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Looking for the perfect 4 day London itinerary? You’re in the right place.
Planning your first trip to London can feel a little overwhelming. There’s a lot to see, from iconic landmarks, markets, museums and so much incredible food, that it’s easy to try and cram too much into a short trip. That’s exactly why having a clear itinerary helps.
I’ve lived in London for years and spent countless weekends wandering its streets, discovering cafés, markets, parks and museums along the way. This 4-day London Itinerary pulls together the places I genuinely love and often take visiting friends to. It’s a mix of the classic sights you can’t miss and some more local-feeling spots that show off a different side of the city.
London Itinerary: 4 Day Overview
Here’s a quick snapshot of what this 4 day London itinerary looks like before we dive into the details. This route balances iconic landmarks, creative neighbourhoods, museums and local food spots so you get a well-rounded feel for the city.
Day 1 – First Taste of London: Soho, Covent Garden & the West End
Day 2 – London’s Iconic Highlights: Westminster, Buckingham Palace & the South Bank
Day 3 – East London Life: Shoreditch, Markets & the Tower of London
Day 4 – Museums, Parks & Notting Hill: South Kensington, Hyde Park & colourful streets
Each day is laid out with morning, afternoon and evening suggestions, plus simple routes so you’re not zig-zagging across London unnecessarily. Four days is the ideal amount of time for a first visit to London – enough to see the major sights while still having time to explore a few neighbourhoods at a slower pace.
If you’re still deciding how long to spend in London, I’ve also put together 3-day and 7-day itineraries to help you choose what feels right. While I think four to five days is the sweet spot for a first visit, those guides will help you make the most of your time.
The Best Places to Stay for this Itinerary
If you’re a design lover like me, these hotels tick all the boxes when it comes to interiors and overall vibe, while still being centrally located and well-connected. They’re perfect if you’re only here for a few days.
📍 The Standard, King’s Cross
A stylish hotel with incredibly mid-century interiors, amazing city views and a great bar and restaurant. It’s in the heart of King’s Cross, overlooking the beautiful St Pancras building.
📍 NoMad London, Covent Garden
A beautifully designed hotel set inside a former courthouse, right opposite the Royal Opera House. It’s the perfect location for those of you who want to enjoy the theatres and the West End to the max!
Day 1: First Taste of London
Your first day is all about easing into the city and exploring on foot – it’s always nice to avoid public transport after a long journey. Soho and Covent Garden are two of the best places to start as they’re lively, central, and packed with restaurants, cafés, theatres and shops.
Morning
Most international flights arrive early, so use the morning to check in, drop off your bags and grab breakfast. Hideaway Coffee House on Farrier’s Passage is perfect for coffee and a pastry. From there, wander around Soho’s maze of narrow streets and small independent shops. It’s a neighbourhood that feels different on every block, so it’s perfect for a relaxed first wander.
Make sure to pop into Liberty, one of London’s most iconic department stores. Even if you’re not planning to shop, the beautiful Tudor-style building is worth seeing. If you love stationery like me, you have to visit Choosing Keeping – think beautifully curated stationery and art supplies.
Afternoon
For lunch, head to Kingly Court, tucked just behind Carnaby Street. It’s full of fantastic food spots all in one place, including:
- Club Mexicana for vegan tacos
- Darjeeling Express for Indian sharing plates
- Several great street-food style options
After lunch, take a stroll through Carnaby Street and wander over towards Seven Dials, one of the prettiest corners of Covent Garden. From here you’ll find Neal’s Yard, a colourful courtyard filled with cafés and small shops.
If you’re in the mood for a museum, two great options nearby are the Royal Opera House backstage tour and the London Transport Museum (which is genuinely much more interesting than it sounds!).
Evening
I’d recommend booking dinner at Bubala Soho, a brilliant Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant serving flavour-packed vegetarian sharing plates. It’s always busy, so reserving ahead is a good idea. It’s one of my favourite restaurants in London.
After dinner, it’s the perfect chance to experience a West End show, one of London’s most classic experiences. There’s always something great on, and the TodayTix app is fantastic for finding last-minute tickets.
Day 2: London’s Iconic Highlights
Today is all about London’s most famous landmarks. The good news is that many of them are within walking distance, so you can explore them without constantly jumping on the Tube.
Morning
Start your day outside the Houses of Parliament to see Big Ben up close. You’ll also find Westminster Abbey, one of London’s most famous and historic buildings here. It’s a great area to join a guided walking tour, as there’s so much fascinating history to uncover.
Next, take a walk through St. James’s Park towards Buckingham Palace – it’s one of the prettiest ways to get to the palace. If you’re interested, the Changing of the Guard usually takes place around 11:00 am, though keep in mind, it does get very busy!
Join a walking tour of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Buckingham Palace!
See London’s most iconic landmarks with a local guide, skip the stress of navigating the route yourself, and hear the fascinating stories behind the city’s royal and political history. Book your walking tour tickets here.
Afternoon
From St James’s Park, walk along The Mall to Trafalgar Square. Spend some time exploring the square, or pop into the National Gallery if you fancy some culture! The gallery is free to enter and houses masterpieces from artists like Van Gogh and Monet.
Then, head towards the Thames and cross the Golden Jubilee Bridge to reach the South Bank. Once you’re here, the afternoon is all about wandering! Here are a few places to tick off while you’re there.
- Southbank Centre
- Hayward Gallery
- Riverside bookstalls
- Street food stalls
Eventually, you’ll reach the London Eye, where you can either take a ride or continue walking along the river towards the Tate Modern, a contemporary art museum inside a converted power station. It’s one of my favourite museums in London – the building alone is incredibly impressive.
