I’ve lived in London for the last 7 years, and I love it! London is one of the most visited cities in the world, and for good reason. There is so much to see and do here, therefore, I have put together this London 4 Day Itinerary to really share the best parts of London life with you.
I have spent hours walking the streets, enjoying the parks, and eating and drinking until I can no longer move! There is a lot of typical so called must-see attractions I’m sure you’ve heard about, The London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Oxford Street etc. In my opinion, these are the type of tourist traps I will help you avoid, and recommend really great experiences.
London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but it doesn’t mean you have to spend a small fortune to visit. Follow my tips below to see London at an affordable price, most of the best attractions are free anyway.
What makes London unique? It’s not the museums, a Ferris wheel The London Eye), the shops; you can see these type of places everywhere. For me, what makes London unique, and glorious, is the local institutes, such as its pubs, the parks, the markets, the architecture and the people.
I hope you won’t find such a London itinerary on other blogs, I’m not going to suggest all the must-see attractions, I’m going to suggest things I genuinely take my friends when they come to visit me in London.
Best Time Of Year To Visit London
London is a destination for all seasons, so whenever you go, there will be plenty to keep you busy. My personal favourite season is Summer (Jun-Aug). Unbelievably, London does enjoy quite a few sunny days during the summer and you can enjoy all of the amazing parks, join the locals in a beer garden and enjoy the long summer evenings.
Shoulder seasons (Apr-May & Sept) can also be good times to visit. Crowds will be a bit less, hotels generally a bit cheaper, and there’s still plenty of sunny days during this time (maybe pack the umbrella just to be safe!).
Winter offers a completely different experience. Come in December to enjoy the many festive markets, mulled wine, and cosy pubs. Whatever time of year you come, there will be plenty to keep you busy.
Personally, I would avoid February, March and maybe November, because the weather will likely be cold and rainy, which stops you enjoying some of the best activities.
In summary anytime is a good time to do this 4 day London itinerary.
My Top London Travel Tips
Transport
London has a great public transport network consisting mainly of buses & underground trains. The best way to travel is to use a contactless card. If you don’t have one, you can purchase an Oyster card for £5 that then works in the same way. Taxi’s can be expensive so avoid if you can.
Tube / Underground / Subway
There are 11 underground lines servicing 270 stations in London. Split into travel zones, from 1 (central) to 6 (outer suburbs). As a visitor, NEVER buy a paper ticket, as they are much more expensive than contactless.
If you stay within Zones 1 & 2 (which you likely will) the daily cost is capped at £7.20. If your visit is for a week, think about getting a 7-day pass for £36.10.
When you enter the first tube station look for the little pocket maps that are free, and really helpful to plan your route. Alternatively download one of the many free London Underground Maps. You can visit TFL London for more information.
Buses
All buses are cashless in London, so you must have a contactless or Oyster card to travel. When you travel on the buses, all you need to do is ‘swipe in’ on the round yellow card reader by the door.
The cost is £1.60 however far you go. You can catch another bus within an hour, and you don’t pay anything extra.
Bicycles
The Santander bicycles is my favourite way to travel around London. There is now quite a few bike lanes in central London, so its much safer than it was a few years ago.
To access the bikes, download the Santander App and locate your nearest docking station. There are hundreds of docking stations all around central London.
Top money saving tip – keep each journey less than 30 minutes. You can dock, wait 5 minutes, then take out another bike from the same docking station. If you keep each journey less than 30 minutes, it will only cost you £2.00 for 24 hour access. If your trip does go over 30 minutes, you pay on a per minute basis, so be careful.
Money
The UK uses the Great British Pound (GBP). You can use contactless Cards in nearly all places, but it’s always best to have a little small change just in case (maybe £50 of notes and coins).
Try to make sure you exchange money either before you go, or wait until you get to Central London where there is loads of Foreign Exchange shops. Never exchange money at the airports, as the rates are awful.
Travelling from the Airport
If you’re coming from overseas, you will likely arrive at one of five airports – Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City or Heathrow. You may also be arriving on the Eurostar. For the easiest and best ways to get into Central London from the airport see my separate blog ‘London Airport Transfers’.
