4-Day London Itinerary: Best Sights & Activities
Four days in London is just enough time to see some of the best sights, explore the top museums, and eat delicious food at local London restaurants.
There is an overwhelming amount of things to do in London, and squeezing it all into four days can be exhausting. Instead, I created the perfect 4-day London itinerary that includes the best of the city without overloading your days.
I’ve visited London multiple times over the years and keep coming back. It’s one of my favorite cities I’ve been to, with excellent public transport, world renowned museums, and gorgeous parks.
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I love walking around the city and discovering new places along the way from one activity to the next. It’s easy to get in 10,000 or 20,000 steps per day as you walk around London.
If you get too tired walking around, London has the tube (London Underground) and buses that run often throughout the day and night for quick transport between destinations.
There are also private black cab tours that drive you around the city so you can see all the sights without walking or taking public transport!
Each day of this 4-day London itinerary focuses on one main area to avoid too much walking or transportation back and forth. I also include optional activities if you have extra time in the day and want to fit in some more sightseeing.
After all my trips to London, I’ve collected quite a list of activities, sights, and restaurants. I compiled this itinerary to ensure you can see and do as much as possible with just four days in London.
Planning Your Four Days in London
Short on time or ready to book? Here is a mini London travel guide with the best places to stay, things to do, and sights to see. If you’ve never been to London before, I recommend starting with my London Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors!
Where To Stay
Best 5-Star Hotel: The Savoy (Covent Garden)
Best Budget: Cosy 1 Bedroom (Southwark)
Best for First-Timers: The Z Hotel Strand (Covent Garden)
Best Views: Locke at Broken Wharf (on the river in the City of London)
For more information about London neighborhoods, you can read my guide to the best places to stay in London.
Regions & Top Sights
Westminster: Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Tate Britain, and the London Eye (across the river).
Covent Garden: Shopping, Neal’s Yard, the National Gallery, and the British Museum.
City of London: St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sky Garden, St. Dunstan in the East, Leadenhall Market, and Tower Bridge.
Kensington: Palace of Kensington, Kensington Gardens, V&A Museum, National History Museum, and Holland Park.
For top recommended tours and activities, visit my hand-picked selection of London Activities & Tours.
4-Day London Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Gardens and Museums in Kensington
Day 2: Architecture and Sights in the City of London
Day 3: Icons and Palaces in Westminster
Day 4: Parks and History in Covent Garden
Day 1: Gardens and Museums in Kensington
On your first full day in London, explore the neighborhood of Kensington with all its cute cafes, museums, restaurants, and Kensington Gardens.
Kensington is a quiet, affluent area on the north bank of the River Thames. There’s also South Kensington, which is southeast of Kensington. They are very similar and could be considered one neighborhood.
I’ve stayed in Kensington (South Kensington, to be specific) and recommend it as one of the best areas to stay in London. It’s close to major attractions, tube stations, bus stops, and tons of highly rated restaurants.
The majority of this day is spent within a few square miles, aside from one optional visit to Notting Hill. You can easily walk to each destination, but I give public transport options for slightly longer distances.
South Kensington Coffee Walk
Start your day my favorite way: with a cozy, caffeinated beverage and a sweet pastry. Chai lattes are my morning drink of choice, but there are plenty of other options at the chic Guillam Coffee House.
You can enjoy your drink and pastry at the coffee house, or get them to go for a coffee walk around this area of South Kensington before heading to the next activity.
One of the stops I recommend walking to is the Kynance Mews, just down the street. The Kynance Mews are a row of 33 charming cottages on either side of a cobblestone street.
The Kynance Mews have served as a filming location for various movies and TV shows (including Joe’s home in season 4 of “You”). It’s a quiet, peaceful area to stroll through and admire the plants that the residents keep at their front doors.
After exploring Kensington, make the 10-minute walk to the Natural History Museum.
