Three Days In London: A First-Timers London Itinerary

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After a couple hours in London, you’ll understand why people from around the globe find it so captivating. Filled with rich history, iconic landmarks and world-class museums, the atmosphere in London is unmatched. You can easily spend a month in the city without seeing everything that makes it so special. But the great news is, if you only have three days in London, you can still see the most important historical sites, famous artworks, and mind blowing landmarks.

Buckle up for a jam-packed itinerary for three days in London. By following this itinerary, you’ll experience all of the must-see sights from Westminster Abbey to the Tower of London and more. Now, get those walking shoes on!

WHAT TO KNOW PRIOR TO ARRIVING IN LONDON

Purchase the London Pass: Every first time visitor to London should purchase the London pass. It will save you so much money when visiting the top destinations in London. The London Pass allows you entry into a long list of places including The Tower of London and Westminster Abbey.
(Pssst: If you plan to visit just those two places, you’ll end up spending the same amount of money as the entire London pass alone!)

Purchase the London Pass here!

Download this Tube Map– Although London’s tube is fairly easy to navigate, you’ll want to have a tube map that works offline. This way when you are underground, you’ll still be able to have access to view the map despite the cell signal!

Pre-book Activities– London is a popular tourist destination. For this reason, some activities will sell out in advance. Pre-booking entry tickets and guided tours is recommended (especially during the busier tourists months of June, July and August.)
I highly recommend pre-booking activities through Get Your Guide or Viator. They match you with local tour companies and have tickets with clear instructions. Plus, most of their tours are 100% refundable if cancelled up to 24 hours in advance. (This is ideal just in case your travel plans change last minute!)

Purchase an Oyster Cards– Visitor Oyster Cards are plastic smartcards you can use instead of the classic paper-based Travelcards. The best benefit of an Oyster Card is that there’s a price cap, meaning you can travel as much as you like, and the card will automatically cap at the best daily fare. Learn more and purchase yours here.

DAY 1 IN LONDON

Wake up early to take advantage of a full day of sightseeing! Be sure to wear your most comfortable walking shoes, because you will be spending a lot of time on your feet today.

PICCADILLY CIRCUS

Start by finding the nearest tube station and taking it to the Piccadilly Circus station which can be found on the Bakerloo (brown) and Piccadilly line (blue). Once you come out of the station you’ll be greeted with the “Time Square” of London. Piccadilly is often bustling with people, performers, and souvineer shops. This part of the city comes alive at night with it’s bright neon signs, colorful advertisements, and vibrant club scene!

Although I recommend seeing Piccadilly Circus, it’s not worth spending too much time here. In my opinion the shops and restaurants are less authentic and overpriced in this part of the city.

TRAFALGAR SQUARE

Walk 0.4 miles, or take the tube one station over to Trafalgar Square. You’ll recognize this important square when you see four large lion sculptures with Nelson’s Column in the center. This is one of London’s most iconic squares, built in the 1800s to commemorate the British victory in the Battle of Trafalgar. Here, you will often see protests, rallies, or celebrations. When I first visited London, they had a large countdown for the 2012 Summer Olympics in Trafalgar Square!

Trafalgar Square is surrounded with shops and museums, and is one of my favorite hang out spots in the city. The people watching here is 10/10.

NATIONAL GALLERY

Located in Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery is known for housing some of the most famous artworks in the world by artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Van Gogh. The gallery is free to visit and is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. A trip to the National Gallery is well worth the visit, even for a short amount of time. Be sure not to miss some of the must-see highlights such as The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck, The Ambassadors by Hans Holbein the Younger, Rembrandt’s Self Portrait, and Sunflowers by Van Gogh.

Optional add-on:

If you find yourself making good time, or really enjoy the arts, think about exploring the National Portrait Gallery (right behind the National Gallery.) Although, the National Gallery holds more well-known art works, the National Portrait Gallery has an incredible collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs. Be sure to check out their current exhibitions! These often rotate, and there may be something that particularly interests you.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Now make your way on foot 0.8 miles to Buckingham Palace. (If you are feeling really tired, or aren’t sure if you can walk that far, take the tube to St. James Park or grab an uber or taxi.) The walk along ‘The Mall’ is flat and scenic- you’ll see St. James Park on your left. If you’ve ever watched royal weddings, funerals or coronations, you’ll most likely recognize this road from all those royal processions!

