2-Day London Itinerary: Top Sights, Local Secrets + Map

Planning a 2-day London itinerary and worried about how to make the most of your time? You’re in the right place. If you’re a first-time visitor, this 2-day London itinerary is tailored just for you.

I understand how overwhelming it can be to work out what to do in London in two days. Deciding which of the many iconic sights to prioritize in a city bursting with history, culture, and attractions isn’t easy.

That’s why I’ve meticulously crafted this guide. I can assure you that this 2-Day London Itinerary covers the must-see spots while ensuring a logical, easy-to-follow route.

I’m based less than an hour away from Central London and I’ve explored it countless times and still regularly return. So I’ve also sprinkled in a few local hidden gems to make your two days in London extra special.

Designed for travellers who seek cultural experiences, this itinerary not only highlights the best things to see in London but also helps you navigate the city efficiently, ensuring you experience the best of London without the stress of having to spend hours planning.

It’s a packed itinerary but very doable. Let’s dive in and make your two days in London unforgettable.

Some posts on this site contain affiliate links to products or services I’ve found useful. If you make a purchase through these links I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). This helps keep the travel blog running, so thank you.

In a hurry?  2-day London itinerary overview

If you haven’t got time to read the whole guide, here’s a quick summary of the 2-day London itinerary.

Day 1

• 9.15am Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
• 9.45am Westminster Abbey
• 10.45am Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard
• 11.40am Harrods
• Midday lunch
• 1pm London museums
• 4pm Hyde Park
• 5.30pm Dinner
• 7.30pm West End show, Shoreditch

Day 2

• 9am Tower of London
• 11.10am Tower Bridge Experience
• 11.45am St Dunstan in the East Church
• Midday Sky Garden
• 12.40pm Lunch at Borough Market
• 1.50pm St Paul’s Cathedral
• 2.50pm Covent Garden
• 3.35pm Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus
• 4pm London shops or alternatives to shopping
• 6pm London Eye
• 6.30pm Graffiti tunnel
• 7.15pm Dinner

London in two days map

I’ve created a map that shows all the places listed in this 2-day London itinerary. Click the arrow icon to the left of the map heading to view the name of each place.

Two day London itinerary

48 hours in London: day 1

Day 1: morning

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

Let’s start your London itinerary with a biggie.  Big Ben.  You only have 2 days in London, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve seen this one.

The iconic symbol of London was recently re-unveiled, after having a long period of maintenance.  It’s now resplendent in its position next to the River Thames.  You’ll want to spend some time getting great photos here.

Whilst you’re at Big Ben, take a walk around to see the outside of the Houses of Parliament, the seat of UK government. 

You can go inside Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament if you book in advance.  However, on this short 2-day itinerary for London I suggest you save that for another time, so that you can see more of London instead.

Westminster Abbey

Walk over the road to Westminster Abbey and pop in to see some of the famous names who are buried here.  The Poets Corner is especially worth a look.

Buckingham Palace

Next up and nearby is another world-renowned sight, Buckingham Palace.  Whilst you can book a visit, on a short itinerary, I recommend you enjoy watching the free Changing of the Guard ceremony instead.

All the pomp and circumstance is a sight to behold.  The bright red coats, the iconic bearskin headwear, the music and power of the enormous horses.  It all creates an electric atmosphere.

I recommend you don’t try to watch from right outside Buckingham Palace, as it gets way too crowded.  Instead, walk down the Mall towards Marlborough Road and find a place to wait there.

It’s a great place to watch from, as the guards come right past.  Don’t get in their way though, they won’t stop.

The Changing of the Guard doesn’t happen every day.  So make sure you check the latest timetable for the changing of the Guard, to time your visit right.

If your schedule doesn’t fit, then enjoy a walk around St James’s Park and lake instead.  It’s a surprisingly pleasant place to spend time.

Harrods department store

When you’ve finished at Buckingham Palace, walk 20 minutes down Knightsbridge to pop into Harrods.  This is the most famous store in all of London. 

Most things inside are expensive but head to the food hall for the best part of the shop.  Plan to spend only a short while here, as there are plenty more places to fit in to your London travel plans.

