The Ultimate Guide to London: 3 Day Itinerary

This 3 day itinerary around London starts with your first full day on day 1, or when you will arrive in the early morning, and ending on day 3, which would be your last full day in London. This itinerary was also mine when I travelled to London in 2023.

This guide helps to narrow down the hundreds of things to do in London to fit a realistic 3 day itinerary. I also added extensive comments to each of our activities to guide you through the attractions.

I have included in this guide not only the activities that we did, but also a useful google maps links to the places we visited, our ratings for each activity, time stamps, the duration of each activity, what to pack, and many more useful information.

Table of Contents

• General Information
• Day 1: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and London Eye
• Day 2: Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and British Museum
• Day 3: Bridges, Borough Market, Sky Garden and St Paul’s Cathedral
• Bonus: Day 4: Windsor Castle
• What to Pack

General Information

How do you get around London?

The public transportation (the tube) will be your best friend in London. What’s great about the tube is that you don’t need to buy a physical subway ticket but instead, you can tap your card right before you enter. The system will be able to register your card and charge you when you exit the tube, which you will then need to retap your card.

I don’t recommend driving in the city. There can be a lot of traffic and parking is not easily found.

When I travelled to London, I simply used the public transportation and bought my tickets by tapping at the entrance.

How do I go from the airport to the city?

London has actually four major airports (Heathrow, Luton, Gatwick, Stansted), so you will have many options to fly in and out. From all airports, I highly recommend public transportation because taxis and ubers can be expensive. You can take the train into the city, then the tube to your accommodation. The train has a separate purchasing system than the London tube. Once you arrive to your arrival airport, you can find booths that sell train tickets. That is where I bought my train ticket. You will also see signs at the airport that leads you to the departure gate. You will see many other travellers going to take the train.

Which areas to stay in London?

There are many nice neighbourhoods to stay at in London such as Soho, Covent Garden, Kensington, and much more. Other than safe neighbourhoods, another thing I like to look at is the proximity to the things you want to do and the subway. Because London is pretty big, if you are relatively within the city and close to a subway station, it should be a great place to base yourself.

When I travelled to London, I stayed in the Kensington area at the Central Park Hotel. The hotel was within walking distance of the subway which was very convenient and was in an area that I felt very safe in. The hotel itself was average.

If I were to go to London again, I would definitely stay at a hostel. Hostels in London are honestly a lot more affordable than I expected (considering that London is a more pricey destination), and it is a great way to meet other travellers.

Should I get an eSIM upon arrival in London?

I highly recommend getting an eSIM upon arrival. At the airport, they do sell SIM cards in vending machines, but I prefer eSIMs because you can arrive stress free with data.

Should I travel to London as a solo female?

During my time in London, I felt very safe. Of course, make sure to take the regular safety precautions like having an eye on your belongings, not being out late alone, etc. In terms of pickpocketing, I found it to be definitely less heavy than for example in Italy or in France (but of course make sure to be aware, you never know!). It also depends on which neighbourhood you decide to stay in.

All of this to say that if I were to go back to London, I would 100% feel safe as a solo female.

What are some must do activities in London that I need to book in advance?

It’s always fun to have some spontaneous activities throughout the day but unfortunately, you will need to reserve some activities in advance if you want to visit them. In my itinerary, here are some activities I booked a few weeks to months in advance:

• Sky Garden. The Sky Garden gives panoramic views of the city and is free.
• Afternoon tea at the Great Court Restaurant.

For the other activities that I will describe needing tickets, you can get them one day before.

Day 1: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and London Eye

8:45 am: Breakfast at the Regency Cafe

Have an English styled breakfast at the Regency Cafe. The menu at the Regency Cafe offers affordable British food, including traditional English breakfasts with bacon, eggs, sausages, and baked beans, as well as delicious pies, sandwiches, and hearty stews. The portions are generous, ensuring you leave feeling satisfied and fuelled for a day of exploring the city.

I do recommend to take in some waiting time because there can be a long line. We arrived at 8:45 am to have enough time to enough time for the guard change at the Buckingham Palace later at 10:45 am. We waited approximately 30 minutes before ordering.

• Duration: 1h00
• Price: £1-20
• Rating: 9/10. The food was delicious and very filling. The cafe is more of a “cafeteria style” because everybody waits to order at the counter where they prepare your food, and once your food is ready, you take your tray to where you would like to sit.

10:20 am: Watch the guard change at the Buckingham Palace

From the Regency Cafe, make your way to Buckingham Palace, which is a 1.3 km walk. Watch the guard change at Buckingham Palace. Changing the guard is a traditional ceremony that takes place outside Buckingham Palace and other royal residences in London. It involves a formal changeover of the guards who are responsible for protecting the royal premises.

