London is a city brimming with arts, history, and culture to be discovered. It’s home to world-leading museums, the West End theatre shows, and instantly recognisable sights.
London is also the location of many significant historical moments and film scenes. It is a city on many bucket lists as a place to visit for a reason. This 4-day London itinerary will help you fit in the very best of London over a short stay.
If you are bringing all the family with you it can be difficult to decide what to see from the lists of attractions and sights. You want to know what’s worth going to and what is good for kids too. And on top of that, how to fit it all into a four-day visit to the city.
In this article, we share our recommended 4-day London itinerary. So you can be sure to fit in the key sights and see the best family attractions. Feel free to follow along each day, or pick and choose what you want to do.
Day 1 of 4-day London Itinerary
Westminster Sightseeing, National Gallery, Chinatown and a River Cruise
From £19.00: Changing of the Guard guided experience
Day 1, 10:00 am: morning visit to the Westminster sights
If you want to see the most famous sights in London, Westminster is the place to go. Here, you will find Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Also, Westminster Abbey, Parliament Square, 10 Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace.
All these are within walking distance of each other. And make sure to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony happening on various days at 11 am.
You might also like to book a guided walking tour of Westminster sights to make the most of your visit and learn more about these historic places.
Day 1, 1:00 pm: lunch at St James’s Park
St James’s Park offers a beautiful view of Buckingham Palace and a lovely lunch spot. Bring a picnic or grab food from one of the Park’s kiosks. You can also see the resident pelicans here.
Day 1, 2:00 pm: afternoon in the National Gallery
You can walk up the Mall to Trafalgar Square, where you will find The National Gallery. It houses one of the world’s best art collections. You will be able to see important works by Monet, Leonardo da Vinci, van Gogh, and Michelangelo. Entry is free, too!
There is also the option of booking a kid-friendly tour of the gallery. On this tour, your guide will help entertain the kids and engage them with the paintings. You can then give more of your attention to taking in these incredible works of art: Child-friendly tour of the National Gallery.
Day 1, 5:00 pm: early dinner in Chinatown
From the National Gallery, it’s just a six-minute walk to Chinatown. This is one of the best spots for foodies in London. You’ll find a full range of Asian restaurants where you can have dinner. Both Goldmine and Four Seasons are famed for their roast duck.
Day 1, 6:30 pm: enjoy an evening Thames River cruise
An evening cruise along the Thames doesn’t have to be expensive. The Uber Thames Clipper boats are London’s river bus service and have boats running until late.
Hop on at Westminster Pier and enjoy seeing the sights of London lit up at night from the river.
If you want a longer evening activity, you can book a river Thames evening cruise, which also leaves at 6:30 pm and serves sparkling wine and canapés. The cruise lasts 2 hours and covers the major sights as the sun sets.
Day 2 of 4-day London Itinerary
South Bank, Covent Garden and The West End
Tickets from £34.00: Paddington Bear Experience
Day 2, 10:00 am: morning South Bank attraction
Some of the city’s best family attractions are on London’s South Bank. A visit to one of these adds fun to a visit to London.
Shrek’s Adventure
An immersive adventure into the world of Shrek. Perfect for fans of the films or fairy tales, the experience takes you on an adventure where you meet various characters from the movie.
There are activities and challenges along the way, as well as the 4D flying magic bus ride. You also get to interact with other Dreamworks characters at the end!
The Paddington Experience
London is the home of Paddington Bear, and this immersive experience will take you fully into that world. Meet characters, including Mrs Bird and Mrs Brown, along the way as you help prepare for the Marmalade Day Celebrations.
Step into Peru, 32 Windsor Gardens, and Paddington Station. You will also get the chance to take a picture with Paddington and try some marmalade treats.
The London Aquarium
For an underwater adventure head to SEA LIFE London. The aquarium explores different water habitats, including rainforests and rockpools. The popular Aquarium Tunnel allows you to walk underwater immersed in a tropical ocean.
Day 2, 1:00 pm: lunch at the Southbank Centre Food Market
On the South Bank is the Southbank Centre. It hosts lots of arts and culture events for families that are worth a visit. There is also the Food Market, which makes for a great lunch spot. There’s a wide variety of street vendors to choose from. You can find something the kids will like, and also have the option to be more adventurous and try a different cuisine.
Day 2, 2:00 pm: afternoon in Covent Garden
At the heart of London’s West End is Covent Garden. It’s easy to get to from the Southbank crossing over the Thames at Golden Jubilee Bridge.
In Covent Garden, you will find its famed street performers showcasing magic, acrobatics, and music. There are also lots of shops to explore.
The Whittard of Chelsea tea shop has lots of tea and hot chocolate samples to try. An excellent activity for the kids.
