4-Day London Itinerary: Towers, Royals, and Mysterious Circles

A 4-day London itinerary lets you stretch out. You’ll check off the bucket list, escape the city for a day, dig into local culture, and still have time to breathe. From ancient fortresses and royal pageantry to world-class museums and modern rooftop cocktails, this itinerary balances intensity and ease. Let’s make every hour count.

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All London Itineraries

✈️ Getting to London

London has six major airports, but most international travelers fly into Heathrow (LHR) or Gatwick (LGW).

• Heathrow Express: 15-minute non-stop train to Paddington
• Elizabeth Line: More affordable, connects to key central locations
• Gatwick Express: Direct to Victoria Station, ideal for central stays

Coming from Paris? Take the Eurostar—2 hours city center to city center.

Pro Tip: No need for paper tickets on the Tube—just tap your credit card or phone.

Day 1: Towers, Traitors & East London Flavor

☕️ 8:00 AM – Coffee at Ozone Coffee

📍10-12 Creechurch Ln, London EC3A 5AY


Kick off your 4-day London itinerary with a coffee from this sleek café near the Tower of London. Go for a flat white and a pastry.

📖 More recs → Where to Eat Near the Tower of London

🕐 9:00 AM – The Tower of London

👉 Book the London Tower Tour


Begin your trip where London’s oldest stories still echo. You’ll explore:

• Traitor’s Gate and the old execution sites
• The White Tower, started by William the Conqueror
• The Crown Jewels, kept under armed guard

Your guide brings royal scandals, rebellions, and chilling superstitions to life.

INTERESTING FACT: Six ravens are kept on-site at all times to prevent the fall of the monarchy—yes, seriously.

🍽️ 12:00 PM – Lunch at E Pellicci

📍332 Bethnal Green Rd, London E2 0AG


A family-run East End café serving fry-ups, meat pies, and Italian-British comfort food since 1900.

📖 More recs → Where to Eat Near the Tower of London

🕐 1:30 PM – Tate Modern + Walk the South Bank

Cross the Millennium Bridge to the bold, industrial halls of Tate Modern. Browse striking contemporary works, then stroll along the South Bank for bookstalls, buskers, and river views.

📖 More recs → Best Things to Do in London

🍸 5:00 PM – Aperitivo at Lyaness

📍20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD


Inside Sea Containers London, this award-winning cocktail bar serves experimental drinks with a riverfront backdrop.

📖 More recs → Best Cocktail Bars in London

🍽️ 7:00 PM – Dinner at Padella, Borough Market

📍6 Southwark St, London SE1 1TQ


Fresh pasta, high energy, and no reservations—expect a queue, but it’s worth it. Don’t miss the pici cacio e pepe.

📖 More recs → Borough Market Guide

Day 2: Royals, Westminster & Cultural Icons

☕️ 8:00 AM – Coffee at Catalyst Coffee

📍48 Gray’s Inn Rd, London WC1X 8LT


Smooth espresso, seasonal pour-overs, and great pastries—this minimalist café fuels you up for a royal morning.

🕐 9:00 AM – Westminster Abbey & Changing of the Guard

👉 Book the Changing of the Guard Tour


Join a local guide as you walk from Parliament Square through Westminster Abbey, past Downing Street, and through St. James’s Park to Buckingham Palace. End with the Changing of the Guard, skipping the crowds and getting real context along the way.

INTERESTING FACT: The Changing of the Guard doesn’t just happen at Buckingham—check the day to see if Horse Guards Parade is featured instead.

🍽️ 12:30 PM – Lunch at The Admiralty

📍66 Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DS


A no-nonsense pub steps from the National Gallery, serving proper fish and chips and pies with mash and gravy.

📖 More recs → Where to Eat Near Buckingham Palace

🕐 2:00 PM – National Gallery + British Museum

Start at the National Gallery to take in masterpieces by da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh. Then walk or take the Tube to the British Museum, where you’ll see the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and ancient mummies.

📖 More recs → Guide to the British Museum

INTERESTING FACT: The British Museum was the first national public museum in the world—and it’s still free to enter.

🍸 6:00 PM – Aperitivo at Bar Termini

📍7 Old Compton St, London W1D 5JE


Tight on space, huge on style—Bar Termini is your go-to for classic Negronis and aperitivo snacks in Soho.

🍽️ 7:30 PM – Dinner at Café TPT

📍21 Wardour St, London W1D 6PN


Casual Chinatown staple for Cantonese stir-fries, roast duck, and crispy noodles. Fast, affordable, and full of locals.

