London 4-Day Itinerary: What to see to make the most of your time
London is one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in the world. You could easily spend weeks exploring here, but the reality is you have limited time and London has lots to see. You should plan to see the sights that are near each other at the same time, to minimize the time spent going from one place to another. I’ve created this London 4-day itinerary to help you get the most out of your short visiting time. Here are my recommendations for how to spend four days in London.
London is located in southern England and it is extremely well connected with six international airports. Greater London has around 9 million people and at over 1500 km² it’s bigger than many small countries. When you fly into London, make sure to carefully research which airport you are flying into and the best way to get to your hotel, because it can take some time. London Heathrow is the biggest and most common airport for international flights but there is also Gatwick, Stansted, London City, Southend, and Luton for cheap flights.
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4-Day London Itinerary
Here’s the itinerary that I’d recommend if you have a long weekend in London. Shout-out to my dad who put this trip together for my parents and I, and is the best trip planner I know 😉
Prefer to watch the video version? It’s below.
Day 1:
Westminster Abbey
Start your day in a place that is truly the heart of Great Britain, Westminster Abbey. The church has over a thousand years of history and has been the place where kings and queens have been crowned since 1066. It is also well-known for hosting the royal weddings.
Make sure to buy tickets in advance online. You’ll book an entrance time and pay a whopping 30 pounds admission per adult, but it is worth the splurge.
The Abbey itself is beautiful, with delicate Gothic architecture and stunning stained-glass windows. A visit here is like a who’s who of Western Civ. Over 3,000 famous Britons are buried here, each more famous than the last. Check out the tombs of Isaac Newton, Neville Chamberlain, Queen Elizabeth I, David Livingstone, and more.
Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard
After Westminster, head to Buckingham Palace to watch the ceremonial changing of the guard. The days and times vary, so again, planning ahead is essential to catch this special event. There are lots of places along the route between Buckingham Palace and the barracks to watch it but also lots of people to elbow out to get the best spot.
Churchill War Rooms
If you are a history buff, check out the Churchill War Rooms. This is the underground bunker where the British government and Winston Churchill operated from during World War II. Visitors get a feel for how difficult it was to live in cramped quarters with no daylight. Most of the display space is devoted to information about Winston Churchill’s life, both before and after the war.
At this point, if you need some retail therapy you can head to the famous Harrod’s department store in Knightsbridge. This iconic complex is worth seeing even with no plans to buy anything. Check out the Egyptian-themed escalators and the tempting food hall.
Theatreland: London’s Theatre District
In the evening, take a stroll through Chinatown and have dinner there or around nearby Picadilly Circus. This is the famed London theatre district and there is no shortage of restaurants and pubs. I saw the Michael Jackson musical and was soooo impressed. The nightlife vibes are great, and I just loved the buzz of excitement in the area!
If you don’t have a specific show that you are dying to see, wait until the last minute and buy tickets on a site like TKTS where they can be as low as £20.
Day 2
London Eye
If you aren’t afraid of heights, an option to start your morning with is a ride on the London Eye. At £29 it’s a pricey experience, so if you just want the views consider getting those elsewhere.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Next, make your way to St. Paul’s Cathedral. It was consecrated way back in 604 BCE and the current cathedral designed by Christopher Wren was finished in 1711. Many royal events have happened here including the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
Millennium Bridge
The path from St. Paul’s leads to the spectacular Millennium Bridge, a London icon. When this pedestrian bridge opened, it was closed two days later because it swayed and wobbled and took another two years to fix! But it’s safe now and a fun bridge to walk over.
Tate Modern
On the other side of the bridge is the Tate Modern art museum. It’s open every day and it’s free, so it’s definitely worth the time to pop in.
The Globe Theater
Right next door is Shakespeare’s famous theatre, The Globe. It’s a replica of the original, but still round and open-air, so you can see Shakespeare’s works like they were originally performed.
Borough market
One of the best food markets in London is Borough Market. It’s huge and the quality of the food is excellent. My favorite light lunch in England is the toastie, a grilled cheese sandwich and there is a great place to get them here is Kappacasein Dairy
Little Venice
Later, take the underground to Paddington Station to explore another part of the city, Little Venice. There are no gondolas here, but this affluent area of the city has a number of canals to walk along, and many unique boat restaurants to enjoy!
If you haven’t already ordered fish and chips at a pub, the Prince Alfred is a good place to do so.
Day 3
Thames River Boat Ride
Today starts with a boat ride! Instead of spending money on a sightseeing cruise on the Thames, buy a ticket on the Uber boat by Thames Clippers to get to your destination. Head downriver to Greenwich and enjoy the sights on the way.
Greenwich has a rich naval history. When you arrive you’ll immediately see the Cutty Sark Ship, now a museum. The Old Royal Naval College is here, and also the National Maritime Museum and a fun sculpture called “Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle”.
Greenwich Royal Observatory
The highlight of Greenwich is the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian. This is the actual Prime Meridian, the line that measures longitude around the world. Here explorers and navigators struggled for centuries to measure time and distance, and many of the inventions they used along the way are on display.
After exploring Greenwich Market and grabbing something to eat, make your way back towards central London on the tube to the Tower of London.
The Tower of London
The Tower of London has been a fortress, mint, palace, prison, and a place where heads rolled, literally (RIP Anne Bolyen). Prisoners came by boat through the Traitor’s Gate and often never left again.
Today the Yeoman Wanders, or beefeaters, still take care of the tower and lead tours. You’ll also see giant ravens on the grounds because, as the saying goes, if the ravens leave the Tower, the crown will fall and Britain with it.
The tower includes a large armory with historical weapons on display. If you don’t mind waiting in line, you can also see the Crown Jewels.
Before you leave the tower, don’t forget to get a shot of the Tower Bridge, one of the most iconic symbols of London.
Leake Street Arches
In the evening, head to the Leake Street Arches near Waterloo Station, where adjoining tunnels make up London’s longest legal graffiti wall and a trendy urban hangout. You can take a graffiti class or have a drink at one of the many pubs and restaurants here.
Day 4
Day Trip Options
On day four, if you are feeling up for a day trip outside of the city you can take one that visits two iconic places–Stonehenge and Windsor Castle. Be prepared for a long day if you choose to do this. There are also options to go to Bath, the picturesque city famous for its Roman baths.
British Museum
If you want to stay in the city, you can’t miss out on the British Museum, one of the best in the world. It’s FREE to visit, and you can book an entry ticket in advance so you don’t have to wait in line. See the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, and objects from around the world. Visitors could easily spend all day here.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Another great and free museum is the Victoria and Albert Museum. It has art and artifacts from around the world and exhibits about theatre and design. The building that houses the museum is worth a visit by itself.
End your trip with a visit to the Sky Garden. It’s a modern skyscraper with an indoor garden on top and some amazing views! It’s free to visit but there is ticketed entry during peak times. Reserve a table so you can toast your time in London with a drink and a view.
For all international trips, I recommend getting travel insurance. Here are the advantages (and disadvantages) of travel insurance.