Day 2, 5:30 pm: dinner in Covent Garden
While in Covent Garden, it’s an excellent opportunity to get some dinner. Have a look to see what restaurants are the most convenient if you are heading to a West End show that evening.
Inamo is an Asian restaurant with interactive tables for ordering food and playing games. Honest Burgers and Frankie & Benny’s are two other family-friendly restaurants in the area.
Day 2, 7:00 pm: catch an evening West End show – Matilda or the Lion King
London’s West End is one of the best places in the world to see musicals and theatre. Every night, you’ll find productions of long-running classics and groundbreaking new plays. There are many productions for families and kids, too.
It’s a unique opportunity to share in the magic of theatre together. Two of the best shows for families are Matilda and The Lion King.
Matilda
Matilda is based on Roald Dahl’s book of the same name. It’s an award-winning musical that has easily become a family favourite.
The Lion King
From Disney comes this award-winning musical version of its classic film, The Lion King. It has been running for 25 years now at the Lyceum Theatre, and it only goes to show its popularity and timeless story.
Day 3 of 4-day London Itinerary
South Kensington Museums, Madame Tussauds and Primrose Hill
Tickets from £29.00: Madame Tussauds
Day 3, 10:00 am: morning at a top London museum
Many of London’s leading museums are free to visit. This includes both the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum, two of the best for kids. To visit one of these, head to South Kensington to start off your third day in the city.
Natural History Museum
Explore 4.6 billion years of our planet’s history at the Natural History Museum. The galleries focus on themes such as Birds, Mammals, Volcanoes, and the famed Dinosaur Gallery. A new garden space recently opened that takes you through the history of the earth as you walk through it.
You can also book tours to help engage the kids with the history. Check out this Dinosaur Discovery tour to learn more about the prehistoric past.
Science Museum
For those curious about the world around them, the Science Museum examines scientific theories and discoveries.
Visitors hear inspiring stories and see significant objects from across history. They can also visit the Wonderlab, which costs £15.00 and is an interactive gallery for kids.
The Wonderlab features friction slides, a chemistry bar, and live demos to help visitors learn more about our world.
Day 3, 1:00 pm: lunch in Hyde Park
After a museum visit, you could walk up to Hyde Park. The kids have lots of space to run around, including the Hyde Park Playground. It’s an excellent spot for a picnic lunch or to get something from one of the park cafes.
Day 3, 2:00 pm: afternoon in Madame Tussauds
You can hop on the number 74 or 13 bus from Marble Arch for a short ride to Madame Tussauds. It’s one of London’s most established attractions and hugely popular. It features life-like waxworks of famous faces from film and music, as well as the Royal Family. Expect a ton of brilliant photo opportunities.
In Madame Tussauds there are also sections exploring the history of London via the Taxi Cab ride and the fictional worlds of Marvel and Star Wars. The Marvel Universe 4D experience is a highlight for many and is included in your ticket.
Day 3, 6:30 pm: evening in Primrose Hill with a picnic or enjoy dinner at Bill’s
If the weather is good, walking through The Regent’s Park to Primrose Hill makes for a lovely evening. Primrose Hill is a beautiful spot for a picnic or takeaway dinner, where you can watch the sunset over London.
Alternatively, should the weather be cold or rainy, the restaurant Bill’s near Madame Tussauds is a great option.
From here, you could then walk or get the bus into Soho. With Oxford Circus and Regent Street, it’s London’s famous shopping district.
If with kids, visiting Hamleys toy shop with interactive displays and demonstrations is good fun. The area is also known for stunning Christmas lights if you visit during that season.
Day 4 of 4-day London Itinerary
St Paul’s Cathedral, Borough Market, Tower of London, Sky Garden
Tickets from £34.80: Tower of London
Day 4, 10:00 am: morning at St Paul’s Cathedral
For the final day in London, you could start it off than a view over the city from the top of St Paul’s Cathedral’s dome.
The Cathedral has been at the centre of London life for hundreds of years. Built by Britain’s most famous architect, Sir Christopher Wren, it is a beautiful building in itself. Start with the glorious interiors before climbing to the Whispering Gallery and then out at the iconic dome.
Day 4, 1:00 pm: lunch at Borough Market
From the Cathedral, you can cross the river at the Millennium Bridge. Walk along the Thames, passing the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe.
You’ll then end up at Borough Market, London’s most famous food market, where there is lots of street food to try. Have a good wander around trying some free samples before deciding what to have for lunch.
Day 4, 2:00 pm: walk across Tower Bridge
If you continue along the river, you will soon see the iconic Tower Bridge. Potters Fields Park, right by the river, offers the perfect group photo opportunity with Tower Bridge behind.
You can then cross the bridge with views along the Thames and arrive at the Tower of London.
