The Ultimate 4-day London Itinerary: A Local’s Guide
Ancient corners once walked by kings and poets, red double-deckers glide past centuries-old spires, and a thriving foodie scene make the English capital a bucket list destination. Spend 4 days in London savoring history-steeped architectural giants, rubbing shoulders with locals at London markets, and watching the city’s timeless charm unfold with every step.
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I’ve been calling London home for almost a decade and still love riding in the tourist seat of a double-decker or watching the sunset over the Houses of Parliament. This eclectic city has endless things to see and do, making it the perfect destination for travellers who want to delve deeper into history, culture, art, or foodie hotspots.
So, how can you spend four days in London?
The hardest part is trying to fit in as much as possible in a city so big. This itinerary makes the most of a 4-day London trip, helping you plan an efficient route around the city. In this guide, I cover some of the city’s best attractions, fan-favourite markets, and neighbourhoods I recommend you absolutely spend time in.
Whenever friends or family ask for recommendations about how to spend time in London when they visit, I usually recommend some variation of this itinerary depending on their interests. London is a mecca of cultural sights, many of which are free or low-cost, which can make for a perfectly balanced day with some paid activities thrown in the mix.
In this 4 day London itinerary, I’ll provide not only a plan for how to spend your time in the city, but also hotel recommendations, tips on the best times to visit certain places, and information on how to get around - including navigating the tube!
London at a glance
Where to stay
Henrietta Hotel (Mid-range) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Hoxton, Southwark (Mid-range) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Pilgrm (Budget) ⭐⭐⭐
Z Hotel Trafalgar (Budget) ⭐⭐⭐
Where to eat
Norma
Lamb & Flag
Roka Aldwych
Borough Market
Best coffee
Rosslyn Coffee
Watch House
Calico Coffee
What to do in London
Catch a theatre show in the West End
Free views from Sky Garden or Horizon 22
Enjoy a classic English afternoon tea
4 days in London overview
*This itinerary assumes you have a full day for the first and last day in London.
Day 1
Westminster
Hyde Park
Buckingham Palace
Covent Garden
Day 2
St Paul’s Cathedral
Borough Market
Tower of London
Soho
Day 3
Kensington
Museums
Notting Hill
Afternoon Tea
Day 4
East London
Views and vintage or
North London
Markets and canals
London 4 day itinerary
Day 1 | Westminster, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, Covent Garden
Your first day in London takes you to some of the city’s most iconic spots. From the heart of the political and historical centre of London, it’s the perfect way to start your four days in London itinerary.
Make the most of jetlag and beat the crowds by starting your morning in South Bank. Walk around the River Thames, past the London Eye, and across Westminster Bridge. This is where you will get some of those first epic shots of Big Ben and Elizabeth Tower before you make your way to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Westminster Abbey.
From royal weddings to coronations, this exceptional church is steeped in more than 1,000 years of history. The building we now observe dates back to the reign of King Henry III in the 13th century and is a home to a collection of historical artefacts as well as exceptional architectural details.
The best way to skip the line is to book this guided tour which also provides excellent historical insight about Westminster Abbey as you take in the exceptional Gothic architecture. Next up, make your way to Hyde Park, one of London’s largest green spaces and the perfect way to spend a sunny morning.
Whether you choose to take a leisurely walk or rent a bike, there are a few places you shouldn’t miss in Hyde Park, including the Serpentine Lake, Speaker’s Corner, and English Garden. This is a great spot to stop for a drink or snack before continuing on to Buckingham Palace.
Buckingham Palace is the King’s official residence and is internationally recognised as a symbol of the British monarchy. If you’d like to take a peek inside, the state rooms are open from July-September for summer. Outside of this, small pre-booked tours of the East Wing are available between January and May.
If you want to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony, it usually starts around 10:45 am and lasts for about 45 minutes. If this is a priority for you, I’d start your morning at Hyde Park and head to Buckingham Palace before moving to Westminster around lunch time.
