Your Perfect London Itinerary: 3 Days of History, Food, and Fun
London — the timeless capital of England — is one of the most visited cities in the world. With its royal palaces, red double-decker buses, and rich blend of history and modern culture, it’s easy to see why travelers rave about this city.
I have been living in London for the past 3 months and I fall in love with the city more and more each day. There is so much to do, from shopping, local markets, museums, restaurants, bars and theaters, London has everything you could imagine. There is a reason it remains my favorite city despite visting dozens across Europe. Here is my beginner's guide to London, highlighting top spots you must visit on your next trip.
Understanding London: A Quick Overview
London is a vast, sprawling city made up of many unique neighborhoods . Each has its own personality, so it’s worth exploring beyond the famous landmarks. There's a reason London is called a “melting pot”.
Popular Areas for First-Time Visitors
Westminster: The political and historical heart of London. Home to Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace.
The West End: London’s entertainment hub -musicals, theatres, shops, and restaurants.
South Bank: Ideal for a scenic walk along the River Thames with landmarks like the London Eye and Tate Modern.
Covent Garden: Street performers, markets, boutique shopping, and cozy cafés.
Notting Hill: Instagram-worthy pastel homes, Portobello Road Market, and that romantic movie charm.
Kensington & South Kensington: Museums galore (Natural History Museum, V&A, Science Museum) and beautiful residential streets. (I lived here-such a stunning area).
Camden: Famous for alternative culture, live music, and street food markets.
Shoreditch: Trendy, artsy, and full of vintage shops and quirky bars.
Getting Around London
Public transport in London is reliable and well-connected. Use City Mapper or Google Maps to plan out all your journeys.
The London Underground
Fastest way to travel across the city.
Get an Oyster card or use contactless payment (Apple Pay, debit/credit card).
Peak times: Weekdays 7–9 AM and 5–7 PM — avoid it if possible!!! Or else you will be squished in the tube.
Buses
Slower but scenic — perfect for sightseeing.
The famous red double-decker buses offer great views of London’s streets.
Bus schedule is not always accurate and delays are common.
Can only use contactless or Oyster cards
Typical-hop on/hop off bus to see the city
Walking and Cycling
Central London is walkable.
Bikes are available for rent in most areas.
Rentals can be completed and paid for via company apps
Lime, Santander Cycles, and HumanForest are popular companies
Taxis & Rideshares
Black cabs are iconic but pricey.
Uber and Bolt are cheaper alternatives.
If you learn to operate the tube system you will not need to step foot into a vehicle (besides a bus) on your trip.
Late Night Travel Tips + Airport
If you arrive at LHR, I recommend taking the Piccadilly line. This line has many stops at other stations that with major tube lines.
LTN, STD, & GTW- take the train to Central London→tube to final destination.
Buses:
24hr routes cover all parts of the city.
Check the TfL Go app.
Night Tubes:
Piccadilly, Jubilee, Central, Northern, and Victoria on weekends.
Where to Stay
Budget: Onefam Notting Hill, Urbany Hostel, Palmers Lodge or Wombat’s City Hostel (Checkout Hostel World for more options)
Mid-range: The Z Hotel Shoreditch, CitizenM Bankside
Luxury: The Langham, The Savoy, or Shangri-La at The Shard
3 DAY LONDON ITINERARY
Day 1:
Notting Hill
Portobello Market
Daunt Bookshop
Pastel Homes
Kensington Gardens+Palace
Princess Diana Memorial
Hyde Park:
Walk or bike around
Boats are available for short rental on the pond
Harrods:
Iconic Department store
Shop and browse around
Check out the Food Market Hall and Chocolate Factory
MUST TRY: Rotisserie box for £12
Comes with meat, two sides, and two sauces
You can also build your own gourmet sandwich, wrap, or ciabatta
Covent Garden:
Visit Covent Garden Market→ boutique shops
Neils Yard-Aesthetic Spot
Seven Dials Food Market
Transportation for the day
Tube→Circle line to Notting Hill Gate Station.
Walk to Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, and Harrods ( 1.5-2mi journey)
Tube→ Piccadilly line from Knightsbridge (outside of Harrods) to Covent Garden
Day 2:
Start your day with an early Skygarden visit:
FREE!!!!
Must book far in advance as spots fill up quickly
The Tower of London:
Discover the Crown Jewels and tales of medieval intrigue
Book tickets in advance if interested in going inside
Tower Bridge:
Climb to the glass walkway for great views
Borough Market:
Iconic chocolate-covered strawberries
The Ginger Pig: Sausage Rolls
The Famous Wild Mushroom Risotto
The Black Pig
Humble Crumble
Tate Modern Museum:
Modern art gallery with international works on display
Cafe with panoramic river view
FREE!!!
Transportation for the day
Tube→Circle/District line to Monument (less than 5 min walk from station)
Able to walk between the rest of the locations
Day 3:
Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey
Site of royal weddings and coronations
Tours are avalibale
The London Eye
A 30-minute ride offering panoramic views of the city.
£29 when booked online in advance, or from £39 if purchased on the day
Uber Boat
Out of Westminster pier
Take you along the river seeing many attractions such as Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and the London Eye
St James ‘s Park
Stroll through before reaching the palace
Buckingham Palace:
Watch the Changing of the Guard (usually around 11 AM)
Trafalgar Square
SOHO/Piccadilly Circus
Shop on Regent, Carnaby, & Oxford Street
Chinatown
Marble Arch
Transportation for the day:
Tube→Circle/District line to Westminster
Able to walk between the rest of the locations
Nightime
Popular Clubs/Pubs:
Ministry of Sound
The Zoo Bar & Club
O’Neils
Heaven
Club 49
The Blues Kitchen
XOYO
Dinner Cruise:
Stunning Views of Big Ben and the London Eye are lit up
Catch a West End Musical:
Mamma Mia, The Lion King, Wicked, and Phantom of the Opera are some classics
If You Have More Time
Day Trips:
Seven Sisters Cliff
Stonehenge
Bath
Oxford/Cambridge
Windsor Castle
St Paul’s Cathedral
Richmond Park
Brigit's Bakery Bus Tour
Fortnum & Mason:
High Tea Experience
£81 per person
Canary Wharf
British, National History, and V&A museums:
ALL FREE!!!
Camden Market:
Walk along Little Venice and Regent’s Park to get there
Shoreditch/Briklane:
Street art and vintage shops
Spitalfields Market
Food Recommendations
Dishoom
Prima Sapori d’Italia
Poppies Fish and Chips
The Breakfast Club
Bao
Hunan
Maxwell's
Camden+Borough Market (street food)
Essential London Travel Tips
Weather: Unpredictable! Pack layers and a compact umbrella
Money: Pounds (£)
Language: English, though you’ll hear dozens of global accents
Power sockets: UK uses Type G plugs (buy a universal converter)
Safety: Generally very safe, but be aware of pickpockets in busy areas
London isn’t just a city — it’s an experience. From royal pageantry to underground street art, from afternoon tea to late-night pub trips, it’s a place that I’m lucky to have called home.
Take your time, wander aimlessly through cobbled lanes, pop into museums, chat with locals, and watch the city unfold. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, London will always have something new to discover.
