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London in 3 days
London is huge, but its major sights cluster by area. This guide arranges them by day so you use the Tube as little as possible, makes the most of the free museums, and sets aside a day to escape to Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath.
3 days · United Kingdom ·
How many days will you spend in London?
Choose the length of your trip and the itinerary adapts.
With 3 days you can see the main sights and also discover a few less obvious corners. If you're planning a trip and have 3 days to explore London, I've put together this itinerary so you can make the most of your time, see the most important places and add a few Civitatis activities that are well worth it. The idea is to combine self-guided walks with guided visits, so you get to know the city without rushing from one place to another the whole trip.
- Day 1
Westminster, Big Ben, London Eye and Buckingham Palace
The most classic London, almost all on foot and along the Thames. Start early to see Westminster without the crowds.
- 9:00
Westminster Abbey: the coronation church since 1066 and the burial place of kings, poets and scientists, such as Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. Book a timed ticket online; photography is not allowed inside.
- 10:30
Big Ben and Parliament: the name Big Ben actually refers to the bell; the tower is called the Elizabeth Tower. The best photos are taken from Westminster Bridge. Tours inside Parliament need to be booked in advance.
- 11:30
Buckingham Palace: the Changing of the Guard does not take place every day and the schedule varies: check the official programme. Arrive early if you want a good spot in front of the gates.
- 13:00
Lunch on the South Bank: cross Westminster Bridge to the South Bank, where there are street-food stalls and restaurants. At weekends there is usually a food market beside the Southbank Centre.
- 15:00
London Eye: the ride lasts about 30 minutes and on clear days you can see a long way. Book a time slot online to avoid long queues.
- 17:00
South Bank Walk: continue along the south bank towards Waterloo Bridge. You will pass the Southbank Centre and the second-hand book stalls under the bridge. If you have time, carry on to Tate Modern, which has free entry.
- 19:00
Thames River Cruise: at sunset, with the monuments lit up, is the best time. Boats leave from the piers near the London Eye; book online.
- 9:00
- Day 2
Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market and the City
Medieval and financial London. Today you need an early start for the Tower. The City, the financial district, is almost empty at weekends and many places close: if that coincides with your trip, adjust the plan.
- 9:00
Tower of London: an 11th-century fortress that has been a palace, a prison and the home of the Crown Jewels. The Beefeaters give guided tours included in the ticket, and the legend of the ravens says that if they disappear the kingdom will fall. Book in advance.
- 11:30
Tower Bridge: many people confuse it with London Bridge. The exhibition lets you cross glass walkways 42 metres up and see the Victorian engine rooms.
- 13:00
Borough Market: one of London's oldest food markets, with medieval roots. Not every stall opens every day, so check its website. Go hungry and without rushing.
- 14:30
St Paul's Cathedral: Christopher Wren's masterpiece, completed in 1710. Climb to the Whispering Gallery (257 steps) and, if you want more, to the Golden Gallery (528).
- 16:30
Millennium Bridge and the City: this pedestrian bridge links St Paul's with Tate Modern and appeared in Harry Potter. From it you can see the City skyline and its skyscrapers with curious nicknames: the Walkie-Talkie, the Cheesegrater and the Gherkin.
- 18:00
The Shard: its viewing gallery is about 244 metres up, but the ticket is expensive. A free alternative is the Sky Garden, in the Walkie-Talkie: you only need to book online in advance.
- 9:00
- Day 3
British Museum, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square and Notting Hill
A day of free culture and walks. The British Museum and the National Gallery charge no entry, so it is the perfect day to save money.
- 9:30
British Museum: the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and the Egyptian mummies are its great draws. It is huge: allow about three hours. Entry is free, although it is worth booking a time slot online to avoid queues.
- 12:00
Covent Garden: a former fruit and vegetable market turned into an area of shops and cafés. There are usually street performers in the piazza, and musicians play under the arcades.
- 13:30
Lunch in Covent Garden: avoid the restaurants on the piazza, which are expensive. On nearby streets, such as Neal's Yard, there are cheaper options.
- 15:00
Trafalgar Square and National Gallery: Nelson's Column dominates the square. The National Gallery is free and holds Van Gogh's Sunflowers and works by Leonardo, Turner and Constable.
- 17:00
Notting Hill and Portobello Road: a district of pastel-coloured houses, famous from the film. Portobello Road has an antiques market on Saturdays, when it fills with stalls.
