London calling! Answer it and let’s discover together how you can spend 4 amazing days in the capital with the help of this London itinerary guide!
I’ve lived in London for a while and visited the city numerous times afterwards so I got to know the capital pretty well! I’ve included all the tips I have on how to make the best of your holidays and of course the main and most important attractions that you shouldn’t miss out on.
You probably know by now how popular this city is, so I can’t stress enough that it’s super important to book your hotels and attraction tickets in advance and secure your spots.
Quick Picks for Your Stay
Cost: from US$700 if traveling on a tight budget & around US$900 for mid-range travelers, as for luxury you can go over that and beyondTransportation: bus, tube & train Best luxury hotel: Hotel 41Best value for money: Z Hotel Covent GardenBest affordable accommodation: The Belgrave Hotel
Here’s a map of all the places and attractions that I’ve included in this London itinerary”
Day 1: Explore Central London & say hi to Big Ben
There’s no better place to start your London adventures than Central London, especially if this is your first time visiting the capital!
1. Go for a walk in Covent Garden
Located in London’s West End area, Covent Garden is always buzzing with energy! Packed with shops, attractions and bars, this neighborhood really has it all! Including lots of crowds, especially during rush hours, but I feel that even the crowds are part of its magic!
The perfect way to explore Covent Garden is to go on a walk to explore its streets! That way you can see most of the area and find its hidden gems.
However, if you like having a target and actually going to a specific space when exploring then I’d definitely recommend passing by the Royal Opera House, which you can tour (again if time allows it), catch a show or just admire its architecture.
Then you can make your way to Leicester Square (map), which is a cute area, just a 10 min walk away from the Royal Opera House with statues of different movie characters! Make sure to snap a pic of your favorite one before leaving.
From Leicester Square, you only need to walk for a minute and voila, you’ve reached the National Gallery! This is a place I highly recommend visiting, I actually went twice, just because it’s so amazing!
The art gallery has free entry and countless art pieces! The last time I went, they had one of DaVinci’s paintings and honestly, I never saw such a huge line to see an art piece in a museum!
The National Gallery is located in the famous Trafalgar Square (map), one of my favorite squares in London! I love the atmosphere there and usually, there are some street performers around, too. So you can just chill on the steps and enjoy a front-row show.
If you’re in London for longer than 4 days, we’ve got a whole post on the best things to do in London, which I definitely recommend checking out, especially if you have time and want to visit some other places.
2. Head to St. James’s Park & visit Buckingham Palace
Once you’ve had your daily dose of art and explored Trafalgar Square you can walk for 10 min or so, until you reach St. James’s Park (map), which is located adjacent to a notable street, called The Mall (map).
The Mall is a historical street that runs from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square. This is where lots of parades take place and it’s also painted in red, so there’s no way you can miss it. By the way, if you’re looking for more iconic streets in London, check out this post where I included the top ones!
Back to the park, now! St. James’s is perfect for a nice stroll, along the lake and it even has a small playground (map) where you can take the kids.
From the park, you can walk for about 4 min and arrive at the famous Buckingham Palace, the residence of the royal family in London, which you should definitely visit!
PRO TIP: The palace has a very specific schedule, so I’d recommend looking in advance to see if they’re open for tourist visits when you’re traveling. Usually, they show the availability for each season: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter and you can check the dates on their official website.
I definitely recommend checking out our post on how to buy the best Buckingham Palace tickets, before you get yours! You’ll find lots of useful tips there.
The tickets that you’ll get offer access only to the State Rooms and this is where the monarchs receive, reward, and welcome subjects and visiting dignitaries.
If you’re not that interested in visiting the Palace, you can just admire its architecture from the outside and see the Changing of the Guard ceremony (free of charge). Usually, it takes place once every 2 days at 11AM (check the schedule here to know for sure).
PRICE: US$41
3. Visit Westminster Abbey & say hi to Big Ben
Now that you’ve said hello to the King and seen his London residence, let’s walk to another iconic place, Westminster Abbey!
