July 4, 2019First time in this breathtaking metropolis with seemingly endless offerings. To expect to see London in its entirety in a mere 5 days is downright preposterous. True that you can always try to breeze through the city’s most iconic sights on a hop-on-hop-off bus, or rent a car if driving on the opposite side won’t be a bother. But in reality, London has so many things to do and perks to try that it is easy to lose track of time. Soon, you’ll find yourself spending more time commuting than actual sightseeing.
When making this trip itinerary, we have the following considerations in mind:
a. What we want to experience in London
- Check out London’s Instagrammable sites including architectures and the city’s vibrant cafes for some fashion shoots.
- Find some of the best foods in London to try including street foods, Michelin-starred restaurants, top TripAdvisor restaurant and some food items that is inherently British like a Full English Breakfast and Fish & Chips.
- Watch a movie (Avengers Endgame) at London’s Odeon IMAX Theater
- Visit some of London’s public markets
- Shopping at London’s most iconic shopping districts
b. Plot all our points on a map and group them together to minimize commute times.
c. Have a backup plan with indoor locations just in case it rains.
In addition, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
a. Stay close to the city center. This way, your commute to London’s top sites won’t be that far.
b. Get an oyster card if you plan on taking public transportation.
c. Bring a small umbrella with you at all times. You’ll never know when you need it.
d. Try to book a hotel that offers free breakfast as part of the room rate. It is both convenient and saves you money.
Are you ready for a glimpse of our adventure? Here we go!
Day 1
Westminster Abbey Ο
Westminster Palace Ⓐ
Westminster Arch Ⓑ
Coca Cola London Eye Ⓒ
Yamagoya Ⓓ
Odeon BFI Imax Ⓔ
L’ Antica Pizzarea Da Michele ◉
We arrived at the Heathrow International Airport at around 11am at Terminal 5. To get to the main train lines, go to Terminal 2 or 3 (Central Station) using a free Inter-terminal Transfer Ticket from the machines in the station. You can also purchase an oyster card which will not be charged when traveling between terminals.
Next stop, the Ibis Styles Ealing Hotel. Here are a few good reasons why we chose to stay at this hotel:
a. Nights can cost less than £100 a night
b. Free breakfast and WiFi
c. Proximity to a bus station
d. Central location
Activities:
a. Sightseeing
Westminster Abbey (20 Deans Yd, Westminster, London SW1P 3PA, UK)
Westminster Palace (Westminster, London SW1A 0AA, UK)
Westminster Arch (Westminster Bridge Rd, South Bank, London SE1 7GL, UK)
Coca Cola London Eye (Lambeth, London SE1 7PB, UK)
After we got settled down at our hotel, we spent the afternoon sightseeing in the City of Westminster. It’s an hour long commute to our first location, Westminster Abbey. After that, the sights around the area are within a half mile radius. Who’s up for an afternoon stroll?
b. Mid afternoon snack
Yamagoya (49 The Cut London, SE1 8LF, UK)
Afterwards, we stopped by a small Japanese restaurant with a unique dessert, the Raindrop Cake, made with agar, flavored with soy bean powder and syrup. At around 5pm, we started heading to Odeon BFI iMax Theater.
c. Watch an iMax movie
Odeon BFI IMAX (1 Charlie Chaplin Walk South Bank SE1 8XR, United Kingdom)
Avengers Endgame just started showing in movie theaters, and what better way to watch it than to experience it in 3D at London’s esteemed iMax Theater! Tickets were the priciest we’ve ever bought, but it was worth the experience.
d. Sampling Traditional Neapolitan Pizza
L’ Antica Pizzeria da Michele (199 Baker Street, London NW1 6UY, UK)
L’ Antica Pizzeria da Michele serves pizza exactly how the dish is served at Naples Italy. Fresh ingredients on that slightly burnt thin crust. Delicious!
