London – a perfect blend of the old and the new – is a city soaked in thousands of years of history yet sits at the forefront of the modern world! It’s amongst the biggest cities in Europe and is one of the world’s largest financial centers.
The UK’s massive capital is filled with iconic London landmarks and far-reaching history, as well as incredible views and some of the best museums in existence. The city has something for everyone and while it is possible to see a fair amount of London in two days, there’s no shortage of things to see if you’re able to stay longer.
The below London trip itinerary will help you plan your trip, whether you’re just stopping by for a weekend in London or intend on staying for much longer! If you want to know what to do in London, you’ve come to the right place.
- A Little Bit about this 3-Day London Itinerary
- Where to stay in London in 3 Days
- London Itinerary Day 1: Westminster & The City
- London itinerary Day 2: The Royal Stuff
- London Itinerary Day 3: Best of the rest
- What to Do with More than 3 Days in London?
- Best Time to Visit London
- How To Get Around London
- What To Prepare Before Visiting London
- FAQ on London Itinerary
- Conclusion
- Buy Us a Coffee!
A Little Bit about this 3-Day London Itinerary
London’s history, architecture, and cultural diversity are a few of the main reasons why people visit the English capital. It has something for every traveler, from the picturesque royal parks to fascinating museums and spooky tours, you’ll never run out of things to do in London!
London is a huge city, and you’re wondering how many days to spend in the city, it really depends on how adventurous you are and how much you want to cram in. Ideally, you should spend anywhere between three and five days in London, to really get the most of it (any less than three days and you’ll miss the magic, in my opinion).
If you want to see all of the important landmarks you will want to stay in central London in the City of Westminster – here you’ll be able to see the postcard attractions such as Tower Bridge, London Eye, Covent Graden, London Bridge, Westminster Bridge, Trafalgar Square, and the royal residence of Buckingham Palace, of course. If this is all you want to see, you MIGHT be able to fit everything into 24 hours, but that’ll guarantee a lot of stress because even though they are close by, walking around London is a huge hassle because of the number of people and navigating the underground as a tourist takes some getting used to (don’t worry, after the first day, you’ll get the hang of it).
However, as I mentioned earlier, the ideal number of days in London is three to five, so in this London itinerary, you’ll find three days packed with action, culture, history, and adventure. But don’t worry, you won’t have to rush from A to B, trying to fit everything in – I’ve strategically planned this three-day itinerary so you spend time in each neighborhood before moving on to another one.
In this itinerary, I’ve chosen the ideal daily structure, added times, routes to get there and suggestions on how long you should spend at each spot, but of course, you can add your own spots in, swap things around, or even skip some places if they’re not to your taste. Use this itinerary as inspiration instead of a fixed plan, because not everyone is travelling with the same style and budget.
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3 Day London Itinerary Overview
- Day 1 in London: Westminster Abbey, Westminster Palace & Big Ben, Lunch at Quirinale, London Eye, Tate Art Modern Gallery, St. Paul’s Cathedral, SoHo, Chinatown
- Day 2 in London: Tower Bridge, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Victoria & Albert Musem, Knightsbridge, The West End
- Day 3 in London: The British Museum, National Gallery, Oxford Street, Camden Town & Market
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There really isn’t a ‘best area’ to stay in London as all of the attractions are spread out across the city, meaning you’ll have to travel regardless of where you stay. However, the more central areas are nearest to the majority of the iconic London attractions, so I wouldn’t recommend staying too far from the center.
The West End (SoHo, Leicester Square, Covent Garden) is one of your best bets for touring London, as it’s centrally located and near to many of the best entertainment, gallery, shopping, nightlife areas. The West End can be a bit pricey though, so it’s worth checking out some of the neighboring areas such as Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury.
Kensington, South Bank, and Bank Side are all near to some of the iconic attractions, fairly well-positioned, and well connected to the airports. Areas like Camden and the East End are more affordable than the other areas discussed but aren’t as conveniently located. However, you can find some affordable cottages in London in these outlying districts and they are close to transport links to the city..