Best Areas to Stay For a 4 Day London Itinerary
London is huge, and can be a bit overwhelming when you first look at the map, so its important you stay in a good location to make the most of your trip.
Whether you are looking for a 2-day itinerary or 4-day itinerary, nearly all of the attractions you are going to want to see are in Zones 1 & 2. As a result, I’ve put together the best locations that won’t break the bank, and provide easy access to all parts of London and can offer great value for money.
When I look for accommodation I usually compare rates on booking.com and airbnb.com.
Shoreditch
- When I first moved to London, I lived in Shoreditch, and absolutely loved it. It’s known as the hipster neighbourhood, and if you’re after nightlife, there is no better place to stay.
- Over 100 pubs and bars are within a 10 minute radius. This is the place to be, to mix with the locals, and have a fantastic trip. The nearest tube station is Old Street (Northern Line) and there is plenty of bus routes that will take you everywhere you need to go.
Soho
- Soho really is Central London so stay here if you want to stay right in the middle of the action. This is another great neighbourhood for nightlife, and close to a lot of the major attractions. Nearest tube is Leicester Square or Tottenham Court Road. This is probably the most expensive option on the list due to its central location.
Victoria
- Centrally located, Victoria is close to Westminster, Buckingham Palace and St James Park, therefore close to some major attractions. The nearest Tube is Victoria.
Camden
- Camden is a great area to base yourself in. You’ve got the eclectic Camden market, the Regents Canal, and Regents Park all within walking distance. The nearest tube is Camden Town.
Bethnal Green
- Bethnal Green is right next to the more popular Shoreditch, but you can get accommodation here for half the price. BG itself is what I’d call an ‘up and coming’ area! There is a few nice bars and coffee shops to visit.
- The best thing is its proximity to some of the best East London attractions, such as Brick Lane and Colombia Road Flower Market. The nearest Tube station is Bethnal Green, which will take you into central London in 15 minutes.
London 4 Day Itinerary - Day 1
To start off the 4 day itinerary, in this paragraph I have listed a number of attractions, in order you will come across them, so you can easily walk from one to the next.
One of my favourite things to do in London is just to walk around, and take in the views, and this is a route I often take myself. If you need to, you can use buses if you get tired. I suggest starting your day at the Tower of London.
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Tower of London: The Tower of London is one of the few ‘major’ attractions I would recommend, as it is unique, and very interesting. You can experience 1,000 years of history, see the Crown Jewels, and learn a little bit about the harsh place London used to be hundreds of years ago. I advise to arrive as early as possible as this is one of the most popular London attractions. Doors open at 9am, and you should book your tickets in advance to avoid the queues.
- St Katherine’s Dock: If you have time, consider a little detour to St Katherine’s Dock, and go back in time to the 18th Century and have a drink at The Dickens Inn.
- Tower Bridge: Probably the most famous bridge in England, this imposing structure dominates the skyline. Walk across it to appreciate the intricate carvings, and get some great snaps of the River Thames in the background. I personally wouldn’t recommend the tour at £10.60, I wasn’t overly impressed.
- Butlers Wharf Pier: Turn left when you cross the bridge to the south of the river, and there is some interesting cobbled alleys and a great view Tower Bridge for some more pics.
Next on the London itinerary is a few different options to eat and drink. I hope you’re getting hungry now, as below is three great alternative options. They’re all en-route so even if you’re not hungry, I would spend a little time at all of them if you can.
- Maltby Street Market is one of the lessor known markets in London. It’s smaller in size than most, but the character of the railway arches, it’s intimacy, and the explosion of colour create a great ambience. There is a constant churn of start-up traders, offering everything from Venezuelan street food, to authentic Vietnamese, to the best of British cheese.
- Next on the tour is Vinegar Yard, an electric mix of drinks, food, flea market and art. In Summer you can enjoy the outdoor space, and in Winter, they provide tents and heaters, so its worth a visit any time of year. It can get busy here, but I’ve never had to wait too long to enter.
