Three days is enough to see London’s great landmarks and get a feel for its neighbourhoods, as long as you group sights by area and do not try to cross the city several times a day. This itinerary is designed for first-time visitors and keeps walking manageable.
If you only have one day, see our one-day London itinerary instead.
Day 1: Westminster, the Royal Parks and the South Bank
Morning. Start at Westminster Abbey when it opens, then walk past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben to Parliament Square. Cross into St James’s Park towards Buckingham Palace. On days when Changing the Guard takes place, arrive early for a good view; our Changing the Guard guide explains where to stand.
Afternoon. Walk up the Mall to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, then cross the river by the Golden Jubilee Bridges to the South Bank.
Evening. Ride the London Eye at sunset, eat along the South Bank or in Covent Garden, and finish with a West End show. Our theatre guide covers getting there and home.
Day 2: The Tower, the City and Borough Market
Morning. Be at the Tower of London for opening time and head straight to the Crown Jewels before queues build. Then walk across Tower Bridge.
Lunch. Follow the river west to Borough Market for lunch from the food stalls (it is quieter on weekdays; check opening days).
Afternoon. Visit Tate Modern, then cross the Millennium Bridge to St Paul’s Cathedral. If you have energy left, climb to the dome galleries for the view.
Evening. Head east to Shoreditch or Spitalfields for dinner and a livelier evening scene. Our Shoreditch guide has ideas.
Day 3: Choose Your Style
Option A: Museums and parks. Spend the morning in South Kensington at the Natural History Museum or the V&A, both free. Walk through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens to Kensington Palace. On a Saturday, finish at Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill.
Option B: Greenwich. Take a river boat east to Greenwich for the Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian, and views back over London from Greenwich Park. See our Greenwich guide.
Option C: Out of town. Swap the third day for Windsor Castle, Stonehenge or Oxford. A private car makes a day trip straightforward; see Windsor and Eton or our best day trips.
Where to Stay
For a short trip, staying centrally saves the most time. Covent Garden, the South Bank, Westminster and Marylebone all keep this itinerary within easy reach. Our central London area guides compare them.
Getting Around
- Use a contactless card or phone on the Tube and buses; daily caps limit what you spend. See paying for London transport.
- Walk between nearby sights: many are closer than the Tube map suggests.
- Riverboats are a scenic way to link Westminster, the South Bank, the Tower and Greenwich.
Arriving and Leaving
On a long weekend, every hour counts. A fixed-price airport transfer takes you straight to your hotel so you can drop your bags and start sightseeing, and our hotel to airport planning guide helps you time the journey home.
Want to See More in Less Time?
A four-hour private driving tour on the first morning covers the main landmarks quickly and helps you get your bearings before exploring on foot.