Planning very well what to see in London is key to making the most of a getaway to the city of Big Ben. London has many things to see and attractions to visit, including parks, museums, markets or famous streets and squares. What will you find in this article?
What to see in London
If you are going to visit London and want to know how to plan a trip to see the 30 unmissable things that we advise you to see in London below, I recommend that you take a look at our travel plan to visit London, with routes and tips that you can follow.
Big Ben
The famous Big Ben had to be at the top of the list without a doubt when we talked about the places to see in London in three days, or two days, or four days or one day in London… or more! Even if it is not your first time in London, you will want to see it again… Big Ben is the name by which the tower with the clock in the houses of parliament is known, although as a curiosity what was really called Big Ben is the gigantic bell inside the famous tower. The Houses of Parliament are located on the north bank of the River Thames, next to Westminster Bridge. Across the river we find the second most famous icon of London: The London Eye.
London eye
The London Ferris Wheel or London Eye is another of the things that you cannot miss and that you will have to see if you are going to visit London in three days. You can admire the London Eye from the north bank of the Thames, where Big Ben is located, and take some perfect photos. But you can also ride the London Eye, a unique experience that you should consider on your trip to London. You will climb to 135 m. high from where you can admire the city of London and Big Ben like from nowhere else. It takes about 40 minutes to turn around, and you’ll hardly notice it moving. Are you going to miss it? Next to the London Eye we find a building that also usually catches our attention, especially at night since it is usually illuminated with different colors or colors that change, it is the London Aquarium.
Westminster abbey
Westminster Abbey is located practically next to Big Ben and is the most famous church in the British capital. This is where British coronations and other important events take place, and visiting Westminster Abbey in London is in my opinion something you should consider as it is one of the most important things you will see in London in three days. It will take between 1 and 2 hours to see it inside.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is another of the essential places in London that you cannot miss. You will see the famous guards at the doors and if you are lucky, Queen Elizabeth II may even look out the window, you never know! During the summer months it is possible to enter the Palace and see the State Apartments, an impressive visit. You can also visit the royal stables and the queen’s gallery throughout the year.
Changing of the Guard
Surely you have heard of the famous Changing of the Guard in London. The changing of the guard in London is the parade that takes place to celebrate the changing of the royal guard at 11.00 am at Buckingham Palace. Going to see it is free, but it does not take place every day so it is important that you take a look at our calendar of the changing of the guard in London.
San Pablo’s cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral in London is known for its famous dome, which was designed by architect Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666. At 111 m. tall it was the tallest building in London until 1962, and today it is still one of the most important places to see in London in three days. Keep in mind that to enter St. Paul’s Cathedral in London you will have to pay admission, although admission is free if you have a London Pass .
Millennium Bridge
London’s Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian suspension bridge that crosses the River Thames and links St. Paul’s Cathedral with the Tate Modern art museum. It opened in 2000, and from the south end you can take some very nice photos of the bridge with St. Paul’s Cathedral in the background.
Tower of London
One of the things you should include on your list of things to see in London in three days is without a doubt the magnificent Tower of London. The Tower of London is a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames. You can only see it from the outside, but it’s worth going in and seeing the famous crown jewels, definitely something you shouldn’t miss! It will take about 2 hours to see the Tower of London inside if you dare.
London Tower Bridge
The Tower Bridge in London is the most well-known bridge, the blue bridge that is located next to the famous Tower of London. It is one of those places where you will definitely have to take a picture! You can cross it on foot or even visit it and climb to the top where there is a glass walkway with views.
A flea market: Camden Town / Portobello Road / other
One of the things to see in London in three days is at least one of its famous markets, since it will give you time without problems. If you follow our itinerary 4 you will pass through Borough Market , but in addition to this famous London market, one of the markets that I usually recommend to everyone who visits us is Camden Town since it is a unique market in the world that will leave you speechless for sure , and is open every day of the year. On Saturdays, the famous Notting Hill flea market, Portobello Market on Portobello Road, is also open, a market where antiques are the main protagonists, but with a unique atmosphere. In addition to the London markets Camden Town and Portobello Market, there is the flower market Columbia Road, Spitalfields, Brick Lane, Maltby Street, Brixton….
Harrod’s
The luxury department store Harrods is world famous, and who doesn’t want to go inside to wander around for a while and pick up something Harrods says? During the sales season, Harrods is one of the most visited stores, since they tend to greatly reduce the prices of almost everything, including London souvenirs or Christmas items, so it is one of the places that you can include in your plan to see in London in three days. Our itinerary 3 goes through Harrods.
Fortnum & Mason
Although the Fortnum & Mason department store is not as well known as Harrods, I have to say that it makes me very sad when I see tourists walk through the door and not enter… Because they are impressive and they are one of the most important places in London. If you want to buy typical London products to take home or to give away, this is the place I would recommend. Although it can be a bit expensive in some things, the quality of its products is unmatched. Its shop windows are also worth a few seconds of your time, which is why it is one of the places we recommend seeing in London in three days. Our Itinerary 1 passes through Fortnum and Mason.
St James’s Park
Although it is a small park when compared to other famous parks in London , it is one of the most beautiful and well-kept parks in London, St James’s Park next to Buckingham Palace. On our Buckingham Palace to Piccadilly Circus route, we recommend you cross this beautiful park to get from Buckingham Palace to Whitehall. Our itinerary 1 passes through St James’s Park.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is the best-known park in central London, the lung of the city, and to which you should spend at least a couple of hours if you are going to visit London in three days. Here you will find the Serpentine Lake, and you will come across the friendly London squirrels who will beg you for food. You can visit Kensington Palace , search for the memorial to Diana of Wales, or admire the statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. Our itinerary 2 passes through Hyde Park.
