One of the most visited cities in the world, London is a tourist’s paradise for countless reasons. From the iconic London Eye to the majestic Tower Bridge, there's a lot to see and do in this global city. The Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, and St. Paul's Cathedral are just some of the attractions that await you in the charming city of London. There are countless art galleries, museums and Broadway's distant cousin, West End that call London home. If you're in the city for three days, you would need to indulge in a lot of planning to ensure that you cover everything that London has to offer. Fortunately, we have done all the homework for you and created the most optimum three day London itinerary.
3 Days In London : 10-Second Summary
Experiencing London in just 3 days is no easy task. However, with a well-planned itinerary, your trip can go a lot smoother. That is exactly why we've charted out the best possible itinerary to experience London in 3 days. This 3-day London itinerary has crafted covering attractions, essential experiences, and leisure in mind. Highlights and essential tips have also been provided for each halt that you make. You're free to use this 3-day London itinerary however you like. At the end of it all, you can thank us for offering a wholesome experience of London in 3 days!
3 Days in London Itinerary
1
Day 1
Morning
1
Attraction
★★★★½ from 40,000+ Google Reviews
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tower of London is a historic castle located on the north bank of river Thames. The striking castle will be your first pitstop for the day and you'll have plenty to explore and discover in this 900-year-old castle! Inside the castle, feast your eyes on over 23,000 gems that the British Empire has accumulated over the years. The Tower of London functions as the primary seat of the British Monarchy and you'll get an up close and personal look at the memorabilia associated with the British royalty.
While exploring the Tower of London, remember to visit the iconic White Tower. The White Tower was the first castle built by William the Conqueror and houses artifacts from the Royal Armouries. While there's something special about just wandering about a historic place like the Tower of London, we would recommend opting for a guided tour to better acquaint yourself with the landmark.
Key areas to cover:• St. Peter and Vincula Church • Crown Jewels exhibit • White Tower • Bloody Tower • The Royal Mint • The Medieval Palace • Tower Green • The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum
Tips
- The Tower of London gets insanely crowded during public holidays in the UK; so plan your trip keeping that in mind. As a rule of thumb, visit the attraction early in the morning on a weekday for a peaceful experience.
- On an average, you should spend at least two hours at the Tower of London since there's a lot to discover at the attraction. There's no restriction on the amount of time you spend inside, so you're free to take your sweet time exploring the Tower of London.
- The Crown Jewels exhibit is the most popular and therefore, the most crowded attraction at the Tower of London. Try and visit the exhibition first thing upon entering the attraction to avoid the crowd that flocks the place later in the day.
Recommended Experience
Tower of London Tickets with Crown Jewels & Beefeater Tour
Plan to stay
Flexible hours
Noon
2
Marketplace
★★★★½ from 23,000+ Google Reviews
After a great trip to the Tower of London, make your way to the bustling Borough Market located on Southwark Street and Borough High Street. Officially London's oldest food market, the Borough Market has been around for over a thousand years! Protected by an act of Parliament which ruled that the market would continue to be used to benefit the local community, the Borough Market is certainly a must-visit landmark in London.
Dotted will innumerable stalls in every direction, the market is special because it is run by small producers who grow, cook and source the food they sell. The Borough Market is truly expansive and you get to buy everything from top-notch English cheese to black truffle oil, all locally grown, of course. After spending a couple of hours exploring and shopping at the market, you can sit down for a scrumptious lunch at one of the many restaurants that crowd the market.
Do not miss:• Turnips: Speciality fruits and vegetables
• Spice Mountain: Spices and herbs
• Bread Ahead: Bakery and cookery school
• The Ginger Pig: British meat and offal
• Monmouth Coffee Company: Roasted beans and coffee
• Pieminister: British meat and vegetable pies
• Neal’s Yard Dairy: British and Irish cheeses
• Sweet Roots: Liquorice products from Italy
Tips
- Mondays and Tuesdays have a limited market and Wednesdays to Saturdays feature the full market. Plan accordingly.
- Try and avoid visiting the Borough Market around 12 noon on most days since that's generally considered peak hour.
- Bring your own cloth shopping bag to carry your purchases.
- Borough Market is just 1.5 miles from the Tower of London, which is around 10 minutes of walking.
- Do ample research before visiting the market so that you don't end up wasting time on shops you don't want to buy anything from. You can ideally spend around two hours at the Borough Market.
Plan to stay
2 hours
Afternoon
3
Attraction
★★★★½ from 7,000+ Google Reviews
After a day of sightseeing and shopping, it's time for some old-school pampering with a soothing dinner cruise at the River Thames. Thames, also known as Isis, is the second longest river in the United Kingdom, at 215 miles. The river flows through Oxford, Reading, Henley-on-Thames and Windsor. Your dinner cruise on River Thames will begin at the Westminster Pier and take you on a tour of iconic London sights including Churchill Museum, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and others!
