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From seeing Big Ben for the first time to wandering Covent Garden and having the perfect afternoon tea, there are so many iconic moments on a trip to London. This 3-day London itinerary will make sure you don’t miss any.
London is such a bucket list destination; however, the city’s size can make planning your first trip feel quite overwhelming. Many must-see neighborhoods and sights are actually so far away from each other that you have to know how to group your sightseeing by area.
Luckily, after visiting London around five times and recently living here for almost three months, I know my way around the city. Just last year, I took a 10-day Europe trip with my mom and aunt, and spent 3 days in London following this itinerary.
From unmissable sights to some of London’s most charming neighborhoods, and—as with all my itineraries—delicious food and great coffee stops along the way, this 3-day London itinerary is the perfect introduction to the city for first-time visitors.
⭐️ Short on time? This one-day London itinerary has all the highlights conveniently packed into 24 hours.
The Ultimate 3-Day London Itinerary for First-Timers
Overview of how to spend 3 days in London
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Buckingham Palace + Westminster Abbey + Big Ben | Borough Market + Tower Bridge + Covent Garden | Pub dinner + West End show |
| Day 2 | Kensington + Natural History Museum | Afternoon tea + Piccadilly Circus + Leicester Square | Regent Street + Soho |
| Day 3 | Notting Hill | Mayfair + Marylebone | Covent Garden |
Day 1: Classic London, Borough Market & Covent Garden
Breakfast at Watch House Coffee
Start your first morning in London right by finding the Watch House location closest to you—there are around 24 in the city, so it shouldn’t be that hard.
Watch House is one of the best coffee shops in London, with beautiful design, amazing coffee, and most of its locations also double as a great brunch spot. Check their Watch House location map to confirm which venues have a full brunch menu.
The ones with a brunch menu offer everything from delicious pancakes with maple syrup, oatmeal bowls, eggs benedict, and everything your brunchy heart could desire.
Visit Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & London Eye
⭐️ Moving around: You can walk between most of these sights, so this is a good way to see several iconic London landmarks without spending the whole morning on transport.
After fueling up, it’s time for the first stop of the day: Buckingham Palace. Arrive at the gates, admire how royal they look, get your picture, and then make your way through St. James’s Park.
Buckingham Palace is honestly the best location to start a full tourist day in London— geographically. From here, you can easily walk towards other London bucket list attractions, like our next stops.
Follow St. James Park, exit on Great George St., and you’ll find the iconic red phone booths with your first peek at Big Ben in the background. Get the shot, and then cross the street to admire the historic Westminster Abbey.
Make sure to book your Westminster Abbey tickets in advance if you want to visit. So far I’ve only admired it from outside, and then seen what cute items they have in the souvenir shop.
Afterward, follow Victoria Embankment to get a perfect view of the London Eye before crossing halfway through Westminster Bridge to get a full look at Big Ben (or technically Elizabeth Tower) and the imposing Palace of Westminster.
Walk along Southbank & Graffiti Tunnel
You’ve already ticked off some of the most iconic spots in London and all before lunch! But don’t worry, we’ll get to lunch—but first, a cool detour.
Cross Westminster Bridge and head to the Graffiti Tunnel to get a taste of the East London vibe in the city center. Feel free to skip it if you’re starting to get hungry, and speedwalk towards Borough Market.
Along the way, you’ll get a close-up of the London Eye. I’ve personally never ridden it—I’m not a fan of heights—but if it’s on your bucket list, make sure to book your London Eye ride far in advance.
As you continue walking, you’ll pass Shakespeare’s Globe to your right, a replica of the original Elizabethan theatre, for any theatre lovers out there.
Lunch at Borough Market
And finally, arrive at Borough Market to fuel up after that very busy morning.
Borough Market is one of the oldest markets in London, and while it’s wildly popular, the place feels authentic, with locals visiting in search of high-quality produce and delicious street food.
One of my favorite spots in Borough is The Black Pig, a popular street food cart serving ridiculously delicious pulled-pork sandwiches. They are amazing!
But honestly, there are so many great-looking things to try, so have a little wander before choosing, or do a little sampling platter and try a few things.