An architectural masterpiece, the Cathedral is a must-see for anyone who’s into history, royalty or who wants to admire a beautiful building!
Over 40 coronations and 16 weddings have taken place at the Abbey since 1100!
It truly is a fascinating place and while you’re inside you can see some really unique things, including the coronation chair, some royal tombs and the Lady Chapel.
Since this is a place of worship, the Abbey has a specific schedule for visiting so make sure you double-check their website if you’re planning to buy the tickets at the door. I highly recommend booking them in advance, since it’s one of the most visited places in the city.
Once you’re done at the Abbey, walk for 5 min and say hello to Big Ben (map), the famous clock tower, set on the banks of the River Thames, near the Palace of Westminster!
NOTE: Since its renovation, you can join tours of the iconic Big Ben tower! However, you have to climb the 334 stairs! You can learn more about it on this website. I didn’t include it as a main thing to do because it can be super time-consuming and usually people just want to see its exterior. But if you’ve always wanted to visit it (and you have the time), then check the website and book your ticket!
PRICE: US$38
4. Enjoy the nightlife in Soho
Alrighty, ready to end your first day in London with a bang?
Since we’re still in the Central area of the city, I thought there’s no better place to grab some drinks and sit for a while than Soho!
This is one of the best areas to stay in London, for those who want to enjoy the city’s nightlife! You’ll find lots of pubs and bars where you can enjoy some drinks with your travel buddies!
If you’re looking for a place to start the night and dance then head over to Thirst Bar Soho (map) and continue your bar-hopping from there!
Day 2: Check out London’s parks and go shopping
Ready for your second day in London? Buckle up, because we’ve got lots to see today!
1. Coffee in Hyde Park
I don’t know about you but I love starting some days super early while I’m on holiday. I’ll get up early in the morning, grab a cup of coffee, and then go for a walk in the park!
Usually, during the weekends the whole city is still asleep in the morning, so it feels like it’s just you and the city, on a date, I love it!
So get something warm to drink and head to Hyde Park (map), one of my favorite parks in London (and, honestly, in all of Europe!).
Located West of Central London, this park is huge (and it has different entry points) so you’ll probably get to see only a part of it during your morning walk, but make sure you get to the lake area (map) which is super nice!
If you’re looking for a nice cafe, you can stop by my personal choice, Parcafe (map) before you head inside the park. But, if it’s too far from your entry point then just type “specialty coffee” on Google Maps, once you’re near Hyde Park and I’m sure you’ll find some good options (that’s what I always do as I hate drinking bad coffee).
2. Visit Kensington Gardens & Palace
Now that you’ve had your morning brew and spent some time in nature, let’s start visiting some attractions!
So luckily for you, from Hyde Park, you can walk through the park to Kensington Gardens, since both parks are sort of merged together and set in the same spot.
It will take you probably around 30 to 40 min to reach Kensington Palace from Hyde Park, or maybe more depending on if you stop a lot.
The Kensington Gardens are just as beautiful as Hyde Park. My favorite time there is during autumn when all the leaves are on the ground! It honestly looks like a painting!
Once you’ve explored the Gardens, you can make your way to Kensington Palace, which is located within the Garden grounds!
Home to different members of the Royal Family, the palace has a long and rich history which you can learn all about during your visit!
Just like the Buckingham Palace tickets, these ones offer access only to certain parts of the palace which are open to the public. Those are the King’s State Apartments, the King’s Staircase, the Queen’s State Apartments, the Jewel Room, the Palace Gardens, and the Sunken Garden.
If you want to learn more about combo tickets or special deals, then check out our post on how to buy the best Kensington Palace tickets!
PRICE: US$31
3. Visit V&A Museum or the National History Museum
Since you don’t have a lot of time I wanted to give you 2 different museum options here and let you pick which one you’d prefer to visit!
Both are located just a 20 min walk away from Kensington Palace, and they’re right next to each other! If you have the time, definitely visit both, if not then I’ll tell you a bit about each, just below so you can decide which one you’d prefer!
