London itinerary in 3 days

London is one of those destinations for which a lifetime is not enough to visit it all. It's a mecca for museum-lovers, it's huge and full of neighbourhoods all with their own peculiarities, there are parks to get lost in for days on end... in short, in three days you can't but 'taste' London. But we are here to advise you on the best itinerary of the English capital, especially if you are visiting it for the first time and therefore don't want to miss the must-sees!
Here are all our tips for planning the best 3-day London itinerary.

Consider buying a card: to save on the cost of individual attractions or transport, we recommend buying the London Pass. Prices from €74.45.

Day 1

• Distance travelled: 5.5 km

• Places visited: Big Ben (exterior free), Westminster Abbey(entrance fee €28.82), Buckingham Palace (exterior free), Trafalgar Square, British Museum or National Gallery (free), SoHo District

• Where to eat: Lunch at The Sherlock Holmes Pub(Get directions), Dinner at Bill's Soho Restaurant(Get directions)

First time in London? Start with a sightseeing tour: for a first approach, a good option is a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour, to familiarise yourself with the city and identify landmarks so you can get around better on your own.

1 - Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster

Start your itinerary in London with one of its symbols par excellence: Big Ben. Located on the bank of the River Thames, it is easily accessible from anywhere in the centre. If you reach it by transport, keep the Westminster stop (Circle, District line and Jubilee tube) as a reference point. The best place to admire it is Westminster Bridge.
Also known as the Clock Tower, it is considered the most accurate clock in the world.

Nearby is the British Parliament, also known as the House of Parliament or Palace of Westminster. Inside there are no less than 1,200 rooms and it houses the seats of the two chambers of the British Parliament, theHouse of Commons and theHouse of Lords.

Since there are so many things to see and do, we recommend admiring them from the outside and taking a souvenir photo from Westminster Bridge.
SEE ALSO: Visiting Big Ben: times, prices and tips

2 - Westminster Abbey

After taking a photo in front of Big Ben, continue exploring the Westminster district by visiting Westminster Abbey (Mon-Fri 9:30am-3:30pm, Sat 9am-1pm, Cloisters daily 8am-6pm; full admission £20.00/€22.80), concessions £9.00/€10.3). From Big Ben you can easily walk there (350 m, 4 min).

Westminster Abbey is the venue for the most important celebrations, such as the coronation of kings and queens (from as far back as 1066) and royal weddings: it has been the location for more than 16 weddings. It is also the resting place of the UK's monarchs. Inside, don't miss the Lady Chapel, which is the most beautiful chapel in the entire Abbey, and thePoets' Corner, where some of the exponents of English literature rest, including Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare.

Avoid the queues: there are many things to see and the visit takes at least 1 hour. This is why it is essential to avoid long queues at the entrance by purchasing the ticket + audio guide in advance. Info and costs here

3 - Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guard

After the visit to Westminster Abbey it will be late in the morning. Walk past the beautiful St. James's Park to Buckingham Palace, the residence of the British monarchy (1 km, 14 min).

Enjoy a walk around the palace to admire its beauty and large gardens. But above all, make sure you are here around 11:00 to witness the famous Changing of the Guard: at 11:15 the New Guard enters through the North Gate, while at 11:30 the actual changing begins. Pay attention to the number of guards: if there are four guards, it means that the Queen is inside the Palace, if the number is different she is outside. The event lasts about 45 min, ending around 12 noon.
SEE ALSO: Buckingham Palace visit: how to get there, prices and tips

What to know about the visit: As it is the royal residence, it cannot be visited, with the exception of the West Wing, which is only open in the summer, generally from July to September. If you are in Londa during this period, consider joining a guided tour. Info and costs here

4 - Trafalgar Square

After witnessing the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, head to Trafalgar Square, one of London's most famous squares. We recommend you walk there along The Mall, the street that connects the square to Buckingham Palace (1.3 km, 17 min).

Trafalgar Square is somewhat the heart of the city, from here some of the city's most famous and important streets develop. In addition to The Mall, which leads to Buckingham Palace, Whitehall, which leads to Big Ben and the House of Parliament, and the Strand boulevard, which leads to the more modern part of the city, where St. Paul's Cathedral is also located, start here. Nelson's Column stands tall in the square, while on either side it is surrounded by important buildings, such as the art museum The National Gallery.

Make a stop at the Great Scotland Yard: Scotland Yard is certainly a name you will have heard many times. It is the headquarters of London's police force, established in the 19th century when criminals like Jack the Ripper roamed the streets of London!