- Borough Market is probably one of the more famous markets in London thanks to Bridget Jones. Explore this 100 year old food market, selling fresh veg, and your choice of street food. I love the aromas and variety served up here.
- The Shard: The Shard is London’s tallest skyscraper, at a whopping 309.9 metres tall. You can appreciate one of the best views in London from here. The best part is, you can enter for free! You could spend £25 to visit level 70 and the viewing platform, the official “The View from the Shard”. If it’s a clear day, and you’ve got the budget, go ahead. Alternatively, you can go to level 32 and visit one of the bars to grab a coffee or cocktail. The views are just as impressive; just try to get a window seat (easier said than done sometimes). You can buy tickets here
- Thames South Bank: You can spend the afternoon following the River Thames on the South Bank, as there is so many sights to see, and most of them won’t cost you a penny. There is a number of typical tourist traps that I would avoid, as they’re all overpriced, and not authentic to London (Looking at you Shrek’s Adventure!, Sea-life London, London Eye).
- Shakespeare’s Globe: Continue walking along the riverbank, and you’ll pass Shakespeare Globe theatre (check out the schedule on their website if you want to catch a performance here). The Millennium Bridge is the newest bridge to cross the Thames, and it offers a great view of the top of St Paul’s Cathedral. Cross the bridge to visit the Cathedral.
- St Paul’s Cathedral: Designed by the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren, this is one of the most recognisable buildings in London. You can pay for a guided tour, or alternatively, it is open for private prayer and worship at no cost.
- South Bank Centre: The South Bank Centre is an artistic events complex. You could easily spend a couple of hours here dependent upon your interests. There is many places to eat and drink, but the main draw is the various galleries and performances, so I would recommend checking out their website, and visit the ‘what’s on’ page.
- London Eye: You can’t miss the London Eye, so I’ve reluctantly added it to the list, as it’s an easy and mark to look out for, not necessarily to visit! This is one of the most visited attractions in London, good marketing I suppose! The view is ‘ok’, if you can fight your way to the window in the jam packed pod. I personally would avoid this; the reality is more like a 25 minute cramped ride, jostling for the best view, which you’ll be bored of after five minutes.
- Leake Street Arches: A few minutes’ walk away from the London Eye is a hidden little gem. Leake Street Arches is a celebration of urban art, dining and entertainment located in the arches underneath Waterloo Station. This is London’s longest legal graffiti wall. Well worth checking out.
London 4 Day Itinerary – Night 1
The next part of the 4 day London itinerary considers what to do in the evening. London really comes alive at night, the mood and vibe can change completely from the day time. After travelling many countries all over the world, I still rank London as one of the best cities for night life.
Head to the famous West End, and in particular, Soho for your first night in London. Leicester square is nearby, but unless you want to visit a casino, I wouldn’t make an effort to go here.
There is a certain excitement and buzz around Soho at night, maybe it’s the gathering of tourists in high spirits, or the locals enjoying a big night out. A common sight in London, will be punters streaming into the streets from the traditional pubs (in all weathers!) enjoying a smoke and an al fresco pint!
There is an endless number of restaurants, bars and clubs in this part of town. I advise wandering around until you see something that takes your fancy, you can find any type of food you want here I’m sure.
London 4 Day Itinerary – Day 2
I hope you’ve still got some energy after that packed first day! Start the Day 2 of the London 4 Day Itinerary by hitting some of the best Museums and Galleries.
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Museums:
I’m not massively into Museums myself (I haven’t got the patience to read all the information cards), but of course a lot of people are, so I need to mention some of the best ones in London. The goods news is that nearly all Museums and Galleries are free to enter in the UK. Three of the best are all located next to each other near South Kensington Station. Choose from the Victoria & Albert Museum, Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. You won’t have time to visit all of them, so choose what interests you most.
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Hyde Park:
Just a short walk from the Museums and Galleries on Exhibition Road is, in my opinion, the best park in London, Hyde Park. Depending on the weather, you might want to spend a few solid hours going walkabout through this Royal Park of 350 acres. Highlights of visiting Hyde Park should include Kensington Gardens, The Rose Garden, and enjoying some refreshments at the Serpentine Bar and Kitchen. Enter the park near one of Lancaster Gate, Queensway or High Street Kensington stations, and exit the park near Hyde Park Corner Station.
