The Ultimate 4-Day London Itinerary
London is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, in my opinion! The 607 square miles of London have incredible historic buildings, architecture, tours, and food.
We fell in love with London when we visited because the city is stunning. We enjoyed walking around, visiting museums, and exploring its parks. London truly has something for everyone and is a fun destination for the entire family!
Even though you could spend weeks exploring everything it offers, you can spend 4 days in London and see most must-see attractions. This guide has everything you need to know about creating the best 4-day London itinerary, with must-see attractions!
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Tips for Visiting London
London is one of my favorite cities in the world because the architecture, history, food, and everything in between is amazing. And the best part? It is pretty easy to create a fun itinerary because the city is easy to get around. No matter how many days you have to visit London, you will quickly fall in love with the beautiful city.
Important Things to Know
Pack warm layers and a rain jacket. London’s weather is known to be moody and rainy, so I recommend bringing a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Wear comfortable shoes because you will be walking through the city. Walking is one of the best ways to explore London, so it is important to have comfortable and supportive shoes. I always recommend wearing comfortable sneakers.
Familiarize yourself with the tube. The best way to get around London is by riding the tube, the underground train system. The tube is easy to follow if you have a map and can bring you almost anywhere you need to get to on your itinerary in London. You can also buy an Oyster Card, which is cheaper than single-ride tickets for the tube.
Book your tickets in advance. If you are visiting an attraction that requires tickets during your 5 days in London, I recommend buying them beforehand to save time. And you are likely to get a better price if you book online! You can also buy a Go City Pass to get discounts on must-see London attractions!
Buy a pass to get into attractions at discounted prices. Your trip to London does not have to be expensive if you want to see many attractions. Many passes give you discounted rates, like the London Pass.
Closest Airports
There are two airports near London that you can fly into for your trip. Heathrow Airport is west of London and about a 15-minute ride into the city on the Piccadilly line of the tube. Gatwick Airport is south of London and about a 30-minute ride into the city on an express train. Both are large airports, and most airlines fly into them, so you will not have a problem finding a flight to London.
Places to Stay in London
London has many neighborhoods that are great places to stay, with the best being Covent Garden, the West End, Westminster, South Bank, Kensington, and Soho.
These neighborhoods are near downtown London and are close to many must-see attractions. Where you decide to stay is up to your personal preference!
London Hotels:
The Best 4-Day London Itinerary
London is an incredible city that you will quickly fall in love with! Your 4 days in London have history, architecture, and fun attractions. This itinerary is flexible, and you can rearrange these days to best fit your wants. Get ready for a fun-filled city adventure!
Day 1 in London: Iconic Attractions
The first day in London explores some of the most popular attractions! These attractions are some of my favorites in the city, so I know you will enjoy your first day in the city.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is one of the most iconic places in London because it is the residence of the royal family! The palace has stunning architecture you can experience from a distance outside the gate. There are also ten weeks in the summer when visitors are allowed to explore the beautiful staterooms.
You can also witness the Changing of the Guard, which is a traditional ceremony and a cool thing to see! The ceremony occurs on specific dates throughout the year around 10:45 AM and lasts for about 45 minutes. The best part is it is free to watch.
Churchill War Rooms
Churchill War Rooms is a short walk from Buckingham Palace through the beautiful St James’s Park. The museum gives you a glimpse into the World War II underground headquarters where Prime Minister Winston Churchill lived. You can explore the museum to learn more about the secret underground headquarters, World War II, and Churchill’s life.
Big Ben
Big Ben is another iconic landmark in London with a beautiful clock tower on the Palace of Westminster. Big Ben is a nickname for the Great Bell, although many people do not know that.
The best way to view Big Ben is by walking around its grounds to see how beautiful the building and clock tower are. We were in awe when we saw Big Ben in person. We have seen it many times in photos, but they do not do is justice!
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is a short walk from Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster and will quickly leave you in awe of its stunning architecture. The royal church is over 750 years old and has been the home of many royal weddings.
The church is active, so it is free to explore the inside. Although, I think the best way to experience the church is from the outside. The architecture is incredible and will blow you away with its beauty.
The London Eye
The London Eye is the iconic scenic ferris wheel in London. If you want to enjoy London from a unique perspective, the London Eye is perfect for you! You can purchase tickets to ride in one of the glass cabins on the wheel for about a half-hour. The views of London are incredible, and it is a fun experience!
Day 2 in london: Markets, Bridges, and beautiful architecture
The second day in London has more iconic London attractions and fun markets!
St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral is another building with stunning architecture that will leave you in awe. I actually did a project about this building in college, so I was so excited to see it in person! And it did not disappoint.
You can enjoy the beautiful cathedral by walking its grounds outside, exploring the inside, or walking around its dome. If you have time, I highly recommend walking to the top of the dome because it has stunning views and is one of the largest in the world! It is also the only thing you have to pay for in St. Paul's Cathedral. St. Paul's Cathedral is a beautiful attraction that will quickly become one of your favorites.
>> Visit the St Paul's Cathedral Dome
Borough Market
Borough Market is one of the best places in London for people who love food. The historic market is one of the largest and oldest markets in London and has a variety of food. It is the perfect place to grab lunch in one of its many restaurants, cafes, or pubs. You will not be disappointed with eating at Borough Market!