5 - British Museum or National Gallery

After Trafalgar Square, it's museum time, and we start with one of London's most famous museums: the British Museum (daily 10am-5pm; free entry). From the square, you can reach it on foot (1.3 km, 17 min) or by underground line Northern getting off at Tottenham Court Road station, then 5 min walk.

The British Museum houses one of the most extensive collections of archaeological artefacts in the world. It houses more than 8 million objects, ranging from prehistoric times to the 20th century. Free admission makes history accessible to all.

Option B at the National Gallery. If you prefer art to history, then instead of the British Museum you might consider visiting the National Gallery, an art museum located right in Trafalgar Square (daily 10am-6pm; free admission). It houses over 2,300 paintings from various eras. Again, budget at least 2 h for the visit, 3 h would be ideal.

Plan your visit: both museums are huge, you could spend a day there. To optimise your time and be sure to visit the must-sees, we recommend a private tour of around 2 hours. You can find information on the British Museum tour on this page, and for the National Gallery tour visit this page.

6 - SoHo

Finally, in the late afternoon head to SoHo, one of London's most distinctive neighbourhoods. It runs right between the British Museum and Piccadilly Circus, so you can easily walk there (1.2 km, 15 min).

SoHo is the hub of the city's nightlife, the district of London's LGBT scene and full of clubs of all kinds, including red-light venues. But it is also one of London's most important cultural centres. Spend the evening here; the most famous street is Regent St, but Dean St, Frith St, Beak St and Old Compton St are also lively.

Stop by Ronnie Scott's: Soho is the district of London's jazz scene. If you love the genre head to Ronnie Scott's, the most famous venue, for a drink and a gig. Get directions

Day 2

• Distance travelled: 5.1 km

• Places visited: Tower Bridge (exterior free), Tower of London(ticket and Crown Jewels €34.70), Sky Garden, St. Paul's Cathedral(ticket €21.61), Tate Modern (free), London Eye(ticket €34.42)

• Where to eat: Lunch at Honest Burgers Bank(Get directions), Dinner at The Understudy(Get directions)

1 - Tower Bridge and Tower of London

Second day in London, start with one of the city's quintessential landmarks: Tower Bridge. This famous bridge is located in the City of London district and can be reached by the Circle and District underground lines to the Tower Hill stop. Given the few days available, we recommend admiring it from the outside, taking a picture from the Girl with a Dolphin fountain, one of the most beautiful spots (alternatively, you can visit the bridge inside and admire the Tower of London only from the outside).

Then pay a visit to the nearby Tower of London, or London Tower (March to October Tue-Sat 9am-5.30pm, Sun-Mun 10am-5.30pm, November to February Tue-Sat 9am-4.30pm, Sun-Mun 10am-4.30pm; full admission £24.70/€28.10, concessions £10.75/€12.20). This fortress, with more than 1,000 years of history and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses the crown jewels. A truly unmissable visit. Be sure to plan ahead: we recommend arriving at least a little before opening time or buying your ticket online (including a map of the structure) to avoid queuing at the ticket offices.
SEE ALSO: Visit Tower Bridge: Getting there, prices and tips

Watch out for the ravens on the tower: they are now one of the symbols of London. This is because, according to King Charles II, the moment the six ravens guarding the fortress leave their post, then the Monarchy will cease to exist.

2 - Sky Garden

The visit to the Tower of London will take you most of the morning. Once it's over, walk (650 m, 8 min) to one of the city's most beautiful viewpoints: the Sky Garden (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun 11am-9pm; free admission). With free admission, this is a great alternative to The Shard, a famous building with a panoramic observatory(info and costs here).

The Sky Garden is the highest garden in London: a real garden has been created inside the viewing platform and has been declared a public park by the City of London. From up here, the view is unique, especially on sunny days. There are also bars and restaurants for an unforgettable lunch break, but the costs are obviously high compared to the average.

3 - St. Paul's Cathedral

After lunch, head to St. Paul's Cathedral (daily 8:30am-4:30pm; full price £18.00/€21.60, concessions £7.70/€9.20), one of the city's most important religious buildings, in total contrast to the modern context of skyscrapers and buildings in which it is set. From the Sky Garden you can reach it on foot (1.1 km, 14 min) or by metro line Central to St. Paul's stop (5 min).

St. Paul's Cathedral has always hosted some of London's most significant events: to name but a few, Churchill's funeral or Lady Diana's marriage to Prince Charles took place here. The building is easily recognisable by its wonderful central dome and English Baroque style. From the Millennium Bridge you can take the perfect photo!

