The Perfect 3-Day London Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Are you visiting London for the first time and have just three days in hand? While the UK capital has almost unlimited attractions and activities for you to consider, they’re hard to fit into just three days. That’s where I’ve come up with an ideal 3-day itinerary for first-timers that gives you not just access to London’s best attractions, but some breathing space too. On that note, let’s dive deeper into it below.

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Tips Before You Go

Before you chalk out your London itinerary, here are some tips that will hold you in good stead on the trip.

In terms of accommodation, book the best serviced apartments in London for local experiences. They are more spacious and affordable than hotels while coming with flexible leases. You can live like a local and engage more with your immediate environment.
Don’t buy paper tickets for local transport; use contactless payment methods to tap on/off buses and on the Tube. It’s faster and more affordable.
Pre-book attractions like West End shows, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London at least 1-2 weeks before you go to avoid the queues.
Don’t forget to visit a local park or two whenever you want a break from the city hustle.

Day-Wise London Itinerary You Can Follow

Here is a perfect 3-day itinerary for London that you can consider for the best experiences.

Day 1:

Morning (9.30 AM): Start with ticking off the big boxes, i.e. Buckingham Palace and St. James Park. View the official residence of the King before walking through the park later (you can see pelicans here). You can skip the Changing of the Guard ceremony if you want to bypass huge crowds. Otherwise, go for it if you don’t want to miss this unique activity.
Late Morning (11 AM): Walk to Westminster Abbey, where the monarchs are crowned, followed by Parliament Square, where you can take photographs of the Houses of Parliament. You can also view the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) in all its majesty.
Lunch (1 PM): Grab a quick lunch at a local pub like The Admiralty on Whitehall or feast on a sandwich near St. James’s Park.
Afternoon (2.30 PM): You can now cross Westminster Bridge after lunch to get the best photographs of Big Ben. Thereafter, you can take a 30-minute ride on the magnificent London Eye to enjoy amazing 360-degree city views. If you want to walk instead, stroll towards the Waterloo Bridge along the South Bank to enjoy your afternoon.
Evening (6 PM): End your day at the covered market in Covent Garden, viewing the lovely street performers and checking out the local stores. You can then have dinner in the West End area or nearby Soho before returning to your apartment.

Day 2:

Morning (9 AM): You can start at the Tower of London immediately once it opens to beat the crowds flocking to the Jewel House. You will love viewing the White Tower and Crown Jewels here. Try to join the free tour that is given by a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) for some amazing stories.
Late Morning (11.30 AM): Walk across the iconic blue-and-white Tower Bridge for stunning views. You don’t have to pay for the top, but if you do, you’ll get the classic glass-floor walkway view to savour here.
Lunch (1 PM): You can now visit the Borough Market by crossing over to the Southwark side. Explore this food market to the hilt, trying the iconic artisanal cheeses or roast pork sandwiches for a filling lunch.
Afternoon (3 PM): You can walk westwards along the River Thames to the Tate Modern (entry is free here) to view modern art. Alternatively, you can just enjoy the riverside atmosphere by yourself for some time. You can then cross the Millennium Bridge for a stunning view of the majestic St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Evening/Sunset (6 PM): Book your free tickets at least 2-3 weeks in advance for the Sky Garden. This is where you can enjoy incredible sunset views of London. Afterwards, you can have your dinner at a riverside pub (The Anchor Bankside is a good option) before closing out the day.

Day 3:

Morning (10 AM): Head to the British Museum first thing in the morning, focusing on the Egyptian Mummies, Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon Marbles. It is a huge museum that is free and offers amazing exhibits for you to view. You can spend about 2-3 hours here at the max to avoid burning out.
Lunch (1 PM): From the British Museum, you can walk for about 15 minutes to visit the colourful and hidden Neal’s Yard, which is home to several independent cafes. Alternatively, you can have lunch at the iconic Dishoom in Covent Garden for amazing Bombay-style delicacies.
Afternoon (3 PM): You can head to South Kensington by taking the Piccadilly Line. Choose between the V&A (Victoria & Albert) Museum for its art and design or the Natural History Museum for dinosaurs and other marvels. Both are free and can be called architectural masterpieces in their own right.
Late Afternoon (5 PM): You can end your third day of sightseeing in the charming Notting Hill. Walk down the lovely Portobello Road, taking in the pastel-coloured homes and sipping on coffee. It offers a slower and completely unique vibe as compared to the bustling Central London stretch.
Evening (7.30 PM): End your trip itinerary with a classic British dinner at a local pub. Consider The Churchill Arms for its unique exterior and signature Thai dishes.

As you can see, a three-day itinerary for London doesn’t have to burn you out, provided you focus on the key sights and experiences without rushing here and there. Check and compare long or short term apartment rentals in London and book in advance to avoid the last-minute rush. Chalk out the routes to these key landmarks from your accommodation beforehand to maximise your time on the trip. Here’s wishing you a wonderful time in London!