Natural History Museum (Optional)
Like many museums in London, it’s completely free to visit the Natural History Museum! I recommend booking your free tickets online at least one day before so you can skip the line when you arrive.
The museum is open daily from 10am–5:50pm. Booking a ticket ensures your timed admission and avoids a long line. Time slots can sell out on busy days — especially during local school holidays.
There are more than 80 million items in the museum, including bugs, plants, animals, fossils, and minerals. They offer multiple self-guided tours with different routes, which take approximately 2 hours to complete.
Aside from the exhibits and specimens, the grand architecture is an exhibit in itself! The grand building was constructed in 1880, just one year before the museum officially opened. It has a gorgeous vaulted ceiling in the central hall with a blue whale skeleton hanging from it.
Weekends, summers, and other school holidays are more crowded, so plan accordingly!
If you’re short on time or not a big fan of history and the natural world, then skip this museum and head to the next one.
Victoria & Albert Museum
Just across the street from the Natural History Museum is the Victoria and Albert Museum, commonly known as the V&A.
It is absolutely filled with artifacts, sculptures, paintings, textiles, pottery, and so much more. In fact, it’s the world’s largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts, and design!
The 2.8 million items in the permanent collection are housed in the 145 galleries of this museum. With so much to see and 12.5 acres to cover, you could easily spend a full day here trying to see it all.
Since it’s free, you can always come back if you didn’t see everything you wanted to see on the first visit!
The building's interiors and exteriors have seen changes since its opening at this location in 1875. Over the years, different architects and designers have left their marks on the museum, contributing to its rich history.
If you’re visiting around lunchtime and looking for a place to eat, The V&A Cafe is beautiful with high, ornate ceilings, arched windows, and elaborately designed walls.
Be sure to grab a map when you enter to help navigate the many galleries throughout the different levels and quarters!
Kensington Palace & Gardens
From the V&A, walk the 15 minutes to Kensington Palace & Gardens. These gardens are home to Kensington Palace, the Round Pond, and a web of pathways connecting all the different areas.
If you’re up for a drink, COLICCI Cafe is a stand at the edge of the gardens serving coffee and tea. I got a delicious chai latte there on a few occasions!
The Round Pond has been filled with cute geese, swans, and ducks each time I’ve visited. They seem to be unbothered by the many people walking around the perimeter and taking their photos.
Kensington Palace is adjacent to the Round Pound and is a royal residence for the British Royal Family. One of the most notable royals who resided here is Princess Diana.
You can tour the State Rooms of Kensington Palace during opening hours if you want to see inside this gorgeous palace. There are still areas that are closed to the public as they’re the private living quarters for members of the Royal Family.
Book your tickets in advance to select your date and time for entry! If you’re looking for a more VIP experience, book one of the experiences below:
Holland Park
Your next stop will be Holland Park — one of my favorite parks in London. You can either walk about 30 minutes to the park, or take one of the buses from Kensington Palace (Stop N) to Warwick Gardens (Stop Z) and walk into Holland Park.
I chose to take the bus after a full day of walking! It’s nice to sit for a bit and take in all the views on your way to the park.
Holland Park is a sprawling area with multiple gardens, including my favorite, Kyoto Garden. It also has a Dutch Garden, a charming orangery, and a historic house from the early 1600s called Holland House.
Kyoto Garden is a lovely Japanese garden that’s clearly well cared for, with a large pond, waterfall, and wild peacocks. When I visited in November, the trees had just started to change colors to beautiful oranges and yellows.
It’s completely free to visit Holland Park and all of its gardens. I added this towards the end of the day because visiting in the late afternoon/golden hour is just magical!
There are dozens of squirrels running around, people enjoying the park’s trails, and beautiful plants and architecture to explore.
Notting Hill (Optional)
If you have extra time before you’re ready for dinner, you can make the trek to Notting Hill, just north of Holland Park. It’s about a 25-minute walk (1.2 miles/1.7km), or you could order an Uber if your legs are too tired for another few miles.