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Buckingham Palace:
Head towards Buckingham Palace, via Constitution Hill. Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen, although don’t expect to see her walking around unfortunately. You can visit the state rooms of Buckingham Palace for £26.50, which in my opinion is quite pricey. One of the most popular attractions here, which is free, is to watch the changing of the Guards ceremony. This tends to take place on every other day and begins at 10.45 lasting approximately 45 minutes in total. It’s best to check here for the latest schedule. Arrive a bit early if you want to get a good viewing point.
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St James Park:
This is another of my favourite parks in London. A lot smaller than Hyde Park, and easily navigable and has lovely walks among the trees and lake. Definitely spend a little time wandering the park, especially on a nice sunny day. Exit at the south east corner, to head towards Westminster.
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Westminster:
Now is the time to see Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Palace of Westminster. You can normally do a tour of Elizabeth Tower (the official name, Big Ben is actually the bell inside the tower) but at the time of writing visits are suspended due to refurbishment work.
London 4 Day Itinerary – Night 2
Head back to the West End for more entertainment, but of a different kind. Check out the latest theatre screenings, and visit one of the famous shows. There is so many choices, so check here for the latest listings, pricing and timetables.
Some of my favourite theatres include the Royal Opera House, London Coliseum, and the Apollo Victoria Theatre.
London 4 Day Itinerary – Days 3 & 4
When I visit a new place, I think there’s nothing worse than trying to fit too much into your days, and end up rushing everything. You don’t enjoy the day as you’re always up against the clock.
Some of my favourite times is actually taking time out, and sitting on a park bench for a while, or finding a cute coffee shop and watching the world go by. For these reasons, I’m not being so specific for the last two days. I suggest you pick a few things you like the sound of, take your time, and enjoy what’s on offer.
Therefore, here is a selection of my top tips to do on a 4 day London itinerary. You don’t need to do them in any order, but I have mentioned which area they are in to help with planning.
I would definitely try to spend a full day in East London, as this a very unique from central London, and provides a different feel.
Camden Town: First on my list is Camden town, and more specifically, Camden Market. The market scene has changed over the years, its now a lot more modern than it was a few years ago which is a shame, but to me, it still has its charms. It’s one of the more unique places in London, and you can easily spend a few hours here. Check here for the market opening times. Location: North
Regents Park: Walking distance from Camden, is Regents Park. Size wise, it is between Hyde Park and St James Park. There’s an inner circle that has a rose garden, and a Japanese garden. There’s a boating lake, and a couple of cute cafe’s. Location: North
Regents Canal: I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve gone for a walk along Regents canal at the weekend. This is one of my favourite free activities to do. The canal runs for 8.6 miles, and highlights include Little Venice, Maida Vale, Regents Park, Camden, Kings Cross, Islington, London Fields and Victoria Park. You could spend all day walking the path if you wanted to, but I suggest you pick a section that works with your other plans. Location: Everywhere West, North and East
Sky Garden: Forget the Shard, if you want a great view of London, head to the Sky Garden. Sky Garden, is located in Fenchurch street Building (otherwise known as the Walkie Talkie Building). It’s London’s highest public garden, offering 360 degree views and best of all, it’s free. Because it’s free, it does get busy, so you need to book a time in advance, you can do that here. Location: Central
Barbican Centre: The Barbican Centre is a huge concrete complex, once voted London’s ugliest building. Don’t let this put you off, you could easily spend a few hours here either watching a movie at one of the 3 cinema screens, checking out the latest exhibition, visiting the library, or having a coffee or cocktail at the on-site bar and kitchen. If the weather isn’t so good, this is a good place to go. Find out what’s on here. Location: Central/East
Covent Garden: Covent Garden is one of the few European style Piazza’s in London. Its a famous market place in the heart of the West End consisting of high street stores, restaurants and traditional market stalls. This is especially atmospheric at Christmas time, with many lights and decorations. I would recommend visiting here well ahead of Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, which don’t really offer much. Location: Central
