Four Days in London Itinerary: Touring London in Four Days
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A list of London attractions to build your best four-day London itinerary.
London 4-Day Itinerary: (Jump To)
Leicester Square
Covent Garden
Seven Dials
SOHO
Regent Street
Piccadilly Circus
Tower of London
Tower Bridge
Southwark Cathedral
Borough Market
Monument to the Great Fire of London
The Clink
Millennium Bridge
St Paul's Cathedral
The British Museum
West End
The London Eye
Elizabeth Tower
Thameslink
Old Royal Naval College
Royal Observatory
Greenwich Meridian
IFS Cloud Cable Car
Westminster Abbey
Buckingham Palace
Trafalgar Square
Harrods
Hyde Park
Portobello Road Market
The Shard
Fish and Chips
Leicester Square
Leicester Square should be your first stop if you’re looking for cheap West End Theatre Tickets.
Start your time in London at Leicester Square. This is the closest to Hollywood that you’ll find in London. This pedestrian square is home to nationally famous cinemas where film premieres often take place. This is also where you’ll find the tkts booth to buy deeply discounted theatre tickets for shows in the nearby West End.
You’ll also find statues of English film character legends like Mr. Bean and Charlie Chaplin’s Little Tramp.
Covent Garden
This is home to some of the best places to shop in London.
After securing some show tickets, make your way to Covent Garden.
A massive pedestrian-only shopping plaza, Covent Garden is the perfect place to do your unique London shopping. The largely covered shopping area is a former fruit and vegetable market.
You’ll find high-end and mid-range clothing boutiques, various tourist-oriented shops, local craft vendors, bakeries, and sit-down restaurants.
Seven Dials
Make a quick stop at this famous meeting point before dinner.
Also located in the West End, the Seven Dials is a traffic circle at the convergence of seven streets. In the center of the circle is a tall historic sundial. There is an informational plaque that helps curious visitors use the dial to accurately tell the time.
The shopping nearby is worth checking out.
SOHO
Visit SOHO for some shopping, then some dinner, followed by some after-dinner drinks. SOHO is home to tons of things to do in London at Night.
SOHO is a major neighborhood in the West End of London. It has a long and sorted history but now is known mostly as the arts and entertainment district in town. It’s where you’ll find all the hippest clubs, bars, and restaurants.
The trendiest shopping is also in this area leaning more toward the artsy and more expressive fashionistas among us.
Regent Street
If you’re looking for some expensive things to do in London, you’ll find plenty of ways to overdraw your accounts on this street filled with some of the best-high end shopping in London.
While you’re in the West End take a walk along Regent Street. This famous shopping corridor is home to flagship stores of global brands. You’ll also find great dining choices here. It’s the perfect place to expand your wardrobe with a bit of signature English class and style.
Piccadilly Circus
This is one of our favorite romantic things to do in London. There’s something magical about the twinkling lights here at night.
At the end of Regent Street, you’ll find yourself standing in Piccadilly Circus. Don’t expect to see any elephants or clowns here. Think of Piccadilly as the “Times Square of London.” Huge advertising screens line the famous square. In the center is the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain often covered with young people relaxing and socializing in the square.
Tower of London
This is a great thing to do in London with Kids. The family will love climbing the castle walls, exploring the armor collection, and spotting the tower ravens.
Start your second day at a historic castle and dungeon. Read more about the visit here.
One of the top attractions in London, the Tower of London is a royal place and castle on the banks of the Thames River. A tour with one of the Yeoman Warders or on your own with an audioguide will give you a taste of the castle’s 1000-plus year history.
This is also home to the Crown Jewels. Viewing the jewels is included in admission.
Tower Bridge
This is a London must-do.
Right next door you’ll find (possibly) the most famous bridge in the world.
The other icon of London is Tower Bridge. The suspension bridge crosses the Thames. The upper-level pedestrian passage is accessible only with a paid ticket. The level includes a small museum and magnificent views of the skyline. Tower Bridge and Tower of London combo tickets are available.
Walking the lower level of the bridge is free for pedestrians.
Southwark Cathedral
Visiting Southwark is an under-the-radar thing to do in London.
After crossing the bridge, walk along the river toward Borough Market.
It’s free to visit this historic cathedral which is located close to Borough Market. Churches have been built and destroyed (mostly by fire) on this site for at least 1000 years. Don’t miss the enormous historic pipe organ. The holiest of visitors will have the opportunity to pet the resident cathedral cat, Hodge.