There is a bus route between the two, but it requires about 15 minutes of walking on either end of the route and takes the same amount of time as walking.
Notting Hill is a trendy, upscale neighborhood known for its colorful rows of houses, cute cafes, and antique shops. It was one of the first places I visited on my first trip to London!
In addition to exploring the vibrant streets and houses, you can also visit the Museum of Brands, Electric Cinema, and the shops/restaurants at Portobello Road Market.
Dinner in Kensington
Your last stop of the day is dinner in Kensington! Well-reviewed restaurants are abundant in this area, with a wide variety of cuisines to choose from.
If you are coming from Notting Hill, you can take the bus from Ladbroke Grove (Stop B) to York House Place / Kensington High St (Stop K), then walk to your restaurant of choice.
Dishoom is one of the most popular restaurants in London, with multiple locations throughout the city, including Kensington. It offers flavorful Indian food in an upscale, two-story building. I’ve eaten there on multiple occasions and love it!
Many restaurants in Kensington (and South Kensington) serve Italian cuisine, like Como Garden, Grato, Jacuzzi, and Locanda Ottoemezzo.
If you or someone you’re traveling with is vegan or gluten-free, there’s a Chinese restaurant called Tofu Vegan Glouster Road that gets stellar reviews!
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Day 2: Architecture and Sights in the City of London
Your second full day in London is a full one with sightseeing and lots of walking. You can opt for Uber or buses instead if walking is not doable, but I prefer to walk and admire all the sights along the way.
This day is organized in a way that allows you to walk across three of the main bridges in London, while also making stops at different attractions on the north and south banks of the River Thames.
I love walking around this area of London, crossing all the different bridges, and admiring the mix of modern and historic buildings.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Your first stop of the day is St. Paul’s Cathedral. I don’t know about you, but I’m up and out early when I travel to avoid crowds and make the most of the daylight hours.
While most museums and palaces don’t open until 10am, St. Paul’s Cathedral opens at 8:30am Monday through Saturday, and 10am on Wednesdays.
If you want to tour the inside, book your tickets in advance to secure a date and entry time. A ticket grants you entry to the Cathedral Floor and the Crypt, as well as the Dome and its three galleries.
The outside of the cathedral is beautiful and can be seen from a few different angles in this area. If you’re not up for buying a ticket to tour the interior, just viewing the exterior is an activity in itself (and it’s free!).
Millennium Bridge to Tate Modern (Optional)
From St. Paul’s Cathedral, walk across the Millennium Bridge to reach the Tate Modern museum on the other side.
You may recognize Millennium Bridge from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince when Death Eaters attack and cause the bridge to collapse. It was also featured in Guardians of the Galaxy as part of Xandar.
This is a pedestrian-only suspension bridge, so you can walk right down the middle of it without worrying about cars or buses.
The Tate Modern is free to visit and has a collection of modern and contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, and installations.
If you’re short on time or ready to eat, you can skip the Tate Modern and head straight to Borough Market for lunch!
Borough Market
The bustling Borough Market is one of the oldest food markets in London, with over 100 stalls, stands, and restaurants. Here, you have no shortage of options for lunch —perfect for a large group with different food preferences.
The market is open Tuesday–Sunday (closed Mondays) from 10am–5pm (9am on Saturdays). Hours can vary depending on holidays, so check ahead of time if you’re visiting during a public holiday or around Christmas time.
The Borough Market offers street food, produce, specialty foods, restaurants of all varieties, homemade baked goods, cheeses, wine, and much more! You can view the full list of traders before you go, or discover them on the day.
If you got an early start to your day and aren’t ready for lunch quite yet, you can just explore the market stalls here before heading to Leadenhall Market for lunch.
London Bridge to Leadenhall Market
Once you finish a satisfying lunch at Borough Market, make your way to the London Bridge! Despite being so well known by name, the bridge itself is not much to look at.
