3-Day London Itinerary At a Glance
Who This 3-Day London Itinerary Is For
This itinerary is made for first-time visitors who want to see London's classics—Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, British Museum—while still having time for markets, pubs, and wandering neighborhoods.
Expect 18–22k steps per day with a mix of must-see sights and free experiences. If you're traveling with kids or want a slower pace, you can easily start later each day or skip one museum.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in London
Tower of London, Tower Bridge & South Bank Walk
Start with London's most famous fortress, then walk the South Bank for free Thames views.
Morning
Tower of London
A 900-year-old fortress with the Crown Jewels, Beefeater guards, and 1,000 years of bloody royal history.
How to Do It:
- • Book first entry slot (9am) online at least a week ahead.
- • Head straight to the Jewel House before tour groups arrive (lines peak 11am–2pm).
- • Join a free Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour—departs regularly throughout the day from main entrance.
- • Explore the White Tower, ravens, and Medieval Palace after.
Tips
- → Security is airport-style—arrive 15 minutes early.
- → Don't skip the Beefeater tour—free with entry and full of dark humor.
- → The Crown Jewels viewing platform moves you past slowly—but you can walk through again for a second look.
Afternoon
Tower Bridge + South Bank Walk
Iconic bridge views, free riverside walk, and street food at one of London's best markets.
How to Do It:
- • Walk across Tower Bridge (free) or pay £12 to tour the high-level walkways and engine rooms.
- • Continue west along the South Bank: Shad Thames (cobbled streets + converted warehouses) → HMS Belfast → Borough Market.
- • Stop at Borough Market for lunch—sample artisan cheese, roast pork sandwiches, and international street food.
Tips
- → Skip the Tower Bridge exhibition unless you're really into Victorian engineering.
- → Borough Market is best Wed–Sat; open Tue–Sun, closed Mon—check before you go.
- → Grab coffee at Monmouth Coffee in the market.
Evening
South Bank Evening
The Thames at dusk is beautiful, and the South Bank has theaters, pubs, and street performers.
How to Do It:
- • If there's a show at Shakespeare's Globe, book standing tickets (£5–£10) for an authentic experience.
- • Otherwise, grab dinner at a riverside pub like The Anchor or The Horniman at Hays.
- • Walk to Millennium Bridge for lit-up St. Paul's Cathedral views.
Tips
- → Globe standing tickets are cheap but you're on your feet for 2.5 hours—bring cushions.
- → Many South Bank pubs get loud after 8pm—choose based on your energy level.
- → If you're exhausted, head back to your hotel early—tomorrow is a big day.
Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace & West End Show
Royal London day: see where kings are crowned, where the monarch lives, and catch a West End show.
Morning
Westminster Abbey
1,000 years of royal coronations, weddings, and burials—where history happens in Britain.
How to Do It:
- • Book first entry slot (9:30am) online to beat crowds.
- • Rent the included audio guide—excellent narration by Jeremy Irons.
- • Don't miss: Coronation Chair, Poets' Corner, Royal Tombs, Lady Chapel.
Tips
- → No photos inside—security is strict.
- → Allow 1.5–2 hours; there's a lot to see.
- → Exit and walk around Parliament Square for Big Ben photos.
Big Ben, Parliament & Westminster Bridge
Classic London postcard shots—Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, and Thames views.
How to Do It:
- • Walk around Parliament Square for different angles of Big Ben and Parliament.
- • Cross Westminster Bridge for the best full-building view.
- • If you have time, walk through St. James's Park toward Buckingham Palace.
Tips
- → You can't tour Parliament easily (need advance booking via MP or special tours)—exterior photos are enough for most.
- → Westminster Bridge is always crowded—patience for your photo.
- → Use this walk to grab lunch before Buckingham Palace.
Afternoon
Buckingham Palace + Changing of the Guard
Watch the ceremonial guard change (if scheduled) and see the palace gates up close.
How to Do It:
- • Check online if Changing of the Guard is happening today (typically Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun at 11am, but schedule varies—always verify before going).
- • If yes, arrive by 10:30am for a front-row spot at the gates.
- • If no ceremony, just walk around the palace exterior and through St. James's Park—equally nice.
Tips
- → The ceremony is free but crowded—get there early or accept you'll see from the back.
- → State Rooms tour (July–Sept only, £33) is worth it if you're visiting in summer.
- → Walk through St. James's Park after—gorgeous flower beds and pelicans.
Evening
West End Theater
World-class performances, often at lower prices than Broadway (especially for off-peak shows).
