London in 3 days: our day-by-day itinerary

In short: Day 1, Westminster, Buckingham and the South Bank; day 2, the British Museum, Covent Garden and a West End show; day 3, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and the trendy East End (Shoreditch). Many major museums are free.

Before you go: what to book

• The Tower of London: book online to skip the queue.
• A West End show: book a few days or weeks ahead.
• Westminster Abbey: usually closed to visitors on Sundays (services); check opening hours.

Always check opening days and hours on the official websites: they can change.

Day 1: Westminster and the South Bank

Morning: Westminster. Start with Big Ben, the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey.

Midday: Buckingham. Walk through St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace (Changing of the Guard on some days, check the schedule).

Afternoon: the South Bank. Cross the Thames to the London Eye and stroll along the South Bank to the free Tate Modern.

Evening: Borough Market. Dine around Borough Market and London Bridge.

Day 2: museums and the West End

Morning: the British Museum. Visit the free British Museum: the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, the Egyptian mummies.

Midday: Covent Garden. Have lunch in Covent Garden, with its street performers.

Afternoon: Trafalgar Square. Head to Trafalgar Square and the free National Gallery, then wander through Soho.

Evening: the West End. See a musical or a play in a West End theatre.

Day 3: the Tower, Tower Bridge and the East End

Morning: the Tower of London. Visit the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels.

Midday: Tower Bridge. Cross Tower Bridge and its glass walkway.

Afternoon: Shoreditch. Explore Shoreditch and Brick Lane: street art, vintage shops and world food.

Evening: a pub. End in a traditional pub in the City or the East End.

A fourth day? Day trips

• Greenwich: the meridian, the observatory and the Cutty Sark, by boat along the Thames.
• The Natural History Museum and the V&A, free, in South Kensington.
• Camden Market and Notting Hill for markets.

Our tips for these 3 days

1. Start early: the big sights are far more pleasant at opening time.
2. Group your visits by area to cut down on travel.
3. Pay contactless on the Tube and buses, with an automatic daily cap.
4. Make the most of the free museums (donations welcome).
5. Remember your ETA and passport if your nationality requires them.

Where to stay for these 3 days?

All the areas are covered in our guide Where to stay in London. To go further, see Things to do in London.