LONDON UK

The Best Way to spend 4 days in London Itinerary

London is one of the most iconic cities in the world and this 4 days in London Itinerary, will make sure you have an ample amount of time to explore this amazing city.

The best time to travel to London depends entirely on your London itinerary and the places you want to visit in London. 

The dynamic city of London is home to a population of around nine million and is a multi-cultural city, blended with traditional charm. London is the largest city in Europe and you could spend a lot of time exploring everything this amazing city has to offer. 

There are so many things to do in London. From the River Thames to Southbank, to Covent Garden to Hyde Park, London is a city of exciting contrasts! London is home to historical sights, world-class shopping, top-notch sporting, and wild nightlife so there so much to do in London in 4 days…

If you are only in London for 2 days check out my other guide.

london

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How to get to London 

London is really easy to get to by plane, train or by car. You can travel to London via flights from nearly every country in Europe, as well as globally. London has five airports; Heathrow, City or Luton, Stansted and Gatwick. If you are flying into London the best way to get to the city is on the train.

You can also travel to London by train from France via Eurostar, and you can also travel by ferry, coach, or car. Or if you are like me, based in the UK, the quickest way to get to London from anywhere in the country. If you are flying into London the best way to get to the city is on the train. The transport network in the UK is great all year round making the best time to travel to London anytime. 

 

Weather in London

  • London Weather in January: 4° – 9° with avg. 12 days of rain 
  • London Weather in February: 5° – 9° with avg. 9 days of rain
  • London Weather in March: 6° – 12° with avg. 9 days of rain
  • London Weather in April: 7° – 15° with avg. 9 days of rain
  • London Weather in May: 10° – 18° with avg. 8 days of rain 
  • London Weather in June: 13° – 21° with avg. 8 days of rain 
  • London Weather in July: 15° – 23° with avg. 7 days of rain 
  • London Weather in August: 15° – 23° with avg. 8 days of rain
  • London Weather in September: 13° – 20° with avg. 8 days of rain
  • London Weather in October: 10° – 16° with avg. 10 days of rain
  • London Weather in November: 7° – 12° with avg. 10 days of rain
  • London Weather in December: 5° – 9° with avg. 10 days of rain

**As you can see it rains A LOT in London!

Best Area to Stay in London soho

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When to go to London 

London can be visited at any time of year, as it has a mild climate. Of course, I am biased as I love London in the summer when the sunshine comes out, it finally stops raining and everyone it outside. But London is also great in spring when the parks come alive, in autumn when the city celebrates Halloween and in winter when Christmas is everywhere. So there is no ‘best time to travel to London’ as it’s great all year round. Use this guide for your 4 days in London Itinerary.

Check out my guide to the best time to travel to London.

 

How to Get Around London

In order to explore London, you need to be aware of the best way to get around London. The transport system in London is the tube, bus or boat and can be accessed from nearly every area of London in 4 days.

The tube map can look complicated at the beginning but don’t get intimidated – it’s easier to navigate the tube in London than it looks. 

Here are a few things you should know about using the tube in London:

  • Use the train from the airport as taxis and Uber’s can be expensive
  • Only use private transport if arriving in the night
  • The tube system is easy to use, refer to the coloured lines to plan your route
  • Download the tube map app to insert your destination
  • Not all tube stations have lifts so if you need accessible station please refer to the TFL website
  • Buy an Oyster card if you are in the city for London than one weekend
  • The tube does day tickets – it might be worth getting one of them!
Best Area to Stay in London shoreditch

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Itinerary: 4 Days in London

Day One

Visit the Tower of London

Start your 4 days in London Itinerary at the most iconic building in London, The Tower of London. Officially Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London is a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England.

The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 and was a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new ruling elite. The castle was used as a prison from 1100 (Ranulf Flambard) until 1952, although that was not its primary purpose.

I headed her early on a Sunday morning so I could beat the crowds, and I picked a beautiful day. I wandered around the outside of the building, right across Tower Bridge to get some wonderful shots, before heading inside to explore.

Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross

Every Harry Potter fan will want to visit this coveted King’s Cross hotspot for a photograph in front of the iconic Platform 9 3/4. However, be prepared to queue as every time I have passed through the station recently there has been a queue of around 40 people. If you visit unprepared, don’t worry because there’s a Warner Bros shop right next to it.

Looking for more things to do in this area? Check out this guide to epic things to do in Kings Cross!

Explore street art

The area of Hoxton and Shoreditch is a street art lovers dream. Graffiti is seen as art and something beautiful, instead of simply being vandalism. So many pieces of art have popped up over London over the past few years, thanks to Banksy and a few others, the city is alive with street art in Hoxton and Shoreditch more specifically.

The area hosts many famous pieces of street art, including walls that have been decorated by leading local street artists such as Banksy, Eine, D*Face, Sweet Toof and Pure Evil while many of the world’s leading artists such as Swoon, Roa, Blek Le Rat and Vhils among others have placed beautiful artworks on the street.

The area supports a thriving community including street artists and graffiti writers, street art galleries, street artist studios, suppliers and other creative industries. Shoreditch street art is one of my favourite areas of London and must be added to your 4 Days in London Itinerary.

Columbia Road Flower Market

If you arrived in London over the weekend, you can head to the iconic Columbia Road Flower Market is a street market in East London, England which has a wonderful range of weird and wonderful flowers on sale for passing people to buy and take home. Columbia Road is a road of Victorian shops off Hackney Road in Tower Hamlets. If you are here on a Sunday morning, make sure you add this place to your 2 Days in London Itinerary.

God’s Own Junkyard

This showroom in Walthamstow is the late neon artist Chris Bracey’s personal collection of work including psychedelic paradise of neon lights and vintage signs. Walk around the small space taking in the vibrant displays of neon signs. It contains signs from Soho clubs, to ones that have featured in Hollywood films.

Best Area to Stay in London kings cross

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Day Two

Walk along the Southbank​

Beside the River Thames, the South Bank is a great place to eat, shop and hang out any time of the year. Here you will also find The Southbank Centre, National Theatre, and BFI film theatre, as well as historic pubs, and events. There are also great views of iconic landmarks like Big Ben and St. Paul’s Cathedral from the London Eye Ferris wheel.

Check For Theatre Tickets At Leicester Square

After lunch, hop onto the tube to Leicester Square station, and find yourself some discounted tickets to many shows are available for that evening. The discounts are available at theatre box offices too, plan in advance which shows you’d like to see and head there to try and pick up some last-minute tickets. Seeing a show is an amazing way to spend 4 days in London Itinerary.

Shopping in Carnaby + Soho

Carnaby is the cheerful pedestrianised area in north Soho just behind Regent Street. Here you can find both chain and many smaller independent boutiques.

A narrow passage leads into Kingly Court at the Southern end of Carnaby Street, where there are three floors of shops, studios and a choice of restaurants with an area for outside dining and nestled in the heart of Carnaby is the Newburgh Quarter, a diverse and distinctive shopping, dining, just a few minutes walk from Soho and Oxford Circus.

Eat in Chinatown

Not far from Soho you will find the amazing Chinatown London, where you can experience authentic East Asian cuisine in the very heart of London. 

The history of this area stretches back to the late 1960s, when the area was established as the epicentre of London’s Chinese community, and then in the 1980’s the area got a revamp, with the streets becoming pedestrianised, and Chinese gates, street furniture and a pavilion were added. Today, there is so much to explore, but the best bit has to be the array of restaurants, bars and cafes, all serving incredible East and Southeast Asian cuisine. I have included some of my favourite spots below:

