3 day London Itinerary from a Local

Having lived in UK for a year now, I often visit London to explore different neighborhoods. Every time I visit, love finding different historic corners of the city! So, I have crafted this 3 day London Itinerary to ensure you can experience the best of London without feeling overwhelmed, especially for first time visiting!

Whether you want to visit iconic landmarks, famous attractions, beautiful green spaces or finding hidden gems in London, this guide is perfect for Visiting London for the first time! Whether you want to see Christmas lights during winter, enjoy cosy pubs, variety of international cuisines or want to enjoy long summer days in the city, London is perfect to visit at any time of the year!

3 days in London is perfect amount of time to see all the iconic landmarks of the city, enjoy few must do London activities, and visit to some of the city’s best neighborhoods. You can cover major of the highlights of the city very well. This 3 days London Itinerary will help you to make most of your time in the British Capital.

If you think London is just about Big Ben or Tower Bridge, you’re wrong! It’s very big city, and offers so many attractions — dozens of museums, historic houses, beautiful neighborhoods, incredible coffee shops, restaurants, and so many lovely pubs.

With so many options, it can be difficult to narrow down your choices! And where my 3 day London Itinerary will help you to plan your London trip with few options! I will also include alternate options if few places aren’t of your interests.

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Practical Travel Tips for your 3 Day London Itinerary

London is one of the top visited city in the world and you need to know few things when you’re planning your trip! From how to navigate the city to visit best destinations of London, practical travel tips you need to know to make most of your time from this London itinerary. This will make your London trip more easier and enjoyable.

How to Get Around London

Public transport is the easiest way to get around London. I really love how it well connects the city very well. The underground tube takes you from east to west and north to south on different colorful lines throughout the city! The iconic Red Double decker Buses are second best option to reach from A to B! And the best way to take in the sights of London is via Thames River Boat. This are definitely the cheapest ways to get around London in 3 days.

Also, London is very walkable city, and you can walk between destinations when they’re closer together.

Apple/Google Pay/Credit Cards works well and the system will automatically cap your spend per day as long as you use the same card/Phone every time. You can also pay for the double-decker buses or black cabs with these contactless payments.

If you can’t walk or don’t want to use public transportation, and you want to see as much as possible, you need can book a hop on hop off bus tour. It’s best way to see a lots of sightseeing places in London as well as to get to know the city if you are visiting for the first time. You will also get a free river cruise which is absolutely amazing and something that I highly recommend.

Book Your Attractions in Advance

The popular attractions like the London Eye, Tower of London, and West End shows often sell out. It’s recommended to book your ticket online in advance to skip the queues and secure your spot.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

London is a walking city, and you’ll easily clock 10,000+ steps a day. Make sure to wear comfortable footwear! Also London weather is unpredictable, so make sure wearing waterproof shoes!

Perfect 3 Day London Itinerary : Overview

• Day 1: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Big Ben, London Eye, Afternoon Tea, Trafalgar Square, and Covent Garden.
• Day 2: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, South Bank, Borough Market, Millennium Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sky Garden.
• Day 3: Notting Hill, Churchill Arms Pub, Natural History Museum, Harrods, and Soho for Shopping.

Day 1 of 3 day london itinerary: Central London

Start your day 1 of 3 day London Itinerary with the historic and iconic area of Westminster. It is home to iconic Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben), Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. You will also get to see the famous ceremony of the Changing of the Guard. There is so much to see in the area, so arrive early to bit the crowd.

Take a tube to Westminster station. As you exit, admire one of the most famous landmarks of London — Big Ben! You can click the Photos with red telephone booth on Great George Street. This place gets very crowded so make sure to visit as first thing in early morning!

Westminster Abbey

Make your way to Westminster Abbey. It is one of the most iconic masterpiece of architecture and UNESCO World Heritage site. It has been famous site for English and British coronations, Royal weddings, and burials for notable figures.

I highly recommend taking a guided tour and visit the interiors which shows architecture, as well as highlights numerous historical artifacts through several exhibitions. Make sure to book your tickets in advance to skip the line. Also, it’s cheaper than buying the entry ticket at the door. You’ll need an hour to tour around the Abbey and admiring its beautiful architecture.

Opening Hours : Monday to Friday: 9:30 AM to to 3:30 PM (last entry), Saturday: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (last entry), Sunday: Closed to visitors but open for worship services (free to attend).

I highly recommend visiting Westminster Abbey in the morning or late afternoon when closing to avoid the crowd!

Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park

Next, walk along the Birdcage walk to reach Buckingham Palace. The official residence of His Majesty King Charles III, and one of the top spots to visit in London.

If you’re visiting London in the summer, you can visit the Buckingham Palace’s state rooms, usually from mid July to late September. You cannot take photos inside the State Rooms, but they are magnificent and worth seeing.

You’ll also get a chance to watch the famous Ceremony of the Changing of the Guard. It takes place at 11 AM on scheduled days. I recommend to arrive at least 30 minutes in advance as it does get quite crowded. Check the date and timings of ceremony here.

After watching the changing of the guard ceremony, walk through the beautiful St James’s Park. London is known for its green spaces and St James’s Park is No different! Take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Royal Park, with the views of the lake and pelicans. During Spring and Summer, the gardens are in bloom with beautiful flower displays and it’s the perfect place for a picnic lunch.

🎟️ Book this Buckingham Palace Entrance Ticket & Changing of the Guard Tour which includes visit to state rooms, St James’s Park visit, and unique vantage points to view changing of guards ceremony along with English speaking Guide. This ensures confirmed entry to visit Buckingham Palace!

House of Parliament and Big Ben

After walking through St James’s Park, cross into Royal Horse Guards. Keep walking along Whitehall, passing 10 Downing Street, the most iconic address in London! Then make your way to Westminster Bridge to get the perfect photos of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (officially called the Elizabeth Tower).

Walk along the Westminster Bridge for iconic views of Parliament and London Eye. Then Cross the bridge to explore South Bank of London. You’ll find lots of cafes, restaurants and street food trucks, I suggest to grab lunch here.

You can also hop on the London Eye, the giant Ferris wheel to get the best views of the city. It’s very popular attraction of London, and make sure to book your tickets online in advance.

Afternoon Tea

If you’re in London, you should indulge in a quintessentially British experience – Afternoon Tea. The finger sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream with quality tea are the perfect way to spend an afternoon in London! And you are spoiled for choices when it comes to afternoon tea in London!

You can have afternoon tea at The Library at County Hall with best views of South Bank and Big Ben, and offers budget friendly tea option.

If you want more upscale, consider booking at The Palm Parlour at The Ritz (classic experience), Claridge’s (most glamorous), or Sketch for a luxurious treat. Don’t forget to make reservations in advance.

Trafalgar Square

Keep walking the South Bank and cross the Thames along the Golden Jubilee Bridge and head towards Trafalgar Square. This is most vibrant place of London, known for its historic monuments like Nelson’s column, four lion statues, and the fountains. You’ll find lots of street performers and events happening throughout the year!

You can also visit London’s most famous galleries, The National Gallery, located at north of Trafalgar square. It houses a vast collection of Western European paintings from the 13th to the early 20th centuries, and it’s free to enter. It remains open daily from Saturday to Thursday from 10 AM to 6 PM, and Friday from 10 AM to 9 PM.

If you’re visiting London during Christmas, you’ll find beautiful small Christmas Market and tree at Trafalgar Square.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden is must visit in your London Itinerary. Home to London’s west-end shows, plenty of cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops, it’s a great place to end your first day in London.

Make sure to visit Apple Market, filled with handmade jewelry, artwork, antiques, and food — a great place to get souvenirs. Don’t miss beautiful Mariage Freres and Wittard of Chelsea tea shops in the area.

You’ll find pop up events throughout the year as well as street artists performances in the square. It’s one of the most vibrant area of London. But Christmas at Covent Garden is absolutely magical with beautiful giant decorations with bells and baubles!

Covent Garden is also home to some incredible coffee shops, including Abuelo, Fair Shot Cafe, and Monmouth Coffee. I also recommend grabbing a freshly baked cinnamon bun from Buns from Home or French Toast from Arome Bakery. 

You can grab your dinner at Covent Garden. For Italian food with beautiful decor visit Ave Mario, SUSHI SAMBA for Japanese food, or Dishoom, a popular spot offering delicious Bombay-inspired Indian cuisines. If you want to grab drinks at Pub, head over to Punch and Judy at Covent Garden with beautiful views of the Square.

You can also check out nearby Seven Dials Indoor Food Market and colorful Neal’s Yard for more food options. On the way, you can stop at Crown and Anchor, a classic British pub serving traditional food and British ales.

Piccadilly Circus

From Covent Garden, walk to Piccadilly circus. You’ll come across Leicester Square, where you will see two very famous shops – M&M’s and Lego Stores. Leicester Square is where London’s Film Premieres take place, and you’ll find so many famous actor’s statues in the square.

