What I love about London is that things are constantly changing when it comes to dining, shopping and art, however there’s still deep history in the landmarks, museums and buildings. For example, whether it’s your first or 100th time to London, you’re going to want to picnic or walk through one of their many parks — you may even find a favorite to visit multiple times! The beauty of of London is there’s always a reason to go back, it takes several trips to see and do everything the city is known for. My 5-day itinerary at the end is perfect for first-timers and allows enough room for you to explore on your own or do something spontaneous without being over-planned.

Here are my top 8 takeaways and fun facts for exploring London:

Late March - May is the best time to see London in bloom, especially the cherry blossoms which typically only last for a month.
London is the perfect gateway to exploring other destinations like Paris or Brussels and I highly recommend starting or ending your trip here. You’ll typically find the best flight deals in/out of Heathrow and their public transportation is efficient, you can get to Paris in two hours on the Eurostar.
London uses the Great British Pound and the exchange rate has been historically higher for Americans. 1 British Pound = $1.20 American dollars. This makes London a less affordable destination for Americans and you will be spending more on hotels, dining and shopping. Because of Brexit, you will also no longer receive a VAT refund when shopping like you do in France or Italy. Don’t bother getting cash out, almost all places are card only these days including taxis.
Heathrow Airport is about 45 minutes outside of the city and will take much longer if you land during peak traffic times (7-9 AM, 5-8 PM)
Uber and black taxis are very affordable and a great way to get around town for your first visit, however during peak traffic times, it can take 30 minutes to go just 1 mile. Consider buying an Oyster Card and using The Tube for short distances.
Did you know becoming a taxi driver in London is one of the hardest tests in the world to pass? They equate it to earning a degree in law or medicine. On average it takes taxi drivers four years to study and pass the exam and they are required to know 25,000+ street names, directions, etc. that cover a six-mile radius from the center of London. All this to say, taxi drivers are very reliable and knowledgable!
Make reservations for top afternoon teas and restaurants at least 3-4 weeks in advance. The most popular can and will book up.
Neighborhoods matter when it comes to visiting and can make or break your experience. Walkable neighborhoods like Mayfair, Soho, Knightsbridge and Belgravia will put you within a short distance of many great landmarks.

Hotels

Choosing the right city hotel can be complicated especially in a city as big as London. Neighborhood matters because you’ll spend a lot of time on foot because it’s faster to walk places during peak traffic times. My favorite neighborhoods for first-time visitors are Mayfair, Soho and Knightsbridge area. Any of these neighborhoods will give you quick and easy access to several main sights.

Contact me to book your London hotel and receive exclusive amenities like complimentary upgrades, hotel credits, etc.

Brown’s Hotel | Mayfair - Love this hotel for the story, history, and hospitality. It has a great sense of place where you know you’re in London and many notable political figures and celebrities have stayed here over the years including Rudyard Kipling who wrote the Jungle Book and there are several nods to him throughout the property.
Mandarin Oriental | Knightsbridge - The only 5-star hotel that overlooks Hyde Park, this is my favorite for location you’re walking distance to Harrods, Hyde Park, Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace. Their house car will drop you within a couple mile radius as well if the weather is bad.
Hotel Café Royal | Soho/Piccadilly Circus - Favorite hotel for spacious rooms and onsite amenities like their famous afternoon tea and spa. Large spas and pools are difficult to find in London because the buildings are so historic, they have a beautiful one with multiple treatment rooms, hammam and gym.
The London EDITION | Soho/Fitzrovia - Great choice for younger, efficient travelers who like nightlife, they have a happening bar and lobby that locals and tourists love.
The Berkeley - Knightsbridge - Similar to Mandarin Oriental with ease of access to many sights and great choice for families or group travel because of the many room types.

Afternoon Tea

Do as the British do and enjoy at least one afternoon tea, it’s a right of passage when you visit London or really anywhere in the UK. You’ll find many afternoon tea offerings, but the best ones are almost always at hotels. Fair warning, proper teas can be quite expensive ranging anywhere from $60-150+, but it’s worth indulging in at least one high-end tea, you’re on vacation! They typically last 2-3 hours and include bottomless tea, sandwiches, and desserts plus champagne for an additional cost. It’s essential to make a reservation in advance for any of the below spots, for a more comprehensive list of best tea spots in London check out this 2023 ranking from Candé Naste Traveller.

