Travel & transfer: Arrival at Heathrow and journey into the city
After landing, take the Elizabeth Line straight to Covent Garden or Tottenham Court Road, with no change needed to reach the centre.
3 days · 24 stops
London in 3 days
Three days in London with a single base close to the centre: arrival with a relaxed South Bank stroll, a day of history and architecture in Westminster and the City, and a finale in East London with markets and good food.
- Pace
- Balanced
- Budget
- Mid-range
- Season
- May
Copy this itinerary
Free: pick your dates, Qurayo copies the plan and adapts it.
Plan with your own wishesDay 1 · London
Arrival and South Bank stroll
Arrival in London, check-in in Covent Garden and a relaxed South Bank stroll with Borough Market, the Globe and Tate Modern in daylight.
11:00
12:00
50 min by public transport
13:00
13:20
Stay: Drop off luggage at Premier Inn Covent Garden
You drop off your luggage; the room is ready from about 15:00. An alternative would be the Z Hotel Holborn.
Premier Inn London Covent Gardenapprox. 140–£290 / night25 min by public transport
13:45
14:45
Lunch: Fresh pasta at Padella
Handmade pasta in Borough, a London favourite with fair prices. Backup: Arabica Bar and Kitchen.
Padellaapprox. 15–£25 ppArrive before 13:30 or after 14:00 and the queue will be shorter.
2 min on foot
14:47
15:47
Sightseeing: Stroll around Borough Market
One of London's oldest food markets, ideal for sampling cheese, baked goods and street food.
Borough Marketapprox. 5–£12 pp6 min on foot
16:00
16:20
Hidden gem: Cross Bones Graveyard memorial
A quiet memorial to the poor of medieval Southwark, with ribbons and tributes on the gate.
15 min on foot
16:35
17:00
Sightseeing: Shakespeare's Globe from the outside
The reconstruction of the Elizabethan theatre is impressive even from the outside, right on the Thames.
5 min on foot
17:10
18:00
Sightseeing: Tate Modern viewing platform
From the Blavatnik terrace on the 10th floor you get a wide view over the City and St Paul's. The platform is open until 18:00.
12 min on foot
18:15
18:45
Drinks: After-work pint at the Doggett's Coat and Badge
Traditional pub on the Thames with a terrace and a view of Blackfriars Bridge.
The Doggett's Coat and Badgeapprox. 6–£12 pp20 min by public transport
19:15
20:45
Dinner: Dinner at Mildreds
Popular, creative restaurant near your hotel. Backup: Wahaca Covent Garden.
Mildreds Covent Gardenapprox. 25–£40 pp
Day 2 · London
Royal and medieval London
A day between Westminster and St James's: the Abbey and Churchill War Rooms as highlights, plus Londoners' favourite spots for breakfast, coffee, lunch and a pub drink, and a classic dinner at Rules in the evening.
08:30
09:30
Breakfast: Breakfast at Monmouth Coffee Company
This London roaster in Covent Garden serves excellent filter coffee and fresh pastries, perfect for a light start to the day.
Monmouth Coffee Companyapprox. 7–£12 pp25 min by public transport
10:00
12:00
Sightseeing: Visit Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbeyapprox. 29–£33 ppBook tickets online in advance to skip the long queue at the entrance.
10 min on foot
12:15
13:15
Lunch: Lunch at The Cockpit Cafe
The Cockpit Cafeapprox. 10–£16 pp8 min on foot
13:30
15:45
Sightseeing: Explore the Churchill War Rooms
The underground bunker from which Churchill directed the Second World War, with an attached museum. Perfect for history lovers.
Churchill War Roomsapprox. 33–£36 ppBook a time slot in advance; tickets sell out quickly, especially in the morning and afternoon.
8 min on foot
16:00
16:45
Sightseeing: Walk through St James's Park
Along the lake with views of Horse Guards and Buckingham Palace, and the pelicans are a bonus. A calm wind-down after the bunker.
12 min on foot
17:00
18:00
Drinks: Pint at The Red Lion
Tiny Victorian pub in St James's with mirrors and original fittings, popular with locals after work.
The Red Lion Duke of York Streetapprox. 7–£14 pp18 min on foot
19:00
20:45
Dinner: Dinner at Rules Restaurant
London's oldest restaurant, founded in 1798, serves classic British cuisine with game and pies. Alternative: Simpson's Tavern.
Rules Restaurantapprox. 50–£75 ppReserve a table in advance; the steak and kidney pudding is the house speciality.
Day 3 · London
The City, the Tower and East London
Last day in London: Tower of London, Leadenhall Market and Spitalfields Market with a Dishoom brunch, then departure to Heathrow Airport.
08:30
09:15
Travel & transfer: Check-out and journey to the Tower
25 min by public transport
09:40
12:10
Sightseeing: Tower of London with the Crown Jewels
Royal fortress with a thousand years of history, the Crown Jewels and the White Tower. A tour with the Yeoman Warders is part of the visit.
Tower of Londonapprox. 35–£40 ppBook tickets online in advance and be there at opening at 9:00, so you see the Crown Jewels first, before the queue grows.
15 min on foot
12:25
12:55
Sightseeing: Leadenhall Market with Victorian architecture
20 min by public transport
13:15
14:35
Lunch: Late brunch-lunch at Dishoom Shoreditch
Dishoom Shoreditchapprox. 18–£28 pp15 min on foot
14:50
16:00
Shopping: Stroll around Spitalfields Market
The historic market hall with crafts, fashion and street food. Next door is the Georgian quarter with Christ Church Spitalfields.
Spitalfields Marketapprox. 0–£15 pp8 min on foot
16:15
16:50
Café: Salt beef beigel at Beigel Bake
The legendary round-the-clock bakery on Brick Lane: a salt beef beigel with mustard as a final London snack, very popular with locals.
Beigel Bake Brick Laneapprox. 5–£8 pp30 min by public transport
17:20
18:10
Travel & transfer: Collect your luggage
You head back to the hotel, pick up your luggage and get ready for your departure.
Premier Inn London Covent Gardenapprox. £3 pp10 min by public transport
18:20
19:20
Travel & transfer: Piccadilly Line to Heathrow
Direct Tube ride from Covent Garden to Heathrow, approx. 50 minutes, leaving plenty of buffer time for check-in.
Flughafen London Heathrowapprox. £6 pp
Planned with AI and checked with OpenStreetMap. Opening hours and prices can change – please double-check on site.
FAQ
How many days do you need in London?
Three days are enough for the main sights. With four days there is time for one or two more museums or a trip to Greenwich or Kew Gardens.
Which neighbourhood is best to stay in?
For a first visit, Covent Garden, Soho or the South Bank are ideal because of their central location. Also look for proximity to an Underground station, as it saves a lot of time.
Is London expensive?
Yes, accommodation and eating out in particular are more expensive than in Germany, Austria or Switzerland. With free museums, markets and parks, though, you can keep your budget well under control.