Wondering how many days to spend in London? That’s a question most travellers grapple with when planning their trip to the capital. London is full of unique character, outstanding structures, world changing-history, and, let’s not forget, some of the best food markets in England.
This busy city offers ample attractions and activities for every type of visitor to enjoy. But how many days in London are enough to enjoy its full wonder? This is the question asked by many planning on visiting London.
I’m going to give you a hand with that, so you know for sure how to plan a trip to London, England, without any hassles.
When planning the ideal trip to one of the most-visited cities in the world, you need to be organised. Luckily, you also have me (your eccentric London guide) to help guide your planning for an unforgettable London trip.
For your upcoming trip to London, here is a detailed guide on how to plan your trip based on how many days in London you plan on staying.
How Many Days In London is Enough?
When asking the burning question: “How many days do you need in London?”, you may at first think it’s impossible to fit all your exploring into a short stay.
But most visitors actually only stay 3 – 5 days in London at a time, so it’s more than doable. Of course, the longer, the better, and if you want to stay 7 days in London, then that’s also a great option. This means you can explore more of the UK.
How many days to spend in London if you want to see London attractions?
When considering how many days are sufficient for a trip to London, the most common answer is 3 days in London. Just 1 or 2 days in London isn’t enough as you’ll only be skimming the surface of this great city, seeing mainly the top London attractions and will be rushing from one place to the next.
This will likely result in unsatisfied wanderlust, and no one wants that. That extra day allows you to space out your stops, so you can enjoy your visit at a good pace. It’s just the right amount of days to feel like you’ve had the time to enjoy each part of London.
Now you know how many days in London is enough; if you plan on staying over five days, you can see even more of the UK. A stay over 6 days makes for a great compromise, being not too short or too long of a stay as you can make an itinerary that suits your taste.
You can even spread your trip out over 10 days in London if a more relaxed and leisurely getaway suits you. This way you can explore more of the city’s hidden gems and the non-touristy things in London.
Now that you know how many days you should spend in London, read on to find out what you can do in London for those days
Tip: For 3 days in London tours, consider booking this London Hop-on hop-off tour to see all of the city’s highlights with no hassles.
How many days do you need to visit London for the first time?
How many days do you need to visit London for the first time? This is a question that I get asked a lot, and it depends on what you want to see and do while in London. If you’re just looking to tick off the main tourist attractions in London, then you could probably get away with just three or four days in London.
However, if you want to explore the city in depth, then I would recommend spending at least a week in London. This will give you enough time to visit all of the major sights and get out of the city and do a day trip from London.
How many days to spend in London if you are a solo female traveller?
London is a huge city with plenty to see and do, so it can be tough to know how much time to spend there if you’re a solo female traveller. A good rule of thumb is to budget at least three days for sightseeing.
This will give you enough time to hit the major landmarks like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge, as well as doing some shopping on Oxford Street and explore neighbourhoods like Soho, Shoreditch and Camden Town.
Of course, three days is just a minimum – if you have the time, you could easily spend a week or more in London and still not see everything! You can check out my 3 days in London itinerary, a detailed guide on how to spend your time in London.
Places That You Must See in London (in 3, 4 & 6 Days)
Want to know how to make the absolute most of your time in this extraordinary city? Here’s a brief layout of top attractions you need to see.
What Can I Do in London in 3 days?
Is 3 days in London enough? The answer is yes! In this seemingly short visit, you can maximise your time in London by strategically choosing places to see and things to do in London which are close together and within walking distance in central London.
Yes, this list is filled with cliche and touristy places to see in London (I can see you rolling your eyes right now – stop it).
3 Days in London Itinerary
Look, if this is your first time visiting London, then you are going to want to take a tour of Buckingham Palace.
You’ll get to take your super touristy holiday or Instagram-worthy snaps in front of the Palace, London Eye, London Bridge, Tower of London and Tower Bridge, to name a few o your first trip to London. We all do it when we visit a new city or country for the first time.
