Things to do in London in 6 days

When planning a trip, you often have to choose between what you can visit and what, due to time constraints, will simply be impossible. With so much to see and do in London, it’s essential to plan your itinerary carefully, as the sheer variety of attractions can overwhelm even the most experienced traveller.

This six-day itinerary around London includes its main attractions, from the Tower of London to the British Museum, as well as a day trip to a highly recommended destination such as Stonehenge. Remember that the best way to enjoy yourself is to be flexible so you can adjust your route on the go should you come across something that particularly interests you.

One of the best places to start exploring the British capital is the Westminster area. This remains the cultural and political heart of the city and is home to some of the attractions you simply cannot miss.

Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard

The first stop of the day can be done, like the rest of the tour, on foot, although if you prefer you can book a London sightseeing bus that covers the area. Buckingham Palace is sure to be on the route of most of them.

Booking a visit to Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of the Guard is also a must on your trip. It is one of the most famous buildings in the whole of the United Kingdom, as it is the main residence of the British monarch. As well as being able to visit the palace itself, many tourists come hoping to see the famous Changing of the Guard in London, which takes place between 10.30 and 11.00 in the morning.

Visit Westminster Abbey

On your way to the next stop, you can spend a little time in St James’s Park, one of London’s finest parks. If you’re lucky, you might spot some of the pelicans that live on its lakes. It’s also an ideal spot for a coffee before continuing on to Westminster Abbey.

This abbey is one of the most important churches in all of England, both for its architecture and its history. It’s well worth visiting the interior, although I recommend buying tickets for Westminster Abbey in advance or, for example, getting the London Pass which includes it.

During the visit, you’ll be able to see the tombs of some of the UK’s best-known historical figures. The remains of English monarchs also rest there. To get the most out of it, I suggest using the audio guide provided at the entrance.

Explore Trafalgar Square and enjoy the art at the National Gallery

From the Abbey, the tour continues to Trafalgar Square, one of the most popular and well-known squares in the whole city. Here you’ll find the famous statue of Admiral Nelson and another depicting four lions.

If you prefer, almost all organised tours of London cover this area and usually have guides who explain its history.

As well as spending some time strolling around the square, art lovers simply must book a visit to the National Gallery, where entry is free.

The gallery houses one of the finest collections of paintings in the world and specialises in European artists from the 13th to the 20th centuries. There you can enjoy works by Rembrandt, Titian, Velázquez and Van Gogh, to name but a few.

On the way to Big Ben via Downing Street

From Trafalgar Square, take Whitehall, which leads to Parliament Square. Along the way, you can admire the surviving section of a palace that burned down in 1698, which includes a ceiling painted by Rubens.

Before reaching Parliament Square, the walk passes through the famous Downing Street, home to the British Prime Minister’s official residence, specifically at number 10.

On one side of this square stands the Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament. It is in this building that the tower is located which is, mistakenly, known as Big Ben. In reality, that name refers only to the bell housed there, but over time many have come to use it for the entire tower.

Westminster Bridge

After visiting all the above sites, you can head to the nearby Westminster Bridge and take in the views of the Houses of Parliament and the river.

Given the time of day, you’ll likely be looking for somewhere to have dinner along the banks of the Thames. Another good option is to book one of London’s interesting night tours, which will allow you to see London’s landmarks from a different perspective.

The second day of your trip will also focus on central London, but this time concentrating on the attractions situated along England’s longest river, the Thames. The recommended itinerary starts at the Tower of London and ends at the London Eye.

Enter the Tower of London

The day begins with a visit to the Tower of London, an ancient fortress used as a prison for over 900 years. Many critics of the crown were imprisoned there, and it was notorious for the torture and executions that took place.

Among the unfortunate souls who ended up in the Tower of London were such prominent figures as Anne Boleyn, Thomas More and Queen Jane Grey.

Booking a tour inside the Tower of London is highly recommended, particularly for the exhibition showcasing the Crown Jewels, its chapel, or the White Tower. If you’re lucky, you might also spot one of the ravens that live there and feature in an intriguing legend.

Relax on the Thames with a short cruise

After admiring the attractions of the Tower of London, you might well want to spend some of your time :::link|text=booking a cruise on the Thames|element=pa-2233:::.

There is a wide range of cruises on offer, and prices for Thames cruises vary considerably. Some are designed for evening trips, such as those that include dinner, whilst others combine a Thames cruise with a visit to the London Eye.