  1. Dumplings Legend – If you are after dumplings, this is the place to go! The iconic dim sum is a must-try when visiting Chinatown and at Dumplings’ Legend, they stick to traditional methods but adding a twist, with additions including spicy pork and crayfish, or even Xiaolongbao. They serve an impressive 47 variations of the much-loved dim sum, all made in their open-plan, glass-walled, kitchen right before your very eyes. I loved the vegetarian dumplings, and the dumpling platter.
  2. Viet Food – A favourite of mine, Viet Food serves up some of the best traditional Vietnamese street food dishes, by Michelin-starred chef, Jeff Tan. The menu reflects those long-loved dishes, including Chilli Grilled Sirloin Salad, Five Spice Soft Shell Crab, or Tan’s version of Crispy Coconut Calamari. I was also obsessed with their Saigon beef soup with shimeji mushrooms and vermicelli. YUM!
  3. Bubblewrap – This is the place to come for waffles, or more specifically bubble wraps! You start by picking your waffle base – plain, chocolate or matcha and then add your toppings. It could be strawberry cheesecake or pistachio gelato, white chocolate stars or even edible flowers.
  4. Cuppacha – I have fallen for bubble tea and it seems so has everyone else. Those chewy tapioca balls make it the perfect treat for a day exploring London. We stopped here last week to try authentic Taiwanese bubble tea, with a twist:  Matcha Red Bean Bubble Tea.
  5. JinLi – Named after the famous gastronomy street in Chengdu, Sichuan, Jinli serves up some of the best Sichuan in the city. JinLi’s signature dish, JinLi Grilled Fish in Chilli Oil, is a must-eat and I would also recommend the vegetarian spring rolls and the Duck Tongue.
  6. Wing Wing –  This place serves THE BEST fried chicken!! Inspired by Korea’s chicken-and-beer “chimaek” joints and their NYC imitators, Wing Wing serve fried chicken with a difference. The crispy chicken is incredible, and is served with an array of sides. Oh and try their ginger beer slush!!!
  7. TSUJIRI – One of the best places to try Matcha in London! TSUJIRI is a dessert tea house specialising in everything matcha! They serve amazingly good matcha ice cream and matcha lattes, and I especially love Matcha Strawberry Kakigori, with matcha shaved ice, kanten (agar jelly), yoghurt, strawberry sauce and topped with matcha soft serve, kinako warabi mochi and 2 shiratama dango!
  8. Sakurado – Well known for their Japanese Wobbly Cheesecake, Sakurado is a cake lover’s dream. They serve an incredible array of cakes all beautifully handmade with 30 mille crêpes carefully layered between velvety rich cream. They use ingredients including Matcha, Yuzu, Hojicha and Black Sesame Charcoal. 

Explore Covent Garden

Covent Garden is one of my favourite places in London – with a fun atmosphere and lots to do. Here you can find street artists, high-street shops, tasty restaurants and even a daily market. Vibrant Covent Garden in London’s West End is a must-see destination for anyone who enjoys shopping, theatre, restaurants, bars, history and culture.

There are several smaller areas within Covent Garden that are worth exploring such as The Opera Quarter, St Martin’s Courtyard, Seven Dials, Neal’s Yard … to name a few.

Borough Market

Borough Market is a wholesale and retail market hall in Southwark, London, England. It is one of the largest and oldest food markets in London, with a market on the site dating back to at least the 12th century. Borough Market is one of London’s more established haunts and showcases London’s best producers. Here you can get fresh pasta, cured meats, coffee or oysters!

And if you are visiting London at Christmas check out my guide.

tower of london

Photo by Nicolas from Pexels

Day Three

Morning At A Museum

This itinerary for London in 4 days includes the perfect start in London in Kensington. As some as you get into London, jump on the tube and head over to South Kensington and the National History Museum. Only go if you are early as the queues start!

The new display in the main hall is of a blue whale skeleton that will be supported by technology that allows smartphone and tablet users to watch the whale ‘come alive’ in the hall. Aside from this, the museum also contains some of the earth’s tiniest life forms including insects and a whole host of beasts in the Blue Zone.

