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Things to do in London

12 places · 15 h 50 min of sightseeing · 3 days

How many days do you need in London?

12 places add up to 15 h 50 min of pure sightseeing. At 6 hours a day, not counting walking and meals, that's 3 days.

The best-known places in order, as long as they fit into 6 hours of sightseeing a day. Sightseeing only, without walking and meals — build the day-by-day plan with opening hours and the route in a RouteMarket notebook.

1 day — 5 h 35 min

John Milton (5 min)
Buckingham Palace (1 h 30 min)
Big Ben (15 min)
Westminster Abbey (1 h 30 min)
Palace of Westminster (2 h)
10 Downing Street (15 min)

2 days — 10 h 50 min

John Milton (5 min)
Buckingham Palace (1 h 30 min)
Big Ben (15 min)
Westminster Abbey (1 h 30 min)
Palace of Westminster (2 h)
London Eye (1 h)
British Library (2 h)
St Paul's Cathedral (1 h 30 min)
Trafalgar Square (45 min)
10 Downing Street (15 min)

3 days — 15 h 50 min

Top sights

Ordered by how well known each place is. Data: OpenStreetMap and Wikipedia.

John Milton — 5 min visit. The statue commemorates the author of "Paradise Lost", often hidden in historic churches or abbeys, which distinguishes it from outdoor monuments.
Buckingham Palace — 1 h 30 min visit. It is the official residence and principal workplace of the British monarch in London. Hours: Mon–Sun 10:00–17:30.
Big Ben — 15 min visit. Instead of a static monument, it is an iconic clock tower whose chimes are audible in the Westminster area.
Westminster Abbey — 1 h 30 min visit. Since 1066, it has been the site of coronations and burials of British monarchs. Hours: Mon–Sat 09:30–16:00.
Palace of Westminster — 2 h visit. It is the seat of the British Parliament, with the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Elizabeth Tower, housing Big Ben.
London Eye — 1 h visit. It measures 135 meters in height, being the tallest observation wheel in the world in 2000. Hours: Mon–Sun 11:00–18:00.
British Library — 2 h visit. It houses over 170 million items, including the original Magna Carta, which distinguishes it from the National Portrait Gallery. Hours: Mon–Thu 09:30–20:00 · Sat 09:30–17:00 · Sun 11:00–17:00 · Fri 09:30–18:00.
St Paul's Cathedral — 1 h 30 min visit. Its dome, 111 meters high, is taller than the tower of the nearby Westminster Abbey. Hours: Mon–Sat 08:30–16:00.
Trafalgar Square — 45 min visit. A square commemorating the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, featuring Nelson's Column and the National Gallery.
10 Downing Street — 15 min visit. It is the official residence and office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, not open for tours like Blewcoat School.
Hyde Park — 2 h visit. An expansive 142-hectare park, established in 1536, significantly larger than The Green Park (16 ha).
Royal Opera House — 3 h visit. Opened in 1858, it is the third building on this site and home to the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet.
St. James's Palace — 45 min visit. Built by Henry VIII between 1531 and 1536, it is the oldest royal palace in London.
Westminster Bridge — 30 min visit. Its green color refers to the seats in the House of Commons, distinguishing it from other structures like the London Eye.
National Portrait Gallery — 1 h 30 min visit. Opened in 1856, it is the world's first art gallery dedicated exclusively to portraits. Hours: Sun–Thu 10:30–18:00 · Fri–Sat 10:30–21:00.
Site of the original Globe Theatre — 10 min visit. At this site, instead of a finished building, you will see the marked outline of the foundations of Shakespeare's original theatre.
Westminster Cathedral — 1 h visit. Built between 1895 and 1903, it is the largest Catholic church in Great Britain, with an 83-meter high observation tower. Hours: Mon–Fri 09:30–17:00 · Sat–Sun 09:00–18:00.
St. James's Park — 1 h visit. It is considered the oldest of London's Royal Parks, originally formed from wetlands. Hours: Mon–Sun 05:00–00:00.
St Margaret's Church — 45 min visit. This is the 15th-century parish church of the House of Commons, located within the grounds of Westminster Abbey.
Nelson's Column — 30 min visit. At 51 meters high, the column commemorating Admiral Horatio Nelson is a dominant feature of Trafalgar Square.
The Green Park — 1 h visit. It covers about 16 hectares, being significantly smaller than Hyde Park (142 ha), and stands out for its lack of formal gardens.
The Mall — 30 min visit. Unlike nearby monuments, this ceremonial avenue leads directly to Buckingham Palace, having witnessed many royal events.
St Martin-in-the-Fields — 45 min visit. Its facade with a portico and tower, designed by James Gibbs, became a model for sacred buildings worldwide.
Marble Arch — 30 min visit. In 1851, the arch was moved from Buckingham Palace to its current location, unlike Nelson's Column.

Where to eat

Veeraswamy — Opened in 1926, it is the oldest Indian restaurant in the UK, awarded a Michelin star.
Bob Bob Ricard — Known for its extravagant Art Deco interior and tables equipped with "Press for Champagne" buttons.
Chutney Mary — Opened in 1990, it specializes in exquisite dishes from various regions of India, which distinguishes it from other cuisines.
Gymkhana — It stands out from others, inspired by colonial gentlemen's clubs, with a richly decorated interior.
Quilon — It stands out among other Michelin-starred Indian restaurants, offering South Indian cuisine with an emphasis on seafood.
Tiger Tiger — A large entertainment complex, offering several bars, a restaurant, and a dance floor all in one place.
Quaglino's — Opened in 1929, this iconic Mayfair restaurant stands out with its elegant Art Deco interior and live music.
Langan's Brasserie — Opened in 1976 by Peter Langan and Michael Caine, it was a popular celebrity hangout in the 70s and 80s.

What to see in London in one day?

John Milton, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Palace of Westminster, 10 Downing Street.

Ready-made notebooks for this city

London in two days — first visit

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