Rating my favorite afternoon teas in London:

Prêt-à-portea at The Berkeley - My overall favorite because I actually enjoy the majority of the food. This is the perfect tea for fashion lovers, the pastries change seasonally based on the real runway looks and the latest fashion calendar.
Sketch - If Alice in Wonderland had a tea parlor this would be eat. It’s very art deco and unique, I like this option if you’re on a couple’s trip because it’s not overly girly.
Tiffany’s Blue Box Café at Harrods - Everything about this is high-end from the Tiffany china to caviar everything and I love that it’s inside Harrods. It’s a very small tea room so make reservations in advance.
Fortnum & Mason - The most iconic and quintessential British afternoon tea on this list, it’s historically been a favorite of The Queen. Overall it was my least favorite food wise, but it’s beautiful and the shopping is amazing, it’s a great place to find gifts.

Activities & Sightseeing

Your first visit will most likely be spent visiting the major, iconic sights like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, etc. which is what you should do! There’s no shame in being a tourist to see the things you traveled so far to see, but also leave time for local experiences or an opportunity to enjoy a walk in the park or spa treatment (spas feel extra special in Europe!). Truthfully, my favorite activity in London is shopping — it’s absolutely nothing like shopping in the U.S. The stores are so beautiful my jaw dropped the first time I entered Harrods. Unlike a U.S. department store, London stores have full blown cafés and restaurants inside that are destinations in themselves. You must allow a day just to wander the stores, even it’s only window shopping! The best way to explore London is through personalized experiences and tours, which should be booked in advance. Keep it simple and plan for one “big” activity a day and leave the rest of the time free to explore.

Best guided tours and experiences (all can be booked through a travel advisor):

Private black taxi tour - 4 hours of dedicated time to showing you the sights with a knowledgable tour guide. This can be customized to landmarks you want to see for example, I made mine Harry Potter themed so in addition to major landmarks our guide took us to filming locations like Platform 9 3/4!
Private or group Thames River cruise
Harry Potter Studios full-day tour - This includes transfers to/from the studio from London, about a 1 hour drive
Private London Eye
Buckingham Palace private/small group tour
Borough Market guided food tour
Tower of London private/group tour
Notting Hill & Portobello Market tour

Food & Drinks

This is by no means a comprehensive list of the best restaurants in London, just places I’ve been to and enjoyed! Personally I’ve found the food to be really hit or miss in London, the city is known for amazing Indian and Chinese cuisines and of course fish and chips, but you’ll typically find a burger or salad on every menu for picky eaters like myself.

The Aubrey (Japanese)
The Ned (Drinks) *hands down favorite spot go here every single time
Shackfuyu (Japanese)
The Donovan Bar (Drinks)
Jak’s (Mediterranean)
Duck and Waffle (brunch)
Berners Tavern (British)
The Sun & 13 Cantons (Pub)
Sky Garden (Apps & Drinks)

Recommended 5-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrivals and hotel check-in
Mid-morning/afternoon: Go for walk through Regents Park or Hyde Park, get a cappuccino to go
Evening: Make a reservation for a tour and sunset apps/cocktails at Sky Garden
Walk to The Ned (less than 10 minutes) for a nightcap

Day 2

Morning: Black Taxi tour, this will help you get orientated with the layout of London
Afternoon tea: Sketch or The Berkeley
Stop by Locke & Co. Hatters it’s the oldest hat shop in the world and where the Royal Family gets their hats
Sunset: London Eye
Dinner: London is known for their Indian food! Try Dishoom, Bayleaf, or Alexander the Great

Day 3

Mid-morning: Check Changing of the Guards schedule ahead of time, usually takes place at 11 AM at Buckingham Palace
Afternoon: Self-guided tour of Borough Market or Portobello Market for lunch and shopping
Pub hopping - The Seven Stars is the oldest, but you can visit any of these in London
or
Shopping at Harrods or Selfridges (you could spend several hours at Harrods alone)

Day 4

Day trip out of the city to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle or Harry Potter Studios
or
Mid-morning: The British Museum or London Zoo and Abbey Road (for Beatles fans!)
Stop by Fortnum & Mason for gifts and shopping
Evening: If your feeling really ambitious and the weather is nice, book a Thames River cruise
Dinner: Last night calls for fish & chips and eating local, try one of these gastropubs

Day 5

Breakfast at your hotel, check out and leave bags with concierge
Mid-morning: Walk Hyde Park or Regents Park (whichever you missed the first day)
Leave plenty of time to get to Heathrow or Eurostar to your next destination

London Guide