Plan your visit: St. Paul's Cathedral is a landmark of the city and there are many things to see inside. Allow an average of 2 hours for your visit and buy your ticket in advance to avoid the long queues at the ticket offices. Info and costs here

4 - Tate Modern

After your visit to St Paul's Cathedral, you should head to the famous Tate Modern, one of London's most visited museums (daily 10am-6pm; free entry). It is located on the opposite bank of the Thames from the Cathedral, and to get there you have to cross the city's famous Millennium Bridge (1 km, 12 min walk).

The Tate Modern is one of the most avant-garde modern art galleries in the world. It is spread over several, mainly housing the permanent collections with works by Picasso, Kandinsky and Van Gogh. The Tate Exchange, on the other hand, is a floor where people can collaborate and test new ideas through art.

Alternative option with children. If you are travelling with children, we recommend a visit to the SEA LIFE Centre London Aquarium (daily 11am-4pm; entrance fee €32.00), located just below the London Eye, the last stop of the day!
SEE ALSO: What to see at the Tate Modern: times, prices and tips

Plan your visit: you don't have a lot of time, identify the works you don't want to miss and ask for a map of the museum at the entrance. Find out which 10 works are not to be missed.

5 - London Eye

Wrap up your afternoon with a trip to the London Eye, London's famous Ferris wheel (summer 10:30am-8:30pm, winter 11am-6pm; admission according to experience, standard £24.50/€28.00). From the Tate Modern, you can either walk to it along the riverside (1.6 km, 20 min) or take bus line 381 from Blackfriars Road to County Hall (10 min).

Also known as the Millennium Wheel, it is one of the largest Ferris wheels in the world. The large cabins reach up to 135 m high, giving a 360° view of London! The complete tour takes about 30 minutes and you can admire the whole of London from above.
SEE ALSO: Visit the London Eye: times, prices and tips

Buy apriority ticket: the London Eye is one of the most visited attractions in London and the UK. To make sure you don't lose precious time, buy a priority ticket and skip the queue at the ticket counters by heading straight to the entrance. Info and costs here

Day 3

• Distance travelled: 12.5 km

• Places visited: Camden Martket (free), Notting Hill and Portobello (free), Hyde Park (free), Kensington Palace(entrance fee €19.21), Piccadilly Circus (free)

• Where to eat: Lunch at Farm Girl Notting Hill(Get directions), Dinner at Oneills Wardour Street Londo(Get directions)

1 - Camden Market

Last day in London, the alternatives are many. You can devote this day to discovering other corners of the city or take themed tours, such as the Harry Potter tour.

Let's first find out what to see in the city. Start the day in Camden Town, London's most alternative district. It is located in the northern part of the city, reference tube stop Camden Town (Northern line, from Trafalgas Square an average of 13 min by tube). Here, lose yourself in the magic of Camden Market, a wonderful market around Regent's Canal with numerous stalls and stalls (daily 10am-6pm; free entry).

Hunting for street art: Camden is London's hipster and alternative district. Here, venues are housed in old, reclaimed shipping containers, the walls of the buildings feature many distinctive murals and sculptures, and you'll find plenty of quirky little shops. Give yourself at least 2 hours to discover it!

2 - Notting Hill and Portobello

In the late morning, head to one of London's most famous neighbourhoods: Notting Hill. The best way to get there is to take the Northern line underground from Camden Town to King's Cross (5 min), here change to the Circle or Hammersmith & City line to the Ladbroke Grove stop (15 min).

Notting Hill is one of London's most elegant neighbourhoods. Now a residential district, it became famous as the location for the 1999 romantic comedy film of the same name Notting Hill, starring Julia Robert and Hugh Grant. Here discover Portobello Road, a street full of vintage shops, cute clubs and a wonderful bohemian charm.

Option B with kids. If you're travelling as a family, instead of heading to Nottingh Hill and Kensington Palace in the afternoon, after Camden Town you can devote the whole afternoon to visiting the nearby ZSL London Zoo, the city's leading zoo and research centre, located in Regent's Park.

Take a photo in front of theBlue Door: you can still relive the atmosphere of the film Notting Hill and take a photo in front of the iconic Blue Door! The spot to look for is the Blue Door Notting Hill Film, at 280 Westbourne Park Rd. Get directions

3 - Hyde Park and Kensington Palace

Photo by Shisha-Tom. After lunch, head to the wonderful Hyde Park, London's famous park. From Notting Hill you can easily walk there by following Portobello Rd (1.5 km, 20 min).

Hyde Park is one of London's eight royal parks and covers 124 hectares. It is very popular with Londoners, who come here to relax away from the traffic and hectic city life, to spend a few hours with the family or to play sports.

