This itinerary has been a long time coming. Having lived in South Kensington, Central London for two years, we had the privilege of exploring many corners of this incredible city and hosting countless visitors. Over time, we perfected this 3-day itinerary to ensure our guests experienced the best of London without feeling overwhelmed. Whether it was showing them the iconic landmarks, hidden gems, or our favorite local spots, this plan became our go-to guide for first-time visitors.

3 days is definitely not enough to see all the sights this amazing, historic city has to offer, but will cover many of the highlights and get you a well-rounded introduction to London. I will be also be making a 5-day version, so if that is of interest to you, sign up for my newsletter to be notified when that goes live.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this plan guarantees unforgettable memories of the city.

3-Day London Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Parliament, Big Ben, London Eye, Afternoon Tea, Covent Garden
Day 2: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sky Garden, West End Show
Day 3:
- Option 1: British Museum, Hyde Park, Pub lunch, Natural History Museum or V&A Museum, Harrods, Notting Hill
- Option 2: Notting Hill Market & Brunch, Hyde Park, Natural History Museum or V&A Museum, Harrods, Shoreditch

Day 1: Central London Highlights

9am: English Breakfast & Buckingham Palace
Start your day with what everyone comes to London to try, a full English breakfast. I am personally not a fan of the dish, but a good one for this itinerary can be had at The Wolseley. It’s a splurge for breakfast, but the dining hall’s black, white, and gold interior is striking. They also have a beautiful Viennoiserie for pastries, if that’s more to your liking.

If you’re an early riser, you can walk around Mayfair after you finish and enjoy the beautiful buildings in this area before making your way to Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British monarch.

11am: Changing of the Guard

If it’s a scheduled day, don’t miss the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place at 11am, though the guards gather before that. Check timings in advance here. Be prepared: this is a very, very crowded activity.

Tip: If you’re visiting London in the summer, Buckingham Palace’s State Rooms are open to visitors from around mid-July to late-September. You cannot take photos inside the State Rooms, but they are magnificent and worth seeing. Just make sure to buy tickets in advance.

From there, take a leisurely stroll through St. James’s Park, one of London’s most beautiful royal parks, with views of the lake and pelicans.

12pm: Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben

Next, head to Westminster Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the site of royal coronations, weddings, and burials. Entrance is free of charge if during one of the scheduled services. Otherwise, the Abbey closes quite early (3:30pm on Weekdays, and earlier on Weekends), so make sure you get here before closing if you want to go in. Tickets can be booked online, or you can do a tour that includes tickets. This one covers the top 20 sights of Westminster starting at The Ritz (very close to The Wolseley), and ends with a visit to Westminster Abbey. Another option is to do this all day tour that starts at Westminster Abbey, includes a river cruise, and ends at the Tower of London.

If you’re doing this on your own, after visiting the abbey, walk over to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (officially called the Elizabeth Tower) for iconic photos. Then cross the Westminster Bridge for a better view.

2pm: London Eye or Afternoon Tea
Once you’ve crossed the bridge, you have a few options. You can grab lunch, then explore Southbank along the water, including a hop on the London Eye, the giant Ferris wheel, for a bird’s-eye view of the city.

Alternatively, indulge in a quintessentially British experience with Afternoon Tea. Consider booking at The Ritz (iconic), Claridge’s (glamorous), or Sketch (contemporary) for a luxurious treat. For more options (including more affordable ones), visit my London City Guide and search for Afternoon Teas.

4pm: Covent Garden
After the luxurious afternoon, spend your evening exploring Covent Garden, a vibrant area filled with street performers, boutique shops, and restaurants. Make sure to visit Apple Market, filled with handmade jewelry, artwork, antiques, and food — this is a great place to go souvenir shopping. There is also a beautiful Mariage Freres (tea shop) in that area.

6pm: Regent Street

Covent Garden is fairly close to Picadilly Circus, so if you have the energy, walk past Leicester Square and Chinatown to Picadilly Circus, then up the most iconic street in London: the curved Regent Street. This street is always beautiful, and lined with shops that could keep you busy all day.

7pm: Soho & Dinner

But if you walk up the street and are ready for dinner, I highly recommend heading to Soho, where there are lots of very popular food options. The best in the area is probably Dishoom, a popular spot offering delicious Bombay-inspired cuisine. You should definitely make a reservation here, though, as the line can easily be a 1-2 hour wait. Or eat in Chinatown if you’re craving Asian food, then walk up Regent Street at night.

9pm: Selfridges

If you’re still looking for something to do at this time, you could head to Selfridges, possibly my favorite store in London. An upmarket department store with an iconic bright yellow bag, Selfridges has an amazing basement level with the best tech, books, stationery, and chocolate. We took every one of our visitors here.

