Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in London?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in London?
Many travelers spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in London during their visit. After all, the historic city has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, and the theatre.
London is a world class international city that has charming neighborhoods, iconic landmarks, and a vibrant nightlife scene. There are a diversity of attractions that offer something for everyone. Although prices can be steep, there are many free activities as well, with wandering the many markets being a favorite of many visitors.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit London? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in London?
London offers plenty of activities and attractions and remains a top choice for tourists. So with three days, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the historic city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have at least 3 or as many as 7 days to fully enjoy the city. If you have three days or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
How to spend 3 days in London
When visiting London, you absolutely can't miss Big Ben as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.
Don't miss an evening at the theater while in town. Whether it's a musical, opera, ballet, or a famous Broadway-style production, London is known for its wide range of shows. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Phantom of the Opera Theater Show ($42)
- Tickets to Wicked the Musical Theater Show in London ($42)
- Frozen The Musical Tickets ($48)
London is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.
London is known for it's world-class museums and famous landmarks, so make sure you spend at least a day exploring at one or more of the most appealing. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace ($177)
- Hampton Court Palace 3hr tour: Henry VIII's & William III's intriguing Palaces ($229)
- Hampton Court Palace Grounds Bike Tour ($38)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Camden Pub Crawl in London ($32)
- The Original Shoreditch Pub Crawl ($32)
- Pub Crawl of Central London ($32)
The public transit in London is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.
In the big city of London, you'll want to dedicate at least a full day to discovering the unique neighborhoods, world-class attractions, and lively activities that are spread around the city. Don't miss out on visiting some of the city's most unique neighborhoods. This city is well connected to the rest of the world, making it international and diverse, as well as cosmopolitan. It has a thriving nightlife, world class theaters, and a restaurant scene that is impressive and evolving.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Silent Disco Thames Boat Party ($38)
- London in a Day with Tower, Westminster & River Cruise ($161)
- London to Southampton Cruise Terminals Private Port Transfer ($199)
Live music is very popular in London, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Brixton Self-Guided Music Walking Tour - Guided By Historian ($6)
- London Rock and Roll Music Tour ($79)
- Tickets to Wicked the Musical Theater Show in London ($42)
Is 4 days enough time in London?
Four days is generally not enough time to experience everything in London. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to wander through the museums, enjoy the city's energy, take in a show, and enjoy an evening out. To genuinely appreciate the highlights, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for at least 3 or as many as 7 days to immerse themselves fully in the charms of the area. After all, The very popular city of London has many activities and attractions for visitors. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
How to spend 4 days in London
With 4 days in London, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Shopping in London is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.
A few tour suggestions include:
- London Local Fashion Designers Shopping Tour with a Stylist ($119)
- Private Shopping Tour from London hotels to Outlet Ashford ($153)
- Half Day Private Shopping in London ($190)
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Eating London: The Heart of 'The City' Food Tour ($113)
- London East End Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours ($120)
- Eating London: Borough Market & Bankside Food Tour ($129)
Is 5 days enough time in London?
London is home to a multitude of sights and attractions, making it an extremely popular destination for tourists. Five days is just the right amount of time to see pretty much everything in London. Most visitors prefer to spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days here, and we have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting. Also, London is popular with families, couples, backpackers, and students which enjoy visiting because the city offers activities specifically for them.
London, England
How to spend 5 days in London
If you have more than 5 days in London, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
After you've explored most of London, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Stonehenge Inner Circle Access Day Trip from London Including Windsor ($201)
- Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford Day Trip from London ($125)
- Small-Group Day Trip to Bath, Lacock and Stonehenge from London ($220)
London is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city has quaint neighborhoods and stunning architectural landmarks that are not to be missed.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Secret Old London Guided Walking Tour ($23)
- Changing of the Guard Walking Tour ($28)
- The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour ($32)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about London, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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