Your cruise includes a decadent four-course meal that begins with a glass of sparkling wine. Add some excitement to your first night in London with an exceptional tour of the glorious city from the waters and make memories of a lifetime with your loved ones.
Recommended Experience
St Paul's Cathedral
Plan to stay
2 hours
Evening
4
Cruise
★★★★ from 100+ Google Reviews
After a day of sightseeing and shopping, it's time for some old-school pampering with a soothing dinner cruise at the River Thames. Thames, also known as Isis, is the second longest river in the United Kingdom, at 215 miles. The river flows through Oxford, Reading, Henley-on-Thames and Windsor. Your dinner cruise on River Thames will begin at the Westminster Pier and take you on a tour of iconic London sights including Churchill Museum, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and others!
Your cruise includes a decadent four-course meal that begins with a glass of sparkling wine. Add some excitement to your first night in London with an exceptional tour of the glorious city from the waters and make memories of a lifetime with your loved ones.
Highlights:• Live performances
• ½ bottle of wine
• 3-hour cruise on River Thames.
• Four-course meal prepared by a masterful chef.
• Dancing area where you can let loose with your partner under the beautiful London sky.
Recommended Experiences
London Showboat Dinner Cruise
Friday Dinner Jazz Cruise on River Thames
Duration
2-3 hours
Day 2
Morning
5
Attraction
★★★★½ from 1,000+ Google Reviews
Begin your second day in London on a breathtaking note by visiting The Shard. Officially the tallest building in Western Europe (at 1016 feet) the Shard offers you a bird's eye view of the sprawling yet majestic city of London. The supertall skyscraper, also referred to as the Shard of Glass and Shard London Bridge, was designed by Renzo Piano, an Italian architect. The Shard completed construction on 30 March 2012 and achieved practical completion in November of the same year.
The tower's observation deck, The View from The Shard opened for the general public on 1 February 2013. The View features two viewing platforms, the first one being a triple level indoor gallery on the 69th floor and the second one, a partly outdoor gallery on the 72th floor. If you're visiting London with your partner, the View from the Shard is the perfect place for a romantic getaway.
Highlights• The View from The Shard features visual and interactive exhibits through which you can learn about the rich history of London.
• Depending on the package you pick, you'll also get to enjoy a glass of champagne at the top of the tallest building in London!
• Again, depending on your package, you'll also get pick up and drop off services.
Tips
- Try and visit the Shard during sunrise or sunset to get a breathtaking view of the sun casting its magic on the city of London.
- Since you'll be on the 72nd floor of the building, bring a jacket along even if you're in London during the summer season.
Recommended Experience
The View from The Shard Tickets With Optional Champagne
Plan to stay
Flexible hours
Afternoon
6
Attraction
★★★★★ from 30,000+ Google Reviews
Explore the fantastical world of Harry Potter at a place where it all came to life. The Warner Bros Studio Tour takes you an exhilarating tour of the world of Harry Potter. Explore the sets and locations where the 8 Harry Potter movies were filmed. Walk across the Great Hall or make your way to Hagrid's Hut or Ollivanders. You'll also get to visit the iconic Platform 9 ¾ and visit the original Hogwarts Express that was used during the first movie.
The studio tour features an endless treasure trove for fans of Harry Potter and you also get to learn behind the scenes secrets of how the magical world created by JK Rowling was brought to life on screen. The best part? You can take your own sweet time exploring the magical world of Harry Potter with this studio tour and explore iconic landmarks from the movies including Diagon Alley, Gringotts Bank, Gryffindor Common Room, the Potion's classroom and many others!
Highlights• Guided tour of Warner Bros. Studios with an expert on all things Harry Potter.
• Headsets are provided to help you keep up with the guide, if needed.
• Transportation to and from the meeting point.
• Small groups of 15 people or less.
Tips
- Harry Potter is a very popular property and tickets for the studio tour sell out pretty fast. Book your tickets well in advance to avoid facing the disappointment of a sold-out day.
- Please note that the studio tour is located around 45 minutes from central London. Take that into account when planning your day.
- If you're visiting with kids, plan your trip around their birthdays since kids who have their birthday on the day of the tour get to open the doors of the Great Hall.
- There are a lot of free activities available inside the studio lot including a broomstick ride, wand training session, and others. Make sure to ask your guide about these during your tour.
