Traveling to the city of London and strapped for time? This travel itinerary will give you some great ideas on must sees, eats, and fun! I will also share with you the best time to visit this iconic city. Get ready, this itinerary is jammed pack, so feel free to pick and choose the activities that interest you the most.
Disclosure: This blog post has affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at NO additional cost to you. These are my own personal suggestions based on products I love and use. The full disclosure can be found here.
If you follow me on social media, I mentioned traveling to London for the first time 23 years ago. I’ve been multiple times since then, and I honestly can’t get enough. It’s a city I like to call my second home. When traveling to London, keep in mind London weather can be a toss up; it can be rainy, cold, snowy, etc. I lucked out when I traveled in May as the weather was beautiful and hot.
London Day 1
What to See
The day we arrived, my sister and I got right into it. We went to the Imperial War Museum (we both love museums). The IWM is a somber experience, however it’s a great museum to visit especially if you’re into history. Another great museum to visit would be the British Museum which is one of the largest museums documenting human culture. After the museum, we did some exploring on foot. I took some photos near the iconic red phone booth, and explored Piccadilly Circus (in the heart of London) a junction of 5 busy streets, Soho, and Chinatown in Westminster (Central London).
What to Eat in London
After all of that walking, I was ready for some much needed noms. When in London, it’s a must you check out Poppies. My sister and I went specifically for their Fish and Chips, and it did not disappoint!
How to Explore on a Budget in London
I’m used to commuting as a New Yorker which has been a long tradition of mine, so while visiting other countries if possible, I try to utilize their transit system. While traveling around London, my sister and I took the bus and train like true Londeners thanks to Sadiq Khan who helped make London transportation more accessible. The Underground tube (train) and bus are very easy to navigate. I would suggest getting an Oyster card as it’s very easy to refill without having to worry about buying tickets.
London Day 2
What to Eat
To start the day off right, I just had to have a true English breakfast at Regency Cafe. Fun fact: My parents lived in England prior to moving to the US, and would cook this for my sisters and I sometimes for breakfast. While exploring, I went to Borough Market which is one of the oldest food markets in London. If you’re looking for open events this is a great option. Everything I had was so delicious; SERIOUSLY yummy baked goods (breads, donuts), and all kinds of different cheeses (I was in Carb heaven).
What to Do
First stop on the list, was Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of the Guards ceremony. This ceremony is free of charge and pretty cool to watch if you’re able to. Read more about it here. I would suggest visiting the Tower of London as well to learn more about the royal palace. After the ceremony, I took the city bus to Trafalgar Square which is a landmark, and signifies the British victory against the French and Spanish. Love shopping like me? Then you must check out Harrods which is a very famous luxury department store.
After shopping, London Bridge, and Camden Market were up next. Read more about the London Bridge here. Camden Market is awesome if you’re into rock and roll and all things unconventional. Lined with shops, fashion, graffiti, cafes, bars, and restaurants; it’s a place you should highly consider checking out. To party and chill for the night, we went to Lockside Camden which was probably my favorite nighttime spot in London.
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London Day 3
Sites to Explore on Foot
So the final full day of London was extremely busy just like the two days prior. I actually had a photo shoot with an amazing photographer, and was able to capture some great shots whilst visiting tourist attractions. I was able to see Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, River Thames, Westminster Bridge, the London Eye, Big Ben, Southbank Centre, and Jubilee Gardens.
Memorable Eats
I couldn’t help but bring out my bougie side while attending afternoon high tea at the very beautiful and classy Wallace Collection Restaurant. I’ve mentioned to you guys multiple times that I LOVE tea, so tea paired with sandwiches, cakes, and scones?! SIGN ME UP IMMEDIATELY. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience, and would highly recommend it.
More Ideas
I wanted to see more sites, but didn’t have as much time to continue exploring on foot. Luckily the red double decker hop-on, hop off bus tour exists. Why take it? It’s reasonably priced, and you can get off at any time. If you do decide to take this tour, you must sit at the top! Aim to do this on a very nice day (although you can still enjoy this tour on the lower level too). It’s a great way to see London especially if you’re strapped for time.
Keep in mind, this list isn’t conclusive as I only scratched the surface. You can always check out the University of London, Royal Parks, or some of the London Boroughs and exhibition spaces to name a few. Well, that concludes my three day itinerary in London. I hope I helped and inspired you to travel there because I had a blast!
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Final Thoughts
As always, thank you so much for reading. Please comment below, and subscribe here. I’m on most social media, so let’s be friends! Click the icons located on the right side (desktop), and the bottom of the screen (mobile) to find me. If you’d like to share, click the icons located at the beginning of the blog post. To book some of the tours and activities discussed on this trip, or to plan your own click here. Email me here if you’d like to collaborate: Lenore@thenittygrittytravelot.com.
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Disclosure: This blog post has affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at NO additional cost to you. These are my own personal suggestions based on products I love and use. The full disclosure can be found here.