer. Heathrow Express will get you to Paddington in under 20 minutes. By comparison, the Piccadilly line takes 50 minutes to arrive at Piccadilly Circus. Express trains run every 15 minutes so no need to worry about a long wait between trains. Children 15 and under travel free with a paying adult.
Gatwick Express
While not as speedy as the Heathrow Express, the Gatwick Express service will get you to London Victoria in 30 minutes. It also runs every 15 minutes, so waiting time at the terminal should be minimal. I travel through Gatwick every time I go to London and have never booked the Gatwick Express. That doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable, but keep in mind that standard trains may get you there at a fraction of the price for not much more time invested. Up to two children under five travel free with a paying adult. Reduced child fares apply for children 6-15 years old.
How to Book Express Trains
As with all train travel in the UK, I recommend booking through Trainline. This is the best way to find the right combination of timing and price. Especially from Gatwick, it’s so helpful to see all the available trains so that you can book the best ticket for your circumstances. I book all my personal train travel this way.
Connecting to Central London via Taxi or Car Service
If you aren’t staying near one of the stations serviced by express trains or if you have a group traveling together, it can make sense to instead take a car into London. I do not mean driving yourself and will never encourage you to drive inside London. Between congestion charges and confusing, narrow roads, driving into London as a non-local is a recipe for a panic attack.
All of London’s airports are serviced by taxis, Uber and car services. London’s black cab taxis are iconic, but come with a steep cost for a slow journey. Expect to spend £45-70 for a 1 hour trip from Heathrow into Central London. Uber pricing varies, but is generally similar for this journey.
The best reason to take a car is if you are not staying within Central London. For instance, when our friends came to visit earlier this year we decided to meet near Hampton Court Palace for our first night. Train service would have required going into London and then doubling back to Hampton Court. I instead booked a car service to pick them up from Heathrow and bring them to our hotel in about 40 minutes.
Car service pricing is often similar to taxi pricing and includes waiting time for the driver to meet you. You can also request car seats for children in advance with your booking. There are lots of car service companies out there. My personal favorite is London Minicab Service. You do need to book in advance, but they are very good at helping decide a good meeting time based on your flight arrival.
How Many Days to Spend in London: Getting Around – Sight Seeing
Ok, you’ve made it to your hotel or rental flat and are ready to go tackle the City! How are you going to get there? As you’re deciding how many days to spend in London, don’t underestimate time spent between sights. It’s not uncommon to spend 30+ minutes on a single commute within Central London.
Tube / London Underground
The most common and most well-known way to get around London is on the Tube (London Underground). The Tube originated with the world’s first underground railway, which opened in 1863. Continuing to expand and improve over the years, the most recent Elizabeth Line just opened in 2022.
Riding the Tube is usually a pretty pleasant experience, but rush hour can bring a crush. If you can keep your rides to after 9am and avoid 4-6pm, you’ll be a lot happier. Also keep in mind that not all trains are air-conditioned and can get pretty toasty in the summer.
Tube Maps
Maps for the Tube are posted in every station. I recommend going right to the source online for a current map – Transport for London Tube Map. An important thing to remember when reviewing this map is that it is not geographically accurate. Don’t assume that a Tube ride is going to be faster than walking if you’re only going one or two stops. I like to use Apple Maps or Google Maps and compare transit versus walking time. If it’s only 10 minutes or so faster to take the Tube, I’ll walk.
Fares
Paying for passage can be more confusing than navigating the Tube. Your best method to pay adult fares are with a tap to pay credit card or an Oyster Card. Visitor Oyster Cards can be arranged prior to your trip and mailed to your home. It makes for a fun souvenir you get before you even leave! If you are traveling with a child between 6 and 15, they can use a Visitor Oyster Card too. Ask a TfL staff member for help when you arrive to get the child discount applied to their Oyster Card.
If you prefer to pay with a tap-to-pay credit card, keep in mind that you have to use a different card for each person in your party. You will have to tap the card, or your phone if using Apple Pay or Google Pay, at the entrance and exit gates. The service tracks your journey based on these taps and will not admit a second person on the same card account, even if you have separate physical cards. If you want to pay as you go, but only use one account for your journey, then I’d recommend an Oyster Card for secondary travelers.
Child Fares
Children under 5 travel free with a paying adult on the tube. Use the wide gates and bring the child through with you when you tap in or out. No separate ticket needed.
Finding the Best Fare
I find that pay as you go is the most cost effective fare, but check the TfL website for travelcard rates if you’re planning to be in London 7 days or longer.
