London is my favourite city. I have been more than 20 times, and I still get excited every single time I land.
There is something about walking out in the morning, ordering that first coffee of the day and feeling the city slowly wake up. The sound of buses, people on their way to work, the mix of old buildings and modern chaos. It never gets old for me.
If it is your first time in London, here is how I would spend three days.
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Day 1: The London You Imagine
Start with the classics.
Go see Buckingham Palace. Walk through St James’s Park. See Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Yes, it is touristy. But the first time you see it in person, it feels different.
Then walk along the Thames. I always recommend this. Cross Westminster Bridge, head towards the South Bank and just walk. London reveals itself slowly when you walk it.
End the day somewhere central. Covent Garden, Soho, maybe dinner near Leicester Square. Let the city feel busy around you.
Day 2: Culture and Carnaby Street
In the morning, get coffee somewhere small and local. That first coffee in London hits differently. I love sitting by the window, watching people rush past while I have nowhere to be.
Then head to the British Museum. Even after all my trips, I still go back. It is one of those places that makes you realise how layered London is.
After that, walk to Carnaby Street. This is where London’s personality really shows. Independent brands, colourful facades, creative energy.
And then there is the shopping.
London shopping is incredible. From big department stores like Selfridges to tiny boutiques in Soho and Notting Hill. You can find everything. High end, vintage, minimal Scandinavian brands, edgy British labels. It is impossible not to browse.
Even if you do not buy anything, it is part of the experience.
Day 3: Markets and Neighbourhoods
Spend your last day exploring areas that feel different from central London.
Go to Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill. The pastel houses alone are worth it. It feels charming and slightly nostalgic.
Then head to Camden Market for a completely different vibe. More alternative, louder, full of street food and energy. It shows how many sides London has.
If you need a break, walk through Hyde Park or Regent’s Park. London parks are one of the reasons I love the city. You can go from chaotic streets to quiet green space in minutes.
Getting Around
I use the Tube for everything. Always.
It looks overwhelming the first time you see the map, but it is honestly so easy. Tap your card, follow the signs and you are there in minutes. The Tube makes the city feel manageable, even though it is huge.
It is one of the reasons I keep going back. You can stay anywhere near a station and explore the entire city.
Which hotels do I recommend?
Shoreditch: One Hundred Shoreditch (Booking.com)
Kings Cross: Pullman London St Pancras (Booking.com)
Covent Garden: Page 8 (Booking.com)
Why I Keep Going Back
London is not perfect. It is expensive. It is busy. It rains.
But it is alive in a way that few cities are.
It is the first coffee in the morning.
It is walking through a park after a long day.
It is browsing shops you cannot find anywhere else.
It is getting on the Tube and popping up in a completely different neighbourhood 15 minutes later.
Three days is enough to fall in love.
It is never enough to be done.