The Shard
The Shard is one of the newer buildings in London and is a beautiful sight! The 72-story skyscraper was built in 2013, standing out from the surrounding buildings because of its shape and size. It is also the tallest building in the UK!
And the best part? It has one of the highest viewpoints of the London skyline! You can enjoy a fun ride to the top and enjoy 360-degree views of the city.
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks in London, and it was one of our favorite places we visited! The 800-foot-long bridge has stunning architecture and offers a beautiful view of London.
You can enjoy the bridge from various viewpoints along the river, walk across it, or enjoy a thrilling walk along the top with glass floors. No matter which way you decide to experience Tower Bridge, you will fall in love with its beauty!
The Tower of London
The Tower of London is across Tower Bridge and is another stunning building. The historic castle is considered one of the most secure castles in London and guards royal possessions such as the Crown Jewels.
You can enjoy a walk around its grounds or explore the beauty inside of the castle. If you decide to explore the inside, you can view the Crown Jewels, museums, exhibitions, and beautiful rooms. The Tower of London holds a lot of history and is a fun place to visit!
The Sky Garden
The Sky Garden is one of the most unique attractions in London because it is the highest public garden in the city. You can walk through the beautiful garden while enjoying breathtaking 360-degree views of London.
And the best part? Admission is free! Every Monday, the Sky Garden releases free tickets, so I recommend buying them as soon as they are released! You will fall in love with this beautiful garden in London.
The Leadenhall Market
The Leadenhall Market is the perfect place to wind down at the end of the day and enjoy shopping and delicious food. The covered market is a hidden gem in the city and the perfect place to grab dinner and drinks while taking in the surrounding architecture.
Day 3 in london: Kensington to SOHO
The third day in London has beautiful parks, museums, and fun nightlife activities!
The Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of the best museums in London, with preserved animals and plant species. It also has stunning architecture. The collection of artifacts grows yearly and now includes over 80 million items! And the best part? The museum is free! You only need tickets for specific exhibitions and events. You will not be disappointed exploring the Natural History Museum during your trip to London!
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is a stunning building and home to royal residences, the birthplace of Queen Victoria, and the Kensington Gardens. You can explore the inside of Kensington Palace for a fee or walk through Kensington Gardens for free. The gardens are the perfect place to enjoy a morning stroll.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is a beautiful 350-acre park and the largest of the four Royal Parks. It connects to the Kensington Gardens, so your morning stroll can explore two beautiful parks in London. Hyde Park has flowers, ponds, fountains, and sitting areas to enjoy. It also has cafes and restaurants to get delicious food and drinks!
Regent Street
Regent Street is not too far of a walk from Hyde Park and is a major shopping center in London. Not only does the area have great stores for shopping, but it also has stunning architecture. The buildings on Regent Street are beautiful, so you will enjoy a walk down it even if you do not want to shop. You can walk along Regent Street as you make your way to the next park!
Regent’s Park
Regent’s Park is another stunning park in London with beautiful flowerbeds, pathways, and fountains through its 410 acres. I hope you are not done exploring parks because Regent’s Park is the perfect addition to the itinerary. It is great for a quick walk before getting ready for dinner and a fun nightlife scene in London!
Soho
Soho is one of the best areas in London for nightlife fun! It has many restaurants with delicious food and bars with great drinks. We enjoyed many dinners in Soho, and they did not disappoint. If you are looking for a fun area to enjoy a night out in London, Soho is perfect!
Day 4 in london: Fun Tours
The final day in this London itinerary is flexible, depending on what you want to do! You can visit the Warner Bros Studio Tour with Harry Potter, ride the iconic double-decker bus tour, or enjoy some museums and markets. No matter how you decide to enjoy your last day in London, you will have a fun-filled day!
Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour
If you are a Harry Potter fan, The Warner Bros Studio Tour is the perfect place to visit on your final day in London! The studio allows you to go behind the scenes of the marking of the Harry Potter movies and explore movie sets.
It is a fun experience to see where they filmed some of the movies, especially if you are a Harry Potter fan! We loved visiting because we are huge Harry Potter fans. Seeing the sets in person was amazing!
There is also a store where you can purchase wands or make your own! And yes, we did get wands to take home with us! You will not be disappointed visiting the studio.
>> Visit The Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio
Camden Market
Camden Market is among the most-visited attractions in London for good reasons! The outdoor market is a fun place to walk around and enjoy delicious food for lunch and is the perfect stop after visiting the studio to grab food and explore local shops.
We stopped here after our Harry Potter studio tour and had so much delicious food. My sister studied abroad in London, and the Camden Market is one of her favorite places to visit!
The British Museum
The British Museum is the oldest national public museum and has millions of items throughout the museum that focus on human history and culture. And the best part? It is free to enter the British Museum and enjoy everything it offers.
London Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
If you want to enjoy your last day on an iconic tour, you can ride a Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour. These tours let you ride on the iconic double-decker busses and bring you around London to its famous attractions. There are three routes you can choose from with different attractions on each. The tour is a fun way to experience London and see some attractions you may have missed during your first few days!
If you want to spend 4 days in London, this guide is the perfect starting point for planning your trip! We loved spending a week in the city, so I know you will fall in love with London. This guide has everything you need to know about creating the best 4-day London itinerary, with the must-see attractions.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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