You may save quite a bit of money by staying in outer London (ie Wembly) but will end up spending extra money and time getting to the action each day. Hostels are a great way to cut costs, make friends and the best hostels in London are all central.
Best Hostel in London – SoHostel
SoHostel is perfectly located in SoHo, just a couple of minutes’ walk from Oxford Street, Leicester Square, and Piccadilly Square. It’s an awesome option if you’re backpacking in London. They offer clean, stylish, and comfortable accommodation for a very reasonable price. There is a wide range of rooms to suit any kind of traveler, and the staff are incredibly helpful and friendly!
Best Airbnb in London – Private room in central location
This massive room is great for travellers who visit London for the first time. The apartment is located in central Leicester Square. There are lots of great places, cafes, and restaurants around. You’ll also get free breakfast every morning. The main bathroom is shared, however, you’ll have a private toilet. If you’ve seen enough of the city, you can enjoy the free Netflix and Amazon Prime Video on your TV.
Remember, there are also some amazing Airbnb Experiences for London which you can book at the same time.
Best Budget Hotel in London – 202 Apartments
202 Apartments are in an excellent location in Kensington, just a quick journey away from some top attractions and entertainment areas.
Each apartment is fitted with a terrace, a private bathroom, a TV and a balcony with incredible city views!
Best Luxury Hotel in London – Hotel Indigo London – Kensington
Hotel Indigo was designed beautifully in the Victorian style, and is well located in Kensington, just a walk away from many iconic London attractions.
The rooms are individually decorated, and extremely comfortable. Each room has its own TV and free minibar, and guests have access to a health and fitness center.
For other luxury hotels, consider looking at hotels in London with private hot tubs.
Want to save money on accommodation?
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Your first day in London will be spent taking in some truly iconic stops including the Westminster Parliament buildings. We do cover some ground today so wear comfy shoes and bring an umbrella in case of rain.
If you’re suffering from jetlag and you get up super early, then consider taking a walk through Borough Market to find some fresh fruit for breakfast before starting your itinerary. Borough market opens at 8 am and is the best place to find fresh produce in central London.
Let’s get stuck into the best things to do in London in 3 days.
9:00 AM – Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is a large, abbey church built in 1269 AD and designed mostly with a Gothic style of architecture. The outside is striking and incredibly ornate. The inside is just as impressive with soaring ceilings, intricate detailing, and an array of historical relics and ornaments.
The site was home to previous church buildings and has been a daily place of worship for over 1000 years!
The abbey was traditionally the burial site for English and British monarchs and has hosted all coronations of British and English monarchs since 1066. Multiple royal weddings have also taken place at Westminster Abbey.
The building holds significant historical value and boasts exceptionally enchanting architecture – a visit here is a profound and informative experience. The included audio tour will acquaint you with the fascinatin and far-reaching history of this iconic site.
- Cost – $26.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 90 – 120 minutes.
- Getting There – Take the underground to either Westminster or St James’ and it’s an easy 5 minute walk from there
11:00 AM – Palace of Westminster & Big Ben
Also known as the London Houses of Parliament, the Palace of Westminster is the political center of the city and a UNESCO world heritage site. This is where British members of parliament meet to debate and discuss political matters.
The impressive complex contains an astounding 1 100 rooms and the Perpendicular Gothic architecture is breathtaking! The complex was rebuilt in the mid 19th century after a fire tore down much of the original building-complex in 1834.
The House of Commons and House of Lords are both open to the public but you generally need to visit as the guest of your MP. If you have the time, I do recommend going inside the buildings, but if not, it’s worth taking a photo stop outside. The buildings are some of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world and the atmosphere around the complex is pretty intoxicating – you’re sure to see either a protect or an MP being hounded!
The Palace of Westminster is also home to the Elizabeth Tower, where Big Ben is housed. Contrary to popular belief, Big Ben is not the name of the bell tower itself nor its enormous clock face. Rather, it’s the nickname for the great bell that resides within the tower.
