An Awesome London Itinerary: 4 Days in London

If you’re trying to plan a trip to London, then look no further!  We have created an awesome London itinerary: 4 days that you are sure to love!  

London is one of those cities that everyone must experience at least once in their life and planning the perfect London itinerary doesn’t have to be difficult.  We hope to make your 4 days in London the best they can possibly be.

London must be doing something right.  According to Travel+Leisure, London is the most tweeted city in the world! 

Not only that, but London is also one of the top holiday destinations in the UK. So of course, you want to be a part of this awesome adventure.

We included London as part of our mini European tour where we visited Venice, Germany, and London. 

I have to admit that I didn’t fall completely in love with London immediately.  Maybe that’s because we started out being too touristy.  It wasn’t until we began exploring some of London’s great neighborhoods and taking tips from locals that London won my heart. 

So, with that in mind, we are going to incorporate a little of both into this London itinerary for 4 days. Our London itinerary will give you plenty of “touristy” attractions and also throw in some of the non-touristy things to do in London that are so loved, like this Arcelormittal Orbit Slide!

If you have more time in Europe, London definitely makes a great jumping-off point for Scotland and Ireland as well.

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Awesome London Itinerary: 4 days in London

Getting Around During Your 4 Days in London

It’s actually really easy to get around in London.  London has a great public transportation system that is well organized and easy to understand. 

You will also find London is also very walkable, but please keep in mind that it is a big city.

If you choose to take public transportation during your London itinerary, then note that London has both a tube (underground subway system) and a bus system. 

If taking the tube system during your 4 days in London, then take note that the trains are labeled by name.  For example, you will say “take the Bakerloo line” instead of saying “take train number 4”.  I actually found this really easy to understand once I got the hang of it. 

You can access the London tube system to use during your London Itinerary for 4 days here.

You might also like to take a hop-on, hop-off tour during your 4 days in London.  Marty and I chose to do this on our first day in London just to get a feel for the city. 

Of course, you can also opt for the city bus.  We found that often the bus was faster than the tube.  An added bonus was the fact that the buses in London are clean and very efficient.

If you’re choosing to take public transportation, then I recommend using the Oyster Card.  The Oyster Card is a prepaid card that you can buy online or at the tube station that makes public transportation a cinch. 

Be sure and put enough money on your card to cover your London Itinerary for 4 days.  It’s way easier and more cost-effective than paying for individual ride fares.

Where to Stay in London 

Let me begin by telling you that London is big and expensive!  In comparison to other European cities we have visited, we found that overall London accommodations were about double the price. 

With that being said, it is still possible to get a good place at a decent price.  You just have to shop around. 

We loved reading these tips from a Londoner on the best areas to stay in London before planning our trip.

Also, keep in mind that each neighborhood in London has its own unique personality, so be sure to find one that fits you and your traveling style. 

We recommend staying close to the city center as this is where the majority of the attractions that you want to visit are located. I know that this means the price goes up a little, but with only 4 days in London, you definitely don’t want to spend all of your valuable vacation time on the Tube.  

I think that you will find that the best London hotels are centrally located and therefore save you time (and money) in the long run.  These hotels allow you to easily walk to the London attractions.

Budget: 

If you are traveling on a strict budget, then, of course, a hostel is going to be your best bet.  Consider checking out SoHostel or Wombats City Hostel.

Wombats offer dorms that are spacious with lots of natural light and a variety of great common areas. 

SoHostel is located in central London making it ideal to walk to the sights.  The decore at SoHostel is bright and colorful and they have a good bar area.

For a budget hotel, consider the 72QT in Notting Hill.  This B&B borders Hyde Park and includes a cooked breakfast, even better! 

Check Prices Here

Mid-range

For mid-range options, consider citizenM or Z Hotel, both of which have many locations in London. 

For Z Hotel, the Victoria location is ideal for travelers that want to be close to the city center. The rooms are small, but have everything you need including wifi, air conditioning, heating, and satellite TV. 