If you want to save time, you can skip Harrods and take the Tube (the name for the London underground metro) from St James’s Park to South Kensington.  Journey time is 10 minutes.

Day 1: lunch

London is full of places to eat, with cuisine from all around the world.  For lunch on day 1, you can either go to one of the wonderful museum cafes or book a table at Pappa Roma Restaurant (6 Glendower place, South Kensington) for some delicious homemade Italian food.

I love the melt-in-your-mouth caponata and the deserts are also delicious.

Pro Tip: tipping in restaurants is customary in the UK, but not obligatory.

Day 1: afternoon

Museums

The main activity for your first afternoon in London is to spend a few hours at some of the impressive museums that London is so well known for.

There are far too many to see in just two days in London but by now you’re in South Kensington which has a collection of some of the biggest and best, all within a short distance.

Choose a couple out of these four.  They’re close together so pick whichever appeal most to you. 

• Victoria and Albert Museum: if you like art and design, you’ll love the ‘V and A’.  The exhibits showcase creativity across centuries.
• Natural History Museum: explore the marvels of the natural world, with iconic exhibits like the towering blue whale and stunning gemstone collection.
• Science Museum: get involved with the hands-on exhibits and awe-inspiring displays.  This museum is fun, whatever age you are.  The space age stuff is seriously cool.
• Kensington Palace: if you want to get some royal history and discover the stories of kings and queens, head to the most visited royal palace in the UK.

All of the above are free, except for Kensington Palace.  For the Natural History Museum and Science Museum, reserve a free ticket online to skip the queue.

Hyde Park

After all that taking on board of information at the museums, you’ll be glad of some fresh air.  Take a short walk to London’s Hyde Park and spend time relaxing in the deck chairs and wandering amongst the flora and fauna. 

For extra fun and Instagram goodness, take one of the boats for a paddle on the Serpentine lake.  Or head over to Speakers Corner and see if there’s anyone giving a public speech.

Day 1: evening

Dinner

For your first night in London, take the Tube to the West End for an early dinner.  I recommend Chinatown or Soho, where there are plenty of restaurants to choose from.

Or head over to Sarastro on Drury Lane.  If you’re looking for a unique dining experience, this is it.  It’s got a decadent theatrical theme, perfect for theatre lovers.

West end show

After dinner, it’s time to take in a show.  The West End in London is full of amazing shows that will bring you joy (and possibly the occasional tear to your eye). 

I love going to see the shows in London, the energy from the performers and the historic theatres is life affirming. 

If you have a particular show that you absolutely must see, you need to book tickets in advance.  I regularly use Today Tix, as it has great prices and seat choices.

However, if you don’t mind what you see, check what deals are on offer on the day at the ticket booths at Leicester Square.  You can get some decent bargains here.

If a show is not for you, or you want to go on to a late-night bar afterwards, head over to Shoreditch. 

This is the place where the cool kids hang out at night.  It’s full of bars and eateries and generally has a great evening vibe.

48 hours in London: day 2

Time for the second day of your London in two days itinerary.

Day 2: morning

Tower of London

Start your morning with some gems that are bright enough to wake up even the most blurry eyed visitor.  The first activity of day 2 in London is a trip to the Tower of London.

This historic building is a must-see for any first-time visitor to London, offering a glimpse into London’s rich and gruesome history. As one of the oldest and most iconic landmarks in the capital, this fortress has served as a royal palace, prison, and even a zoo in times gone by.

One of the highlights of a visit is the Crown Jewels, a dazzling collection that that includes the Imperial State Crown and the Koh-i-Noor diamond, set in the Crown of the Queen Mother.

The opulence of the jewels is breathtaking but be prepared to blink and you’ll miss them. I was surprised how swiftly we were moved along, allowing you only a moment to take in the glittering spectacle.

Beyond the jewels, the Tower offers many other sights. The White Tower houses an impressive armoury collection and don’t miss the iconic Beefeaters with their distinctive dress.

You could spend many hours at the Tower of London, but this itinerary allows for a couple of hours so that you can get to see more of London over the two days. 

To avoid the worst of the crowds, get your ticket in advance for a 9am entry and go straight to see the Crown Jewels.