Unfortunately, the Elizabeth Tower is currently undergoing construction, and tours have been postponed until 2021. But you can still get a glimpse of this iconic London landmark from the outside.
- Cost – NA.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 30 minutes should do.
- Getting There – It’s literally next to Westminster Abbey.
12:00 – Lunch at Quirinale
Quirinale is an upmarket Italian & med restaurant that caters to the political classes and London tourists alike. Booking ahead is advisable.
It isn’t cheap, so if you are backpacking London on a budget and looking to save money, I suggest diving into a Tesco Express or Boots for a meal deal instead. You could easily sit outside the houses of Parliament on the grass to eat and watch the world go by, or as you walk along Westminster Bridge to admire the views of Big Ben and the London Eye. There are also plenty of benches along South Bank overlooking the River Thames. Basically, it’s quite usual for people to eat on the street in London.
- Cost – Budget $25 per person.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 60 minute.
- Getting There – It’s a 5 minute walk from the last stop.
1:00 PM – London Eye
Originally intended as a temporary attraction built in celebration of the year 2000, the London Eye has established its place as a permanent attraction due to its significant popularity and financial success. It is, in fact, the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom!
Situated right against the South Bank of the meandering Thames River, the wheel stands an impressive 440 feet tall! Needless to say, it offers exceptional views of London’s impressive skyline.
As you soar into the sky above the river you’ll be able to see a vast array of London’s iconic sights and landmarks including Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower), Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and of course, the Thames River.
A round trip on the London Eye takes 30 minutes, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the stellar views! However, note that the queues can be bloody long – if you are thin on time but fat on budget, I suggest booking a “skip the queue” pass in advance.
- Cost – $50.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? The ride takes 30 minutes but those queue’s…
- Getting There – 15 – 20 minutes from Quirinale.
2:30 PM – Tate Modern Art Gallery
The Tate Modern is one of the largest museums of contemporary and modern art in the world and the second most-visited attraction in London. Housed in the former Bankside Power Station, the massive gallery is home to a vast and impressive collection of art.
The collection features pieces by some of the world’s most famous artists including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, David Hockney and Andy Warhol! Paintings are not the only artistic medium found here – the gallery also contains a large collection of other art forms including photography, film, performance, and live art exhibitions.
The building is incredibly large and extravagant – a comprehensive visit to the Tate will generally take between three and four hours, though it can be made shorter or longer depending on your level of enthusiasm.
The Tate Modern is an amazing gallery and it’s certainly worth a visit during your trip to London if you’re into modern art. If you’re not, then you could skip it and not miss out. If you’re travelling on a budget and want to save money, hey, at least it’s free!
- Cost – Main galleries are free. Exhibitions require a fee.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 90 – 120 minutes
- Getting There – It’s a 20 minute walk along the river.
4:30 PM – City of London St Paul’s Cathedral
The City of London is the UK’s financial centre, home to the Bank of England and major offices of pretty much every financial institution in the entire world. The city is home to some modern architectural marvels including the “inside out” Lloyds Building and the Shard with its epic views over London.
And of course, at its centre sits St Paul’s Cathedral. This Grade I listed building is a 17th Century Anglican Cathedral, beautifully designed and built in English Baroque Style. The stunning building is the seat of the Bishop of London, and a site of daily worship.
Visitors who wish to experience one of the daily services at St. Paul’s can do so for free, provided they arrive on time for the service. However, those entering for free during service hours won’t be allowed to access the domes, memorials, and tombs as they are closed during service.
When visiting the city, you can make a beeline and take a look around the mighty Cathedral or dive into one of the many, old, atmospheric city pubs for a pint.
- Cost – NA.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 60 minutes.
- Getting There – 12 minutes walking from the Tate across Millenium Bridge.
6.00 PM – SoHo
After a day filled with historical sites and old ornate buildings, take a big step-back into the modern world and experience a completely different side of London by paying a visit to SoHo.
SoHo is famous for its incredible shopping, live entertainment, and nightlife. It also has a thriving LGBT bar scene and is home to many of the city’s sex shops and burlesque shows.
