4-Day London Itinerary: Best of London + Easy Walking Routes

London is one of those cities that feels instantly familiar. You’ve seen Big Ben, the red buses, the red phone booths and the London Eye in a million photos, but there is so much more to the city than its famous landmarks. London has nearly 2,000 years of history, but it’s also a very modern, constantly changing city. You’ll find centuries-old buildings sitting next to modern skyscrapers, tiny historic streets alongside busy shopping districts and neighbourhoods that feel completely different from each other.

I recently spent over three weeks exploring London solo and still didn’t run out of things to do. That’s the thing about this city. There is just so much to do that planning your first trip can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re only there for a few days.

So, I’m going to cut through the chaos and make things super simple for you.

In this 4-day London itinerary, I’ve included the places you absolutely must visit on your first trip to get a real taste of the city. Along the way, I’ve also added a few offbeat spots, some of my favourite photo locations, and the restaurants and cafés I kept going back to. For your last day there, I’ve provided you with a few options to choose from depending on your interests.

And if you’re staying longer than four days, don’t worry, there’s plenty more to do. I’ve put together a list of 50 free things to do in London as well as London attractions that I think are actually worth your money, so you can easily add what you prefer to this itinerary.

4-day London Itinerary

Since this is a short 4-day itinerary and you have limited time to see the highlights of London, I highly recommend starting your days early as mentioned in this post. If you start late, you may have to skip some of the spots mentioned. Don’t rush it, though; if a spot is taking time, give it time and skip something that interests you less.

London is best seen by walking around a specific area instead of hopping from attractions in one corner of the city to another. Therefore, most days have itineraries that are walking routes. Yes, you will walk 20-25k steps a day but it won’t be that tiring because you’ll find plenty of benches to sit and relax your legs. However, feel free to take a bus wherever you don’t feel like walking any specific section.

To make it super easy for you, I’m giving you a map for each day that you can open in your own Google Maps and follow along on the day of exploring.

Day 1: Westminster

Let’s start your tour of London with the royal and political heart of London. This is where you’ll find Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, along with plenty of other important landmarks. To follow this walking route, click on the map, put on comfortable shoes and go!

Buckingham Palace (Free)

Exterior: Start your day at Buckingham Palace. Most people come here to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony at 11 AM, so if that’s on your list, get here by around 10:00 AM to get a good view, as it gets very crowded afterwards. It happens every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for 45 minutes. Check the schedule here.

If you want my honest recommendation, though, come around 9:00 AM, enjoy seeing the extrior of the palace without the crowds, and move on. But if seeing the ceremony is important to you, it’s definitely a classic London experience.

St James’s Park

From Buckingham Palace, walk into St James’s Park. One of the first things you’ll see is the pond with its famous pelicans. Keep walking on the path to the right of the water body till you see Blue Bridge. Soak in the views, then take a right to the ice Cream Van. If they have the strawberry and clotted cream flavour, get it! It was so good that I still think about it. Continue walking through the park and exit near Westminster Abbey.

Westminster Abbey (Paid Entry)

I debated whether to go inside because tickets aren’t cheap, but I’m so glad I did. This is where royal weddings, coronations (since 1066), and royal funerals take place. It’s also the final resting place of many famous British people, including Charles Dickens, Stephen Hawking and Isaac Newton. Here you can really feel the weight of history. And even if you’re not a history buff, the architecture alone makes it worth visiting.

Parliament Square

As you leave Westminster Abbey, walk over to Parliament Square to see the statues of Winston Churchill and Mahatma Gandhi. From here, you’ll also get your first proper view of Big Ben (it’s actually called the Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben is the name of only the bell on top) and the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament).

Red Phone Booths (K2)

Cross the road to the left and you’ll see the iconic red London phone booths. These are one of the most popular photo spots in London, so there’s almost always a queue. My tip is to skip the first booth closest to Big Ben. The second and third booths usually have much shorter lines, and you’ll get almost the exact same photo.