The guards begin marching at 10:45 am, and the handover at the Buckingham Palace takes places at 11:00 am. Changing the guard happens the following days:

• March and April every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
• May, June and July – daily
• August onwards every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

I arrived at 10:20 am for the guard change and I felt that it was the perfect timing. You have enough time to walk around and see where you want to set yourself up. Although people go for the changing guard, I think that you should go for their walk! The changing guard happens behind the gates of the Buckingham Palace, and no visitors can actually enter the gates. Therefore, it isn’t something grandiose to see. However, when watching the guards march down the street, you are able to be close to them and feel the energy in the room.

• Duration: 1h30
• Price: free
• Rating: 7/10

1:00 pm: Westminster Abbey

Spend the beginning of the afternoon on a tour of the Westminster Abbey. Westminster Abbey is a famous historic church in London, England. It’s a stunning place with beautiful architecture and rich history. This iconic abbey has been the site of coronations, royal weddings, and burials of many notable figures throughout history, such as kings, queens, poets, and scientists.

• Duration: 1h30
• Price: £29
• Rating: 7/10, I did find the entry ticket very expensive for what it is. In addition, it is crowded because it is a popular spot to visit. However, I loved that they provided audioguides because it helps you understand everything around you, and the inside is very beautiful.

2:30 pm: Big Ben and London Eye

Next, from the Westminster Abbey, walk towards the famous Big Ben and the London Eye. To Big Ben, it is a 5 minute walk and to the London Eye, it is a 12 minute walk.

If you want to go inside Big Ben, you will need to book a tour months in advance. Personally, we did not visit inside but instead, we admired it from the outside.

For the London Eye, we also did not go on it but instead, admired it from a far. If you would like to get tickets, I recommend getting them online the day before.

From the Westminster Abbey, we simply walked across the Westminster Bridge and then on the Queen’s Walk, which is along the River Thames. I recommend taking your time here. If you love photography, walk around and play with the different angles of Big Ben and the London Eye. Stop for food if you get hungry (there are a lot of shops around).

• Duration: 2h00
• Price: free (if you do not go inside Big Ben and the London Eye)
• Rating: 8/10

4:30 pm: Piccadilly Circus

On our way back during our walk, we stopped by Piccadilly Circus, which is a vibrant landmark in the heart of London’s West End. Surrounded by towering electronic billboards and screens, Piccadilly Circus is known for its dazzling displays of advertisements and digital art, creating a vibrant and dynamic ambiance, especially at night when the lights illuminate the square in a spectacular fashion. There are many restaurants and shops around.

• Duration: 30 minutes
• Price: free
• Rating: 7/10

Day 2: Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and British Museum

9:00 am: Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

In the morning, get your steps in at Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are a big interconnected green space, and they feature lush gardens, serene lakes, and wide-open meadows perfect for picnics and leisurely strolls. To the west, Hyde Park has the pretty Serpentine Lake, and I highly recommend walking around it and watching people boating. To the west, Kensington Gardens is known for Kensington Palace, the former residence of Queen Victoria.

• Duration: 1h30
• Price: free
• Rating: 7/10

11:00 am: Notting Hill

From Kensington Gardens, walk to Notting Hill. Notting Hill is a vibrant and charming neighborhood in London, known for its colorful houses, trendy shops, and bustling markets. It’s famous for the annual Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s biggest street fiesta. You can explore Portobello Road Market for antiques and unique souvenirs, relax in picturesque parks like Holland Park, and enjoy cozy cafes and stylish boutiques throughout the area.

I loved walking around because there are so many unique and colourful houses. This is also where the movie Notting Hill was shot, so it was nice to see it in real life.

• Duration: 1 hour
• Price: free
• Rating: 8/10

1:00 pm: Afternoon Tea

Take the afternoon to have the typical British afternoon tea. We decided to have it at the British Museum, at the restaurant called the Great Court Restaurant.

I really enjoyed the afternoon tea and I felt that the portions were filling. However, I do have to say that the experience felt less “luxurious” than I expected. The restaurant is located in the British Museum, but it isn’t closed off with walls, so you can hear everything going around in the British Museum which could seem “chaotic.” In addition, the furniture and decor did not feel better than any other classic restaurant that I have been to. Nevertheless, the afternoon tea experience at the Great Court Restaurant is a lot more affordable than some other high end places, so I guess that you get what you pay for. I am still really happy I got to experience the afternoon tea in England.

