Planning a trip to London? It’s one of my favorite cities, a place where history, architecture, and great storytelling collide on every street.
London has endless options: blockbuster museums, royal landmarks, atmospheric neighborhoods, and enough literary and political history to keep you busy for days.
This streamlined 4 day itinerary takes you through the essentials. You get the major sights and the quieter gems that give London its character.
Snapshot Of 3 Days In London Itinerary
Here’s a quick glance of what you can see:
- Parliament Square
- Westminster Abbey
- Changing of Guards at Buckingham Palace
- Walking tour of Westminster
- Covent Garden for lunch
- Trafalgar Square
- National Gallery of Art
- Show in the West End
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Millennium Bridge
- Tate Modern or Globe Theater
- Borough Market for lunch
- Southwark Cathedral
- Tower Bridge
- Tower of London
- Views at Garden at 120, Sky Garden, or Shard
- Bermondsy Street for dinner
- British Museum & British Library
- Wallace Collection and Soho
- Mayfair
- Hyde Park
- Victoria & Albert Museum
- Kensington Palace
- Dinner in West End neighborhood
- East London
- Medieval streets of Central London
- London Mithraeum
4 Days In London Itinerary
Day 1 AM
1. Parliament Square
Start your morning with a quiet walk through Parliament Square. Aim for about 8:30 a.m. so you have time to look around before heading to Westminster Cathedral, which opens at 9:30.
Parliament Square is ringed with statues of major historical figures. The Churchill statue is a standout and feels appropriately stubborn and oversized, just like the man himself.
From the square, you get classic London views: Big Ben, the Palace of Westminster, and Westminster Abbey. Big Ben’s restoration is finally finished and the tower gleams.
2. Westminster Abbey
After you’ve explored the square, make your way to Westminster Abbey.
It’s the most historic church in the English speaking world, the setting for every coronation since William the Conqueror and sixteen royal weddings. It also holds the tombs of countless royals and luminaries, including the famously feuding Tudor sisters, Elizabeth I and Mary.
The highlight is the Henry VII Chapel at the eastern end, a flamboyant piece of Tudor propaganda once praised as a “wonder of the world.”
Henry VII built it to cement his new dynasty after defeating Richard III in the War of the Roses. The chapel’s fan vaulted ceiling is astonishing, and the king and his wife, Elizabeth of York, lie beneath it.
Your ticket includes an audio guide, which is worth using. For an extra £5, you can climb up to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries in the Weston Tower for sweeping views over the nave and a look at rarely seen treasures from the abbey’s collection.
Click here to pre-book a timed entry ticket to Westminster Abbey. You can also take a 2 hour private guided tour of the abbey.
3. Changing of the Guard, Walking Tour, or Churchill War Rooms
After you visit the abbey, either: (1) head west to Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guards at 11:00 am or (3) visit the Churchill War Rooms.
Option 1: Changing of the Guard
At 11:00 am, you can marvel at the traditional Changing of the Guard performance. It involves meticulously dressed soldiers marching to the rhythm of military drums.
You can book a guided tour if you want to learn about the history of the tradition. If visiting the palace is a priority to you, click here to book a ticket to the state rooms.
Option 2: Churchill War Rooms
If you’re a history buff, consider swapping in the Churchill War Rooms.
It’s an outstanding museum set inside the underground bunker where Churchill and his staff ran Britain’s war effort. This is where his gravelly, unmistakable voice went out over the airwaves while German bombs fell overhead.
The museum is immersive and surprisingly moving. You can listen to Churchill’s speeches, read first hand accounts of life in the bunker, and follow the day-to-day decisions that shaped the war.
One of the best features is a massive 15 meter touchscreen timeline that lays out Churchill’s life alongside key WWII events. Addictive for anyone who loves history.
>>> Click here to pre-book a ticket
4. Covent Garden
Next, make your way to Covent Garden for a wander and some lunch.
This neighborhood has been a London favorite since the 1600s, and it still mixes polished restaurants, cocktail spots, indie shops, and a maze of market stalls.
If it’s your first visit to London, it’s an easy yes. And if you’re a market person (I definitely am), you can even join a three-hour tour that pairs Covent Garden with Camden and Borough.
