15 Things to Do in London: 3 Days in England’s Elegant Capital
Welcome to London, England’s vibrant and historical capital that seamlessly blends both history and modernism. This metropolis will not fail to inspire you with its iconic landmarks dating back 2,000 years to new innovations occurring just days prior. London’s diverse neighborhoods and world-class museums make it one of the most popular cities in the entire world! While there are so many corners to explore, please enjoy this 3-day itinerary and London bucket list.
I had the pleasure of spending 3 months in London during my undergrad years, and boy did I enjoy every waking moment in the city. Not only will you recognize hundreds of movies that have been filmed here, but you will dive deep into history and eat delicious food.
Table of Contents
Day 1
(1) The London Eye
I personally don’t think there’s a better way to start your tour of London than by going to the London Eye. This massive Ferris wheel offers stunning views of the River Thames and is the UK’s most visited paid attraction, bringing in 3 million visitors every year. I went to the London Eye when I was 12 years old and the experienced floored me. Then, when I returned at 22 years old, I decided that yes, the London Eye is still very worth it. As a travel blogger, it’s always a good habit to check to see if an activity was just fun because you were a child or if it’s timeless!
(2) Big Ben
Next, take a walk across the Westminster Bridge to Big Ben. While you may have heard of Big Ben as a tower, the name is actually for the bell on the inside. Now, it more colloquially refers to the entire clock tower. If you’re lucky, Big Ben will not be under construction, although this seems to be a common recent occurrence.
(3) Westminster Abbey
Just around the corner from Big Ben, you will find Westminster Abbey, an Anglican church from the 11th century. I usually am not the biggest fan of audio tours as they take a long time, however, the Westminster Abbey’s audio tour is incredibly useful because it’ll point out all of the key tombs and burial grounds. It is kind of hard to navigate on your own given that it has been the location of 40 coronations and a burial site for 18 different monarchs. Don’t miss out on the Coronation Chair, the Lady Chapel, and the Royal Tombs.
(4) Buckingham Palace & St. James’ Park
Here’s where you can’t quote me on recent news. Buckingham Palace is the royal residence for the monarch of the United Kingdom. However, truth be told, after the passing of the queen, I no longer know who lives in Buckingham Palace. What I do know is that you can view this gorgeous residence from the outside and watch the changing of the guards every day at 10:45 AM for approximately 45 minutes. St. James Park surrounds Buckingham Palace, an optimal spot for a stroll and wildlife viewing.
(5) Churchill War Rooms
If you’re up for an adventure I would suggest checking out the Churchill War Rooms. I don’t hear nearly enough people talking about this museum, which is one of the coolest I have seen and definitely a top choice in London. The War Rooms are an actual complex that Prime Minister Winston Churchill occupied, and it takes you through the political and military decisions that he made during World War II.
(6) Afternoon Tea at the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon
I know absolutely everybody will want to ask about afternoon tea, so let me put it in the itinerary now. You will not regret going to afternoon tea at the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon as it is a perfect blend between an affordable and elegant experience. There is even a suggested dress code which gives you an excuse to dress up a little. At the Diamon Jubilee, you get a mix of savory sandwiches as well as sweet desserts and any tea of your choice.
(7) Hyde Park
Finally, end your day with an activity of your choice in Hyde Park. This royal park is a 350-acre garden where you can bike, jog, have a picnic, stroll and enjoy the absolute marvel of an urban forest.
Day 2
(8) Camden Town
I lived in Camden Town during my three-month stay, and boy do I adore Camden. This neighborhood is known for a fascinating culture, a big nightlife scene, as well as a market on Sundays. You will notice that there is more a gritty punk scene than the rest of traditional London. Camden is fantastic on Sundays due to the large market stalls and vibrant atmosphere, but I will say that if you really don’t like crowds, don’t come on this day. Camden straddles both the zoo and Saint Regent’s Canal, both of which are wonderful options for further exploring the city.
(9) The British Museum
If you had to pick one museum to visit in London, it would have to be the British Museum. Yes, I know the controversy about the grand majority of these items being stolen, but they are here in London for your enjoyment. The British Museum is public, with a permanent collection holding over 8 million works. Some necessary things to see include the Rosetta Stone, mummies, the Parthenon sculptures, an Easter Island head, and Aztec jewelry.
(10) Soho/Oxford Circus/Piccadilly Circus/Trafalgar Square
Don’t be alarmed by the incredibly long name above, as it’s all part of the same area! Generally, Soho is considered to be the neighborhood bordered by Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus, two major road junctions in the city. Definitely come to Soho for all of your shopping and eating needs. By now you’ve probably heard that British food is not the best, but Soho is home to many different cuisines to choose from. From there, you can explore the shopping around Oxford Circus, the Times Square nature of Piccadilly Circus, and Trafalgar Square, a historic plaza that you should definitely not miss.
(11) Covent Garden
Just a short walk from Trafalgar Square is Covent Garden, a shopping and entertainment hub. Here, you will find massive stalls within an indoor market, the Royal Opera House, and narrow cobblestone streets that you could get lost in. If you are interested in musicals, especially the Harry Potter ones, I would suggest spending an evening in Covent Garden.
Day 3
(12) Borough Market
Start your day at Borough market, an absolute must-do in London. It is one of the largest food markets in the city and walks the line between a gourmet farmers market and a restaurant. Please consider trying the Argentine steak and getting lost within all of the artisan and food stalls.
(13) Tower Bridge
Now that you are fed and full, it’s time to visit Tower Bridge. Frequently mistaken for London Bridge, London Bridge is actually a pretty inconspicuous-looking structure while Tower Bridge is the eye-catching suspension bridge, with – you guessed it! – two towers.
(14) Tower of London
Let’s cross the bridge to visit the Tower of London, home to the Crown jewels and raven birds (who are the guardians of the tower). There are countless parts of the Tower of London to explore, including torture rooms, dungeons, moats, and art pieces. The attraction has something for everyone, from outdoor gardens to hidden passageways.
(15) Shoreditch
Looking for an area with young people? I suggest checking out Shoreditch, an artsy neighborhood with cool bars, clubs, and restaurants. You must, must, check out Dishoom, the best Indian food restaurant in all of Europe. Make sure to make reservations ahead of time, and prepare to be stuffed. While there are a few Dishoom locations, the Shoreditch one is particularly fantastic.
As a final note, I did not include pop-culture specific recommendations in this itinerary, because there are so many shows and movies that were filmed in London that it would be nearly impossible to name them all. Of course, if you are a fan of Harry Potter or Sherlock Holmes, the Sherlock Holmes Museum is a cool stop, and the Harry Potter tour outside of London is unforgettable. I did the Warner Bros. Studio tour in 2012 just a few short months after it opened, and even though I was only 12 years old, I can say that I would find it as equally impressive today.
That’s all for London! I hope you enjoyed this 3-day itinerary and bucket list for England’s electric capital. For other guides in Europe, check out our European Destination Guides. Happy sampling!