The streets are tightly-packed with a series of narrow alleyways running between them. Night time in SoHo brings quite a spectacle – as the sun drops from the sky, thousands of neon lights vibrantly color the streets and the evening energy starts to emerge!
Whilst in SoHo you could walk through the dazzling lights of Leicester Square which is lined with cinemas and well known for hosting the premiers of many famous movies. Leicester square has welcomed the footsteps of plenty of celebrities!
If SoHo isn’t your vibe, and it’s definitely not for everyone, consider heading over to Covent Garden just a few blocks away to enjoy a nice meal in the square and watching some street performances. If you have the energy, you could even pick up a cheap last minute ticket for a West End performance in the area.
- Cost – NA.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 60 minutes is plenty of time to explore.
- Getting There – Catch the underground to SoHo – it’s a 15 minute ride.
7:00 PM – Dinner in Chinatown
London’s Chinatown is bang in the middle of Soho. Home to bookmakers, karaoke bars, and loads of Chinese restaurants, it’s the perfect place to end the day with some delicious, hot Chinese food.
You might be thinking, I am coming to London I want to eat British food! Well, London is quite a multi-cultural city, and you’ll find some of the best international cuisines in Soho. You can have a pie any day.
- Cost – $30 per person.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? The night is yours!
- Getting There – It’s in Soho.
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On day two you’ll delve into London and the UK’s Royal past with a visit to the Tower of London as well as the Queen’s current residence. Even those indifferent to the Royalty (like your humble narrator) can appreciate the splendid architecture, history & cultural significance.
8:30 AM – Tower Bridge
London boasts many famous bridges covering the mighty Thames but this one is my favourite. Best of all though, it is stated a short walk from The Tower of London which is your first major stop of the day. Cross the bridge on foot, watch the river roll below and get your photo fix.
- Cost – NA.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 15 minutes is enough.
- Getting There – The nearest underground stop is Tower Hill.
9:00 AM- Tower of London
The Tower of London is an impressive castle with a fascinating history built in 1066. In its almost 1 000 years of existence, the Tower of London has acted as a fortress, a royal palace, a prison, an astronomical observatory, a treasury, and an armoury. In fact, it was originally part of the city walls that encompassed The City of London.
One of the main attractions to the castle is the Crown Jewels – a collection of the world’s finest jewels set into a variety of items including swords and crowns. The Queen still dons the Imperial State Crown for ceremonial occasions.
The other main draw to the tower of London is its incredible and extensive history. Many famous historical figures were imprisoned and/or executed here. If you want a really immersive experience you can jump on a tour guided by a beefeater. If you’d prefer to explore at your own speed, a comprehensive audio guide tour is also available.
If you’re travelling with kids, they’ll love the armoury in action experience – visitors can assemble firearms, brandish swords, and shoot arrows!
Right next to the Tower of London is the Tower Bridge, an Iconic Victorian Turreted Bridge that crosses the Thames. Be sure to walk across the bridge’s high level walkway and enjoy the stunning views. You can also take tours of the bridge to learn about its history and the mechanical systems that lift it for water traffic to pass!
When you’re done with the Tower and the Bridge, take a walk amid the towering skyscrapers in the area that distort your perception with their eccentric curves and angles.
- Cost – $35.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 90 minutes to look around but queue’s can be long.
- Getting There – Walk here from Tower Bridge.
12:00 PM – Buckingham Palace
If you are visiting London for the first time, then chances are you’ll want to see the Queen’s residence. Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British Royal Family and has been since the 18th century.
Most tourists pay a visit to Buckingham Palace to witness the iconic Changing of the Guard where one set of the palace’s fuzzy-hatted protectors (beefeaters) hand over their duties to a fresh bunch. It’s a spectacular ceremony which takes place in the forecourt of the palace featuring marching and live music!
The ceremony takes place most days (weather dependent) at around 10:45am and lasts for around 45 minutes. Check out this schedule for up-to-date information. Watching the changing of the guards is completely free, but you’ll want to get there early to be sure to get a good view of the proceedings.
