London
A three-day London itinerary on foot, one neighbourhood at a time
The Changing of the Guard after breakfast, oysters at Borough Market for lunch and a West End show at night. A three-day London itinerary that keeps you walking rather than riding the Tube, with a hotel to suit each day.
At half past nine, Westminster Bridge still belongs to commuters. Big Ben chimes, the river runs grey and flat below, and there is room to stop and look. Two hours later the pavement will be three deep with selfie sticks, and you will be long gone.
Three days is enough for London's essentials if you take one area at a time. This plan follows that rule. Each day opens early at the biggest sight, breaks for lunch where Londoners eat and ends somewhere lively in the evening. The hotels are placed so you can walk back.
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In short
A good three-day London itinerary starts with Westminster and Covent Garden. Day two covers the Tower of London and the South Bank, and day three the museums and Notting Hill. Stay near Trafalgar Square or the Strand to walk almost everywhere. With a fourth day, take the boat to Greenwich.
Our first choice: The Trafalgar St. James. You wake up on Trafalgar Square, and day one begins five minutes from the front door.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Trafalgar St. James (Paid link)
Day 1: Westminster and Covent Garden
Morning: Westminster Bridge and Big Ben before the crowds, then Westminster Abbey, which is closed to sightseers on Sundays.
Late morning: Walk through St James's Park to Buckingham Palace. The Changing of the Guard runs on set days, so check the schedule first.
Lunch: Covent Garden, where Neal's Yard and Seven Dials hide small cafés.
Afternoon: The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square is free, with Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Turner's Fighting Temeraire.
Evening: A West End show. Same-day tickets are sold at the TKTS booth on Leicester Square.
Where to stay: The Trafalgar St. James
The hotel stands on the corner of Trafalgar Square, and its rooftop bar looks straight down on Nelson's Column. The National Gallery is two minutes away and the theatres ten.
The most central address in town, ideal for walking back from everything. Rooms facing the square can pick up street noise.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Trafalgar St. James (Paid link)
Tower Bridge and the Tower of London
The bridge still lifts for tall ships, with the fortress right beside it. Photo: VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett
Day 2: The Tower and the South Bank
Morning: The Tower of London at opening time. Head straight for the Crown Jewels before the queue builds, then join a Yeoman Warder tour.
Late morning: Cross Tower Bridge and follow the river west along the south bank.
Lunch: Borough Market, for oysters, cheese from Neal's Yard Dairy or a sandwich from one of the stalls.
Afternoon: Tate Modern, in the old power station, is free. The viewing level on the tenth floor looks across to St Paul's.
Late afternoon: Walk over the Millennium Bridge to St Paul's Cathedral.
Evening: Dinner and bars in Shoreditch, ten minutes by Tube from St Paul's.
Where to stay: Bankside Hotel
Bankside Hotel sits right behind Tate Modern in a new building hung with work by local artists. Borough Market and the Millennium Bridge are a few minutes on foot.
A good choice if you want the river as your neighbourhood. Evenings here are calmer than in the West End.
Book your stay: See rooms at Bankside Hotel (Paid link)
Day 3: Museums, Hyde Park and Notting Hill
Morning: The British Museum in Bloomsbury, for the Rosetta Stone and the Egyptian mummies. With children, swap it for the Natural History Museum.
Lunch: Marylebone High Street, lined with bakeries and cafés.
Afternoon: Walk west through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.
Late afternoon: Notting Hill and Portobello Road. Saturday is market day, with antiques at the top end.
Evening: Dinner in Notting Hill, home to several of the city's best restaurants.
Where to stay: St. Ermin's Hotel
St. Ermin's occupies a red-brick mansion from the late 19th century, a couple of minutes from St James's Park. British intelligence worked from the building during the Second World War, and the hotel keeps a small display on its spying past.
Westminster and Buckingham Palace are within walking distance, so day one starts on the doorstep. The surrounding streets are quiet at night.
Book your stay: See rooms at St. Ermin's Hotel (Paid link)
Where to stay: One Aldwych
One Aldwych sits where the Strand meets Covent Garden, in a 1907 building that once housed a newspaper. Its swimming pool plays music underwater.
A stylish base between the theatres and the Thames, with Somerset House across the road.
Book your stay: See rooms at One Aldwych (Paid link)
Got a fourth day?
Take an Uber Boat by Thames Clippers from Westminster to Greenwich, about 45 minutes on the river, for the Cutty Sark and the Prime Meridian. Or catch a train to Oxford or Cambridge in under an hour, as set out in our day trips guide.
Tips for three days in London
Paying: Tap a contactless card on the Tube and buses. Fares stop at the daily cap automatically.
Free entry: The National Gallery, the British Museum, Tate Modern and the Natural History Museum charge nothing.
Sundays: Westminster Abbey is closed to sightseers, and many shops open later.
Shoes: This plan is built for walking. Expect 12 to 15 kilometres a day.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in London?
Three days is enough to see the main sights in London, such as Westminster, the Tower of London and the British Museum. With four or five days you can add Greenwich, more museums and a day trip to Oxford or Cambridge.
What should you see in London in three days?
In three days in London you can cover Westminster with Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, and the South Bank with Tate Modern. Save the British Museum for the last day. One area per day saves the most time.
Where should you stay for a weekend in London?
For a weekend in London, stay around Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden or the Strand. You can walk to most sights and theatres from there. The South Bank suits anyone who wants the river, Tate Modern and Borough Market close by.
Is the London Pass worth it?
The London Pass only pays off if you plan to visit many paid attractions in a few days. London's biggest museums are free. Add up what you will actually see before buying, and compare it with individual tickets booked online.