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4 days in London: The Ultimate 4 Day London Itinerary (from a Londoner)
Are you planning a trip to London and wondering what to do across four days? London is a dense city with many things to do and see, so planning what to do in a short period of time can get a bit overwhelming.
As a born and bred Londoner, I’ve become pretty knowledgeable about the best things to do in London, from the famous places that are worth visiting to the local neighbourhoods that I always suggest exploring. So, this is where the ultimate 4 day London itinerary comes in!
Spending 4 days in London actually gives you plenty of time to explore this amazing city! I always recommend doing a mixture of very touristy and less touristy things, so you don’t get overwhelmed and tired quickly.
This 4 day London itinerary does exactly that, with the first 2 days being jam-packed with visiting London’s most popular landmarks and districts, then the last 2 days being much more relaxed, where you see London through a local’s eyes. But feel free to mix and match these days, depending on how you’re feeling!
I’ll also give you a brief overview of where to stay in London and how to easily get around the city!
This itinerary assumes you will have 4 full days to spend in London. Carry on reading for more details, but here’s a quick overview of what to expect:
Day 1: Westminster and Soho
Day 2: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and Shoreditch
Day 3: Notting Hill and Holland Park
Day 4: Camden Town, Regent’s Canal boat ride and King’s Cross
Where to Stay in London
Before we get into the 4 day London itinerary, I wanted to go over where to stay in London. I understand that London is an intense city, so finding your way around the city can get too much sometimes. For this reason, I believe it’s best to stay in or close to central London. My top suggestions are:
South Bank – This area is by the River Thames and is in proximity to London’s most famous attractions and landmarks!
West End – All the fun stuff happens at the West End! This is London’s entertainment and cultural hub, featuring theaters, museums, Chinatown, and London’s famous squares!
Paddington – This area is located west of central London, but is still close to central! It’s also much quieter and perfect to stay in if you’re on a budget.
It’s important that when you’re visiting London, you stay close to a London Underground or National Rail station. Not only will this be easy for you to travel to and from London’s airports, but it’ll also be easy for you to get around London in general!
If you’re looking for specific hotel recommendations for where to stay, here are some top choices:
London’s most popular public transport networks are the London Underground (aka the Tube) and the red buses. I’d go so far as to say that it’s completely unnecessary to book Ubers or any other taxi/cab service when getting around London because the public transport networks will literally get you anywhere in the city.
For this 4 day London itinerary, many places will be within walking distance, so walking will be your best friend! However, depending on where you are staying in London, you’ll still need to use the Tube or buses to get to the starting point of the places mentioned.
In London, card is king. So, the easiest way to pay for the Tube and buses is by tapping with your bank card. For the Tube, it’s important to tap in and out with the same card and method of payment (i.e., physical card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc), so you don’t get overcharged. If it’s your first time in London or you’re wondering how to navigate London’s tube network, check out my ultimate guide on how to use the London Underground (coming soon)!
For the bus, you only need to tap in; there is no tapping out. One important piece of information you also need to know about London buses is the Hopper Fare. This allows you to take unlimited bus journeys for £1.75 within one hour of the first bus you tap in on. Just like on the Tube, it’s important that you use the same card and method of payment to take advantage of the Hopper Fare.
Day 1: Westminster and Soho
Morning at Westminster
Start your first day in London by visiting London’s most popular landmarks in Westminster. For this itinerary, you’re going to be walking in a loop. First stop, Buckingham Palace. This building has connections to the British monarchy, which is why many people snap a picture in front of the gates. Although they don’t actually live here, the main event that occurs at Buckingham Palace is the changing of the guards.
If your first day in London starts on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday, then you’ll be able to see the full Changing of the Guard ceremony at 11 am for free! If it starts on a Sunday, you’ll be able to see the Sunday Parade at 10 am. To get the best view for either event, I highly recommend arriving around an hour early!
Next, take a 15 minute walk to reach Westminster Abbey. This is the most famous church in the UK due to its connections to the British monarchy, where royal coronations and royal weddings have taken place. It’s also the resting place of over 3000 people, including historical figures, kings and queens.