Natural History Museum

One of the most well-known and popular tourist attractions in London is the Natural History Museum. It owns a huge amount of items, apparently more than 80 million all related to nature and wildlife. The opening of the main hall used to be dominated by a dinosaur but in recent times has changed to an enormous blue whale skeleton. It’s free and well worth a visit!

Victoria & Albert Museum

Another museum worth visiting in Kensington is the V&A Museum over the road with over 2.3 million objects, this is an enormous collection. Whatever your love, you’ll find part of its history here, with displays dedicated to fashion, furniture, sculpture, jewellery and performance to name but a few.

Science Museum

A visit to the Science Museum is a must when you are visiting Kensington. The museum is set over seven floors of exhibits, including the Apollo 10 command module and a flight simulator. There is also a cinema showing films in 3D, of the ocean and outer space, or if you want to learn more about the history of transportation, there is also The Energy Hall where you can find the first steam locomotives, hot-air balloons and flight simulators. It might sound a bit boring and remind you of school, but it must be added to your 4 Days in London Itinerary.

Sky Garden

Known as the walkie talkie due to its unique shape, this skyscraper features a top-floor restaurant and botanical gardens within. The Sky Garden is a free indoor viewing deck occupying the top three floors of 20 Fenchurch Street. It is open daily, but you’ll need to book your tickets in advance.

buckingham palace best time to travel to london

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big ben best time to travel to london

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Day Four

British Museum

One of the world’s oldest museums, The British Museum, has a remarkable 80,000 objects on display, that span across millennia. Remarkably, the 80,000 objects on display at any one time only make up 1% of the eight million objects in the museum’s possession. SAY WHAT!?

Portobello Road Market

Portobello Road is a street in the Notting Hill district of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in west London. It runs almost the length of Notting Hill from south to north, roughly parallels with Ladbroke Grove. Portobello Road has everything from food, to vintage clothing, and records to antiques. 

Houses of Parliament

The Palace of Westminster serves as the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It’s also home to the world’s most famous clock, Big Ben and if you’re lucky, sometimes you can go inside to watch British democracy in action.

The Changing of the Guard

Another tourist attraction is the Changing of the Guard which takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 10.30 am outside Buckingham Palace. The Queen’s Guard walks around their station in time to music as they switch responsibilities with one another. I’ve watched this a few times and don’t really understand what they are doing other than clocking on and off shift.

Daunt Bookshop

Daunt Books is an original Edwardian bookshop with long oak galleries and graceful skylights situated in Marylebone High Street opened by James Daunt to provide an alternate browsing experience for the reader. All the books are arranged according to their country, irrespective of the genre they hail from.

Vauxhall City Farm

Vauxhall City Farm is a city farm located in Vauxhall in the London Borough of Lambeth. The farm is run as a charity focusing on education, youth work, animal care and horticulture and is a centre for Riding for the Disabled. There are smaller creatures too for petting, such as guinea pigs and rabbits. Such a fun activity for families and must be added to your 4 Days in London Itinerary.

Hampstead Heath

One of the city’s wildest green spaces, Hampstead Heath spans a huge proportion of north London. At Hampstead Heath you will also find a zoo, three swimming ponds and plenty of spots for a picnic. You can also get amazing views across London from Parliament Hill. If you fancy a dip, the lido is on one side of the hill and the bathing ponds on the other. 

best time to travel to london

Photo by Samuel Wölfl from Pexels

London Eye

Itinerary: 4 Days in London

Where to stay in London

For your 4 Days in London Itinerary ensure you know the best area to stay in London I would recommend planning your itinerary before you book a hotel, as then you can work out the best place to stay in London. 

Finding a place to stay in London is hard but in this blog post, I go into detail about the best area to stay in London and the best hotels in London.

London, the capital of England, is one of the most iconic cities in the world offering tourists, food, history, people and culture. The best time to travel to London depends entirely on your London itinerary and the places you want to visit in London. Also, check out my free places to visit in London guide or if you are spending 4 days in London Itinerary. 

London is a safe place no matter where you stay and there isn’t an area I would say is a no-go zone. 