The V&A Museum is one of my favorite museums in London! I love that its exhibitions are super varied and you can find anything from fashion to Tibetan statues and many other things!
You’ll also find a super nice outdoor area with a shallow pool (perfect spot for pics) and a cafe (map) where you can relax for a few moments.
The National History Museum is just as cool but it has a different focus, on the natural world. This is a great place for families as they offer some interactive workshops, fun activities and lots of dinosaur-related things that I’m sure your kids will love!
NOTE: Although both museums are free, I recommend reserving your tickets on their websites, so that you don’t have to wait in line to buy your ticket on-site.
PRICE: Free
4. Look for souvenirs at Portobello Road Market & Notting Hill
Hop on the tube and head to Notting Hill, the famous London neighborhood that any tourist who visits the capital has to see and explore!
To get to Notting Hill from the V&A Museum you have to take the Circle Line via High Street Kensington, from South Kensington Station (map) and get off at Notting Hill Gate (map).
Make sure you watch the movie Notting Hill with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, before your trip! Some of its scenes were filmed in the area and you can actually still find a couple of the locations like the Notting Hill bookshop (map) which is actually a gift shop, the Blue Door house (map) and the Coronet Theatre (map).
Before we dive in, I want to let you know that we’ve got a whole post on things to do in Notting Hill where I talk extensively about all the attractions in this area, so definitely have a look as I include lots of details and tips there!
For now, let’s start with the main thing that brings people here: Portobello Road Market (map)! Located on Portobello Road, this is one of the most popular markets in London, and it takes place every Saturday from 8AM until 11:30 AM.
So that’s when all the stalls will be packed with food and basically anything from vintage items to clothes. However, if you’re not in town on that day, you can still go on Portobello Road and find lots of shops that sell clothes, jewelry, books and other touristy things.
But the proper street market with the stalls is only on Saturdays!
Besides the market, Notting Hill is also home to lots of gorgeous, colorful houses that look amazing in pictures! If you want to see some of them, here are a few streets in the area where you can go: St Luke’s Mews (map), Farm Place / Hillgate Place (map), Lancaster Road (map) and Pencombe Mews Streets (map).
6. Shopping on Oxford Street
Let’s end your second day with a shopping session on the famous Oxford Street (map)!
Get the Circle Line tube from Notting Hill Gate (map) to Oxford Circus Station and you’ll be there in 10 min!
Located in Central London, Oxford Street is a famous avenue in the city that’s packed with shops from high-end ones to affordable high-street brands.
Don’t worry if you get here late, the shops here are usually open until 9PM, so you have time even if you get here around 6 or 7 PM.
Warning though, the crowds are insane here, especially during rush hour when everyone’s out, trying to get home, to the nearest pub or who, just like you, are out exploring!
Subscribe here to get up to 35% off your accommodation for your next trip!Day 3: Learn some history and enjoy a river cruise
On day 3 you’ll get to explore some other amazing attractions, including one that I really like: St. Paul’s Cathedral!
1. Enjoy the views on a River Thames cruise
Start your morning with a fab cruise on the River Thames!
I found this amazing River Thames cruise tour that costs US$17 and that lets you pick the route you prefer! Depending on which route you pick you can start your trip from Westminster Pier (map), Greenwich Pier (map) or Tower Pier (map).
During the cruise, you’ll get to admire all the fab attractions in the city and you’ll also get a live commentary on the history and culture of the city (or you can download a multilingual audio guide on your phone and hear everything in your language).
Don’t worry if you’re coming during wintertime, as the boat has an indoor saloon that is heated during the colder months.
PRICE: from US$17
2. Admire the beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedral
You can’t leave London without a visit to the gorgeous St. Paul’s Cathedral!
Located in the City of London area, this attraction is an architectural masterpiece and trust me, you’ll want to go inside and climb up to explore the Dome galleries!
The Cathedral was featured in many movies like Lawrence of Arabia, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Sherlock Holmes, and Thor: The Dark World!