The London Bridge is open to cars, but it has dedicated pathways on either side for pedestrians. Though the bridge itself isn’t exciting, you will get stunning views of Tower Bridge — the bridge most people incorrectly assume is the London Bridge.
Once you’re across the bridge, continue straight to Leadenhall Market. This gorgeous building was used as the setting for the first Harry Potter movie! It’s where Harry and Hagrid walked through on their way to the Leaky Cauldron.
Its ornate design and skylights make it feel like you’ve truly stepped into a movie. If you want to warm up or just need a midday pick-me-up, The Hagen Project espresso bar inside Leadenhall Market serves a tasty chai latte.
I grabbed a hot chai myself on a cold morning before walking around the market exploring the shops and restaurants. They were all closed when I visited early in the morning, but they will be open when you visit in the afternoon.
Leadenhall Market has quite a few restaurants and pubs where you can grab lunch and/or a drink! There’s also a cheese shop and a pastry shop for a snack and dessert.
Sky Garden
The Sky Garden is a skyscraper with a restaurant, bar, and views of the entire city on the top floor. It’s completely free to visit, but you must book a time slot online.
Once you’re there, you’ll wait in line (no more than 15 minutes before your time slot) before getting on the elevator that takes you to the very top. Many of London’s iconic sights can be seen from the top, including Tower Bridge, the Shard, and the London Eye.
You can also eat at the restaurant or grab a drink at the bar while you’re there. I recommend making a reservation at the restaurant as far in advance as possible, as it can book out. A table reservation also lets you skip the regular entry line!
There’s an outdoor balcony you can go onto for even better views, but most of the top floor is inside and protected from the elements. The interior has giant glass walls and a glass ceiling, with practically a full park’s worth of green plants.
St. Dunstan in the East
Onto one of the coolest spots I’ve been to in London: St. Dunstan in the East. This is the ruins of a church garden, now overgrown with ivy and other plant life.
The church was originally built around 1100, with additions and repairs made throughout the centuries. It has survived severe fire damage and a bombing, after which it was not rebuilt.
It officially opened as a public garden in 1970 and has been a hidden gem amongst modern buildings since then.
As I walked through the ruins of the church and its garden, it was tranquil, quiet, and made me feel completely relaxed. The lush greenery that’s clearly thriving in this garden attracts many squirrels and other wildlife who have made it their home.
If you have time, take a seat at one of the benches in the center of the ruins and enjoy the beautiful surroundings for a while before continuing on with your day.
Tower of London
The rich history of the Tower of London dates back to 1066 when it was first founded. It’s a citadel and castle officially known as His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London.
The Tower of London was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
It has been used for many different purposes throughout history, including a royal residence, armory, and treasury. Now open to the public for tours, it is also home to the Crown Jewels of England, which are on public display.
The last entry is at 3pm, which may have passed by the time you get here if you follow this itinerary. If you want to tour the inside, make this your first stop after walking across the London Bridge.
If you want to feel like royalty, book a Tower of London VIP tour, which includes your own personal tour guide and a meeting with the tower’s ravens!
I like to just admire it from the outside as I walk around the perimeter. Tickets must be purchased online in advance to reserve your date and entry time.
St. Katharine Docks
For dinner, you can choose from any of the restaurants at St. Katharine Docks. This area is a Marina in the center of London that dates back to the 12th century.
In addition to the restaurants and cafes at the docks, there are also events like the annual Classic Boat Festival and festive Christmas decor during the holiday season.
I recommend having dinner at Emilia’s Crafted Pasta. They serve a variety of delicious pastas and other Italian dishes — everything I’ve had there has been amazing. It’s a tiny spot, so reservations are recommended.
If you’re staying nearby, you could also order Emilia’s for delivery or take-out!
Queen’s Walk Viewpoint
After dinner, walk across Tower Bridge and stroll along The Queen’s Walk for my favorite view of Tower Bridge at sunset!