Then take a short 5 minute walk to another of London’s famous landmarks – Piccadilly Circus. Piccadilly is the home of London’s theater scene, known for its iconic neon lights and billboards. The most remarkable thing about these light-up billboards is that they’re never turned off, they run 24/7. When here, don’t miss visiting Lindt Store for hot chocolate!

Regent Street: Most Beautiful Street of London

If you still have energy left, keep walking along the beautiful curved Regent Street, lined with many shops! Pop into Hamleys’, London’s most famous and biggest toy store. And then check out the Liberty, one of London’s oldest and most famous store known for its Tudor style architecture.

Just behind the store, you can check out the Carnaby street and hidden Kingly Court. Get the Basque Cheesecake at La Maritxu or chocolate at Italian Bear Chocolate for sweet treat to end your day!

You can catch a train back to your hotel from nearby Oxford Circus station!

Day 2 of 3 Day London Itinerary: History, Culture & Food

Your second day in London is about exploring historical sites of London like Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and taking a food tour at Borough Market, as well as admiring architecture at St Paul.

Tower of London: Must see Landmarks in London

Arrive at Tower Hill station, and walk along the Tower Hill Road and reach at one of London’s most important landmarks – Tower of London! As you walk, you’ll get some awesome views of Tower Bridge and The Shard, London’s tallest building, and the castle walls.

Tower of London is a historic castle, and UNESCO World Heritage site, and a must see in your 3 day London Itinerary. Explore the Crown Jewels, walk along the medieval walls, and learn about the tower’s fascinating history.

It will take you about 2 hours to visit the Tower of London, and I highly recommend starting your day here to avoid the crowds later in the day. Make sure to book your tickets in advance here.

Tower Bridge

Take a short walk to reach Tower Bridge, the most beautiful bridge in London. Many times people get confused it with London Bridge (which is actually another bridge on South Bank).

But before crossing the bridge on foot, stop by beautiful St Katharine’s Dock, one of the hidden gems of London! You’ll find plenty of restaurants, and cafes here. Also, stop by The Dicken’s Inn, a unique pub housed in a beautiful 18th-century warehouse serving pub food and pizza. This is one of my favorite place to visit in Summer.

Continue your walk across the beautiful Tower Bridge with two towers and sky-blue and white beams, a stunning masterpiece of architecture! You can also book tickets to visit both the towers from the top, and walk across the glass-floored walkways to get unique view of the road below as well as surrounding views of views of the Thames.

The ticket also includes access to Tower Bridge Exhibition to learn about the history and facts of the bridge. At the end of the tour, don’t miss visiting the Engine rooms to know more about the operation of the bridge!

South Bank

Once you cross Tower Bridge, walk along the South Bank of the river Thames, a must do if you are visiting London for the first time! It’s of the classic things to do in London. You will have lots of opportunities to get your photos with Tower Bridge from here!

Continue the walk along the river, you’ll see London’s City Hall (Greater London Authority’s headquarters) and the HMS Belfast, Europe’s only surviving second world Navy warship, now turned into the museum. You will get the opportunity to learn more about the ship and its history at war.

Next, you’ll come across Hay’s Galleria, with so many restaurants and cafes as well as shops and stalls.

Optional Activity: When you’re on South Bank, you can visit The Shard, the tallest building in the UK. Head to the viewing gallery on the 72nd floor for panoramic views of London. You can also grab lunch at one of The Shard’s restaurants, such as Aqua Shard or Hutong. I highly recommend having afternoon tea with the views! You can also skip this activity as you’ll get the best free views of the city at many other places, and it’s included in this 3 day London Itinerary.

Borough Market: Best food tour for your 3 days in London

Your next stop is Borough Market, one of London’s oldest and most famous food markets. In past few years, this historic market has become center point of London’s food scene with dozens of food and drink stalls, fresh produces, as well as bakeries, cafes, and restaurants. And this is perfect spot to grab your lunch.

Walk around and sample the street food, or if you feel overwhelmed with choices, go on a guided food tour. This market is very famous with tourists as well as locals! Make sure to visit during market opening days (Wednesday – Saturday).

Few of my favorites eats at Borough market are grilled cheese sandwiches from Kappacasein, Khanom Krok for Thai dishes, Tacos Padre for cauliflower tacos, and Black Pig for its vegetarian Sandwich! If you are craving sweet, Humble Crumble is a must-try. I also love crème brulée donuts at Bread Ahead Bakery and don’t forget the viral Chocolate Strawberries at Turnip! It’s really worth the hype!