Westminster Bridge

Now walk over to Westminster Bridge. I recommend walking on the right side of the bridge, closer to the Parliament building. This is one of the best spots for photos with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. You’ll find lots of people stopping here for photos, and for good reason.

Bridge Arch Photo Spot (South Bank)

Continue walking across Westminster Bridge and take the stairs down on the right. You’ll find an arch that frames Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament perfectly. It’s one of my favourite photo spots in London. You can also continue walking along the South Bank for a bit. It’s much less crowded than the bridge, and the views of Parliament from here are absolutely gorgeous.

London Eye (Optional-Paid Entry)

The London Eye is a slow-moving Ferris wheel that takes about 40 minutes to complete one rotation. I personally skipped it because, per my research, it is quite overrated; plus, you will be visiting other free viewpoints. But if it’s on your bucket list, this is the perfect time to do it. Book your ticket here.

London Eye Photo Spot

Once you’re done, walk back across Westminster Bridge, this time on the opposite side from earlier, which for you is again the right side of the bridge. You’ll get lovely views of the London Eye from here. After reaching the end of the Bridge, you can take a right towards Westminster Pier for even better photos of the London Eye, like the one below.

Walk Whitehall

Now head back and walk along Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square. Stay on the left side of the road. Along the way, you’ll pass the gates of 10 Downing Street (the Prime Minister’s residence), the Horse Guards at Whitehall, and the building where Scotland Yard used to be. This entire road is full of important government buildings.

Trafalgar Square

You’ve now reached Trafalgar Square, the centre of London where all distances are measured from. It’s a huge open square with a tall column right in the middle and the National Gallery at the back. It’s usually buzzing with people, and there is often something happening here, so take a few minutes to walk around and soak it in.

West End Show

If your budget allows, I highly recommend ending your day with a West End show. I’ll leave some of my recommendations below so you can choose one based on your interests. Tickets can be expensive (often ₹15,000+ per person), so I know it won’t be for everyone. If you’re watching a show, grab dinner/snacks nearby first, as most theatres are within walking distance to good restaurants. After the show, have dinner/drinks in Soho.

Shows to consider checking out:

• Lion King: A spectacular, high-energy show. Best for families or anyone who wants something fun and visually spectacular.

• The Phantom of the Opera: A dramatic, romantic classic with beautiful sets and amazing effects. I was wowed! Best if you enjoy romance, drama and classic musicals.

• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: A magical stage production with next-level effects that left me gaping. Obviously best for Harry Potter fans!

• The Book of Mormon: A very funny musical from the creators of South Park. Best if you like dark, inappropriate humour and don’t mind being offended.

Licester Square and Chinatown

If you’re skipping the show, you can start by wandering Leicester Square and seeing all its sculptures of Paddington, Mr Bean, Harry Potter etc. Then head to Chinatown, which is full of colourful lanterns, bakeries and Asian restaurants. Do try the Strawberry Mochi at Sakurado Japanese Patisserie (so squishy and yum)!

Soho

Soho is one of the best neighbourhoods in London for food and nightlife. Spend the evening exploring the streets and pick a restaurant that catches your eye. Here are some options I had shortlisted for myself.

Restaurants

• Speedboat Bar: Thai Cuisine
• Poppies Fish & Chips: Try the British Classic
• Kiln: Famous Thai Restaurant
• Noodle Inn Soho: For spicy hand-pulled noodles. I went twice and look forward to returning.
• Napoli on the Road: Fab pizzas

Bars

• Cahoot Underground: It’s Refined speakeasy style bar. It’s good to have a reservation but we just walked in after a few minutes’ wait.
• Albert’s Schloss: A more casual setup with more inexpensive drinks.

Day 2: London’s Historic Heart

Did you know that the City of London and London aren’t actually the same thing? London has lots of neighbourhoods now, but back in the day, this small area north of the Thames was the City of London, often simply called “the City”. It is the historic core of London and grew around the original Roman city of Londinium. So on this day, you’ll be exploring the City of London as well as heading south of the river into Southwark and Bankside.

