The Perfect London Christmas Itinerary for 3 Days

Visiting London is a good idea any time of the year, but there’s something extra special about spending Christmas in this bustling city. With festive markets, ice skating rinks, and beautiful light displays, London truly comes alive during the holiday season!

We recently spent 3 days in London at Christmas and had an amazing time exploring all the holiday activities and attractions. In this London Christmas itinerary, we’ll share our top recommendations for how to make the most of your time in London during this magical time of year.

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

London Christmas Itinerary – Quick Tips

Best Hotels in London

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If you’re planning to visit a handful of attractions, you can save a lot of money by purchasing a London Pass! You have the option to buy a pass for 1-10 days and you can also choose from more than 90 attractions to visit.

Overview of Your London Christmas Itinerary

Breakdown of your 3 days in London at Christmas

Day 1: Westminster Abbey, Covent Garden, Leicester Square Christmas Market, Afternoon tea, Annabel’s, Christmas lights tour, Dinner at 34 Mayfair
Day 2: Coppa Club at Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge, Winter by the River, Sky Garden, Leadenhall Market, Southbank Centre Winter Market
Day 3: Peggy Porschen, London Eye, Somerset House, Trafalgar Square, Lunch at Sherlock Holmes, Harrods, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, The Churchill Arms

Map for your Christmas in London itinerary

Below you can find a customized map that includes all the locations you’re going to visit on this 3 day Christmas in London itinerary.

I marked your 3 days in London with different colors – I used green for the first day, red for the second day, and blue for the third day, so you can easily see which places you’re going to visit each day.

How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.

Day 1

Westminster Abbey

Start your first day in London at Christmas by visiting one of the city’s most iconic landmarks – Westminster Abbey. This stunning Gothic church has been the site of coronations, weddings, and royal funerals for centuries.

During the holiday season, it is beautifully decorated with festive lights and a dazzling Christmas tree. Since it’s a popular attraction, I would recommend booking your tickets in advance. You can also join a guided tour to learn more about the history and significance of this grand cathedral.

Covent Garden

From Westminster Abbey, make your way to Covent Garden, a lively shopping and dining district with a festive atmosphere. During Christmas, the market is transformed into a winter wonderland with beautiful decorations and an enormous Christmas tree.

The Christmas decorations are absolutely stunning! In fact, it’s one of my favorite London Christmas photo spots so if you’re planning to take lots of holiday pictures, definitely don’t miss this spot.

Apart from the beautiful decorations, Covent Garden also has a great selection of restaurants and cafes where you can warm up with some delicious food or hot chocolate. I recommend getting a drink at Punch & Judy as they have a beautiful outdoor balcony overlooking the giant Christmas tree.

Leicester Square Christmas Market

After exploring Covent Garden, take a short walk to Leicester Square where you’ll find another festive market filled with food stalls, mulled wine, and unique gifts.

The atmosphere here is always lively and during Christmas, it’s even more magical with the addition of twinkling lights and holiday music.

Afternoon Tea

No Christmas London itinerary is complete without a traditional afternoon tea experience! The city is known for its love of tea, scones, and finger sandwiches so make sure to treat yourself to this quintessentially British tradition.

There are many great places to have afternoon tea in London, but during Christmas, I highly recommend the traditional Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason. This luxurious department store has been around since 1707 and their Christmas-themed afternoon tea is truly special.

Alternatively, you can also book a festive afternoon tea at The Ritz or Claridge’s. Just make sure to book your reservations in advance as these spots tend to fill up quickly during the holiday season.

Annabel’s

This exclusive private members’ club is one of the most glamorous and festive spots in London during Christmas. They always go all out with their decorations, making it a must-see on your London Christmas itinerary.

The decoration is always different every year and it’s always a stunner! Unfortunately, it’s not possible to go inside unless you are a member, but since it’s a short walk from Fortnum & Mason (or the other recommended places for afternoon tea), it’s worth stopping by just to see the beautiful exterior.

Christmas Lights Tour

As the sun sets, it’s time to explore London’s famous Christmas light displays. You can either book a Christmas lights bus tour or create your own walking route to see the best of London’s most beautiful decorations.

Some must-see locations include Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Carnaby Street, all of which have impressive light displays. We also really loved the Christmas lights on New Bond Street and the designer shops also have stunning window displays.

Dinner at 34 Mayfair

End your first day in London at Christmas with a delicious dinner at 34 Mayfair. This is hands down one of the most beautifully decorated restaurants in the entire city of London with baubles, lights, and Christmas trees everywhere you look.

As a result, they are extremely in-demand during the holiday season so make sure to reserve your table in advance. Unfortunately, they were already fully booked for our dates so we had to skip this spot, but it’s definitely on our list for next time!

Day 2

Coppa Club Tower Bridge

Start your second day of your London Christmas itinerary by having breakfast at Coppa Club at Tower Bridge, one of London’s most Instagrammable restaurants. Located right next to Tower Bridge, this cozy restaurant has igloos as outdoor seating areas which offer incredible views of the iconic bridge.

As you might imagine, this spot is very popular so make sure to reserve your igloo in advance! If you are too late, don’t worry, the indoor dining area is also beautiful and offers great views too. The food is also delicious and I think it’s very reasonably priced for London.

Tower Bridge

After breakfast, take a stroll along the iconic Tower Bridge. The bridge itself doesn’t have any Christmas decorations but the views from it are stunning.

If you want to escape the cold, you can also book a ticket that will take you inside the bridge and up to its glass floor where you can see the traffic passing underneath your feet.