☕️Coffee: For an afternoon caffeine fix, you can visit the nearby Monmouth Coffee or the Gentleman Baristas for a great cup. I’ve tried and loved both.
Cross Tower Bridge and visit the Tower of London
After lunch and an afternoon cafecito, make your way to see the iconic Tower Bridge, not to be confused with the London Bridge, a simpler concrete one. Tower Bridge is the beautiful one you see in pictures.
Stop at the Tower Bridge viewpoint to get some great pictures and then cross it over to see the historic Tower of London. If you want to learn more about its dark history, read the plaques along the sidewalk as you walk around it.
Visit the historic Leadenhall Market & wander Covent Garden
This stop is not absolutely necessary, but since we’re close enough, I’ll give you the option.
For a more unique stop in your 3-day London itinerary, make your way to Leadenhall Market, a beautiful, covered Victorian market that looks straight out of a Harry Potter movie. The place is surreal!
After that, hop on the metro towards the unmissable Covent Garden—one of my favorite areas in London. Here, make sure to wander the Covent Garden market, admire the colorful Neal’s Yard, and visit the fun Seven Dials Market.
This area in London is a shopping and entertainment hub, so you’ll find all the shops your heart desires; take the time to browse around.
Pub dinner at The Lamb & Flag
For the ultimate London experience, we have to finish the day with a pub dinner, and my favorite place for this, for its central location, cozy vibes, and incredible food, is The Lamb & Flag in Covent Garden.
This historic pub in the heart of London—the origins of the first pub here can be traced back to the 17th century(!)—is one of the best places to eat in London, and my go-to spot when I’m in town.
Whatever you choose from the menu, it’s amazing. We had their steak & ale pie and their fish and chips, and they are both so good! And normally I don’t even like fish and chips, but I like these. Don’t skip their desserts either.
End the day with a West End show
You’ve done so much today already, so you could easily call it a day, but if you are ready for one more adventure, one of the best things to do in London at night is catching a West End show.
When booking your West End tickets, just keep your dinner time in mind, and leave yourself time to make your way to whichever theatre the show takes place in.
There are so many incredible shows to watch. Some of my favorites I’ve seen include Les Misérables, Waitress, Back to the Future, and SIX The Musical.
If it’s too much for day one, you can also still fit this on the final evening in London, or you could do both. The sky’s the limit!
Day 2: Kensington, museum, afternoon tea & Soho
Breakfast at Hjem Coffee & Kensington vibes
Start your second day at the locally loved Hjem Coffee Shop, a cozy Danish cafe serving delicious pastries like their popular cardamom buns, and breakfast items like chia pudding, avocado toast, smoothies, and delicious lattes. The perfect spot to start your day.
After breakfast, wander the charming streets of Kensington en route to the Natural History Museum.
Kensington has a mostly residential vibe, but what makes this area so special to me is that this is what London looks like in movies: rows of elegant white Victorian houses and small, private neighborhood parks.
Visit the Natural History Museum and the Royal Albert Hall
Arrive at the Natural History Museum, which you’ll be happy to know is free to all visitors.
Even if you’re not a big museum person, I think it’s worth stopping by to visit the stunning main hall with the iconic whale skeleton hanging above the visitors coming in. And if you are a museum lover, then go crazy. You can easily spend a few hours here and still follow this itinerary.
After the museum visit, follow the Queen’s Gate street north to admire the historic Royal Albert Hall, London’s beautiful, iconic concert hall.
Depending on how long you spent at the museum, either take a stroll through Hyde Park towards Mayfair or catch a double-decker bus to get closer to Brown’s Hotel.
Classic afternoon tea at Brown’s Hotel
A quintessential activity that I think is worth fitting into a 3-day London itinerary is afternoon tea, and one of the best places in London is The Drawing Room at Brown’s Hotel.
While there are many unique, fun options for afternoon tea in London, if what you’re looking for is a timeless, elegant, classic afternoon tea experience, you have to visit The Drawing Room.
The service is formal but never arrogant; the space is elegant but still retains a cozy, welcoming element, and the tea, scones, finger sandwiches, and desserts are all incredible. (Make sure to come hungry—it’s so much food!)