The main draw is Apple Market, but don’t miss the surrounding streets. Neal’s Yard is a colorful little hideaway, Seven Dials is fun to explore, and Central Square usually has street performers doing their thing.
If you’re hungry, The Barbary is excellent — Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes with big flavor.
Back near Apple Market, you can grab lunch at Frenchies, the Crusting Pipe, or Crème de la Crêpe.
The streets around the market are packed with options too, from Ave Mario and Petersham Nurseries to Coral Pearl or Kebab Queen if you’re in the mood for something casual.
Covent Garden is also home to the Royal Opera House, so if you skipped a West End show, this is your chance to catch a ballet or take a behind-the-scenes tour of the place.
Day 1 PM
1. Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is London’s central gathering place, anchored by Nelson’s Column, which commemorates the British victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.
The fountains, the bronze lions, and the constant movement make it a natural crossroads. Streets branch off toward Soho, Covent Garden, Parliament Square, and even Buckingham Palace.
Take a moment to look around, then head straight into the National Gallery.
2. National Gallery of Art
London’s National Gallery is one of the world’s great museums, with a collection that spans 2,000 European paintings from the 1200s to the 1800s.
It holds the best group of Italian Renaissance works outside Italy and has deep strengths in British, Dutch, French, Spanish, and Flemish painting.
You’ll see Rembrandt, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Turner, Monet, Van Gogh. It’s the kind of lineup that makes you wonder how all of this ended up in one building.
Click here to book a guided tour of this magnificent museum.
Day 1 Evening
No trip to London feels complete without seeing a show in the West End, which rivals Broadway in range and talent.
This is “Theatreland,” a cluster of about forty playhouses around Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.
You can book tickets online ahead of time, or try your luck at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for same day discounts.
If you love show biz tales, you can even book a 2 hour guided musical theater tour.
Day 2 AM
1. St. Paul’s Cathedral
On day two, start at one of London’s defining landmarks: St. Paul’s Cathedral.
It’s the largest and most famous of the city’s churches and has lived several lives: looted, burned, rebuilt, and finally reimagined by Sir Christopher Wren in 1710. It survived the Blitz and has hosted major royal events, including the wedding of Charles and Diana.
Wren modeled its grand scale on St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The exterior is dominated by the 225 foot dome. The interior is full of rich details: a gilded high altar, restored mosaics, and James Thornhill’s painted cupola.
Guards will even tell you to lie on the floor for the best photo of the dome!
If you can handle 528 steps, the climb is worth it. You’ll pass the Whispering Gallery, then reach the Stone and Golden Galleries for panoramic London views and a closer look at the dome’s architecture.
For another angle, head to the mall next door. The sixth floor terrace is free and gives you an excellent close up of the dome.
Click here to purchase a skip the line ticket to St. Paul’s. You can also book a 2.5 hour guided tour of St. Paul’s and other London viewpoints.
2. Visit The Globe Theater or the Tate Modern
Next, cross the Millennium Bridge to get to your next destination on the south bank. It’s a beautiful modern bridge with great views.
When you arrive, choose between visiting the Shakespeare’s Globe Theater or the Tate Modern.
Option 1: Globe Theater
Shakespeare fans should make time for the Globe Theatre. It’s one of the great touchstones of English cultural history, a faithful reconstruction of the original playhouse that burned down in 1613.
The modern Globe follows the Elizabethan model: a circular, open-air theater with timber framing and a thatched roof. Shakespeare premiered Henry V here.
You can take a guided tour of the complex, which includes the open air theater, box office area, and the Jacobean playhouse.
Public tours run frequently, about every half hour, and you may even catch actors in rehearsal.
Option 2: Tate Modern
Art lovers should head for the Tate Modern, one of the world’s leading modern art museums. It’s packed with major works of modern and contemporary art. And aside from special exhibitions, admission is free.
You’ll find heavy hitters everywhere: Warhol’s Marilyn Diptych, Duchamp’s Fountain, Modigliani’s Peasant Boy, Picasso’s Nude Woman in a Red Armchair, and Dalí’s absurd Lobster Telephone.