Tower of London (Paid Entry)

Start at the Tower of London at opening time – 9 AM. This was a royal palace for around 500 years, but the main reason most people come here is to see the Crown Jewels, especially the Koh-i-Noor and the Cullinan Diamond, the largest gem-quality diamond. And yes, they are absolutely worth seeing!

However, I think the Tower of London has a lot more to offer than just the Crown Jewels. You can easily spend an entire day here, but since this is just a 4-day London itinerary, I recommend sticking to the highlights. Go to the Crown Jewels first because it gets very crowded, then join the free Yeoman Warder tour and see the White Tower. The Yeoman Warder tours run every 45 minutes from the Bell Tower for an hour. From Tuesday to Saturday, the first tour starts at 10:00 AM, while on Sundays and Mondays, the first tour begins at 10:45 AM, so time your visit accordingly.

Tower Bridge

Now walk across Tower Bridge. It’s one of London’s most iconic bridges, often mistaken for the London Bridge, which, unlike the Tower Bridge is rather ordinary. The bridge has a pedestrian walkway, so you don’t need to pay anything to simply cross it and enjoy the views. If you’re particularly interested in the bridge, you can also visit the Tower Bridge Exhibition, where you can walk along the glass floor and learn more about how the bridge works. But for this London itinerary for first-timers, I’d just walk across it and take in the views.

Horselydown Old Stairs

Once you cross Tower Bridge, head to Horselydown Old Stairs. This is a fantastic viewpoint of the Tower of London. The stairs lead down to a little beach from where you can get nice photos without the usual crowds. However, the beach disappears at high tide. So if you visit during high tide (like I did), you can still stand on the steps for a photo but you might have to queue up. And be careful; the stairs can be slippery.

Borough Market

Now walk over to Borough Market or take the bus if you don’t feel like walking. Borough Market is quite large, has several sections and can be confusing to navigate overall. Plus it is overpriced and crowded too. That being said, I did enjoy what I ate and felt like it should be part of a first-timer’s London itinerary. However, if this doesn’t sound like your scene, feel free to skip it. Instead, you can eat at George (historic pub) or Plaza Khao Gaeng Borough Yards.

Now back to Borough Market! Here are my thoughts:

• Turnip’s chocolate-covered strawberries: You’ve probably seen these all over Instagram, but in my opinion, they aren’t worth the money. Skip!
• Turnip’s wild mushroom risotto: Don’t get the special one. The regular one is delicious.
• Bread Ahead crème brûlée doughnut is so damn good! You’ll want seconds.
• The Black Pig sandwich: I thought it was just okay, but people absolutely love it
• Humble Crumble: Please skip. Literally the worst thing we tried.
• Ginger Pig Sausage Rolls: We didn’t try this.
• Bomba Paella: The seafood Paella is famous. Is kinda expensive and has mixed reviews.

Millennium Bridge

Now walk to Millennium Bridge. On the way, you’ll see a replica of the tea clipper ship Golden Hinde, the beautiful Anchor Pub, and the famous Shakespeare’s Globe. It’s an absolutely beautiful walk, so try to keep to the riverside. Google Maps will keep trying to take you further inland, but there’s no need to follow it.

As you reach Millennium Bridge, you’ll get a fabulous view of St Paul’s Cathedral in the distance. This is also the exact bridge that was destroyed by Dementors in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Reflection Garden or One New Change Rooftop

Now it’s time to see St Paul’s a little more up close. There’s no need to go inside St Paul’s if you’re already visiting Westminster Abbey, unless you’re particularly interested in the cathedral. I did both and preferred Westminster.

Instead, I recommend going to the Reflection Garden, which has a little pond with a great view and reflection of St Paul’s. Alternatively, you can head to One New Change, the shopping centre famous for its escalator, elevator and rooftop views of St Paul’s. It’s totally up to you, as they’re both close by.

Leadenhall Market

Nearby is the beautiful Victorian Leadenhall Market, one of the prettiest covered markets in London. The ornate roof, colourful shopfronts and cobbled floor make it worth a wander even if you don’t plan to eat or shop here. You might also recognise it from the first Harry Potter movie, where the market was used as the entrance to Diagon Alley. It’s not a huge place, so you don’t need to spend a lot of time here, but definitely walk through it and take a few photos.

