Ultimate 3-Day London Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
- Maddy Kear
- May 4
- 5 min read
Deciding what to do in London can be overwhelming, especially if your time is limited. Here's a 3-day itinerary to help you get started.
Day 1: Sight-Seeing
Embrace being a tourist while in London. The first day, hit all of the famous sites you want to see.
Borough Market
Start your day at Borough Market to make sure you're well-nourished for a day packed with sightseeing!
Set in the Shard Neighborhood near London Bridge, this market for food and goods is nestled beneath London's railway lines. Borough Market is open daily, though the hours vary. I recommend arriving early in the day to avoid the crowds.
Here are some of my personal recommendations:
The Black Pig
Wild Mushroom Risotto
Monmouth Coffee
Chocolate covered Strawberries at Turnips Market
Saint Dunstan in the East Church
Situated across the London Bridge from Borough Market, this church is truly unique.
This is a quick stop, but I definitely think it is worth it to see if you have time while in this area.
Once partially destroyed during World War II, this church has been brilliantly transformed into a vibrant public garden! Lush vines and greenery now beautifully embrace the ruins. If you're passionate about photography, this is an absolute must-visit!
Big Ben/Westminster Abbey
Embrace being a tourist and walk around Westminster. You cannot visit London without seeing Big Ben. As soon as you walk out fo the Westminster Underground station, you will be greeted by Big Ben.
Westminster Abbey is only a brief walk from Big Ben. In addition to appreciating the church's architectural beauty from the outside, you can purchase tickets to view its interior.
Buckingham Palace
Visit the home of the Royal family.
We were lucky to see someone being escorted by police to the palace which was pretty cool! If you want to see the changing of the guard, it takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sundays at 11am. However you can still see guards stationed outside the palace any time of day.
Tower Bridge/Tower of London
Take the tube to Tower Hill Station to visit the iconic Tower Bridge and historical Tower of London —home of the Crown Jewels. You can purchase tickets to go inside both of these and learn more about British History.
Shoreditch
For a fun night out, grab a bus to Shoreditch. This neighborhood has a youthful and lively vibe. Enjoy dinner at Dishoom then head to Blues Kitchen for some fantastic live music.
Day 2: Explore Notting Hill/Primrose Hill
Notting Hill
First, take a stroll through the beautiful streets lined with colorful houses.
Then, enjoy one of the many delightful brunch spots in Notting Hill.
Some popular spots include:
Farm Girl
Sunday in Brooklyn
Eggslut
Portobello Market
Including Portobello Market in your London itinerary is essential.
Portobello Road is packed with all sorts of shops and stalls offering antiques and crafts.
The Market operates from Monday to Saturday, with the highest number of vendors present on Saturday.
Stop by Bird & Blend on Portobello Road for delicious tea to enjoy while browsing the market. Bird & Blend offered a variety of flavors are arranged brightly on the shelves. I went with the Peaches & Cream Matcha while my fiancé picked the Banana Bread Chai --which he said was the best Chai he's ever had.
At Portobello Market, I bought a vintage gold watch, a stunning Heron Cross teapot, and I couldn't resist taking home a Notting Hill shopping bag.
Don’t be afraid to get a little lost in Notting Hill. You never know what cool thrift shop or stunning house you will fall upon.
Camden Market
Camden Market hosts numerous thrift shops, souvenir stores, and a variety of food and drink venues.
Tip: Try to use the bathroom before getting to Camden Market, because restrooms are $1 to use while inside the Market.
The market operates daily from 10 am to 6 pm. We liked Camden Market, but our visit was brief because of the crowd. We had a beer outside a brewery and then explored the shops. Even though we didn’t purchase anything, Camden Market is worth a stop on your way to Primrose Hill.
Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill is a quieter neighborhood, where houses are occupied by families.
Chalcot Crescent is the most stunning street to stroll along. The Blue House is the actual filming location for Paddington Bear!
Take a walk down Regent’s Park Road with charming flower and produce shops. If you’re lucky to catch a sunny day in London, you’ll see people enjoying the sunshine outside The Queen’s Pub with a cold beer in hand.
To end the day, head to the top of Regent’s Park to see a striking view of the London skyline. This park felt straight out of a fairytale. Dog’s were running around off leash. Friends were catching up while enjoying a glass of wine. I really took a moment to take in how privileged I felt to be able to come here and make this memory with my fiancé.
Day 3: Convent Garden/SOHO
Convent Garden
Grab a coffee or tea and a warm pastry from one of the many cafes.
For some amazing matcha, try Jenki Matcha.
Have fun shopping in the various stores, take a walk through Apple Market, and catch some entertaining street performers as you go.
Neal’s Yard
This hidden alleyway is located in Convent Garden. We took a quick break from the bustling streets and enjoyed a glass of wine outside on this beautiful day in London.
*Although we didn’t make it to afternoon tea, there are many places that offer afternoon tea located in the Convent Garden/SOHO area so this may be a good day to squeeze it in!
SOHO
Continue the shopping in the SOHO area. From vibrant thrift stores to big name stores, it isn’t hard to spend some money here.
SOHO is another district in the city of London known for its vibrant nightlife, featuring numerous classic pubs and a variety of delicious dining options.
If there was one food place I would highly recommend in London, it’s Kiln, a restaurant focusing on Thai inspired dishes, located in SOHO. They only take walk-ins so I recommend putting your name in ahead of time then perusing shops while you wait. The kitchen is out in the open where guests sit at the bar watching their meals be made --plus it doesn't hurt Kiln has a banging playlist. One dish you have to try is the Glass Noodles: they are life changing.
Final Thoughts
My personal takeaway from visiting London is that it's a vibrant and bustling city rich with history and countless activities. Book ahead for restaurants or events you don't want to miss, but also be open to locals suggestions and discovering new places as you go. If you enjoy a fast-paced city with great shopping and delicious food, London is for you!
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