LONDON TRAVEL GUIDE

London is a huge city with so many things to do and see.  We have been three times and still haven’t seen everything we’d like to see.  The following travel guide will allow you to see some of the most popular attractions in London in four days, but keep in mind that because there is so much here this will be a busy schedule and you will only be able to walk by some things while going inside to tour others.

The daily itinerary is set up by geographical area so that you can fit in as much as possible and make the most of your time.  If you are able to be there longer you can spread it out more and add some of the additional attractions in the list at the end of this post.

DAY 1

#1 Buckingham Palace

#2 10 Downing Street

#3 Churchill War Rooms

During the Second World War, the Churchill War Rooms were the underground headquarters of the British war effort. In these halls, you can see the ways in which the Prime Minister and members of the effort lived while trying to keep the Empire alive against the advance of the Axis Powers.

#4 Westminster Abbey

The site of many royal weddings and coronations and the final resting place for many monarchs, Westminster Abbey, is one of London’s most glorious sites. From the grand vaulted ceiling to the murals, pointed arches and rose windows, this Gothic style church is a must-see.

#5 Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament

Formally known as The Palace of Westminster, the Houses of Parliament is one of the most recognizable landmarks in London.  It sits along the River Thames and is the seat of the British government.  Big Ben, one of the largest and most reliable four-faced clocks in existance, is the highlight of the massive Gothic structure and is one of the most notable sights in the world.  Tours are available for the interior of the Houses of Parliament year-round.

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Day 2

#6 Tower Bridge

Another defining landmark, the Tower Bridge unites the banks of the River Thames with its sweeping metal supports and its Victorian Gothic architecture. From within the bridge’s viewing platform above, you can look through the glass floor at the rush of traffic below, giving you a whole new feel of the movement of London Life.

#7 Tower of London

#8 Leadenhall Market

Dating back to 1321, Leadenhall Market is a covered market filled with shops, cafes, wine bars, and pubs.  Its Victorian architecture, glass roof, and cobblestone walkways make it lovely place to eat, drink, shop, or just relax.  You may also recognize it from the Harry Potter films, as part of it was filmed here.

#9 St Paul’s Cathedral

#10 Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

#11 Borough Market

#12 See a Musical

The West End area of London is home to some of the most famous theaters and the best shows in the world.  Comparable to Broadway in New York City, the shows are among the finest.  You can catch Hamilton (stage pictured above), Wicked, The Lion King, Book of Mormon, or Phantom of the Opera, just to name a few.  An evening at a London theatre should definitely be on your schedule!

Day 3

#13 Kensington Palace

#14 Hyde Park

#15 Royal Albert Hall

Built in 1871 as a tribute to Queen Victoria’s late husband, Royal Albert Hall is a massive, elaborately designed concert hall.  Book a tour of the building, or purchase a ticket for one of its many events.  The venue has hosted spectacular performances of many genres from classical to pop to ballets and comedy with some of the biggest names in the world like Adele, Harry Styles, Jimi Hendrix, and Fred Astaire.

#16 Victoria and Albert Museum

Founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the Victoria and Albert Museum is unrivaled in its diversity.  It houses over 4 million items including decorative and applied art, design, fashion, and textiles.  Housed in an ornate building that spans 12.5 acres it is easy to spend hours here.

#17 Sherlock Holmes Museum

If you love mystery you should drop by the Sherlock Holmes Museum, home of fiction’s most famous detective located at 221B Baker Street. Immerse yourself in the Victorian style Georgian townhouse with a collection of items related to the most famous cases he solved.

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Day 4

On Day 4 you will need to choose between one of the following suggestions as they are all a little outside of London, so they will take the majority of the day to visit.  We recommend Windsor Castle or Hampton Court Palace or, if you are a tennis fan, Wimbledon Stadium .  You could also squeeze in a tour of the Harry Potter Studio on the same day if you schedule an evening tour.

