Few cities layer history and modern life as effortlessly as London. Roman walls peek out behind glass towers, while black cabs weave past Gothic spires and gleaming galleries. From the Crown Jewels to street art murals, London rewards curious travelers with stories at every corner—and photo ops from sunrise to blue hour.

Founded by the Romans as Londinium, the city has survived fire, plague, and blitz, reinventing itself into a capital of culture and creativity. Its free museums are among the world’s best, its food markets rival any capital, and its neighborhoods—from Notting Hill to Shoreditch—each feel like a different city.

Practical notes: Tap a contactless card or phone on the Tube and buses (Oyster works too) for the best fares. Tipping is typically 10–12.5% when not already included. Pack layers and a compact umbrella; London’s weather changes quickly, and golden-hour light after rain can be spectacular for photography.

London

London dazzles with blockbuster sights—Big Ben, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s—and delights with local rituals: a flat white at a tiny roastery, a canal walk to Camden, or a Sunday browse at Columbia Road Flower Market. Neighborhoods are the star; plan time to wander.

• Top sights: Westminster, Tower of London, London Eye, St Paul’s, Trafalgar Square, the British Museum, Tate Modern, Greenwich Park.
• Local life: Borough Market nibbles, Shoreditch street art, Saturdays on Portobello Road, a mews stroll in South Kensington, pints in storied pubs.
• Great for photos: Millennium Bridge to St Paul’s axis, views from the South Bank and Waterloo Bridge, sunset from Greenwich, pastel facades in Notting Hill.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras — Smart budget rooms, walkable to the British Library and quick hops across the city.
• YHA London Central — Clean, social, and central; great value near Oxford Circus for easy Tube connections.
• Premier Inn London County Hall — Family‑friendly and steps from the Thames, the London Eye, and the South Bank.
• Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London — Spacious rooms with skyline views and a prime location between Big Ben and the South Bank.
• The Savoy — The grande dame on the Strand; for a splurge with old‑school glamour.
• Browse more stays: VRBO London | Hotels.com London

How to get here: For flights within or to/from Europe and for trains across the UK and Europe, compare options on Omio flights (Europe) and Omio trains. For long‑haul flights from outside Europe, check Trip.com flights. Typical airport transfers: Heathrow to central London ~50–60 minutes by Tube (~£6–7) or ~15 minutes on Heathrow Express; Gatwick to Victoria ~30–35 minutes; Stansted to Liverpool Street ~45–50 minutes.

Day 1: Westminster, the South Bank, and a Skyline Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags. Start at Westminster for first‑look photos of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. Cross Westminster Bridge to the South Bank and stroll riverside performers, bookstalls, and views toward St Paul’s.

Afternoon (coffee & bites): Pick up a flat white at WatchHouse Tower Bridge or Monmouth Coffee (Borough), and a quick bite at Southbank Centre Food Market (weekends; bao, Sri Lankan kottu, Venezuelan arepas).

Evening: Catch golden hour on the The London Eye Entry Ticket for sweeping views of the Thames and Parliament. Book a dusk slot for dreamy light.

Dinner: Nearby, try Dishoom Covent Garden (Bombay comfort classics; order the black daal and bacon naan), OXO Tower Brasserie for riverside views, or Flat Iron Covent Garden for excellent steak at friendly prices. Night shots: stand on Waterloo Bridge for reflections and skyline panoramas.

Day 2: Tower of London, Borough Market, and Bankside to St Paul’s

Morning: Dive into 1,000 years of intrigue at the Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket. Arrive for opening to see the Crown Jewels with fewer crowds, then loop the ramparts for camera‑ready angles of Tower Bridge.

Lunch: Walk 12 minutes to Borough Market. Graze on Kappacasein’s toasted cheese sandwich, Richard Haward’s oysters with lemon and Tabasco, and Bread Ahead’s custard donuts. Grab coffee at Monmouth and fruit from Turnips; photographers will love the wrought‑iron hall and produce displays.

Afternoon: Cross Millennium Bridge for that classic St Paul’s vista, then choose a museum: Tate Modern (free; turbine hall installations) or the Bankside walk toward Shakespeare’s Globe. For more photos, head to the One New Change rooftop for a mirrored view of St Paul’s dome.