Bus
The bus will often be a slower option than the Tube, but faster than walking and a great way to see more of the city between your sights. Riding in front on the top level can be a dizzying experience and really fun too!
If you have a Visitor Oyster Card or a tap-to-pay credit card, you simply tap the payment pad as you enter the bus. If you have a Travelcard or other paper ticket, just show that to the driver as you board. Note that you don’t tap anything when you exit – just hop off!
One quick word about safety on the buses. If you are new to bus riding, keep in mind that the bus driver will not wait for everyone to be seated before moving. Especially if you are on the stair headed up top, make sure you hold onto the rail in case of sudden movement.
Walk
London is a dream for walking. So many of my best experiences here have happened while I was walking to something else. Don’t limit yourself to only the big tourist sites separated by busy Tube rides. If the distance is reasonable for you, I highly recommend going on foot.
Tours
A tour guide can open London up for you and point out things you wouldn’t notice on your own. A tour can also gain you access to areas you might otherwise miss, or bundle multiple destinations into one efficient day of sightseeing. If you have to limit how many days you spend in London, these can be great timesavers.
Walking Tours
No surprise here, but my favourite type of tour is a walking tour. Explore narrow alleys or canals you’d never see from a vehicle and learn about spots that have inspired or terrified over the centuries.
I’ve been on many walking tours in London and always come back to book more with London Walks. They’ve been doing this for decades and they do it well. Walks run 7 days a week and there is a topic to intrigue everyone. I personally loved the Harry Potter film locations tour and Westminster by Gaslight. Tours typically last 2 hours.
Bus Tours
Hop on hop off bus tours are a good choice if you need to see London in a whirlwind or if anyone in your group isn’t up to a long walking day. I have not made much use of these options myself as London is easy to travel on foot or via public transit. For the best pricing on bus tours, look to book ahead via Viator or GetYourGuide.
Package Tours
Speaking of booking ahead, Viator and GetYourGuide can help you book transport and guides for day trips to sights outside London or make sure you get to London’s most iconic experiences. For instance, this tour on Viator gets you into St. Paul’s and the Tower of London, a photo stop at Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace and a river cruise on the Thames. If you’re up for a long tour day, you can book this bus tour on GetYourGuide to visit Stonehenge, Windsor and Bath in one day.
How Many Days to Spend in London: Ways to Spend Your Time
Exploring on your own is also very doable in London as long as you map out your route in advance and hold onto your patience when you inevitably get lost. Here are tips on the types of things you can get up to and how much time to devote to each.
Historic Sites and Museums
This is probably the reason you’re here, right? London is world famous for its history and museums. I’ve grouped specific options together by area further down. In general, I recommend visiting only one historic site or museum each day. You’re unlikely to spend more than 4 hours at any location, but you will get museum fatigue if you cram too much in. Don’t be tempted to limit how many days you spend in London and then make those days miserable with too much booked.
To save some money, investigate membership for areas under the same group. For instance, if you plan to visit the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace, it is probably going to save you money to sign up for a Historic Royal Palace Membership that grants access to both locations. Many people overlook this option assuming an annual membership would be more expensive.
Shopping
Department Stores
Harrods is known the world over as a shopping destination for the fabulously wealthy. I’ve been several times with visitors who wanted to see it and… it’s fine. If you really want to see the stupid prices people are willing to pay for some things, then go. Otherwise, give this one a miss. If you just want to check the highlights where you might actually buy something, aim for the Food Hall for fancy treats and take a quick look at the Egyptian style escalator.
Selfridges is similar to Harrods in feel, which makes sense as these two have long been rivals. Some people swear by the Selfridges Food Hall, though, and you’re slightly more likely to find something to actually purchase here.
The two department stores I recommend visiting are Liberty London and Fortnum & Mason. Liberty’s building is worth your trouble even if you don’t make a purchase. Fortnum & Mason’s food hampers are iconic and a fun diversion as well.
All of these stores also have public restrooms that are free and well-kept. Worth a stop in if you’re in the area and in need.
Regent Street and Oxford Street
Piccadilly Circus is a popular spot to see and a good starting point if you want to wander London’s best known shopping streets. Fortnum & Mason is close to here if you’d like to start with a department store. Take a minute to take in the madness at Piccadilly Circus before setting off up Regent Street toward Oxford Circus. Liberty London is just off Regent Street before you reach Oxford Circus.
Oxford Street is awash in shops, including several outposts for brands like Cath Kidston that have shut many other store locations over the past couple of years. Oxford Street unfortunately also has a fair load of junk stores, most infamous being the American Candy Stores. Best to avoid those like the plague.