There is, however, more to see at the palace for those who are interested. Though access to the palace itself is limited to the summer months of August and September, guests can visit the Queen’s Gallery and Royal Mews (both on the palace grounds) during the rest of the year.
If you do have the time, it is definitely worth going inside to see the Stately rooms which are still in use today. You get to see where the members of the Royal family entertain guests and perform ceremonies, such as knighthoods, still to this day. You do need to book in advance though, because tours are likely to sell out on the day.
- Cost – $40 – $60.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 60 minutes to look around but queue’s can be long.
- Getting There – Walk here from Tower Bridge.
2:00 PM- Hyde Park
Hyde Park is large and beautiful, and it offers a huge variety of great activities – even hosting some of London’s festivals. Take a walk through this beautiful park and soak up some natural beauty away from the chaos of the city streets.
Just off the Northeast side of the park visitors can check out the iconic Marble Arch, whilst the Northwestern side hosts the Diana Memorial Playground, which is absolutely awesome for kids.
If your trip coincides with London’s winter months, go for a Winter Wonderland ice skating session at the largest open air ice rink in the UK. It’s a beautiful experience filled with festive energy and beautiful lights set around Hyde Park’s Victorian bandstand.
If you’re in London during the summer months, you can go for a boat ride on the Serpentine lake in the park! Or just have a picnic! Hyde Park is the largest park in London and one of the most relaxing places to visit in London.
- Cost – NA.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 60 minutes to explore and take in the air.
- Getting There – It’s a 12 minute walk from Buckingham Palace.
3:00 PM – Victoria and Albert Museum
The V&A museum is the largest museum of applied and decorative arts in existence, featuring 2.2 million art pieces and relics from all around the globe. The museum’s collection covers 5 000 years of art spread out over 145 galleries.
Whilst the V&A is an art museum, the pieces here are not restricted to paintings and sculptures – it houses everything from jewelry and clothing to furniture, pottery, and even ancient cave paintings.
Visitors can squint at tiny ancient relics or be dwarfed by some enormous pieces of history that extend far over head in cavernous rooms. A visit to the V&A museum is a powerful and worthwhile experience.
The Victorian building is exceptionally large (spread out over seven floors) and is too vast to explore fully in one day. I recommend deciding on the galleries you want to see before getting started. Alternatively, you could just wander through the museum and get lost amongst a sea of history.
If you have more time, you could also venture across the road and check out the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum, which if you have kids, are two museums not to be missed! Both offer interactive exhibits and make history and science come alive! (especially in the Natural History Museum, which has a ginormous T-Rex robot…yes, it is as cool as it sounds).
- Cost – NA.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 60 minutes will do.
- Getting There – Walk here from Hyde Park – it takes 10 minutes.
4:00 PM – Knightsbridge, Dinner & Change
The V & A Museum is located in Kensington, which is an area you could spend a whole day in and not get bored. If you do find you have more time, consider taking a trip to Kensington Palace which was the residence of Princess Diana and other members of the royal family.
But, by now, you’re probably feeling a little peckish, so I recommend hearing to the nearby affluent Knightsbridge area of London. The world-famous Harrods Department Store can be found here and Sloan Square which is also nearby. Use your time to check out this very impressive area, grab some dinner and then head back to your accusation to change for tonight’s trip to the West End.
7:30 PM- West End Show
Photo: Elliott Brown (Flickr)
After a long day of walking around, it’ll be time to take the weight off your feet and enjoy some incredible theatre. Prepare yourself for some awesome and immersive entertainment – a vacation in London wouldn’t be complete without watching a West End show.
The West End is to London as Broadway is to New York, and together they are generally considered to represent some of the highest levels of commercial theatre in the world.
Watching a West End show is not just about the incredible performances – the theatres themselves are gorgeous and impressive, and they really add to the entire experience. Many famous Hollywood, British, and international film actors have performed on these stages.
