By now, you’re basically a London pro, right? You’ve navigated the chaos of Westminster, felt fancy near Buckingham Palace, and maybe even survived the madness of Oxford Street shopping. 🔥
So today? We’re taking things southeast & across the Thames, where the tourists thin out, the locals chill out, and the vibe is 10/10 adorable. It’s time to explore London’s south side!
Welcome to Canary Wharf and Greenwich: the quieter, cooler cousins of Big Ben and Buckingham. 🛶✨
Hop on the Jubilee Line and zip down to Canary Wharf, London’s slick financial district that honestly looks like someone dropped a piece of New York into East London. 🏙️
Sure, it’s more “business lunch” than “bucket list,” but the shopping is chef’s kiss and the food scene? Immaculate.
I highly recommend checking out the Wood Wharf area of Canary Wharf. There are loads of chic and edgy eateries to sample some of the coolest food in all of England – hands down. My personal favorite is Mercato Metropolitano. This is where you will find some simple, trendy food court style noshing with a bubbly by the river.
Fun fact: You’re NOT technically on an island! 🏝️
The Isle of Dogs is a big ol’ horseshoe in the Thames, home to skyscrapers, finance bros, and exactly zero tourist attractions. Still, it’s worth a wander for the vibes alone.
What was once a very industrial area for the docks and shipping trade has been transformed into one of the coolest areas of London. 🎩💄
The photo above shows the peninsula of the Isle with the Canary Wharf Financial District at the top, across the river at the bottom, (at about 5:00 🕔), is the University of Greenwich / Old Royal Naval College, and on the right is the O2 Arena at the tip of the Greenwich Peninsula. All are wonderful places to explore!
While there is no bridge to cross the river here, the tube does get you to North Greenwich, on the peninsula by the O2. You can also journey via the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) to cross the river into the lovely, remote town of Greenwich.
If you’re feeling fit and adventurous, check out the Greenwich Foot Tunnel where you can take a walk under the river. Super cool to say you’ve done it! It’s been there since Edwardian times. 👞
Cross the river (thanks, DLR!) and boom — welcome to Greenwich, where the pace slows down and the charm factor goes wayyy up. 🎡✨
If you’re looking for a day of small town charm, you’ll find it here.
Locate the statue of King William IV by the Old Naval College and head into Greenwich Park, which is one of the most scenic in all of London.
Brace yourself for a bit of a hike up Greenwich Park, but trust me, the views from the Royal Observatory are straight up worth it. 🌍⏳
This history nerd would be remiss not to mention taking the tour of the museum. So, after you get to the top and take about 150 photos of that amazing view, stop to learn a bit about the idea of longitude and the “founding” of the Prime Meridian. It is fascinating!
Locate the statue of King William IV by the Old Naval College and head into Greenwich Park, which is one of the most scenic in all of London.
Brace yourself for a bit of a hike up Greenwich Park, but trust me, the views from the Royal Observatory are straight up worth it. 🌍⏳
This history nerd would be remiss not to mention taking the tour of the museum. So, after you get to the top and take about 150 photos of that amazing view, stop to learn a bit about the idea of longitude and the “founding” of the Prime Meridian. It is fascinating!
If you have the time, follow the paths to the back of the park for some spectacular scenery, towering pine trees, and even a glimpse of some old timbers left from the Elizabethan era. The first Queen Elizabeth, that is!
The O2 Arena is a bit of everything. You can get there by bus or the tube and plan to spend a few hours wandering around.
There are restaurants galore – check out Byron for the BEST hamburgers in the world, no exaggeration.
Shop. Eat. Maybe even catch a concert if the timing’s right. 🎤🎶
Other fun attractions are the IFS cable cars across the river or you can literally climb the O2 via Up at the O2,
Even if you’re just vibing around the O2’s outdoor spaces, it’s the perfect way to close out your London adventure on a high note.
While spending time in the Southeast part of town, do consider taking the tube or the DLR to Stratford to catch ABBA Voyage. You’re so close!
If London were a meal, the touristy north side would be the flashy appetizer, but the south side? That’s the hidden main course everyone sleeps on. 🍽️💕
Mixing big sites with local life is what turns a trip into a travel experience. And YOU, my friend, just did it like a pro.
I hope you enjoyed this 4-day itinerary and find it useful for your next (or first) trip to London. There’s really so much to explore!
Drop your questions and comments below — and stay tuned, because this bubbly train isn’t stopping anytime soon! 🚂🥂
