London began as a Roman outpost called Londinium and grew into a capital that shaped the modern world. Today, it is a collage of royal pageantry, riverside skylines, and neighborhoods layered with history—from medieval lanes to glassy towers.

Across four days you’ll explore icons like Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London, graze through markets, and wander the South Bank at golden hour. You’ll ride a classic open-top bus for sweeping city views and, if you wish, venture into England’s countryside to see Stonehenge and Bath in a single day.

Practical notes: Tap a contactless card/phone on buses and the Tube (no need to buy a separate Oyster card). Tipping is 10–12.5% at restaurants if service isn’t already included. Weather changes fast—carry a light layer and compact umbrella. UK plugs are Type G.

London

London is a city of villages: grand Westminster, maritime Greenwich, spirited Camden, elegant Mayfair, edgy Shoreditch, and bookish Bloomsbury. Expect centuries-old pubs beside street art, Michelin menus near pie-and-mash shops, and world-class museums that are often free.

• Top sights: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben/Elizabeth Tower, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern, British Museum, Covent Garden, Camden Market, Notting Hill.
• Why visit now: Year-round theater, ever-evolving food markets, and a riverfront that glows at sunset. London is walkable, safe, and endlessly photogenic.
• Local flavors to try: Curries and biryanis, a proper Sunday roast, flaky sausage rolls, salt beef bagels, British cheese, and afternoon tea rituals.

How to get there and around

• Flights within Europe and from nearby hubs: Compare on Omio (flights). Expect 1–3 hours from major European cities; fares often $60–$180 if booked early.
• Trains in Europe/UK (e.g., Eurostar to St Pancras, UK intercity): Search times and prices on Omio (trains). Paris–London is ~2h15 on Eurostar; Brussels–London ~2h. Advance fares often $60–$150.
• Buses for budget travel: See Omio (buses) for cheap links from UK cities and European hubs.
• Flying in from outside Europe: Check global fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com (flights).

Where to stay (central picks for easy sightseeing):

• Search all stays: Hotels.com: London | VRBO: London
• Classic luxury on the Strand: The Savoy (legendary service, riverside setting, iconic American Bar).
• Best for families by the Eye: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (pool, spacious rooms, walk to Big Ben).
• Historic-value on the South Bank: Premier Inn London County Hall (unbeatable location, reliable comfort).
• City base near the Tower: Novotel London Tower Bridge (sauna/steam room, steps from the Tower and Thames).
• Wallet-friendly in Kings Cross: Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras (compact, modern, great transport).
• Stylish budget hostel: YHA London Central or YHA London St Pancras (clean dorms/private rooms, social vibe).

Day 1: Arrival, Covent Garden Charms, and a Sunset City Loop

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs in Covent Garden’s piazza—street performers, artisan stalls, and boutiques tucked into the historic market halls. Coffee at Monmouth Coffee (single-origin pour-overs) or flatbreads and dips at The Barbary Next Door for a light late lunch. If you prefer a food hall with range, Seven Dials Market has bao, ramen, and sweet treats under one roof.

Evening: Get the lay of the land on the Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (24–48hr pass; budget ~£35–£55). Ride an open-top loop at golden hour for sweeping views of Trafalgar Square, St. Paul’s, Tower Bridge, and the Houses of Parliament.

Disembark near the South Bank for a riverside walk.

Dinner and drinks: Book Dishoom Covent Garden for a celebratory first-night feast—order the chicken ruby, black daal, and the bacon naan if you fancy breakfast-for-dinner. For a classic British plate, Hawksmoor Seven Dials does exceptional native-breed steak and sticky toffee pudding. Nightcap at Gordon’s Wine Bar (candlelit Victorian cellar) or at The American Bar in The Savoy for Art Deco glamour.

Day 2: Royals, Abbeys, and the Tower

Morning: Fuel up at Regency Café (1930s Art Deco “caff,” hearty fry-ups) or The Wolseley on Piccadilly (silver-service pastries and eggs). Then join the Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Guided Tour of London for priority Abbey entry and expert stories of coronations, poets, and kings—often timed to catch the Changing of the Guard.