After Buckingham Palace, head to Covent Garden, taking a scenic walking route that passes along The Mall and to Trafalgar Square, which is where you’ll find the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. Continue along The Strand and then head up into Covent Garden.
This lively area in the heart of London is known for its street performances, boutique stores, and the Apple Market. There are loads of dining options in the area, but I recommend you head a few streets back from the main square of Covent Garden to Seven Dials Market. This multi-level indoor market has a tonne of food stalls and micro-restaurants to choose from. A few worth calling out are Oshpaz Dumplings, Flesh & Buns, and Little Pudding.
You can easily spend a few hours marvelling at the stores and corners in and around Covent Garden, and you’re in the right place if you want to catch a show at one of London’s world-famous theatres.
Covent Garden is at the heart of London’s West End and has an array of big-name and smaller musicals, plays, and operas. Lots of restaurants in the area offer a pre-theatre menu that is served earlier than the usual dinner time, and these are typically more affordable too.
But, if you fancy a true English pub meal, then I highly recommend the Lamb & Flag. This typical Georgian pub was once frequented by Charles Dickens, and it’s full of the character that I’ve come to adore UK pubs for. There’s plenty of British pub classics on the menu from shepherd’s pie to fish and chips, or bangers and mash.
Day 2 | St Paul’s, Borough Market, Tower of London, and Soho
Your first day in London was all about the monuments at the political centre of the city. Today, we cover off a few more iconic spots in London’s skyline starting with St Paul’s Cathedral. This is my favourite building in London, with its majestic dome dominating the skyline.
I recommend starting here to avoid the busiest times and so you can enjoy the magnitude of this exceptional 18th-century Baroque church. St Paul’s Cathedral was designed by Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666, and its intricately detailed mosaic interior is a testament to the craftsmanship of the design.
A ticket to visit the cathedral gives you access to the interior, the Whispering Gallery, and the Golden Gallery. The Whispering Gallery is a circular walkway around the interior of the dome where a whisper can be heard from across the other side. It’s 259 steps to the Whispering Gallery, and you can stop on the way to the top.
The final climb takes you to the Golden Gallery and outside to a small balcony at the top of the dome with panoramic views across London. I’d recommend you spend at least an hour slowly soaking up St Paul’s before heading across Millennium Bridge which offers great views of St Paul’s and across the Thames.
Continue along the southern banks of the Thames, passing by Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre before you reach London Bridge. Just around the corner you’ll find Borough Market, and you’d better come hungry!
With roughly 1,000 of heritage, Borough Market has been a centrepiece of London’s food history for centuries. Now, it’s a bustling foodie favourite with a mix of permanent shops and street food market stalls. From cheese mongers and wine merchants to freshly shucked oysters, gourmet sandwiches, and freshly baked goods, there’s so much to choose from. A few of my favourites are the incredible sandwiches from The Black Pig, and the desserts at Humble Crumble.
Once you’ve filled up at Borough Market, continue further east until you reach Tower Bridge. This is the iconic bridge that too many tourists mistake for London Bridge, and it’s helped connect the north and south side of the Thames since 1894. While you could just stroll across the bridge, I highly recommend visiting the towers to see the Victorian engine rooms and across the glass walkways.
I really enjoyed getting a look at the former inner workings of how the bridge was opened by the traditional oil engines and hydraulic systems, and it has great views both east and west along the River Thames. Tower bridge used to open more than 10,000 times a year, but these days it’s around 800. I recommend booking a ticket to skip the line and visit the tower to secure timed entry.
Now, it’s over to the Tower of London, an essential addition if you’re spending 4 days in London. Buy your ticket in advance to save time and head straight into the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 11th century by William the Conquerer, the Tower of London has served as a royal palace, prison, and treasury throughout history.