  1. Best Neighborhood in London for Art and Culture: South Bank
  2. Best Neighborhood in London for Theatre Fans: Piccadilly and St James’s
  3. Best Neighborhood in London for Nightlife: Soho and Trafalgar Square
  4. Best Neighborhood in London for Literary Fans: Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia
  5. Best Neighborhood in London for Riverside Pubs: Chelsea
  6. Best Neighborhood in London for Parks and Festivals: Regent’s Park
  7. Best Neighbourhood in London for Families: Victoria
  8. Best Neighbourhood in London for exploring outside of London: Camden
  9. Best Neighborhood in London for History and Museums: Kensington and Knightsbridge
  10. Best Neighborhood in London to Stay for First Timer: London City or Covent Garden
  11. Best Neighborhood in London for Royalty: Mayfair
  12. Best Neighborhood in London for Street Art: Shoreditch
  13. Best Neighborhood in London for Markets: Smithfield and Spitalfields
  14. Best Neighbourhood in London for Foodies: East London
  15. Best Neighborhood in London for Local’s Life: Greenwich and Blackheath 

 

Best Luxury Hotels in London 

Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard London | St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel | Sofitel London St James | The Langham | The Dorchester

Some of these hotels are reviewed by myself below.

Best Mid-Range Hotels in London

Royal Lancaster London | Sea Containers London | The Hospital Club | Copthorne Tara Hotel London | The Hoxton 

Some of these hotels are reviewed by myself below.

Best Cheap Accommodation in London

Generator London | Mama Shelter | Premier Inn Southbank | Qbic Hotels | St Christopher’s Liverpool Street

Some of these hotels are reviewed by myself below.

tourist best time to travel to london

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rooftop best time to travel to london

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Itinerary: 4 Days in London

Where to eat in London

For your and must be added to your 4 Days in London Itinerary. one thing you must do in the city is to seek out fun restaurants in London. This London food guide will help you find some of the best eateries in London. 

From pubs along the River Thames to pop up shops at Southbank, to restaurants at Covent Garden to cafes in Hyde Park, London is a city of exciting contrasts and the food is just as varied. 

  1. Bar & Block Steakhouse
  2. The Langham London
  3. Box Park Shoreditch
  4. Busaba Eathai
  5. Foxcroft & Ginger
  6. Belgo 
  7. The Rum Kitchen
  8. Ember Yard, Soho
  9. Golden Arrow Restaurant
  10. Hummingbird Bakery
  11. Dishoom
  12. Hunter 468 at The Arch London
  13. Bourne and Hollingsworth
  14. Island Grill at Lancaster London
  15. Bake a Boo
  16. Chiltern Firehouse
  17. Duck & Waffle
  18. The Riding House Café
  19. Gaucho
  20. Berber & Q
  21. Christopher’s Covent Garden

Check out my guide to 21 Fun Restaurants in London.

 

Are you ready for your 4 Days in London Itinerary?

 


My Travel Tips and Recommendations

Flights

To book flights, I always use flight search engine, Skyscanner, I regularly use the Everywhere tool to find the cheapest places to travel. It’s how I get to travel so much all around the world. I find it the easiest way to compare flight prices across airlines and get the best deals. 

Accommodation

For accommodation, I usually book most of my hotels or hostels through Booking.com. I love using this platform as it provides me with some amazing deals for accommodation all around the world. Or if you prefer, I also recommend using Airbnb. If you haven’t signed up with Airbnb already, you can use this link to get £25 off your first visit!

Photography and Technology

Here is a list of the technology I always travel with:

Travel Insurance

Picking travel insurance that covers you in all eventualities is an essential part of planning a trip for every single person. If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. You never know what’s around the corner. World Nomads is an affordable option that I personally recommend. BOOK HERE

 

You can also find me on social media: FacebookTwitter, YouTube and Instagram.

 

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Thank you for reading and as always happy adventuring! If you have any questions about the destination please leave these in the comments below.

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Sophie X

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