The Shard, Borough Market, Sky Garden, Tower Bridge, Brick Lane Market and Shoreditch

As its name suggests, the London Bridge tube station will leave you right at London Bridge, where you have a great view of the Thames River and the Shard. Only two minutes from the station, don’t miss Borough Market’s famous paella and Turnip’s chocolate covered strawberries. The market closes at 5pm, after which happy hour takes over. If you have plans to see a play at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, have a pint in the Borough first.

From Borough Market, take a stroll towards Tower Bridge along the Thames. Cross the high-level walkways for panoramic views and explore the engine room with timed-entry tickets here. If you’re not up for the tour, it’s always free to cross the bridge. On the other side of the river, you’ll have a chance for more views at Sky Garden. While the garden is free to access, make sure to book tickets online beforehand.

Head to tea time or continue exploring London’s markets with Leadenhall Market, one of the oldest in London, dating back to the 14th century. Near the Shoreditch High Street tube station, check out Brick Lane Vintage Market, which is best for vintage clothing and unique finds and Spitalfields Market, near the London Liverpool Street Station. Keeping the arty vibes alive, head to the Shoreditch tunnels, a graffiti tunnel lined with bars, clubs and restaurants.

End your first night with dinner at Dishoom for excellent Indian food or The Clove Club for an innovative take on British cuisine.

Buckingham Palace, Westminster, London Eye, Southbank, Soho and Strand

Start your morning off by attending the Changing of the Guard, which normally takes place every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in front of Buckingham Palace. Be sure to check the confirmed schedule beforehand.

Afterwards, walk from Buckingham Palace through St. James's Park for some beautiful scenery. Continue along Birdcage Walk to Great George St, where you’ll see Westminster Abbey to your right and Big Ben ahead. Stop to take some classic red phone booth photos with the iconic landmark in the background.

Cross the Thames over Westminster Bridge to the London Eye and Southbank area. Check the Southbank Centre website for any events going on. If you love books, the Southbank Book Market takes place every day from 10 am (11 am on Sundays) under the Waterloo Bridge.

After taking a ride on the London Eye or browsing the Book Market, walk across the Waterloo Bridge or board the Northern line Northbound from Waterloo station to Charing Cross (two stops).

Once you exit the tube, pick your own adventure! Museum lovers can visit the adjoining National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, as well as the London Transport Museum near Covent Garden. The British Museum is also accessible by the Northern line, exiting a few stops later at Tottenham Court Road Station.

Covent Garden is your hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment, where independent performers will often take to the Covent Garden Piazza. You can watch from above at Punch & Judy, an 18th century pub named after the historic puppet shows. For a fine dining experience, book a table at Gordon Ramsay’s Savoy Grill, open daily for lunch and dinner.

London is the city for book lovers of all tastes. Near the Seven Dials, there’s the comic book store, Forbidden Planet. Continuing down Charing Cross Road, you’ll find Any Amount of Books, and past the Leicester tube station, Watkins Books, along with a handful of other rare and used book stores.

When you’re ready to take a break and head back to your hotel, you can board the tube at any of these nearby stations: Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Tottenham Court Road or Charing Cross.

To resume the night, book a table at Masala Zone near Piccadilly Circus or stroll through Chinatown for other delicious options. If you’re searching for nightlife, Soho is the neighborhood to start at. Be At One Regent Street has great drinks and two floors to cater to different music tastes. Check out my London guide on Instagram for London’s best rooftop bars, according to locals. Other great neighborhoods for nightlife include Shoreditch, Camden and Brixton.

Camden Market, The Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, Notting Hill and West End

If you haven’t gotten enough of London’s markets, take Taylor Swift’s advice and walk Camden Market in the afternoon (or morning, as it opens at 10 am.) To reach it, take the tube to Camden Town, exiting onto Camden High Street and walk over the canal. This huge outdoor market has everything – vintage clothing, delicious food, rooftop bars, unique accessories and even an indoor theme park, Babylon Park. The market just keeps going!

Next, head to Hyde Park or The Regent’s Park; both are perfect for a quiet stroll or picnic, and offer two beautiful gardens, Kensington Gardens and Queen Mary’s Gardens, respectively. A short tube ride away from The Regent’s Park is the famous Abbey Road, where you can recreate the iconic Beatles photo. Also near the park, in Marylebone, is the best bookstore for travelers: Daunt Books. They have a whole hall of books categorized by the country in which they’re set so go find your favorite book in the stacks.

Finally, get to know one of London’s most vibrant and trendy areas, Notting Hill. Notting Hill’s pastel colored houses and the Portobello Market make for some Instagrammable moments. With no shortage of great cafés and restaurants (even Michelin star ones), you’ll find something to satisfy your appetite.

At the end of three days in London, you’ll have no doubt surpassed your daily step goals. Finish off your trip with a West End show of your choice. Book tickets directly or download the Todaytix app for last minute deals. Whether you’re in the mood for a musical, comedy, or drama, West End has the show for you.

Other noteworthy activities not mentioned in the above itinerary include attending a show at Top Secret Comedy Club, joining an evening Jack the Ripper Tour for true crime fans or a Harry Potter Tour for Potterheads, playing free mini golf at the Canary Wharf or cruising along the Thames.

If you have longer than three days in London, consider taking a day trip to one of these spots: Brighton, Jurassic Coast, Whitstable, Cambridge, Bath or Oxford.