Just like heading here first thing in the morning, visiting later in the day is better than the middle when crowds are at their peak. Highlights during your visit include the Crown Jewels, spotting the iconic beefeaters, and a visit to the ravens which legend says protect the Kingdom. Give yourself at least 2-3 hours to take everything in without rushing.
In the evening, make your way back to Soho for dinner. I recommend jumping onboard one of the vintage double-decker buses. The T15 route operates between the Tower of London and Trafalgar Square (and sometimes to Waterloo), passing by several of London’s iconic spots. Tickets can be bought onboard from the bus conductor.
Soho is a buzzy area of London that encompasses places like Oxford and Regent Streets, Carnaby Street, Liberty of London, and a huge variety of great restaurants. A few of my favourites are Sicilian cuisine at Norma, Japanese fusion at Chotto Matte, or Mexican at El Pastor. This is also a great way to end the day if you’re visiting in November or December, as it’s where you’ll find a lot of London’s best Christmas light spots - perfect for a post-dinner walk.
Day 3 | Kensington, Notting Hill, and Afternoon Tea
Start by heading to West London in the elegant neighborhood of Kensington. Home to both the V&A and Natural History Museum, this is one of my favourite places to visit for a little cultural injection on a budget. Entry to both museums is free, with a selection of paid exhibitions from the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit at the NHM, to fashion and legendary music displays at the V&A. My favourites have been the Pink Floyd and Christian Dior exhibitions.
After spending the morning wandering the galleries and peering into the display cases of the museums, spend some time strolling through Kensington Gardens which is at the west end of Hyde Park. If you have time, consider visiting the Italian Gardens and Kensington Palace where Princess Diana previously lived.
Then, jump on the tube and head over to Notting Hill. If you’re here on a Saturday you can visit the famous Portobello Road Market. The rest of the time, there are a collection of antique stores and cafes to pop into, as well as a few well-known spots thanks to the movie ‘Notting Hill’.
Notting Hill is one of London’s most colourful neighbourhoods, with notable mentions to St Luke’s Mews, Denby Place, Lancaster Road, and Elgin Crescent. If you’re visiting around Halloween or Christmas, it’s also a great spot to see houses decorated in some incredibly lavish decorations!
Notting Hill is one of my favourite areas just to wander. Whether it’s to enjoy the wisteria blooming in spring or to see the colours changing in autumn, the pretty streets are perfect for escaping the busy central tourist areas.
Save room for a late lunch, because you can’t visit London without afternoon tea. There is no shortage of choice when it comes to choosing where to enjoy this quintessentially British activity, but if I could recommend a few it would be:
The Winter Garden at the Landmark Hotel | This is a great option while you’re on the northern side of inner London and you can pass by the stunning Marylebone Town Hall. I spent my birthday here and both service and food were brilliant.
The Palm Court at The Ritz | Hands down one of the most grand afternoon teas in London, you will feel a little like royalty here. The champagne afternoon is perfect for a late afternoon celebration with friends or loved ones. This was perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day with my husband.
Fortnum & Mason | A staple of premium quality gifts, enjoying afternoon tea at the Royal Exchange in Bank feels top-tier with a slightly more affordable price tag.
If you choose to have a late afternoon tea, you may not feel like dinner. Either take the evening to relax or head down for a stroll along the Thames to see London’s skyline lit up at night.
Day 4 | Choose your own adventure: Edgy East London or Markets and Canals
For your last day in London, I’m giving you a few options for how to spend the day. There are so many neighbourhoods to explore in this dynamic city that you can easily choose some based on your interests. So, I’m recommending a few of my favourites.
Option 1: Edgy East London
This is a great option for foodies, hipsters, and those who enjoy thrift shopping. East London, especially around Shoreditch and Hackney, are where you’ll get a bit more of a local feel and step away from those iconic tourist attractions. It doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do here though.
From street art to markets, East London has undergone major gentrification in the last 15 or so years and is now a popular spot among locals and in-the-know visitors. If you intend on spending the day getting to know this side of London, I’d recommend starting at Horizon 22 where you can head to the second-tallest building in London for a free view over London’s skyline.
