London Itinerary & Travel Guide
London is one of the world's great cities — an inexhaustible mix of free world-class museums, iconic landmarks, incredible food from every cuisine, and the Thames winding through it all. You could visit a dozen times and still find something new.
Build my personalized London plan
This 5-day itinerary is a starting point. Planawai's AI trip planner rebuilds it around your dates, budget, pace and who you travel with, with a map and cost estimate for every day. Free to start.
London itineraries by trip length
About London
London is one of the world's great cities — a place where you can see a Raphael in a free museum in the morning, eat your way through Borough Market at lunchtime, and catch a West End premiere in the evening. The city's scale is deceptive: the Tube makes neighbourhoods feel close, but each one has its own distinct personality, from the Georgian terraces of Islington to the Victorian arcades of Mayfair. The one detail that surprises visitors most is that the best museums — the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Tate Modern, the V&A — are entirely free to enter.
Top attractions in London
- Tower of London
- Tate Modern
- British Museum
- Buckingham Palace
- Borough Market
- Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens
- Notting Hill
- The Shard
London travel tips
- Use a contactless bank card or Apple/Google Pay directly on the Tube — it charges the same daily cap as an Oyster card with no queuing to top up; single fares with a physical ticket are significantly more expensive.
- The major national museums (British Museum, Natural History Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery, V&A) are free; budget accordingly so you can eat well instead — London's restaurant scene at mid-range prices is exceptional.
- Book popular restaurants and theatre tickets at least a week ahead; last-minute theatre tickets at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square can be legitimately discounted (day-of only, in person).
- Mind the weather and layer up: a light waterproof jacket is non-negotiable year-round; summers are warm but rarely hot, and rain arrives without warning.
London FAQ
How many days do you need in London?
Most travelers plan 5 to 10 days in London. Five days in London gives you time to explore the historic core around the City and Westminster, venture into South London's vibrant food and art scene, and spend at least one afternoon getting deliberately lost in a neighbourhood that catches your eye.
When is the best time to visit London?
The best time to visit London is May–September.
What are the must-see places in London?
Top sights in London include Tower of London, Tate Modern, British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Borough Market. Our 5, 7 and 10-day itineraries group them by day so you are not crossing the city back and forth.
What currency and language are used in London?
London uses the British Pound (£), and the main language is English.
Can I get a personalized London itinerary?
Yes. Planawai is an AI trip planner: tell it your dates, budget, travel style and who you are traveling with, and it builds a day-by-day London plan with real places, a map for each day and a cost estimate. It is free to start on the web, iPhone and Android.