London is a global cultural capital with 2,000 years of history.
From royal culture to modern art, here’s how to make the most of your trip in free museum heaven.
London 5 Days 4 Nights: A Tour of History and Culture in the Royal City
Daily Itinerary
Day 1
Westminster & Royal Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace Changing of the Guard ceremony begins at 11am. Arrive 30 minutes early and get a seat.
Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace
1
Big Ben & Houses of Parliament, symbols of London. A magnificent neo-Gothic building. The bell of Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) rings around the world. Panoramic view taken from Westminster Bridge. Exterior view only. Right in front of Westminster Station.
09:00 30분A symbol of London. A magnificent neo-Gothic building. The bell of Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) rings around the world. Panoramic view from Westminster Bridge.
Appearance only possible. Right in front of Westminster Station.
2
Westminster Abbey is a gothic cathedral where British royal coronations and weddings are held. Princess Diana's funeral and Prince William's wedding venue. Graves of famous people including Newton and Darwin. Admission fee: £27. Online reservation required. Free admission during Sunday services (no tours allowed).
10:00 1시간 30분A Gothic cathedral where British royal coronations and weddings are held. Princess Diana's funeral and Prince William's wedding venue. Graves of famous people such as Newton and Darwin.
Entry fee £27. Online reservation required. Free admission during Sunday services (no tours allowed).
3
Buckingham Palace Guard Changing Ceremony. British Royal Guard Changing Ceremony. The symbol is a red uniform and a bear fur hat. Marching with music band playing. Essential sightseeing in London. Starts at 11am and lasts 45 minutes. Not every day (check the official site). Competition for a spot in front of the palace's main gate is fierce.
11:30 45분Changing ceremony of the British Royal Guard. The symbol is a red uniform and a bear fur hat. Marching with music band playing. A must see in London.
Starts at 11am and lasts 45 minutes. Not every day (check the official site). Competition for a spot in front of the palace's main gate is fierce.
4
Pub lunch Experience British pub culture. Fish and chips and shepherd's pie are representative menu items. With a glass of ale. Fish and chips £15, beer £6. The pub is crowded with office workers at lunchtime. Visit before 12 o'clock.
13:00 AnglicismExperience British pub culture. Fish and chips and shepherd's pie are representative menu items. With a glass of ale.
5
St James Park, the royal park in front of Buckingham Palace. Pelicans live in the lake and there are many squirrels. Picnics on the lawn are popular. Relaxation in the city. Free. Relaxing on a park bench.
15:00 1시간Royal Park in front of Buckingham Palace. Pelicans live in the lake and there are many squirrels. Picnics on the lawn are popular. Relaxation in the city center.
free. Relaxing on a park bench.
6
Trafalgar Square & National Gallery, the central square of London. The symbol is the Admiral Nelson Monument. The National Gallery houses masterpieces such as Van Gogh and Monet. Free admission! Free admission to the National Gallery. Opening extended until 9pm on Friday.
17:00 2시간London central square. The symbol is the Admiral Nelson Monument. The National Gallery houses masterpieces such as Van Gogh and Monet. Free admission!
National Gallery free. Opening extended until 9pm on Friday.
Today's Key Tips
The changing of the guard ceremony begins at 11 o'clock. Arrive 30 minutes early and get a seat.
Day 2
British Museum & Harry Potter World's top three museums, King's Cross Platform 9¾ A whole day is not enough to see the British Museum. Rosetta Stone, mainly the Egyptian pavilion.
One of the world's top 3 museums, King's Cross Platform 9¾
1
The British Museum holds 8 million items and is one of the world's top three museums. A complete collection of human civilization, including the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, and Parthenon sculptures. Free entry! Free. Guided tour (paid) recommended. Highlights include the Egyptian pavilion and the Greek pavilion.
10:00 3시간8 million items in collection, one of the world's top three museums. A complete collection of human civilization, including the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, and Parthenon sculptures. Free admission!
free. Guided tour (paid) recommended. Highlights include the Egyptian pavilion and the Greek pavilion.
2
Restaurant street near Borough Market and British Museum. Wide variety of international food to choose from.Various
13:30 internationalRestaurant street near the British Museum. Wide variety of international food to choose from.
3
King's Cross Station Platform 9¾ The exact same place where Harry Potter boarded the Hogwarts Express. A photo zone where you can take pictures by pushing a cart against the wall. Next to it is the official Harry Potter shop. The waiting line for photos was over 30 minutes. It's quiet on a weekday morning. Official photo paid (£10).
15:00 30분The exact same place where Harry Potter boarded the Hogwarts Express. A photo zone where you can take pictures by pushing a cart against the wall. Next to the Harry Potter official shop.
The waiting line for photos was over 30 minutes. It's quiet on a weekday morning. Official photo paid (£10).
4
Covent GardenA complex cultural space combining shopping, performances, and food. Busking by street performers is a specialty. Full of brand shops and dessert shops. Street performances peak in the evening. Large Christmas decorations in the fall.
16:30 2시간A complex cultural space where shopping, performances, and food come together. Busking by street performers is a specialty. Full of brand shops and dessert shops.
Street performances peak in the evening. Large Christmas decorations in the fall.
5
ChinatownChinatown next to Leicester Square. There are also dim sum, Peking duck, and Korean restaurants. Relatively cheap for London prices. Dim sum set £20. Wait for weekend dinner. Reservation recommended.
19:00 Chinese/AsianChinatown next to Leicester Square. There are also dim sum, Peking duck, and Korean restaurants. Relatively cheap compared to London prices.
Today's Key Tips
A whole day is not enough to see the British Museum. Rosetta Stone, mainly the Egyptian pavilion.