At the end of the street, you’ll be greeted with the iconic Buckingham Palace! This is the famous palace and residence of the King. Every day at 10:45 am, you can witness the changing of the guards in front of Buckingham Palace. If you aren’t able to make that time fit into your London itinerary, you will still see plenty of guards outside of Buckingham Palace throughout the day.

The only area of Buckingham Palace that is open to the public is the state room, which you can visit with an entry ticket. The state room today is used by the King, and other members of the royal family to entertain guests during ceremonial occasions.

Book your entry ticket to Buckingham Palace here!

ENJOY A PROPER PINT & FISH N CHIPS

Now that you’ve walked a bit, it’s about time for an afternoon pint and some notorious fish n’ chips, don’t you think? Although almost every pub in London will offer fish n’ chips on the menu, Two Chairmen, a local pub close to Buckingham Palace is known for having authentic and delicious fish n’ chips! It also has that true British pub vibe, an ideal setting to experience during your time in London.

Relax for a bit, have a bite to eat and a well-deserved pint after lots of sightseeing. (Yes, there is still plenty more to see today!)

WESTMINSTER ABBEY

You are only a four minute walk to Westminster Abbey! Built in 1269, this may be one of the most well-known churches in the world. In fact, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in the 90’s. I highly recommend pre-booking tickets. There are options available to purchase an entry ticket and explore on your own, or to join a tour with a knowledgeable guide.

Pre-book your Westminster Abbey tickets here!
(If you did not purchase the London pass)

As you walk around the interior, you will be delighted by incredible architectural details. The Abbey was mainly built in the Gothic style, but some areas show earlier styles of Romanesque and Baroque. With swooping arches, colorful stained glass, and intricate carvings, there is so much to see within the walls of this historic place.

The abbey is also a burial site for over 3,000 prominent people in British history including monarchs, actors, scientists and military leaders. Charles Dickens, Sir Isaac Newton, Queen Elizabeth I and King Henry VII are all laid to rest here.

Westminster Abbey is still a working church today, but is also an important place for significant weddings, funerals, and other religious events. You may recognize it from events such as Prince William and Catherine Middleton’s wedding, the Queen’s Funeral, or the King’s Coronation.

HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT & BIG BEN

Make your way to another must-see site in London, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Known more formally as the Palace of Westminster, the Houses of Parliament serve as a meeting place for the House of Commons and House of the Lords.

The first royal palace was constructed in the 11th century. Many rebuilds and renovations have been made, due to a horrific fire in 1834 that compromised most of the structure. In World War II, the building was also hit at least 12 times, leaving it extremely damaged. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben that you see today are truly symbols of the city of London. With insanely beautiful architectural details, I believe their best part is the lovely exteriors. However, if you want to see inside, you can pre-book a guided tour here!

I highly recommend seeing the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben at night as well. It’s absolutely stunning when the orange lights make the exterior glow with contrast against the dark blue sky!

Tip: Cross Westminster bridge for some of the best views of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

LONDON EYE

If you have the stamina or desire to ride the London Eye, make your way down the South bank of the Thames to Europe’s largest observation wheel. Opening in 2000, the London Eye has been a newer symbol of London. In fact, today it is the most visited attraction in all of the United Kingdom!

In my opinion, the London Eye can be an exciting way to see the city, but it’s not necessary for your first trip to London. It’s a little pricey, takes some precious time (30 minutes without standing in line), and each capsule hold 25 people, making it more of a group activity. With that being said, it’s the most popular tourist attraction in the UK, so if you feel strongly about riding it, don’t let me stop you! If you decide to purchase tickets, buy skip-the-line tickets here so you aren’t caught standing in line forever.

Book skip-the-line tickets to the London Eye here!

Not sure what to do next?

You’ve had a magical, action-packed first day in London. Now it’s time to check in with yourself and your travel buddies and see how you are feeling. Are you jet-lagged? Hungry? Ready to take on the world? Plan the rest of your night to fulfill your soul and take care of yourself and your group. Not sure what to do next? Here are some ideas:

Explore another museum
Grab dinner at a local pub or restaurant
Visit & shop at the world-famous Harrods
Take a food tour
Go out to clubs in Piccadilly
Shop on Oxford Street
Call it a night and get some rest before your next exciting day in London!

Day 2 IN LONDON

TOWER BRIDGE

After some breakfast, take the tube to the Tower Hill station and make your way on foot to Tower Bridge! Undoubtedly the most famous bridge in the world, your first trip to London wouldn’t be complete without see it. Opening in 1894, this bridge has been through some battles, including roof damages from World War II.