Day 2
Borough Market Ο
Tower Bridge Ⓐ
Tower of London Ⓑ
Coppa Club London Ⓒ
St. Paul’s Cathedral Ⓓ
Kym’s Chinese Restaurant ◉
Activities:
a. Explore London’s oldest public market
Borough Market (8 Southwark St, London SE1 1TL, UK)
Borough Market – London’s thousand-year old market and a foodie’s prime destination for street foods, fresh produce and various snacks.
b. Sightseeing
Tower Bridge (Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP, UK)
Tower of London (St Katharine’s & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB, UK)
St. Paul’s Cathedral (St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, UK)
Not to be confused with the London bridge located just a short distance away, the Tower Bridge is an iconic bridge that runs over the River Thames. Check out the glass walkway on its upper level where you can look straight down if you’re unafraid of heights, or look around and let the panoramic view of London sink in. On the other side, visit the Tower of London, known for its dark past with tales of torture and executions. If you want, the Shard is not too far away and is also a great way to enjoy a panoramic view of London.
c. Visit the Coppa Club near St. Paul’s Cathedral
Coppa Club (4 St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AY, UK)
Good food, refreshing drinks, and darn near perfect Instagram shots in one of their pods. There’s no additional cost for using a pod but booking one ahead of time is recommended to ensure availability. Food and drinks are decently priced as well.
d. Dinner at Kym’s Chinese Restaurant
Kym’s Chinese Restaurant (19 Bloomberg Arcade, London EC4N 8AR, UK)
Michelin-star chef Andrew Wong opened up this upscale casual dining restaurant featuring innovative Hong Kong & Chinese classics with an elegant twist. The restaurant is relatively new and came to us as a recommended place to eat by a local.
Day 3
Bang Bang Oriental Food Hall Ο
Little Venice Ⓐ
British Museum Ⓑ
St. Aymes Cafe Ⓒ
Social Eating House Soho ◉
Activities:
a. Go on a food trip at London’s largest Asian food court
Bang Bang Oriental Food Hall (399 Edgware Rd, London NW9 0FH, UK)
Bang Bang Oriental Food Hall is London’s biggest Asian food court with a myriad of food sections, each represented by different cultures and nationalities. If you like Asian food, this is our recommended spot where you can find the things you already liked, or try new food items and pick out your favorite.
b. Experience a bit of Venetian flair at Little Venice
Little Venice (Blomfield Rd, Little Venice, London W9 2PF, UK)
Nothing beats a relaxing cruise down the canals. After that, you can always have a little snack at The Summerhouse where you can eat up and enjoy a great view where the terrace is overlooking the canal.
c. Gain insight on ancient culture and history at the British Museum
British Museum (Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG, UK)
The British Museum is world renowned for its collection of art, sculptures, ancient artifacts spanning thousands of years of human culture and history. Best part of it all, there is no charge for admission and audio guides are available upon request. You will easily spend an hour at the very least looking at their exhibits and a bit longer if there is a line outside.
d. Spend a lovely afternoon at St. Aymes Cafe
St. Aymes (59 Connaught St, St George’s Fields, London W2 2BB, UK)
It’s time to relax and enjoy a bright pink Marie Antoinette White Chocolate Milkshake topped with real gold flakes. What’s more? Beautiful floral backdrops are perfect for a quick fashion photo op.
e. Michelin-starred dining at Social Eating House Soho
Social Eating House Soho (58 Poland St, Soho, London W1F 7NR, UK)
This is probably the liveliest gastropub we’ve ever been in. However, it might come off as a bit too loud for some people. But you can’t go wrong with the food here. We tried the pan seared Foie Gras with dashi stock. Now, that’s some amazing duck liver! The texture is nowhere close to a typical liver. This one is creamier, fattier, and the flavor is superb! You should also try their grilled dry aged steak.
Day 4
Nottinghill London Ο
Camden Market Ⓐ
El&n Cafe Ⓑ
Buckingham Palace Ⓒ
Dominique Ansel Ⓓ
Peggy Porschen Ⓔ
Harrod’s Ⓕ
Hawksmoor Knightsbridge ◉
Activities:
a. Check out London’s vibrant Notting Hill District
Notting Hill (Portobello Road)
After a quick breakfast at the hotel, our first stop was Notting Hill where pastel-colored terraced Victorian houses were a cause for admiration. Since you’re here, make a stop at the Portobello Market for some on-the-go shopping.
b. Stop by Buckingham Place and witness the change of guards
Buckingham Palace (Westminster, London SW1A 1AA, UK)
The Buckingham Palace was pretty crowded at the time with thousands of spectators awaiting the ceremony of changing guard as the old guard hands down the responsibility of protecting the palace to the new guard.
c. Make a quick stop at the Camden Market
Camden Market (Camden Lock Pl, Camden Town, London NW1 8AF, UK)
Especially if it is your first time in London, the Camden Market is always worthy of a quick stop. If you are hungry, check out the many food stalls offering street food snack items and meals. Otherwise, shopping won’t be a bad idea either.