Skip the queues with a London Eye Fast Track ticket!
Save time, skip the long lines, and enjoy some of the best panoramic views in London from one of the city’s most iconic attractions. Book your fast-track London Eye ticket here.
Evening
Stay on the South Bank for dinner at Forza Wine in the National Theatre. It’s a relaxed wine bar with incredible views over the Thames. If you can book around sunset, it’s one of the nicest spots in the city to watch the skyline light up.
Alternatively, you could head back towards Soho and try one of my favourite restaurants like Fallow or Mildreds!
Day 3: East London Exploration
Today we’re heading to East London, which has a completely different feel from the West End. This part of the city is known for street art, vintage markets, independent coffee shops and creative energy. It’s my favourite area of London and where I lived for several years!
Morning
Start your day in Shoreditch by grabbing a coffee and a pastry from Jolene, a much-loved East London bakery. After breakfast, take a wander down Redchurch Street and keep an eye out for the incredible street art scattered across the neighbourhood. It’s one of the best areas to visit in London if you want something a little less touristy.
Next, make your way to Brick Lane, one of the most famous streets in East London. It’s known for vintage shops, curry houses and colourful murals. From there, you can walk towards Spitalfields Market, where you’ll find a mix of independent designers, boutiques and food stalls.
Afternoon
In the afternoon, hop on a bus or take a short Tube ride to the Tower of London. This historic fortress has been standing for almost 1,000 years and is one of the most fascinating landmarks in the city. Inside, you can explore the medieval towers, learn about royal history, and see the Crown Jewels.
Join a guided tour of the Tower of London
Step inside one of London’s most fascinating landmarks, uncover centuries of royal history, and see the Crown Jewels without the stress of planning it all yourself. Book your Beefeater guided tour of the Tower of London here.
Evening
Afterwards, take a short walk across Tower Bridge – one of London’s most famous and recognisable bridges. From here, head to Borough Market for an early dinner. It’s one of London’s best food markets, with everything from fresh pasta to gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.
If you’d prefer a sit-down dinner, my recommendations are:
- Roast – for the best views of Borough Market
- BAO – famous for Taiwanese bao buns (I go all the time!)
- Padella – for the freshest pasta, but make sure to book as there is always a queue
After dinner, you can take a relaxed walk along the river before heading back to your hotel.
Day 4: Museums, Hyde Park & Notting Hill
Your final day is all about exploring London’s most beautiful museums and neighbourhoods. This day has a slightly slower pace, and you can tailor how long you spend in which museums to suit your interests!
Morning
Start the morning in South Kensington, home to some of London’s best museums. Three excellent options are all within a few minutes’ walk of each other, making it easy to choose one or even combine two. You could easily spend hours here, so pick one that interests you most!
- Natural History Museum – famous for its dinosaur skeletons and incredible architecture
- Victoria & Albert Museum – art, fashion and design + the sweetest outdoor courtyard and cafe
- Science Museum – interactive exhibits and innovation, perfect for children
Afternoon
After the museums, head into Hyde Park for a relaxing walk. It’s one of London’s largest green spaces and the perfect place to escape the busy city streets for a while.
From Hyde Park, continue on towards Notting Hill, one of London’s most charming neighbourhoods. If you’re visiting on a Saturday, wander through Portobello Road Market, which is famous for its antiques, vintage stalls and street food. Otherwise, spend some time exploring the colourful streets, independent shops and cosy cafés around the area.
Evening
For your final evening in London, stay in Notting Hill for dinner or drinks. Portobello Road is full of excellent restaurants and relaxed wine bars, making it a lovely place to end your trip. If you’re up for one last wander, take a slow walk through the quiet residential streets – the pastel houses here are some of the prettiest in London.
London FAQs
1. Is 4 days enough for London?
Yes – four days is the perfect amount of time for a first visit. It gives you enough time to see London’s main landmarks like Westminster, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London, while also exploring neighbourhoods like Soho, Shoreditch and Notting Hill. You won’t see everything, but you’ll leave feeling like you’ve properly experienced the city.
If you’re planning a shorter trip, you can also check out my 3-day London itinerary.
2. What can you see in London in 4 days?
In four days, you can comfortably cover a great mix of must-see sights and local areas. You’ll tick off the iconic sights while also getting a feel for London in a less touristy way. This itinerary covers:
- The West End (Soho, Covent Garden & a theatre show)
- Iconic landmarks (Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey)
- The South Bank (London Eye, Tate Modern, river walk)
- East London (Shoreditch, Brick Lane, Tower of London)
- Museums + Notting Hill
There’s still plenty to do in London when it rains. From world-class museums and cosy pubs to excellent restaurants and indoor markets, a bit of bad weather won’t ruin your trip. I’ve also put together a full guide on what to do in London when it rains to help you plan ahead.
3. Is London walkable for tourists?
Yes – London is surprisingly walkable, especially in central areas. Many major attractions (like Westminster, the South Bank and Covent Garden) are within walking distance of each other. London is also generally very safe to walk around, as long as you use common sense – particularly at night.
4 Day London Itinerary Round-Up
And there you have it – a well-balanced 4 days in London! This itinerary mixes the city’s most iconic sights with some of its most interesting neighbourhoods, markets and museums. It’s designed to help you experience London in a way that feels exciting but not overly exhausting.
Four days give you enough time to see the highlights, explore a few different areas, and still enjoy the slower side of the city. It’s what I love to do best – wandering markets, sitting in parks and discovering lots of great food along the way.