After the lunch, continue along the South Bank, passing Shakespeare’s Globe (a reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre), Butler’s Wharf until you reach the Tate Modern, a world class modern contemporary art museum which is free to enter.

From here, walk across the Millenium Bridge, a pedestrian bridge with great views of St Paul’s Cathedral on the other side of the river. Don’t forget to visit the St. Paul’s Cathedral from inside, its an architectural masterpiece designed by Sir Christopher Wren.

The cathedral closes at 4:30 PM, so enter before it closes! To save time, book your tickets online in advance. You can also visit it for free during a service. If you can manage, climb to the top of the cathedral’s dome to get the best views of London! This is absolutely one of the best top views of London you need to see during your 3 days in London.

Leadenhall Market

Walk next to Leadenhall Market, a stunning and historical covered market in London, known for its amazing Victorian architecture, boutique shops, pubs, cafes, and a variety of restaurants. It is also famous as a filming location, as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in the first Harry Potter Movie.

You can access the general area throughout the day but cafes and shops remains open on their own varying hours! You can briefly stop here to admire the architecture before moving to the last stop of the day!

Watch the Sunset at Sky Garden

The final spot of the day is Sky Garden, London’s highest indoor garden with 360-degree views of the city’s skyline. And the best part it’s free to visit! It’s really beautiful to see the sunset from the viewing deck as it goes down in horizon across the city skyline.

Sky Garden is popular and tickets often sells out fast. They releases the tickets every Monday morning, up to three weeks in advance, so book it first, once you finalize your dates! If you don’t get your desired time slots, they also have few walk-in spots!

And if you miss out on the free tickets, book a table at one of the on-site restaurants like the Darwin Brasserie or bars for guaranteed access to the Sky Garden, and you do not need a separate ticket! But make sure to book it well in advance.

Dinner in Soho

Soho is one of my favorite area to dine due to its vibrant dining scene. You’ll get lots of choice in cuisines, from Italian, Indian to Iranian, Lebanese, and Japanese. As vegetarian, I love dining at Mildreds, and Govinda’s.

If you love upscale dining, head to Circolo Popolare for its beautiful ambience and good Italian food. We went here for our anniversary celebrations, and it was just perfect! You can also choose to eat in Chinatown if you’re craving Asian food! I recommend making reservations if you’re looking to visit particular restaurants.

Evening Stroll: Oxford Street

After dinner, you can stroll around the famous shopping street of London, home to luxurious shopping stores like John Lewis, Disney, and Selfridges! I really love visiting Selfridges, an upscale department store with so many designer brands for clothing, books, tech and more! It get beautifully decks up every year during the Christmas! Absolute must visit during your 3 days in London.

Day 3 of 3 Day London Itinerary: Notting Hill, Museums, and Shopping

Day 3 is about exploring the neighborhoods of London like Kensington, and Notting Hill. You will also visit some amazing museums and luxurious department stores for souvenir shopping!

Notting Hill: Must visit for your 3 day London Itinerary

Start your day in the charming neighborhood of Notting Hill. It is one of the most beautiful and posh living area of London, known for its colorful mews, and townhouses, perfect for Photos! This area is loved by locals as well as visitors.

Notting Hill has numerous great bakeries and cafes to grab your breakfast. You can grab pastries and coffee from Layla Bakery, Kuro Bakery or Notting Hill bakery! For brunch or full breakfast, visit Farm Girl for healthy options or Beam, for trendy Mediterranean dishes.

If your 3 day London Itinerary includes Saturday, Portobello Road Market, one of London’s most famous street markets runs along the street. Browse the stalls selling antiques, vintage cameras, and unique trinkets while soaking up the lively vibes. Even if you don’t visit Notting Hill on Saturday, there are so many boutique shops worth browsing.

Also, make sure to stop by the iconic pastel-colored houses on Portobello Road, Lancaster Road, Elgin Crescent, and Colville Terrace. It can become quite busy later in the day, so visit in in the morning!

the Churchill Arms: Most Colorful Pub in London

If you have to visit only one pub in London, then choose Churchill Arms! Every year the Pub’s exterior is covered with thousands of flowers, creating a stunning floral displays, The Churchill Arms is London’s most photographed Pub! During Christmas, it gets decorated with Christmas trees, and lights!

