Three days in London is a daunting task. As the capital of the United Kingdom, it’s a must see for many people. From the museums, to the buildings, to the pubs, there is a never-ending list of things to do. Find out in this guide how you can explore London, even if it’s just for a few days.
Understanding London
London is a huge and densely populated area. There are two main airports – Heathrow and Gatwick. Most international airlines fly into Heathrow, which is the bigger airport and likely to be your landing location. After you go through the passport check(s), make your way to the train station because once you get used to the Underground/Tube system, it is amazing. Depending on where you are staying, the Heathrow Express will take you from Heathrow Airport to Paddington Station, and subsequently to your final destination. London is such a thriving city in part because of the wonderful public transportation. If you are on board with taking the Tube, learning the bus system, or even walking, you will be very glad that you didn’t rent a car. For the rest of this article, we’ll assume that you also love the Tube and will be using it as your primary means of transportation.
Read more: How to navigate London transportation
London is also known for being overcast and rainy. Pack a rain jacket and/or small umbrella – especially since you will be outside and walking a lot!
Day 1 – Trafalgar Square, St. James’s Park, Buckingham Palace
After checking-in to your hotel, Airbnb or hostel, seek out your first British pub! For some good pub spots, visit The Pub Blogger, or simply wander around – you are sure to find a pub nearby because London is filled with them. If you like fish, make sure to try the classic pub meal of fish and chips, a side of peas (which may or may not be mushy) and a delicious pint (or half-pint, love these!) of beer. You are going to need all the energy for the rest of your busy day. While we recommend trying fish and chips, there are other pub staples you could try as well! From bangers and mash, to shepherds pie, anything you get will be tasty.
Sights of the day
To start exploring London and its sights, we suggest hopping on the Tube and exiting at Charing Cross station. This is where you’ll start your walking journey and see Trafalgar Square. The famous Square is named after the Battle of Trafalgar and is the home of several concerts, ballets, art shows and other celebrations. Next, we recommend walking down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace and enjoying St. James’s Park along the way. St. James’s Park is a royal park featuring fountains, a lake and plenty of greenery. It’s a beautiful place to sit on a bench, relax your feet, and enjoy the scenery for a bit.
Continuing on to Buckingham Palace, you can witness the “Changing of the [Royal] Guard” and see the Royal Family residency. Plan to spend some time here because the Palace architecture is amazing and who knows – you might even catch a glimpse of a member of the Royal Family! At this point, you are probably pretty tired from the journey getting to London and all the walking. If you are a fan of Indian/Iranian food, we suggest making a reservation at the famous Dishoom to end your day. Dishoom is a memorable, top-rated restaurant that everyone recommends.
Day 2 – Exploring London sights: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, London Eye
Are you ready for a fun and productive day?! I sure hope so because we’re packing in a lot. First, take the Tube to the Westminster stop to see Westminster Abbey. This church is the location of Royal weddings, coronations and burials. Next, take a quick stroll over to Big Ben – one of the most iconic clocks in the world. Continue walking towards Westminster Bridge and you will see a great view of the London Eye on the River Thames (pronounced “tims”)! We enjoyed taking pictures on Westminster Bridge because you get a great view of many London landmarks. The bridge itself is also very large, with plenty of space to walk around comfortably.
At this point in the day, you might need a bit of a walking break, so grab some food and maybe a drink too (you’re on vacation in London!). For the rest of the day, there are a few things you can choose to do and we’ll list them below.
- Kensington Palace – Royal residence. You can also see Hyde Park on the way to the Palace!
- Churchill War Rooms – a series of underground bunkers that Winston Churchill and his cabinet utilized during WWII. Buy tickets ahead of time.
- Afternoon (High) Tea – a British tradition that includes various types of tea, served with sandwiches and assorted pastries. Feel free to choose any place that you fancy – there are so many options!
- Notting Hill and Portobello Road – Notting Hill is a rich and vibrant area that you might also recognize from some movies/TV shows. Portobello Road is known for its famous street market, where you can get delicious food, drinks, antiques, souvenirs and other goods.
Day 3 – Tower of London, The Shard, Borough Market
For your last full day in London, prepare for more walking. Start by taking the Tube to the Monument stop and check out the Tower of London. This royal and iconic castle [fortress] is expansive fortress and housed prisoners in the past. Make sure to buy tickets ahead of time if you are interested in doing the tour! After that, make your way to the Tower Bridge and walk across it. Plan on stopping along the way to take pictures of the views from the bridge, as well as the bridge itself. After crossing the Tower Bridge, continue walking to The Shard – a well-known and impressively designed skyscraper in the city.
The Shard
When arriving at The Shard, you will notice that it is a very large and overwhelming complex. We suggest taking an elevator to the restaurant level and heading to Hutong for breathtaking views from their bar. If fine dining interests you, choose one of the many restaurants at the top to eat at. We recommend grabbing a drink, enjoying the views, and taking a quick restroom break. That might sound weird, but even the views from the restroom are breathtaking! While the food at The Shard can be great, there are plenty of hidden food gems you can experience for a much more affordable price. The next place you are headed after The Shard contains just that.
Borough Market and London Bridge
For the last stop exploring London, head to Borough Market, which is a quick walk from The Shard. Borough Market is one of the oldest and largest food markets in the city. Spend some time walking around and getting a delicious snack. The variety that Borough Market offers is enough to impress any foodie and your options are seemingly endless.
As you exit Borough Market, make sure to stop by London Bridge. The bridge is located just one block away. Stroll across the bridge to complete your list of London landmarks to see while visiting. Another option if you are tired of walking, is to catch a ride on a double-decker bus across the bridge! Make sure to head up to the second level of the bus and try and sit in the front. Crossing the London Bridge by bus is a fun and unique experience that will certainly be memorable.
If you still have time to spend on your last day, feel free to check out some of the other sites listed at the bottom of Day 2. If you are interested in experiencing more of England or have an extra day to spare, consider taking a day trip elsewhere, such as Bath!
Read more: Our experience in Bath, England
Conclusion
London is a massive and very impressive city filled with tons of history. It offers endless activities and food options that even the most experienced travelers will appreciate. Regardless of the time of year you visit, exploring London will always yield something unique and special. Hopefully with this guide, you are also able to appreciate all the iconic sites, culture and charm that the city has to offer.
