London 3-day Itinerary
United Kingdom (UK)
Where to go and what to see in London to get the most from your trip – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Annabelle Thorpe.
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Overview >Bucket list experience:
Royal Observatory Greenwich
Credit: Pack-Shot / Shutterstock.com
Last updated: 06 November, 2022
This 17th-century hilltop observatory, designed by Sir Christopher Wren at the behest of Charles II, is where astronomers and scientists pinned down the concept of time and space. Stand on the Meridian Line – Longitude zero degrees – from where Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is calculated. The astronomy galleries are a must-see, as are the daily planetarium shows, which include ‘Sky Tonight Live’, led by a Royal Observatory astronomer.
The observatory is home to London’s only planetarium and the UK’s largest refracting telescope. It also hosts prestigious temporary exhibitions like Astronomy Photographer of the Year. Allow two hours to see the whole thing.
As part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site, it is flanked by the National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark and Queen’s House Museum, with bundled tickets available for all.
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Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
London 5-day Itinerary
United Kingdom (UK)
Where to go and what to see in London to get the most from your trip – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Annabelle Thorpe.
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London 9-day Itinerary
United Kingdom (UK)
Where to go and what to see in London to get the most from your trip – 9 brilliant, bucket list-packed days recommended by destination expert and travel writer Annabelle Thorpe.
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Overview >Price from: £16
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 10+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
The Royal Observatory is accessible via the Cutty Sark station on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) line – or use the Thames Clipper river bus (connecting with Embankment, London Eye, Bankside, London Bridge, Tower and Masthouse).
When to do it
The Observatory is open all year round, seven days a week. Avoid July and August if possible, when the observatory can get very busy with tour groups.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Royal Observatory Greenwich Entrance Ticket
London
A visit to London is not complete without visiting the Royal Observatory Greenwich where you will stand astride the Prime Meridian Line, wit...
£16 | Rating 4.04 / 5 [191 ratings]
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National Maritime Museum Small Group Tour in Greenwich London
London
Enjoy a 3.5-hour small group guided walking tour around the world's largest maritime museum. Discover many of the different historical facts...
£95 | Rating 4.75 / 5 [8 ratings]
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
CitizenM Tower of London
London, United Kingdom (UK)[6.4 miles]
An affordable design hotel overlooking the Tower of London, with pod-style rooms and a hip bar and restaurant.
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Shangri-La at the Shard
London, United Kingdom (UK)[6.7 miles]
Housed in London’s newest landmark, the Shangri-La offers the best views in town, along with fine dining, innovative cocktails and a lofty infinity pool.
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Batty Langley’s
London, United Kingdom (UK)[7.3 miles]
An elegantly eccentric Georgian period piece on the edge of the City of London, with decadent rooms and an under-the-radar vibe.
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Boundary London
London, United Kingdom (UK)[7.4 miles]
See and be seen at Terence Conran’s ambitious but intimate design hotel in fashionable Shoreditch, in the heartland of exciting street markets, galleries and bars.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
London
Greater London, United Kingdom (UK)
World-class culture, fashion, music, food and history – and a mind-boggling array of bucket list experiences – packed into one extraordinary, incomparable destination.
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Overview >Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Cutty Sark
London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.9 miles]
Britain’s last surviving tea clipper, this beautifully-preserved vessel was the fastest and greatest ship of the late 1800s.
Best for ages: 4+ | £15
Tower of London
London, United Kingdom (UK)[6.3 miles]
The world’s most notorious medieval fortress, rich in gruesome history dating back to the 11th century. Now home to the Crown Jewels and the enigmatic, colourful Beefeaters.
Best for ages: 4+ | £25
HMS Belfast
London, United Kingdom (UK)[6.5 miles]
A treasured survivor of the Second World War, this towering naval warship moored on the Thames is now one of London’s most fascinating military museums.
Best for ages: 4+ | £23
Borough Market
London, United Kingdom (UK)[7 miles]
London’s premier gastro hub, with over 100 stalls in a historic covered market, offering everything from artisan breads and cheeses to street food, hand-made chocolates and vegan cakes.
Best for ages: 8+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Experience
Emirates Air Line
London, United Kingdom (UK)[3.7 miles]
Leaving from Greenwich, this dizzying cable-car ride takes you over the Thames and towards the Royal Docks, with exhilarating river and skyline views.
Best for ages: 6+ | £5 | 8 minutes
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The View From The Shard
London, United Kingdom (UK)[6.7 miles]
Step into Renzo Piano’s iconic Shard, and ride up to the 72nd floor, to stand 800ft above London for the loftiest views in the capital.
Best for ages: 10+ | £25
Experience
SEA LIFE London Aquarium
London, United Kingdom (UK)[8.7 miles]
London’s impressive aquarium, set on the South Bank, home to hundreds of species of fish and a selection of sharks.
Best for ages: Any | £27
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The London Eye
London, United Kingdom (UK)[8.7 miles]
Sky-scraping observation wheel taking passengers on a stately ride, 450 feet above the Thames.
Best for ages: Any | £31 | 30 minutes