Day 4, 2:45 pm: spend the afternoon at the Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of the capital city’s oldest buildings and most famous landmarks. This World Heritage Site is full of almost a thousand years of history, being home to medieval monarchs, including Henry VIII.
It’s where Guy Fawkes was imprisoned and Anne Bolyen was executed. It also houses the Crown Jewels and is home to the Tower’s ravens.
Day 4, 6:00 pm: evening views of London and dinner at Sky Garden
On your final evening in London, why not take the opportunity to see as much of the city as possible?
The Sky Garden is free to visit with a pre-booked ticket and is located on top of a skyscraper. It offers unbeatable views of the city, perfect for watching as the sun sets and the city lights up.
There are different restaurants up there where you can sit down to a meal with a view. Book as soon as possible, as tickets go fast.
How to spend four days in London
To spend four days in London, plan ahead and choose the sights and attractions you most want to visit. On day 1, you could start off by seeing the sights of Westminster, which includes Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. St James’s Park is a good spot for lunch before heading up The Mall to Trafalgar Square and visiting the National Gallery. In the evening, you could get dinner in Chinatown before taking an evening river cruise.
On day 2 in London, you might want to head to the Southbank, where you can visit the London Aquarium, Shrek’s Adventure, and the London Eye. You can then spend the afternoon in Covent Garden before catching a show in the West End.
The free museums in South Kensington, such as the Natural History Museum, make for a great start to day 3. Take some time to explore Hyde Park before visiting Madame Tussauds. From there, The Regent’s Park is close by and worth a visit. Primrose Hill gives you views of London and is an excellent spot for a picnic or takeaway.
On the 4th and final day in London, you could start by climbing up St Paul’s Cathedral. From there, cross the Millennium Bridge to Borough Market for lunch. Y
ou can then easily walk along the river to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London to explore medieval history. Heading up to the Sky Garden would be the perfect end to your time in London.
You can dine with breathtaking city views from high up in one of its skyscrapers. Watch the sunset over London and spot the places you’ve visited over the last four days.
Money-saving tips for visiting London
There are many ways to save money when in London, along with many free events and attractions. Look at our list of free art galleries in London for ideas. A trip to London doesn’t have to be expensive.
Multi-attraction tickets
Save up to 50% with a multi-attraction ticket. It lets you book popular attractions together, including Madame Tussauds, The London Eye, and Shrek’s Adventure.
Attraction Passes
The London Pass will get you free access or discounts to many London attractions. The London can also be used at a number of attractions outside of London, including LEGOLAND and Chessington World of Adventure.
2-for-1 offers
National Rail has some fantastic 2-for-1 deals for those travelling into London by train.
How to travel around London with kids
To travel around London with kids, use the city’s public transport network. The underground service and buses in London are brilliant.
Under 5’s travel free on these Transport for London services. You can also get free or discounted travel for children aged 5 years+ by getting a Zip Oyster photo card.
You can also walk between many London attractions. Download the CityMapper app or use Google Maps to check walking distance between sights.
The Uber Thames Clipper boats run regularly along the Thames. They stop at various points along the river and are a fast, fun way to travel across London. You can get a day pass to hop on and off as much as you want.
International travel to London
International travel to London is easy thanks to its number of major airports. Fly into Heathrow, Gatwick, or Stansted for a quick arrival. From there, you can easily access London’s brilliant attractions and historic sights.
FAQs
Is four days enough time in London?
Four days is enough time to spend in London as it gives you enough days to see the major sights and attractions and get a real feel for the city. However, with there being so much to see and do in London, it is worth planning ahead. Prioritise what you want to see so you can be sure not to miss anything!
How much will I spend in London for four days?
Four days in London will cost approximately £360 per person using this itinerary. This excludes accommodation and the cost of additional tours. On average, a day in London costs approximately £90 per person, using our 4-day itinerary. You may also want to budget for some extra money to spend on a souvenir or two.
How many days is ideal to visit London?
Three days is ideal for visiting London to see all the famous landmarks and visit the best attractions. However, there is so much to do in London that you can easily spend anything from 1 to 10+ days in London. If you stay in the city longer, you can uncover more of London’s rich history. You’ll also be able to get a taste of the different neighbourhoods. Even if you have one day in London, you will still have a worthwhile day out, getting to see iconic sights and a feel for London’s culture.
No matter how long you are visiting London, get the most out of your stay with our London itineraries:
Where to stay in London for four days?
There are lots of great places to stay in London for four days, such as the Corinthia. London has lots of hotels with family rooms including the Royal Lancaster Hotel and the luxurious Lanesborough. For more budget friendly family hotels in London, take a look at the Premier Inn County Hall. Another great accommodation option is an aparthotel where you’ll get much more space. Wilde Aparthotels and Native Apartments are two to look into.