How to spend the ultimate long weekend in London

01.10.2024 - 13:23 / lonelyplanet.com

Oct 1, 2024 • 7 min read

London is where I grew up, where I became a travel writer, and where I completed my first Lonely Planet assignment. I love London and know it better than most. So, when you’ve visited the the "must-see" sights, here’s how to experience my London ⁠the way I do it.

For each day of this four-day itinerary, I’ll take you to a different compass point of this truly global city. You’ll taste delicious Afro-Caribbean delights in the south, be dazzled by the refined and classically English air in the West End, and find yourself in stitches at the South-Asian-meets-Cockney "banter" of the East End, before staring in awe at the Anatolian wonders of north London.

When to arrive: Ideally, you'll arrive in London on a Thursday evening – flights are cheaper than a Friday and you’ll have four full days ahead of you.

How to get from the airports: All the major airports are connected by rail and bus transfers that take you straight into the center. Heathrow and London City Airport are on the city’s Underground system. 

Getting around town: London has a vast and sprawling transport system that covers every corner of the city, so just download the free TfL Go app and let it plan all your routes. If you’re a confident cyclist, there are also numerous bike share schemes across the city.

Where to stay: Staying in London is not cheap, but avoiding the city center and leaning towards the south tends to be more reasonable.

What to pack: This is London, so you always need an umbrella or a lightweight raincoat in your bag. Grab your most comfortable walking shoes as this is a city best admired on foot.

Morning: After grabbing a coffee made with beans roasted on-site at the Roasting Plant Coffee, taste your way through one of the oldest foodie markets in London, at Borough Market, where you can also learn to bake artisan bread at Bread Ahead or make your own sausages at the Ginger Pig.

How to spend the day: Spend the rest of the day exploring the buzzing South Bank; start by taking in a play at Shakespeare’s delightful Shakespeare’s Globe theater for as little as £5. Modeled on England’s great Bard’s Elizabethan-era round theater, you’ll find yourself immersed in the raucous action with these standing tickets. Then head around the corner for the magnificent Tate Modern where you’ll enjoy one of the world’s largest collections of free modern and contemporary art spread across almost 35,000 sq m (376,000 sq ft), including the cavernous Turbine Hall. After getting your fill of world-class art, be sure to take in the stunning views of St Paul’s Cathedral from its restaurant, maybe as you enjoy afternoon tea. Then take a stroll along the southern section of Jubilee Walk, a truly festive route lined with street