Two of London’s most famous bridges: Tower Bridge and London Bridge

Although you may have already seen them during the cruise, it’s also worth taking a stroll along the river to see two of the city’s most famous bridges: Tower Bridge and London Bridge.

Although both bridges have their own exhibitions, for the sake of time it’s best to continue with the tour. In any case, you can always choose to visit one and improvise afterwards.

London Dungeon

The next stops require a return to the Westminster Bridge area. Firstly, if this sort of thing takes your fancy, it’s worth buying tickets for the London Dungeon.

It’s an interactive attraction that recounts the city’s darkest history and is sure to give the faint-hearted a few scares. If you think it might be a bit too much for you, not far away is the Sea Life London Aquarium

Hop on the London Eye and enjoy the views

If the previous attraction wasn’t suitable for the faint-hearted, the London Eye, a spectacular 135-metre-high Ferris wheel, may give those with a fear of heights a bit of a scare.

If that’s not the case for you, I recommend buying tickets for the London Eye in advance so you can enjoy the best views from the London Eye.

Depending on the time of day, you might want to look for one of the restaurants in the area around the London Eye to grab a bite to eat.

Now halfway through the trip, it’s time to visit another museum and one of the most important churches in the whole of the UK. In principle, you can do this day’s itinerary on foot, but in case your legs start to give way, here’s a short guide on how to get around on the London Underground.

British Museum

There’s no doubt that this is one of the best museums in all of London, both for its vast collection and its facilities.

Entry is free and it’s so vast that it’s well worth booking a guided tour of the British Museum. You’d actually need several days to see it all, but you’ll have to make do with at least a couple of hours.

The best way to make the most of your time is to pick up the map available at the entrance, as well as the audio guide in Spanish.

Grab a bite to eat in Covent Garden

Continuing along the route, you’ll reach a square full of atmosphere and magic: Covent Garden. This used to be an old flower market, and today you’ll find numerous street performers, restaurants, pubs and food stalls.

If you’re visiting with children, this square is home to a museum they usually really enjoy: the London Transport Museum.

St Paul’s Cathedral, the country’s living history

It’s worth buying tickets for St Paul’s Cathedral because it’s simply breathtaking. In fact, in terms of size, it’s second only to St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Its interior further enhances the sense of being in a truly unique place, undoubtedly one of London’s finest monuments. Amidst the wonderful overall décor, the frescoes adorning the ceilings stand out. When visiting, it is essential to climb up to the dome and enter the crypt.

As with other London landmarks, admission to St Paul’s Cathedral includes an interesting audio guide.

For lovers of contemporary art: Tate Modern

On leaving the cathedral, cross the Millennium Bridge to reach one of the world’s temples of contemporary art: the Tate Modern. The building that houses the museum is well worth a visit in its own right, as it was the former Bankside Power Station.

The Tate Modern, which is free to enter, houses works by some of the most renowned artists in contemporary art, and is well worth seeing on a guided tour. Among them are artists such as Picasso, Warhol, Salvador Dalí and Monet, amongst others.

Go and see a musical

After enjoying the masters of contemporary art, you have two options. The first, simpler option is to grab a bite to eat and head back to your hotel. The second, which I recommend, is to head to London’s West End to enjoy some of the best musicals the West End has to offer.

For the fourth day, it might be a good idea to leave the London streets behind and go on a day trip to the surrounding area Among the most interesting places you can visit from London, I’ve chosen Stonehenge, both for its own merits and for the chance to combine the visit with such beautiful places as Bath.

To make this visit, you can choose to go on your own or book a day trip to Stonehenge from London that includes this site as a destination. In the first case, it is important to bear in mind what I explain in my article on How to get to Stonehenge from London and to weigh up both the pros and cons.

Day trip to Stonehenge and Bath

To make the most of your time, I suggest a tour combining the megalithic monument of Stonehenge with the city of Bath.

Stonehenge is, without a doubt, one of the most magical places on the planet; moments such as the summer solstice at Stonehenge are the sort of experiences that remain etched in your memory. When you arrive, you’ll be able to admire the structures built thousands of years ago and learn a little about how our ancestors lived back then.

Bath, for its part, is considered one of the most impressive cities in the whole country. It’s not just essential to visit the Roman baths that give the city its name, but also a host of other attractions scattered throughout its streets.

After a busy day visiting Stonehenge and Bath, the fifth day can begin with a visit to Camden Town and its market, followed by a leisurely stroll through Hyde Park. Finally, you can choose between following in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes or visiting the world’s most famous wax museum.