If you have an interest in history and the monarchy, then I highly recommend visiting Westminster Abbey! The architecture is incredibly beautiful to see in person. It takes around 40 – 60 minutes to see everything in detail using the audio guide that’s given to you upon arrival.
After visiting Westminster Abbey, you’ll find that across the road stands Big Ben. Don’t forget to snap a photo of you with Big Ben in the background in one of the best photo spots!
You can find this spot by walking across Westminster Bridge to the side where the London Eye is. Head down the stairs, and you’ll find an arch underneath the bridge where you can see Big Ben in the background. You’ll most likely see people lining up to take a photo, but it’s so worth it for the unobstructed view! See what the photo spot looks like below!
Afternoon at the London Eye, Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden
After seeing Big Ben and taking a picture from the Westminster Bridge arch, take a ride on the London Eye at the start of your afternoon. This is obviously one of London’s most iconic experiences, so I highly recommend booking a ticket in advance so you can skip the line and head straight into the pods. From the London Eye, you’ll get 360-degree views of the city from different angles all within 30 minutes.
Many people debate whether taking a ride on the London Eye is worth it. As a Londoner, I honestly think that if it’s your first time in London and/or you’re only visiting for a short time, then go for it! It’s a fun experience and is one of London’s most popular attractions, so if it seems fun to you, then why not book the tickets?
After the London Eye, cross the Golden Jubilee Bridge towards Embankment and head to Trafalgar Square. Have a look and take a picture next to the fountains, the famous lion statues, and the historical figure statues. If you have time, head to The National Gallery too! Entry is free for most exhibitions, and whenever I visit, the queue to get inside isn’t too long.
💡Tip: Book your free ticket to The National Gallery in advance via the official website for fast-track entry!
Once you’ve explored Trafalgar Square and The National Gallery, take a 10 minute walk heading to Covent Garden. This is one of London’s most popular shopping districts, where you can shop at markets and stores as well as have food at many restaurants.
One of the most British things you can do while at Covent Garden is visit the Whittard of Chelsea store (aka Whittard). You will find the best quality store tea, coffee and hot chocolate at this store, and there are always free samples for you to try!
If you’re spending 4 days in London during Christmas time, then visiting Covent Garden is a must! They have the prettiest decorations on display, a huge, bright Christmas tree, and an area to capture a festive photo moment (my favorite one in recent years was the iconic red Santa sleigh in 2024)!
Evening in Soho and Chinatown
Soho is the cultural hub of central London, featuring one of my favourite spots, Chinatown! For your first evening in London, eat your way through Soho and Chinatown on a food walking tour! Not only do you taste incredible food, but you also learn about the history of different cuisines in the area, discovering how beautiful and diverse London is as a city!
If you’re more of a theater person than a foodie, then watch a show at the West End instead! I highly recommend using TodayTix as they always have the best prices and seats for booking in advance, as well as last minute!
Day 2: Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and Shoreditch
Morning at the Tower of London + Tower Bridge
The second day of this London itinerary starts at the Tower of London. This is where you’ll discover a lot of rich London history (about 1000 years’ worth), as well as the Crown Jewels and many royal artefacts. If you’re lucky, you may even see one of the six ravens that guard the Tower! If there is one tourist attraction that is a must do for your 4 day London itinerary, visiting the Tower of London is it!
💡 Tip: Book your tickets to the Tower of London in advance for the earliest time slot possible, ideally when it opens, to avoid long wait times. Book Here: Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket
When visiting the Tower of London, I would highly recommend taking a tour with a Yeoman Warder (aka Beefeater). They are very informative with a good sense of humour, which makes touring the Tower of London an even better experience. You can either join a public Beefeater tour for free (included in your general admission ticket), which runs every 30 minutes and starts near the entrance, or you can book a private VIP tour.