You can either visit by admiring it’s structure from afar, walking across, or getting tickets inside to see the walkways, glass floors, and engine room. (The Tower Bridge experience is included in the London Pass, but can also be purchased separately here.

Get your Tower Bridge entry tickets here!

Disclaimer: Tourists often confuse Tower Bridge with London Bridge. Don’t be this person!

VISIT THE TOWER OF LONDON

The Tower of London was built by William the Conquerer in 1078 as a royal palace and defense tower. Since this time, the Tower of London has served many other purposes including a fortress, prison, and armory. Today, this UNESCO site is one of the most visited tourist destinations in all of London. It is most famous as the prison and execution site of Queen Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey. The crown jewels are also housed in the Tower of London, which is an absolute highlight!

In my opinion, The Tower of London should be a top priority for your three days in London. There is so much history within these walls, and it is by far one of my favorite sites in London.

The Tower of London is included with the London Pass, or you can purchase tickets separately.

Get your tickets for the Tower of London here!

RIVER CRUISE WITH AFTERNOON TEA

Now make your way to the river bank to board your lunch cruise. This is one of my favorite ways to see the city of London- from the Thames! Included in this river cruise is a fabulous lunch with tea and coffee. (Alcohol is also available for purchase.) Also included is an audio guide who will point out some of London’s best sites while giving some historical background and fun facts. This is a great way to see the city from another perspective and learn some more from a knowledgable guide.

Be sure to pre-book your tickets in advance. This lunch cruise is very popular and tends to sell out in advance. (Especially during the busier tourist season June-August.)

Pre-book tickets for your river lunch cruise here!

SHARD TOWER

When looking at the skyline of London, you can’t miss the Shard! Standing at 1016 feet (309.6 meters), Shard Tower is the tallest building in the UK, and the fourth tallest in all of Europe. Construction started on the Shard Tower in 2009, with it fully opening to the public in early 2013. I visited while it was under construction, and it was really cool to see it slowly come to life!

The Shard Tower was built with an inspiration to create a vertical city where people could work, eat and stay. Today it houses a sky deck, ultra-modern work spaces, 5 star hotel, and multiple restaurants. If you want to see an epic view of the city, take a detour to walk on the sky deck. (This experience is included in the London Pass.)

Here’s a photo from one of my visits in 2012 when they were constructing the Shard Tower. It was really neat to watch it slowly start to tower over the rest of the skyline!

THE BRITISH MUSEUM

Take the tube to either Holborn or Tottenham Court Road stations. These are the closest stations to your next stop: the world renowned British Museum. This is one of the most popular museums in London. Not only is the architecture breathtaking, but it is home to some of the most important Egyptian and Greek works of art. The British Museum has the largest permanent collection in the world- with over 8 million works in total!

The British Museum is very large, and can be overwhelming if you don’t have all day to leisurely explore. For this reason, I put together the top artworks you must see at the British Museum. If you are short on time, follow this list to see the absolute highlights.

Check out the top 10 highlights you can’t miss at The British Museum!

DAY 3 IN LONDON

Today is your last day in London. Make the best of it by seeing a completely different part of the city!

ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL

Take the tube to St. Paul’s Station and walk five minutes to the beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedral. Make sure you stop and admire the exterior, because this church is absolutely stunning. In fact, it’s my favorite church I’ve ever been to! It’s beautiful domed roof has dominated London’s skyline for well over 300 years.

The current St. Paul’s Cathedral was built after much of the original was destroyed in The Great Fire of London in 1666. The current structure was built in the English Baroque style in the late 17th century by famous architect Sir Christopher Wren. Like Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s is known for having important historical funerals, events and weddings. For example, Winston Churchhill and the Duke of Wellington both had funerals here. Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer also got married at St. Paul’s Cathedral in 1981.

Although the exterior itself is stunning, it is well worth visiting the interior of St. Paul’s Cathedral. You can even walk up and sit within it’s dome! Keep in mind, your entry ticket to St. Paul’s includes the cathedral floor, crypt, and the two dome galleries that are 528 steps total. That’s quite a lot of steps, but in my opinion it’s worth the climb!

Entry to St. Paul’s is also included in the London Pass, but tickets can also be purchased separately here.

Get your entry ticket to St. Paul’s Cathedral here!

