Today I want to bring you my 4-day London itinerary. Spending several days in the UK capital will allow you to see the highlights of the city and give you a good overview of what London has to offer. From the big attractions to the local areas, London has a lot that will entertain visitors. Read on for the official A Lady in London itinerary.

4 Day London Itinerary

4-Day London Itinerary

A lot of people ask me to recommend things to do in London. As a result, I’ve been publishing a range of London itineraries on my blog. The posts have been so popular that today I want to add my 4-day London itinerary to the mix. I hope you find inspiration in it.

4 days is a great amount of time to see the iconic landmarks and experience the local side of the city. If you’ve seen my 3-day London itinerary you’ll have already gotten an idea of what you can do.

Whether you want to discover the city’s attractions, find the best shopping streets in London, eat at the most delicious restaurants, or delve into the UK capital’s history, you’ll find a lot to get excited about during your time here.

Colorful Buildings in Hampstead, London

My itinerary for 4 days in London covers a range of things to do and see in the UK capital. It’s ideal for first-time visitors and those who haven’t traveled to London in a while.

It provides a good introduction to the popular things to do and see in the city, and it will tempt you to come back and explore more of London on a future visit.

Where to Stay in London

When it comes to accommodation in London, you have no shortage of options. Whether you want to stay in a hotel or rent an apartment, the city has plenty of good places to choose from.

Treehouse Hotel in London

Given the size and scope of London, choosing somewhere in or near the city center is a wise plan. You can see my blog posts about the best area to stay in London, the best hotels for your style, and quirky hotels for more ideas.

You can also find deals and book accommodation in London here. With so many options, you’re bound to find somewhere perfect for you.

Day 1 in London

I recommend starting the first morning of your 4-day London itinerary by going for coffee and food. Whether you choose one of the best coffee shops in London or one of the top places for breakfast, you’ll find somewhere you love.

Tomtom Coffee House, London

Once you’ve satisfied your appetite, you’ll be set to kick off a big day of discovering the UK capital. My favorite place to do it is Westminster.

I recommend beginning with Buckingham Palace. This iconic royal palace draws visitors from all across the globe, and it’s a must on any first-time London itinerary.

You can time your trip to watch the famous Changing the Guard ceremony (it happens several days a week), or just admire the monarch’s London residence from outside the gates.

Carriage in front of Buckingham Palace

If your visit coincides with the annual seasonal opening, you can also tour Buckingham Palace. You’ll get a chance to walk through the state rooms and gardens, not to mention the special exhibition. You can book tickets here.

From the palace you can stroll around St James’s Park and over to Horse Guards Parade and Westminster. This area is home to some of the city’s most important landmarks. It’s what a lot of people think of when they hear the word “London”.

Westminster Abbey is a treat to see up close, Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower) is stunning, and the Houses of Parliament are beautiful. If you have time, you can tour the abbey and parliament. You can book tickets here.

Big Ben

You can also go on my free self-guided Westminster walk if you want to discover the area beyond the main attractions. The route will show you the side streets and hidden spaces locals frequent here.

From Westminster, it’s fun to walk across the River Thames to reach the South Bank. This is an ideal area to take in the views from the London Eye, browse the book market, or soak up the scene along the river.

You can book London Eye tickets here (you’ll need to book well in advance, as it sells out).

South Bank, London

There are always street performers, pop-ups, festivals, food trucks, and other entertainment going on here, so it’s fun to wander around and see what’s happening while you’re in town.

From the South Bank, it’s a great walk along the river to Tate Modern and Borough Market. They’re two more of the city’s best-known landmarks.

Tate Modern is a world-famous art museum. It offers free entry, so it’s easy to go inside for as much (or as little) time as you want to. There are sweeping views from the top of the Blavatnik Building, too.

Tate Modern

Borough Market is the ideal place to find culinary inspiration and eat something delicious for lunch. It’s worth taking the time to wander around and soak up the colors and scents of the stalls, too.