CitizenM has a location near the Tower of London that is great but can be a little pricier than some of their other options. Again, the rooms are small and cozy but have all of the essentials that you need. 

Check Rates, Reviews and Book Here

Luxury 

London is definitely not short on luxury hotels!  There is an incredible number of 5-star hotels just ready and waiting for you to book. 

Of course, The Beaumont in London is definitely one of these properties. With incredible amenities and fabulous service, Beaumont will not disappoint. 

You also can’t go wrong with The Royal at Horseguards or the Kensington.

Really any 5-star London hotel will be fabulous!

Check Rates and Book Here

Save Money While in London

If you’re going to explore most of the destinations suggested in our London Itinerary, then you might want to consider purchasing the London Pass. 

The London Pass allows you to save 35% off of admission to many of London’s top sights and attractions.  You can choose to activate yours for 3, 4, 5, or 7 days.

You pay nothing at the gate and in several instances can even skip the line! 

Check it out and see if the London Pass would be worth it for you. 

London Itinerary: 4 Days in London-Day 1

Tower Bridge and the Tower of London

Start your day at the beautiful Tower Bridge.  Often mistaken as the London Bridge, the Tower Bridge can’t be missed. 

We must have captured the Tower Bridge in 100 photos, and she looks gorgeous in everyone.  I just don’t think this bridge takes a bad photo.  LOL!

Plan on arriving as early as possible to avoid all of the traffic and enjoy spending some time exploring this world-famous suspension bridge.

After grabbing great photos of Tower Bridge, your London Itinerary: 4 days would not be complete without a visit to one of our favorite places in London, the Tower of London.

We loved it so much that we wrote a whole post dedicated to what to see at the Tower of London.

The Tower of London is actually a historic castle that houses the crown jewels, and encompasses an interesting and deadly history. 

There are several great tours dedicated to the Tower of London, so check one out if you’re interested.  An added bonus is that if you bought the London Pass, then admission is included and you get to skip the line!

We recommend arriving early and heading straight for the crown jewels before the line gets too long.  Another recommendation is to make sure that you have reserved enough time to visit the Tower. 

I would recommend reserving about 3 hours to explore the Tower of London.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

About a 25-minute walk from the Tower of London, you will find the world-famous St. Paul’s Cathedral.  Of course, if you would rather, you could take the tube and get off at the rightfully named, St. Paul’s stop.  Duh!  ?

Be sure to admire the gorgeous architecture on the outside of the church before paying 18 pounds to enter.  If you enter, be prepared to experience a gorgeous church with a powerful history. 

Pay special attention to the scenes of the life of St. Paul before walking up to the top of the dome.  See the many chapels, the crypt, the stone and golden gallery, and the Oculus.

If you’ve chosen the London Pass, then the price of admission is included!!

Borough Market

By now, I’m sure you are getting hungry! There are so many awesome street markets in London.

We could spend all day just tour the different fun and quirky markets in this town!

For now, though, let’s head to one of our favorite places in London, Borough Market.  Honestly, Marty and I could spend all day tasting our way through Borough Market. 

Right now you’re probably wondering, Michelle, what exactly is Borough Market?

Well, friends, let me tell you!

Borough Market is London’s oldest food market.  It has been around for over 1,000 years! Of course, of late, it has seen a resurgence in popularity, resulting in a vast array of amazing food stalls. 

Here you will find some of London’s most affordable eats that are not at all short on taste.  The market contains everything from sandwiches, homemade ales, gourmet cheeses, paellas, and some European specialty foods.  It is truly a food lover’s paradise.

If you are into this type of shopping experience, you might want to also check out Camden Market.  Camden Market has food stalls and so much more!

Honestly, there are so many things to do in Camden that you could spend an entire day just exploring this fun neighborhood!

Shakespeare’s Globe

Now, keep in mind that Shakespeare’s Globe is a recreation of the original building, so it is up to you if you want to include this on your tour or not.  I think it’s at least worth a look from the outside if nothing else. 

