Complete Three Day London Itinerary

Getting to London

You've made it to London! First things first, if you're landing at Heathrow Airport, you can either take the Heathrow Express train to Paddington Station (~30 mins), or hire a taxi or private car. Depending on the time of day, driving can take up to 1.5 hours in traffic. Other airports include Gatwick and London City (LCY), which are both accessible by train or car.

Day 1: Central London

Get out and explore: Stroll down Oxford and Regent Street, and check out London's top shops, including the historic department store, Liberty of London.

Make your way through Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and on to Traflagar Square, a central hub for the city. Stop into the National Gallery for a free visit to view some of the European masters, including DaVinci, Monet and Van Gogh.

Right behind the National Gallery is the National Portrait Gallery, one of our favorite museums, featuring modern works of esteemed Brits like Elton John and the Queen Elizabeth, as well as classic portraits dating back to the early 1400’s.

Eat

Enjoy lunch or afternoon tea and scones on the top floor of the museum at The Portrait Restaurant, with stunning views of the city and the London Eye.

Explore

Explore Covent Garden - the bustling covered market with shops, eateries and performers, dating back to 1812.

Spa

Work off your jet lag at the spa. The Corinthia Hotel has an incredible underground spa, with plunge pools, steam rooms and sauna, all complimentary for guests. The Langham Hotel also a gorgeous swimming pool, gym and treatments at their Chuan Spa.

Grab a bite

Dishoom is London's most popular modern Indian restaurant, with several locations throughout the City. Make sure to reserve a spot in advance or be prepared to wait.

Enjoy a nightcap

There are so many fantastic bars and pubs in London. Check out the new cocktail bar, Velvet, at the Corinthia, the upscale Vesper bar at the Dorchester, or the lobby bar at the London Edition for a fun way to end the night.

Day 2: Explore The Thames

Start your day at Big Ben and Parliament, and then head next door to one of Britain’s most historic icons, Westminster Abbey. Enjoy the impressive architecture outside, or tour the inside for a fee.

Cross the river and walk along the Thames. There’s a lot to see and do on the south side of the river, including:

The London Eye

The massive ferris wheel with views of the entire city. Check out their VIP and champagne experiences for a more upscale visit.

Southbank Centre

A bustling center for the arts with a weekly program of music and art.

The Tate Modern

Britain’s impressive collection of modern art in the converted Bankside Power Station. Stop by the cafe on the 5th floor for spectacular views of London. Tickets are free, but booking a spot online is recommended.

Keep walking and you’ll pass Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, a recreation of the original theater, complete with thatched roof and modern performances of Shakespeare’s plays.

Eat

Borough Market

London’s most famous food market is a must-see. Strolls the halls and try virtually any kind of food, from sweets to sausages, Italian and fresh produce. It’s a great place for lunch but gets very busy on weekends. Closed on Mondays.

Cross over at Millennium Bridge and stop by St. Paul’s. This impressive cathedral is part of the London skyline and was originally opened in 1711. Luckily, it was spared major bombing during World War II.

Further down the Thames, you’ll visit the Tower of London, an impressive fortress dating back to 1078. Today the Crown Jewels are housed here as well as decades of British history, ravens and Yeoman of the Guard.

Right next to the Tower of London is Tower Bridge, originally opened in 1894. You’ve seen pictures of it online, but nothing compares to seeing this massive bridge in person, especially lit up at night.

Afternoon Tea

The Brits have mastered this afternoon tradition. Nearly every hotel has their own take on this afternoon tradition. Some of the best classic experiences can be found at the Corinthia Hotel, The Savoy, or Claridges. Check out the Rosewood London’s ‘art inspired’ afternoon tea.

Day 3: History Lessons

Enjoy one of London’s many parks, including St. James Park, Green Park or Hyde Park, on your way down The Mall toward Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace - the impressive home to the Royal family, is open for select days throughout the year and during the summer. The Changing of the Guard ceremonies typically at 11:00 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Nearby Museums:

Serpentine Galleries - In Hyde Park, stop by the galleries for an ever-changing art scene.

Churchill’s War Rooms - situated in the basement of government buildings, behind 10 Downing Street, is the historic War Rooms. In addition to the newer Churchill Museum, which covers the life of Winston Churchill, you’ll see the cabinet war rooms, map rooms, and living quarters of Churchill and his staff, just as they left it when the War ended in 1945.

Victoria & Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A / VAM) is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects. Named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, it was founded in 1852, and has since grown to cover 12.5 acres and 145 galleries.

Natural History Museum

Great for kids, this free science museum features an expanse of interactive exhibits on geology, dinosaurs and botany. The majestic Gothic architecture of the building itself is worth a visit.

Lunch Spot

Stop by Harrod’s for some afternoon shopping and a visit to their opulent food halls, where you’ll find fresh-made salads, breads, sweets, sushi - you name it.

British Museum - This massive museum covers 2 million years of human history. From ancient Egypt to the Magna Carta, the British Museum is a must. Tickets are free, but be sure to book in advance.

Evening Entertainment:

See a show! London is the capital of diverse theater, from big-hit musicals to smaller indie productions. Visit London Theater for what’s on now.

Live Music

Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club or Pizza Express Jazz, both in Soho, offer fun nightly shows in intimate settings.