From Borough Market you can cross London Bridge en route to the City of London, admiring the views of Tower Bridge as you go.

From the towering dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to the hulking form of the Tower of London, this part of the UK capital contains a lot of architectural history. My self-guided walk in the City of London is helpful if you want to discover the highlights.

Tower of London

After leaving the City, get on the Underground and ride the Central line of the tube from Bank to Notting Hill Gate.

Notting Hill is known for its vibrant colors, and everything from Portobello Road Market to the restaurants, shops, and mews is delightful.

My free self-guided Notting Hill walk is a great way to get an overview of the area, from the highlights to the local streets.

Pink Mews House in Notting Hill

When evening approaches, you can hop back on the tube and take it to the West End. There are plenty of places where you can find dinner in Soho or Covent Garden when you arrive.

These areas have lots of options for eating and drinking, and Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square and are always exciting in the evenings.

You can see my recommendations for restaurants in London if you need help finding a place to go for dinner.

Soho, London

If you want to end your evening in style, it’s fun to take the tube to South Kensington to experience the nightlife scene around Walton Street and the King’s Road in Chelsea.

Alternatively, you can take an open-top bus tour to get more of an overview of the city. It’s an easy way to discover what London has to offer in a short amount of time. You can book tickets here.

Day 2 in London

You can kick off the second morning of your 4-day London itinerary with coffee or breakfast in Bloomsbury or Fitzrovia. From Store Street to Lamb’s Conduit Street, there are fun local places to choose from.

Bloomsbury Cafe in London

After eating you can walk over to the British Museum. It’s a treasure trove of antiquities from all over the world, and morning is an ideal time to visit because there are fewer crowds.

The British Museum is big enough to take up an entire day of sightseeing in London, so you’ll want to stick to the highlights. The Egyptian rooms and Rosetta Stone are musts for first-time visitors. There’s free entry, so you can stay for as long as you feel like.

When you’ve finished seeing the parts of the collection you’re interested in, you can head to the museum’s stunning Great Court for a light lunch in the cafe or restaurant.

British Museum, Bloomsbury, London

Alternatively, Charlotte Street has fun places to eat and it’s in easy walking distance of the museum. In fact, it’s one of the best places to eat near London’s top attractions.

After lunch, continue the second of your 4 days in London by boarding the Underground and taking it to South Kensington. There are three major museums here, and I usually choose one.

I love the V&A for its world-class art and design (and its cafe), the Natural History Museum for its architecture and larger-than-life displays, and the Science Museum for its stimulating exhibits.

Natural History Museum, London

After exploring a museum, you can walk up to Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. The formal garden by Kensington Palace is one of my favorite green spaces in the city, and with 4 days in London, walking under its vine arches is a must.

The Serpentine water feature in Hyde Park is always fun to wander around, and the Diana Memorial Fountain is worth seeing as well.

When you reach Hyde Park Corner, you’ll probably be ready to rest your feet. There’s no better way to do it than by indulging in afternoon tea.

There are lots of delicious offerings in the area, so you’ll have no problem finding one that appeals (just make sure to book well in advance).

Afternoon Tea in London

From The Dorchester to The Lanesborough, The Berkeley to the Mandarin Oriental, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower to Claridge’s, The Goring to The Halkin, The Ritz, Brown’s, and Fortnum & Mason, this part of London is replete with options for afternoon tea.

When evening approaches, continue the second of your 4 days in London by walking or taking the tube to the West End to go to a show. There are plenty of musicals, plays, and comedy acts you can attend on any given night in London.

The city has a world-class theater scene, so whether you’re interested in going to a musical in Soho or a drama in Covent Garden, there’s always something exciting to see.

Harry Potter Theater, London

If you’re hungry after the show, you can take advantage of the late opening hours of many of the West End’s best restaurants.