Leadenhall Market: If you want to visit a traditional pub in the heart of of the City of London, the cobbled streets of Leadenhall Market offers a setting like no other. In existence since the 13th century, the buildings are Victorian, and what I like most is the stunning colours of the facades, bright reds and yellows. Location: Central/East
Brick Lane: Brick Lane is a popular street in East London, now favoured by London’s younger and artistic crowds. The best day to visit Brick Lane is Sunday, when the street market is open, and the road is closed to traffic. You’ll see second hand traders here, a lot of vintage and leather clothing, and a ton of street food and coffee shops. Another big attraction is the mass of graffiti art adorning what seems like every possible wall space available. Location: East
Spitalfields Market: Spitalfields is one of London’s oldest markets, it’s covered, which is useful if the weather takes a turn for the worse. The market stalls sell souvenirs, clothing and food. I find things usually on the expensive side, but it’s always worthwhile just browsing. The market is open 7 days a week. Location: East
Columbia Road Flower Market: As a visitor, I’m not sure if you’ll want to be buying plants to take home with you, but even so, a visit can still be an interesting experience. The market operates on Sundays, and is very close to Spitalfields and Brick Lane. The street is always completely packed, and you can fight your way through to see the array of plants and flowers on show. If you do want to buy something, I find the prices are usually very good. Location: East
Portobello Road Market: This market was made famous by the movie Notting Hill, and at the weekends the street is always crammed. As well as the market stalls, people visit here for the colourful architecture of the buildings. The main market operates on Saturdays, plus an antique market on Friday. If the stalls and building don’t keep you entertained, there is plenty of traditional pubs and cafe’s along Portobello Road. Location: West
Battersea Park: One more park to add to the list! If you are staying anywhere near Battersea Park I would try to squeeze in a visit. The northern edge runs along the River Thames, where you’ll come across multiple dog walkers and runners. There’s massive playing fields, water fountains and a cafe in the centre. Location: South/West
Cheap Eats in London
I’m not usually big on recommending places to eat, as everyone has different tastes, and restaurants can open and close very quickly in London. As this site is geared towards the budget traveller, I thought I’d mention a couple of places I often go to, where you can get good food, at good prices. This can save a small fortune vs eating in expensive restaurants. On your 4 day London itinerary visit as many as possible to enjoy some cheap food.
Itsu: Itsu is a Japanese food chain, with locations all across central London. They offer various Bento, Salads, Gyoza, and soups. It’s really tasty, and not too expensive, about £6 on average. The best part is, every day, 30 mins before closing, they reduce all fresh food by 50%. This offers a real bargain, sometimes I’ll buy extra for lunch the next day.
Wasabi Sushi & Bento: Another Japanese offering, and just as tasty. Every time I come here, I go for the Katsu curry, which is delicious. Its quite a generous portion, and also about £6 a dish
ICCO Pizza: ICCO is an Italian Pizzeria, located on Goodge Street, not far from Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street. I’ll often go here after shopping at Oxford Street. Pizza prices range from £4 to £9, and are a good size, and really tasty. This can be a good option for lunch or dinner.
Supermarkets: I hear you, who wants to go to a Supermarket for lunch when you’re on holiday! Well, maybe, you need a break from all the street food and markets.
I don’t really see such an offer in other countries, but in the UK most of the Supermarkets offer really good combo deals, known as Meal deals. You can get them at Boots, Tesco, Sainsburys that I know of.
The deal includes a main, such as a sandwich, or pasta. A drink, from a fruit juice, to a red bull. And a dessert, from fruit to Crisps, to Chocolate. Prices range from £3 to £4. Boots is my personal favourite, as they have the best selection.
London 4 Day Itinerary Summary
I hope you find this London 4 Day itinerary enjoyable, as I’ve included some of the famous must-see attractions as well as some lessor known gems. There is so much to see and do in London, so I hope this makes it a little bit easier for you to make the most of your trip.
Please share your thoughts on this suggested itinerary, especially if you do follow this route.