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London is one of the most exciting cities in the world with so many iconic landmarks, hidden gems and diverse areas to discover; but this means planning your first trip to London can feel overwhelming.
Having lived in London for 3 years while at university, we have explored all the best spots and can help you plan the ultimate 4 day trip to London.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to spend each day by area, highlighting the must-see attractions, the best places to eat and even some hidden gems you might not find in every travel guide.
Still not sure where to stay? Check out our guide to the best areas and accommodations in London for every budget here 👇
Chloe Butcher
Day 1: Exploring Westminster & Kensington
Morning: Iconic London Landmarks
We'd recommend starting your first day in London by ticking off some of the most iconic spots, all located in the borough of Westminster. You can book a guided tour of Westminster if you prefer, but below I'll list everything you'll want to see around this area.
Big Ben & Houses of Parliament
Start the morning with one of London’s most famous sights, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. This intricate Gothic building sits along the River Thames and is home to the UK government.
If you’re interested in British politics and history, you can book a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament.
Westminster Abbey
Just a short walk away is Westminster Abbey, a breathtaking 700-year-old church where British monarchs have been crowned for centuries. Inside, you’ll find the tombs of famous figures like Sir Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking. You can enter the abbey, with tickets costing £30 for adults.
St. James’s Park
Located just a couple of minutes from the abbey is St. James’s Park, a beautiful spot filled with wildlife and great views of Buckingham Palace.
Walk along the park until you reach Buckingham Palace, it's roughly a 15 minute walk from Westminster Abbey. You can also pass Downing Street (home of the Prime Minister) on the way!
Buckingham Palace
A visit to London isn't complete without seeing Buckingham Palace, the home of the British Monarch. You can aim to arrive in time for the Changing of the Guard, which happens on select days at 11:00 AM (make sure to check dates & times).
This traditional ceremony is where the King's guards, dressed in their iconic uniforms, switch shifts to the sound of marching bands. The best viewing spot is right in front of the palace gates so aim to arrive early if you want a good spot.
Afternoon: Shopping & Museums in Kensington & Belgravia
After a morning filled with history and royal landmarks, head west to the high end neighbourhoods of Belgravia and Kensington, home to grand townhouses, luxury shopping and world-famous museums.
Explore Belgravia & Grab Lunch
Before exploring some more, you'll probably want to grab a bite to eat. In this area we'd recommend Zafferano, a high end italian, or a casual spot like Leon (healthy fast food) or Pret (fresh sandwiches), which you'll find all over London.
Harrods
I'm sure you've probably already heard of Harrods, the world-famous luxury department store in Knightsbridge. Even if you’re not planning to shop, you have to experience the extravagant food halls and admire this iconic store, it's a right of passage!
Kensington Palace & Gardens
This part is optional, but if you want to see some more of London's iconic Royal buildings, take a 30 minute walk (or jump on a tube or bus) to Kensington Palace, the former home of Princess Diana and the current residence of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
While the inside of the palace is worth visiting if you're into royal history, you can just enjoy a walk though Kensington Gardens. Tickets cost £20 to enter the Palace for adults.
Natural History Museum or Science Museum
Another spot worth visiting in Kensington is the Natural History Museum and Science Museum, which are some of the world's best museums, especially since they're both free!
- Natural History Museum: See dinosaur skeletons, the iconic giant blue whale model and gemstone collections.
- Science Museum: All about tech and space, with interactive exhibits and real spacecraft on display.
More free things to do 👇
Chloe Butcher
Evening: Restaurant's & Relaxing
For dinner, we'd recommend Dishoom, an indian restaurant chain inspired by Mumbai’s Irani cafés. They serve delicious food and the bottomless chocolate chai is a must!
They're dotted all over London and we'll let you in on a secret; ask for the Matka and you'll receive a board with a dice at the end of your meal. If you roll a 6, your entire meal will be free (only before 6pm on weekdays, for tables of up to 12).
Day 2: Explore the South Bank & City of London
Day 2 of this London itinerary takes you to London's South Bank, a lively riverside area filled with cultural landmarks and city views, before crossing the Thames into the City of London, where medieval history mixes with modern skyscrapers.
Morning: Walk along the South Bank
Start the day along the South Bank, one of the best parts of London (in my opinion). It's where I went to university, so I've spent a lot of time in this area of London!
I'd recommend starting at the London Eye and making your way along the river. You’ll pass a mix of famous landmarks, cultural attractions and incredible photo spots.
- London Eye – The iconic ferris wheel offering panoramic views of Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge (Tickets from £32.50, book in advance to skip queues).