The original complex included a playhouse, a rehearsal studio, and an indoor theater.  You can find out more about Shakespeare and his life here, so if you’re interested in that, then definitely devote some time to it during your 4 days in London.

Cinema and Dinner

Wow!  It’s been a busy day and I’m sure you’re getting tired.  Tonight, why not find a show at the cinema and grab dinner nearby. 

If you’re really in the mood for a treat, visit one of the rooftop bars in London to top the night off! 

London Itinerary: 4 Days-Day 2:

Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guards

Home to Her Majesty, the Queen of England, Buckingham Palace has to be on your list of things to do in London. 

Whether you are visiting the gorgeous rooms or just going to hang out outside to watch the changing of the guards, it should definitely be on your list.  I mean, it has been home to members of the Royal Family since 1837!

If you’re here just to see the changing of the guards then know that it occurs daily at 10:45 am, but we would strongly suggest that you arrive early because it gets crowded! 

The ceremony is free to watch and is one of the most popular things to do in London.

If you decide to go inside of the palace (and you really should), then get ready to be amazed.  The palace is over the top EXTRA EXTRA with over 700 rooms.  We highly recommend doing a tour of the palace to get the most out of your visit. 

That way you get the stories and history to go along with all of the beauty.

Westminster Abbey

Day 1 of your London itinerary for 4 days also includes a visit to the iconic Westminster Abbey. 

Notably one of the most historic buildings in London, Westminster Abbey definitely deserves some of your vacation time. 

Dubbed a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its importance in British history, the church is a beautiful sight to behold.  Outside, you can feast on the gorgeous Gothic architecture before heading inside to admire some of the church’s religious art that dates as far back as the 12th century.

Westminster Abbey has hosted royal weddings including that of Prince William to Kate Middleton. 

The Abbey is also the final resting place of 17 monarchs, including Mary, Queen of Scots, and her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. While visiting, be sure to admire the beautiful architecture that can be found inside of the church as well. 

Keep in mind that Westminster is still a place of worship and there might be services taking place during your visit.

Westminster Abbey is one of the attractions on your London Pass, so it will be free if you purchase the pass.

Take a Peek at Big Ben and the Westminster Palace

I don’t think there is any other building that symbolizes London like Big Ben does. 

To me, Big Ben is to London what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, or the Colosseum is to Rome. 

Random fact, Big Ben is actually the name of the bell that is located inside of the tower.  The Tower itself is the Elizabeth Tower. Now you know!

Of course, while we were there, Big Ben was under construction, but that just seems to be run of the course for us.  Kinda like the Trevi Fountain every time we’ve visited Rome.

Since you’re already at Westminster Abbey, you can easily catch a peek at this iconic London building.

If you want the best views of Westminster Palace, that can be captured across the Thames River. 

Of course, you could visit the House of Parliament inside Westminster Palace if you so desire, just be sure that you book in advance.

British Museum

The British Museum is one of the best museums in London.  Upon entering the beautiful facility I honestly could not believe that this fabulous museum is FREE!

Now, granted, you should donate to help the museum cover it’s expenses, but that is at your discretion.

Created in 1753, this museum not only contains pieces of history from throughout the world, but it also has directly seen and experienced so much history. 

We were amazed at the number of historical items from around the world that are housed in the British.  We especially loved visiting the Egyptian and Roman portions of the museum. 

You could easily spend your entire 4 days in London just in this museum, so be sure and go in with a plan in place.

See, or Ride, The London Eye

The London Eye is located right on the River Thames and is easy to get to while you are in this area.

If you are set on riding the Eye, you definitely want to book a ticket in advance as the lines for this attraction can be extremely long. 

By booking your tickets online, you have the ability to skip the line and save valuable vacation time during your 4 days in London.

By now, the sun should be set on London, so it will be a wonderful time to just stroll along the River Thames and take in all of the sights of London at night.