So, might as well get it out of the way and use your first day in London doing as many touristy things as your heart and poor legs can handle.
On day two, venture to East London — the grittier or hipster part of the city — to take in the street art and delicious food from some of the best East End restaurants.
Or, make your way from East London to Greenwich in South London to see the Cutty Sark, Royal Observatory, Greenwich Park and the National Maritime Museum. These sites are some of the top things to do in Greenwich, amongst others.
From the Royal Observatory, you can see St Paul’s Cathedral, Square Mile and the City of London.
If you are planning on visiting London during the cherry blossom season, then Greenwich Park is one of the best places to visit. You’ll see the trees in full bloom and get snaps like the ones below. The park is also one of the few Royal parks in London to visit on your trip to London.
On day three, you might want to take it easy and do a fun activity like visit Sketch for afternoon tea (it is super fancy but totally worth it). Do a champagne afternoon tea tour on the iconic red double-decker buses or an afternoon tea river cruise that London is known for; it’s an experience you will never forget.
London Trip Planner For 3 Days
Here is a simple list of some of the most-loved landmarks and attractions in the city for an exciting 3 days in London itinerary.
This is just a quick run down on the top things to see in London in 3 days. You can visit London in 3 days using my detailed London itinerary.
Still wondering, “How many days should I spend in London?” Now you know, even just 3 days in London can be more than enough time in the Big Smoke.
How many days to spend in London on a honeymoon?
It depends on what you want to do and see while in London. If you’re the type of couple that likes to relax and take things slow, then I would recommend 3-4 days in London. However, if you’re the type of couple that likes to pack your days with activities and sightseeing, then I recommend a 5-7 days in London itinerary.
Keep in mind that London is a very big city and there is a lot to see and do, so you’ll want to make sure that you give yourselves enough time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
How Can I Spend 4 Days in London?
Here is a complete 5-day itinerary for London, which can also act as a 4 day guide if you want to see even more of the city’s charm in a short amount of time.
You can try and fit these into your 3 days in London itinerary, but it’s better to add a day onto your vacation. This way, you can enjoy all of the splendour without rushing around on your trip to London.
These are a few great additions to your list of must-see places in London when spending 4 days in London:
I think 4 days in London is great if you want to do a day trip from London, like the Harry Potter Studio Tour (which will take roughly 7.5 hours) on your visit to London.
You’ll also have more time to visit Stonehenge or do a day trip from London to Oxford and Cotswold villages when visiting London.
How Many Days to See London – Planner for 6 Days
How many days are sufficient for London? 6 days in London is more than that adequate time when you are thinking how many days to spend in London.
Now you know that 6 days are enough in London. Here’s a simple 6 day London itinerary for inspiration when visiting London.
You can get as creative as you want with a longer stay. But, there are a few places that simply need to be visited if you have the extra time.
Some other must-see places to visit in London include:
Is 7 days in London enough?
So, is 7 days in London enough? Yes and no. It really depends on what you’re looking to get out of your trip. If you want to hit all of the major tourist spots – the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and explore mainly central London. Then 7 days will be more than enough days to spend in London. With so long to spend in London, you could even do a day trip from London.
If you want to explore and soak up the atmosphere of different places outside of central London, then 7 days might not be enough.
However, if you are planning a trip to London for the first time, 7 days in London is more than enough time to spend in London.
Things You Should Consider When Planning How Many Days to Spend in London
Here are some useful tips for planning a trip to London. These factors may come into play when deciding how many days to stay in London.
The length of your vacation can be something you change your mind about at a whim, but there are also ways to prepare for each type of stay in London.
For example, if you know you’re staying longer, you may want to stay in a more quiet area further away from central London to save money. Or you could visit during the shoulder season when there are less tourists.
Consider all these factors when planning how many days to visit London so that you can plan the most amazing city-style vacation.
Where to Stay in London
However, if you don’t plan on being in the city long and are wondering where to stay in London for 3 days or less, then you want to be smack bang in the heart, which would be central London. This, however, will be more expensive.
