Three days is the average length of a first trip to London, and it's genuinely enough time to see the city properly — Westminster's landmarks, a world-class museum, the Tower of London, and one neighbourhood with real local character — without sprinting between sights. Here's a day-by-day plan that keeps travel time low and lets each day breathe.
Getting Around
Use a contactless card, phone wallet or Oyster card for the Tube and buses. Fares are automatically capped per day, so there's no need to plan around a single ticket type.
Where to Base Yourself
Somewhere in Zone 1 near a well-connected line — King's Cross, Victoria, Paddington or South Kensington — keeps every stop on this itinerary within a short Tube ride.
Royal London & Westminster
Start with the postcard version of London — the cluster of royal and political landmarks that most people picture when they imagine the city.
Buckingham Palace
Walk the forecourt and gardens area. If your date lines up with a Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Sunday, the Changing of the Guard is worth catching — check the official schedule beforehand, since it isn't daily and can change at short notice.
St James's Park
A short, pleasant walk through one of London's prettiest Royal Parks on the way toward Westminster.
Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament
Photograph the exterior from Westminster Bridge or Parliament Square — this is one of London's most-photographed views.
Westminster Abbey
Book a timed entry ticket online in advance if you want to go inside; otherwise the exterior and Parliament Square are free to explore.
Lunch near the South Bank
Cross Westminster Bridge and grab lunch along the South Bank, with the Thames and Parliament as your backdrop.
London Eye & South Bank walk
Ride the London Eye for skyline views, then stroll the South Bank promenade toward the Tate Modern and Millennium Bridge.
Covent Garden
Dinner and an evening wander around Covent Garden's street performers, shops and piazza — or book a West End show if you fancy one.
Museums & the Tower of London
A day split between world-class free museums in the morning and one of London's most historic paid attractions in the afternoon.
The British Museum
Free to enter. Arrive close to opening to see the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian galleries before the crowds build up.
Lunch in Soho or Bloomsbury
Both neighbourhoods are a short walk from the museum and have a huge range of food options.
Tower of London
Book online in advance — it's cheaper than paying on the door and avoids the queue. See the Crown Jewels and the White Tower; allow at least two hours.
Tower Bridge
Walk across, or add the Tower Bridge Exhibition (glass floor walkway) if you book it alongside your Tower of London ticket.
Borough Market & South Bank
Wander Borough Market for food stalls, then follow the river toward the Shard for evening skyline views.
Greenwich or Camden — Pick Your Pace
Your final day is more flexible — choose the riverside history of Greenwich, or the market energy of Camden, depending on what you enjoyed most so far.
Option A: Greenwich (Half-Day River Trip)
Take a river boat or the DLR to Greenwich. See the Cutty Sark, walk to the Royal Observatory to stand on the Prime Meridian Line, and browse Greenwich Market for lunch and crafts. It's an easy, scenic half-day that feels different from central London.
Option B: Camden Market & Regent's Canal
Spend the morning at Camden Market for food stalls, vintage shops and an alternative atmosphere, then walk or take a canal boat along Regent's Canal toward Little Venice.
Whichever you choose, spend the rest of the afternoon in South Kensington's museum quarter — the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and V&A are all free and within walking distance of each other, so you can drop into whichever interests you before heading back to pack.
Sorted Your Days? Plan the Journey There
Compare booking tips, railcards and payment methods for the rest of your UK trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Three days is enough to comfortably cover London's headline sights — Westminster, the Tower of London, a major museum and one neighbourhood like Camden or Greenwich — without rushing. It won't cover everything, but it's the average length of a first visit and gives a genuinely well-rounded trip.
Yes, booking online ahead of time is strongly recommended. It's one of London's most visited paid attractions, ticket prices are lower online than on the door, and advance booking avoids long queues, especially in summer.
Somewhere near a well-connected Underground line in Zone 1, such as around King's Cross, Victoria, Paddington or South Kensington, keeps every part of this itinerary within a short Tube ride and cuts down on daily travel time.
It's a nice bonus if the dates line up, but not worth over-planning for. It typically runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 11am with a separate Sunday Parade, but the schedule changes month to month and ceremonies are sometimes cancelled at short notice, so check the official schedule close to your travel date rather than assuming.
Sources
- Visit London — official sightseeing and itinerary guidance: visitlondon.com
- Household Division — Changing the Guard schedule: changing-guard.com
- Historic Royal Palaces — Tower of London tickets: hrp.org.uk