Tower Bridge is the most iconic bridge in London, often mistaken for the London Bridge. There are pedestrian pathways on either side of the bridge for easy crossing, allowing you to stop along the way to take in the views.
Walk from the north bank to the south bank to reach The Queen’s Walk. This is a scenic pedestrian pathway along the South Bank of the River Thames that stretches from Tower Bridge, past the London Eye and Westminster Bridge, all the way to Lambeth Bridge.
The view of Tower Bridge from the beginning of The Queen’s Walk is the best angle of it! It’s especially beautiful when there’s a vibrant sunset, though they’re not too common on foggy days.
Depending on the time of year you’re visiting and when the sun sets, you may want to do this sunset walk before dinner.
Day 3: Icons and Palaces in Westminster
Your third day will be spent visiting some of the most iconic sights in London, exploring famous palaces, and having a fun evening in Soho to end an exciting day.
Westminster is an area in the City of London where you’ll find Westminster Abbey, the Palace of Westminster, and Buckingham Palace. Other nearby attractions include the London Eye and the Tate Britain museum.
Like most days in London, this one is packed full of activities and walking between each one. You can also opt to take the bus or an Uber to reduce walking distances.
If you want a full guided tour of Westminster, this London walking tour takes you to 20 top sights, including Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, and entry into Westminster Abbey.
Palace of Westminster
Begin your day with a visit to the Palace of Westminster, which is where you’ll see Big Ben (the clock in the palace tower), the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Bridge.
You can book a guided tour or self-guided audio tour of the Houses of Parliament on Saturdays or when the parliament is on recess, from Tuesday through Saturday. Tickets must be booked online and can sell out more than a month in advance, with the earliest entry at 9am.
I recommend starting your day here as it’s a popular area for tourists and can get crowded. Arrive before 10am for fewer crowds!
One of the best views of the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben is from Westminster Bridge. This is a popular photo spot, too.
Westminster Abbey
Across from the Palace of Westminster is Westminster Abbey, a grand church that still offers a daily service. It has
My favorite view is of the north facade of the abbey, with the stained glass rose window and flying buttresses. The stained glass windows and classic Gothic architecture are just beautiful.
The west facade is flanked by two towers, which were built more than two hundred years after the abbey was initially constructed. This facade is also where you’ll find the main entrance for public tours.
If you want to go inside Westminster Abbey, you need to book tickets online in advance to reserve a date and time slot.
There are also guided tours around Westminster that include Westminster Abbey access if you want a full experience.
London Eye
It’s hard to miss the London Eye when you’re standing on Westminster Bridge. It’s a giant Ferris wheel with enclosed, egg-shaped capsules that hold up to 25 people each.
The London Eye, built in 2000, has become an icon in the city, joining the historic landmarks that came centuries before it.
There are many different viewpoints of it throughout the city since it towers over neighboring structures at 135 meters (443 feet) tall.
You can purchase tickets online for a discounted price to ride the London Eye one rotation, which takes about 30 minutes. Tickets are available for walk-ups, but the price is higher than buying them online.
The London Eye is a unique way to get sweeping views of London, particularly Westminster. The capsules allow you to sit in a seat or get up and walk around as you rotate to view different sights of London.
Tate Britain
My all-time favorite museum in London is the Tate Britain. It has artworks from some of the best artists in history, including Claude Monet, John Singer Sargent, John Everett Millais, and Pablo Picasso.
If you really don’t enjoy art museums, you can skip it. Art museums are one of my most loved activities to do when I travel, so I often include them in itineraries.
London has a wealth of museums, but the Tate Britain has the best collection of works from the artists I love.
It’s also the home to the gorgeous Ophelia painting by John Everett Millais. Yes, the one Taylor Swift references in her The Life of a Showgirl album cover and The Fate of Ophelia music video.