Have a look at this schedule of West End shows well before you travel to London, so you can decide on your favourite, plan around the times, and book tickets to ensure you get seats. Whether you decide to watch a musical or an incredible play, a West End show promises to be the experience of a lifetime!
- Cost – Tickets range from $20 – $200.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 2 -3 hours.
- Getting There – Get the underground to Leicester Square.
From admiring the Ancient Egyptian Mummies at the British Museum to drinking and shopping in Camden, let’s delve into our third and final day in London.
9:00 AM – British Museum
The British Museum covers everything related to human culture, art, and history. Its’ collection of over 8 million items is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world! The British museum sees more visitors each year than any other tourist attraction in the country.
The museum was established in 1753, making it one of the oldest in the country too – in fact it was the first national public museum in the world. If it’s your first time in London, you’ll love the British Museum.
The museum is exceptionally large and you could spend days there getting lost amongst it’s vast web of human culture.
The British Museum is a journey back in time and a vibrant representation of human culture – it offers an incredible experience for those who visit. If you are in London for the weekend, this place gets very busy.
- Cost – Entry is free.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 2 -3 hours.
- Getting There – Get the tube to Russell Square.
12:00 PM – National Gallery
The National Gallery is an impressive building perched boldly in Trafalgar Square, opposite Picadilly Circus. It’s an art museum with over 2 300 paintings that were committed to canvas between the mid 13th century and 1900.
The National Gallery is one of the most famous art museums in the world, and one of London’s most popular Museums, with over 5.5 million visitors passing through its doors each year.
The work of some of the world’s best known artists line the walls of this impressive gallery. Here, you’ll find paintings by Van Gogh, Monet, Da Vinci, Botticelli, and Rembrandt to name a few!
The gallery has a computerised lighting system that automatically adjusts the lights in relation to the intensity of light coming from outside. This ensures that the paintings are always perfectly lit and ready to be admired.
An impressive series of free talks and scheduled guided tours are offered by the gallery for free, and audio tours peppered with interesting information are free too.
The building can get pretty crowded as it’s not very large yet extremely popular. The gallery suggests that you aim to get there first thing in the morning in order to avoid the crowds and enjoy the beautiful artwork in peace.
- Cost – Free!
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 90 minutes.
- Getting There – It’s a 16 minute walk from The British museum.
2:00 PM – Oxford Street
One of London’s most famous shopping streets is also the busiest in Europe, with over 500.000 visitors passing through every day! It’s no surprise that Oxford Street sees so much footfall – it offers one of the best and most extensive shopping experiences in the world.
From technology to fashion and beauty to entertainment, Oxford Street has absolutely everything any shopping fiend would need to keep busy. You could spend days weaving amongst the sea of people shopping yourself silly!
If you’re fortunate enough to be in London between late November and Early January, you’ll get to experience Oxford Street as it bursts into shimmering color each evening with the extensive annual festive lights. It’s a magical time of year in London and the lights are truly dazzling.
After walking about in the bustle of Oxford Street, you’ll want to chill and recharge with an awesome meal. Fortunately, there are several hundred restaurants within walking distance of Oxford Street, so you’ll be spoilt for choice and tucking into some great food in no time.
Note, on a Saturday afternoon this street gets seriously busy with shoppers. It is my personal idea of hell.
- Cost – Free!
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 90 minutes.
- Getting There – Get the underground to Bakerloo – it’s an 11 minute ride.
3.30 PM – Camden Town & Market
Camden is a district of northwest London that was once known as the rock ‘n’ roll capital of the world due to its rich musical history. These days, Camden is best known for its shopping, markets, live music, and unique atmosphere. But there are loads of London’s hidden gems by the canals.
The smell of incense floods the Camden streets as you wander through them – the district has a really relaxed vibe and a plethora of interesting markets waiting to be picked through and explored.
Amongst the countless stores and stalls you’ll find tie dye hippy shops, old record stores, and amazing food stands to name a few! Wandering through Camden Market, you’re sure to find some interesting stuff to take home with you. It’s also a perfect place to find unique gifts! This is a great place for souvernirs so when you pack for London, leave a little bit of space in your bag.