Piccadilly Circus
The famous square of the giant screens in London, where we also find the statue of Eros! Mandatory photo of course! One of the places you have to see in London in three days! Our itinerary 1 passes through Piccadilly Circus.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is surely my favorite place in London. Although if you read our blog articles, you will surely see that I say that about many places, because I am quite in love with London. But to what we were going, really, if I have to choose a place I prefer Covent Garden (or borough market , depending on the day!). Covent Garden is a magical square, and no one should visit London and not see it. In spring and summer, Covent Garden Square is a fabulous place, but at Christmas it has a special magic, since it is usually very decorated and events are held there throughout the year. One of our secret corners of Covent Garden is Neal’s Yard, remember to go there, as it is one of the things I recommend seeing in London in three days.
Carnaby Street
Carnaby Street is in London’s Soho but is just behind Regent Street, one of London’s most famous shopping streets. It is a pedestrian shopping area with a lot of history and that unfortunately many tourists do not discover either, and in my opinion you should not miss it at all since it is one of the most beautiful areas of London’s Soho and that you can easily see in London in three days.
Chinatown
In the heart of London’s Soho we also find Chinatown, a true way to travel to China without leaving London! Here you will find shops with Asian products and hundreds of Chinese food restaurants, and the area undoubtedly stands out for the unique decoration of the streets.
leicester square
Leicester Square is where the movie premieres take place, and when there are big premieres where celebrities are expected you can expect a lot of people waiting. Here you will also find the Lego store and the M&M’s store, other places in London where it is easy to get lost with the children…
London City Hall
The glass London City Hall building is unmistakable, and is located next to London’s Tower Bridge. Our itinerary 4 passes in front of the town hall after crossing the London Tower Bridge on foot, something I recommend doing and seeing in London in three days.
Hamleys
The most famous toy store in London certainly deserves a few minutes of your time, but if you are going to visit London with children it is definitely a must-see! Located on Regent Street, one of the most important shopping streets in London, with 7 floors of pure fun.
A musical
If you are planning a trip to London, regardless of whether it is a three-day trip or not, going to see one of the best musicals in London is an unforgettable experience in my opinion. Although it can be expensive, we told you how to buy cheap tickets to go to a musical in London, and it really is something that I recommend to make your trip even more special. I would recommend going to see the musical of The Lion King, but the truth is that there are many and sometimes choosing can be very difficult!
Borough Market
Borough market is one of the most famous markets in London and the oldest in the city. Located next to London Bridge, it is known for the high quality of its products, I can assure you that walking through Borough Market will not leave you indifferent. In addition, Borough Market is perfect to buy some food to take away from its famous street food stalls and eat something super tasty, quality and cheap. Our itinerary 4 passes through Borough Market.
Shakespeare’s Globe
Shakespeare’s Globe Theater is another place you can’t miss when visiting London. If you go on a Thames cruise you will see it in all its glory on the south bank of the river, but if you walk along the southbank along the South Bank of the river you will also see how beautiful it is. It is possible to enter and see an exhibition that talks about the theater and enter the interior that is prices. during the summer months plays are also held inside, and tickets can be had for £5, something different than you can see in London in three days.
The Shard
You won’t be able to visit London without looking at the Shard, the tallest pointed building in London and the tallest (by far!) in Western Europe. You can go up to the 72nd floor and see London as you never imagined, an unforgettable experience. Being located on London Bridge, the views of London Tower Bridge and the Tower of London are impressive. The Shard also has several restaurants, as well as a hotel, in case you feel like doing something super special!
Oxford street
Oxford Street is the most famous shopping street in central London, stretching from Marble Arch to Totttenham Court Road. It is one of the places that cannot be missing from the list of places to see in London in three days. On Oxford street we find the Selfridges department store, one of the most important stores. Other department stores that we find in Oxford street are House of Fraser, Debenhams or Marks and Spencer and there are also stores like Zara, Mango, Next, Monsoon, Coast, Gap, H&M, topshop, Disney toy store, music store and movies. HMV… among others. Oxford Street is one of the key points to visit in London at Christmas, since the Christmas decorations are usually the most anticipated of the year. The day the Christmas lights are switched on is a great show and many people come.
Regent Street
Regent street is the second most important commercial street in London, and is located perpendicular to Oxford street, crossing both in Oxford Circus. In Regent Street we find the Hamleys stores as I told you before, which is the most important toy store in London, and many other clothing and fashion accessories stores. Regent Street ends at Piccadilly Circus, the famous screen square.
Trafalgar square
Trafalgar Square is the square of Admiral Nelson and the four lions with the fountains of which you have surely seen a photo at some time. Without a doubt, this square is one of the places you must see in three days in London, especially at Christmas since it is where the tallest Christmas tree in London is placed.
A museum: British Museum / Natural History Museum / Science Museum / National Gallery…
In my opinion, to see one of the best museums in London normally takes almost a whole day, but I do recommend going in at least a few hours in one or combining two or three London museums expressly, if you want. … the British Museum is par excellence the most visited London Museum. In the British Museum is where we can see the famous rosette stone in addition to the well-known Egyptian art, but the natural history museum in my opinion is very worthwhile, and I personally recommend it to all the people who visit us, even if it is to admire the beautiful building and enter the entrance hall, as it is impressive.
St Katharine’s Docks
It is one of our secret corners that few tourists visit, and it is next to the Tower of London, one of the most visited sites in London! In my opinion, if you have a little time, you can take a look or I would even encourage you to eat at the Dickens Inn , a historic tavern with a traditional British menu.