Recommended Experience
Unique Fully Guided Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
Plan to stay
Up to 5 hours
Evening
7
Experience
Must-Do in London
End your second day in London with an activity that has become synonymous with the city - West End theatre. Just like its New York City counterpart, the West End also features a collection of century old theatres that host a bunch of plays, ballets, and musicals. The name West End came about because most of the theatres in London were located in and near the West End of the city. Watching a West End show is a very common tourist activity and one you must definitely experience especially if you haven't watched a big-scale play or musical previously.
Some theatres in West End have hosted the same show since the 90’s and these shows still play to a houseful audience. Watching a West End show is a great way to end your second day in London since you won't have to walk around or spend any energy after a day of walking about.
Popular shows• The Lion King • Mamma Mia! • The Book of Mormon • Aladdin • The Phantom of the Opera
• Wicked • Les Miserables • The Mousetrap • Motown the Musical • Company • School of Rock
Tips
- Most West End theatres were constructed by different teams and feature a completely different layout. When booking your tickets for a particular show, carefully study the theatre seating chart to identify which seat offers the best view.
- The shows listed above are amongst the most popular and tend to sell out whenever a new set of tickets is released. If you're planning to catch a West End show, plan in advance and book your tickets as soon as possible.
- Each show has a different runtime so make sure you're aware of how long you'll be spending inside the theatre and plan the rest of your day accordingly.
- Book your West End tickets online to get the best discounts and cashback deals.
Recommended Experience
Theatre in London
Duration
Depends on chosen show
Day 3
Morning
8
Royal Residence
★★★★½ from 11,000+ Google Reviews
Begin your third day in London with a fabulous trip to the enchanting Kensington Palace. Located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the Kensington Palace has been a residence of the British Royal Family since the 17th century. The palace is the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Princess Eugenie and other members of the royal family. Part of the palace, the State Rooms, are open to the public and feature a great look at the history and lives of the British Royal Family.
During your tour of the Kensington Palace, you'll get to walk through the King's State Apartments, the Queen's State Apartments and the lush Kensington Gardens. A trip to the breezy Kensington Palace is the perfect way to begin your third day in London since this particular tour of the palace doesn't involve a lot of walking around.
Highlights• Explore the life and times of Queen Victoria with a special exhibition dedicated to her, titled Victoria Revealed. The Fashion Rules Restyled is another exhibition you should not miss.
• Walk around the set of rooms inside the King's State Apartments and marvel at the grandeur on display.
Recommended Experience
Visit to the Kensington Palace
Plan to stay
2 hours
Afternoon
9
Stadium
★★★★½ from 21,000+ Google Reviews
One of the most iconic football stadiums in the world, the Wembley Stadium is definitely worth your time. After a pleasant time exploring the royal Kensington Palace, head over to the Wembley Stadium for an authentic peek at the now legendary stadium. With a capacity of 90,000, the Wembley is one of the largest stadiums in England and plays host to the England Football Team's matches as well as the FA Cup Final.
Apart from football and other sports, the Wembley also doubles as a performance venue, having hosted spectacular music concerts by artists, such as Madonna, AC/DC, Metallica, Adele, Elton John, Green Day and countless others. The Wembley was designed by architects Foster + Partners and HOK Sport and features a bowl design with a Desso GrassMaster surface. Go on a guided tour of the stadium and learn about what makes it truly special, along with an interesting look at its conception.
Highlights• Follow along as a knowledgeable guide keeps you educated about the stadium and its vast history.
• Explore the stadium in detail with visits to the Press Room, Dressing Room, Players’ Tunnel and Royal Box.
• Witness mesmerising panoramic views of the entire stadium from several vantage points on this tour.
• This tour can be possible only on weekdays with the last one starting at 4 PM.
Recommended Experience
Wembley Stadium Guided Tour
Plan to stay
1.5 hours
Evening
10
Circle
Must-Visit in London
After a day of sightseeing, end your London trip with a visit to the famous Piccadilly Circus. If you have been to NYC, think of Piccadilly Circus as the Times Square of London. Located on West End in the City of Westminster, the vibrant public space is the perfect place to wind down after three days of exploring and discovering the city. If you’re expecting a literal circus, be warned that the word has been used here in the Latin sense; which means circle! Featuring some of the first electric lights seen in London, the vibrant Piccadilly Circus has been attracting tourists for decades. While you’re in Piccadilly Circus, visit the following landmarks that are located at walking distance:
• Leicester Square
• Swiss Centre
• Waterstones
• St. James Square
• Royal Academy of Arts
• Jermyn Street
• Berkeley Square
Plan to stay
Based on your convenience
London Essentials
Here are a few detailed guides on London that will help you plan your trip well. Have a fantastic time exploring London in 3 days!
The post How To Make The Most Of 3 Days in London | A 3-Day London Itinerary appeared first on Headout Blog.
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