For a nearby lunch, I enjoyed The Barley Mow. It’s nothing fancy — just a casual pub serving fish and chips and other pub food. You can walk 10 minutes from Tate Britain to reach it, or get lunch here first before visiting the museum.
Alternatively, you can eat at one of the highly rated Italian restaurants in this area.
To reach the Tate Britain from the London Eye, you can walk for 25 minutes or take a 16-minute bus ride with minimal walking.
Buckingham Palace
One of the last major attractions to visit this day is Buckingham Palace. This palace has served as an office and home to many royals throughout the years, including Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. It’s the King’s official London residence.
The Changing of the Guard ceremony is one of the biggest tourist attractions in London, and happens every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11am (subject to change throughout the year).
Despite being a working royal palace, they are open for visitors each summer and offer small guided tours from October through May.
At the front of the palace, there’s a gorgeous Memorial Garden flanking either side of The Mall, which is the road that leads up to the marble and bronze statues memorializing Queen Victoria.
You can either walk to Buckingham Palace from the Tate Britain (1.2 mi / 1.9 km), take an Uber, or take a bus partway.
There aren’t any bus routes that drop off directly at the palace, so you will still need to walk about 15 minutes (0.7 mi / 1.1 km).
Soho & West End
End your day with an evening of shopping and drinks in Soho and a show in the West End.
Soho is a bustling neighborhood with upscale shopping, bars, clubs, and restaurants. Similarly, the lively West End is most well-known for its theaters and world-renowned productions.
Mr Fogg’s Apothecary and Sketch are both unique places to grab a drink.
Mr Fogg’s Apothecary is one of a few locations, each with its own style. This one has a cozy speakeasy-like vibe and serves incredible cocktails.
Sketch has a few different rooms, with one of them housing a 3-star Michelin restaurant. You need to book reservations in advance.
If you’re interested in seeing a show, the Savoy Theatre and Theatre Royal Haymarket are two of the most notable theaters in the West End.
Day 4: Parks and History in Covent Garden
On your last full day in London, the day will be spent in North London and Covent Garden, with a couple of optional activities.
North London is a broad term for a large area north of central London, which includes Camden and Hampstead. For this itinerary, Camden is as far north as you’ll venture in consideration of time.
Covent Garden is near Westminster and Soho on the north bank of the River Thames. It’s a bustling area with shops, restaurants, museums, and a pedestrian-only center.
This day includes optional visits to London pop culture spots like the Sherlock Holmes Museum and Platform 9 ¾ from Harry Potter. It also has visits to two of the most popular (free) museums in the city!
With the optional activities, this day can be as packed or laid-back as you want it to be.
Sherlock Holmes Museum (Optional)
If you’re a fan of Sherlock Holmes or just fancy a bit of London history, head to the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street, London (just south of Regent’s Park).
The museum is set in a tiny three-story Victorian townhouse with a gift shop on the first floor (free to visit without tickets), a replica of the home of Sherlock and Dr. Watson on the second floor, and wax figures and props on the third floor.
We popped into the gift shop, which was diffusing lemongrass essential oils at the time. I bought a wax seal with my first initial, which I still have.
If you want to visit the second and third floors on a self-guided tour, a ticket is required. You can buy a ticket at the museum, but booking online avoids a long wait time.
Primrose Hill & Regent’s Park
A leisurely stroll in a park with panoramic views of London is a lovely way to spend a morning in London. Primrose Hill is a grassy hill just north of Regent’s Park in Camden Town.
I visited Primrose Hill on my first trip to London and was amazed by the views and the number of people enjoying a day at the park. It has a few walking paths throughout, and plenty of space to set up a picnic blanket.
Regent’s Park is a much larger park at the base of Primrose Hill. It’s home to the London Zoo, Regent’s University London, and a large lake. There are many different areas of this park, which you can discover as you stroll the pathways.
If you’re up for a picnic, get food from Primo Italian Provisions or Primrose Hill Food Market and bring it to Primrose Hill for a nice lunch in the park.
