In short
Three days in London: Westminster, Buckingham Palace and Covent Garden on day one; the British Museum, Soho and the West End on day two; the Tower of London, Borough Market, Tate Modern and Sky Garden on day three. Pay for transport with a contactless card (capped at £8.90 a day in zones 1–2) and make the most of the free national museums. Most visitors, including EU and US citizens, now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
Contents
Three days is the ideal length for a first trip to London: enough to see the great landmarks, two or three museums and the neighbourhoods that give the city its soul. Here is a 3-day London itinerary, organised by area to keep travel time down, with 2026 prices and a family-friendly version.
With Guidly, every landmark tells you its story: the app finds the places around you and creates an audio guide based on your interests, in your language, and you can ask it questions as you go.
Day 1: Westminster and royal London
Morning: Westminster
Start with Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster, then cross Westminster Bridge for the best view of Parliament. Visit Westminster Abbey, where monarchs have been crowned since 1066 (around £31, multimedia guide included; closed to sightseeing on Sundays).
Book your Westminster Abbey tickets
Lunch
Have lunch in a traditional pub: fish and chips, a pie, or a Sunday roast on Sundays.
Afternoon: Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square
Watch the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace (check the schedule, it does not take place every day), then walk through St James’s Park to Trafalgar Square. The National Gallery, free of charge, has works by Van Gogh, Turner and Vermeer.
Evening: Covent Garden
Have dinner in Covent Garden, between street performers and the old covered market.
Day 2: the British Museum, Soho and the West End
Morning: the British Museum
One of the largest museums in the world, and it is free. Don’t miss the Rosetta Stone, the Egyptian mummies and the Parthenon sculptures. Arrive at opening time and pick two or three galleries rather than trying to see everything.
Lunch: Soho
Soho and Chinatown are packed with restaurants serving food from all over the world, at every price.
Afternoon: shopping
Oxford Street and Selfridges, Carnaby Street for more independent shops, and Liberty for its Tudor-style building.
Evening: a musical
The West End is London’s theatre district: Les Misérables, The Lion King, Hamilton… Book ahead, or try the discounted same-day tickets. For something different, ABBA Voyage plays in its own arena near the Olympic Park.
Day 3: the Tower of London and the South Bank
Morning: the Tower of London and Tower Bridge
A thousand-year-old fortress, royal prison and home of the Crown Jewels: allow two to three hours (around £37 with donation, £34 without). Then walk across Tower Bridge.
Book your Tower of London tickets
Lunch: Borough Market
London’s oldest food market, perfect for trying a bit of everything.
Afternoon: the South Bank
Walk along the Thames to Tate Modern (free), housed in a former power station, then cross the Millennium Bridge to St Paul’s Cathedral.
Evening: London from above
Sky Garden offers a free panoramic view (booking required, and slots go fast). The London Eye is the paid alternative.
If you have more time
- Camden, its market and the story of London’s punk neighbourhood.
- Notting Hill and Portobello Road market on Saturdays.
- Greenwich, its observatory and the meridian line, by boat along the Thames.
- Shoreditch and its street art.
London in 3 days with kids
- Day 1: the Changing of the Guard, the pelicans of St James’s Park, then the Princess Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens.
- Day 2: the Natural History Museum (dinosaurs) and the Science Museum, both free and next door to each other in South Kensington.
- Day 3: the Tower of London and its Yeoman Warders, then a Thames cruise to Greenwich.
With Guidly, switch on kids mode (ages 3–8): audio tours are told in simple words, with stories pitched at their level.
Practical tips
- Entry requirements: most visitors, including EU and US citizens, need a valid passport and an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), applied for online before you travel. EU citizens can no longer enter with an ID card.
- Getting there: about 2h15 by Eurostar from Paris, arriving at St Pancras, right in the centre.
- Transport: no need for an Oyster card. Tap in with a contactless bank card or your phone. Fares are capped at £8.90 a day in zones 1–2, buses and tube included.
- Budget: most major museums are free (British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum). The big paid attractions often cost over £30: book online, it is usually cheaper than at the door.
- Weather: always pack a rain jacket.
- On a budget: our free things to do in London.
FAQ
Is 3 days enough to visit London?
Yes, three days is enough to see the highlights: Westminster, Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and the South Bank. To add Camden, Notting Hill or Greenwich, allow four to five days.
When is the best time to visit London?
Spring (April–May) and early autumn (September–October), for milder weather and fewer crowds than in summer.
How do I get around London for 3 days?
By tube and bus, paying with a contactless bank card: the fare is automatically capped at £8.90 a day in zones 1–2. Many central sights are also within walking distance of each other.
What documents do I need to visit London?
A valid passport and, for most nationalities, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which you apply for online on the UK government website before travelling.
What can I do in London with kids in 3 days?
The Natural History Museum and the Science Museum (both free), the Changing of the Guard, the royal parks and their playgrounds, the Tower of London and a boat trip on the Thames.
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