Don’t skip the Mark Rothko room, which holds the nine Seagram Murals he gifted to the museum in the 1960s. Rothko insisted they be shown together in a dim, contemplative space, and the Tate honors that.
Click here to book a guided tour of the Tate Modern.
3. Southwark Cathedral
Southwark Cathedral is just a short walk away and worth a quick stop. It’s a small Gothic treasure with roots stretching back to 606 A.D.
The original church burned in 1212, and the building you see now is mostly 13th-century, with a mix of Norman elements at the rear and Gothic styling up front.
Inside, the sandstone colored vaulted ceiling gives the space a soft, warm glow. You’ll find lovely stained glass, a memorial to Shakespeare, and unusual 15th century wooden roof capitals that give the church even more character.
4. Borough Market
Time for lunch. Borough Market is only a 3 minute walk from Southwark and has been feeding London since the 12th century. It’s busy, atmospheric, and packed with high quality food vendors.
Seating is limited, but that’s part of the experience. You wander, sample, and follow whatever smells good.
I’ve had great curries here and an excellent wild mushroom risotto. And if you see Mrs. King’s Pork Pies, don’t walk past them. They’re outstanding.
You can book a guided food tour that includes Borough Market.
5. Tower Bridge
After lunch, head to Tower Bridge, one of London’s most recognizable landmarks. Built in the late 1800s during Queen Victoria’s reign, it was designed to echo the medieval look of the nearby Tower of London.
You can simply walk across it, or buy a ticket to access the upper walkways. The self-guided tour covers the bridge’s history and the Victorian engineering that made it possible.
Some sections have glass floors, so you can look straight down at the traffic and the Thames flowing underneath. It’s a fun (and slightly dizzying) perspective.
Kids seem to particularly enjoy the experience. You can book a 4 hour Tower Bridge and Tower of London experience specifically for kids and families.
6. Tower of London
Once you cross Tower Bridge, you’ll reach one of London’s great landmarks: the Tower of London.
If you’re a history lover, this is the place to be. The Tower has been everything over the centuries: royal palace, fortress, prison, mint, armory, treasury, observatory, and even a royal menagerie.
It’s a full immersion in the long parade of Edwards, Richards, and Henrys. Join one of the free 45 minute Yeoman Warder tours.
They run hourly and are genuinely entertaining. The warders are booming, theatrical storytellers who lean into the Tower’s darker history with relish.
Most visitors make a beeline for the Crown Jewels. They’re extravagant, of course. But be ready for a long line in high season and remember that photos aren’t allowed.
Beyond the jewels, spend time exploring the medieval architecture: battlements, towers, the old armory, and the palace complex.
Parts of the Norman structure are nearly a thousand years old. This is also where Anne Boleyn met her end, which gives the place an unmistakable atmosphere even on the sunniest day.
If you loathe queues, be sure to pre-purchase tickets online in advance. The Tower is also free with the London Pass.
A ticket comes with a free audio guide. But you can also book a 2-3 hour tour with an expert or a private 3 hour tour to get the full scoop and see the tower’s hidden gems.
7. London Viewpoints
If you want great views of London, there are two excellent (and free) spots near the Tower.
The first is the Sky Garden, a 5 minute walk away at the top of the Walkie Talkie building on Fenchurch Street. It’s a lush indoor garden with flowers, herbs, and plenty of greenery, spread over several levels with sweeping views of the city.
You can wander the terraces, enjoy the lookout decks, or grab a drink at the Sky Pod Bar. Entry is free, but you need a reservation.
The second viewpoint is the Garden at 120 on top of the Fen Court building. No booking required. You just show up, clear a quick security check, and ride the elevator up.
It’s an open air terrace with 360-degree views and well-kept gardens. It’s still under the radar, so the wait is usually short.
If you have a London Pass, you could also opt to take a spin on the London Eye. If you don’t have the London Pass, you must pre-book a skip the line ticket for the eye. The lines are epically long.
Day 2 Evening
Consider spending your evening in Bermondsey, just across the Thames from the Tower of London. It’s a genuine London hidden gem and a longtime favorite with locals.
The neighborhood has transformed in recent years and now feels lively and polished, with cobbled lanes and handsome old buildings that look straight out of a period drama.