You can pre-book tickets online, but you can also check on the day if there are any available and register via QR at the door. First entry is from 10am, so grab breakfast or a coffee nearby beforehand (Rosslyn Coffee near Bank Station is great!).
Give yourself around an hour to visit Horizon 22 before heading over to Spitalfields Market. This is the perfect place to pick up lunch with dozens of street food stalls serving up international cuisine. Notable mentions are the fresh Italian focaccias from Bread & Truffle, the epic sandwiches from Crunch, and flatbreads from Le Bab. Don’t miss taking a look around the art market which features work from local creatives while you’re here.
If you’re looking for something arty, why not visit the Van Gogh Immersive Experience in London? The super relaxing exhibition features many of the painter's most popular works projected on the walls where you can feel at one with the art.
To round out your time in East London, you can’t miss Brick Lane Market. Sunday is definitely the best time to visit, when the flea market and food stalls are in full swing. If you’re here during the week, there are still plenty of cool vintage shops to browse and it’s a great place to pick up a pre-loved leather jacket or denim.
If you’ve been wanting to visit Dishoom but didn’t fancy waiting in line at the Covent Garden branch, then try the Shoreditch restaurant instead for dinner. You can make reservations for this branch, so plan ahead to secure a table.
Looking for an evening activity in East London? I loved taking this Jack the Ripper guided tour which reveals the dark and mysterious past of this corner of London in the 19th century.
Option 2: Markets and Canals in North London
The Thames might be the best-known waterway flowing through the British capital, but a series of canals also make for a scenic backdrop. To make the most of this, today will take you to a canal-side market and on a narrow boat ride through the Regent’s Canal.
Start your morning with a walk around Regent’s Park. I love this park from spring through to autumn as it has an abundance of seasonal blooms and vibrant autumn foliage. Queen Mary’s Garden is a hit with rose lovers, while the Winter Garden ensures there are seasonal blooms that are perfect even in the depths of London’s frostier months.
After that, head over to Camden Market. This is a great spot for street food with canal-side stalls serving international cuisine from Nepalese to Mexican and a whole lot more. But there’s a lot more than just food at Camden Market worth exploring.
Beginning in the 1970s as a small market, Camden Lock was the hangout spot for Londoners in the punk scene. An eclectic area known for its music venues, vintage shopping, and alternative atmosphere, it’s a lively place. Give yourself around two hours to trawl through the endless staffs of vintage denim, alt-fashion, and enjoy lunch. The various markets at Camden are open daily, and you can refer to each market’s opening hours here.
After lunch, it’s time to jump on a boat for a canal cruise down the Regent’s Canal. You can book a one-way journey with the London Waterbus from Camden to Little Venice (or a return ticket at a reduced price) on a traditional narrow boat. The canal tour takes you past London Zoo and the manicured gardens of some of London’s mansion houses, passing under bridges and by live-aboard houseboats.
Once you reach Little Venice, be sure to take a walk around the area, which is at its picture-perfect best in autumn. There are several green spaces nearby, as well as waterside cafes and restaurants, including the floating ‘Waterside Cafe’.
For dinner, you can choose somewhere around Paddington like the Cheese Barge or Bondi Green, or head back to Soho which is brimming with incredible restaurants.
How to get around London
The public transport in London is some of the best-connected I’ve experienced. Having come from Sydney originally, the fact that there are so many tube and train lines, as well as bus routes that run even into the wee hours is brilliant. With that said, if you’re not used to using similar style transport modals, it can feel a little overwhelming at first.
So, let’s break it down…
Tube
I can say with almost 100% certainty that you will take the tube while you’re in London. I’m a big fan of walking around cities to see every little street corner and hidden laneway, but London is simply too big for that.