Sky Garden or Horizon 22 for Sunset

It’s finally time to see London from above. Both Sky Garden and Horizon 22 are free viewpoints with fantastic views over the city.

Sky Garden is the more popular option and, in my opinion, has the better views, but it’s also more crowded. Horizon 22 is a close second and is the highest free viewpoint in London.

Whichever one you choose, make sure you book your free slot beforehand. These can sell out weeks in advance, so check availability and book as early as you can.

Day 3: Museums, Food and Shopping

Fortitude Bakehouse

Start your morning at this small bakery that I loved so much; I actually went twice. The morning custard buns are heavenly, and honestly, they’re worth getting up early for. It’s a tiny space with just a few benches outside, so if it’s raining, you probably won’t find anywhere to sit. There is almost always a queue, but it’s usually quite short in the morning and gets freaking long by the afternoon. So if you want to try it, go early by 9:15 AM so you can be at the British museum by 10 AM (opening time).

British Museum

The British Museum has historical artefacts from all over the world. I know this might be controversial, but I still think this is probably the best free museum in London because of its crazy collection. In addition to the artefact, it also has gorgeous interiors, especially the Great Court and the Reading Room, which you’ll see right as you enter.

You could spend days here and not see it all so you really have to be selective of what you want to see and only spend 2-3 hours here. A few things you need to see:

• Rosetta Stone (Room 4): Will be very crowded so go to Enlightenment (Room 1) incase you want to see the replica in peace and want to touch it.
• Parthenon Sculptures (Room 18)
• Egyptian Mummies (Rooms 62–63)
• Hoa Hakananai’a from Easter Island (Oceania section)
• Assyrian galleries (Rooms 6–10).

I highly recommend downloading the Rick Steves Audio Europe app and doing the free British Museum tour. It takes you through many of the important highlights, so you don’t have to figure out what you’re looking at yourself.

Sevel Dials Neighbourhood

From the British Museum, walk towards the Seven Dials area. It’s full of small boutique stores, charming little streets and some really good places to eat. Here are some options of places to visit in Seven Dials:

• Neal’s Yard: A tiny courtyard bursting with colourful buildings. It’s very small, a cute little detour and great for photos.

• Seven Dials Market: A beautiful food market with a big skylight and lots of different food options. This is a good place to stop for lunch if something catches your eye.

• Check It Vintage: If you like vintage clothing or want to hunt for second-hand Burberry finds, have a look here.

• Choosing Keeping: A really quaint stationery store that is dangerously easy to spend money in.

• Arôme Bakery: Another bakery worth checking out if you’re still hungry after Fortitude. It’s on Mercer Street.

There are also some really good restaurants around here if you’d rather skip Seven Dials Market and are down for lunch. Noble Rot does a good-value lunch set with modern European food. If you like spicy noodles, Noodle Inn Soho is one I’d definitely recommend. And Plaza Khao Gaeng on Tottenham Court Road is very well known for Thai food served in a canteen-style setting.

Covent Garden

Now walk towards Covent Garden. You can spend quite a bit of time just wandering around here. There are shops everywhere, from small boutiques to big chain stores, along with restaurants and cafés. There is almost always something happening here. I spent way too long in and around The Market, watching the buskers and street performers, especially the Charlie Chaplin guy who was hilarious.

Here are a few places to check out:

• Ben’s Cookies: You can’t leave London without having the double chocolate cookie. It is so freaking delicious.

• Whittard of Chelsea: A great store if you want to take some tea or hot chocolate back home. The peppermint is divine and they also have things to try.

• Chez Antoinette Covent Garden: I tried the French onion soup here and, my god, it was so good.

• M&S Foodhall: You can’t go to London and not pick up some things from M&S Food. Try the dough bites, rice crackers coated in caramel, biscuits covered in chocolate, or honestly, anything else that looks good. Just go in and wander around. Half the fun is seeing all the things we don’t get back home.