After the tour, stroll St. James’s Park for postcard views of Buckingham Palace.

Afternoon: Head to the Tower of London with prebooked Tower of London and Crown Jewels tickets (allow 2–3 hours; tickets ~£30–£37). Join a Yeoman Warder talk, see the Crown Jewels glitter, and climb medieval battlements.

Snap the city from Tower Bridge, then detour to WatchHouse Tower Bridge for a flat white.

Lunch: Borough Market is a short riverside walk away—try Kappacasein’s legendary raclette toastie, Padella’s silky hand-rolled pappardelle with beef shin ragu, or Brindisa’s chorizo roll with piquillo pepper. If you want classic fish and chips, Poppies in nearby Spitalfields is a reliable bet.

Evening: Dinner at Gunpowder Tower Bridge (creative Indian small plates—venison doughnuts, maa’s kashmiri lamb chops) or Swift Borough for cocktails and a refined small menu. Consider a West End show (from big-hitters like Hamilton and Wicked to plays at the National Theatre across the river). Post-curtain, wander the South Bank lit up against the Thames.

Day 3: Day Trip—Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath

Trade the city for the English countryside on the Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath from London tour.

Expect an early start and a full-day coach experience (~11–12 hours). You’ll explore Windsor’s regal precincts, stand before Stonehenge’s prehistoric circle on Salisbury Plain, and admire Bath’s honey-colored Georgian crescents with time to see the Roman Baths (entry often optional). Bring layers and comfortable shoes; lunch is usually on your own—try a warm Sally Lunn bun in Bath or a cozy pub near the Abbey. Back in London by evening, unwind with a casual supper.

Back-in-London dinner ideas: The Blackfriar (ornate Art Nouveau pub with proper pies and ales), Roti King (near Euston; famous for flaky roti canai and rich kari), or Bao Soho (Taiwanese milk buns and crispy fried chicken).

Day 4: Museums, Markets, and a Fond Farewell

Morning: Start in Bloomsbury at the British Museum (free; highlights include the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon sculptures—arrive at opening for quieter galleries). Coffee at Kaffeine (Aussie-style espresso, excellent pastries) or a full breakfast at Honey & Co. Bloomsbury (modern Middle Eastern bakes and shakshuka).

Afternoon (pre-departure): Make a last stroll through Covent Garden’s Neal’s Yard for photos and cheese tasting at Neal’s Yard Dairy. If time allows, hop to Camden Market for global street eats—Oli Baba’s halloumi fries, Arepazo Bros arepas, or The Cheese Wheel’s carbonara tossed in a Parmesan wheel. Alternatively, Notting Hill’s pastel terraces and Portobello (best on Fri/Sat) are film-set pretty. Grab a farewell lunch at Barrafina Coal Drops Yard (counter-seat tapas—tortilla and razor clams) or Dishoom King’s Cross for a final bacon naan or biryani.

Departure tips: Heathrow Express from Paddington (~15 minutes), Elizabeth line from central stations (~30–40 minutes), or Piccadilly line Tube (~50–60 minutes) depending on budget and traffic. For Gatwick, the Thameslink or Gatwick Express from Victoria/St Pancras is straightforward.

Optional Add-Ons if You Extend or Swap

• Harry Potter fans: consider a half-day at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour (book well in advance).
• Greenwich: ride a Thames boat, stand on the Prime Meridian, and tour the Cutty Sark and Royal Observatory.
• Museum lovers: V&A for design, Tate Modern for contemporary art (walk the Millennium Bridge to St. Paul’s afterward).

Alternate activity (book early): If you’d rather swap Day 3’s countryside for wizarding magic, go with the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport from London.

Plan ~6–7 hours door-to-door; the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts Express sets are highlights.

Final foodie checklist: British cheese board, sticky toffee pudding, a proper curry, a Sunday roast if your trip includes Sunday (roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, seasonal veg), and an afternoon tea (The Savoy, Fortnum & Mason, or Sketch) for scones and clotted cream.

With royal history, river views, and market bites woven through your days, London reveals itself in layers both grand and intimate. This four-day plan balances headliners with neighborhood texture so you depart full of stories—and already plotting a return.