Greenwich works well as a half-day walk or a longer day if you want to go inside the Cutty Sark, the Painted Hall or the Royal Observatory. Start by the river or at Cutty Sark DLR, browse Greenwich Market, then continue through the Old Royal Naval College to the museums and up Greenwich Park’s hill. The map is below; the hill is steep enough to allow extra time with children or a pushchair.
Suggested route to visit Greenwich in London
Estimated time and Distance
Time needed: Allow around 2–3 hours for the roughly 1.2-mile outdoor route and short market stop. Plan half a day or more if you want to enter several attractions; the Cutty Sark, Painted Hall and Royal Observatory each merit time in their own right.
Distance: The approximate total distance of this route is approximately 1.2 miles.
When to go
Greenwich Market usually opens daily, but closes on Christmas Day and some Mondays early in the year. Check its current opening times before you travel.
Attractions
- River cruise from Westminster to Greenwich
- Greenwich Market (free entry)
- Cutty Sark
- Painted Hall (ticketed admission)
- Old Royal Naval College grounds (free to walk through; separate ticket for the Painted Hall)
- Queen’s House (free entry)
- National Maritime Museum (free entry)
- Royal Observatory
Greenwich Walking Route in detail
For the starting point we have two options:
- Greenwich Pier (zone 2/3): Arrive by a paid river service from central London if you would like a view of the Thames on the way. Some sightseeing bus tickets include a river cruise, but inclusions vary by operator and ticket. Compare the bus tour options with a separate Westminster to Greenwich cruise before booking.
- Cutty Sark DLR station (zone 2/3): If you prefer rail, take the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich.
From either starting point, browse Greenwich Market and see the Cutty Sark from outside, or book time aboard the ship. Continue through the free-access Old Royal Naval College grounds; the Painted Hall requires a ticket. The National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House offer free general admission, though some exhibitions may need tickets. Check each venue’s opening arrangements before you go.
Walk up through Greenwich Park for the view across the river towards Canary Wharf. The Royal Observatory is at the top of the hill. If you want to stand on its historic Prime Meridian line, book an Observatory ticket; you can still enjoy the park viewpoint without entering.
How we would spend a half day in Greenwich
We would arrive at Cutty Sark DLR or Greenwich Pier in the morning, browse the market, then walk past the ship and through the riverside grounds of the Old Royal Naval College. After lunch, choose one indoor visit: the Painted Hall for its decorated ceiling, Cutty Sark for life aboard a nineteenth-century sailing ship, or the National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House for a free option. Finish by climbing through Greenwich Park to the Observatory and the view from the hill. If astronomy and the Prime Meridian are priorities, reserve Observatory time before the museums rather than trying to rush everything.
The market and riverfront are close together, but the Observatory is uphill. Allow around five hours if you intend to visit several museums and the market, and longer for a relaxed lunch. If you arrive by boat, remember that River Bus journeys have their own fares and are outside the Tube and bus daily cap; a sightseeing cruise is a separate ticket unless your chosen sightseeing pass explicitly includes one.
Greenwich in London Map
Hi, we are Alberto and Amy, the London locals behind PlanTrip London. We’ve lived in London since 2010 and have spent every year since exploring the city, from its famous landmarks to the markets, pubs, parks and hidden corners most visitors never find. Over the years we became the go-to trip planners for friends and family visiting London, so we created this site to share the same first-hand, tried-and-tested advice with you. Every itinerary, tip and recommendation here comes from our own experience with our two children, so you can plan a London trip that’s easier, better value and far more memorable.