United Kingdom · 3 days · 16 stops
3 days in London – a ready-made itinerary
London is big, but many of its best museums are free. The plan keeps each day in one area: Westminster and Trafalgar Square, the City with the Tower and the South Bank, then Bloomsbury, Covent Garden and South Kensington.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 16 stops
- Highlights
- Big Ben, Tower of London, British Museum, Westminster Abbey, St James's Park
- Where to stay
- South Bank, Bloomsbury
- Getting around
- The Tube gets you everywhere quickly.
- Best time to go
- May to September is warmest with the longest days, but busy in high summer.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Day 1
Westminster and Trafalgar Square
Big Ben
The clock tower at Parliament. The best photo is from Westminster Bridge.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Big Benabout 5 min on foot
Westminster Abbey
Coronation church since 1066, with tombs of kings and poets. Booking ahead saves time.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Westminster Abbeyabout 10 min on foot
St James's Park
A park with a lake and pelicans on the way to the palace.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St James's Parkabout 10 min on foot
Buckingham Palace
The King's palace. The Changing of the Guard only takes place on certain days – check the dates.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Buckingham Palaceabout 20 min on foot
National Gallery
Van Gogh, Turner, Leonardo – free entry, right on Trafalgar Square.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): National Galleryabout 15 min on foot
London Eye
The big wheel on the South Bank. The light over the Thames is best in the early evening.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): London Eye
Day 2
The Tower, South Bank and St Paul's
Tower of London
Castle, prison and treasury. Head to the Crown Jewels first, before the queue grows.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Tower of Londonabout 5 min on foot
Tower Bridge
The bascule bridge over the Thames. The high-level walkway has a glass floor.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Tower Bridgeabout 15 min on foot
Borough Market
London's oldest food market. Have lunch at the stalls.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Borough Marketabout 10 min on foot
Tate Modern
Modern art in a former power station, free entry. The viewing level looks across to St Paul's.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Tate Modernabout 10 min on foot
St Paul's Cathedral
Reached via the Millennium Bridge. Evensong with the choir is free to attend.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): St Paul's Cathedralabout 15 min on foot
Sky Garden
A garden on the 35th floor with panoramic views. Free, but only with a timed slot booked in advance.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Sky Garden
Day 3
Bloomsbury, Covent Garden and South Kensington
British Museum
Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, mummies – free entry. Better to see two rooms properly than all of them.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): British Museumabout 15 min on foot
Covent Garden
Market hall with street performers, shops and restaurants for lunch.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Covent Gardenabout 4.2 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Natural History Museum
Dinosaurs and the blue whale in the main hall. Entry is free.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Natural History MuseumTube from Covent Garden to South Kensington, about 15 min.
Hyde Park
A large park for the evening, with the Serpentine lake.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Hyde Park
Good to know
Best time to go
May to September is warmest with the longest days, but busy in high summer. April and October are quieter. It can rain all year round – always bring a jacket.
Getting around
The Tube gets you everywhere quickly. Tap in and out contactless with a card or phone; the daily fare is capped automatically. Buses are slower, but you see a lot from the top deck. The Elizabeth line runs from Heathrow into the centre.
Where to stay
South Bank
On the south bank of the Thames: walking distance to Westminster, Tate Modern and Borough Market.
Bloomsbury
Quiet squares around the British Museum, central and with good Tube links.
Your plan
Start with this plan.
Copy it into YesTrip, pick your dates and make it yours: move stops, drop them or let the AI add more. On the road the app shows you the next stop and how to get there.
London: frequently asked questions
Which London museums are free?
The big national museums: the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and the V&A. Special exhibitions often cost extra.
Do I need a visa or travel authorisation?
Many visitors, including EU citizens, need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for the UK, applied for online before travelling. Check the current rules on the UK government website.
Is an Oyster card worth it?
Usually not any more. Contactless payment with a card or phone costs the same and is also capped per day.
Are 3 days enough for London?
For a good first impression, yes. With more time, add Greenwich, Camden, Notting Hill or Kew Gardens.
More plans for London
- One dayOne day in London – Westminster to SouthbankA loop through Westminster, past Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden to the big wheel on the Thames – all on foot.
- WeekendA weekend in London: Friday to SundayArrive by the Thames on Friday, Westminster and the West End on Saturday, the Tower and a view from above on Sunday.
- 5 days5 days in London with WindsorThree neighbourhoods, a day at Windsor Castle and Greenwich on the Prime Meridian to finish.
- With kidsLondon with kids: 2 easy daysDinosaurs and experiments on day one, sharks, the big wheel and a boat ride on day two.
- On a budgetLondon on a budget: 2 days, mostly freeWorld-class museums with no entry fee, a free view from the top and food from markets and takeaways.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Fuzzypiggy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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