This experience is a bit of a splurge, but I think it’s so worth it as a foodie/cultural experience. I’m happier to pay for this than for Westminster Abbey, but that’s just me.
If you do want to enjoy your tea here, make sure to book your time slot in advance.
Visit Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, and Trafalgar Square
You’ll be so full after that afternoon tea, so let’s walk it off with a stroll to the nearest Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly Street, where you can stock up on afternoon tea essentials to recreate what you just lived, at home.
From all types of delicious biscuits to countless tea flavors, jams, honey, super cute kitchenware, and more, here you’ll find everything you need to bring that British touch back home with you.
After the shopping spree, it’s time to tick off some other London classics on the list. Head over to the busy Piccadilly Circus intersection, then walk through Leicester Square, and visit Trafalgar Square, where you’ll see Nelson’s Column and its four lions, and the iconic National Gallery.
Wander Regent Street & browse the iconic Liberty London
From here, head back to Piccadilly Circus to take a stroll through the imposing Regent Street, lined with some of the most iconic buildings in the city.
Take your time visiting the shops as you move towards Liberty London, a historic high-end department store with a distinctive Tudor-style facade and wooden interiors.
Once inside, explore the different floors carrying unique, up-and-coming brands, as well as some high-end classics. Shop their iconic Liberty flower print collection of items to take home a unique, practical London souvenir.
Walk along Carnaby Street and explore lively Soho
Afterwards, explore the trendy Soho neighborhood around you—one of London’s best places for dining and nightlife—and stroll down the fun Carnaby Street.
This popular street tends to be decorated with ever-changing art installations throughout the year—you never know what you’ll get, but they are always fun.
In case you’re not shopped out for the day, you’ll also find some great shopping opportunities in this area, with smaller businesses lining the pedestrian alleys.
If you’re ready to slow down for the day, grab a drink at the popular Cahoots London. I haven’t been yet, but it’s high on my list, and it’s right in this neighborhood.
Dinner at the popular Dishoom
I honestly can’t remember being hungry after afternoon tea at Brown’s, but surely you’ll need a bite, and the best place for that in the area is Dishoom.
Dishoom is a super popular Indian restaurant, serving tapas-style delicious Indian dishes. Their venue in Soho is highly social, with dim lighting and loud music, so be prepared. The food and drinks are amazing!
I’ve been there a few times now, and I’ve always tried a variety of different dishes, and it’s always been so tasty. If you don’t know where to start, the waiters are great at giving recommendations.
If, like me, you like to explore the foodie scene while traveling, then this is a spot you can’t skip on your 3-day London itinerary.
Day 3: Notting Hill, Marylebone & Covent Garden
Breakfast at Eggslut in Notting Hill
For the third day, make your way to Eggslut in Notting Hill for a hearty breakfast sandwich before exploring this charming London neighborhood.
While living in London for three months, we used to order Eggslut breakfast sandwiches delivered to our hotel as our hangover meal, and they were so good! So if, like me, you need a hearty, savory breakfast to start the day, this is the place to go.
If you prefer something sweet for breakfast, stop by the neighborhood’s location of the beloved Buns from Home for a sweet roll.
☕️Coffee: For the perfect neighborhood café vibes, head north to Lancaster Brew, grab a latte, and sit at a table outside to people-watch.
Explore the charming Notting Hill
After getting your caffeine fix, it’s time to explore the buzzing Portobello Road Market, which really does look like in the movies: street food vendors, local produce stands, random items—there’s a bit of everything.
While the market is, of course, a highlight of the area, there’s so much charm tucked away on the crossing streets, so make sure to also wander away at times.
One of the unmissable things to do in Notting Hill is stopping by the picturesque The Notting Hill Bookshop, the real-life travel bookshop that the movie “Notting Hill” was based on. Once you enter the shop, you can really see the resemblance.
Keep exploring the beautiful streets of Notting Hill while heading south until you arrive at Notting Hill Gate Street.
☕️Coffee: For a second coffee stop of the day, visit Amoret Coffee or Lift Coffee—they are both great!
