London in 4 days

Best time to go: May and July are probably the best months to visit London but none can ensure you that it will not be raining!! General Advice: I have been living in London for 6 years now so I have too many recommendations to give you!! That is why I think you should either do a year mandatory visit to London to keep up to date with everything that is going on… or come for more than a weekend! In terms of my favourite area to stay, I would recommend the west. Gloucester Road or Notting Hill are my favourite areas. Both are more residential and not as crowded and noisy as the proper city centre like Westminster or Victoria for example. The "Melia London Kensington" is the perfect place to stay. Day 1: The city If you arrive on a week day around 5 pm you should make your way to the city (Bank station area) to enjoy the after work! There are many nice places to go for a few drinks and enjoy the vibe. My recommended places are: Rooftops: - Sky Garden, it is beautiful and even though is at the top floor of the Walkie Talkie building it is actually covered. It provides an amazing view. You might need to book way in advance even if you are just going for drinks. - Coq d'Argent, a fantastic and very big terrace bar garden just in the middle of the city. - The Aviary, smaller rooftop bar but also very nice to go in the summer.

Other options for a cold or rainy day… - The Ned hotel, an amazing bar always offering live music. - The Banker, a classic pub. - Bedales at Leadenhall, if you fancy some wine. - The Gobpsy, if you prefer cocktails.

Day 2: Classic London Wake up early in the morning as you have an intense day ahead!

• Portobello and Notting Hill: If It is a Saturday, start your day by going to Portobello market at Notting hill famous for the antique section. On your way from Notting Hill station to the market you will be able to see the famous colourful houses of Notting Hill.

• Buckingham palace: Take the bus from Notting Hill station to Hyde Park Corner and walk to Buckingham palace, for a quick "hello" to the queen.

• Westminster: Walk 15 min alongside St James's Park (which is beautiful) to get to Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, the Big Ben and the London Eye.

• Tower Bridge: Take the tube (circle or district line direct from Westminster station) to Tower Hill. Walk from the station to Coppa Club restaurant from where you can take amazing pictures of the Tower Bridge, Tower of London and the Shard. If you have time, going inside the Tower of London is completely worth it.

• St Katherine docks: Walk 10 min to St Katherine docks, a very nice marina full of bars or restaurants. Perfect place to stop for a bite and a drink. " Bravas Tapas " is a very nice Spanish restaurant to have lunch. After you can go to "The Dickens Inn" for a pint and enjoy the terrace if you are lucky with the weather.

Day 3: Camden and West London Your next day is not going to be an easy one either! So prepare to walk…

• Camden Market: Start the day exploring the eclectic Camden Market where you can find alternative characters and clothes.

• Little Venice: From Camden take one of the boats that will take you to little Venice while you enjoy the beautiful canals. Spend some time enjoying the neighbourhood as it is quite special.

• Kensington Gardens (Hyde Park): walk 25 min towards the Kensington Gardens which is the most beautiful part of Hyde Park. In this side of the park you will be able to see Kensington Palace, the Round pond and the Albert memorial.

• V&A: Walk 15 min to this incredible museum that holds many different kinds of art like furniture, fashion, textiles, photography, sculpture, painting, jewellery, glass, ceramics, Asian art and design.

You can choose to have lunch after visiting Kensington Gardens at "Zaika", a very fancy and nice Indian restaurant, or something much more casual and quick in South Kensington at "Honest Burger".

• After lunch (or the museum) if you still have some energy left you can go to visit Harrods which is just 10 min walk from the museum.

Day 4: Central London I must say that I am not the biggest fan of this day plan as is the most touristic area of the city, however I love museums and I love the fact that in London the entrance to museums is for free, which is why I think you should visit the National Gallery and the British Museum.

The proposed itinerary is as follows and you can walk all the distances:

• British Museum: don’t miss out the Egyptian room and the Ancient Greece section.

• Covent Garden: specially beautiful in Christmas with a fantastic décor.

• Trafalgar Square and National Gallery: the National Gallery includes a fantastic impressionism selection.

• Leicester square

• Chinatown gate

Stop for a nice brunch at "Balans Soho Society" or at " Temakinho" for a Japanese- Brazilian fusion meal.

• Picadilly Circus

• Carnaby Street: a very nice pedestrianised shopping street in Soho that as Covent Garden has the best Christmas decorations.

What to do when you think you have visited everything in London? 1. One of my favourite things to do on a Saturday is to go to Sloan Square to the food street market for lunch. After, visit the Sachi Gallery and wander around the beautiful streets like 2. Pavilion Road, and have a coffee with a nice piece of cake at Poilane. 3. Take the boat along the Thames to go to Greenwich park and observatory. 4. Visit Kew Gardens, even though is a bit far from the city centre, it is worth it to explore the botanical collections with over 50,000 living plants 5. Borough Market on Saturdays for lunch after going to the Tate modern is another great plan to do! The Market is fantastic and the food delish!

Restaurants: there are too many restaurants that I would like to recommend so here you have the "long list"

• Hutong (The Shard): London Bridge, Chinese

• El Pastor: Borough Market, Mexican

• The Melusine: St Katherine Docks, Fish

• Gaucho: Tower Bridge, Argentinian

• Temakinho: Tower Bridge & Soho, Japanese- Brazilian

• Barrafina: Soho, Spanish

• Simpson's in the Strand: The Strand, British

• Sushi Tetsu: Farringdon, Sushi

• Salt Yard: Goodge Street, Tapas

• Kintan: Oxford Circus, Japanese BBQ

• Roka: Mayfair & Charlotte Street, Japanese

• Zoilo: Marylebone, Argentinian

• Stick in Sushi: Covent Garden & Chelsea, Sushi

• Zaika à High Street Kensington, Indian

• E&O: Notting Hill, Asian

• La Famiglia: Chelsea, Italian

• Il Trillo Ristorante & Giardino: Chelsea, Italian

• Darkhorse: Stratford, Modern European

• LÁutre: Green Park, Polish/Mexican

• Pho Ta: Kentish Town, Vietnamese

• Lemongrass: Camden, Cambodian

• Percy & Founders: Fitzrovia, British-European

• Smiths of Smithfield: Farringdon, British

• Ozone Coffee: Old Street, Breakfast/Brunch