- National Theatre - Iconic theatre showing world-class productions with a striking Brutalist design.
- Tate Modern – One of London's best art museums, housed in a former power station. Free entry & a epic viewing platform on the top floor!
- Shakespeare’s Globe – A reconstruction of Shakespeare’s original theatre, where you can take a guided tour or see a live performance.
- Millennium Bridge – Cross this famous footbridge for stunning views of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
- St Paul's Cathedral - Beautiful old dome building with the option to climb to the Whispering Gallery for panoramic city views.
It takes roughly 40-50 minutes to walk along the South Bank from the London Eye to Tower Bridge, but it'll take longer with stops. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants too if you want to grab a coffee or a snack.
If you don't want to walk all the way, you can jump on the tube or bus at either end. Waterloo is the main station on the south bank by the London Eye and if you want to get to Tower Bridge, get off at either London Bridge or Tower Hill station.
Chloe Butcher
Borough Market
The next stop on the South Bank is Borough market, one of London’s oldest and most famous food markets located under the train tracks. Have a wander around the iconic market and sample everything from street food to gourmet treats.
Tower Bridge
After Borough market, continue walking along the river for 15 minutes until you reach Tower Bridge, one of London's most iconic landmarks. This Victorian-era drawbridge was built in 1894 and is an absolute must-see spot with its two grand towers.
The best photo spots to capture Tower Bridge with the London skyline in the background are from Potters Fields Park and Horsleydown Steps!
For a unique perspective, the Tower Bridge Exhibition (£8 - £16) lets you walk across a glass walkway between the two towers, which gives you a bird’s-eye view of the Thames and passing boats below, you can also explore the original Victorian engine rooms.
Some more of our favourite photo spots 👇
Chloe Butcher
Afternoon: Exploring the City of London
Crossing Tower Bridge, you’ll step into the historic City of London, where you'll find a mix of ancient landmarks, modern skyscrapers and hidden gems.
Tower of London
The first stop is the Tower of London, one of the most significant historic sites in England. Originally built by William the Conqueror in 1066, this castle has been a royal palace, prison, treasury and execution site. It now houses the Crown Jewels (world-famous collection of royal gemstones) that are still used in royal ceremonies.
If you want to explore inside the tower and learn about its history, join a guided tour where guides share chilling stories of prisoners, betrayals and beheadings.
Sky Garden or The Garden at 120
It’s now time to take in some of the best free views of London, so walk 10 minutes to the Sky Garden or alternatively The Garden at 120.
The Sky Garden is a lush indoor garden at the top of the Walkie-Talkie building, with an incredible 360-degree view over London. There is a cafe and restaurant there, so it's a great spot for lunch, dinner or sunset drinks. Entry is free but booking is required (usually books up a week in advance so book early!).
The Garden at 120 is another free open-air rooftop garden just a short walk away. It’s less crowded than Sky Garden and offers equally stunning views (no booking needed).
Alternative London rooftops 👇
Chloe Butcher
Shoreditch / Brick Lane
End your afternoon by exploring Shoreditch, an area known for its street art and vintage shops. Head to Brick Lane in particular for graffiti covered walls, street food and quirky vintage finds.
Evening: Dinner & Drinks in Shoreditch
Since you’re already in the Shoreditch area, you have plenty of great options for dinner, we'd recommend checking out Old Spitalfields Market or BOXPARK.
Old Spitalfields Market is one of our favourites, with a mix of street food vendors and sit-down restaurants, we loved NaanWrap, which serves Indian-inspired street food.
BOXPARK is a pop-up mall made from shipping containers that has a mix of street food vendors, independent boutiques and bars. It's a great place for lunch or dinner with a lively atmosphere and plenty of great food options.
Day 3: Exploring Central London
Day 3 is all about experiencing the busy Central London. From iconic shopping streets to famous landmarks, this day takes you through Soho, Oxford Street, Covent Garden and more.
Morning: Shopping & Exploring Soho
Start your day by exploring Soho and the historic streets lined with shops. Oxford street is London’s busiest shopping street, home to big stores like Selfridges, Zara and Uniqlo, as well as flagship stores for brands like Nike and Apple.
Regents Street is one of London’s most luxurious shopping areas with grand architecture. You'll find high-end brands like Burberry, Lululemon and Hamleys, the world-famous toy store.
Carnaby Street is a colorful pedestrian street just off Regents Street, with independent shops, trendy fashion brands and cool cafés.
You'll also find Chinatown in this area, where you can try bubble tea, traditional dim sum restaurants and the iconic fluffy pancakes!
