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3 days in London

3 days · 16 stops · UK

London is one of those cities that feels endlessly browseable: you can spend the morning in a world-class museum, the afternoon wandering a street market, and the evening settling into a pub near the Thames. It rewards both big sightseeing days and slow neighbourhood exploring, from historic streets to lively pockets full of cafés, restaurants, and independent shops. Whatever the season, it shines when you mix iconic landmarks with everyday local life.

€788estimated for two — on-the-ground estimate, flights not included.

AI-estimated prices · Day 1 starts on a Wednesday · Check opening hours and closing days before you go

The 3-day plan, day by day

Day 1 · Wednesday — Westminster, the South Bank and Covent Garden
Classic central London landmarks with river views and lively evening streets
5 stops€108 in stops, for two
Morning
1. 09:00
  Settle into Westminster and orient along Whitehall
  Begin with a short walk through the ceremonial heart of London, where government buildings, broad avenues and historic facades quickly set the scene. This first stretch makes it easy to get your bearings before the major riverside sights.
  €8 per person
  TIPUse contactless payment on the Underground or bus for the simplest way to move around central London.
2. 09:45
  Walk around Westminster Bridge and Parliament Square
  This area brings together some of London's most recognizable silhouettes, with sweeping views across the Thames and a constant sense of movement around the square. It is one of the best first stops for understanding the city's scale, architecture and atmosphere.
  Free
  TIPPause on both sides of Westminster Bridge for different views of the river and skyline.
3. 11:15
  Stroll the South Bank riverside
  Cross the river and follow the pedestrian promenade for one of central London's easiest and most rewarding urban walks. Street performers, broad views and a steady sequence of landmarks make this stretch feel lively at almost any hour.
  Free
  TIPThis path can get busy around lunchtime, so keep a little extra time for slower walking.
Afternoon
1. 13:15
  Lunch around the South Bank food halls and riverfront lanes
  The South Bank has plenty of casual places to pause for a first London lunch, from quick market-style counters to riverside cafes. It is a good area for a relaxed meal without straying far from the day's main route.
  €18 per person
  TIPWalk a few minutes back from the riverfront for better value than the busiest promenade spots.
2. 15:00
  Explore Covent Garden and its surrounding lanes
  Covent Garden mixes handsome old market architecture, small shopping streets and a steady buzz of performers and visitors. The surrounding lanes are especially good for wandering, with hidden courtyards and a more intimate feel than the grand avenues nearby.
  Free
  TIPThe covered market is busiest in mid-afternoon; the side streets are often easier for a slower wander.
Evening
1. 18:00
  Evening meal in Soho
  Soho is one of central London's most energetic dining districts, with compact streets full of restaurants, small bars and late-opening venues. It is ideal for ending the day where the city feels dense, bright and unmistakably urban.
  €28 per person
  TIPIf a street looks packed, check the next lane over—Soho often has several good options within a few minutes' walk.
Day 2 · Thursday — The City, Tower Bridge and Borough Market
Historic London streets, riverside icons and one of the city's best market areas
6 stops€100 in stops, for two
Morning
1. 09:00
  Walk St Paul's area and the surrounding City streets
  The City of London combines grand stone architecture with narrower old lanes that reveal how layered the capital really is. A morning walk here shows the contrast between ceremonial spaces, financial towers and pockets of older street patterns.
  Free
  TIPWeekday mornings are active with commuters, which makes the district feel at its most characterful.
2. 11:00
  Follow the riverside toward Tower Bridge
  This eastward route opens up broader river views and gradually shifts from business district streets to one of London's most famous waterfront approaches. The changing skyline and repeated glimpses of the Thames make the walk as rewarding as the destination.
  Free
  TIPKeep to the riverside where possible for the best sequence of views and photo stops.
Afternoon
1. 12:30
  Take in Tower Bridge and the surrounding riverfront
  Tower Bridge is one of London's defining landmarks, dramatic both from a distance and up close at street level. The nearby quays and open spaces make it easy to linger and appreciate the bridge, the river traffic and the contrast between old stonework and modern skyline beyond.
  Free
  TIPWalk a little way onto the bridge for a wider view back along the river.
2. 14:00
  Lunch at Borough Market
  Borough Market is one of the city's best-known food areas, filled with produce stalls, bakeries and casual counters. It works well as both a meal stop and a chance to sample London's market culture in a compact, walkable setting.
  €20 per person
  TIPGo before the later lunch rush for shorter queues at the most popular stalls.
3. 15:45
  Wander Bankside and the back streets of Southwark
  Just beyond the market, the neighborhood shifts into a mix of old brick lanes, arches and riverfront walks that feel distinctly different from Westminster. It is a rewarding area to explore slowly, with plenty of texture and frequent glimpses back toward the Thames.
  Free
  TIPLook for the smaller lanes behind the main roads for a quieter atmosphere and more character.
Evening
1. 18:30
  Evening around Leadenhall Market and nearby City lanes
  As daylight fades, the covered market streets and surrounding alleys take on a polished, atmospheric feel that suits an evening walk and dinner. The district blends historic surfaces with a distinctly modern city backdrop, making it one of the most visually memorable parts of central London after work hours.
  €30 per person
  TIPWeekday evenings are lively nearby, but some market traders close earlier than surrounding restaurants and pubs.
Day 3 · Friday — South Kensington, Hyde Park and Notting Hill
Museum district avenues, grand parkland and elegant west London neighborhoods
5 stops€60 in stops, for two
Morning
1. 09:00
  Start in South Kensington and museum quarter streets
  South Kensington is one of London's most polished neighborhoods, with broad roads, handsome terraces and a concentration of cultural institutions. Even without stepping into a specific venue, the district itself feels stately and distinctly London.
  Free
  TIPThis is an easy area to cover on foot, with wide pavements and plenty of places to pause for coffee.
2. 10:45
  Walk through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
  These adjoining green spaces offer a softer side of the city, with long paths, formal edges and room to slow the pace after central sightseeing. The parkland gives broad views, changing perspectives and a sense of scale that balances the denser neighborhoods around it.
  Free
  TIPAllow extra time if you like long park walks; the distances are larger than they first appear on a map.
Afternoon
1. 12:45
  Lunch around Kensington High Street side streets
  The streets around Kensington High Street are well suited to a midday pause, with plenty of casual and sit-down options just off the busiest thoroughfare. It is a convenient place to refuel before continuing west.
  €22 per person
  TIPCheck the side streets just north or south of the main road for a calmer setting.
2. 14:30
  Explore Notting Hill and Portobello Road area
  Notting Hill is one of London's most appealing residential quarters, known for elegant terraces, colorful facades and a relaxed village-like feel within the city. Portobello Road adds a more bustling strip of shops and street life that makes the area especially enjoyable to wander.
  Free
  TIPFriday is a good day for a walk here, with more activity than a quiet weekday but less pressure than the weekend.
Evening
1. 17:15
  Early evening pause in Marylebone lanes
  Marylebone offers a refined finish to the trip, with attractive streets, independent-feeling shopfronts and a calmer atmosphere than the busier West End. It is a pleasant area for a final stroll and a last look at everyday central London life.
  Free
  TIPThe smaller streets just off the main roads are the most rewarding for a gentle wander.
2. 19:00
  Make your way out from central London
  Wrap up the day with a straightforward transfer from central London using the Underground, rail or a taxi depending on your departure point.
  €8 per person
  TIPAllow a little extra time on Friday evening in case stations and roads are busier than usual.