Day 3: Castles, Stone Circles & Roman Streets

☕️ 7:00 AM – Coffee at Rosslyn Coffee

📍78 Queen Victoria St, London EC4N 4SJ


Grab a strong flat white from this fast-paced specialty café before hopping on your tour bus.

🕐 7:45 AM – Day Trip to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath

👉 Book the Small Group Day Tour to Bath, Windsor Castle, and Stonehenge


Spend the day exploring England’s greatest hits with a pro guide and small group:

• Windsor Castle: See the lavish State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel, burial place of Queen Elizabeth II
  
  
• Stonehenge: Walk the mysterious outer ring of this prehistoric wonder and learn the myths, facts, and folklore
  
  
• Bath: Wander the Georgian streets, visit the Roman Baths, and snap pics of the Royal Crescent
  

Lunch is on your own in Bath—local pubs and historic tea rooms are easy to find.

INTERESTING FACT: Stonehenge’s largest stones, or sarsens, weigh up to 25 tons and were transported from 20 miles away—with no wheels.

🍸 6:30 PM – Aperitivo at Scarfes Bar

📍252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN

Opulent and cozy, this cocktail bar tucked inside the Rosewood Hotel feels like an old-world library crossed with a gentleman’s club.

📖 More recs → Best Cocktail Bars in London

🍽️ 8:00 PM – Dinner at Noble Rot

📍51 Lamb’s Conduit St, London WC1N 3NB


A relaxed wine bar with a reputation for great seasonal British food. Think wild mushrooms, rare roast beef, and proper desserts.

Day 4: Leisure, Landmarks & Last-Minute London

☕️ 9:00 AM – Coffee at WatchHouse, Marylebone

📍7 New Cavendish St, London W1G 8UU


A sleek café with house-roasted beans and a relaxed pace—perfect for easing into your final day.

🕐 10:00 AM – Harrods & Knightsbridge Window Shopping

Start at Harrods for designer goods and food hall indulgence, then wander Knightsbridge for boutiques, florists, and posh people-watching.

📖 More recs → The Best London Shopping Itinerary

🕐12:00 PM – Visit the V&A or Stroll Hyde Park

If you want more culture, the Victoria & Albert Museum is nearby and loaded with fashion, sculpture, and design. Or skip the museums and stroll Hyde Park, maybe even rent a paddle boat on the Serpentine.

🍽️ 1:30 PM – Lunch at The Ivy Café, Marylebone

📍96 Marylebone Ln, London W1U 2QA


A polished but relaxed spot with British comfort food and great people-watching in one of central London’s loveliest neighborhoods.

🕐 3:00 PM – Last-Minute Shopping on Oxford Street

Walk off lunch with a loop around Oxford Street and Regent Street. Stock up on gifts at Liberty, grab snacks at Selfridges, or pop into quirky UK brands like Jo Malone or Hamleys for the kids.

📖 More recs → Best Shopping in London for Every Budget

🍸 5:00 PM – Aperitivo at Aqua Kyoto Rooftop

📍240 Regent St, London W1B 3BR


Wrap up your trip with a final drink overlooking the London skyline—order a spritz or something sharp, and toast to a well-spent four days.

📖 More recs → Best Rooftop Bars in London

🍽️ 7:30 PM – Dinner at Casa do Frango

📍31-33 Heddon St, London W1B 4BN


Finish your trip with flame-grilled piri-piri chicken, garlic prawns, and custard tarts at this lively Portuguese spot just off Carnaby Street.

Best Time to Visit London

• Spring and fall offer the best mix of sunshine and manageable crowds.
  
  
• Summer is lively but busy, and winter’s charm lies in fewer tourists and cozy corners.

How Much Does a 4-Day London Itinerary Cost?

• Budget: £200–£300 (hostels, free museums, Tube passes)
  
  
• Mid-range: £500–£800 (tours, restaurants, transport)
  
  
• Luxury: £1,000+ (private guides, high-end dining, boutique hotels)

What You’ll Leave With

• A mental timeline that stretches from Roman baths to royal weddings
  
  
• New favorite meals and probably a souvenir you didn’t plan on
  
  
• A sense that London deserves a second (and third) trip

Final Thoughts: 4-Day London Itinerary

Four days in London is a deep breath of a city that never stops. From medieval towers to modern cocktails, royal pomp to pub lunches, you’ve just scratched the surface—and it’s already unforgettable.