Oxford Street

Once you’re done exploring Covent Garden, take a bus or walk towards Oxford Street and the Primark here.

I personally did not enjoy shopping at Primark, but everyone I talk to wants to check it out, so if that’s you, now’s the time. There are loads of other shops around Oxford Street too, so this is a good point in the itinerary to do any additional shopping.

Most of the shops stay open until around 9–10 PM, so you don’t have to rush!

Dinner

For dinner, head to Circolo Popolare nearby. They’re particularly known for their truffle pasta, and the restaurant itself has that beautiful, over-the-top decor. We really enjoyed our time here. It’s a popular place, so book ahead, especially if you’re travelling during a busy period.

Day 4: Choose your day

For your fourth day in London, I would actually leave this one up to you. There are three very different ways you can spend your last day in London, and which one you choose really depends on what you enjoy.

Option 1: Greenwich

If you want to get out of Central London and see a completely different side of the city, Greenwich is a great option. It’s one of my favourite areas in London and has a nice mix of history, beautiful buildings, green spaces and great views.

For a full day in Greenwich, I recommend doing this:

• Uber Boat to Greenwich (from Millbank or Battersea for the whole scenic route)
• Cutty Sark (old tea clipper ship) – It’s up to you if you want to go inside, I did not)
• Greenwich Market
• Painted Hall at Old Royal Naval College and the Queen’s House
• Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian Line (no need to pay and go inside)
• Icecream and Chocolate at Dark sugars
• Canary Wharf for dinner

Option 2: Warner Bros. Studio Tour

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, this one is a no-brainer. This is not a theme park but the place where the movies were shot. It has actual sets, costumes, props and all the little details from the movies that you can’t see anywhere else.

The studios are actually located in Watford, about 1 hour outside central London. To get there on your own, take the tube or bus to King’s Cross, walk to Euston Station, take a train to Watford Junction and then a free shuttle bus to the studios. On top of that, tickets from the official website can sell out weeks or even months in advance, especially the morning slots.

I personally recommend taking a coach tour from Central London if it fits your budget. It’s much easier! You just hop on the bus and get dropped right outside the studios. The tickets are often available till even a day prior so it’s a great last-minute option too. The only downside is that you get less time inside than if you go independently. If you can, choose the extended tour, which gives you 5.5 hours instead of the standard 3.5 hours. There’s so much to see that even 5.5 hours flew by for me.

Option 3: Notting Hill and Kensington

On this day, you’ll get colourful streets, one of London’s famous markets, some really good bakeries, a beautiful park and one of London’s most impressive museums.

Start at Layla Bakery in Notting Hill at 10 AM, then make your way through Portobello Market, browse the shops and check out all the colourful houses around the neighbourhood. Stop for a bagel at Kuro Bagels or a scone from Cheeky Scone, then walk all the way down to The Churchill Arms, one of London’s most famous pubs. From here, head towards Kensington Gardens and spend some time wandering around the park.

Finish your day at the Natural History Museum. The building itself is absolutely beautiful, and inside you’ll find everything from dinosaurs and fossils to an enormous blue whale skeleton. It’s free to enter, but don’t leave it too late. I’d aim to get there by 3:30 PM at the latest, as there’s a lot to see and the museum closes at 5:50 PM.

Where to Stay in London

One of my biggest tips is to stay within about 700 metres of either the Elizabeth Line or the Piccadilly Line, especially if you’re flying in and out of Heathrow Airport. Both these lines go directly to Heathrow and cover a huge part of the city, so getting around becomes super easy. But they cover a large area, so here’s what I’d recommend.

Best Location (Higher Budget)

If your budget allows, I’d highly recommend staying right in Central London, especially in Soho, Covent Garden, or further out in Bloomsbury or King’s Cross. The biggest advantage is that you’re close to a lot of London’s best attractions, restaurants, cafés and bars. You can walk to so many places instead of spending time on the Tube, which makes a huge difference when you’re only in London for four days.

