London itinerary for first-timers
The classic neighborhoods in an order that works, with a 4K street walk for every stop. Watch your trip before you take it.
Day 1: Royal London
Palaces, Parliament and Big Ben, the river, and the West End at night.
- 1
Morning
Westminster
Royal and political London in one walk: Buckingham Palace, St. James's Park, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, ending at Trafalgar Square.
- Buckingham Palace
- Westminster Abbey
- Big Ben
- Trafalgar Square
The Changing of the Guard only happens on certain days; check the schedule and arrive early for a spot at the railings.
Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square
Video by Tours by Foot - London on YouTube
Jump toWalk across Westminster Bridge, about 10 min.
- 2
Afternoon
South Bank
A riverside promenade from the London Eye past theatres, street performers and book stalls to Tate Modern and the Millennium Bridge, with St Paul's across the water.
- London Eye
- Southbank Centre
- Tate Modern
- Millennium Bridge
Tate Modern is free; its upper floors have one of the best free views of the river.
London South Bank 4K Walking Tour | No Talking
Video by Living Walks on YouTube
Walk back over the Golden Jubilee Bridges into Covent Garden, about 15 min.
- 3
Evening
Covent Garden & Soho
The theatre district: the market hall and street performers of Covent Garden, the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, and Soho's packed little streets.
- Covent Garden
- Leicester Square
- Piccadilly Circus
- Soho
West End theatres sell cheaper same-day seats; check the box office or the official ticket booth in Leicester Square.
Friday Evening Walking Tour in London | Soho to Covent Garden | 4K HDR
Video by LONDON CITY WALK on YouTube
Day 2: The Tower & East London
The Crown Jewels, Borough Market and St Paul's, and Shoreditch after dark.
- 1
Morning
Tower of London & Tower Bridge
A thousand-year-old fortress holding the Crown Jewels, guarded by the Beefeaters, and right beside it the most famous bridge in London.
- Tower of London
- Crown Jewels
- Tower Bridge
Head to the Crown Jewels first thing, before the queue builds.
Walk over Tower Bridge and along the river, about 20 min.
- 2
Midday
Borough Market & St Paul's
London's oldest food market under the railway arches, then across the Millennium Bridge to the dome of St Paul's Cathedral.
- Borough Market
- Southwark Cathedral
- Millennium Bridge
- St Paul's Cathedral
The market is busiest at weekend lunchtimes; a weekday visit is far easier.
Walk over London Bridge to Liverpool Street and on to Brick Lane, about 35 min, or take a bus.
- 3
Evening
Shoreditch & Brick Lane
East London's creative quarter: street art on every wall, Brick Lane's curry houses and vintage shops, and busy bars after dark.
- Brick Lane
- Street art
- Spitalfields
Brick Lane and Shoreditch from Liverpool Street
Video by Watched Walker on YouTube
Day 3: Museums & Camden
Dinosaurs and design in the morning, Camden's market, and a canal walk at dusk.
- 1
Morning
South Kensington & Hyde Park
Three free world-class museums side by side, then a walk through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.
- Natural History Museum
- V&A
- Science Museum
- Hyde Park
The big museums are free to enter; some special exhibitions need a ticket.
South Kensington, London Walking Tour | London City Walk 4K
Video by THE WALKING LONDON on YouTube
Tube to Camden Town with one change, about 30 min.
- 2
Afternoon
Camden Market
A sprawling market by the canal locks, with street food from every corner of the world, vintage clothes and old stables turned into shops.
- Camden Lock
- Stables Market
- Camden High Street
Walk east along the canal towpath, about 40 min.
- 3
Evening
Regent's Canal to King's Cross
A towpath walk along the canal past narrowboats and old warehouses to King's Cross, where the old goods yards are now squares and terraces by the water.
- Regent's Canal
- Narrowboats
- Granary Square
Camden Market to King's Cross along Regent's Canal
Video by LONDON CITY WALK on YouTube
Travelling with someone?
Send them this 3-day London plan, videos included.
Planning your first trip to London
How many days?
Three days covers Westminster and the South Bank, the Tower and East London, and the museums and Camden. Add Greenwich, Canary Wharf, Notting Hill and Marylebone for five.
Where to stay
Covent Garden, Soho or the South Bank keep you central; Shoreditch is livelier and cheaper, a short ride from the City. Compare areas →
Getting around
Tap a contactless bank card or phone on the Tube, buses and trains; daily fares are capped automatically. Many stops on this plan are closer on foot than by Tube.
London is a city of villages joined together, and a first visit is easiest when you take them a few at a time. Royal London around Westminster and the river fills one day, the old City with the Tower, Borough Market and Shoreditch another, and the museums of South Kensington with Camden and the canals a third.
Every stop comes with a walking video filmed on those streets, so you can see the crowds, the markets and the rain before you arrive. Use the buttons under each video to jump to the landmark, or press Preview to watch a whole day in a row.
London itinerary: common questions
Is 3 days enough for London?
For a first visit, yes. Three days covers Westminster and the river, the Tower and East London, and the museums and Camden. With five days you can add Greenwich and Canary Wharf, and a day in Notting Hill, Little Venice and Marylebone.
What order should I see London in?
Group it by area: Westminster with the South Bank and the West End, the Tower with Borough Market and Shoreditch, and South Kensington with Camden. That way you walk most of the day instead of riding the Tube.
Which London sights are free?
Most big museums are free, including the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the V&A, the Science Museum and Tate Modern. The parks, the South Bank and the markets are free to walk too.
Do I need an Oyster card in London?
Not if you have a contactless bank card or phone. Tapping in and out costs the same as Oyster and is capped at a daily maximum.
Travel times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Where to stay in London
6 areas compared, each with a street walk so you can see the neighborhood before you book.
Read the guide →London self-guided walking tour
Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square: about 3.1 km, 7 stops, with the whole route on video.
Walk the route →Keep exploring London
More 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
London city guide →