3 days in London will give you time to see the highlights.
Let me start you off on How to Spend 3 Days in London | See the Highlights. I recommend you get the London Pass. It will include entrance into some of London’s most famous attractions, discounts on food, and a few transportation options. Here is my idea of how to spend 3 days in London.
As I have mentioned in my other articles, I highly recommend the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus. This is the best way to get an overview of any city. It will take you to the top sites and the drivers are great at keeping you entertained along the way.
See the Sites
Morning:
Big Ben and the House of Parliament: Start your day early by heading to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Big Ben is the iconic bell that rings from the Elizabeth Tower, and the tower is the highest point of the Palaces of Westminster, where the British Parliament meets. Take some time to admire the impressive architecture and learn about its historical significance.
Westminster Abby: After visiting the Houses of Parliament, walk over to Westminster Abby. While you can get a tour of the Abbey, keep in mind that tickets might be hard to secure, so it’s advisable to plan ahead and book them in advance. The Abby has played a significant role in English history, with every English monarch since 1066 holding their coronation here. Explore the beautiful interior, where many monarchs have also been baptized, married, and buried.
Late Morning:
Abbey’s Cellarium Café: After the tour of Westminster Abbey, head to the Abbey’s Cellarium Café for a traditional English tea and delicious fare. This is an excellent opportunity to relax and savor some local delights before continuing your exploration.
Midday:
Buckingham Palace: Take the convenient Hop-On-Hop-Off bus to Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British monarch. Arrive in time for the Changing of the Guards ceremony, which typically takes place around 11-11:30 AM.
You can enter the palace and tour its staterooms. You can also visit the garden, which is dominated by a 3-acre lake that has made this spot known as the “oasis of London.”
Afternoon:
Trafalgar Square: After the Buckingham Palace visit, head toward Trafalgar Square, a vibrant public space in London. Take some time to admire the iconic Nelson’s Column and the beautiful fountains. If you’re hungry, there are numerous restaurants in the vicinity to suit various budgets.
Café in the Crypt at St. Martin in the Field Church: For a unique dining experience, head to St. Martin in the Field Church, where you’ll find the Café in the Crypt. This restaurant offers homemade sandwiches and a light lunch at a reasonable price. Enjoy your meal in a historic setting.
Late Afternoon:
London’s National Gallery: Conclude your day with a visit to London’s National Gallery, which houses one of the world’s finest art collections. The best part? Entry is free! Take your time to explore the vast array of art, including works by renowned artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, and Claude Monet. Art enthusiasts can easily spend several hours here, but even a brief visit is worthwhile.
The attractions for today are generally in the same area and can be walked. The most complicated part will be getting from your hotel to the area. If you take the underground, you need to head to London Bridge Station.
Sites:
Southwark Cathedral: You’re too close not to peek inside Southwark Cathedral. Take a few pictures from the outside or if you’re a lover of cathedrals, take the tour.
The Shard: This place is quite busy so be warned. The Shard is a 95-story glass skyscraper with a great view of London. Once in, ride to the top and there’s a 360-degree viewing platform where you can spot familiar landmarks.
If you’re looking for great views and a better price, the nearby Sky Garden is like a tropical oasis in the sky and has free admission (reserve your spot in advance).
Tower Bridge
Walk 15 minutes and you will be on the famous Tower Bridge. There is an additional walkway above that you can tour. This activity is the most iconic thing you can do during your 3-day London visit.
Tower of London: The Tower of London offers plenty of activities. The Tower’s most famous prisoner was Queen Anne Boleyn, but scores of nobles and common men alike were held within the Tower’s walls, and they’ve left behind centuries of fascinating graffiti.
The Beefeaters or Yeoman Wardens are the ceremonial guards of the fortress who not only live in the Tower but also give jovial guided walks where you learn about the history and tales of the Tower.
You can also see the crown jewels and the armory and explore on your own.
South Bank: After exploring the Tower of London, take a lovely walk along the South Bank from Waterloo to the Millennium Bridge, crossing over the Southwark Bridge. It should only take about 20-25 minutes.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
Turn right onto Bankside and you will pass a painstakingly faithful reproduction of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, built on the site of the original theatre.
Take a photo or opt for the tour inside the active, open-air theatre. Or book a performance. A piece of history that should not be missed!
Tate Modern: View the works of Dalí and Picasso inside this repurposed power plant. The Tate Modern can stretch the boundaries of what you think art is or should be. And that’s a fantastic thing. Expect quirky and thought-provoking work. There is also a restaurant on level 6 that offers stunning views of St Paul’s Cathedral across the river.
St. Paul’s: Head across the Millennium Bridge and walk straight to St. Paul’s Cathedral. A symbol of resilience and resistance in World War II, St Paul’s is a delight of history, art, and spirituality.
Make sure you take advantage and climb 500 steps to the Golden Gallery at the top of the dome to get a view of the Thames River, the Tate Modern, and the Globe Theatre.
Today will require more use of the London Underground.
British Museum and Library
Take the tube to either Tottenham Court Road or Holborn and walk about 5 minutes to the British Museum. This is probably the best attraction to see during your 3 days in London. And it’s free. You could easily spend half your day here.
There are priceless artifacts from every region and culture of the world here. Highlights of the collection include the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles, just don’t mention this to any Greek friends.
The Elgin Marbles, part of the statuary to adorn Athens Acropolis, are a point of contention between the two countries. While you’re in the neighborhood, consider a short walk toward King’s Cross Station.
Covent Garden:
You could either walk 13 minutes or walk 9 minutes to the Russell Square Underground and take the tube 1 stop to get to Covent Garden.
This is not a garden but a very popular shopping district. There are loads of cool shops and restaurants.
London Eye: End your day with a sunset ride on The London Eye, a giant Ferris wheel located by the River Thames. Accessible from the Waterloo tube station, this ride is meant to be slow, giving each rider a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the river, the Houses of Parliament, and London’s South Bank.
Piccadilly Circus: If you still have energy, head to the Times Square of London at Piccadilly Circus for an active nightlife scene. Hit the pubs for a good night out. Or just have a nice meal and a very British Gin and Tonic, and rest.