Get Your London Eye Fast Track Tickets Here

London Itinerary: 4 Days-Day 3

Natural History Museum or V&A Museum

We are going to begin day 3 of our London itinerary exploring some of the fun things to do in Kensington, specifically, a couple more of Britain’s FREE museums.  Now, it is your choice today, you can go to one or both of these museums.

The Natural History Museum is fun for people of all ages.  There are six free galleries for you to explore during your visit to the museum.

Of course, there are other exhibits that charge a fee, so just make the decision for yourself if that is something of interest to you.  During your time here, you will learn all about the dinosaurs that once roamed this area before you step inside a simulated earthquake!

Switching gears, the V&A Museum is an awesome display of art and design. 

The V&A Museum houses a collection of over 2 million objects that span over 5,000 years of art.  Here you will find ceramics, textiles, drawings, photography, sculpture, furniture, and jewelry all waiting to be explored.

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of the oldest urban parks in the world and it is definitely worth building some time into your London itinerary to visit Hyde Park. 

Hyde Park was built in 1536 by Henry VIII when it was his personal hunting ground.  Today the park is a sprawling oasis in the middle of a big city.

Visitors can enjoy a nice quiet afternoon reflecting by the lake, or take a walk through the garden and find a tranquil space that speaks to them.  You can also try your hand at boating, tennis, or horseback riding while visiting Hyde Park.

Picadilly Circus

Walk about half an hour away and you will completely lose the solitude of Hyde Park when you step foot into Picadilly Circus.  Known as the “Times Square” of London, Picadilly Circus is an attraction all on its own with its neon signs and jumbotrons.   

Be prepared though, Picadilly Circus gets pretty crowded.  I mean, I did compare it to Times Square.  LOL!

Trafalgar Square

You can’t make a London itinerary and not include Trafalgar Square.  Why is that you ask? 

Well, because I guarantee that you are going to wind up on Trafalgar Square whether you meant to or not.

This iconic square feature a gorgeous fountain that draws the local out on a rare sunny day in London.  Here you will find people just relaxing and enjoying the pedestrian-only area. 

It’s a great place to people watch.

National Gallery

Just off of Trafalgar Square, you will find another wonderful British Museum. 

Yes, I know, another museum, but the museums in London are world-class and why not visit them since they are free!

The National Gallery is an art museum that houses over 2000 paintings!  The paintings here date as far back as the 13th century, so hopefully, there is something for all lovers of art. 

So even if you only stay a little while, you were exposed to some fabulous art and you didn’t waste any money.

Covent Garden

For dinner tonight, make your way to Covent Garden.  Located in the west end of London, Covent Garden is London’s main theatre and entertainment district. 

Here you will find yourself surrounded by restaurants, car-free piazzas, and awesome shopping.  This sounds like a great way to end another fun day in London to me!

Jack the Ripper Tour

If shopping and a nice dinner aren’t your things, then you might want to grab a quick bit and do a Jack the Ripper tour instead. 

I know that this is a little dark, but it is a prominent piece of history in London that investigators are still trying to solve. 

I think that is super interesting.  With this link, you can choose many tour options from an afternoon tour to a pub crawl.

London Itinerary: 4 Days-Day 4

Little Venice

Today we will begin in London’s Little Venice. 

This charming neighborhood is the perfect start to day 4 of your London itinerary.  Located in the residential neighborhood of Maida Vale, this charming area is where Regent’s Canal and the Grand Union Canal meet and form other small waterways. 

The streets are lined with gorgeous Georgian buildings filled with pubs and restaurants, the perfect place to grab a bite to eat for breakfast.

Camden Market

Camden Market is an easy and scenic walk from Little Venice and is one of London’s most popular tourist attractions.  If it is vintage, retros, handmade, and unique, then you are bound to find it at Camden Market. 

Racking in over 100,000 visitors every weekend, I would say Camden Market is the place to be!