11pm: Drinks

If you like martinis, the perfect bar is nearby: The Connaught Bar. This bar has been on The World’s 50 Best Bar list for years, and is a very classy place for a drink. If you’re not a martini person and want another Top 50 Bar, Bar Swift is a great option, and the closest is Swift Soho.

Day 2: History & Culture

9am: Tower of London
Begin your day at the Tower of London, a historic castle and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the Crown Jewels, walk along the medieval walls, and learn about the tower’s fascinating (and often gruesome) history. Just a short walk away is Tower Bridge, the most beautiful bridge in London, not to be confused with the “London Bridge,” which is one to the west and not particularly aesthetic. If you’re interested, you can book tickets to walk across the glass-floored high-level walkways for views of the Thames.

11:30am: Borough Market Lunch

On the other side of the bridge is Borough Market, one of London’s oldest and most famous food markets. Walk around yourself and sample gourmet street food, fresh produce, and artisanal treats. Or go on a guided tour and sample the food in a group. This is a great place for both locals and tourists.

1pm: The Shard (optional)
An optional activity in the afternoon is to visit The Shard, the tallest building in the UK. Head to the viewing gallery on the 72nd floor for panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, if you would rather have a nice sit down lunch than eat at Borough Market, enjoy lunch at one of The Shard’s restaurants, such as Aqua Shard or Hutong. I call this optional because there’s another way to get free views of the city at the Sky Garden, later in this day’s itinerary.

2pm: Stroll Southbank

Take a stroll along the Southbank, where you can visit Shakespeare’s Globe, a reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre, and the Tate Modern (a world-class contemporary art museum) that is free to enter.

From there, walk across the Millennium Bridge, a pedestrian bridge with great views of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The cathedral closes at 4:30pm, though, so if you want to tour inside, make sure to by tickets and get there before it closes. Or visit during a service to enter for free. You can also climb to the top of the cathedral’s dome for views of London.

5pm: Sky Garden
The final spot for views today is London’s Sky Garden, a free-to-visit indoor garden with 360-degree views of the city. Tickets sell out months in advance, but they take walk-ins. If you can, get tickets for sunset to enjoy the transition of colors across the sky here.

7pm: West End

Catch a West End show for the evening, for prices a fraction of what the same show costs in NYC. Before that, enjoy a pre-theatre dinner at J Sheekey, a classic seafood restaurant in the heart of Theatreland with some of the best fish I’ve ever had. If fish isn’t your thing (or you don’t want to spend £50/entree), Blacklock is one of London’s best steakhouses (with possibly the most famous Sunday Roast), and has more reasonable prices.

Day 3:

Option 1: Museums, Parks, and Pubs

10am: British Museum
Start your day at the British Museum, home to a vast collection of art and artifacts from around the world, including the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles. The building itself is gorgeous, with a large open atrium when you first walk in. Entry is free, and the museum opens at 10am.

If you finish and want to explore that area a bit, I love the stationery store Present & Correct and the Korean art gallery Han Collection nearby.

12pm: Hyde Park

If you like to walk, walk through Soho and Mayfair to get to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, where you can relax by the Serpentine Lake or visit the Kensington Palace gardens.

For lunch, stop at a traditional pub just south of Hyde Park like The Grenadier (classic, historic), or The Beauchamp (contemporary).

3pm: Museums

Afterward, head to Harrods, the iconic luxury department store. Even if you’re not into luxury shopping, the building is historic and stunning, and there are beautiful displays inside as well. Visit Shoe Heaven to see the most beautiful shoes of all time, enjoy a cup of tea at the Harrods Tea Rooms, or pick up a souvenir (especially if you go during Christmas).

From there, walk to either the Natural History Museum (famous for its dinosaur skeletons and stunning architecture) or the Victoria and Albert Museum (the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design). Both are located in South Kensington and are free to enter. They both close around 5:45pm.

6pm: Notting Hill

For your final evening, explore the trendy neighborhood of Notting Hill. In Notting Hill, wander past pastel-colored houses, browse boutique shops, and enjoy dinner at a trendy restaurant. Our favorite in that area is CORE by Clare Smyth, which you should reserve far in advance.

Or, if you haven’t had enough of pubs, The Churchill Arms (known for its exterior floral displays) serves Thai food in the back. The food is just okay, but the ambience is cool to experience.

Option 2: Notting Hill, Markets, Parks, Museums

9am: Notting Hill Market & Brunch
Start your day in the charming neighborhood of Notting Hill. If it’s a Saturday, head to Portobello Road Market, one of London’s most famous street markets. Browse antiques, vintage clothing, and unique trinkets while soaking up the lively atmosphere. This is also the neighborhood you’ll find the iconic pastel-colored houses in (they can be found on Portobello Road, Lancaster Road, Elgin Cres. and Colville Terrace).