Bermondsey is also a serious food destination. You’ll find street food markets that rival Borough Market and some of the city’s most talked-about restaurants.
Trivet is the current star — it just earned a Michelin rating — but Pique-Nique, José Tapas Bar, Casse-Croute, and the Maltby Street Market are all excellent options.
As another evening option, you might book a guided tour of London’s historic pubs or of the trendy pubs in the West End.
Day 3 AM
Begin day 3 at either the British Museum and the British Library or head to The Wallace Collection and the SoHo neighborhood.
Option 1: British Museum & British Library
British Museum
The British Museum is one of the world’s great universal museums and another of London’s standout free attractions.
Its collection runs to more than eight million objects, covering the full sweep of human history. You could spend weeks here, so it pays to map out a plan and focus on the highlights.
Start with the Egyptian galleries, which hold monumental busts, sarcophagi, and of course the Rosetta Stone. The Roman collections are excellent too, with imperial portraits and large-scale sculpture.
Room 18 houses the Parthenon sculptures — the so-called Elgin Marbles — a set of friezes and statues once part of the Parthenon on the Acropolis. They’re extraordinary works, and still at the center of a long, heated debate.
You can book a guided tour of the British Museum. You can even have afternoon tea there.
British Library
The British Library is only a five-minute walk from the British Museum and is the largest library in the world. The exterior won’t win any beauty contests, but the courtyard does have a striking Paolozzi statue of Newton that sets the tone.
Inside, the library holds an extraordinary range of treasures — rare books, maps, manuscripts, and historic documents. The reading rooms require an advance pass, but anyone can visit the Treasures Gallery on a walk-in basis.
It’s packed with highlights: Mozart’s handwritten scores, Lewis Carroll’s Alice manuscript, Charlotte Brontë’s draft of Jane Eyre, Jane Austen’s writing desk, the Gutenberg Bible, and the Magna Carta. Beatles fans will spot handwritten song lyrics as well.
If you want lunch in Bloomsbury afterward, there are plenty of good spots nearby: Honey & Co for Middle Eastern dishes, Boopshi’s for Viennese comfort food, Chez Mamie for French classics, or Ristorante Olivelli for Italian.
Option 2: The Wallace Collection & Soho
Wallace Collection
Option two is the Wallace Collection, one of the world’s great small museums and a genuine London treasure.
Tucked away in Marylebone, it’s housed in a grand townhouse that still feels like a private residence, with art displayed in its original period rooms.
The collection is a jewel box of Old Master paintings.
Its strengths are 18th century French art and European painting more broadly, with works by Rembrandt, Hals, Velázquez, Titian, and Canaletto.
Rococo fans will be in heaven — there are major pieces by Watteau, Boucher, and Fragonard, including the museum’s star, The Swing.
Tip: Each afternoon at 3:00, the museum offers a free 30-minute tour of the Grand Gallery led by a curator. Just stop by the front desk to reserve a spot.
SoHo
Soho is about a 10–15 minute walk from the Wallace Collection and is always buzzing. People eating, drinking, shopping, or just drifting between its 90 some streets in the West End.
If you’re in the mood to browse, swing into Selfridges. It’s an over-the-top luxury department store that sells everything from designer fashion to oysters.
Soho is also a solid lunch stop. Barrafina is excellent if you can score a seat, and Noble Rot Soho is a great choice for wine lovers. For Italian, try Bocca di Lupo or Melle e Pere.
Day 3 PM
After lunch, take a stroll through the lovely neighborhood of Mayfair and Hyde Park.
1. Mayfair
Mayfair is a polished corner of west London bordered by Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly, and Park Lane. It’s quiet, immaculate, and unmistakably upscale.
Bond Street and Mount Street are lined with high end shops, but the real charm lies in Mayfair’s parks and garden squares. Mount Street Gardens is the prettiest, a peaceful spot with plenty of benches for people watching.
You can also book a 2 hour guided walking tour in Mayfair.
2. Hyde Park
Of London’s six royal parks, Hyde Park is the classic. It’s 350 acres of calm in the middle of the city, with winding paths, fountains, and the occasional folly. Don’t rush it. This is where you stroll, feed ducks, or rent a paddle boat on the Serpentine.