Markets
For a chance at more unique shopping, don’t overlook London’s many markets. No matter how many days you spend in London, a market visit is a great idea. I talk about Borough Market in the One Perfect Day section, but this one is generally great for food and spices. Spitalfields is a bit further out but has the best all-around selection of unique goods.
Camden Market has a reputation for being edgier. If you’re hoping for that edge, or maybe avoiding for the same reason, you should know that it’s pretty gentrified these days. I do recommend a meal at Camden Market and a walk along the canals towards Regent Park for a low-key day out.
I found the Portobello Road Market disappointingly generic, but some of the local shops are worth a visit. Portobello Road is also worth the trip for any Notting Hill fans as the area still feeds off that fandom.
Places to Eat
You have to eat no matter how many days you spend in London. The best way to eat when travelling anywhere is to turn away from the tourist area, walk at least a couple blocks, and then see what looks promising.
Pubs can be anything from dingy spots where you’d really prefer to just grab a drink to full-on foodie destinations. For the latter, try The Prince Alfred. They have a delicious menu and are a great stop for a drink after wandering Little Venice. The building is also historic for preserving its “snob screens”, a Victorian-era invention intended to provide privacy to women ordering at the ladies’ bar.
Soho is home to trendier restaurants. I love El Pastor in this area when I need a Mexican food hit. Its sister restaurant can be found over in Borough Market.
Covent Garden also hosts a lot of great options. My personal favourite is Home Slice Pizza in Neil’s Yard. I always try to nab a reservation here when visiting the British Museum a short walk away.
Markets are again your friend when you don’t want to make a reservation and want a diverse range of options. The Seven Dials Market in Covent Garden is fully indoors and home to a conveyor belt cheese bar restaurant. What more can you ask for, really?
If you are tired of English pub food, do go have a curry in Brick Lane or try one of the many delicious options in Chinatown.
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is a well-known pastime for London visitors. You can find a simple cream tea (tea plus a scone) in many restaurants. The elaborate afternoon teas are found in fancier hotels and some restaurants. You will definitely need to book ahead for a true afternoon tea. Go to Fortnum & Mason for reserved and classic. Go to Aqua Shard for exquisite views and a fitting Peter Pan theme in the sky. The Ritz and The Savoy get you the fanciest hotel experiences. For the most unique, try the Charlie & The Chocolate Factory theme at One Aldwych.
When factoring in how many days to spend in London, keep in mind that afternoon tea is a leisurely affair that will take a few hours.
Theatre
The West End hosts all of the big ticket plays and musicals you could hope for. It’s also pretty common to find big names headlining shows here. For any of the more popular shows, book ahead to avoid disappointment.
If you’re flexible on which show you’ll see, TKTS sells discounted tickets to shows close-in to the show date. Some shows additionally host lotteries for a set number of tickets to each show at very steep discounts. Check with the theatre directly for these.
An experience unique to London can be had by watching a production at Shakespeare’s Globe. A replica of the theatre as it would have appeared in Elizabethan times, you can’t get a more authentic venue for Shakespeare than this.
Seasonal events
Depending on the time of year that you visit, look out for seasonal events special to London. A couple that are always winners are ice skating in the winter and outdoor movies in the summer. For ice skating, look to Somerset House for the most scenic locations. For movies, Rooftop Film Club does a fun slate in unique rooftop locations.
Best Spots for Young Kids
Bringing kids with you on the trip? London does not leave them out of the fun. Here are a few itinerary ideas to cater specifically for the under-10 set. It’s a good idea in general to add to how many days you spend in London when traveling with littles. They can enjoy a lot here, but if you run them ragged there will be consequences.
London Transport Museum
Really hands-on look at the history of transportation in London. Lots of opportunities to clamber aboard vehicles and many buttons to push.
Museum Activity Trails
At any London museum, head to the Family Desk to inquire about activities. Many of the museums have activity trails just for kids. These are an engaging way to help your kids find their own angle on the exhibits and prevent you from dragging a bored kid around after you.
Natural History Museum
This museum appeals to all ages and is a perfect addition to any family itinerary. Book ahead for any of the special exhibits.
London Zoo
The London Zoo is small compared to many others but is perfect for kids that want to see everything. It’s also a great choice for little legs that can’t manage a vast environment. Don’t miss the excellent penguin exhibit!
Terrible Thames: Horrible Histories River Cruise
Kids that love their history with a bit of humor and kid-appropriate gore will love this outing. Enjoy charismatic actors telling terrible tales while you cruise along the Thames.