Lunch at the unique Mercato Mayfair
Depending on your pace and travel style, you could squeeze in a visit to Kensington Palace. I personally don’t like to rush around too much, so I would instead take a stroll through Hyde Park to arrive in Mayfair (45 min), or hop on a bus.
Once in Mayfair, marvel at the fanciness of it all—this is one of the poshest, most exclusive areas in London—as you walk towards Mercato Mayfair.
Mercato Mayfair is not a London classic, or essential by any means, but I think it’s a fun addition to our 3-day London itinerary. This is a market and food court tucked away in an old church with dramatic vaulted ceilings, colorful stained-glass windows, and a crypt.
Here, you’ll find various tasty-looking food stands. When visiting, we were feeling more snacky than hungry, so we ordered nachos from “Club Mexicana,” and they were pretty good. Their tacos looked legit also—and I’m a Mexican saying that.
Wander the beautiful streets of the Marylebone neighborhood
After food, stroll through Oxford Street, then up James St., where you’ll find even more food, and keep going north into the beautiful Marylebone neighborhood.
Stroll along Marylebone High Street and explore the streets around, where you’ll find a bit of everything: great shops, cafés, and restaurants, surrounded by beautiful architecture.
This is one of my favorite areas in London for simply wandering around, grabbing a coffee—there’s a Watch House—and visiting some of my favorite shops like Mejuri, Sezane, the Monocle shop, and the unmissable Daunt Books.
Browse the shops, explore the beautiful area, and maybe sit down for an afternoon coffee to rest the legs for a bit before moving on.
Dinner at Din Tai Fung in Covent Garden
For a last evening in London, I don’t think there’s anywhere else we must pack into the itinerary. I think the perfect way to end your stay in the city is by going back to the lively Covent Garden.
This is such an iconic area, with so much to offer when it comes to food, bars, and entertainment that I don’t think there’s anything wrong with repeating it.
For dinner, head to the popular Din Tai Fung (book in advance if possible) for a delicious Taiwanese meal. Order a variety of dumplings for the table, some garlicky broccoli, and fried rice. I love the shrimp and the soup dumplings.
This is one of our go-to places for dinner in Covent Garden, and it’s really fun to come with friends as you get to share dishes, making it very social. Their cocktails are also amazing!
✨ Optional West End show: If you time your dinner properly, you could even catch a second West End show if you feel like it.
End the perfect 3 days in London with a cocktail at Mr. Fogg’s Gin Parlour
To finish off the perfect last day in London, visit the hidden Mr. Fogg’s Gin Parlour—just ask at the Mr. Fogg’s Tavern for the Parlour; it’s not that secretive. But it’s popular, so book ahead if possible.
Mr. Fogg’s Gin Parlour is a cozy cocktail bar tucked away on the second floor of the Tavern, pouring unique—and sometimes dramatically presented—concoctions.
I visited with friends, and we particularly loved their city-themed cocktails. I had the London, because duh! But also because it’s the cocktail description I liked the most, and I was stupid happy to see it came inside a small Elizabeth Tower replica—so cool! And the drink was actually delicious.
Bim, bam, boom, that’s 3 days in London.
Final thoughts on a 3-day London itinerary
London is a massive city with so much to offer, from iconic neighborhoods and bucket-list-worthy landmarks, amazing restaurants, incredible coffee shops, and world-class entertainment.
And while it’s simply impossible to see everything in 3 days—I lived here for 3 months, and still have a full list of things to do for next time—there’s plenty you can pack into your trip. The main thing to keep in mind is location. You want to group your activities by location, or be ready to commute at one point or another… which is also fine.
It’s totally doable to spend the morning in Notting Hill and then take a bus into Covent Garden; just make sure to organize your must-sees so you don’t miss any because of poor organization.
This 3-day London itinerary is a compilation of many visits to the city, time living here, and has been tried and tested on my mom and aunt, who both loved their time in London.
I think this is the perfect combination of must-see sights, amazing food, great coffee, unique stops like Mercato Mayfair, and slow moments, like simply enjoying a drink at a pub. For me, this balance is what makes the most memorable trips.
What are you most looking forward to doing out of this 3 day London itinerary? Let us know in the comments.
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