Once you arrive in Camden Market, you will find a plethora of vendors vying for space to sell their goods.  Here you can find jewelry, clothes, candles, cafes, and bars just to name a few things. 

Really, Camden Market is a hipster’s heaven and a great way to spend an afternoon in London.

Harry Potter 9 3/4 at King’s Cross

Harry Potter fans won’t want to miss their chance to take a picture at the 9 3/4 platform at King’s Cross. 

While in the wizarding world of Harry Potter, Harry and his friends get to the platform by dashing through a brick wall in between platforms 9 and 10. 

You, however, will find the 9 3/4 platform on the wall in the train station concourse at the King’s Cross stop, just look for the luggage trolley embedded in the wall.

Potter fans will be pleased to know that the trolley is accessible all hours of the day and that you don’t have to pay to take your own photo.  If you would like a professional photo with the scarf in your house colors, then you can purchase that from the Harry Potter store next door. 

The professional photographer is on-site from 9 am to 9 pm, so plan accordingly if this is what you would like to do.

In order to beat the crowds, we suggest coming early (before 9 am) and not visiting on a school holiday.

Kensington Palace

Now let’s pay another visit to English Royalty.  This time at Kensington Palace.  Home to the “young monarchs” for over 300 years, Kensington Palace was the childhood home to Queen Victoria and has continued to house young royals ever since.

While here, you can tour the gorgeous King’s State Apartments, the Queen’s State Apartments, a Diana exhibit, and of course, the Kensington Palace Gardens. 

The King’s State Apartments will wow you with their opulence and beautiful statues.  The Queen’s State Apartments allow visitors to see where’s England’s queens have slept and entertained guests for years.

Kensington Palace is also one of the places to practice meditation in London as well!

If you purchased the London Pass, then your admission price is covered!

Substitutions or More Time in London

If you don’t like one of the days or find yourself with more time in London then here are some other great ideas.

Hever Castle

Built in the 13th century and located about 30 miles outside of London, Hever Castle makes for a great escape from the city. 

Hever Castle is most famous for being the childhood home to the second wife of King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn. It is truly the definition of a fairy-tale castle as it is surrounded by not only beautiful gardens but also a moat! 

Today, Hever Castle welcomes guests to tour its gorgeous paneled rooms that house fine furniture and priceless tapestries before exploring the castle’s gardens.

Canterbury

Canterbury makes for a great day trip from London.  This charming English town, home to Canterbury Cathedral was originally a pilgrimage for people during the Middle Ages. 

Visitors can enjoy visiting the historic church in addition to St. Augustine’s Abbey, Westgate Towers Museum, The Canterbury Tales Museum, Canterbury Castle, and the Westgate Gardens just to name a few.

If you’re going for a day trip, then I would definitely recommend taking a guided tour from London.  This way someone else does all of the work and planning for you!

Bath

Bath is one of the largest cities in Somerset County and is famous for its ancient Roman baths.  Originally built for pleasure and relaxation, Bath still prides itself on that today! Getting from London to Bath is really simple. 

Board the train at Paddington Station and after riding for approximately 90 minutes, you will be in Bath.  The trains leave every 30 minutes or so. Once you arrive in Bath, familiarize yourself with the city by taking a walking tour. 

After your walking tour, take time to explore the city more thoroughly and have lunch and a drink.

Taking a tour from London often includes the addition of Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and other cities close by.  This allows you to sit back and enjoy your day while someone else takes care of all of the logistics and sightseeing for you.

For an extra special treat, consider spending a night or two in this charming town.  There are lots of great Bath hotels that are sure to spoil you for an evening or two!

Concluding Your London Itinerary: 4 Days

As you can see, your London itinerary: 4 days is packed with awesome things to do.  Please, please, please make this itinerary your own. 

Move things around, make substitutions based on your taste, etc.  We have a separate guide already written if you only have 3 days in London. 

Comment below and let us know about your experience in London.  We love to hear from you!

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