After digging for some treasures at the markets and stores, take a walk along Regent’s Canal, the picturesque waterway around which Camden Town sits.
After exploring, settle down at one of the many live music venues to pair an awesome music performance with a couple of drinks. Many big name artists have performed on the Camden Town stages over the years, including Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers!
Whether you’d prefer to mellow out with some jazz at the Jazz Cafe or do a bit of dancing at Koko, Camden’s got you covered.
- Cost – Depends what you eat, drink or buy.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 2 – 3 hours.
- Getting There – Get the underground to Camden Town or Mornington Crescent – it takes 15 – 20 minutes.
Need a place quick? Here’s the best neighborhood in London:
Covent Garden
This lively and vibrant neighbourhood is located in the centre of the city. It is home to incredible tourist attractions and boasts a fantastic selection of world-class restaurants, high-quality shops and boisterous bars.
- Take a short walk to St. James Palace and Buckingham Palace.
- Marvel at St Paul’s Church.
- Delve deep into the world of cars, buses and beyond at the London Transport Museum.
In case you are lucky enough to have some extra days in London, here are a couple of ideas on how to fill them.
1. The View From the Shard
The Shard is a 95-storey skyscraper in Southwark with a striking design and walled almost entirely with glass! It’s the tallest building in the United Kingdom, standing at 1 000 feet.
The viewing platforms are located on the 68th, 69th, and 72nd floors of the building. They are the highest viewpoints in the whole of London and offer truly amazing 360 views of the city.
You’ll be able to see the majority of London’s iconic landmarks – including all of the ones that you will have visited on your London adventure thus far! This bird’s eye view will really help you map out and gain a new perspective on your preceding journey through the city.
You will need to book your tickets in advance for a particular date and time, but once you’re up there, there is no restriction on the length of your stay, and you can enjoy the sites at your leisure.
- Cost – $40.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 60 minutes.
- Getting There – Get the tube to London Bridge.
2. Natural History Museum
As I mentioned earlier, the area of Kensington has so much to offer you could spend a whole day there. Whether you swing past Kensington Palace or the Science Museum, if you have got moe time and only one more museum to fit in, let it. bethe Natural History Museum.
London’s Natural History Museum is large and incredibly comprehensive, with around 80 million items spread out across five main collections!
The London History Museum covers everything related to the history of our natural world and beyond, from chunks of moon rocks to a 25-meter Blue whale skeleton hanging lazily overhead. It is one of the largest collections of natural history worldwide.
Some of the noteworthy items include ‘Dippy’ the enormous diplodocus skeleton replica, the world’s largest gold nugget (54.4lbs), and a 14 700-year-old cup made from a human skull! There is also a 4.6-billion-year-old meteorite and an earthquake simulator.
The London Natural History Museum has something for everyone, and there are plenty of sights and experiences to keep you intrigued and entertained.
- Cost – Free.
- How Long Should I Stay Here? 2 – 3 hours.
- Getting There – Nearest Tube is South Kensington.
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Hide Yo’ Money!Though London is notoriously gray and rainy, the weather actually varies a fair amount throughout the year as the city experiences the typical four seasons; winter, spring, summer, and autumn (fall). Below, I’ll give you some guidance on when to visit London.
Despite this variety, London’s weather is rarely extreme and is generally very manageable with the appropriate preparation. The city is also well equipped to deal with the cold and the rain, and the majority of the London points of interest can be visited comfortably regardless of the weather conditions. There’s no need for the weather to deter you from planning a trip to London.
