The Perfect 3-Day London Itinerary
Only 72 hours in London? Copy this itinerary
Three days in London works best as a single narrative arc: west to east across two days, then south to Greenwich on day three. The route moves roughly downriver, which means the Thames becomes your natural highway rather than something to cross repeatedly. Book your paid attractions (Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, London Eye) at least a month ahead for September weekends, or accept a day delay if you arrive midweek. Oyster cards cost £7 but save money across multiple journeys; contactless payment caps out at the same daily rate anyway. Aim to be at Westminster Abbey by 9:30am on day one to avoid the queues that build from midday on. The Changing of the Guard happens at 11am on roughly half the days in September, so check the official schedule before you arrive and plan around it if you want to watch for free. Day two runs east through the City to the South Bank, a walk of roughly 2.5 miles that breaks naturally at Borough Market. Day three is a full-day trip to Greenwich by DLR or river cruise, easily done as a standalone excursion but worth including if you have time.
Westminster Abbey
Parliament Square, Westminster · Medieval abbey and royal burial church · £27 online advance booking, opens 9:30am Monday–Saturday
The Abbey is usually open Monday–Saturday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, but hours vary on service days, so arrive at opening to claim an hour and a half inside before the crowds. Plan on 90 minutes to two hours to see the nave, chapels, Poets' Corner, and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries without rushing. Pre-booking online secures your entry time and lets you skip the slower walk-up ticket queue. Walk south across Westminster Bridge toward the London Eye; the river route is quicker than the street and gives you landmark photos without backtracking.
Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guard
The Mall, Mayfair · Royal residence with free ceremony viewing · 11:00am on select Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays; State Rooms £34.80 if open
The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace in London will take place on the following days in September: 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24 and 29th of September at 11 am. Watching the ceremony from public streets is free. From 1 August to 27 September 2026, the State Rooms are included on the all-inclusive London Pass, with entry from 12pm on a walk-up basis instead of a timed ticket, and self-guided tours include an audioguide. Walk through St James's Park afterward; it's a direct line to Trafalgar Square and cuts through London's most elegant green space.
Trafalgar Square & National Gallery
Trafalgar Square, Westminster · Free permanent collection and public plaza · 10:00am–6:00pm daily; Friday lates until 9:00pm
The iconic gallery is free to enter and welcomes more than two million visitors each year who are treated to a wide-range of works dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. The National Gallery is open daily, from 10am to 6pm on Saturdays to Thursdays, and 10am to 9pm on Fridays. You can spend 30 minutes on highlights or three hours on deep dives. Walk north from Trafalgar Square along Charing Cross Road toward Covent Garden, or stay on the south bank along the Strand toward Embankment Pier for river transport.
Thames River Cruise to Tower Bridge
Westminster Pier to Tower Bridge Butler's Wharf · Sightseeing cruise with live commentary · £17 one-way; departures every 30–40 minutes
See the sights of London along the banks of the River Thames on a sightseeing cruise from Westminster Pier to Tower Bridge and Butler's Wharf Pier. Sail between Westminster and Tower Bridge, passing landmarks including St. Paul's Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, and the Tower of London. The 40-minute cruise beats walking and lets you rest your feet after the morning walk. Thames Clippers are part of the TfL network and accept Oyster cards, making this a practical way to move between zones.
Tower of London
Tower Hill, City of London · Crown Jewels and medieval fortress · £37 online advance booking, 9:00am–5:30pm daily
At least three hours is recommended for your visit but you can enjoy the Tower for the whole day until closing. During busy times such as holidays, we advise booking online in advance. Book an early slot (9:00am start) to see the Crown Jewels while crowds are thin, then explore at your pace. The Yeoman Warder tours are worth booking separately. Walk east along the riverside or cross Tower Bridge on foot to reach Borough Market.
Borough Market
Southwark Street, London Bridge · Food market with 100+ stalls and lunch options · 10:00am–5:00pm Tuesday–Friday; 9:00am–4:00pm Saturday–Sunday; closed Mondays
Borough Market is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00AM to 5:00PM. On Saturday, it opens slightly earlier at 9AM, and on Sunday it closes slightly earlier at 4:00PM. Be aware, the market is closed entirely on Mondays. Most people spend at least a couple of hours snacking and wandering in the market, so I would recommend budgeting a minimum of 90 minutes to visit. Aim for early lunch (before 1:00pm) to avoid the thickest crowds. Cross the Millennium Bridge north from here to reach St Paul's Cathedral.
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Churchyard, City of London · Baroque cathedral with climbable dome · £19 general admission; 8:30am–4:30pm Monday–Saturday (Wednesday 10:00am start)
With so much history and heritage to discover, as well as spectacular views if you choose to climb the dome, you could easily spend two hours exploring St Paul's Cathedral. Mon-Sat 8.30am to 4.30pm (last entry 4pm), on Wednesdays the Cathedral opens at 10am. Dome Galleries open daily, last entry 4.15pm. Plan your visit to arrive by 2:30pm at the latest to give yourself an hour inside before the evening service begins and tourists are asked to leave. Walk down to the South Bank afterward for evening drinks.
Sky Garden
20 Fenchurch Street, City of London · Free public garden and viewing terraces on 35th–37th floors · 10:00am–6:00pm weekdays; 11:00am–9:00pm weekends
While general admission to London's Sky Garden is indeed free, you must plan ahead, as pre-booking a timed ticket online is highly recommended due to high demand and limited capacity. Tickets are typically released up to three weeks in advance and disappear quickly. Free tickets are released every Monday morning, three weeks in advance, for the whole of that week. Book a golden-hour slot (around 5:00pm–7:00pm) to catch the city lit from above. Another reliable way to gain entry without a separate garden ticket is by booking a table at one of the restaurants or bars within the Sky Garden, like Darwin Brasserie.
London Eye
Jubilee Gardens, South Bank · 30-minute observation wheel ride · £25 online advance booking; 11:00am–6:00pm daily (seasonal hours vary)
Your 30-min rotation in a climate-controlled pod offers uninterrupted 360° views from 135 meters above the Thames. Book online in advance to skip ticket lines and lock in a specific time—late afternoon (4:00pm–5:00pm) offers good light without peak crowds. Unlock the London Eye and Tower Bridge in a single booking and get 5% discount to two centrally located attractions, easily accessible by public transport. Schedule this for day one or three depending on your energy; it works well paired with an early dinner in Westminster or Southbank.
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Greenwich Park, Greenwich · Free maritime museum and royal heritage site · 10:00am–5:00pm daily; book timed entry online
The National Maritime Museum is free to visit. We recommend booking tickets online in advance to guarantee entry and receive updates before you visit, but you can also turn up on the day. Open daily 10am to 5pm. Last admission is 4.30pm. Spend 2–3 hours here, then visit the adjacent Cutty Sark or climb to the Royal Observatory for panoramic views south across London. The National Maritime Museum is a quick, easy journey from central London via train, DLR and bus. Take the DLR from Bank station or the river cruise from Tower Pier (30 minutes).
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