Evening: Soho for dinner and nightlife. Book Bancone (silk handkerchief pasta with walnut butter), Hoppers (Sri Lankan hoppers and black pork curry), or Barrafina (tapas; order the tortilla). Optional: a West End show or a late‑night gelato at Gelupo.

Day 3: Churchill War Rooms, South Kensington Museums, and a Thames Cruise

Morning: Walk Westminster with a historian and descend into Britain’s WWII nerve center on the WW2 London Walking Tour & Churchill War Rooms Entrance Ticket. The preserved map rooms and personal artifacts make the era palpable; it’s a powerful, museum‑rich experience.

Lunch: Head to Regency Cafe (art‑deco icon; hearty English breakfasts and roast lunches) or The Laughing Halibut for crispy cod and chips. For lighter fare, Ottolenghi Belgravia offers vibrant salads and pastries.

Afternoon: Museum‑hop in South Kensington. Choose the V&A (design and decorative arts), Natural History Museum (hint: the Hintze Hall blue whale is a stunner), or the Science Museum. Photographers: detour to Kynance Mews for ivy‑clad arches and pastel mews houses.

Evening: Toast the city on a London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River—glide past St Paul’s, the Shard, and Tower Bridge while dining with live entertainment.

Post‑cruise: If you prefer a land evening, settle into The Churchill Arms (Kensington) for Thai food under a canopy of flowers, or sip cask ales at The Harp near Covent Garden.

Day 4: Shoreditch Street Art, Spitalfields, and Farewell Lunch (Departure Day)

Morning: Explore Shoreditch’s murals and creative storefronts—Rivington Street, Chance Street, and around Brick Lane change weekly, so it’s a photographer’s playground. Pop into Ozone Coffee Roasters or Origin for specialty brews and a hearty brunch (eggs on sourdough, sweetcorn fritters).

Late morning: Browse Old Spitalfields Market (designers, vinyl, vintage) and pick up last‑minute gifts. If you’re craving something sweet, head to Beigel Bake on Brick Lane for a classic salt beef bagel with mustard and pickles.

Early lunch & depart: Grab a quick bite before your afternoon flight/train: Dumpling Shack (shengjian bao) and Bleecker Burger inside Spitalfields are fast and excellent. Allow at least 60–90 minutes to reach Heathrow or Gatwick, factoring in station access and security.

Optional swaps and add‑ons (time permitting):

• Harry Potter fans: Book the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport on a spare half‑day; it’s a bit outside London but cinematic magic for photographers too.

Eating and drinking—extra favorites by area:

• Covent Garden/Soho: The Palomar (modern Jerusalem plates), Hoppers (Sri Lankan), Lina Stores (fresh pasta), Barrafina (Spanish).
• South Bank/Bankside: Padella (pici cacio e pepe), Tap & Bottle (wine bar), Fish! at Borough (day‑boat fish).
• Notting Hill/Kensington: The Ledbury (fine dining), Granger & Co. (Aussie brunch), Farm Girl (healthy bowls), Electric Diner (all‑day crowd‑pleaser).
• Shoreditch: BRAT (wood‑fire), Manteca (nose‑to‑tail Italian), Smokestak (smoked meats), Lyle’s (seasonal tasting menu).

Local logistics and money‑savvy tips (budget ≈ 50/100):

• Use contactless/Oyster; daily caps keep costs down (Zones 1–2 cap ≈ £8–£9). Many museums are free—plan paid entries selectively.
• Time entries for the Tower and Eye early or late for fewer lines. Reserve popular restaurants; walk‑in bars at Bancone, Barrafina, and Flat Iron move quickly.
• Best photo light: sunrise on the South Bank, dusk on Waterloo Bridge, and sunset in Greenwich Park or Primrose Hill.

Train and flight planning (summary): Compare UK and European trains on Omio trains. For intra‑Europe flights, see Omio flights. For long‑haul routes from outside Europe, check Trip.com flights. Heathrow–central London is ~15 minutes by express trains or ~50 minutes by Tube; Gatwick and Stansted express services reach central hubs in ~30–50 minutes.

One‑click stays (more options): Budget hostels like YHA London St Pancras keep costs low near King’s Cross; mid‑range business hotels such as Novotel London Tower Bridge put you by the City and the Thames.

In four days, you’ll see London’s greatest hits and its everyday magic—markets, mews, murals, and river light. Come hungry, walk often, and keep your camera handy; this city rewards the wanderer as much as the planner.