d. Have an afternoon tea at some of London’s most beautifully decorated cafes
EL&N Cafe (Multiple locations)
Dominique Ansel Bakery (17-21 Elizabeth St, Belgravia, London SW1W 9RP, UK)
Peggy Porschen (116 Ebury St, Belgravia, London SW1W 9QQ, UK)
Apart from these places being Instagram hotspots, these beautifully adorned cafes not only flatters at the snap of a photo, they are great stops for a lovely cup of Earl Grey paired with some delicious mouthwatering pastries.
e. Shopping designer brands at Harrods
Harrods (87-135 Brompton Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7XL, UK)
As the sun begins to wear a more orange hue, we found ourselves in a mood for some shopping! Just look around. Chances are you’ll find something you’d like. Just remember, always ask for the tax refund document at the store. You will need this to apply for tax refund at the airport.
f. Satiating our fresh seafood yearnings at Hawksmoor Knightsbridge
Hawksmoor Knightsbridge (3 Yeoman’s Row, Chelsea, London SW3 2AL, UK)
We had steak the night before, now it’s time for some seafood indulgence. This place has an amazing dining atmosphere with some really delicious menu items to match. We tried lobster, oysters, & devon crab on toast (our favorite).
Day 5
Graffiti Wings London at the Redemption Bar Shoreditch Ο
E Pelliccis Ⓐ
Broadway Market Ⓑ
Covent Garden Ⓒ
Neal’s Yard Ⓓ
Poppie’s (Fish and Chips) Ⓔ
Amrutha Lounge ◉
Activities:
a. Start the day with a classic Full English Breakfast
E Pellicci (332 Bethnal Green Rd, London E2 0AG, UK)
After a quick stop at the Graffiti Wings mural outside Redemption Bar Shoreditch, it’s time to indulge in a local favorite, a Full English Breakfast at E Pelliccis. Please note that they don’t accept credit cards as payment. However, there are a few ATMs in the area that you can use.
b. Shopping on a whim
Broadway Market (67 Broadway Market, London E8 4PH, UK)
Covent Garden (Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD, UK)
Neal’s Yard (Seven Dials, Covent Garden, London, London WC2H, UK)
After a delightful breakfast, we made a quick stop at Broadway Market just to see what they have to offer. This Victorian street market offers a variety of street foods, vintage clothing and fresh produce. Soon after, Covent Garden was our next stop where there are tons of dining options, fashion boutiques, bars and theaters. A popular destination for visitors for its many perks offered with a glimpse of the city’s culture and vibrant history. Within the reach of the Covent Garden is an alleyway called Neal’s Yard. Here, you’ll find brick buildings with bright colored trims, more dining options, and the iconic Neal’s Yard Remedies where they specialize in natural & organic skincare products.
c. Sampling another English favorite, the Classic Fish & Chips
Poppie’s Fish & Chips Soho (55-59 Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 6HW, UK)
Poppie’s is known for their award winning fish & chips. Fresh delicious white fish dipped in batter and deep fried until golden brown, served with some chips (fries) on the side. Oh yes, that’s good stuff!
d. Dining at London’s #1 ranked restaurant on Tripadvisor
Amrutha Lounge (326 Garratt Ln, Earlsfield, London SW18 4EJ, UK)
Out of over 19000 restaurants in London, securing the top spot is no ordinary feat. Amrutha Lounge might be a vegan restaurant, but the food they offer is astonishingly delicious! This restaurant is always packed so you need to call for a reservation ahead of time. Seating is somewhat limited but thank goodness they offer takeaways. After just a few bites, we can undoubtedly see why this restaurant is a favorite dining venue even among the locals.
Day 6
Chinatown Gate
Shuang Shuang Hot Pot
Our London trip is coming to an end. Time to pack up our bags, and head back to the airport. And yet, we have a few hours to spare! Might as well stop by London Chinatown and find something to eat.
Activities:
a. Savoring our first hot pot experience
Shuang Shuang (64 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 6LU, UK)
Shuang Shuang Hot pot has a modern take on a traditional Chinese Hot Pot experience. All the ingredients are placed on a conveyor belt. Just pick out what you like to add to your broth. At the end of the meal, they will add up the number of color-coded plates you’ve had. It was very nice, clean, and delicious dining experience for us.
Notes:
a. You can take the London Underground to Heathrow Terminal 5
b. If you have a remaining balance on your Oyster Card, you can ask for a refund at the Visitor Center at the airport.
If you like to learn more about London, here are some of our posts that you might be interested in:
a. 28 Things You Have To Know Before Visiting London
b. 15 Landmarks in London You Should Visit
c. 21 Food Items You Have To Try In London