Inside there are numerous attractions to visit, but one of the most beautiful is definitely Kensington Palace, one of the most important British royal residences near London. Today part of the palace is open to the public and can be visited, a truly unique opportunity that you should not miss! For the visit budget an average of 2 hours (summer Wed-Sun 10am-6pm, winter Wed-Sun 10am-4pm; full price £16.00/€19.20, concessions £8.00/€9.60).
SEE ALSO: Visiting Hyde Park: how to get there, prices and tips

Stop at the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain: Lady D was one of the most important figures in the modern history of the royal family. Tragically killed in an accident, there is now a memorial dedicated to her in Hyde Park. Pay homage to her as many Londoners still do today!

4 - Piccadilly Circus

Finally, one cannot end this day and trip to London other than at Piccadilly Circus, considered to be a bit like London's Times Square. Even this place is more of a London crossroads than a square, nowadays a real attraction - Get to Hyde Park Corner stop, get on the Piccadilly underground line and get off at Piccadilly Circus Station (5 min).

Piccadilly Circus is a real hotspot for Londoners and tourists alike, a place that never sleeps: even at night it looks like daytime because of the gigantic signs and large illuminated advertising screens. Enjoy your last night in London in and around here!

Alternative: themed itinerary

London is also the city of themed tours! If you are travelling as a family or are a Harry Potter fan, you certainly can't miss out on a themed day out! There are plenty of alternatives: you can organise a visit to Warner Bros Studios from London, where you can see the Harry Potter film sets up close! You could join the Warner Bros. Studio tour starting from King's Cross, the famous train station where Platform 9 3/4 is located. Alternatively, if you prefer to stay in the city, you can join the Harry Potter-themed guided walking tour (duration 2 h 30 min).

But not only Harry Potter, there are plenty of themed activities to do in London! If you love Sherlock Holmes, you can certainly dedicate the day to visiting The Sherlock Holmes Museum (€15.00/€17.20) and take part in a walking tour in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes (2 hr). If, on the other hand, you are fascinated by the story of Jack the Ripper, the murderer who terrorised London in 1888, you cannot miss the walking tour in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper (2h).

How much does a weekend in London cost

London is a very expensive city. Fortunately, it is connected to Italy by numerous low-cost flights, but one of the first expenses you will have to face is finding accommodation. Hostels that are not always very clean start at €40.00 per night, hotels have much higher costs.

Transport is also a major expense. The best solution, if you have to travel by metro, is to buy a Travel Card. Alternatively, we recommend thetourist bus, which is ideal for getting around the main attractions and settling into the city. Attractions are also expensive, fortunately many museums are free. To save on entrance fees buy the London Pass. Finally, to save money on lunches and dinners, we recommend heading to the markets or the stands scattered around the city serving hot dogs and fish & chips.

Let's look in detail at the costs of a weekend in London:

• Costsfor eating: about €50.00 per day per person (including breakfast, lunch, dinner)

• Costs formuseums and attractions: average price €45.00 per person per day following our suggested itinerary

• Transport: average price €10.00 per person per day (indicates costs for public transport, possible taxis and transfers to and from the airport)

• Hotels, accommodation and b&b: from €70.00 per room - see offers

• Entertainment: from €35.00 per day per person (including snacks, coffee, drinks, ...)

• Total cost of a weekend in London: from €490.00 per person (excluding flights and/or transfers)

Before you go: useful tips

• When to visit London: any time of year. Summer for sunny days and long daylight hours. Spring and autumn for great temperatures and the natural beauty of the parks. At Christmas London is magical - find out more here;

• Be careful where you land: London has no fewer than 6 airports! From Italy you mainly land at Heathrow (25 km), Gatwick (45 km) and Stansted (55 km), all with excellent connections to the centre. The best solution is to book a shared transfer;

• Where to sleep: in zones 1 and 2, central London. For families choose districts such as Westminster, Covent Gardn and Notthing Hills. For young people better nightlife districts such as SoHo, Piccadilly Circus and the East End - find out more here;

• Get around on footor by car, avoid the car: in individual neighbourhoods you can get around on foot, while for getting around the city we recommend the tube (Travel Card from £7.00/€8.40) and the tourist bus. Avoid the car, there is too much traffic and driving on the left - find out more here;

• Be carefulwhen crossing the road: again on the subject of driving on the left, be careful when crossing the road and look to the right side! It is very common to get confused;

• Beware of museum closing times: many museums close at 5pm, forcing you to visit in the morning or early afternoon. Plan ahead to visit each museum at your leisure;

• Local currency: pound sterling (£ or GBP) / exchange rate: €1.00 = £0.80);

• Entry documents: from October 2021 passport required, with residual validity for at least the entire period of stay in the country. Visa not required for tourist stays of maximum 6 months. See the official Farnesina website.