Camden Town and its market

Once you’ve finished taking photos with your favourite characters, head for the tube station that takes you to Camden Town. In this revitalised neighbourhood, you’ll find the most famous market in all of London. It usually takes a couple of hours to see it all.

This market is situated in a spot that’s well worth seeing in its own right: between the two lovely canals in the Camden Town neighbourhood. It’s great fun to wander through all the stalls you’ll find there, from craft stalls to food stalls of every kind.

Have a picnic in Regent Park

If you fancy eating somewhere quieter than Camden Market, a great option is to head to Regent Park, another well-known park in the city. It’s the ideal spot for a picnic after picking up something from a supermarket or a fast-food restaurant.

Regent Park isn’t the only option for a relaxed meal. Nearby is Primrose Hill, another park which also offers wonderful views of the city.

In case the weather is bad – which is not unlikely in London – you can always pop into a local pub. In that case, I recommend The Volunteer.

Take a stroll through Hyde Park

Hyde Park is undoubtedly one of the best parks in London. What’s more, it’s very easy to reach its entrance from Buckingham Palace, as the distance can be covered with a leisurely stroll.

If you’re visiting London during the summer, as well as strolling along its paths, you can try to find the ** statue of Peter Pan**, Kensington Palace or, if you fancy it, hire a punt on the park’s central lake.

Conversely, if you’re visiting London in winter, Hyde Park is home to one of the city’s busiest and most enjoyable Christmas markets.

Step back in time to the era of Sherlock Holmes on Baker Street

The millions of fans of Sherlock Holmes stories have a must-see when in London: the house where Arthur Conan Doyle set the residence of the most famous detective in history.

The house, now converted into a museum dedicated to the character, is located, as all fans know, at 221B Baker Street.

Madame Tussauds

Although it’s not a visit to everyone’s taste, there’s no doubt that Madame Tussauds features the finest wax figures in the world.

Inside, you’ll find thousands of famous figures from across the globe, ranging from sports stars to major historical figures, as well as actors and scientists.

Many travellers spend their last day at a destination buying souvenirs. On this tour, we’ve tried to ensure that these purchases don’t mean missing out on a day of sightseeing. So, the itinerary takes in the city’s best-known and most atmospheric shopping streets, which often feature some significant architectural highlights and truly historic establishments.

Mingle with the thousands of visitors on Oxford Street

The approximately two-and-a-half kilometres that make up this street are packed with restaurants, pubs and shops, visited every day by thousands upon thousands of Londoners and tourists. In fact, many claim it is the busiest street in Europe.

If you walk down the street towards Marble Arch, you’ll come across one of London’s most famous department stores: Selfridges, situated in a building of great architectural significance.

This street is also a must-visit if you’re in London over Christmas, thanks to the spectacular Christmas lights and decorations considered the best in the city. You can enjoy them from mid-November onwards.

At the end of the street you can see ** Marble Arch**. This is a triumphal arch that used to stand at the entrance to Buckingham Palace. Even today, having been moved, it remains one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.

Guided tour of the city centre

If you’re short on time and want to take one last look at the sights of central London, one of the best options available is to take a guided tour of the British capital. Even if you’ve already seen most of the attractions, your guide’s explanations will help you better understand everything you’ve visited previously.

Start the evening at Piccadilly Circus

Without a doubt, Piccadilly Circus is London’s most famous crossroads, as well as an essential stop-off point for reaching the city’s many tourist attractions.

All things considered, some regard this spot as the London equivalent of New York’s Times Square. Just a few minutes away are some of the city’s busiest shopping streets.

Wander aimlessly through the streets of Soho

One of the most enjoyable things to do in a city is simply to wander aimlessly. London’s Soho is, without a doubt, the best place to do so. In this area, you’ll find several theatres and a good number of cult bars.

Among the places you simply mustn’t miss is Carnaby Street, Soho’s most famous street. Its atmosphere and extravagant Christmas decorations have made it a must-visit for anyone in London at this time of year.

As you walk down this street, I recommend keeping an eye on the right-hand side to spot a beautiful arcade with a sign reading Kingly Court. Inside, you’ll find a wonderful open courtyard and two floors packed with restaurants and terraces.

Say goodbye with the best views of the city from The Shard

There can be no better way to bid farewell to London than from The Shard’s viewing platform, a modern skyscraper housing the impressive The Shard viewing platform with the best views of London.

In the same building, you’ll also find a superb restaurant at The Shard. You might fancy having dinner here or taking a stroll around the area to find somewhere near The Shard to eat.