If you’re in the mood for nightlife, there are plenty of places you can find it in this part of the city. My favorite is Cahoots, a travel-themed bar in Kingly Court.

Other fun places include Ronnie Scott’s jazz club, the pubs dotted throughout the West End, and bars like Mr Fogg’s Tavern.

Soho, London at night

Day 3 in London

Start the next morning of your 4-day London itinerary with a trip to Covent Garden. You can walk through the famous piazza to see what’s on in the markets and shops.

Afterwards you can explore the area around Neal’s Yard, Seven Dials, St Martin’s Courtyard, and Mercer Walk. There are always plenty of places to duck into and bright colors to spark the senses.

None of the streets are at right angles here, so you can enjoy letting yourself get lost for a while, too.

Neal's Yard, London

When you’re done exploring, you can continue the last of your 4 days in London by walking through Bloomsbury and Holborn (or taking the tube) to get to Smithfield and Clerkenwell.

This part of the UK capital is home to some of London’s most fascinating history and award-winning restaurants. If you want to see the best of it, you can go on my free self-guided Clerkenwell walk.

Otherwise, start by wandering through Smithfield Market, the largest wholesale meat market in the United Kingdom. With its colorful gates, red phone boxes, and ghosts of the morning’s busy trade, it’s an amazing place to see.

St Bartholomews Gatehouse, Smithfield

Outside in Smithfield is the place where William Wallace (of Braveheart fame) was executed back when the area was home to one of the most famous gallows in London.

Today it’s better known for the restaurants that surround it, and for nearby Charterhouse Square and the quiet churchyard of St Bartholomew the Great.

From Smithfield you can continue the third day of your 4-day London itinerary by walking up St John Street, where you’ll be able to find a good lunch at one of the many excellent restaurants lining its pavements.

Rising Sun Court, London

Around the street are little alleys like Peter Lane and St John’s Lane that will make you feel like you’ve time traveled.

After Clerkenwell, you can walk down to Old Street to get to Shoreditch. Here you’ll be able to take in the East End’s trendy hub.

From the high street and Great Eastern Street to Rivington Street and Redchurch Street, there’s always something new to discover in this hipster area.

Shoreditch High Street, London

If you have time, you can walk down to Spitalfields to browse the wares in the covered market, see what’s on around the Old Truman Brewery, and meander down the historic lanes near Commercial Street.

If it’s a weekend (and especially if it’s a Sunday), it’s fun to browse the markets that spill out into Brick Lane. You can even do my free self-guided street art tour or my Spitalfields walk if you want to.

As evening approaches you’ll be in the right place for a good night out. East London is one of the city’s best nightlife areas, and there’s no shortage of restaurants, pubs, bars, speakeasies, and pop-ups to go to.

Bethnal Green restaurant interior in London

You can continue your 4-day London itinerary by settling in at one. Whether you choose to go to Hackney, Bethnal Green, Hackney Wick, or another hip part of the East End, you can’t go wrong.

If you have energy for going out afterwards, there are great bars and clubs in this part of the city. They’re exciting places to end the third night of your trip to London.

Day 4 in London

On the last day of your 4-day London itinerary, I recommend exploring one of the city’s beloved local neighborhoods.

Whether you love village-like atmosphere, big parks, riverfront scenery, or rich history, there’s a place for you. I’ve listed some of my favorites below to give you ideas.

Holly Bush Pub, Hampstead, London

You can read about additional under-the-radar places in the city in Secret London – An Unusual Guide. If you’re in the UK, you can get it here. If you’re in the US, you can get it here.

Hampstead

Hampstead is my favorite London neighborhood. I spent years living here and I still go back every chance I get. Up in north London, it’s easily accessible by tube and it has enough to see and do for a full day in the city.

Hampstead is right for you if you love the idea of an English village conveniently located in London. The streets are full of picturesque houses and the neighborhood has one of the city’s wildest parks.