Your ticket will give you access to the Cathedral Floor and Crypt, the Dome Galleries, the multimedia guides, and any temporary exhibitions that they have on.
PRO TIP: If you’re traveling on a budget but still want to see the interiors of the Cathedral, you can join the Sunday service or go there after 4:30pm every day when they hold the Choral Evensong. But bear in mind that you’ll only get to see the cathedral floor and probably not have the freedom to walk around.
We have a whole post on how to buy the best St. Paul’s Cathedral tickets so make sure you check it out as it offers lots of tips, and combo ticket ideas!
PRICE: US$32
3. Visit the Tower of London & Tower Bridge
Since these 2 are set right next to each other I thought I’d put them together!
Set on the banks of the River Thames, these 2 iconic places have a rich history and lots of tales to share with their visitors!
Let’s start with the Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that over the centuries served as a fortress, castle and prison! Oh yes, it definitely has a tumultuous past that you can learn all about during your visit.
There are a few types of tickets that you can get for this attraction, and it can get a bit confusing when deciding which one to get, so I’d recommend checking our post on how to book Tower of London tickets, where there’s a lot of information on prices and types of tickets.
While visiting, definitely make sure you check out the Crown Jewel room first, as it can get super busy there! For anyone who doesn’t know, that’s where you can see a collection of royal ceremonial objects, from crowns to other unique pieces!
Once you’re done exploring the Tower of London and hearing some creepy stories, then walk for 6 min and get to Tower Bridge! Here your visit will be shorter but you’ll still get to go inside the bridge and admire the stunning views, the glass floors and the engine room!
PRICE: US$44 for the Tower of London; US$17 for London Bridge
4. Check out the art at Tate Modern
From the Tower of London, you can walk for about 30 min to Tate Modern!
You could also take the 344 Clapham Junction bus from Fenchurch Street Stop U (map) to Southwark Bridge Stop BC (map) and then walk for about 8 min to get to the Museum. The journey takes around 20 minutes so it’s more or less the same as if you’d walk.
Tate Modern is another museum that I really like and would go back to! Not only is it free, which is always a perk but it also has some amazing art pieces!
Another thing I like about the Tate is its location right on the banks of the River Thames, facing the other side of the city! There are some benches right outside the museum, where I always like to sit and just admire the views!
PRICE: Free
Day 4: Eat yummy food & catch a scenic sunset
Woohoo, you’ve made it to the last day! I’ve prepared lots of goodies for Day 4 so let’s start!
1. Explore Camden Market & Camden Town
There is no better place to spend your last day in London than in Camden!
This vibrant and iconic area in North London is known for its market, countless shops and amazing atmosphere!
To get here, jump on the tube and stop at Camden Tube Station (map). From there you can start walking down Camden High Street and then easily reach Camden Market (map).
The market is open every day from 10 AM to 6 PM, but it’s usually during the weekend that it gets super crowded. So it’s really up to you if you want to experience that crazy weekend atmosphere or head there during the week (but this will also depend on your schedule).
Camden Market is known for its countless food stalls, restaurants, bars, clothing and accessories shops, book stores and other things! You can find some amazing souvenirs here and, honestly, the food is absolutely delicious so definitely try it out!
It will probably take you a few hours to explore the market, especially if you’re planning to do some shopping, so I’d recommend starting the day early, so that you can explore the rest of the area too!
The best way to explore Camden is to just go on a walk! That way you can spot some of the street art too, as the neighborhood is packed with some unique murals. This is especially true on Castlehaven Road (map), Hawley Mews & Hawley Street (map), on the back of Electric Ballroom (map) and on Bayham Street (map).
These are just some of the area’s highlights, if you’re looking for more things to do in Camden, check out our post, where you’ll find many other fun activities!
2. Enjoy the views from Primrose Hill Park
Need a break from all the craziness in Camden Town? Then there’s no better place than Primrose Hill Park (map) to rest your feet and also enjoy some amazing views!
Set just a 16 min walk away from Camden Market, in an area which shares the same name, Primrose Hill Park is known among locals for its fab views over the city!