Where to stay

Covent Garden · about €260 a night Find a hotel here →

How many days do you need in London?

5 days is the right length for a first trip to London. That covers Westminster and the South Bank, the British Museum, the Tower and the City, and a market morning in Borough or Camden. With fewer days you see the highlights at a brisk pace; with more, add a day trip to Windsor or Oxford.

See the 5-day London itinerary →

London, in a few questions

Is 3 days enough for London?

3 days in London gets you the headline sights at a brisk pace, with little room for a day trip. The plan below spends every one of them, morning to evening, with what each stop costs.

When is the best time to visit London?

Late spring through early autumn is the most comfortable time for long walks, riverfront wandering, and market-hopping. That said, London works year-round, and cooler months can be great for museums, pubs, and indoor attractions.

Is London expensive to visit?

London can be costly, especially for hotels and transport, but it also has plenty of free or low-cost things to do, including major museums and parks. You can manage your budget by mixing splurges with casual meals, pub stops, and self-guided exploring.

How do I get around London?

The city is easy to navigate with the Underground, buses, trains, and plenty of walkable areas. For short distances, walking is often one of the best ways to see the neighbourhood feel of the city.

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The 3-day plan, day by day

Day 1 · Wednesday — Westminster, the South Bank and Covent Garden

Settle into Westminster and orient along Whitehall

Walk around Westminster Bridge and Parliament Square

Stroll the South Bank riverside

Lunch around the South Bank food halls and riverfront lanes

Explore Covent Garden and its surrounding lanes

Evening meal in Soho

Day 2 · Thursday — The City, Tower Bridge and Borough Market

Walk St Paul's area and the surrounding City streets

Follow the riverside toward Tower Bridge

Take in Tower Bridge and the surrounding riverfront

Lunch at Borough Market

Wander Bankside and the back streets of Southwark

Evening around Leadenhall Market and nearby City lanes

Day 3 · Friday — South Kensington, Hyde Park and Notting Hill

Start in South Kensington and museum quarter streets

Walk through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

Lunch around Kensington High Street side streets

Explore Notting Hill and Portobello Road area

Early evening pause in Marylebone lanes

Make your way out from central London

Where to stay

How many days do you need in London?

London, in a few questions

More London

Make this London plan yours.