Colorful Doors on Flask Walk, Hampstead, London

You can start your day in Hampstead with breakfast on or around Hampstead High Street. There are great cafes on Perrin’s Court and Flask Walk, too.

After breakfast you can browse the shops. There are plenty of great boutiques on the high street and Heath Street. You can find everything from kitchenware to clothing and accessories here.

When you’re done shopping, it’s fun to meander around the area. Church Row, Holly Walk, Flask Walk, and Mansfield Place are local favorites, but it’s hard to go wrong in Hampstead.

My free self-guided Hampstead walk has a route and map that can help you find the best places.

Yellow Door in Hampstead, London

When you’re hungry for lunch, beat a path to the Holly Bush, my favorite pub in London. It’s tucked away on a side street, and it has a warren of rooms that will transport you back in time.

When you’re finished, it’s off to Hampstead Heath for a walk with great views of London from Parliament Hill. Kenwood House, a stately home in London, is fun to explore as well.

In the late afternoon you can head to South End Green to shop at Daunt Books and have a drink at one of the many pubs with beer gardens.

Pub in South End Green, London

When you’re done exploring the area, you can stroll back up to Hampstead High Street for dinner at a local restaurant. Whether you choose a classic Italian place like Villa Bianca or a beloved Japanese restaurant like Jin Kichi, you can’t go wrong.

Greenwich

Greenwich is another of the loveliest London neighborhoods, and it’s a great place to spend the last day of your 4-day London itinerary.

Located in the southeast of the city, it’s best reached by boat from central London. The ride is one of the highlights of spending a day here, and it’s great to take in the views of London from the Thames. You can book tickets here.

Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich

Greenwich is perfect for history lovers and stargazers. It has more museums per square foot than seemingly any other part of London, and it’s home to the Royal Observatory of Greenwich Mean Time fame.

It’s a great place to add to your itinerary for 4 days in London if you love digging into the past, staring at the night sky, or enjoying good views.

The shopping is good, too. Whether you’re into high street shops or historic covered markets, Greenwich has you covered.

Royal Observatory, Greenwich

If that all appeals, you can start your day in Greenwich with the aforementioned boat ride. It will drop you off right in the heart of Maritime Greenwich.

From the waterfront you can take in the Cutty Sark, a 19th-century British clipper ship. You can tour it if you want to, or just admire it from the outside.

From the ship you can head to the National Maritime Museum. This place is packed with all things British history, and its wealth of treasures and interactive exhibits make it fun for all ages. It offers free entry, so you can stay for as long as you’d like.

Cutty Sark, London

Afterwards you can duck into the chapel of the Old Royal Naval College to see the amazing painted ceiling. This place has been used as a filming location for many movies and TV shows, so you might recognize it.

The same goes for the buildings that make up the Old Royal Naval College. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor, they’re not only beautiful to see, but also popular places to film.

From there it’s a short walk to the 17th-century Queen’s House. It’s a stunning example of Palladian architecture with an amazing spiral staircase. It offers free entry, too, so it’s easy to pop in and explore for a bit.

Staircase, Queen's House, London

From the Queen’s House you can head to lunch at the famous covered market in Greenwich. This place has a range of stalls selling all kinds of prepared foods, so you’re bound to find something that appeals. There are sweet treats, too.

After lunch, you can walk into Greenwich Park and up the hill to the Royal Observatory. This place is a fun one to explore, especially if you’re interested in all things astronomy.

It’s fun to stand with one foot on either side of the Prime Meridian and soak up the spectacular views of London from the top of the hill in Greenwich Park.

View from Greenwich Park, London

When you’ve finished taking in the views, you can walk back down into Greenwich and explore the side streets and their colorful doors. There are lots of pretty streets and lanes around here, and they’re worth discovering.

If you want to see the best of the neighborhood, my free self-guided Greenwich walk will take you to all the places I mentioned above.

When it’s time for dinner, you have lots of options. The area has great pubs, including the famous Trafalgar Tavern. You can watch the waves splash against the outer walls here when it’s high tide on the Thames.

