London 3-day itinerary

Start at Westminster station for Big Ben, Parliament, and Westminster Abbey (£29 entry, or admire the exterior). Cross Westminster Bridge and walk the South Bank — past the London Eye, the brutalist Southbank Centre, and the second-hand book stalls under Waterloo Bridge. Continue to the Tate Modern (free) in the converted Bankside Power Station — the Turbine Hall and level 2 collection are unmissable.

Lunch at Borough Market — London's greatest food market. Padella for handmade pasta (£7–12, queue from 11:30am), Kappacasein for Swiss raclette on potatoes, Brindisa for Spanish tapas, or the Ginger Pig for a legendary sausage roll (£4.50). Walk past the Shakespeare's Globe reconstruction (tours £17 or groundling tickets from £5). Continue to the Shard — view from the bar on level 32 is free with a drink.

Tube to Piccadilly Circus. Walk through Soho — London's creative heart with independent bars, restaurants, and the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene around Old Compton Street. Dinner at Bao for Taiwanese buns (£5–8) or Flat Iron for a £12 steak that rivals restaurants charging three times more. For a show, the TKTS booth in Leicester Square sells same-day West End tickets at 25–50% off.

The British Museum (free, donations welcome) is one of the world's greatest museums — the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon Marbles, Egyptian mummies, Sutton Hoo treasure, and Lewis Chessmen. Focus on 2–3 galleries to avoid burnout. The Enlightenment Gallery and Room 1 (living cultures) are often overlooked gems. Allow 2–3 hours. Coffee at the Great Court café under the spectacular glass roof.

Tube to Shoreditch High Street. Walk Brick Lane — a chaotic, brilliant mix of Bengali curry houses, vintage shops, street art, and the Old Truman Brewery market (weekends). Lunch at Dishoom Shoreditch for Bombay-style breakfast naan rolls and black daal (mains £8–16) — the queue is worth it. Explore Shoreditch's street art — Rivington Street and the alleys off Great Eastern Street have the best murals.

East London is the nightlife epicentre. Start at Boxpark Shoreditch for street food and drinks on the rooftop. Then explore: MOTH Club in Hackney for live music in a converted ex-servicemen's club, Dalston Superstore for inclusive queer nights, or Brilliant Corners in Dalston for vinyl-only listening bar vibes and Japanese food. Cocktails run £10–14, beers £5–7.

Walk through Hyde Park — London's green lung. Visit the Serpentine Gallery (free) for contemporary art, then continue to the free museums on Exhibition Road. Choose between the Natural History Museum (the blue whale skeleton and Earth galleries), the V&A (decorative arts, fashion, and photography), or the Science Museum. All three are free and world-class. One is enough for a morning.

Tube to Camden Town. Walk through Camden Market — one of London's most famous markets with street food from every cuisine imaginable (meals £6–10). The stables market section is best for vintage and alternative fashion. Walk east along Regent's Canal — a peaceful 2km towpath walk from Camden Lock to King's Cross through Little Venice and past houseboats. Lunch at KERB King's Cross for rotating street food traders.

Tube to Tower Hill. Walk around the Tower of London (exterior is free and impressive at night) to Tower Bridge — the iconic twin towers are beautifully illuminated after dark. Cross to Bermondsey and explore the Maltby Street Market area's brewery taprooms — Anspach & Hobday, Partizan, and Brew by Numbers all have excellent beer (pints £5–7). Farewell dinner at Padella if you missed it, or Hawksmoor for a steak splurge.