Unicorn Theatre
If you are interested in theatre, but not sure your child is up to a full West End show, then look no further than Unicorn Theatre. They run a wonderful slate of productions devoted to a younger audience.
The Young Londoner
For what’s coming up right now, I love The Young Londoner. Especially good for pointing out kid-friendly art and theatre productions.
Things to Skip
Madame Tussauds
Please, just don’t.
Changing of the Guard
I find this to be one of those things where you never have the view you hoped for and the whole thing is a bit underwhelming.
Instead, head over to watch the Changing of the Horse Guards. Still not a giant thing, but way less of a crowd and you are much closer to the action.
The London Eye
Again, this is fine. It’s very expensive, though. If you must have a birds eye view of London, book a free entry to the Sky Garden instead.
How to Spend One Perfect Day in London
Every time I visit London with friends or family, we spend a day in London like this. This isn’t going to show you all of the big London hits, but it can be a perfect taste of London that will make you want to come back for more. It’s especially good if this is your first time in London.
Tower of London
Let’s start our day at the iconic Tower of London. Book the earliest entry time available, typically around 9am. This will be your best chance to enjoy the Tower with lessened crowds. This place deserves its own post, but there are a couple things you should make a point to see. The Crown Jewels are a big draw and can build a big line. Make sure to join a tour with one of the fantastic Yeoman Warders for a brief history and a dose of charm for your visit.
Tower Bridge
Once you’re ready to leave the Tower, head back out to the Thames and cross over Tower Bridge. Tower Bridge is this one:
Potters Fields Park
When you reach the far side of Tower Bridge, take the stairs down and under the bridge to the Queen’s Walk along the Thames. Potters Fields Park is a lovely green space here and the perfect spot for getting your beauty shots with Tower Bridge.
From here, walk through More London Place up to Tooley Road. Continue down Tooley Road past London Bridge train station and cross Borough High Street. From here, you’ll be looking at Southwark Cathedral. There’s a set of stairs to your left that will lead you down into Borough Market.
Borough Market
A market has been on the site of Borough Market for 1,000 years. Today, it is the perfect place to wander and find a delicious lunch from one or more of the delicious vendors. Stoney Street in the market also holds a collection of sit-down restaurants. Borough Market is open daily, but the largest selection of vendors can be found at the weekend.
Bankside and Shakespeare’s Globe
When you’re ready to move on, head down Stoney Street back toward the Thames and take a left on Clink Street. This will bring you out to the Bankside walk along the Thames. A short way down you’ll come to Shakespeare’s Globe, a replica of the Elizabethan theatre that hosts guided tours and stage productions of Shakespeare plays. This is a fun tour if you have the time and energy. If not, take some pictures and continue down the Thames.
Millennium Bridge and Tate Modern
Just past the Globe is the Millennium Bridge and Tate Modern. Tate Modern is housed in a former power station, making for a very distinctive façade. The modern art inside isn’t for everyone, but the rotating exhibits in the entrance hall are occasionally great and worth a quick peek to see what’s on.
Cross the pedestrian only Millenium Bridge for more river views and your first peek at St. Paul’s Cathedral. If you can tear your eyes from the beautiful views, also take some time to look down at the bridge itself as you cross it. Ben Wilson, a local street artist, creates tiny artworks on top of gum that has been dropped and ground into the bridge surface. This is one of the easiest places to spot his work as it’s all over the bridge.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
You can’t miss St. Paul’s as you come off Millenium Bridge. Views of St. Paul’s and other London landmarks are actually protected by law. From here, though, it’s a very short walk to be in front of the building itself. If you’re not too exhausted at this point, you can pay to tour the inside of St. Paul’s as well, though the outside of the building is spectacular in its own right.
From here, grab a bite to eat or head back to your hotel to relax and freshen up before taking in a West End show to cap your night.
What to See by Area
Build your plans from here for lining up sights near to each other and estimate the time to spend on each. Each route adds 1-2 days to how many days you should plan to spend in London.
Buckingham to Parliament
Buckingham Palace
Walk by and take pictures. 15-30 minutes
St. James’ Park
Look for the resident pelicans here or simply enjoy the peaceful stroll. 30 minutes to walk through.
Westminster Abbey
Beautiful inside and out. 15 minutes to take photos outside. Approximately 2 hours for a full visit.
Houses of Parliament
Well worth a tour if you remember to book far in advance. For most, it’s a quick stop for photos and to see Big Ben. Get the best photo by first heading across Westminster Bridge.