Door in Greenwich, London

After dinner you can end your day with a boat trip back into central London. It’s a fun way to see the sights at night.

Richmond

In the southwest, Richmond is a third London neighborhood that’s worth a special trip. It’s easy to get to by tube or train from central London, and it makes a great destination for the last day of your 4-day London itinerary.

Home to a lovely riverfront area, a park filled with deer, and great shops and restaurants, Richmond is perfect if you like being outdoors and you want to feel like a local in London.

Houses in Richmond, London

You can start your day out in Richmond with breakfast at one of the area’s many cafes. Whether you choose a familiar chain or an independent number, there are lots of good options.

When you’re done eating, you can explore the side streets. The lanes, walks, and courts that radiate from the high street are full of sweet surprises (not to mention Ted Lasso filming locations).

Richmond Green is idyllic, too. If you’re lucky, you might see a local cricket match going on while you’re walking around. If you need some direction, my free self-guided Richmond walk can help.

The Cricketers Pub on Richmond Green, London

When you’re done exploring, you can browse the shops on the high street. There are all kinds of recognizable names and fun boutiques on and around the area’s main thoroughfare.

After shopping, it’s fun to head to lunch at a riverside pub. They’re great places to soak up the sun and watch the boats go by on the Thames.

You can take a walk along the river afterwards. Whether you want a short stroll or a longer one, the Thames Path will give you options. You can even walk all the way to Ham House, a National Trust property in London. It’s worth touring if you like history.

Boats in Richmond, London

After your walk you can head up the hill to Richmond Park. Like Hampstead Heath, it’s one of the city’s largest and most beautiful green spaces.

Richmond Park is famous for its deer, too, so make sure to have your camera ready as you’re meandering. They’re amazing to see up close.

If you want some direction, you can see some routes for free self-guided walks on my blog post about park walks in London.

Richmond Park, London

When the sun starts to sink, head back into the neighborhood for dinner at one of the restaurants or pubs near the high street, then hop on the tube or a train back to central London.

4 Days in London

I hope you’ve enjoyed this 4-day London itinerary and that it’s given you good ideas for things to do in the UK capital.

I’ve published plenty of other London itineraries, too. You can take a look at my 1-day, 36-hour, 2-day, 5-day, 6-day, 7-day, 1 week, and 10-day itineraries for more inspiration. Happy travels!

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Boats on the Thames in Richmond, London

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4 Day London Itinerary

24 Comments on Lady’s 4-Day London Itinerary

  1. Great itinerary! London is such a happening city, with a myriad of sights to see, great food, and all kinds of events, located in its many unique neighborhoods! Thanks for sharing!

  2. Absolutely gorgeous photos and a brilliant itinerary for London! I live in NW England, but the only times I seem to find myself in London are for work! I need to plan a trip down there soon for leisure!

    Thank-you for such a wonderful post! I hope you’ve had the most lovely Monday,
    Michael

  3. Thank you for this post! I’ve been to London a few times but never tried exploring Hampstead at all!
    I’ll make sure to spend one full day in that pretty neighborhood!

  4. You reminded me of one of my many trips to London when I spent a day exploring Hampstead. There is so much to see and enjoy in that neighborhood. Great suggestions here.

  5. Great blog and brill pictures. I love Greenwich. SO many places to see in London, no wonder so many flock here from afar!

  6. Thanks for the suggestions. I’ve got eight days coming up in June and appreciate the help.

  7. Thanks for this! My sister and her fiancee come visit me often from Canada. They love it here. And I love finding new places to discover with them. 🙂

    One question re Hamstead. You mention Mansfield Place but I can’t find that on a map. All that come up is Mansfield Road. Is that the same thing?

  8. So lucky to discover your blog! It will be my second visit to London.
    The idea here will let me explore London’s neighborhood for a change
    So thank you 🙂

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