After taking a Beefeater tour, head straight to the Crown Jewels, as this is the most popular thing to see in the Tower of London. Then, explore the rest of the Tower. Honestly, there’s so much to see that you could spend the whole day here if you really wanted to. But I’d probably say to give yourself around 3-4 hours to see everything.
Afternoon at Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral
Right next to the Tower of London is Tower Bridge, the iconic bascule bridge that many mistake for London Bridge. Snap a picture here and if you want to get inside, keep walking down the bridge and follow the signs to the entrance. Tickets cost £16, and to avoid long wait times, I recommend booking your tickets in advance.
You can take a lift to go up the tower, or if you want more of a challenge, you can walk up the stairs. From personal experience, I will say that if you want to walk up the stairs, you may be huffing and puffing from exhaustion as soon as you’re past the first flight.
Once you reach the top of Tower Bridge, you’ll see a video explaining its history. Then you can have a stroll across the walkways and the glass floor while admiring the views of the city!
Don’t forget that your ticket includes entry to the Victorian Engine Rooms too! Follow the Blue Line from the South Tower, which leads you to the Engine Rooms that powered the Bridge Lifts for over 80 years.
From Tower Bridge, take a 4 minute walk to St Katherine Docks, where you can have lunch before heading to St Paul’s Cathedral. The quickest way to get to St Paul’s from there is actually by taking the bus! Head back to the Tower of London, and you’ll find The Tower of London Stop (bus stop TA) across from Tower Hill Underground Station. Take bus 15 heading to Charing Cross and get off at St Paul’s Churchyard (stop SH).
💡 Tip: The best photo spot of St Paul’s Cathedral is from the Reflection Garden that you can see in the above picture. It’s located just across the road, adjacent to One New Change shopping centre!
As soon as you enter St Paul’s, you’ll see stunning architecture and designs on the walls and floor. You can explore the crypt and galleries, and don’t forget to check out the divination staircase from Harry Potter! I’d say it takes around 3 hours to see everything.
Like the other London tourist attractions mentioned in this itinerary, I recommend booking your tickets to St Paul’s Cathedral in advance.
💡 Tip: Don’t visit St Paul’s Cathedral on a Sunday as it’s closed for tourists due to the Sunday Service.
Evening in Shoreditch
From St Paul’s, take bus 26 heading to Hackney Wick from St Paul’s Cathedral bus stop. Get off at Shoreditch High Street Station bus stop (stop F) and explore Shoreditch, one of London’s vibrant neighbourhoods! Check out Shoreditch’s street art, do some vintage shopping, explore Spitalfields Market and eat a bagel at the famous Beigel Bake for a late-night snack!
If you’re into true crime, I’d recommend ending your day with a Jack the Ripper walking tour. The starting point of the tour is in Whitechapel (the neighborhood next to Shoreditch), but it takes you through Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane in Shoreditch!
Day 3: Notting Hill, Portobello Road, and Kyoto Garden
Morning at Portobello Road
You may know about Notting Hill from the movie Notting Hill starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant or from the famous colorful houses that make the area so vibrant!
The best way to reach Notting Hill is by taking the Tube to Ladbroke Grove via the Circle or Hammersmith & City lines. From the station, turn onto Lancaster Road, and you’ll reach Portobello Road Market! There are so many gems you can get at this market, such as vintage gold watches, antique items, vintage cameras and gorgeous jewellery!
It’s here that you’ll also find the famous bookshop from the “I’m just a girl” scene from the Notting Hill movie! The Notting Hill Travel Bookshop, located on Portobello Road, is often mistaken for the filming location; however, this is just a souvenir shop. The real location of the Notting Hill bookshop in the movie is just off Portobello Road at 13 Blenheim Crescent!
After exploring Portobello Road and visiting the Notting Hill Bookshop, admire all the colourful houses that adorn the streets of this area! There are so many you can find, with the best house fronts (my favourites) being on Westbourne Park Road, Lancaster Road and St Luke’s Mews.