Henry VIII originally used the land as a hunting ground. But today the park’s main draws are the Princess Diana Memorial, the ornate Albert Memorial, the Serpentine lake, the Bandstand, the Italian Gardens, and the Achilles statue.
Hyde Park also forms part of the 7 mile Princess Diana Walk, which links sites connected to her life. And you can also book a 2 hour guided tour of the Princess Diana attractions.
3. Victoria & Albert Museum Or Kensington Palace
For the rest of your afternoon, choose between the Victoria and Albert Museum, known as the V&A, or Kensington Palace.
Option 1: V&A
The V&A is an enormous museum named for the royal couple who championed many of the achievements of the Victorian era.
Despite its size, it’s an inviting, non-stuffy place with an eclectic collection focused on design and the decorative arts.
The collection reflects the global reach of the former British Empire and covers just about every medium imaginable. If you’re short on time, grab the museum’s “Greatest Treasures Guide” to zero in on the highlights.
Your visit begins with a showstopper: Dale Chihuly’s massive blown-glass chandelier in the entrance hall. Other must-see pieces include the Ardabil Carpet (the world’s oldest dated Persian carpet), Tipu’s Tiger, and the full-scale plaster cast of Trajan’s Column.
I’m also partial to the Paul and Jill Ruddock Galleries, which are filled with Renaissance sculpture, including a life size cast of Michelangelo’s David from Florence.
The V&A is free to visit. You can also book a guided tour of the museum.
Option 2: Kensington Palace
If you’re not up for another museum, head to Kensington Palace. It was once home to Prince William and Kate Middleton and is also the birthplace of Queen Victoria.
Inside, you can walk through a series of exhibitions, historic state rooms, and formal gardens. Fashion lovers will appreciate the display of Princess Diana’s dresses currently on display.
And if you’re in the mood for a break, the Kensington Palace Pavilion is a pleasant spot for afternoon tea. The palace hosts a special royal high tea at the palace.
You get free entry to the palace with the London Pass. Otherwise, be sure to book a skip the line ticket.
4. Notting Hill
Next, head further west to Notting Hill, one of London’s most photographed neighborhoods. People love it for its rows of pastel townhouses. And the 1999 Julia Roberts–Hugh Grant film only cemented its fame.
Wander Talbot Road, Blenheim Crescent, and Westbourne Grove for bookshops, cafés, art, and good shopping. Hillgate Place is especially pretty and worth the detour.
Notting Hill is also home to Portobello Road Market, one of the world’s best-known street markets, packed with antique dealers and food stalls. The main market day is Saturday, but it also runs Monday through Wednesday.
Click here to book a 2 hour guided walking tour of pretty Notting Hill or a 4 hour guided tour that includes Covent Garden, Notting Hill, and Portobello Market.
I recently booked the 4 hour tour and had a wonderful guide. He ended up giving me a 5 hour tour and we also strolled through Belgravia, Chelsea, and South Kensington. Amazing!
Day 3 Evening
Since your day ends in West London, it’s a good place to settle in for a drink or dinner.
Start with a pint at the Churchill Arms, the famously over-the-top pub covered in flowers.
For dinner, you’ll find plenty of good options nearby: La Mia Mamma in Chelsea for Italian, Gogi in Little Venice for Korean, or Monti Mahal in South Kensington for something spicier.
Notting Hill has great choices too: MAM for Vietnamese, The Ledbury if you want a splurge, The Shed for something seasonal, or SNAPS + Rye for a Danish-inspired menu.
Day 4 AM
East London
Shoreditch & Brick Lane
Begin your morning in Shoreditch in East London. The area is plastered with street art, and feel young and buzzy.
Not the Instagram-bait kind but the real, gritty, constantly changing stuff that gives the neighborhood its identity. Wander through the back lanes, dip into vintage shops, and let the color and chaos pull you along.
Walk toward Brick Lane, which is practically a world unto itself. You’ll pass curry houses, bagel shops, markets, and art stalls. Oh, and the curries!
Old Spitalfields Market
Spitalfields is your next stop. It’s one of London’s oldest markets and now a blend of designer stalls, handmade crafts, and pop-up food stands.
