Visiting London for four days gives you just enough time to see the city’s iconic landmarks — and still discover its local charm and hidden corners.
I had been here once before, about twenty years ago. I wasn’t sure what to expect this time — and yet, I found that nothing had changed, and everything had changed.
London is timeless, and constantly reinventing itself.
The first day is all about Westminster — the royal and political heart of the city, where history and modern life meet at every corner.
🏰 Westminster – Royal and Historic London
You might be surprised to learn that Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey are not actually part of the City of London, but belong to the City of Westminster — the very center of power and tradition.
Start your morning at the London Eye, the 123-meter-high Ferris wheel that offers a panoramic view of the Thames and the city skyline. From there, walk across the bridge to the Westminster Abbey — one of Britain’s most treasured sites.
⛪ Westminster Abbey – Where History Breathes
Even if you don’t go inside, the sight alone is breathtaking. This is where every British monarch has been crowned since 1066, and where over 3,000 of the nation’s most influential figures rest — scientists, writers, composers, nobles, and kings.
If there isn’t a long queue, it’s worth going in. Highlights include:
- 👑 The Coronation Chair
- 🚪 The Chapter House and Britain’s oldest surviving door (around 1050)
- 💎 The Pyx Chamber, London’s oldest room
- 🌹 The Lady Chapel, a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture
Standing inside, surrounded by centuries of history, it’s impossible not to feel moved — I still remembered seeing Queen Elizabeth II here two decades ago, waving from her car.
☕ Coffee Break – Arome Bakery
Not far from Westminster, there’s a little gem you shouldn’t miss: Arome Bakery — a French–Asian bakery that has become one of my favorite discoveries in London.
Their honey butter toast and miso pear pastry are simply divine.
It’s the perfect stop to rest your feet and recharge before continuing your walk toward St. James’s Park.
🕰️ Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament & St. James’s Park
From Westminster Abbey, walk toward the Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament — two of London’s most photographed landmarks.
There’s often a protest or two taking place outside; somehow, that’s part of the charm of British democracy.
Then stroll along Birdcage Walk to St. James’s Park, one of the most beautiful green spaces in the city. In spring, the flower beds are a riot of color, and you might even spot the park’s famous pelicans (who have lived here since the 1600s!).
If you time it right, you can catch the Changing of the Guard at 11:00 AM — it’s crowded, but truly worth seeing at least once.
👑 Buckingham Palace & Trafalgar Square
No trip to Westminster is complete without seeing Buckingham Palace, the residence of the British monarch. After a few photos, take The Mall towards Trafalgar Square — a lively square watched over by Nelson’s Column and the majestic stone lions.
Street musicians, artists, and tourists mingle here, creating that unmistakable London energy.
(You’ll visit the National Gallery here later — on Day 3!)
🎨 Vaults of London: Art, Shadows, and Underground Magic
Before heading to dinner, make time for something truly unexpected — the Vaults of London beneath Waterloo Station.
Hidden under the railway arches lies a world of street art, immersive theatre, and underground exhibitions. The walls are covered in colorful graffiti and surreal installations that feel like stepping into London’s creative subconscious.
It’s bold, chaotic, and absolutely captivating — a reminder that this city’s pulse beats as strongly underground as it does above.
🎭 Covent Garden and the London Evening
End your first day in Covent Garden, where street performers, boutiques, and covered markets fill the air with life and laughter.
It might be touristy, but it’s also irresistibly London.
Grab a pint at The Red Lion — one of the city’s oldest pubs — and enjoy the warm, cozy atmosphere that makes you feel like you belong.
Dinner? Of course — it has to be fish and chips, hot and crispy, just as it should be in London.
Westminster is where London’s heartbeat is strongest — a mix of grandeur, history, and everyday life.
By the end of the day, you’ll understand why this city captures hearts again and again: it’s old and new, elegant and raw, royal and real.