A Weekend in London: What to See on a First Trip

A weekend in London is enough to see Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Big Ben and the city's free museums, with a third day for Stonehenge. I arrived with almost no expectations. London had never been at the top of my list, until one day I booked a red-eye on impulse and woke up there.

Over the next few days it won me over: front seats on the double-decker buses, Gothic architecture, historic pubs and black cabs. This is the plan I would follow again.

The plan at a glance

• Day 1: Tower Bridge and the Tower of London
• Day 2: The museums, then Westminster and Big Ben
• Day 3: A day trip to Stonehenge
• Good to know: many of London's biggest museums are free

Day 1: Tower Bridge and the Tower of London

Tower Bridge was the first place I wanted to see after my flight, and it still exceeded every expectation: the blue details, the scale of it, the Thames flowing underneath. One tip from my own mistake: Tower Bridge is the one with the two towers. London Bridge is the next bridge upstream, and I confidently went there first.

The Tower of London is right beside the bridge. Stone walls, the Crown Jewels, dark corridors, the ravens and centuries of history: I spent almost six hours there and only left because I had a flight to catch. Give it at least half a day, and buy tickets ahead.

Day 2: Free museums, Big Ben and Westminster

London's museums are at their best on a rainy day, and many of them are free to enter. My favorites:

• British Museum: ancient history from all over the world
• Natural History Museum: the building itself, and the dinosaurs
• Victoria and Albert Museum: fashion, art, design and beautiful interiors
• Tate Modern: modern art, with one of the best views of the city

The Natural History Museum and the V&A are next to each other in South Kensington, so you can see both in one day. Special exhibitions charge admission.

Then go to Westminster. I did not think I would be that impressed by something I had already seen a million times in movies, but Big Ben really is huge, and I stood staring at it much longer than planned. Get there on the top deck of a double-decker bus, in the front seats if you can.

End the day at a historic pub. And if you grew up on Sherlock Holmes like I did, the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street is a short Tube ride away.

Day 3: A day trip to Stonehenge

Stonehenge was a must for me. I had dreamed of seeing it since I was a kid, and it felt even more surreal in person: open fields, wind, and an ancient mystery that still leaves so many questions. I completely lost track of time listening to the history.

Stonehenge is about two hours from London, by car, on a coach tour, or by train to Salisbury and then a shuttle bus. Book a timed entry ticket ahead.

Tips for a first trip to London

• Tap a contactless card or phone for the Tube and buses. Fares are capped each day, so you never pay more than the daily limit.
• Pack a rain layer, whatever the forecast says. The first time I passed through London, my connecting flight was delayed because of rain.
• Check your phone plan before you fly. I learned that one the expensive way after a Europe trip.

Keep on roaming,

Polina