Some areas to stay in London for sightseeing are Westminster, Covent Garden, Soho, London Bridge and Kensington.
Some areas are nearer to the prominent landmarks and museums than others, so you can see as many attractions as you can cover even in just one day. Choosing a centrally located hotel surrounded by culture in a bustling area will immerse you into London’s lifestyle fast.
Here are some suggestions of a few places you can stay depending on what type of trip you are planning or type of traveller you are.
Check out Airbnb if you plan on staying in London 4 days or longer.
Tip: Read this detailed list of where to stay in London for more options.
What is the Best Time to Visit London?
Something to keep in mind when choosing how many days to spend in London is the weather – and the crowds. Some seasons may inspire a longer stay than others. And sometimes the crowds can get too much for you, meaning a short stay is better than a long one.
One of the best times to visit London is during the spring when all the plants in the parks are blooming, the air is crisp, and the clocks go back – meaning more daylight hours. During this time, London is a real sight to behold, but it’s also London’s busiest season.
Accommodation prices are also a lot higher, as it is the peak season for businesses. If you choose to visit between March to May, you may want to stay for 3 or 4 days instead of 6 to 10.
Alternatively, you can visit during autumn, from October to December. Although it’s not very warm, the weather is still pleasant, and you will get to see the autumn colours in London. Christmas decorations line markets from November to December, so you will be in for a festive treat.
How Many Days to Explore London – Getting Around
Getting around London can be tricky. You don’t want to spend too much time manoeuvring the different zones in London and finding public transport. One way to ensure all your transportation needs are met is by getting a London Pass, where you can add a public transport pass to your card.
This pass gives you quick and free access to many of London’s most stellar and top attractions. You will also have all your transport sorted out, allowing for a smoother getaway in London.
The London Pass is better than the Oyster card if you also want to see London attractions and not just use public transport.
How Many Days to Visit London – FAQ’s
Here are some quick answers to questions you may have about how many days you should spend in London.
How Many Days Do I Need in London?
A quick weekend trip to London, or 3–5 days should be enough to see London’s main landmarks.
How long should you plan a trip to London?
This is a question that people often ask when they are planning their vacation. Of course, the answer depends on several factors, including your budget, the time of year, and your interests.
However, you should generally plan to spend at least 3 or 5 days in London. This will give you enough time to see the major sights, such as Buckingham Palace, Changing of the guard, Borough Market, Tower of London, Natural History Museum, Hyde Park, Covent Garden, London Eye, Trafalgar Square and Westminster Abbey, most of central London and to explore some of the lesser-known areas, such as Camden Town or Little Venice.
In addition, you’ll need time to sample some of the famous British cuisine, do an afternoon tea river cruise and do some shopping on Oxford Street. So when you’re planning your trip to London, be sure to allow yourself enough time in London to really enjoy everything that this great city has to offer. You can read my detailed 5 days in London itinerary as a start.
Can I Visit London on a Budget?
Yes, London has many budget-friendly activities, including free things to do in London like free museums, visiting street food markets like Borough Market, seeing free performers in Covent Garden Piazza or grabbing cheap theatre tickets in Leicester Square.
Is It Safe to Travel Alone in London?
For the most part, yes. You can read more about safety trips when visiting the city in my solo female traveller tips for London guide.
What Should I Pack for Visiting London?
It’s always good to pack comfortable clothes and shoes for walking around. It’s also highly advisable to pack in a warm jacket because the weather can change suddenly.
London – How Many Days Should You Spend in London?
Now that you know how many days to spend in London, whether you stay in London for one day or a whole month, you’re in for a mesmerising adventure that will surprise you and satisfy your inner wanderer. It’s a city that has so much culture, spirit and history that each street tells its own story.
And as long as you make the most of every second, 3 days London itinerary will be more than enough, but you can always stay longer. You could visit London for months at a time and still find each trip to be unique, mesmerising, and utterly memorable.
I hope that this guide helps you decide how long to spend in London for your next journey and gives you an idea of how to spend your time.