King’s Cross Station (Optional)
If you have plenty of time, don’t mind a slight detour, and are a fan of Harry Potter, then you may want to visit Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross Station.
This station was used as a filming location for the Harry Potter movies and now has a Harry Potter shop, as well as a wildly popular Platform 9 ¾ photo op (there’s usually a long line for it).
You can reach King’s Cross Station from the Sherlock Holmes Museum via a 12-minute tube ride from Baker Street to King’s Cross St. Pancras.
British Museum
The British Museum houses the largest collection in the world, with over eight million items in the permanent collection. However, only about 1% of the collection (80,000 items) is on public display.
It has Egyptian artifacts and sculptures, the Rosetta Stone, paintings, and art and pottery from all around the world. With so much to see, it’s easy to spend hours upon hours viewing the collections.
This is another free museum in London, but you can book your free entry tickets online to skip the line.
The British Museum has been heavily criticized, as many of the artifacts were stolen from other countries. Despite demands for many of these artifacts to be returned, the museum refuses.
The museum is open until 8:30pm on Fridays and 5pm every other day.
Neal’s Yard & Seven Dials
After exploring the British Museum, walk to the National Gallery with a stop at Neal’s Yard in the Seven Dials.
Neal’s Yard is a colorful courtyard with shops and restaurants tucked away in Covent Garden. The window frames and planter boxes are all brightly colored, giving the old buildings a bit of flair.
There are also strings of lights connected to the surrounding buildings and hanging above the center of the courtyard, adding to its charm.
To visit, enter through the alleyway from Monmouth Street or Short’s Gardens.
Seven Dials is a historic neighborhood with a roundabout, which has a central monument with six roads jutting out from it to resemble a sundial. It was even referenced in writings by Charles Dickens!
The road design was created by Thomas Neale in 1690, after whom Neal’s Yard is named. Today, it’s a lively area with shopping, restaurants, cafes, bars, and a rich culture.
National Gallery & Portrait Gallery
Another one of my favorite museums in London is the National Gallery. It’s home to one of Vincent van Gogh’s beautiful sunflower paintings, as well as a collection of paintings from Claude Monet and Gustav Klimt.
Other notable artists in their collection are Johannes Vermeer, Titian, Paul Cézanne, Berthe Morisot, Artemisia Gentileschi, and Rembrandt. They’ve got quite the line-up of artworks!
This is a popular museum located in Trafalgar Square that attracts visitors from all over the world. On busy days, the line can be sprawling for walk-ins. It’s best to book your free ticket online for fast-track entry.
The museum is open until 6pm, with extended hours on Fridays until 9pm. Though I put it towards the end of the day of this London itinerary, you should be able to arrive before the last entry time at 4:45pm.
Around the corner from the main National Gallery is the National Portrait Gallery. This free museum houses a collection of more than 11,000 portraits of all different mediums in the primary collection.
These portraits are paintings, drawings, photos, and sculptures made throughout history from the 16th century to the present day. As an admirer of portraits of people, I absolutely love visiting this museum!
Entry is free, but you need to book tickets online in advance to select a date and time.
Covent Garden
After a final full day exploring all the best that London has to offer, end your day with dinner in Covent Garden. There are tons of restaurants and pubs to choose from in Covent Garden, ranging from casual to upscale.
We enjoyed a meal at The Salisbury Pub, just across from Mr Foggs Tavern (another Mr Foggs location). But if another pub doesn’t sound appealing, you have a wide variety of other options right in this area.
If you fancy a show, the Royal Ballet and Opera is in the heart of Covent Garden and has evening shows throughout the year.
I hope you enjoyed this 4-day London itinerary! This big city has so much to offer and it’s easy to feel like you’re missing things when you only have four days in London.
If you prefer to have a full-day tour guide that can keep your day on schedule and take you to all the main sights, there are a few highly-rated tours to choose from! Below are a few of my top picks:
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