How to Do It:
- • Book online 2–4 weeks ahead via official theater websites for best prices.
- • Popular shows: Wicked, Les Mis, Book of Mormon, Hamilton, Phantom.
- • Grab dinner in Covent Garden or Chinatown before the show (most start 7:30pm).
Tips
- → TKTS booth in Leicester Square sells same-day discounted tickets (opens 10am)—but limited choice.
- → Balcony seats (£30–£60) often have better views than expensive stalls.
- → Skip theater district restaurants—overpriced. Eat before in Soho or Chinatown.
British Museum, Covent Garden & Borough Market Evening
Museum morning, market lunch, neighborhood wandering in the afternoon.
Morning
British Museum
Free entry to one of the world's greatest collections—Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, Greek sculptures, and treasures from every civilization.
How to Do It:
- • Book a free timed slot online (weekends can have 30-minute security queues).
- • Download the museum app or grab a paper map at the Great Court.
- • Follow this route: Room 4 (Rosetta Stone) → Rooms 62-63 (Egyptian mummies) → Room 18 (Parthenon Marbles) → Room 41 (Sutton Hoo).
Tips
- → Don't try to see everything—the museum is enormous.
- → Free daily tours (11am, 2pm) are excellent for context.
- → The Great Court café is overpriced; eat on Coptic Street instead.
Afternoon
Covent Garden Market + Seven Dials
Covered market hall with street performers, boutique shops, and the heart of London's theater district.
How to Do It:
- • Walk from British Museum to Covent Garden (15 min).
- • Explore the covered Covent Garden Market piazza and watch street performers.
- • Walk to Neal's Yard (colorful courtyard with indie cafés) and Seven Dials (independent shops).
- • Browse, grab a coffee, and people-watch.
Tips
- → Market restaurants are touristy—eat one street over for better value.
- → Performers work for tips—drop a coin if you stop to watch.
- → Save energy for Borough Market later if you skipped it on Day 1.
Evening
Shoreditch + Brick Lane Evening
Street art, craft beer bars, curry houses, and a younger creative vibe—perfect for your last night.
How to Do It:
- • Option 1: Head to Shoreditch (Tube: Shoreditch High Street) for craft beer bars, street food, and street art.
- • Option 2: Stay near South Bank and grab dinner at a riverside pub like The Anchor or near London Bridge.
- • Walk along the river after dark for lit-up Tower Bridge views.
Tips
- → Borough Market is closed by 6pm, so if you missed it Day 1, you'll need to catch it during afternoon hours another day.
- → Shoreditch bars can be pricey (£7–£9 pints)—check prices before ordering rounds.
- → End with a nightcap at a rooftop bar or traditional pub depending on your style.
Arrival & Departure: Flights and Airport Transfers
Fly into Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), or Stansted (STN). For this 3-day itinerary, aim to arrive by early afternoon on Day 1 and depart evening of Day 3 or morning of Day 4.
From Heathrow: Take the Piccadilly Line (£5.50, 50 min to central London) or Heathrow Express (£25, 15 min to Paddington). From Gatwick: Gatwick Express (£20, 30 min to Victoria) or Thameslink (£10–£15, 45 min). From Stansted: Stansted Express (£20, 47 min to Liverpool Street).
Get an Oyster card at the airport or use contactless payment—daily cap is £8.90 for unlimited Tube/bus travel in Zones 1-2 (2025 prices).
Where to Stay for 3 Days in London
For a 3-day trip, location is everything. Focus on staying in Zones 1-2 near a Tube station so you can reach most sights in under 20 minutes.
Best bases for this itinerary: Southwark (near Borough Market + Tower), Westminster/Victoria (near Big Ben + Buckingham Palace), Bloomsbury (near British Museum), or King's Cross/St. Pancras (great transport links).
Budget travelers: Look at Bayswater, Earl's Court, or King's Cross—you'll save £30–£50/night with only 10–15 minutes extra Tube time.
Avoid staying far out in Zone 3+ or in areas with poor Tube access—saving £20/night isn't worth adding 90 minutes of daily commuting.
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About This Guide
Written by: Jan Křenek
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
Published: November 20, 2025
Updated: November 20, 2025
Data Sources: Official tourism boards and visitor guides • GetYourGuide and Viator activity data • Booking.com and Numbeo pricing data • Google Maps reviews and ratings
Methodology: This guide combines historical climate data, current tourism patterns, and real traveler budgets to provide accurate, actionable recommendations for London.