Afternoon: Sightseeing in Central London & Afternoon Tea
There's plenty of restaurants and cafes in this area to grab some lunch, or you can experience the classic British tradition of afternoon tea.
I'd recommend The Ritz in Piccadilly for a luxurious afternoon tea in a stunning building (expensive but definitely an experience - the inside is gorgeous and the food was incredible!).
For a more affordable option, Middle Eight in Covent Garden is a good choice, and if you're on a budget, go for cream tea, which is just scones with clotted cream and jam, served with a pot of tea!
Piccadilly Circus
After shopping and lunch, take a short 10 minute walk to Piccadilly Circus, London's equivalent to Times Square, with its bright billboards and buzzing atmosphere. There's not much to do here as it's very touristy, but it's worth seeing!
Trafalgar Square
From Piccadilly Circus, walk 5 minutes down to Trafalgar Square, a historic spot featuring Nelson’s Column, the impressive lion statues and the National Gallery, which has masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet and Rembrandt (free entry).
Leicester Square
The next stop on this little walking tour of Central London is Leicester Square, London’s entertainment district. This is where many Hollywood film premieres take place, and it’s surrounded by famous cinemas, restaurants and lively street performances.
Evening: Covent Garden & Theatre District
We'd recommend heading over to Covent Garden in the early evening to explore the area, grab an early dinner and see a show.
Covent Garden is a lively area in London's West End, filled with street performers, designer stores, restaurants and theatres. Spend the evening walking around the famous market building and piazza, before finding a spot for dinner.
Honest Burgers is a burger restaurant we love, but there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. If your visit falls on a sunday, make sure to go for a classic Sunday Roast!
See a Theatre Show
No trip to London is complete without seeing a West End show, we recently saw Stranger Things: The First Shadow which we highly recommend! Check out the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for last-minute discounted tickets.
Once the show is over, grab a late-night cocktail at The Alchemist or The Cocktail Club or simply take in the busy atmosphere of Central London before calling it a night.
Day 4: Exploring Camden, Notting Hill & Hyde Park
The final day of this four day london guide takes you to some of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods, parks and markets.
Morning: Camden Town & Camden Market
Just a 10-minute tube ride from central London is Camden Town, a quirky area of London that's famous for its markets, street food and live music.
Spend some time wandering around Camden Market, one of London's biggest markets where you'll find everything from vintage clothes to unique handmade gifts.
Make sure to grab some street food for an early lunch, Camden Market has a huge variety, from gourmet burgers and fresh pasta to Asian dishes, indulgent desserts, and plenty of vegan options.
You can also take a walk along Regent's Canal, a peaceful and picturesque spot away from the busy markets.
Afternoon: Notting Hill & Portobello Road Market
Next, head to Notting Hill, a famous neighbourhood that you'll probably recognise with its pastel-colored houses and the Portobello Road Market.
The market is busiest on a saturday, but it's a great place to visit at any time of the week with plenty of stalls open everyday. There are plenty of instagrammable photo spots of the colourful houses so make sure to wander around the streets!
Late Afternoon: Hyde Park
Not far from Notting Hill is London's largest and most famous park, Hyde Park. It's a beautiful spot to explore in the warmer months and is always full of people having picnics, relaxing by Serpentine Lake, pedal boating on the water and walking around.
If you're visiting between late November and Early January, Hyde Park is home to the iconic Winter Wonderland, and throughout the summer months are festivals and concerts.
Evening: Last Dinner & Drinks
For your final evening in London, head to one of the city's best sunset spots. Primrose Hill is just a short walk from Camden and offers a view of London's skyline, Sky Garden is a great free option in central London, or The Shard offers a luxurious experience from its viewing platforms or bars.
If you want a memorable last meal in London, you can dine with a sunset view at the one of the restaurants in the Sky Garden, The Shard or Duck & Waffle which has incredible views from its 40th-floor location.
What is the best area to stay in for 4 days in London?
Where you stay depends on your budget and how central you want to be, If you're staying for 4 days, you can get away with being slightly less central than if you we're staying for two days.
Areas like Covent Garden, Soho and the South Bank are perfect for being centrally located with easy access to attractions, but these are the most expensive areas.
If you’re looking to save a bit of money and don’t mind a short commute, consider staying in more residential areas like Notting Hill, Camden or Shoreditch.
Read our full guide here 👇
Chloe Butcher
Is four days enough time to explore London?
Yes, four days is a great amount of time to see the highlights of London. You’ll have time to explore iconic landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, and Big Ben, as well as wander through different neighbourhoods like Covent Garden and Camden.
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