• Duration: 1h30
• Price: £35 per person
• Rating: 7/10

2:30 pm: British Museum

Spend the late afternoon at the British Museum. The British Museum is a world-renowned museum located in London, housing a vast collection of historical artifacts and treasures from around the globe. The British Museum is actually so much bigger than I would have imagined. It is separated into continents, displaying art from every corner of the world. You can easily spend your whole day here.

While everything was very fascinating at the British Museum, I had a sense of unease because as they were describing everything that was displayed, I felt that they were displaying art that wasn’t their own. Many of the objects were taken without permission, and it was even written in the description of the objects. They were talking about the culture and the history of every country except the UK, so it felt a bit odd.

• Duration: 2h30
• Price: free (but I recommend reserving your ticket at least the day before)
• Rating: 5/10

Day 3: Bridges, Borough Market, Sky Garden and St Paul’s Cathedral

9:00 am: Tower Bridge and London Bridge

Walk by the Tower Bridge and the London Bridge. Tower Bridge is an iconic landmark in London, famous for its stunning architecture and historical significance. It’s a combined bascule and suspension bridge that spans the River Thames. London Bridge is a historic bridge spanning the River Thames in central London. While it may not have the grandeur or iconic appearance of Tower Bridge, London Bridge has a rich history dating back centuries.

I recommend simply walking along the River Thames and on the bridges. You will find many other people also walking around, and it is a great way to soak up the sun. You can also enter both towers of the Tower Bridge at an extra cost. However, we decided not to do that.

• Duration: 1 hour
• Price: free (unless you want to visit inside Tower Bridge)
• Rating: 7/10

12:00 pm: Borough Market

From Tower Bridge and London Bridge, walk to the Borough Market to get lunch. From London Bridge, it is only a 400m walk to get to Borough Market. It’s one of the city’s oldest and most famous markets, offering a diverse array of fresh produce, gourmet foods, artisanal products, and international cuisines.

There are so many amazing foods you can choose from. I tired the Bomba Paella at the Furness Food Hut, which is a seafood paella with chicken, shrimp and vegetables. I personally loved it and would highly recommend. I am not a big fan of seafood and really enjoyed their paella, so that also says a lot.

In addition, I had seen on social media this place at the Borough Market that sells chocolate covered strawberries, where they put the chocolate into the cup of strawberries from a chocolate fountain. Therefore, I had to give it a try. It was really good, but honestly it wasn’t worth the expensive price tag. The strawberries were very good but not the best ones I had.

• Duration: 1h30
• Price: depends on the food you buy
• Rating: 8/10

2:00 pm: Sky Garden

Take the afternoon to visit the Sky Garden. From the Borough Market, the Sky Garden is only a 1 km, across the London Bridge. The Sky Garden is an indoor garden and observation deck located at the top of the Walkie Talkie building in London. It offers panoramic views of the city skyline, including iconic landmarks such as the Shard, Tower Bridge, and the River Thames. The Sky Garden also features lush greenery and beautiful gardens.

• Duration: 2 hours
• Price: free, but book your ticket in advance!
• Rating: 9/10

4:00 pm: St Paul’s Cathedral

From the Sky Garden, St Paul’s Cathedral is a 1 km walk. St Paul’s Cathedral is cathedral known for its stunning dome, grand architecture, and rich history dating back centuries. St. Paul’s Cathedral has a significant place in British history, having hosted important events such as royal weddings and state funerals. It’s also the resting place of notable figures like Admiral Nelson and Sir Winston Churchill.

• Duration: 1h30
• Price: £25
• Rating: 7/10

Bonus: Day 4: Windsor Castle

Take a day trip to Windsor Castle! Windsor Castle is a magnificent royal residence located in Windsor, near London. It’s one of the oldest and largest inhabited castles in the world, with a history dating back over 900 years. The castle is not only a symbol of British monarchy but also a fascinating destination for visitors interested in history, architecture, and royal heritage.

It is very easy to get to from London. You will need to take a train, and the train is direct. The train takes approximately 45 minutes from Paddington station in London to reach Windsor.

I visited Windsor Castle as a day trip from London and I think that it is definitely worth it. You do need to get tickets before, so make sure to get them at least a day before. You can also take the time to visit the city of Windsor, which is a charming and historic town. Windsor has many streets lined with traditional shops, cozy pubs, and charming cafes.

• Duration: 5h00
• Price: £30.00 in advance, £33.00 on the day
• Rating: 8/10

What to Pack

All linked items are exactly the items that we also brought, if not, almost identical, because for some items I could not find the exact same thing.

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please let me know!