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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nI\u2019ve visited London four times now, and I think three days is the sweet spot for a city break. It\u2019s enough to tick off the classics like Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace, while leaving room to choose what you enjoy most. Maybe that\u2019s exploring a museum, shopping on Oxford Street or strolling through the colorful streets of Notting Hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this guide you\u2019ll find a complete 3 days in London itinerary<\/strong>. Each day comes with a suggested route along the city\u2019s highlights plus practical tips to make your trip smooth and enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wondering how to plan your days in London? In my opinion, this is the best daily schedule for exploring the city in 3 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Start your trip in Westminster, the heart of the city where you\u2019ll find London\u2019s most famous landmarks. As soon as you step out of the tube at Westminster Station, you\u2019re face to face with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Take a moment to capture this iconic view, as it\u2019s the true postcard image of London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From there, head over to Westminster Abbey<\/strong>, the site of royal coronations and weddings. It\u2019s a fascinating place to visit, and the audio tour brings the impressive interiors and hidden stories to life. Did you know that William III of Orange, Charles Dickens and Stephen Hawking are buried here?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc49 Want to avoid the queues? You can buy your ticket<\/a> for Westminster Abbey in advance<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For lunch, either sit down at a restaurant in Westminster or grab something from a supermarket and enjoy a picnic in Victoria Tower Gardens<\/strong>, right by the Thames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, stroll through St. James\u2019s Park<\/strong> on your way to Buckingham Palace<\/strong>. If you\u2019re lucky, you might catch the Changing of the Guard. Even without it, the park is a peaceful spot for a short break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From there it\u2019s a 15-minute walk to Trafalgar Square<\/strong>, home to Nelson\u2019s Column and the famous lion statues. In the mood for art? Step into the National Gallery<\/strong>, one of London\u2019s finest museums, and admission is free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n End your first day in Covent Garden<\/strong>, a lively area with street performers, boutique shops and plenty of restaurants. It\u2019s the perfect place to enjoy dinner and soak up the atmosphere of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without detours this route is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles), but you\u2019ll likely walk more if you add stops like 10 Downing Street, take extra time in St. James\u2019s Park, or head from Trafalgar Square via Leicester Square to Covent Garden.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Today\u2019s focus is the eastern side of the city, where history and modern London come together. Take the tube to Tower Hill and start with a visit to the iconic Tower of London<\/strong>. Here you\u2019ll learn about the city\u2019s dramatic past and, of course, admire the Crown Jewels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc49 It gets busy, especially at the Crown Jewels, so it\u2019s best to arrive early and book your ticket<\/a> for the Tower of London online in advance.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Right next door is Tower Bridge<\/strong>, perhaps the most beautiful bridge in Europe. Walk across it and enjoy the views of the Thames. Don\u2019t miss Shad Thames<\/strong>, the charming riverside neighborhood right beside the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For lunch, head to Borough Market<\/strong>, a lively food market with dishes from all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From there, follow the river and cross the Millennium Bridge<\/strong> to St. Paul\u2019s Cathedral<\/strong>. If you\u2019re up for the climb to the dome, you\u2019ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc49 Want to go inside? Buy your ticket<\/a> for St. Paul\u2019s Cathedral in advance to skip the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxed walk along the South Bank<\/strong> of the Thames. This riverside stretch is perfect for admiring London\u2019s skyline. Along the way you\u2019ll pass Shakespeare\u2019s Globe<\/strong> and the Tate Modern<\/strong>, one of the world\u2019s leading modern art museums with works by Dal\u00ed, Warhol and Picasso. Entry is free, though special exhibitions may require a ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eventually you\u2019ll reach the London Eye<\/a><\/strong>. A ride just before sunset offers some of the best views over the city. The surrounding area has plenty of restaurants for dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without detours, this route is about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles). You\u2019ll likely walk more if you add a museum visit or wander through side streets.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n On your third day you have room to make it your own. Do you feel like shopping, visiting more museums, or exploring one of London\u2019s neighborhoods?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re unsure where to start, here are a few ideas. Begin at the British Museum<\/strong>, where you can wander for hours among world-famous collections. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles and impressive Egyptian mummies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prefer nature and architecture? The Natural History Museum<\/strong> is a great alternative, with enormous dinosaur skeletons and the striking Hintze Hall, home to a giant blue whale. Right next door is the Victoria and Albert Museum<\/strong>, a must-see for anyone interested in fashion, design and decorative arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All of these museums are free to enter, though special exhibitions may require a ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After your museum visit, take a stroll through Hyde Park<\/strong> and Kensington Gardens<\/strong>, two of London\u2019s largest green spaces and a great escape from the city\u2019s hustle and bustle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the afternoon, head to colorful Notting Hill<\/strong>. Wander past pastel-painted houses and, if it\u2019s the weekend, browse the lively Portobello Road Market<\/strong> for antiques, vintage finds and street food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still have energy left? Dive into the shopping heart of Oxford Street<\/strong> and Regent Street<\/strong>, or enjoy the buzz of Soho<\/strong>. A classic pub dinner is the perfect way to round off your 3 days in London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How far you walk today depends on your choices, but to give you an idea: walking from the Natural History Museum through Kensington Gardens to Notting Hill is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A city break in London is fantastic, but it can also feel intense because of the crowds and the distances between sights. With these practical tips you\u2019ll make your trip a lot easier and more comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This 3 days in London itinerary will give you a very complete impression of the city. But of course, it\u2019s far from everything London has to offer. If you come back or have a little more time, these places are also worth exploring:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These spots show just how much variety London has to offer, and they make it easy to extend your city break if you have more time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Planning to explore London in 3 days (or longer)? Arrange your flights, tickets and accommodation in advance so you can start your trip stress-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2708\ufe0f By plane<\/strong> – London has several airports and is easy to reach with direct flights from major cities in Europe and beyond. You can compare and book flights easily through Skyscanner<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\ude86 By train<\/strong> – Prefer a more sustainable option? The Eurostar connects Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris directly with London St. Pancras in just over four hours. Tickets are available through Rail Europe<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83c\udfa1 Tours & activities<\/strong> – To avoid long queues at popular attractions like the London Eye or Westminster Abbey, book your tickets in advance with GetYourGuide<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83e\uddfe Travel insurance<\/strong> – For international visitors it\u2019s always smart to travel well insured. You can find reliable coverage through Insubuy<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n London is an expensive city to stay in, but you\u2019ll find plenty of options across all budgets. Staying in Zone 1 or 2 of the Underground is most convenient, as you\u2019ll be close to the main sights. A few top-rated hotels:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out more hotels and the latest prices via Booking.com<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n These were all my tips for a long weekend in London! Looking for more inspiration? Order one of the travel guides below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lonely Planet Experience London<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rick Steves London<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve been to London and other parts of the United Kingdom several times, so you\u2019ll find more personal tips and practical advice on this website<\/a>. Check out these articles as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Want to receive more travel tips and inspiration straight to your inbox? Sign up for my newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3 days in London itinerary: the perfect daily schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Day 1: Classic London<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDay 2: The Tower and the Thames<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nPractical tips for this 3 days in London itinerary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nMore great spots in London<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Book your trip to London<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Where to stay in London<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Read more about London and the United Kingdom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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