Here you can just chill, sit on the grass and enjoy the fresh air! If you’re coming around sunset, then even better!
Before you get all comfy, make sure you check out the Shakespeare Tree (map), which was planted in honor of the late poet and playwright.
3. Dinner & drinks in Camden
Now that you’ve rested for a bit after exploring the market and caught a lovely sunset, you can walk back to Camden to find a place to eat and enjoy some drinks!
I have a couple of restaurants that cater to all tastes! Most places in Camden serve international cuisine so if you’re a fan you’ll definitely find something that you’ll like.
Casa Tua Camden (map) is great for those who want a taste of Italy, as is Mildreds Camden (map) a vegan restaurant or Frida Camden (map), where you can enjoy some yummy Mexican food.
If you want to grab a few more drinks and say goodbye to London in style (and a bit tipsy) then head to one of the many pubs and bars in Camden! Simmons Bar (map) is a great one!
Since we only had 4 days I didn’t want to overcrowd the list with way too many things. However, if you managed to visit all of the places that you wanted and found that you have some time on your hands, here are a couple of more places that you could visit:
British Museum: with unique pieces from all over the world the British Museum is definitely a place that you’ll love, plus, you can visit it for free
Borough Market: open daily, this market (map) is an absolute heaven for foodies! You’ll find so many baked goods and other delicacies
Royal Opera House: if you have the time, then definitely catch a show at the Opera House or you can also just visit it on a tour if you want to admire its architecture
Palace of Westminster: want to see where history was written? Then visit the iconic Palace of Westminster and tour the House of Commons Chamber, the House of Lords Chamber, Westminster Hall and other important places
🕰️ Unique attraction:Big Ben🖼️ Top museum:V&A Museum🤩 Best free activity:Camden Market🍽️ Must-try food:Fish & Chips
Where to stay in London
Looking for a place to stay in London? I know that’s not an easy task, so I wanted to give you a few options! However, if you’re looking for a wider range of accommodations, check out our post on where to stay in London, you’ll find lots of areas and hotels there!
Luxury: Hotel 41 – set behind Buckingham Palace, this luxurious hotel offers 2 on-site restaurants and stylish rooms.
Mid-range: Z Hotel Covent Garden – with an amazing location in central London, this hotel comes with a flat-screen Tv and family rooms.
Budget: The Belgrave Hotel – set in Westminster, this hotel has a fitness center and a bar.
How to get around London
Not sure how to get around the city? Don’t worry, I got you covered with some of the main options that you can use to get around London:
Public transport: if you’re planning to use buses and the tube a lot, I’d recommend getting a travel card (available for a chosen number of days) or an Oyster card which you can top up, you can check out more on the Transport for London official website
Uber: although it’s pretty expensive and you risk spending a lot of time in traffic, Ubers can work when you’re sharing with someone or using them when the city isn’t too busy
City Bikes: if you like cycling then definitely use bikes to get around the city, you can learn more about how you can rent a bike and how much it costs on this website
FAQs about London itineraries
📅 How many days is enough for London?
I would recommend spending between 4 to 6 days in London, that way you can really see most of the main attractions and not hurry to get from one place to the next.
☀️ What is the best month to visit London?
April to early June or September to early November are some of the best times to visit London as the city isn’t super crowded and the weather is quite nice.
💷 How much money do I need per day for London?
I’d say between US$80 to US$100, depending on how many attractions you want to visit during that day.
Final thoughts on this London itinerary
Already feeling super excited for your holiday? I know the feeling!
I hope that this London itinerary helped you decide how to best plan your holiday! Don’t forget that you can always shift things around and replace attractions that maybe you’re not that interested in, with others that you know for sure you want to see!
My only advice with that is to couple your attractions by areas, as that way you can save money that you’d otherwise spend on public transport and also time!
Have fun visiting London and don’t forget that I can always help out if you have questions! Just drop me a comment below and I’ll answer as soon as I can!
Happy exploring,
Victoria
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