Borough Market
Easily one of the best foodie things to do in London, this historic market is filled with plenty to taste.
Have some lunch at one of the stalls here.
Borough Market is one of the largest and oldest markets in London. It is packed with stalls of delicious food, fresh produce, and other culinary delights. This is a place that is best explored while wandering with a hungry stomach.
Monument to the Great Fire of London
This is one of our favorite cheap things to do in London. Entry is just £6.
Cross the river again and hunt for this monument. Climb to the top to burn off some of the calories from your Borough Market lunch.
Once one of the tallest structures in London, the Monument to the Great Fire of London is now dwarfed by the surrounding buildings. The Monument, as it is locally known, was built in the 1600s to memorialize a devastating fire that swept through the city.
Inexpensive tickets allow visitors to climb the column for a 360-degree view of the city.
The Clink
A great thing to do with teenagers in London, The Clink is an entertaining, amusing, and occasionally scary way to spend the afternoon.
Return to the other side of the river for a fun stop at The Clink Prison Museum.
The notorious Clink Prison is memorialized by The Clink Prison Museum a hokey-fun museum that gives visitors an amusing history lesson of a site that was home to hundreds of years of incarceration and suffering. This is a great stop for teens or ghost tour enthusiasts.
Millennium Bridge
This is one of the best places to take photos in London. You’ll get some great shots up the banks of the Thames.
Again cross the river via a famous pedestrian-only bridge.
As the name suggests Millennium Bridge opened in 2000 creating a pedestrian link over the Thames between Southbank and the City of London near the popular art museum Tate Modern. The pedestrian-only suspension bridge is notable for its modern design. It’s a great photo spot from below or looking downriver.
St Paul's Cathedral
Another London must-do, this cathedral is world famous.
You’ll see the iconic dome from the Millenium Bridge, keep walking towards it.
Easily the most famous structure in London St Paul's Cathedral is architect Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece. Built between 1675-1710 the cathedral has been home to innumerable historic events including royal weddings and jubilees.
The church miraculously survived the Blitzkrieg German bombings of World War II.
The British Museum
One the the best free things to do in London and a great thing to do in London in the rain, this museum is filled with treasures.
Hop on the tube or take the 30-minute walk to the museum.
It’s free to visit the British Museum. Home to the most extensive museum collection in the world, the focus is the history of mankind. Some of the must-see pieces include the Rosetta Stone, Greek statues from The Parthenon, and the Bust of Ramesses the Great.
West End
A great thing to do as a couple visiting London is to see a show in the West End.
Spend the evening seeing a show at one of the numerous theatres in the West End theatre district of London. Second only to New York’s Broadway, this is the heart of live theatre in the United Kingdom.
The London Eye
Another great thing to do in London with kids is this giant riverside Ferris Wheel.
Wake up and head to the heart of London’s tourist area.
If you’re a fan of huge observation-style Ferris wheels, The London Eye is one not to miss. While the ticket prices are high, you’ll forget all about it when you’re viewing the Elizabeth Tower (home of Big Ben), the River Thames, and the Houses of Parliament from the slowly moving wheel.
Elizabeth Tower
Hearing the ringing of Big Ben is an essential thing to do in London during your trip.
Again cross the river to see the tower commonly referred to as Big Ben. The iconic golden clock tower is probably the first image that comes to mind when you think about a visit to London. Plans are in place to allow visitors inside the tower soon, for now, the best way to enjoy the tower is from below (or from the aforementioned London Eye).
Thameslink
Another cheap thing to do in London is to take a boat ride on the Thames.
Think of the Thameslink boats as the subway of the Thames River. Many use this service to get to-and-from work daily. For tourists, it is an inexpensive non-guided river tour. Board near the London Eye and exit at Greenwich for the full experience. Try to grab one of the outdoor seats for the best views.
Old Royal Naval College
A UNESCO World Heritage Site in London, the Naval College is filled with beautiful things to see.
Read about our Greenwich Day Trip From London for more tips.
Exit the boat ride up the Thames at the city of Greenwich. The first stop when you arrive should be the Old Royal Naval College. It’s free to poke around the historic buildings of the UNESCO-listed site. Don’t miss the ceiling of Painted Hall.
Royal Observatory
If you’re in the mood for a bookish thing to do in London, spend some time learning about celestial navigation at the Observatory.
After exploring the Old Royal Naval College take the walk up the hill to the Royal Observatory. The observatory was built in 1675 by orders of the king to observe the stars in hopes of improving nautical navigation.