It does come at a price, though, so check both hotels and Airbnbs before booking. Sometimes one is much cheaper than the other depending on your dates.

Better Value (Lower Budget)

If you’re looking to save money, consider staying on the edge of Central London or just outside it. Accommodation is often much cheaper, but the key is to stay close to the Elizabeth Line or Piccadilly Line, so getting into the city (as well as the airport) is quick and easy.

Here are a few areas I’d consider:

Paddington
Paddington is another excellent transport hub. It’s served by the Elizabeth Line, Heathrow Express, and several Tube lines, making it one of the most convenient places to stay if you’re arriving via Heathrow. It’s also well connected to the rest of London, so getting around is easy.

Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf is located in Zone 2 rather than Central London, but it’s one of my favourite areas for finding better-value accommodation. It’s modern, clean, and well connected by the Elizabeth Line, which gets you to Central London in about 15 minutes. Just make sure your accommodation is within walking distance of an Elizabeth Line station to make the commute as easy as possible.

How to Get Around London

London has one of the most convenient public transport systems I’ve ever used. For shorter distances, take the bus. For longer journeys, use the Tube (also called the Underground). And for day trips outside the city, the train is usually your best option, but we’re not covering that in this itinerary. Google Maps works brilliantly in London and is all you need to plan your routes.

The best part? You can simply tap your contactless credit or debit card (or your phone) on the card reader to use London’s buses and Tube. It really doesn’t get more convenient than that. You might hear about the Oyster card, but unless you’re travelling with a child under 13 or have a specific reason to get one, you can skip it.

Here are a few things you should know:

Bus

• Bus stops are usually closer together than Tube stations, making them great for shorter journeys. However, buses can get delayed due to traffic.
• In London, you only need to tap your card when you board the bus. (In some other UK cities, you may also need to tap out.)
• If you’re waiting at a bus stop, raise your hand to signal the bus. Otherwise, it may not stop.
• When you’re approaching your stop, press one of the red stop buttons. If no one requests the stop and nobody is waiting to board, the bus may continue without stopping.

Tube (Underground)

• Always tap in when you enter the station and tap out when you exit. If you don’t, you’ll be charged the maximum fare.
• Make sure you use the same card or device to tap in and out.
• Use the same card or device throughout the day. London has daily fare caps, so once you reach the maximum fare for the zones you’ve travelled in, the rest of your journeys that day are free.

Getting to and from Heathrow Airport

To get from Heathrow to central London, you have three main options:

• Elizabeth Line (~£15.5): Fast, comfortable, and cheaper than the Heathrow Express. This is my preferred option.
• Piccadilly Line (~£5.9): The cheapest option, but it’s slower and some stations have stairs, which can be inconvenient with heavy luggage.
• Heathrow Express: The fastest option, taking just 15 minutes to Paddington Station. It’s excellent if you’re in a hurry, but it’s also the most expensive. It costs £26 normally but if you book over a month prior, then you can get it for £10.

I generally wouldn’t recommend taking a cab to or from Heathrow because airport surcharges make it quite expensive. The only time I’d consider it is if there are major Tube disruptions.

And I say this from experience – we actually missed our international flight because of Tube disruptions. We knew that the Piccadilly Line wasn’t working due to scheduled maintenance and thought Elizabeth would get us there instead. But it turns out there were severe disruptions even in the Elizabeth Line due to faulty electricals which no one told us about. Instead, they sent us from one place to another and eventually we had to take a cab only to get stuck in traffic.

It’s a long story, but it taught me one important lesson: always check for planned engineering works or disruptions before heading to the airport. If there are known tube closures, I recommend booking a shared transfer or a private transfer to the airport. If you still decide to take public transport, I’d recommend leaving at least four hours before your flight.

Planning a Longer London Trip?

Four days is enough to see a lot of London, but trust me, you can easily spend much longer here. If you’re staying for more than four days, check out my other London guides to help you fill in the gaps:

• 50 Free Things to Do in London – More ideas for things to see and do without spending a fortune.
• London’s Best Paid Attractions – The paid attractions I think are actually worth spending your money on.