The late spring and summer months (May-August) are peak tourism season when the weather is pleasant and children are on holiday. London also sees a lot of tourists at the end of the year, around the December holidays. There is a festive atmosphere in the air at this time of year, and plenty of stunning light displays throughout the city.
| Average Temperatures | Chance of Rain | Crowds | Overall Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°C / 41°F | High | Medium/New Years | 🙁 |
| February | 7°C / 45°F | Low | Calm | 😐 |
| March | 9°C / 48°F | Low | Calm | 🙂 |
| April | 11°C / 52°F | Average | Busy/Easter | 😐 |
| May | 14°C / 57°F | Average | Medium | 😀 |
| June | 16°C / 61°F | Low | Busy/holidays | 🙂 |
| July | 19°C / 66°F | Low | Busy/peak season | 🙂 |
| August | 19°C / 66 °F | Average | Busy/peak season | 🙂 |
| September | 17°C / 63°F | Average | Medium | 😀 |
| October | 13°C / 55°F | High | Medium | 🙂 |
| November | 10°C / 50°F | High | Medium | 😐 |
| December | 7°C / 45°F | High | Busy/holidays | 🙂 |
How To Get Around London
Getting around London is fairly easy – the transport system is world-class and fortunately, some of the London attractions are within walking distance of one another. Walking is a great way to see the city, and I recommend going on a walking tour if you have time.
The first two days on my London itinerary will be staying in central London, but that does not mean to say getting around will be easy. Most of the first day you can spend on foot, but your feet will be tired if you try to walk it all. Be sure to wear comfy shoes and bring some snacks if you do want to walk! On the third day, my itinerary takes you to some of the further afield areas – not too far out of the center, but still a few stops on the underground.
For journeys that are too far to walk, it’s best to use public transport. The easiest way to make use of the transport system depends on the length of your stay.
Being the massive and diverse city it is, London does have a fantastic public transport system. One of the most popular ways to get around in London is via the underground (or the Tube, as the Londoners call it) which is an underground train system that pretty much connects you to everywhere in London.
Locals use oyster cards which can be topped up and scanned in order to access the busses or tubes (subway). For zones 1-3 (inner city) oyster cards are capped at £10 for the day, and they can be picked up at any train station.
7-day Travel Cards are a great way of getting around if you’re staying in London for more than a few days. For just $50 you can enjoy unlimited travel in zones 1-3 for a week.
To operate the underground, you will need to buy an Oyster card or day tickets. You can get this from any Underground station from the ticket office. You can also use a contactless debit/credit card, which operates in the same way as an Oyster card. You could also jump on one of the city’s handy buses using an Oyster card, but to be honest, the traffic in London is so terrible I do not recommend buses, as you’ll likely sit in traffic for a long time.
It’s very easy to get around London as the Underground is colour-coded. But I do recommend getting your hands on a map of the Underground so no time is wasted by getting lost!
You can also make use of the Santander Cycles – they’re bicycles located at docking points around the city and can be rented for £2.50 per 24 hours! Cycling is also a great way to explore the city (especially in spring and summer). This is a perfect option if you’re just spending one day in London.
If you’re planning a trip to London, then you’ll be delighted to learn that it is a really safe city, but as with any large city, crime does occur occasionally and there are ways to minimize your chances of being victimized. Most of the crime in London is opportunistic theft, so as long as you don’t make yourself seem like an easy target, you should be fine.
Recent years have seen a number of terror attacks in London and these may happen again. At the time of writing, London is also struggling with knife-crime but this appears to be gang-related. Statistically, though, it is a safe city and you don’t have much to worry about at all.
- Though pickpocketing is very rare in London, it’s best to be aware of your personal belongings when in busy public spaces.
- If you’re walking around late at night, try to stick to relatively populated areas – especially if you’ve ventured away from the city center.
- Walking and public transport should get you around the city just fine, but if you decide to catch a cab, make sure you only get into clearly marked taxis – never get into unmarked cars or accept rides off the street. Uber is popular in London and also very safe.
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Conclusion
London is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, and it’s easy to see why. The city is large, vibrant, and full of energy, and it really does offer some of the world’s most fascinating tourist attractions.
Whether London is your main destination or you’re just spending two days in London while backpacking the UK, the above London trip planner will take you on an exhilarating and varied journey through this vast city.
You’ll explore all of the best sights and places to visit in London in 3 days – from some of the oldest pieces of human history to some of the hippest and most forward-facing areas in the world.
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