The Best 4-Day London Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
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Planning a London trip but only have four days? This London itinerary covers must-see sights, iconic landmarks, and flexible options so you can experience the best of London—even on a short trip!
There is such a large variety of things to do in London so it can be difficult to narrow an itinerary down to just 4 days in London. This itinerary focuses on the main attractions but also allows for some time to choose your own adventure so you can do what is most exciting for you.
There is something to love about London in all seasons. I personally have been in the fall and loved the changing colors of the leaves and the crisp fall air. Activities like Sky Garden, however, might be better suited to summer as it was particularly foggy when we went in the fall.
In summer, it’s warm but relatively mild compared to some parts of the U.S. In winter, you can go before Christmas and see the city all decked out in lights. There are also a couple of Christmas markets and it would be a wonderful place to do some shopping.
The train system is pretty easy to navigate and you will get the hang of it quickly. You can easily use Apple Maps or Google Maps to help you map out a route to anywhere in the city. It will tell you exactly where to find the stations, when to get off, and when to change lines.
Day 1: Arrival and Exploration
Most flights from the U.S. will be overnight flights that will arrive early in the morning so we’re going to assume Day 1 is your arrival day. There are a few flights that arrive at night, so for this itinerary, you would want that to be the night before Day 1.
Upon arrival, make your way to your hotel. You have 3 options for trains from the airport, or you can get a taxi or a bus but the trains were very easy. The first option for trains is the Heathrow Express. This is the fastest way to get into the city, but it is also the most expensive. For a mid-range option, the Elizabeth line only takes maybe 10 minutes longer to get into the city but is half the cost of the Heathrow Express. The cheapest way to get into the city is to take the London Underground’s Picadilly Line.
Once you arrive at your hotel, check in if you are able to, or drop your bags off at the front desk. Then pick a restaurant close to your hotel to grab a late breakfast or some lunch. I’m always starving after a long plane ride. Then we are going to start strong by making our way over to the London Eye.
London Eye
A ride on the London Eye is a must for any first-time visitor following a 4-day London itinerary. The panoramic views make this one of the top things to do in London and a great first stop on your trip. Head over to the Southbank area and walk around, buy a ticket – or purchase in advance, and enjoy the ride and the view.
Westminster Abbey and Big Ben
No London itinerary is complete without a stop at Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament. These are some of the most iconic landmarks you’ll see during your 4 days in London. After taking in the view on the London Eye, walk across Westminster Bridge to do some sightseeing. A lot of the iconic buildings of London are pretty close to each other so this will keep you moving but without as much walking as on some of the later days.
In this area, you can see Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament. Feel free to do more exploring if you have time. Otherwise, grab some fish and chips or head to a pub to grab some dinner, and then head back to your hotel to rest and maybe do some exploring around your hotel to grab a sweet treat later (I love Humble Crumble).
Day 2: Iconic Landmarks and Royal Attractions
Start your day with a full English Breakfast from somewhere like the Regency Cafe, Victoria House Coffee and Food, or, for a fun twist, The Breakfast Club.
Tower of London and Tower Bridge
After loading up on food, we are starting our day at the Tower of London. It has been a royal palace, and a prison, and played many other roles throughout history. I really enjoyed exploring the exhibits and getting to learn more about the history of the Tower of London, seeing the ravens, and seeing the crown jewel exhibit. It is a great addition to any London trip for a little bit of history. You can also book a guided tour with one of the Beefeaters!
After your time at the Tower of London, it is time to walk across the iconic Tower Bridge. Take some pictures and admire the view. You can also purchase tickets to go up inside the tower part of the bridge. These are must-adds for your London itinerary.
Borough Market
No 4-day London itinerary would be complete without experiencing Borough Market, one of the best places to eat in the city. Head to Borough Market and grab some lunch. This market is well-known for all of its delicious food. I highly recommend grabbing a sandwich from The Black Pig or a sausage roll from The Ginger Pig but I am convinced that you can’t really go wrong with pretty much any of the stalls. If you’re visiting with a group of people, consider getting a few things from different places to split. Then spend some time checking out the rest of the market.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Spend some time walking along the Thames and then cross over the river to head towards St. Paul’s Cathedral. Admire from the outside or take a tour of the inside of the cathedral.
City Views
Sky Garden and The Shard are two fantastic places to take in breathtaking views during your London itinerary. Be sure to book in advance, especially if you’re visiting during peak travel seasons. I recommend trying to book a time around sunset for the best view.
That brings us to the end of the second day. This would also be a great time to see an evening show at the Globe Theatre or to do a boat tour on the Thames.
Day 3: Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Park
Buckingham Palace
After a quick breakfast (we were obsessed with sausage rolls on our trip and got them whenever possible), head over to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guard. Seeing Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard is a highlight of any London trip itinerary. This only happens on certain days of the week, so feel free to move the days of this itinerary around to make this fit. Check the schedule and scroll down to the Buckingham Palace table to find dates near your trip.
St. James’s Park
After watching the changing of the guard, head over to St. James’s Park for a stroll through this iconic London park. Be sure to check out the Horse Guard’s Building near the park as well. We loved watching the changing of the horse guard here. There is also a museum if you are interested in learning more.
After St. James’s Park, it’s a great time to see anything you missed seeing on your arrival day – Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, or the Houses of Parliament or do a guided tour! Then check out Trafalgar Square and let yourself wander around and do any shopping you want to do while in London. I made sure to stop by Fortnum and Mason to stock up on tea and biscuits.
Covent Garden/Soho
Start to work your way over to Covent Garden or Soho as the afternoon goes on. Spend some time exploring the neighborhoods, stopping by the neighboring Chinatown, or exploring the famous Neal’s Yard in Covent Garden. Covent Garden and Soho are perfect for shopping, dining, and entertainment, making them an ideal stop during your 4 days in London. You will get dinner somewhere in Soho or Covent Garden. I really enjoyed eating at Dishoom in Covent Garden.
This would also be a great night to see a West End show or have a pub night.
Day 4: Choose Your Own Adventure
Really, the whole city of London can be described as a choose your own adventure kind of trip so it is important to think about what you want to get out of your vacation. I’m providing a few options below to give you some ideas.
Option 1: Museums and Tea
In the morning, choose a museum you would like to explore or revisit. London is home to world-class museums, making them a fantastic addition to your London itinerary. The British Museum, Natural History Museum, and Victoria & Albert Museum are all excellent choices for your 4 days in London.
Then spend your afternoon getting afternoon tea. Depending on where you go, this can be as fancy or casual as you want it to be. If you would like a fancier afternoon tea, check out one of the hotels such as The Ritz or you could go somewhere like Fortnum and Mason. I chose a more casual option and opted for an afternoon tea bus tour with Brigit’s Bakery and had a wonderful time!
Option 2: Choose a Day Trip
There are so many cool places that are just a short day trip from London. You could explore Oxford, Bath, or Stonehenge as some options. There are plenty of great tours that will take you to a variety of interesting places.
Option 3: Attend a Sporting Event
If you’re a sports fan, attending a local sporting event for football, rugby, or even cricket can be a great way to get a better sense of the culture surrounding sports while also just being a fun way to spend the day.
London is a great city to explore and has a little bit of something for everyone. While you can’t see everything on a short trip like this, it is still absolutely worth it to explore what you can even with just a few days. Have you ever been to London? What was your favorite part of the trip? Would you ever do a short trip to London like this? Let me know in the comments!