It has connections with Winston Churchill, you’ll see the interior filled with quirky memorabilia related to Churchill’s life. They also serves Thai food in traditional British settings! This is really cool place to experience history with good food. You can grab your lunch here before heading to your next stop!

Kensington Gardens & Hyde Park

After enjoying your walk around the Notting Hill, walk through Hyde Park, one of London’s largest and most beautiful royal parks. As you enter the Park, first visit the beautiful Kensington Palace, Diana Princess of Wales Sunken Gardens, and Italian Gardens.

Then walk along the Serpentine Lake, or rent a pedal boat if the weather is nice. There are also several cafes and huts selling drinks and ice creams making it a great spot to spend some leisure time!

During Summer, must stop by Hyde Park Rose Garden for a picnic! Other note worthy places in Park includes Albert Memorial, Alan Rickman Memorial Bench, and Serpentine Gallery(free).

If you’re visiting in winter, don’t miss the Winter Wonderland, which features festive markets, rides, and ice skating, and takes place on the east.

Natural History Museum OR V&A Museum

Exit at Hyde Park Corner, and head to South Kensington, another chic neighborhood of London that has best museums! During your 3 days in London, you should visit at least one museum of London, and good thing is that most of them are free to enter.

Two of my favorites are Natural History Museum, famous for its dinosaur skeletons and stunning architecture, and Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design. Both are free to enter!

If you’re traveling with kids, the Natural History Museum is probably a better choice, with interactive exhibits and displays ranging from botany, astronomy, zoology and science.

However, if you’re art lover, V&A is for you. It offers extensive collections of classical sculptures, and exhibits on historical textiles, Asian arts, drawings to some paid temporary exhibitions throughout the year!

Harrods: Iconic Shopping store of London

After exploring the museums, walk along the Brompton Road until you reach Harrods, the iconic luxury department store in Knightsbridge. Along the way, you can stop for a coffee or to eat at any cafes or restaurants!

Even if you’re not into shopping, Harrods is still worth seeing for its grand architecture, ornate Egyptian Escalator and stunning food halls. I love the food hall especially fresh produces and bakery section are my favorite. During the Christmas time, the store’s Christmas displays are absolutely magical!

Fortnum & Mason

End your day with visiting Royal British Department store – Fortnum and Mason. Established in 1707, the store is famous for its exceptional food, classic tea blends, and beautifully curated gift hampers to get as souvenirs! This is honestly best place to get souvenirs for your loved ones!

If you’re looking for a classical afternoon tea in London, reserve the table at Fortnum’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. It was opened by Her Majesty The Queen herself, and exudes the royalty! This is one of the quintessential British experience to end your 3 day London Itinerary for sure.

If you’re visiting in December, Fortnum and Mason also have an excellent Christmas decorations in exteriors that looks like advent calendar!

Dinner in Mayfair/Marylebone

For dinner, I suggest checking out trendy Mayfair area. You can book famous Bacchanalia, 34 Mayfair, Claridge’s, Sketch or Scott’s for delicious food with ambience.

But my favorite is Mercato Mayfair, a bustling market hall housed in St Mark’s Church! It features various artisan food and drink stalls across multiple floors, including a basement crypt (wine cellar/microbrewery) and a rooftop terrace. This is one of the most interesting place to eat in London! You’ll find variety of international cuisines at one place!

Finally, you can spend your evening wandering around Marylebone, browsing stores or just walk along the South Bank to see London landmarks lit up at night.

Read my epic travel Guide to visit London for the first time, covering all the travel tips to visit the city!

More Things to do on your 3 day london Itinerary

I have already covered most of the best things to do for your 3 days in London. But if you’d like more options, here are the activities you can consider:

• Thames River Cruise: Best way to see London’s landmarks from the water. You can book a Lunch, dinner or afternoon tea cruises for relaxing experience!
• Kew Gardens: Explore one of the world’s most famous botanical gardens, home to stunning glasshouses, treetop walkways, and seasonal exhibitions.
• Day Trip to Greenwich: This is one of my favorite area to visit in London. You can visit Royal Observatory, Greenwich Market, Greenwich University, the Queen’s House Museum and more. You can get the stunning views of London Skylines from Greenwich Park.
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour: A must visit for Harry Potter fans! This is an immersive experience to know the behind the scenes of the iconic movie series. It’s an easy day trip from London.

London is my favorite city in the world, and I feel lucky to visit it often. There is so much to see and things to do in the capital city of England! This 3 day Itinerary is perfect to soak in the city vibes if you’re visiting for the first time! I hope it helps you to plan your perfect 3 days in London.