Portobello Road is also a great place to grab some lunch before heading to Holland Park. I highly recommend visiting Dishoom’s Permit Room! Normally, at the central London Dishoom sites, you’ll have to book way in advance due to its popularity, but the Permit Room is much less busy, and when I went there as a walk-in, they were able to seat me and my friend at a table within 10-15 minutes!
After having lunch, head to Ladbroke Grove Road and take a 10 minute walk to Holland Park. Personally, I think this is one of London’s prettiest parks, mainly due to the hidden garden that resides within it, Kyoto Garden.
As someone who has visited Kyoto, coming to Kyoto Garden truly takes me back to the beautiful Japanese city! It’s a traditional Japanese garden featuring a waterfall, stone lanterns, Shishi-Odoshi, pretty maple and cherry blossom trees, and wildlife! If you want to know more about how you can make the most of your visit here, check out my guide on how to visit Kyoto Garden (coming soon)!
In and around Holland Park, you can also explore the Fukushima Garden that’s located next to Kyoto Garden, the Dutch Garden, the Leighton House Museum, Japan House and the Design Museum!
Evening at Notting Hill’s pubs and Electric Cinema
Spend your evening admiring the beautifully decorated pubs in Notting Hill. The most famous pub is the Churchill Arms (which also has the loveliest decorations during Christmas time) and the most aesthetically vibrant pub is The Sun in Splendour. Have a nice dinner and a few drinks here, but keep in mind that due to its popularity, it’s best to reserve a table in advance.
Lastly, take a trip to Electric Cinema to watch a movie! This is a gorgeous, cosy cinema with a vintage vibe. They have leather armchairs for seats, velvet beds near the front of the screen, and serve snacks and drinks right to your seat! So, if you want to have a vintage, luxury cinema experience during your trip to London, I’d highly recommend watching a movie here!
Day 4: Camden Town, Regent’s Canal and King’s Cross
Morning in Camden Town
The last day of this London itinerary starts at Camden Town! The best way to get here is by taking the Northern Line tube to Camden Town station.
Once you walk out of the station, you’ll immediately reach Camden High Street! This is probably one of the busiest streets in London, due to both people and vehicle traffic. But since May 2025, they’ve pedestrianised the whole high street as part of an 18-month trial that will last until November 2026. So now when you visit Camden High Street, you’re able to walk on the sidewalk as well as on the road without being squished by the large crowds!
On Camden High Street, you’ll find tons of cool shops and markets to visit and shop at. Past the high street on the left, you can enter Camden Market, where there are plenty of food stalls and other shops to explore. If you want to get food at a stall for brunch, then I highly recommend Piadina Mia, which offers the yummiest Italian food!
There are so many things to do in Camden, from shopping at Camden Market to exploring Camden’s street art, which will take up a chunk of your morning.
Afternoon trip along Regent’s Canal
After spending your morning exploring Camden Town, head to Regent’s Canal and take a boat ride! It’s about 1.5 hours and will take you through fun and peaceful areas of North London, including ZSL London Zoo, Regent’s Park and Little Venice!
This canal ride is a lovely, tranquil way to spend the last afternoon of your 4 day trip to London. I love how knowledgeable the guide is and how you get to see an area of the city from a different perspective.
Evening in King’s Cross
The last evening of this 4 day London itinerary includes taking a visit to King’s Cross. From Camden, you can easily get to King’s Cross by taking a walk along Regent’s Canal. Once you’ve reached King’s Cross, there are plenty of things to explore, like Coal Drops Yard, Stable Street and London’s bookshop on a barge, Word on the Water.
The Ultimate 4 Days in London: Final Thoughts
Although it may not seem like a lot of time, there are plenty of things to see and do in London if you’re only staying for 4 days!
This itinerary aims to show that you can enjoy your time in London doing the super touristy stuff, but also the less touristy stuff that shows the beauty of London from a local’s eyes.
I hope you found this London itinerary helpful in planning your trip to London! Now that you know the best things to do while you’re in London, check out my ultimate first-timers guide to London and my guide on where to stay in London for first-timers (coming soon)!
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