Winter by the River

It’s finally time to check out one of the best Christmas markets in London! The Winter by the River market starts right next to Tower Bridge and offers a great selection of festive stalls, food, and drinks.

One of my favorite things about this market is the beautiful view of Tower Bridge and the city skyline in the background. It’s also less crowded than some other Christmas markets in London, making it a lovely spot to enjoy some mulled wine and holiday shopping.

Hay’s Galleria is also part of this market and has a beautiful Christmas tree and decorations. Make sure to stop by and take some pictures of the festive setting.

Sky Garden

If you’re looking for the most beautiful panoramic views of London in December, you can’t miss Sky Garden! This indoor tropical garden offers free entry and incredible views of the city, making it a perfect spot to warm up and take in the beauty of London during Christmas.

Although the tickets are free, you still need to book them in advance on their website. I recommend booking your tickets for sunset so you can witness the city lights turn on. It’s absolutely magical!

There are also a few restaurants and bars inside Sky Garden where you can grab a drink or bite to eat while enjoying the views. Keep in mind that these do require reservations, but if you’re visiting any of them, you don’t need to book a separate ticket.

Leadenhall Market

This beautiful market is literally just a few minutes walk from Sky Garden and it’s definitely worth a visit. With its stunning architecture, Christmas decorations, and boutique shops, Leadenhall Market is like something out of a fairytale.

Fun fact: Leadenhall Market was actually used as Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films so it’s a must-see for any Potterheads out there!

Southbank Centre Winter Market

Two Christmas markets in London in a day? Yes, please! Located along the Thames River, visiting the Southbank Centre Winter Market is definitely one of the best festive things to do in London in December.

This market is known for its delicious street food stalls, unique gifts, and festive atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to grab some dinner and get into the holiday spirit before heading back to your hotel. Plus, you can also enjoy a beautiful view of the London Eye all lit up!

Day 3

Peggy Porschen

Peggy Porschen is one of the most Instagrammable cafes in London and their Christmas decorations are seriously next level. The pink floral exterior of the cafe is decorated with wreaths, garlands, and twinkling lights and the interior is just as beautiful.

We booked a spot for breakfast and it was definitely a highlight of our 3 day London Christmas trip! The food and drinks were delicious and the festive atmosphere added an extra touch of magic.

You absolutely have to try their Christmas-themed cupcakes and hot chocolate, they’re utterly delicious and perfect for a chilly December morning.

London Eye

No trip to London is complete without a ride on the iconic London Eye, especially if this is your first time in London. It takes 30 minutes to complete a full rotation and it offers breathtaking views of the city.

I recommend booking your tickets in advance as it’s super popular. It’s also a good idea to purchase a fast-track pass if you want to avoid standing in line for ages – the weather in London in December definitely doesn’t support this!

Somerset House

If you love ice skating, then you have to visit Somerset House during your London Christmas itinerary. The historic courtyard turns into an ice rink every winter and it’s a truly magical experience.

You can either bring your own skates or rent a pair at the rink. There is also a small lounge where you can warm up with some hot chocolate and snacks after your skating session.

Even if you’re not interested in skating, I still recommend visiting Somerset House as they usually have beautiful holiday decorations and installations around the building.

Trafalgar Square

Only a 10-minute walk from Somerset House, Trafalgar Square is a must-see during the holidays. This iconic square features a giant Christmas tree donated by Norway every year and it’s a popular spot for photos.

There is also a Christmas market in front of the National Gallery where you can find unique gifts and tasty treats. Plus, the festive lights and decorations around the square add to the magical atmosphere.

Sherlock Holmes Pub

London is known for its traditional pubs so if you’re looking for a cozy spot to warm up and grab some late lunch, head to the Sherlock Holmes Pub. It’s located just a few minutes walk from Trafalgar Square and is themed after the famous detective.

The pub serves delicious traditional British food and has a great selection of drinks. It’s also decorated beautifully for Christmas so you can enjoy a festive meal in a quintessential London setting.

If you’re a fan of the Sherlock Holmes series, you can also visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum after your meal to continue the theme.

Harrods

I hope you didn’t think I would leave out Harrods from this Christmas in London 3 day itinerary! This iconic department store is a must-visit during the holidays. The exterior of the store is covered in thousands of twinkling lights and inside you’ll find stunning holiday displays.

I recommend getting here after dark to fully appreciate the beauty of Harrods at Christmas. You can also do some last-minute shopping or simply wander around and take in the festive atmosphere.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

End your London Christmas trip with a bang by visiting Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. This annual event is a huge winter wonderland with ice skating, amusement rides, food stalls, and more.

It’s free to enter but you’ll need to purchase tickets for the attractions and activities inside. I recommend checking out the schedule beforehand so you don’t miss any of the shows or events happening during your visit.

Also, don’t forget to try some of the festive treats like mulled wine and roasted chestnuts! And if you’re feeling brave, you can even go on a ride or two. Just make sure to bundle up as it can get pretty chilly in December.

The Churchill Arms

Before you head back to your hotel, make a stop at The Churchill Arms. This pub is known for its extravagant floral decorations and during Christmas, it’s even more impressive.

The exterior is covered in festive lights and decorations, making it the perfect spot for some last minute holiday photos.

Inside, you’ll find cozy seating areas decorated with Christmas garlands and twinkling lights. It’s a great place to warm up with a drink before heading back out into the cold. It’s very popular in the holiday season so having a reservation is recommended.