3 Day Guide to London

London holds a special place in my heart - it was the first country I ventured to when I started traveling the world. While I could spend weeks in the city, you really only need three days to make the most of this destination - making it a perfect extended weekend getaway or landing place for further travels.

This is the perfect city for all travelers, especially those new to going abroad. There's really no bad area to stay in Central London, the public transport is expansive, and there's so much to see and do for all types of interests. If you're looking for more general information on London, check out this page for my insider scoop!

Today I'm sharing my 3 Day Itinerary that hits up the main sights, explores some of the parks, gets you into different neighborhoods, and offers some great food options. I've also included some alternate ideas at the end if you're a return visitor or just looking for something different! This is an action-packed guide so make sure you're ready for busy days and bring along a pair of supportive shoes!

Breakfast

Resist the urge to sleep in and do yourself a favor by waking up early to beat the crowds. Do as the locals do and find your nearest Pret A Manger for breakfast - you'll find a wide array of coffees and plenty of breakfast items to fuel up. There's basically a Pret on every corner; if Starbucks and Panera Bread had a baby that lived in the UK, it would be this café.

See the Sights

Take the tube (aka the subway) to the Westminster Station and start off your day by taking in all the famed London sights. Start by wandering around Westminster - you can purchase tickets to tour the Abbey but the exterior is stunning enough. Big Ben is under construction until 2021 but you can still see the clock face as of Spring 2019.

Cross the Thames to get a close up view of the London Eye and get plenty of pictures of Parliament from across the river. You'll pass tons of the iconic red phone booths so be sure to get your touristy pictures in (no shame here). Finally, cross the Golden Jubilee Bridge and take Northumberland Avenue until you hit Trafalgar Square. Relax by the fountains to rest your feet and people watch as the crowds gather.

Taking in these sights can take as long as you'd like. If you find yourself making good time, take a stroll through the National Gallery (BONUS - it's free) to view the 2,300+ works of art on display.

Lunch

Make your way back along Northumberland Avenue and pop into the Sherlock Holmes pub, which boasts a dining room identical to the famed detective's apartment. Skip the fish and chips if you take up my dinner suggestion below and try the pies or toasties instead. Be sure to order a pint to really feel like a Londoner!

Green Park

Hop on the Picadilly Line at the nearby Charing Cross Station and stop at Green Park. Take a stroll through the beautiful park (London has the best green spaces) and linger as long as you'd like. Circle through the Buckingham Palace Gardens, where you'll spot tons of swans and geese.

Buckingham Palace

When you're done exploring the gardens, make your way to the incomparable Buckingham Palace. If you are very set on seeing the Changing of the Guard, move this itinerary suggestion to before lunch. However, many people feel it's not worth all the fuss. If you're like me and would prefer to be surrounded by the least amount of tourists as possible, come in the afternoon and skip the ceremony. Be sure to visit the gift shop around the corner, though - it has some delightful souvenirs!

London Eye

Book tickets for a ride on the London Eye to get some of the best views of the city. If you can, time your ride with the sunset for a truly unforgettable experience. The ride takes about a half hour and some packages include a skip-the-line feature that can be worthwhile.

Dinner

Now's your time to get your fish and chips fill! Head across the Thames to Rotherhithe to visit The Mayflower (reservations highly suggested). Not only will you get a chance to dine at one of the oldest pubs in all of London, you'll get to see a less-touristy part of the city. The fish and chips are some of the best I've ever had and their ciders were delicious. Take a tube or overground to the Canada Water Station and make the ten minute walk to the pub.

Breakfast

Start your day by heading over to Notting Hill to see the rainbow houses for yourself. Take a tube to Notitng Hill Gate and start walking down Portobello Road. You'll pass plenty of bakeries and coffee shops to stop at for breakfast, like Farm Girl Café or Granger & Co.

Notting Hill

Known for being one of the most Instagrammable areas in London, Notting Hill is the perfect place to spend your morning. You'll find a vibrant mix of antique shops, street vendors, and gorgeous homes in a variety of colors. You'll find unique accessories at Rainbow, unheard of cookbooks from Books for Cooks, and endless antique stores everywhere you look.

Blogger Note - PLEASE be respectful when taking photos in this area. Yes, the houses are delightful, but these are homes. Don't run to the doors, hang off the railings, or sit on the porches in pursuit of your pictures. Just enjoy from the curb!

Lunch

Skip the sit-down restaurant and indulge at one of the many food stalls you'll find in Notting Hill. You'll find an impressive assortment of dishes - French bread and cheese, South American empanadas, Indian curries, and everything in between. If you need a drink to wash it down, see my earlier note about The Distillery - you'll find a variety of expertly crafted gin-based drinks.

Tower Bridge

After exploring Notting Hill, hop on the Circle Line and take a tube to Tower Hill Station to walk along the Tower Bridge. Often incorrectly called the London Bridge, this is another iconic London landmark and sought-after photo op. You can book a behind-the-scenes tour to see the engine rooms and walk along the upper level if you'd like. If you linger long enough, you might get to see a large ship pass through!