WALK OVER MILLENNIUM BRIDGE

From St. Paul’s Cathedral, head on over to the iconic Millennium Bridge. Opening in 2000, this bridge was built to allow pedestrians to easily cross from bankside to the city of London. You may recognize this bridge from a Death Eater attack scene in the movie Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

Walking over this bridge and looking back toward St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of my favorite views of London. It’s such a beautiful skyline!

VISIT THE TATE MODERN

If you are a fan of Modern Art, the Tate Modern is well worth a visit! This is one of my favorite museums because it houses artists like Jackson Pollock, Duchamp, Andy Warhol and other artists who helped shape Modern Art into what it is today! It’s also free admission to visit the Tate Modern, so even if you stay for only a little while it can be well worth it.

Have time to visit more museums?
Here are some other world renowned museums in London:

VISIT SHAKESPEARE’S Globe TheateR

Walk 5 minutes to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater. In 1613, the original globe theater was destroyed by a fire. Only 200 meters from where the new Shakespeare’s Globe Theater stands today, you can walk to the original location and see a plaque and some remains. After much research, the new theater has been rebuilt to replicate the original open air theater as closely as possible.

The new theater, referred to as Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, opened in 1997. Today, you are able to visit the exhibit museum and do a guided tour of the inside. Depending on the time of year, you can even enjoy an open-air performance. Be sure to book your tickets in advance!

Book your tickets to the Globe Theater here!

STROLL AROUND BOROUGH MARKET

Thought to be one of London’s oldest markets, Borough Market is the perfect place to take a stroll and find some lunch! You can find everything at Borough Market- from hand-cut flowers, to speciality meats and cheeses, fresh produce, wine, and spices. There are even cafes and restaurants that are part of the market if you feel like sitting down for a bit.

Borough Market has some of the best food in the city. If you are feeling up for it, this food tour is perfect for sampling the best authentic British food!

Borough Market is open most days (except Mondays) from 10 am to 5 pm. Be sure to check the hours before visiting.

MORE TIME IN LONDON?

HERE ARE SOME OTHER EPIC EXPERIENCES TO CHECK OUT DURING YOUR TRIP TO LONDON

Harry Potter Tours- There is no shortage of Harry Potter content in London. From filming locations to museums and sets, there are many Harry Potter tours and sites to see throughout the city. If you are a big Harry Potter fan, definitely fit a harry potter tour into your London itinerary!
Harrods– Harrods is a luxury department store thats world famous. Even just browsing around Harrods can be fun.
The Monument– Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, The Monument was built to commemorate the Great Fire of London in 1666. Today, you can walk up the 202 steps to see a lovely 360 degree view of the city.
Regent’s Park- Regents Park is a lovely place to take a stroll, especially during the spring and summer when the flowers are in full bloom!
Camden Market– If you were a fan of Borough Market, you’ll love Camden Market. Filled with food vendors, cafes and booths selling specialty crafts, this is a great part of the city to explore.
Abbey Road– Although this may look like a regular street, this is the famous road in which the Beetle’s crossed on their album titled Abbey Road, which was released in 1969. Many Beetle’s fans flock to this road to recreate the famous photo.
Shopping on Oxford Street– With over 300 stores, Oxford Street is one of the busiest shopping locations in London. Most of the shops are clothing stores such as Primark, Selfridges and Gap. Oxford Street is also one of the most beautifully decorated streets in London during Christmas time!

***

IT’S BEEN REAL, LONDON!

As your three-day journey through the bustling city of London comes to an end, you’ll carry with you unforgettable memories and a newfound appreciation for this vibrant metropolis. From iconic landmarks to hidden treasures, you’ve experienced the very essence of London’s rich history and diverse culture. Whether you marveled at the grandeur of Buckingham Palace, explored the winding streets of Borough Market, or simply enjoyed a leisurely stroll along the Thames, London has left an indelible mark on your heart. Until next time, London!

TOP LONDON TRAVEL RESOURCES

Need help planning your trip to London? Visit my travel resources page for my favorite travel companies that will ALWAYS save you money, time, and headaches!

1. BOOK FLIGHTS WITH SKYSCANNER
2. BOOK ACCOMMODATION WITH BOOKING.COM or HOTELS.COM
3. BOOK ACTIVITIES AND TOURS WITH GET YOUR GUIDE or VIATOR.COM
4. BOOK TRAVEL INSURANCE WITH WORLD NOMADS.