London 3-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Start your first morning at Westminster. Exit Westminster Tube station and take in the view of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Walk to Westminster Abbey (arrive when it opens at 9:30am to beat the crowds) and spend 90 minutes exploring the coronation church. After the Abbey, walk down Whitehall past Downing Street and Horse Guards Parade.

Cross Westminster Bridge to the South Bank. Stop at the London Eye if the queue is manageable, or simply enjoy the river views. Walk east along the South Bank past the Royal Festival Hall, Tate Modern, and Shakespeare's Globe. End at Borough Market for a late lunch of world-class street food.

After lunch, walk across London Bridge to the Tower of London for an afternoon visit. See the Crown Jewels, take a Beefeater tour, and explore the fortress. End the day with views of Tower Bridge at sunset.

Spend the morning at one of London's free museums. The British Museum (Russell Square) is the best all-rounder. If you prefer art, try the National Gallery (Trafalgar Square). For families, the Natural History Museum (South Kensington) is unbeatable. All are free, and 2-3 hours is enough to see the highlights.

After the museum, walk through one of London's Royal Parks. St James's Park is beautiful and leads to Buckingham Palace (check if the Changing of the Guard is scheduled for today). Alternatively, walk from the Natural History Museum through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.

Spend the afternoon in Covent Garden for shopping, street performers, and coffee. In the evening, catch a West End show. Book tickets in advance for the best prices, or try the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for same-day discounted tickets.

Day 3 is flexible based on your interests. Here are three options:

Option A: Day Trip

Take a guided day trip to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath. This is the most popular day trip from London and covers three of England's greatest landmarks in one day. Tours depart from central London early morning and return by evening.

Option B: East London and Markets

Explore Brick Lane and Shoreditch for street art, vintage shopping, and the best curry in London. Continue to Spitalfields Market and Columbia Road Flower Market (Sundays only). End at the Sky Garden (free, book in advance) for panoramic views.

Option C: Greenwich

Take the Thames Clipper to Greenwich. Visit the Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory (stand on the Prime Meridian), Greenwich Market for lunch, and Greenwich Park for skyline views. The boat trip itself is part of the experience.

Day 1: Borough Market for lunch (try the grilled cheese from Kappacasein or the scotch eggs from Ginger Pig). For dinner, try Flat Iron near Tower Bridge for excellent steak at a great price.

Day 2: Lunch near your museum (the V&A cafe is actually excellent, and the British Museum Court has decent options). Pre-show dinner in Covent Garden or Soho; Dishoom (Indian), Bao (Taiwanese buns), or Hoppers (Sri Lankan) are all worth the visit.

Day 3: If doing a day trip, meals are usually included or available at the destination. In East London, Brick Lane for curry or Spitalfields Market for street food. In Greenwich, the market food stalls are great.

Use contactless payment or an Oyster card for all public transport. Your daily Tube spend will be capped at around £8.10 for Zones 1-2. Walking between attractions saves money and often saves time in central London. The South Bank walk on Day 1 is one of the best free experiences in the city.

A rough budget per person for 3 days (excluding accommodation): £200-300 for a mix of free activities, 2-3 paid attractions, meals at markets and mid-range restaurants, and public transport.

For more savings tips, check our London on a budget guide. For where to stay, see our first-time visitor guide.