Tower of London The Tower of London is an iconic castle and fortress - and rumored to be very much haunted. Plan to spend a bulk of your afternoon admiring the Crown Jewels and walking through the cells of former prisoners. You'll also learn about the legend of the ravens and get to see the famous Beefeaters up close.

Dinner

After another action-packed day, head to the nearby Coppa Club for dinner. Scenically situated along the river, the outdoor pods are truly an experience if you can book one.

My other dinner suggestion comes with a disclaimer - it's a chain - but it's one worth visiting. Wagamama is a fast-casual Asian restaurant serving up fresh, affordable noodle and rice dishes all over town. It has a great atmosphere, ridiculously good food, and free green tea.

Sky Garden

This itinerary suggestion requires a bit of pre-planning, as you'll need to reserve your (FREE) tickets three weeks before your visit - that's when tickets are released and they go quickly! The Sky Garden stands 500+ feet tall in a skyscraper referred to as the "walkie talkie" building. You'll find a gorgeous view of the city in this public indoor garden. Be sure to stop at the Sky Pod Bar for a nightcap.

PS - the elevator ride up is less than 30 seconds and claustrophobics can try to request a private elevator. There is a dress code for the Sky Garden; avoid tennis shoes as you may be turned away.

Brunch

Sleep in on your last day - your feet might need the break! Book a table at the Ivy Kensington Garden for a truly smart brunch. Pro Tip: book for 10AM or later to ensure you'll get a table in the outdoor garden space. While the restaurant is elegantly chic, the prices are actually very reasonable. Its Chelsea counterpart (Ivy Chelsea Gardens) is much more beautiful in my opinion if you'd prefer to take in that part of town instead!

High Street

If you're looking to get your fill of European fashion, browse Kensington High Street for an elegant mix of shops. Top Shop and Zara are some of my favorites fast-fashion stores that haven't made their way to Wisconsin yet. Be sure to hit up Harrods, the world's most famous department store, and be prepared to be blown away (the champagne terrace is perfect for a bubbly break from shopping).

Kensington Palace & Gardens

After hitting the shops, or if you're just not interested in shopping, take a walk around the Kensington Gardens - the Sunken Gardens right off of Kensington Palace are truly beautiful. This area is home to Kate Middleton and also housed Queen Victoria and Princess Diana. Of all the gardens in London, this is my favorite. If you're truly ambitious, you can also explore Hyde Park which connects to Kensington.

Afternoon Tea

High tea just seems to right when you think of a trip to England. You can either book a tea at the Kensington Palace or hop on a tube to Covent Garden, where I suggest you spend your afternoon. B Bakery and the famous Savoy put on an elegant service that will bring out your inner Brit. Don't worry - you'll get plenty of light bites that will tide you over until dinner.

PS - if you're looking for other afternoon tea suggestions, check out my post HERE

Covent Garden

After you've had your bodyweight in scones and tea sandwiches, walk around the numerous specialty shops of Covent Garden. You'll find a store for just about everything here and it's easy to get lost in the odds and ends. When you need a break, pop over to the Lamb & Flag for a pint - it's where Charles Dickens used to hang out.

Dinner

Stick around Covent Garden for dinner at Cinnamon Bazaar, my latest foodie find obsession. Reservations are highly suggested since the tiny shop fills up quick. You'll find innovative spins on Indian dishes (do NOT miss out on the samosas) and creative cocktails that will truly delight.

If you have room for dessert, walk to La Gelateria. Churning up some of the best gelato in town, the honey, rosemary, and orange zest flavor is ridiculously addictive.

If you're making a repeat visit to London or looking to swap out a suggestion from above, here are other ideas to add to your itinerary!

Day Trip

Get out of the busyness of London and take a day trip. Guided tours make it easy but you can coordinate your own adventure as well. Some popular day trips include Stonehenge, Bath, Windsor or Leeds Castle, or Canterbury.

Museums

London is home to countless museums and most of them are free. The Natural History Museum, Tate Modern, and Victoria & Albert Museum are popular picks.

Chinatown

Chinatown is bustling and vibrant and worthy of a visit for a wildly unique experience. If you need a treat, the ice cream cones from Bubblewrap are worth the long lines, otherwise you'll find endless bubble tea shops in the area as well.

Shakespeare's Globe

Located on the South Bank of the Thames, this theatre is the perfect place to catch a Shakespeare production. Hundreds of tickets for less than roughly $9USD are available for all performances, otherwise you can simply take a tour of the theatre itself.

Harry Potter Studios

After the Harry Potter movies were done filming, the warehouses sat with all the props and costumes. Warner Brother's made the smart move to turn it into an immersive experience for fans. The Harry Potter Studios allows visitors to walk through the actual movie sets, ride a broomstick, and live out their wildest Harry Potter dreams.

London is a bucket list destination for many and is a delightful city for so many reasons. With endless activities and sights to see, it can be tricky to map out an itinerary that shows you the best of the city. My 3 Day Guide is the perfect way to take in the iconic landmarks, try some amazing dishes, and explore its many neighborhoods.

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