So you have a few days to spend in one of the greatest cities in the world and aren’t sure quite how to tackle it? Luckily – you have come to the right place.
First things first – London is HUGE – so don’t even bother trying to see everything in a few days. It’s impossible and you will be exhausted and frustrated and you may end up attacking a travel companion…
If you’ve never been to London before, trying to narrow down what to do can seem downright impossible. We’ve been fortunate enough to spend quite a lot of time in this British capital city and still don’t feel like we have even scratched the surface. But what we can do, is help you plan the perfect weekend in one of our favorite cities.
Since this could get really overwhelming, really quickly, we’ve broken it down into a three-day itinerary. Clearly, you can mix and match different items on different days, but they are organized somewhat geographically as well. And the best news is, you could follow this itinerary on your own, or with a group of friends!
Day 1:
Tower of London – For those that don’t know, this is where the crown jewels are and woah, they are forking amazing. One thing you MUST do is take a tour with one of the world-famous Beefeaters. It’s simply a wonderful experience and it’s free! Pro Tip: the gift shop at the Tower of London is actually one of the best in the city. Plus you don’t have to go into the Tower itself to gain access. And if you walk down to the river, you can get some amazing pictures of Tower Bridge! You can also get a boat from the Tower of London and take it to the London Eye. They run almost like a bus!
London Eye – We definitely recommend this if you are pressed for time. It’s worth it to see the views of London from above, without having to go out of the way. Pro Tip: Get tickets in advance and splurge for the skip-the-line pass. Unless you like standing in line, then go for it! You might be thinking this is a risky move since London isn’t really known for their amazing weather. However, they do offer an anytime fast-track ticket that you can use any day and any time! For reference, the average wait time is 30 minutes, but given school field trips or high tourist season (summer months) it can go up from there!
After you are finished at the London Eye, if you have time, right behind-ish is Borough Market. One of the best food markets in London. They have everything from food you can take home and prepare, to food stalls, to sit-down pubs/restaurants.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theater – we highly recommend at least taking a tour of this facility. It is so cool and worth the time! And not only do they talk about the facility, but they also talk about what the people in the area did during that time to give you a real picture of how the Globe was utilized. We found everything super fascinating and had a wonderful tour guide as well! This is on the same side of the river as the London Eye and it’s a really pleasant walk between the two.
Bonus: If you are a museum person, the Tate Modern is located in this area and typically has interesting and rotating art installations. Plus, it is FREE to get in! Yes, free! The specialized rotating exhibits typically do have a fee associated, but general admission is free. Pro tip: Most major museums in London are free, so if it’s raining you can museum hop!
St. Paul’s Cathedral – You can easily access this by walking across the Millennium Bridge and heading right. Make sure to head to the Whispering Gallery (259 steps up!) – a circular room where you can whisper secrets against the wall on one end of the room and they travel along the wall to your friend on the other side. If it’s not too busy in there – aka loud AF – give it a try! We have also climbed all the way to the top and on a nice day it’s a great view. However, it is twisty, narrow, and cramped so keep that in mind! But you can’t leave London without at least seeing the outside!
Westminster Abbey – Another must-see in our eyes is Westminster Abbey. We know, it’s a church, so why visit? Well, a lot of incredibly famous people are buried there, and some pretty amazing ceremonies and weddings have taken place in this venue – William and Kate anyone!?! You’ve definitely seen it in almost every picture of London as well, so make it a priority. Do either an audio tour or a live tour, but a tour is necessary. The live tour is given by a member of the clergy and they certainly know their stuff. It’s also not expensive at all, so definitely do it!
Given that you’ll need to eat, grab countless pints and take a million photos, this doesn’t sound like a lot, but it will take up a good amount of time. London is a big city after all!
Day 2:
Buckingham Palace– Depending on what time of year it is, you can actually go through it and the stables next door. Though it is similar to the White House and you don’t get to see all that much, it’s still pretty neat. One thing you might be tempted to do, is watch the changing of the guard. Personally, we don’t think it’s worth it. Generally there are SO MANY people there that it’s hard to even see anything. Plus if you don’t have that much time in London, it’s not worth wasting. Just go online and catch a video there. Trust us on this one!