To make it easier, the tube lines are colour coded and run either east to west or north to south. There are boards in the stations and on platforms showing you the stations and the direction of travel. Most tubes run every 2-5 minutes, and some lines operate the night tube on Friday and Saturday nights, including the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines.
To pay for your travel on the tube you need to tap in to start your journey and again when you exit that station.
Bus
Those iconic red double-decker buses are a great way to get to places when a tube station or train station isn’t close enough. It’s also an excellent way to see more of the city as you're travelling around. Even after all this time, I still love sitting in the front seat at the top, however touristy it may seem.
Buses within London are always charged at £1.75 for a single journey completed within an hour, which means you can change buses in a single journey and be charged that flat fee for the ride. It’s cheaper than the tube, but can take longer. To travel on buses, you only need to tap on, but you don’t need to tap off.
Overground
The London Overground is sort of like a mix between the tub and trains. It launched in 2007, and lines were renamed and new colours allocated for each in 2024. It is a way to better connect areas outside of central London, and places that don’t have a direct tube line connection. Like the tub, tap in and out to pay for your journey.
DLR
London’s DLR is a light rail system directly connecting London's two major financial districts, Canary Wharf and the City of London. You are unlikely to use this much, if at all during your time in London. Pay for your journey the same as the tube, tap in and out at the station.
How to pay for public transport in London
You have a few options when it comes to paying for your public transport travel in London:
1 | Contactless with your debit or credit card. Simply tap your bank card and you will be charged one time at the end of the day. There are daily caps applicable depending on which zones you travelled in.
2 | ApplePay or GooglePay work the same way as using your bank card. Tap in (and out where required) for your journey.
3 | Oyster is London’s public transport card. You can collect these from machines at stations and top up with funds as needed at the machines as well. These are a good option if you can’t use one of the above payment methods, or would prefer not to.
4 | Travel cards are paper-style tickets that cover travel in a specific range of zones i.e. zones 1-3 for a specified period i.e. 24 hours.
Is four days enough in London?
I’ve lived in London for almost ten years and I still haven’t seen everything. With that said, four days is the minimum I’d recommend you visit London to see the city’s top historical sights, visit some of the best neighbourhoods, and explore some of the incredible museums and cultural sights.
I’d recommend extending your time in the UK with day trips to nearby cities including Oxford or Cambridge, or spending a weekend in The Cotswolds, which is one of my favourite places in England.
When is the best time to visit London?
London is a year round city, but there are some times I’d suggest are better to visit. April and May are perfect for spring flowers including cherry blossoms and wisteria, though April can be a little rainier than usual.
September and October are mild, while November has beautiful autumn leaves and Christmas decorations start to fill the city streets. December is great as the city is perfect for a festive break.
I’d avoid summer, as school holidays means the tourist attractions are busier than usual. January to March are also a bit dreary, chilly, and generally my least favourite time of the year in the city.
Which is the best airport for London?
There are five airports in and around London that may appear when you search for flights. Occasionally you may see a sixth listed, London Southend, but don’t ever get a flight here. It is nowhere near London and you’ll spend hours trying to make it to the city. Just don’t book a flight there, ever.
Of the five airports, there are two or three that I recommend depending on your point of origin.
London Heathrow is the largest airport serving London and is where many long-haul flights arrive/depart. You can easily reach central London from Heathrow by train or tube, taking the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station, or taking the Elizabeth Line or the Piccadilly Line to central London. The last option is the slowest and cheapest.
Book your Heathrow Express tickets in advance and lock them in for just £20 here, which is cheaper than buying them at the station on the day.
London Gatwick is located south of London and offers flights across Europe, as well as long haul destinations in The Americas, Middle East, and Africa mostly. The Gatwick Express train runs to/from Victoria station every 15 minutes usually, and the journey takes just 30 minutes. Victoria station is connected with several Tube lines, as well as train services.
London City Airport is a smaller central London airport that flies mostly to other European destinations. It’s the closest airport to the city, but has limited long-haul flights. It’s connected to central London via the DLR line.