Inside the observatory is a small but interesting museum focused on the early days of astronomy and navigation.
Greenwich Meridian
A must-do Instagram spot in London is standing astride the Prime Meridian.
Located within the observatory complex, join the queue line for your Meridian photo.
The imaginary line that separates the Eastern Hemisphere from the Western Hemisphere has the nearby observatory to thank for its location. A metallic strip in the ground marks the spot. It’s a popular pastime to stand over the line with one leg in each hemisphere.
IFS Cloud Cable Car
This high and adventurous thing to do in London is not for those with a fear of heights.
Return to the Thames and take a Thameslink boat one more stop, on the way you’ll get a great view of the massive O2 arena. Exit the boat at the North Greenwich Pier and locate the cable car station.
The one-kilometer cable car transports riders across the Thames River with views of Greenwich and the London skyline. Opened in 2012 as a public transit solution the £6 ticket price is another cheap way to grab some stunning city views.
Westminster Abbey
A must-see for the religious devout while visiting London.
Take another boat ride or hop on the tube back to central London.
Constructed in the 13th and 14th centuries this has been the site of a historic place of worship for at least 1000 years. Famous for its role in the coronation of 40 British monarchs and numerous royal weddings. Touring the (mostly) Gothic church is a must for religious devotees and for history buffs.
Buckingham Palace
One more spot on the Must See London list, this palace is home to the famous changing of the guard.
A short walk away you’ll find the famous palace.
The official home of the royal family, Buckingham Palace, is one of the top things to see while in London. The palace is open for tours for a few weeks in the summer and on select days throughout the year when the royal family is out of the palace.
Most visitors peer through the iron gates for a view of the palace. The changing of the guard is a popular spectacle scheduled daily at 11 am.
Trafalgar Square
Home to many great things to do at night in London including great food and lively bars.
Finish your day with a visit to one of the museums near the square then some dinner at one of the numerous restaurants surrounding the square.
This famous public square has served as a meeting point for generations. Numerous significant buildings surround the square including The National Gallery and St Martin-in-the-Fields church.
The famous lions are among the many statues, monuments, and public art pieces in and around the square.
Harrods
One of the most famous shopping places in London, Harrods is fun to browse, even if it’s above your spending threshold.
Wake up on Day Three with breakfast from the Harrods Food Hall.
One of the leading luxury stores in the world, the Harrods store on Brompton Road has over 1 million square feet of shopping. The store has been a staple of the Southwark neighborhood since its founding in 1824.
If you’re one of our wealthy readers you will have a great time here filling your suitcases with one-of-a-kind luxurious. For us, it’s just fun to look. Your wallet will find some ease in their magnificent food hall where a small splurge is a little easier to afford.
Hyde Park
This magnificent park is one of the best outdoor things to do in London.
Walk the short distance to Hyde Park.
Hyde Park is a former royal hunting ground. The park opened to the public in 1637 and grew into the park Londoners know and love through the 18th-century improvements headed by Queen Caroline.
Numerous memorials are in the park including the Diana, Princess of Wales memorial, Britain's Holocaust Memorial, and the 7 July Memorial. There are also more whimsical public pieces like Jelly Baby Family which features giant versions of the beloved candies.
At Christmas in London, the park becomes Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
Portobello Road Market
Home to some of the most unique shopping in London, this famous market is a must-see.
Continue walking, or board a double-decker red bus to Portobello.
The Portobello Road Market is a great place to take a nice stroll while being surrounded by various shops and outdoor markets. Most famous for the Antiques, the market also has food, souvenirs, and farmer's market style produce. The market celebrates the cultures of the diverse surrounding neighborhood.
The best time to visit the market is between 9 am and 7 pm on Saturdays, but visitors at any hour will find a lively market to enjoy.
The Shard
Home of the best view in London.
Grab a ride on the tube to the Shard.
Named for its appearance similar to a broken piece of glass, The Shard is England’s tallest skyscraper. You can take the elevator up to the 68th floor in under 60 seconds. There you will have stunning 360-degree views of London. On the 72nd floor visitors can (weather permitting) visit the outdoor viewing platform.
The £35 price tag for tickets may turn off some visitors opting to view the skyscraper from below.
Fish and Chips
It’s a must-eat while visiting London.
It’s already been three days in London and we haven’t talked about the most famous of London food, Fish and Chips. Find a local place and end your time in London with a plate of this fried delight.