Day 3
Tower Bridge & Thames River Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Thames River Cruise Tower of London in the morning, Tower Bridge at night in the evening.
Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Thames River Cruise
1
Tower of London A fortress with 1,000 years of history. Queen's execution site, prison, and jewel exhibition hall. Crown Jewels is a must-see. The legend of the Rayburn Crow is also famous. Admission £33.60. Online reservation required. Participate in a free guided tour with a beef eater (security guard).
09:30 2시간 30분A fortress with 1,000 years of history. Queen's execution site, prison, and jewel exhibition hall. Crown Jewels is a must-see. The legend of the Rayburn Crow is also famous.
Entry fee £33.60. Online reservation required. Participate in a free guided tour with a beef eater (security guard).
Learn More →
2
Tower Bridge London landmark. A retractable bridge completed in 1894. View of the Thames River below from the glass-floor observation deck. If you match the opening and closing times of the bridge, it is spectacular. Admission to the observatory is £12.30. Check the official site for opening and closing timetables.
12:30 1시간London landmark. A retractable bridge completed in 1894. View of the Thames River below from the glass-floor observation deck. If you time the opening and closing of the bridge right, it will be spectacular.
Observatory entrance fee £12.30. Check the official site for opening and closing timetables.
3
Borough Market London's best food market. Cheese, olives, bread, seafood, etc. Food heaven. A mecca for gourmets. Variety of street food. Saturdays are the busiest. Closed on Sundays.
14:00 food marketLondon's best food market. Cheese, olives, bread, seafood, etc. Food heaven. A mecca for gourmets.
4
London attractions seen from a Thames River cruise. Big Ben, London Eye, and Tower Bridge are all visible. 1 hour course. Westminster ~ Greenwich course is popular. £15~.
16:00 1시간London attractions seen from the water. Big Ben, London Eye, and Tower Bridge are all visible. 1 hour course.
Westminster~Greenwich course popular. £15~.
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5
The London Eye is a 135m tall Ferris wheel. It rotates slowly for 30 minutes and offers a 360-degree view of London. Recommended ride during night view. Admission fee: £32. Select a time slot when booking online. If you board before sunset, you can enjoy both day and night views.
18:00 45분A 135m tall Ferris wheel. It rotates slowly for 30 minutes and offers a 360-degree view of London. Recommended to ride during night view time.
Entry fee £32. Select a time slot when booking online. If you board before sunset, you can enjoy both day and night views.
Learn More →
Today's Key Tips
The Tower of London in the morning and the Tower Bridge at night in the evening.
Day 4
Notting Hill & Musical Portobello Market and West End Musical Portobello Market are best on Saturdays. For West End musicals, aim for same-day discounted tickets.
Portobello Market, West End Musicals
1
Notting Hill & Portobello Market Filming location for the movie Notting Hill. A neighborhood with pretty pastel colored houses. The Saturday antique market is famous. Vintage fashion and accessory shopping. Saturday morning is the best time. More than half of the stores are closed on weekdays.
10:00 2시간 30분Filming location for the movie Notting Hill. A neighborhood with pretty pastel colored houses. The Saturday antique market is famous. Vintage fashion and accessory shopping.
Saturday morning is best. More than half of the stores are closed on weekdays.
2
Notting Hill Brunch British brunch at a Notting Hill emotional cafe. Full English Breakfast Experience. Full English £18 Available on weekends.
13:00 brunchBritish brunch at a Notting Hill emotional cafe. A full English breakfast experience.
3
Hyde Park & Kensington GardenLondon's largest royal park. Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, Peter Pan Statue, etc. Walking, jogging, picnic paradise. Free. Boating available (fees apply).
15:00 1시간 30분London's largest royal park. Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, Peter Pan Statue, etc. A walking, jogging, picnic paradise.
free. Boating available (fees apply).
4
The West End musical is at par with Broadway. Performances of masterpieces such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, and The Lion King. Same-day discount tickets at TKTS.Up to 50% off same-day discounts at TKTS (Leicester Square). Popular works sell out early.
19:30 2시간 30분Close to Broadway. Performances of masterpieces such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, and The Lion King. Same-day discount tickets from TKTS.
Up to 50% discount on the same day at TKTS (Leicester Square). Popular works sell out early.
Today's Key Tips
Portobello Market is best on Saturdays. For West End musicals, aim for same-day discounted tickets.
Day 5
Greenwich & Return To the Prime Meridian and Maritime Museum Greenwich, half a day is enough.
Prime Meridian, Maritime Museum
1
Greenwich Observatory longitude 0 degrees, the reference point for world standard time. Take a picture with your feet apart on the prime meridian. Astronomy history exhibition. Admission £18. View of downtown London from the top of Greenwich Park hill.
10:00 1시간 30분0 degrees longitude, universal time reference point. Take a picture with your feet apart on the prime meridian. Astronomy history exhibition.
Entry fee £18. View of downtown London from the top of Greenwich Park hill.
2
National Maritime MuseumThe history of Britain, a maritime powerhouse. Admiral Nelson relics, models of exploration ships, etc. Free admission.Free. 5 minutes walk from Greenwich Station.
12:00 1시간History of Britain, a maritime power. Admiral Nelson relics, models of exploration ships, etc. Free admission.
free. 5 minutes walk from Greenwich Station.
3
Transfer to the airport Transfer to Heathrow Airport. Underground Piccadilly Line or Heathrow Express.Heathrow Express (15 minutes) is fast but expensive (£25). The subway (1 hour) is economical.
14:00Transfer to Heathrow Airport. Underground Piccadilly Line or Heathrow Express.
The Heathrow Express (15 minutes) is fast but expensive (£25). The subway (1 hour) is economical.
Today's Key Tips
Greenwich is enough for half a day.