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How many days in London? A perfect guide for first-time visitors
3–5 days is ideal for most London trips. See what to do each day and plan a realistic London itinerary based on your time and pace.
Most travellers need three to five days in London to see the main highlights without feeling rushed. This guide breaks down how many days in London are enough based on different travel styles, showing what you can realistically cover in three, four, or five days so you can plan a balanced London itinerary.
London is a large, layered city with world-class museums, historic landmarks, neighbourhoods, and food scenes. Using a broader London travel guide alongside your itinerary can also help you understand how areas connect and where it makes sense to slow down.
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How many days should you spend in London?
The ideal number of days to spend in London depends on whether you want a highlights-only trip or time to explore beyond the basics. Below is a realistic breakdown of what different trip lengths look like, including pacing and who each option suits best.
3-day London itinerary
A 3-day London itinerary is best for first-time visitors with limited time who want to see the city’s biggest highlights. The pace is busy but realistic if you group sights by area and plan transport carefully. Using a tourist card for London will be helpful when navigating the London public transport.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Westminster area (Big Ben and Parliament) | Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park | Covent Garden |
| Day 2 | British Museum or National Gallery | Soho and Piccadilly Circus | Dinner in Chinatown and pub scene |
| Day 3 | Tower of London and Tower Bridge | St. Paul’s Cathedral | South Bank views and riverside walks |
This option focuses on iconic landmarks and central neighbourhoods. You’ll see a lot, but there’s limited flexibility if delays or weather changes affect your plans, so packing light using a practical London packing list can make moving around easier.
4 days London itinerary
Four days in London gives you more breathing room and a better balance between sightseeing and enjoyment. It suits travellers who want to see the highlights without feeling constantly rushed.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Big Ben and Westminster Abbey | Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park | West End shows |
| Day 2 | V&A or Natural History Museum | Kensington Palace | Notting Hill |
| Day 3 | British Museum | Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus | Dinner in Chinatown |
| Day 4 | Borough Market | Tower Bridge and Tower of London | South Bank riverside walk and the London Eye |
With four days, you get time for a balanced mix of landmarks, museums, neighbourhoods, and evening plans. It also gives you flexibility to slow down at places like Borough Market or plan meals more intentionally by checking where to eat in London ahead of time.
5 days London itinerary
A 5-day London itinerary works well for first-time visitors who want to see the key sights and still have time to slow down. Instead of packing every day full, five days lets you build a more comfortable rhythm, longer museum visits, extra time in neighbourhoods, and evenings that don’t feel squeezed between attractions.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tower of London and Tower Bridge | Sky Garden | West End Shows |
| Day 2 | British Museum | Soho afternoon tea | Covent Garden |
| Day 3 | Westminster area (Big Ben and Parliament) | Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park | Dinner and pub scene |
| Day 4 | Notting Hill and Portobello Road Market | The Regent’s Park | Camden Market |
| Day 5 | Borough Market | St. Paul’s Cathedral | Shoreditch |
With five days, you can organise your trip by themes and areas, leaving room for spontaneous discoveries, local cafés, or revisiting favourite spots. It’s also a comfortable option if your visit overlaps with major events, such as marathon weekend, when knowing the best place to watch the London Marathon can shape your daily plans.
London with day trips — how many extra days do you need?
Day trips outside London make sense once you’ve spent at least 4–5 days in London. Adding one or two extra days lets you explore beyond the city without sacrificing core attractions.
Popular options include Windsor, Oxford, and Bath, all of which are easy to reach by train. If you’re interested in expanding your itinerary, this guide to day trips from London helps you decide which destinations fit best with your schedule.
For travellers staying longer, London works well as a base rather than a place you need to rush through.
Stay connected during London trip with Holafly
Using an eSIM for international travel makes it easier to check routes, reserve tickets, and coordinate plans without relying on public Wi-Fi. With Holafly, travellers can choose a UK eSIM or a London eSIM with unlimited data and 24/7customer support included in every plan.
Coverage works across the city, whether you’re navigating the Tube, checking maps between attractions, or adjusting plans while exploring different things to do in London. You can browse options through the eSIM shop before your trip, so everything works as soon as you land.
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