Quick answer: London in 4 days covers the city center + free Smithsonian-equivalent museums + Tower of London + Westminster + a day trip. Don’t miss West End theater.
4-Day London Itinerary Overview
| Day | Focus | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Westminster + Royal London | Morning · Walk · Watch |
| Day 2 | Tower of London + Tower Bridge | Morning · Walk · Lunch |
| Day 3 | British Museum + West End | Morning · Afternoon · Lunch |
| Day 4 | Notting Hill + Day Trip or Greenwich | Option A · Option B · Option C |
Day 1: Westminster + Royal London
- Morning: Big Ben + Westminster Abbey + Houses of Parliament
- Walk: St. James’s Park to Buckingham Palace
- Watch: Changing of the Guard (11am, every other day)
- Lunch: Borough Market (food stalls)
- Afternoon: National Gallery (free!) on Trafalgar Square
- Walk: Covent Garden street performers
- Dinner: Old pub experience (Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese)
- Evening: West End show (£40-150)
Day 2: Tower of London + Tower Bridge
- Morning: Tower of London (Crown Jewels + Beefeater tour, £33)
- Walk: Tower Bridge (climb top for views, £12)
- Lunch: Borough Market or near Tower
- Afternoon: Shard observation OR Sky Garden (free with booking)
- Walk: South Bank along Thames
- Evening: Tate Modern (free art museum)
- Dinner: Borough Market or South Bank
Day 3: British Museum + West End
- Morning: British Museum (free, Rosetta Stone + Egyptian mummies)
- Afternoon: Bloomsbury walk + Russell Square
- Lunch: Holborn pub or Tea at Café in the Crypt (St. Martin-in-the-Fields)
- Afternoon: Natural History Museum OR Victoria + Albert Museum
- Walk: South Kensington
- Tea: Proper afternoon tea at hotel (£40-80)
- Evening: Theatre in West End
- Dinner: Pre-theatre menu (cheaper)
Day 4: Notting Hill + Day Trip or Greenwich
- Option A: Day trip Windsor Castle (Royal residence, £25, 30 min train)
- Option B: Day trip Bath (Roman baths + Jane Austen, 2 hours)
- Option C: Greenwich (royal observatory + Prime Meridian)
- Lunch: Local pub or destination
- Afternoon: Camden Market (eclectic shopping + food)
- Walk: Regent’s Park + Primrose Hill
- Dinner: Indian food (UK’s adopted cuisine) in Brick Lane
📊 Plan Your Trip
FAQ
Is 4 days enough for London?
Yes for first-timers covering major sights + 1 day trip. Add days for Lake District or Cornwall.
Are London museums free?
Yes — British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Natural History, V&A, Science Museum all FREE. Donations appreciated.
Where to stay in London?
Westminster, Covent Garden, South Bank for tourists. Notting Hill / Marylebone for charm. Avoid: outer zones (1 hour commute).
How to get around London?
Tube (subway) + buses with contactless card or Oyster Card. Daily cap £8. Walking + Uber for short hops.
Best time to visit London?
May-June or September best weather. December for Christmas markets. January-February for lowest prices.
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