London in 3 days: a day-by-day itinerary

Three days are enough for London's must-sees: one day for Westminster and royal London, one for the City and the South Bank, and a third for the great museums, Hyde Park and Notting Hill. Many of the best museums are free.

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Day 1. Westminster and royal London

  1. Westminster Abbey

    Monarchs have been crowned here for almost a thousand years. On Sundays it's open for worship only, so don't save it for then.

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  2. Houses of Parliament & Big Ben

    Parliament and the Big Ben clock tower on the Thames. The best photo is from Westminster Bridge.

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  3. Buckingham Palace

    The King's official residence. The Changing of the Guard doesn't happen every day: check the official schedule first.

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  4. Trafalgar Square & National Gallery

    The square of Nelson's Column. The National Gallery, with Van Gogh, Turner and Velázquez, is free.

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  5. Covent Garden

    A covered market, street performers and plenty of restaurants, right by the West End theatres.

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Day 2. The City and the Thames

  1. Tower of London

    The medieval fortress that holds the Crown Jewels. Buy tickets online and go first thing.

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  2. Tower Bridge

    London's most famous bridge. Walk across to the South Bank.

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  3. Borough Market

    The city's best-known food market. Arrive hungry at lunchtime.

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  4. Tate Modern

    Modern art in a former power station. The permanent collection is free and the viewing level overlooks the river.

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  5. St Paul's Cathedral

    Cross the Millennium Bridge to St Paul's and its great dome. On Sundays it's open for worship only.

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💡 Pay for the Tube and buses with a contactless card or your phone: a daily cap applies, so you never pay more than a day ticket.

Day 3. Museums, parks and Notting Hill

  1. British Museum

    The Rosetta Stone, the Egyptian mummies and the Parthenon sculptures. It's free; allow at least three hours.

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  2. Natural History Museum

    The whale skeleton in the main hall and the dinosaur gallery. Also free.

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  3. Hyde Park

    Walk along the Serpentine lake to Kensington Gardens.

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  4. Notting Hill & Portobello Road

    Colourful houses and the Portobello Road market. Saturday is the big day for antiques.

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💡 In the evening, book a West End musical: the ticket booths in Leicester Square sell cheaper last-minute seats.

Practical tips

  • Many museums are free: the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern and Natural History Museum.
  • Pay for transport with a contactless card or your phone: there's no need to buy an Oyster card.
  • Book the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and musicals in advance.
  • On Tube escalators, stand on the right and leave the left side free.

Frequently asked questions

Are 3 days enough for London?

Yes for the essentials: Westminster, the Tower of London, the Thames, the big museums and Notting Hill. With more time, add Greenwich, Camden or a day trip to Windsor.

Which London museums are free?

The permanent collections of the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum and V&A, among others. Temporary exhibitions usually charge.

How do I get around London?

The Tube and buses go everywhere. Pay with a contactless card or your phone: daily and weekly caps mean you never overpay.

Make it yours

Plannit builds an itinerary around your interests and dates, with a map, photos and transport between stops.

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Opening hours and rules can change: check the official websites before you go.