The surrounding streets (especially around Commercial Street and Artillery Passage) have that classic East London mix of old warehouses, Georgian facades, and small quirky shops.
Day 4 PM
The City’s Medieval Streets
From Spitalfields, it’s just a short walk into the City of London, where the atmosphere changes entirely.
Slip into the maze of medieval lanes that survived the Great Fire, narrow passages like the ones off Bishopsgate and around Leadenhall Market.
It’s the closest thing London has to time travel. The modern skyline looms overhead, but down at street level you still feel the bones of Medieval London under your feet.
London Mithraeum
If you like ancient history, be sure to pop into the London Mithraeum. It’s one of the best small historic sites in central London and an easy fit with this day.
The restored Roman temple sits below street level and gives you a quick, atmospheric glimpse of Londinium. There’s an immersive reconstruction of the ancient cult space.
Tips For Visiting London
1. How To Get To London
London has a total of six airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City, and Southend. Among these airports, Heathrow and Gatwick are the busiest due to their major international destinations.
If you’re travelling to central London, there are various modes of transportation.
If you’re coming from Heathrow, you can opt to take the Heathrow Express, the tube, taxi, or a private transfer. On the other hand, if you’re arriving at Gatwick, you have the option to take the Gatwick Express, the train, taxi, or book a private transfer.
Aside from airports, London also has an excellent train network connecting to other cities in the UK and Europe. The city’s major train stations are King’s Cross, Euston, Victoria, Liverpool Street, Paddington, and Waterloo.
2. Should You Get The London Pass?
With 4 days in London, you should definitely consider getting the London Pass.
It gives you free entry to over 60 of London’s top attractions, including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Shard.
The Pass also comes with a free hop-on, hop-off bus ticket, hop-on hop-off river boat, and additional discounts on food, shopping, theater tickets, and tours.
There’s also a London Explorers Pass. With it, you can pre-select entry to 3, 5, or 7 out of 20 included destinations.
3. How To Get Around London
Central London is quite flat and full of sidewalks, making it great for walking. It’s best to explore one neighborhood at a time on foot.
But London is big, so you’ll likely need other transport too. You can use Uber or taxis to travel between attractions.
The Oyster Card is another handy London pass. It’s a smart card used to pay for transportation in London, including the tube (metro) and buses.
You can also just tap in and out of metro with your credit card if you have one with the contactless pay icon. I find this so easy and handy!
Plus, there are lot of other fun ways to explore London. You can book:
- 3.5 hour guided bike tour
- 2 hour electric bike tour
- hop on hop off river cruise
- hop on hop off bus
- dinner cruise on the Thames
- evening tour of London by car
4. When To Go To London
With a moderate climate, London is really a year round destination. And it doesn’t have nearly the terrible rainy weather some people claim.
I prefer visiting London in spring or fall. But I’ve also been in winter and had decent weather. I was just there in March and it was a sunny 60+ degrees.
5. Where To Stay In London
This is a big topic. London has a booming hotel scene.
Where you stay depends entirely on whether you prefer central London or somewhere less busy and noisy.
I usually stay in West London. Mayfair is especially beautiful, peaceful, and loaded with some of London’s best hotels:
- Beaumont Hotel (traditional and stylish Art Deco style)
- Duke’s London (feel like you’re stepping into PBS series)
- The Connaught (luxury cocooning retreat)
- The Stafford London (elegant 19th century home in St. James),
- Claridge’s (elegant Art Deco with aristocratic good looks)
- Four Seasons (sunny guest rooms with great views)
If you want something more centrally located, try:
- Corinthia (gold leaf and an amazing spa)
- The Bloomsbury (elegant red brick building with a well stocked library)
- Rosewood London (restored Edwardian luxury)
- Ham Yard Hotel (cool boutique hotel in Soho)
- Dorchester (English country house style with a killer afternoon tea)
I hope you’ve enjoyed my 4 days in London itinerary. You may be interested in these other London travel guides and resources:
- 5 Days in London Itinerary
- Guide To Free Museums in London
- Harry Potter Places in London
- Tourist Traps To Avoid in London
- Hidden Gems in London
- Best Museums in London
- Guide To Hampton Court Palace
- Guide To Hatfield House
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