For brunch, stop at Beam, a trendy, always-packed café serving Middle Eastern-inspired brunch, or Eggbreak, if you don’t mind waiting in line. I would personally pass on Sunday in Brooklyn, and find Granger & Co just okay.

12pm: Hyde Park
After brunch, walk through Hyde Park, one of London’s largest and most beautiful royal parks. If you have it in you, try to see both the Italian Gardens and the Kensington Palace. Then walk along the Serpentine Lake, or rent a pedal boat if the weather is nice. If you’re visiting in winter, don’t miss the Winter Wonderland festival, which features festive markets, rides, and ice skating, and takes place on the east side of Hyde Park.

2pm: Natural History Museum or V&A Museum
Next, head to South Kensington, a chic neighborhood home to some of London’s best museums. Choose between the Natural History Museum, famous for its dinosaur skeletons and stunning architecture, or the 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 a life-sized blue whale model. If you love art and design, though, the V&A is for you. I personally love the Egyptian section on the 1st floor (where did they get those massive pillars??), and the ceramics collection (the best in the world) on the 6th floor.

4:30pm: Harrods
After exploring the museums, make your way to Harrods, the iconic luxury department store in Knightsbridge. Even if you’re not into shopping, the building itself is a sight to behold, with its ornate Egyptian Escalator and stunning food halls. Stop by Shoe Heaven to marvel at designer shoes, enjoy a cup of tea at the Harrods Tea Rooms, or pick up a souvenir. During the holiday season, the store’s Christmas displays are absolutely magical.

6:30pm: Shoreditch
End your day in Shoreditch, one of London’s trendiest neighborhoods. Known for its street art, vintage shops, and vibrant nightlife, Shoreditch is the perfect place to experience London’s creative side. If you haven’t yet had dinner at Dishoom, now is a good time. Or, if you want something more British, Lyle’s or The Clove Club are Michelin-starred restaurant offering a modern British tasting menu, or St. John’s is a classic British restaurant pioneering nose-to-tail cooking.

If you choose this itinerary and need a drink, Tayēr + Elementary is right down the road. This is my favorite bar in London, and the food is also really good, if you’re craving food late at night. Tayēr + Elementary is actually 2 bars (Elementary in the front and Tayēr in the back), and the drinks are premixed, but they’re amazing. If we had lived on that side of London, that would have been our regular bar. Check times if you go, though, as they have some funny hours.

Other Optional Activities:

This itinerary covers a LOT, and could easily be spread to 5 days or even a week. But if you’d like some other ideas for things you could do, here are some:

Thames River Cruise: A relaxing way to see London’s landmarks from the water. You can also take an Uber boat along the Thames to go from one end of London to the other, if that’s of interest!
Day Trip to Greenwich: Eat at the Greenwich Market, visit the Royal Observatory, stand on the Prime Meridian, and explore the charming maritime history of this area. On a nice day, hike up in Greenwich Park for an amazing view of London.

Day Trip to Hampstead Heath: Escape the city bustle and explore this sprawling park with stunning views of London from Parliament Hill.
Watch a Football (Soccer) Match: Experience the passion of English football by catching a Premier League or Championship game. Check out matches at Wembley Stadium, Emirates Stadium (Arsenal), or Stamford Bridge (Chelsea). Book tickets early, as they sell out.
Kew Gardens: Explore one of the world’s most famous botanical gardens, home to stunning glasshouses, treetop walkways, and seasonal exhibitions. You can also dine at the cafe or enjoy an afternoon tea here.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour: A must for Harry Potter fans, this immersive experience takes you behind the scenes of the iconic film series. Located just outside London, it’s an easy day trip.

Tours to Enhance Your Experience

Borough Market Food Tour: Join a guided food tour of Borough Market to sample the best bites and learn about its history.
Historic London Walking Tour: Explore the city’s iconic landmarks with a knowledgeable guide.
Tower of London Guided Tour: Dive deeper into the history of this iconic site with an expert guide on this private tour.

Tips

Use Contactless: Public transport is the easiest way to get around London. Apple/Google Pay works great and the system will automatically cap your spend per day as long as you use the same card every time. You can also pay for the iconic double-decker buses or black cabs with these contactless payments.
Book Attractions in Advance: Popular sites like the London Eye, Tower of London, and West End shows often sell out. Book online 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. It is also an old city, so there are lots of cobblestone streets. Comfortable footwear is a must!

London is one of my favorite cities in the world, and there is so much to see and do in this historic capital. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning for the nth time, I hope you found something new in this itinerary!

3-Day Itinerary // London, United Kingdom