- 20:00
Dinner in a Traditional Pub: in pubs you order at the bar: there is no table service. Try fish and chips, a steak and ale pie or, on Sundays, a Sunday roast.
- 9:30
- Day 4
Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath
A full-day trip, best on an organised tour or by car. Linking the three stops by public transport on the same day is possible, but very long.
- 8:00
Departure from London: an organised tour includes transport and tickets. If you go on your own, there are trains to Windsor from Paddington and Waterloo, but Stonehenge and Bath are hard to combine on the same day.
- 9:30
Windsor Castle: it is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and a residence of the royal family. If the Royal Standard is flying, the monarch is at home. Do not miss St George's Chapel, which is closed to visitors on Sundays for religious services.
- 12:30
Stonehenge: the stone circle is more than 4,500 years old. The visitor centre has an exhibition and a shuttle to the monument; the visit is along a perimeter path and the stones cannot be touched.
- 15:00
Bath: a Georgian city of honey-coloured stone and a World Heritage Site, with the Roman Baths, the Abbey and the Royal Crescent. Jane Austen lived here for some years.
- 19:00-20:00
Return to London: the journey back takes between two and three hours depending on traffic. You will arrive at night: have something light to eat on the way or when you get back.
- 8:00
- Day 5
Greenwich, Camden Market and Regent's Park
The last day combines a district of maritime history with alternative markets. Greenwich is in south-east London: you can get there by DLR train, by bus or by boat on the Thames, which is the most pleasant way.
- 9:00
Greenwich: the place where time is measured. The Cutty Sark, a 19th-century tea clipper, is beside the quay, and the National Maritime Museum, which is free, is a few steps away.
- 10:00
Old Royal Naval College and Greenwich Park: a Baroque complex by Wren with the Painted Hall, nicknamed Britain's Sistine Chapel. Climb the hill in the park for a view of the Thames and the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf.
- 11:00
Royal Observatory Greenwich: the prime meridian runs through here, dividing the planet into two hemispheres. The observatory charges admission, but the views from the hill in the park are free.
- 13:00
Lunch at Greenwich Market: a covered market with food from around the world. It is open every day, with more food and craft stalls at weekends.
- 15:30
Camden Market: an alternative market with clothes, music and world food, beside the canal. The atmosphere is better at weekends, although it gets crowded. Look after your valuables.
- 17:30
Regent's Park: a park with Queen Mary's rose gardens. Climb Primrose Hill, to the north, to see London's skyline at sunset.
- 20:00
Dinner in Soho: an entertainment district with restaurants from around the world and Chinatown. Book at peak times. If you want to go to the theatre, the TKTS booth in Leicester Square sells discounted same-day tickets.
Civitatis activities for this day
- 9:00
My recommendation
If I had to choose just three Civitatis activities for this trip, I'd book:
- Free walking tour of classic London (Opens in a new tab)
- Tickets to the Tower of London (Opens in a new tab)
- Free walking tour of Notting Hill (Opens in a new tab)
They are experiences that complement exploring on your own really well.
Can you add one more day?
I'd spend it on this: Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath. It's well worth it.
Other Civitatis activities you can add to your trip
If you have more time or want to swap a visit, these are other interesting things to do in London:
| Activity | Approximate duration |
|---|---|
| Day trip to Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath (Opens in a new tab) | 10-11 h |
| Day trip to Oxford and the Cotswolds (Opens in a new tab) | 10 h |
| Tickets to Madame Tussauds (Opens in a new tab) | 2 h |
Activities, times, languages and prices may vary depending on the date. See all options on Civitatis London
A few tips for planning your trip to London
- Pay for transport with a contactless card or your phone: the system caps your daily spending and is usually cheaper than single tickets.
- Make the most of the free museums: the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Victoria & Albert, the Natural History Museum and Tate Modern.
- Book the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye in advance, especially in high season.
- In pubs you order at the bar and there is no table service. In restaurants, check whether service has already been added to the bill (it is usually 12.5%).
- Cars drive on the left. When crossing the road, look right first: many crossings have it painted on the ground.
- On Underground escalators, stand on the right: the left is for people walking up.
- Always carry a light rain jacket: the weather can change several times a day, even in summer.
- Leave free time: do not fill every slot with excursions. Wandering through London's neighbourhoods without a plan is also part of the experience.
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