5 Days of Fun in Iconic London

Experience the royal city of London without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

Explore the heart of London for free with options like the British Museum and gallery hopping in Shoreditch. Take advantage of affordable yet delicious street food options, such as brick lane curry and Borough Market treats. Opt for budget accommodation like hostels or Airbnbs in neighborhoods like Camden or Brixton.

Travel plan

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Day 1

Iconic London

  • Check into The Z Hotel Shoreditch, a modern budget hotel in the vibrant East End neighborhood.
  • Take a stroll along the South Bank of the Thames, taking in the iconic views of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and the Shard.
  • Head to Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony and soak up some royal atmosphere.
  • Wander through the British Museum, admiring treasures from Egypt, Greece, and beyond.
  • Stop by Covent Garden for some street performers, quirky shops, and a bite to eat.
Day 2

Historic London

  • Start the day with a full English breakfast at The Breakfast Club in Spitalfields.
  • Visit Westminster Abbey, where royals have been crowned, married, and buried for over a thousand years.
  • Catch a glimpse of the oldest surviving document of English law at the British Library.
  • Walk through St. James's Park and admire the elegant buildings of Whitehall, including the Houses of Parliament.
  • Take a trip to the outskirts of London to see Hampton Court Palace, the former home of King Henry VIII.
Day 3

Artistic London

  • Begin the day with coffee and croissants at Monmouth Coffee Company in Borough Market.
  • Stroll through Tate Modern, the world's most visited modern art museum, situated in a former power station.
  • Explore the trendy neighborhood of Shoreditch, known for its street art, indie boutiques, and offbeat galleries.
  • Discover contemporary British art at the Saatchi Gallery in upscale Chelsea.
  • Have a pint at The Flask, a historic pub in picturesque Highgate.
Day 4

Musical London

  • Start the day with a brunch of avocado toast and mimosas at The Riding House Cafe in Fitzrovia.
  • Browse the shops and record stores of Soho, the heart of London's music scene.
  • Take a tour of Abbey Road Studios, where The Beatles recorded many of their hit songs.
  • Catch a West End show, whether it's a classic like Les Misérables or a new hit like Hamilton.
  • Finish the night with a cocktail at Cahoots, a quirky underground bar themed around a post-war tube station.
Day 5

East London

  • Start the day with a bagel from Beigel Bake, a 24-hour bakery in Brick Lane.
  • Go vintage shopping in the bohemian neighborhood of Hackney, where you'll find one-of-a-kind clothes and accessories.
  • Visit the Columbia Road Flower Market, a colorful Sunday tradition dating back to the 1800s.
  • Enjoy a beer at The Old Truman Brewery, a cultural hub featuring galleries, studios, and street food vendors.
  • End the day in a quirky bar like The Queen of Hoxton, where you can sip creative cocktails and admire the skyline from a rooftop terrace.

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to London by plane is to fly into London Heathrow Airport, which is one of the major airports in the city. Other good options include London Gatwick Airport and London City Airport.

Car

Driving to London is possible too, but you will need to consider the heavy traffic and parking issues in the city. The best way to get there by car is to take the M25 motorway, which circles around the city, and follow directions to the city center.

Train

If you prefer to travel by train, the best option is to take the Eurostar from Paris to London, which arrives at London St. Pancras International Station.

Boat

There are no direct boat services to London, but you can take a ferry or cruise to a nearby port and then take a train or bus to the city. Southampton port is the closest port to London that has good transport links.

Bus

To reach London by bus, you can take the National Express coach service, which operates from various cities throughout the UK and arrives at Victoria Coach Station in London.

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