Home Travel England Europe Trip: 3 Days in London, England

Europe Trip: 3 Days in London, England

May 20, 2018

Tips

The metro is super easy to navigate and you don’t need an oyster card if you’re not staying for more than a few days. Just buy an all day pass each day.
A lot of the city is under construction so don’t expect to see everything. I wasn’t able to see the Big Ben.
Don’t be afraid to try foods that are not “British”. They have a huge variety of foods from other countries which are delicious!
All museums are free. Check them out if you’re on a budget!

Day 1

Finally arrived in Europe for the first time and I was excited to start exploring and of course, eating. I stayed at my friend’s flat in Reading, UK which was about a 30-60 min train ride to London so I had to build in travel time each day. Luckily, I was able to meet up with another friend, Sheeva on my first day who showed me around a lot of popular sites! I didn’t go into most of them but simply took pictures in front of them.

Please excuse the fuzzy pictures the first couple days. Camera was on the wrong setting…

Morning: Arrive & travel to friend’s house

On the double decker bus in Reading heading towards where I’m going to be staying the next few days. Shameless selfie.

Afternoon: Westminster Area, London Eye, Big Ben (under construction) & Palace of Westminster, St. Margaret’s Church & Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Snack at Laduree, Shopping at Harrods, Piccadilly Circus

Incredible view of the Westminster Abbey. Take your time with the audio tour. Crowded, but lots to see!

Afternoon “tea” at Laduree. Just kidding. I’m pouring hot water.

Just passing through Piccadilly Circus where I’ll come back shopping in the next couple days! Obligatory tourist shot.

Evening: Chinatown for dinner, Trafalgar Square

Chinatown. Very decorated and plenty of street performers. Don’t doubt the food here! Got mine at Lanzhou Noodle Bar.

After dinner stroll through Trafalgar Square. Not much going on since it’s still Spring and cold. Heard there’s a lot of performances during the summer.

Day 2

My second day, I did some touristy stuff before meeting up with my friend Michelle for afternoon tea- a must do! Notting Hill was such a charming place to walk around, but the Portobello Market disappointed me a bit. It was mostly tourist shops and a few cafes. Not like a huge farmer’s market like I had thought.

The British museum was great because there were many collections. Oh, and it was free, like all the museums in London! Another must was the walk through Hyde Park. So much greenery and open space that seemed really peaceful inside a crowded, busy city.

Morning: Notting Hill & Portobello Market, British Museum

The famous ceiling of the British Museum. Totally free to go in but watch out for all the school field trips!

Afternoon: Cafe Concerto for afternoon tea, Kensington Palace & Gardens, Hyde Park

Waiting for my friend at Paddington Station by the Paddington statue!

Me and Michelle at afternoon tea. We’ve known each other since Middle School and she now lives in the UK!

Apparently only tourists gets the tea set, and i’m here to get it!

Evening: Covent Garden

Covent Gardens isn’t really a garden but more of an area to eat and shop

Day 3

My last day led me all around town for more sites. I would highly recommend seeing Tower Bridge and chilling in the area in front of River Thames before walking over to St. Paul Cathedral.

For lunch, I headed over to Camden Market, which I believe was the most hipster part of London. I went for my obligatory fish and chips and checked out the market which didn’t seem too big either. It’s a great area to hang out and grab some food, but since I was alone and had already eaten, it was more of a quick stroll for me.

Done with all the sightseeing, I headed back to Picadilly Circus where I went shopping and picked up a couple souvenirs before I went back to Reading for a delicious Indian dinner with my friend.

Morning: Tower of London, Walk Tower & London Bridge across River Thames, St. Paul Cathedral