Visit London in 3 Days: The Perfect Plan for Culture and Walks

Dreaming of exploring the British capital but only have three days? Perfect! London is that magical city where every neighborhood tells a different story.

This incredible metropolis is packed with treasures: from free museums like the National Gallery to the vintage markets of Camden Town, from iconic landmarks like Big Ben to the trendy neighborhoods of Notting Hill.

WARNING, ONLY FOR WOMEN : I've traveled solo multiple times myself, and I know what it's like to find safe accommodation for women traveling alone in Great Britain. That's why I have to tell you about NomadSister, an amazing platform that connects a community of supportive women who will host you and give you insider tips from real locals with a smile. You'll see, there are even hosts directly in London.

And if you have more than 3 days or are looking for other incredible destinations to discover, check out these articles:

Day 1 Itinerary: Westminster, Southbank and Covent Garden

Big Ben, Parliament and Westminster Abbey

Start your first day in the historic heart of London. Big Ben (currently under renovation until 2026) remains the city's unmistakable symbol, even under scaffolding. The British Parliament, with its 1,100 rooms, can only be visited by advance booking. Westminster Abbey, the venue for every coronation since 1066, is absolutely worth its £25 entrance fee.

My practical tip: arrive by 9:30 AM to avoid queues that can reach 2 hours during peak season. To optimize your timing, grab breakfast at Pret A Manger on Victoria Street – it's just a two-minute walk away.

Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard

The Changing of the Guard takes place at 11 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays (check the official website as schedules change by season). Position yourself at the palace gates by 10:15 AM for an unobstructed view.

Lesser-known alternative: St James's Park offers a magnificent perspective of the palace facade, particularly beautiful from the bridge over the lake. The palace's 775 rooms house the royal collection, but only the State Rooms are open to visitors in summer (£30).

Southbank Walk to the London Eye

This 2-kilometer walk along the Thames is one of Europe's most beautiful urban promenades. Start at Westminster Bridge and head east. The Southbank Centre, the UK's largest arts complex, often hosts free exhibitions.

The London Eye (£32 online, £37 on-site) offers panoramic views from 135 meters high, but definitely book in advance. Insider tip: Fast Track tickets (£40) are worth it during weekends. Don't forget to photograph the architectural contrast between Victorian buildings and the city's modern skyscrapers.

End Your Day in Covent Garden

Wrap up this first day in the bohemian atmosphere of Covent Garden. This pedestrian quarter, a former fruit and vegetable market transformed into a chic shopping center, buzzes with street performers. Free shows run throughout the day on the central square.

For dinner, I recommend Dishoom (authentic Indian cuisine, budget around £25 per person) or Rules, London's oldest restaurant (1798), specializing in traditional British cuisine. Shops close at 8 PM on weekdays, 9 PM on weekends.

Shopping tip: Neal's Yard, just a two-minute walk away, houses local designers and organic cafés in Instagram-worthy colorful surroundings.

Day 2 Itinerary: Museums, Shopping and Vibrant Neighborhoods

Morning at the British Museum or Natural History Museum

These two free institutions rank among the world's most visited. The British Museum welcomes 6 million annual visitors and houses 8 million objects, including the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon Marbles. Allow at least 3 hours and download the official app for a themed tour.

The Natural History Museum captivates with its spectacular Victorian architecture and 80 million specimens. The diplodocus skeleton in the entrance hall impresses visitors of all ages. Here too, download the app for a comprehensive visit.

Break in Notting Hill or Stroll Through Regent's Park

Notting Hill, made famous by the eponymous film, charms with its colorful houses and antique dealers. Portobello Road Market brings the neighborhood to life on Saturdays with its 1,000 antique and vintage stalls. The pastel facades you see on Instagram are mainly found on Lancaster Road and Westbourne Park Road.

Nature alternative: Regent's Park spans 166 hectares and houses London Zoo (£30 entrance). Queen Mary's Gardens, with their 12,000 rose bushes, offer a dazzling display from May to September. The park also offers boating activities on the lake and picnic areas.

Budget tip: the neighborhood's many pubs serve hearty meals between £12 and £18.

Afternoon on Oxford Street and Soho

Oxford Street, a 2.5-kilometer shopping artery, concentrates over 300 shops. Selfridges, a shopping temple since 1909, is worth visiting for its creative window displays and basement food hall. To avoid crowds, try the side streets: Regent Street for high-end brands, Carnaby Street for emerging designers.

Soho, the multicultural neighborhood par excellence, is packed with authentic restaurants. Chinatown offers excellent dim sum at Dumplings' Legend (£15 set menu). Historic pubs like The French House (frequented by Dylan Thomas) or The Coach and Horses retain their old-world charm.

Evening Show in the West End

London's West End rivals Broadway and hosts over 40 simultaneous productions. Musicals like The Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, or Hamilton are often sold out months in advance. Book on official theater websites to avoid commission fees (up to £10 per ticket).

Last-minute tickets can be found at TKTS in Leicester Square with discounts up to 50%, but only on the day of the show. Budget between £25 and £150 depending on the show and seating. Intermission usually lasts 20 minutes – perfect for enjoying a gin and tonic at the theater bar (British tradition, of course).

Day 3 Itinerary: City, Tower Bridge and Alternative Neighborhoods

The City and St. Paul's Cathedral

The City, London's financial district, contrasts sharply with the historic neighborhoods. Its ultra-modern skyscrapers like The Shard (310 meters) or The Gherkin stand alongside medieval churches. St. Paul's Cathedral, Christopher Wren's masterpiece completed in 1710, dominates this architectural landscape.

Climbing its 528 steps to the Golden Gallery rewards the brave with exceptional panoramic views (£20 entrance). The whispers in the Whispering Gallery, 30 meters high, create a fascinating acoustic phenomenon.

Practical tip: avoid rush hours (8-9:30 AM and 5-6:30 PM) when 300,000 employees converge on the City. On Sundays, this business district transforms into a movie set, almost deserted and very quiet.

Tower of London and Tower Bridge

The Tower of London, a thousand-year-old fortress classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, fascinates with its bloody history and legends. The Crown Jewels, valued at over £20 billion, dazzle in their secure setting. The Beefeaters (guards in traditional costume) offer free guided tours every 30 minutes, filled with delicious anecdotes.

Tower Bridge, the 1894 drawbridge, offers a unique experience with its glass floor 42 meters above the Thames (£10). The bridge still opens 800 times a year to let ships pass.

My favorite moment: Sunset from the high walkway, when the City lights gradually illuminate.

Market and Street Art in Shoreditch

Shoreditch embodies London's alternative creativity. Brick Lane, nicknamed "Curry Mile," concentrates the capital's best Bangladeshi restaurants. Street art transforms every wall into an urban art gallery: Banksy's works stand alongside those of emerging artists.

Spitalfields Market, open since 1638, blends local creators and vintage finds in preserved Victorian architecture. On Sundays, Columbia Road Flower Market perfumes the neighborhood with its floral fragrances.

Insider tip: Shoreditch pubs like The Ten Bells (frequented by Jack the Ripper – buy him a drink for me) or The Pride of Spitalfields maintain their Victorian authenticity.

To finish in style, climb up to Sky Garden (free with booking) for a bird's-eye view of this metropolis you've just conquered.

So, ready to book your flight and embark on this urban adventure? London awaits you, and believe me, three days won't be enough to exhaust its richness. You'll be back, that's for sure, to explore its best-kept secrets and unexplored neighborhoods.

TRAVEL| ITINERARY

Romane

Traveler

18 Juli 2025

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