#18 Windsor Castle

#19 Hampton Court Palace

#20 Harry Potter Studio

Fans of Harry Potter absolutely must visit the studio in Leavesden, just outside of London, where all eight films were made. You’ll witness the magic of how the movies were brought to life with the original sets, costumes, and props. You can walk into the actual Great Hall, Diagon Alley, the Forbidden Forest, Platform 9 3/4, and more.

Additional Days

There are so many other things to do and see in London, including many world-class museums. If you have more than four days in the city you may want to add some of things listed below to your schedule.  Some are things to just walk by, and others are things to tour.

Covent Garden Market
British Museum
Natural History Museum
National Gallery
Tate Britain
London Eye
Covent Garden
Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross from Harry Potter 
Trafalgar Square
Regent’s Park
Hampstead Heath Park

London Cuisine

London offers a wide range of delicious dishes from traditional British pub fare to international cuisines. We love eating in pubs, and we love the classic fish and chips. It seems very simple, but we somehow find ourselves craving it when we’re there. It’s crispy battered fish accompanied by thick-cut chips (French fries to us Americans), served with mushy peas and tartar sauce. The Golden Hind and Poppies are two popular places to try it, but there are many.

Their traditional Sunday roast is very good. It’s a hearty and comforting dish that features succulent slices of beef served alongside fluffy Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, and a selection of seasonal vegetables, often accompanied by a rich gravy. The Guinea Grill and The Harwood Arms are two pubs that serve it well, but, again, there are many places to choose from.

London has a vibrant street food scene that offers an array of global cuisines. Food markets like Borough Market and Camden Market are popular places to sample dishes from all around the world. From Indian curries to Mexican tacos, these markets are a melting pot of flavors and aromas.

The English breakfast is a hearty meal typically consisting of bacon (ham to Americans), eggs, sausages, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, and toast. It is a staple in many London cafes and restaurants, and it is yummy (except for the baked beans— I can’t quite make myself eat baked beans at breakfast. 🤨).

Another quintessential British food experience is the traditional high tea. More of an elegant affair, it usually includes a selection of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and an assortment of delicious pastries and cakes. High tea is not only a delicious treat but also a cultural experience, allowing you to experience a meaningful tradition of British culture.

Where to Stay

There are so many neighborhoods in London, but rather than looking at specific neighborhoods I prefer to look at proximity to the city center.  I suggest that you look at two things when choosing a place to stay in London: 1) Try to stay as close to the center as you can afford, and 2) Try to stay as close to an underground station as possible. 

The closer you stay to the city center the more expensive it will be, but it will be very convenient to all of the main attractions.   The most centrally located areas I look at are Westminster, Kensington, and Chelsea.  If you can find a deal on a place that is central or you have hotel or credit card points that you can use do it! 

If the center is more than your budget allows, it’s not a huge deal.  Just find a place that is close to an underground station, and you’ll be in the center of it all in no time.  I always check any hotel or apartment for its distance from an underground station (or bus or train) and that there are restaurants, bars, and stores nearby.  I recommend entering the address into Apple maps or Google maps and checking the time to a major landmark in the city center as well as the surrounding eateries and shops.

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Transportation

We like to walk around any city as much as possible, but because London is so large it will be necessary to use public transportation at times.  London’s transportation systems are very easy to use.  The underground system, called “The Tube”, is the easiest way to get around the city.  They also have buses, trains, taxis, and a bike-sharing operation.

You can purchase an Oyster Card and “top it up” with money to use on most of the forms of transportation which is very convenient.  A new card costs 7 pounds, but each journey will be discounted from the regular price.  You can purchase a visitor oyster card ahead of time online at or at certain locations around London.  Click here for information on both. 

You can also pay with a credit or debit card at the entrance of the underground stations, buses, etc.  You just tap your card on the machine and walk through.  So easy!  We usually choose this method now as long as it is among the most affordable options.  Be aware though that you can only use one card per person at each entrance.

Currency

The national currency in the United Kingdom is the British Pound (pound sterling) (£).  Click here to get the daily conversion.