How many days do you need in London?

3 days is ideal for hitting the highlights. Our itinerary above covers morning, afternoon, and evening plans with budget estimates.

What should I do in London for 3 days?

See our day-by-day itinerary above with specific places, walking routes, metro costs, and meal recommendations.

3 Days in London — The Perfect Itinerary

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Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Start at Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. Wander the iconic clock tower and admire the Gothic architecture. Entry to the Abbey is £27.50 (book ahead), but you can admire the exterior for free. Walk through Parliament Square for photo ops with the Houses of Parliament.

Transport: Tube from Waterloo (Jubilee Line) to Westminster (5 mins, £2.50).

Afternoon (12:30 PM - 4:00 PM): Stroll along the Thames Path southbound towards Borough Market. Grab lunch at the market – think artisanal cheese, gourmet burgers, or a proper fish & chips (budget £10-£15). Explore the market's historic covered stalls. Head to Southwark Cathedral (free entry) for a quiet moment, then cross the river via the pedestrian bridge to London Bridge for views.

Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Explore Trafalgar Square (free). See Nelson's Column and the National Gallery's facade. Pop into the National Gallery (free for exhibitions, £25 for full access) for a quick peek at Van Gogh's Sunflowers. Head to Covent Garden for dinner: try street food at the piazza (souvlaki, tacos, £8-£12) or a pub meal. End with street performers or a cocktail at a hidden speakeasy bar.

Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Discover Shoreditch for street art and coffee culture. Start at Leake Street Tunnel (free, check for new murals) and grab a latte at Speciality Coffee Roasters (budget £3-£5). Wander Brick Lane for vintage shops and the famous Spitalfields Market (open weekends, but weekday stalls often have food).

Transport: Tube from Liverpool Street to Shoreditch High Street (5 mins, £2.50).

Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:30 PM): Walk across the river to Shakespeare's Globe (book a £15 tour or admire the exterior). Then head to Borough Market again for lunch (if missed earlier) – try a deli sandwich or street food (budget £10-£15). Visit the Tate Modern (free entry, £25 for special exhibitions) – don't miss the turbine hall.

Transport: Walk across Southwark Bridge (15 mins from Shoreditch to Globe, then 10 mins to Tate Modern).

Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Dinner at Borough Market – grab a wood-fired pizza or meatball sandwich (budget £12-£18). Afterwards, explore the Southwark Cathedral at dusk (free). End at a pub in Borough Market for a pint (budget £4-£5) or head to Old Bank of England for a classic London pub experience.

Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Take the Tube to Camden Town (Jubilee Line, £2.50). Explore Camden Market – a sensory overload of vintage stalls, street food, and quirky shops. Grab breakfast at a street food stall (e.g., vegan pancakes, £6-£8) or a full English fry-up at a local cafe (budget £8-£12). Browse the market's main drag.

Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM): Head to Hyde Park (free entry, just walk in). Rent a rowboat on The Serpentine (£15 for 30 mins) or simply relax on the grass. Walk through Hyde Park Corner to Knightsbridge, then head to Kensington Palace (book £24.50 for entry) – see the Queen's apartments and the gardens. Exit onto Kensington High Street for a coffee.

Transport: Walk from Camden to Hyde Park (15 mins) or Tube to Hyde Park Corner (3 mins, £2.50).

Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Dinner at Borough Market (again – it's worth it!) for grilled cheese and tomato soup or local cheese platter (budget £15-£20). End your trip with a pub dinner in Islington (a 15-min Tube ride from Borough Market) for traditional British roast (budget £18-£25) or a quiet pint at a local pub near the market.

Transport: Tube from Borough Market to King's Cross (5 mins, £2.50), then to Islington (3 mins, £2.50) or walk to a pub near Borough Market.

Estimated Day 3 Cost: £60-£85 (Camden market food, Hyde Park boat, palace entry, dinner).

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Flavia's Personal Notes — London

The Tube is expensive — get an Oyster card and avoid Zone 1 during rush hour. Borough Market for lunch is worth the hype. Free museums (British Museum, Tate Modern, V&A) are genuinely world-class. I always stay in Shoreditch or Camden — way cheaper than central and better food.

— Flavia Voican, who has actually visited London