Churchill War Rooms
Fascinating look at the bunker used by Winston Churchill and staff during WWII. Approximately 3 hours.
British Museum to Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a good central point for a nice walk between all of these. If you are interested in the alternate choices on this route, either skip the British Museum or add another day to how many days you spend in London.
British Museum
The first national museum in the world, this is a must visit. You can spend all day here and not see everything. Most people surrender to museum fatigue after about 3 hours.
Seven Dials
Unique shopping area named for the seven streets all connecting to the same central point. Head to Neal’s Yard for its colourful courtyard and a slice of pizza at Home Slice. Walk through time only unless you stop to eat.
Trafalgar Square
Home of the famous lion statues and Lord Nelson monument. If you didn’t eat in Seven Dials, consider a stop at the Café in the Crypt at St. Martin-in-the-Fields for a unique experience. 15-30 minutes to take photos in the Square
Alternates on this route – add another day in London to do all of them
National Gallery
Located in Trafalgar Square, this is a good choice if you aren’t all out of museum energy or if you want to skip the British Musuem in favour of art. The gallery’s collection is beautiful, and the building interiors take it to another level. 3-4 hours.
London Transport Museum
If you’re visiting with kids, this is an excellent choice. Fun look at the history of transportation in London. 1.5-2 hours.
Somerset House
Well worth a walk through the courtyard even if you don’t plan to attend an exhibit here. Check their website for current exhibits and special events. Top choice for ice skating in the winter. 15 minutes to walk through.
Museum Row
This area packs a punch and each museum could easily take up your full day. Time estimates are how long you should expect to see the highlights. If you want to see all of these museums without burning out, add a day to how many days you spend in London for each of them.
Victoria & Albert Museum
This art and design focused museum is massive and routinely runs excellent supplemental exhibits. Worth a look to see what’s on when you’ll be here. 3-4 hours.
Natural History Museum
Dinosaurs, stuffed animals, gemstones, and an earthquake simulator are just a few of the things that await you here. Really fun for kids, and fascinating for adults. 3-4 hours.
Science Museum
Choose this museum for a fascinating look at all things science and tech. Also a good choice for kids as they host a lot of child activities. 3-4 hours.
The City
The financial district of London can be eerily quiet on the weekend when the suits all go home, but don’t underestimate this area for its own unique charms. This is a lighter day for your days to spend in London itinerary.
London Mithraeum
Nothing says London history quite like finding a Roman temple to Mithras under a finance building. See the ancient temple and artifacts found in the area. 1 hour.
Leadenhall Market
A film location from the Harry Potter films and a market location dating back to Roman times. The current structure here is Victorian and a lovely place to shop or have a meal. 15-30 minutes to meander through.
Museum of London
A look at London’s history from the Roman era to current, this excellent museum is situated next to a portion of the Roman city wall. 1 hour to tour the museum.
How Many Days to Spend in London: Day Trips
Yes, you’ve come to see London, but there is so much more just a stone’s throw away. Consider these day trips to get a look at England outside the big city.
You can package some of these through Viator or GetYourGuide to maximize what you can see in a day. Whether you take a tour or travel independently, add a day to how many days you spend in London for each of these side trips.
Hampton Court Palace
This is hands down my favorite place to visit. The history of this palace is as expansive as the grounds and you can easily spend all day here. Easy train trip out of London in about 45 minutes. Visit for the day or check out the adjacent Kings Arms Hotel for a wonderful boutique overnight stay.
Windsor Castle
Takes more effort to get here and I mostly recommend this for big fans of the Royal Family as this remains a royal residence. Direct train trip in under an hour from London Waterloo.
Stonehenge
It’s far and a pain to get to, but still fascinating. You can take a train to Salisbury and a dedicated bus from there, or book onto a day trip tour out of London. This half-day tour coordinates your bus travel to and from Stonehenge, making your visit a breeze to plan!
Brighton
Spending a day in Brighton is the easiest way to experience the British seaside. This town is also London’s more liberal sister and great for unique shopping and people watching. About an hour by train from London Victoria.
Arundel Castle
I am baffled that this castle is not more on the radar for tourists from London. If you want to see a real castle that underwent a siege in the 1600s, you’ll find that here. It also happens to still be called home to the current Duke of Norfolk’s family and showcases the family’s eccentric collection of historic items.
About 1.5 hours from London Victoria to Arundel and an easy walk to the castle from the station.
All of these day trips can be reached by public transportation. If you want to go further afield, check out my rental car guide and guide to driving in the UK.
I hope this guide helps you decide how many days to spend in London and plan a perfect itinerary for your next trip.
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