Piccadilly Circus – Often compared to Time’s Square in NYC, you will definitely want to meander around this area. You will most definitely recognize it from any London montage in any movie ever. There are lots of places to eat (though we would recommend getting a little bit away from here) and shop. But really just take pictures.
Leicester Square – Where the theaters are! If you are planning to see a show in London, this is most likely where you’ll be. It’s another iconic area of London to stop and take some pictures in as well.
Covent Garden – This is a MUST do in our eyes, regardless of where you fit it in! It is one of our favorite places in all of London. There’s a pub called Punch and Judy on the lower level and has a great atmosphere. There are tons of food options and additional pubs in this area also. But before you leave, you MUST MUST MUST get a Ben’s cookie! They are in various places in the city, but there’s one in Covent Garden. This is also a good place to grab some souvenirs. Between the actual stores, mobile carts, and market-style vendors, you can get something for everyone! Take time to explore the side streets of this area and you will be rewarded with some hidden (or not so hidden, thanks IG) gems. In particular, scout out the Seven Dials area and find Neal’s Yard. This little square is a riot of color and has some cute stores and restaurants.
Day 3:
If you are dying to do a tea, save that for your last day. For the best views, The Shard has a nice option. Otherwise, make a reservation at Sketch. They are oddly known for their bathrooms and you’ve seen them all over Instagram! There are also many themed teas in London as well so take a look at Secret London for the latest finds. Oh, you heard we also like tea and wrote a whole blog about it? Cool, we linked it for you!
The Churchill War Rooms – One of our favorite activities we’ve done in London. This exhibit is phenomenal. Make a reservation online though and do it well in advance. Tickets go fast! Why do we love these so much? Well, first of all, it is a living piece of history. You have the opportunity to stand where Winston Churchill stood during the Blitz. That’s forking cool. Plus, the way it is set up, you truly feel like you are stepping back in time. We would allow a couple of hours at least, so you can truly enjoy this experience.
Kensington Palace – We recommend going on a tour here. It really is beautiful and the grounds are wonderful. The palace is in Hyde Park, which is a lovely place for a picnic! Be sure to book your tickets in advance!
If none of these options are quite right, spend a day exploring all of the markets in London!
For food, Borough Market is a must. For trinkets and shopping head over to Spitalfields. If antiques are your thing, Portobello Market is the stop for you. The best part is, Notting Hill where this market is located, is also super cute, so you could easily spend a few hours or a half-day here. For the more eclectic travelers, Camden Market would be where you’ll want to go.
One thing you might be wondering is how to get from place to place while exploring. Transportation in general can be the source of many a traveler’s worry when in a new city. And one like London offers so many options it’s hard to know what to do. We are not going to cover everything transportation here because it would take too long, but we will offer some tips: Walking is free and often times faster than the Tube/Bus, etc. Download CityMapper and it will give you the best route to your destination. You can also rent a Bike and ride them all over. Just be careful! The famous double-decker bus is the next cheapest option and will give you a nice view of London from above-you can use an oyster card or contactless (Apple Pay/Samsung Pay or a contactless Credit Card) payment for these (just consider traffic. There are no bus lanes in London). The tube can be wonderful and fun, but it does have delays, it can be really crowded and it’s not air-conditioned. Black taxis are in abundance, but won’t be cheap (again traffic). And they do have Uber as well. Definitely do some research here, because there are options for traveler cards that could be worth it and might save you some cash! The transport for London also has a route planner to help you figure out how to utilize buses/the tube and it’s super helpful!
If you are still a little unsure, we highly recommend checking out the Visit London website, as it helps break down different transportation options and talks about other city cards to gain entry to multiple attractions.
In the end, our suggestions are just that, suggestions! None of this is sponsored, it is all information gathered from our multiple trips to London. If you couldn’t tell it’s one of our favorite places. As you plan your trip, please reach out with any questions! We love hearing from you!
