What to do in London in 3 days
The British capital is one of the most visited cities in the world. The metropolis attracts millions of visitors every year to enjoy its vitality, cultural richness and unique atmosphere. The elegant city of London is a blend of history, modernity and different cultures and best embodies the British style that has made it unique in the world. If you only have a few days to visit the English capital here are some tips on what to see/do in 3 days for a first taste of this wonderful city.
The Fundamentals
Each city has its own symbols that a traveler cannot avoid seeing and photographing at least once in their life. In London, choosing the most iconic place can be difficult, but undoubtedly Big Ben cannot be missing among the symbolic monuments of the English city. The clock tower of the Palace of Westminster, the British Parliament, stands on the banks of the Thames, marking the passage of time every 15 minutes with its bells.
A few steps from the House of Parliament we find Westminster Abbey, a magnificent and majestic example of Gothic art where all the coronations of English royalty took place. On the other side of the Thames we find the London Eye, the most famous Ferris wheel in the world, from which you can admire a unique view of the city.
Walking around London is like visiting an open-air museum. The elegant British architecture makes room for monumental squares such as Trafalgar Square dominated by Nelson’s Column, surrounded by its lions, its monumental square and the terrace from which the National Gallery stands. A few steps away we find another famous square, Piccadilly Circus, crossroads between Piccadilly and Regent Street. Piccadilly Circus is famous for its bright LED panels that transform it into a small Times Square at night.
When you think of London you can’t help but think of the British Royal family. The King’s residence is Buckingham Palace. Here you will find the English Guards with their famous Changing of the Guard to be admired every morning at 11am in June and July and twice a week in other months.
Other unmissable symbols of London are Tower Bridge, the movable bridge over the Thames, near the Tower of London, a fortress in which kings, queens and much of English history have come and gone.
Among religious architecture, Saint Paul’s Cathedral holds a place of honor. The imposing building is a combination of Italian Neoclassicism and Gothic art and has hosted historical events such as the wedding of Charles and Diana, the funerals of Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher etc.
Iconic places
Every corner of London will be suitable for your Instagram posts! Some places in the English capital have entered the collective imagination thanks to cinema. One of these is the charming neighborhood of Notting Hill. The elegant neighborhood with colorful houses is one of the most enchanting places in the city. A few steps away you will find Portobello road with its famous market which attracts thousands of visitors every day. Speaking of markets, a visit to Camden Town is a must, an eclectic and original London neighbourhood, with its famous market and canal. Another gem not to be missed is Covent Garden. This trendy neighborhood with its boutiques and stalls is one of the most popular places for Londoners and tourists.
For museum lovers
London offers its visitors some of the most famous museums in the world. The British Museum, for example, houses a vast collection of art from all over the world, from Egyptian to Greco-Roman and houses around 8 million art objects! For painting lovers, the National Gallery houses around 2300 works, from Italian to Flemish art, including English and French masterpieces. Other museums not to be missed are the Natural History Museum, the Jewel house in the Tower of London where the crown jewels are kept, and the iconic Madame Tussauds wax museum where you can get up close to 250 high fidelity reproductions of celebrities of the present and the past for inevitable selfies…
For lovers of greenery...
London is a green city. Its inhabitants take advantage of the sunny days (albeit rare…) to run, picnic and walk in one of the city’s many green lungs. One of the most famous and largest is Hyde Park, a few steps from Buckingham Palace. The elegant St. James Park is also just a few steps away. Regent’s park, Battersea park or Kensington Gardens are other beautiful green spaces where you can relax and enjoy an oasis of peace in the heart of one of the most chaotic and pulsating cities in Europe.
Practical advice... where to eat, what to buy, where to sleep...
To conclude this (non-exhaustive) overview of London, here are some random practical tips.
Where to sleep? My choice fell on the magnificent Me London hotel from the Melià group. On the Strand, right in the centre, this hotel combines design, 5-star services and a unique view of London from its rooftop.
London is one of the world’s fashion capitals and shopping lovers will be spoiled for choice. A visit to the most famous department store in the world, Harrods, is unmissable! As well as wandering around the stalls of the most famous markets such as Portobello or Camden Market.
As we know, tea is an institution in England! You cannot leave London without having experienced a typical afternoon tea in an exclusive location. My choice fell on the magnificent The Game Bird in the Stafford hotel, where you can enjoy an excellent tea accompanied by scones, sandwiches and why not a glass of champagne!
For the lazy ones who don’t like walking I recommend a tour on the City Sightseeing bus to enjoy the city on a typical London double-decker bus without having to walk too much.
Finally, to conclude your trip, my advice is a dinner at the Aqua Shard restaurant on the highest skyscraper in the city, the Shard. A unique view in an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere to best enjoy what this city can offer.