Tower Bridge Experience

For extra fun near the Tower of London, head around the corner to beautiful Tower Bridge and join the Tower Bridge experience.  The main attraction here is the glass walk above the bridge.

Local secret: St Dunstan in the East Church

If you’re in need of a coffee, grab one on the way and take a short break in the serenity of the ruins of St Dunstan in the East Church.  This hidden gem in the heart of London is an oasis of calm in an otherwise hectic city. It’s one of my favourite places to ‘take five’.

Sky Garden

Next up on the itinerary is a visit to the Sky Garden, which makes up part of the famous London skyline.  Surprisingly, for an expensive city like London, entrance is free.  Which is all the better, when you see the cost of drinks at the bars here. 

You don’t have to buy anything though, you can just enjoy the indoor garden and the rooftop views from the viewing platform.  Plan to spend half an hour here or less. 

Pro Tip: although entrance is free, it’s much better to book your free slot in advance.

Day 2: lunch at Borough Market

For lunch today, take a ten-minute walk over London Bridge to historic Borough Market.  Don’t forget to stop for photos of Tower Bridge on the way.

Borough Market is a buzzing, busy food market with over 100 stalls.  I have a soft spot for Juma’s traditional Iraqi cuisine.  Pick up some artisan products to take home whilst you’re here.

Day 2: afternoon

St Paul’s Cathedral

Head back over the river, via Shakespeare’s Globe and the Millennium Bridge, to walk to St Paul’s Cathedral.

Standing as one of London’s most impressive landmarks, the majestic Cathedral dome dominates the skyline.  Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1708, this architectural masterpiece survived the Blitz during World War II.

This two-day itinerary allows for a brief look outside and inside to get just a taste of its beauty.

However, if you want to spend longer here, you can take an in-depth paid-for tour, including the crypt, the top of the dome and the Whispering Gallery.

St Paul’s Cathedral is free to enter for worship.  It’s not open on Sundays for sightseeing, so if you’re in London for a weekend you might want to swap the two days of this itinerary around.

Covent Garden

Your next stop on your 2 day itinerary is London’s Covent Garden.  To get here, walk 25 minutes or jump on the Tube.

Far from being a garden, Covent Garden is actually a thriving market, food and shopping area. 

Spend time inside the covered area looking at the stalls and enjoy some of the street performers in the surrounding streets.

Don’t miss getting a ridiculously Insta-friendly ice cream from Milk Train at Tavistock Street.  It’s an ice cream with a candyfloss skirt, what’s not to love.

If all that sugar has left you needing a bit of head space, go round to Stanfords on Mercer Walk. It’s a London institution and a bookshop that focuses on travel. I love spending time here, there’s so much to inspire your future travel plans.

Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus

When in London on a short 2 day itinerary, you really want to see the iconic sights and these next two stops won’t disappoint on that front. 

Walk five minutes from Covent Garden over to Trafalgar Square and then continue on to Piccadilly Circus.

At Trafalgar Square you can get classic photos of the fountain and Nelson’s Column and see what modern artwork is displayed on the Fourth Plinth (in the northwest corner).

Piccadilly is London’s smaller version of Times Square in New York, with giant advertising screens and a hectic atmosphere.

There isn’t much to do actually do at either spot, once you’ve got your photos, so you’ll only need around 30 minutes to see both.

London shopping

Shopping in London is high on many visitor’s agendas, so this last part of your second day in London is dedicated to just that.

From Piccadilly it’s a short five-minute walk to a London institution, Fortnum and Mason.  Here you’ll find all kinds of delicious teas and treats.  It’s not cheap though, so be prepared for the prices.

Other nearby shopping spots that are worth checking out include:

Carnaby Street – an iconic London spot since the swinging sixties right up to the present day.

Liberty London – a UK department store housed inside a distinctive Tudor revival building.

Selfridges – located on Oxford Street, which has gone a bit downhill in recent years, Selfridges is home to all manner of high-end designer brands under one roof.

Alternatives to shopping

If the thought of all that shopping brings you out in a cold sweat, here are some alternative hidden gems to visit instead. 

Local secrets:

Charles Dickens Museum – 25 minutes walk from St Paul’s or take the Tube.

The Photographers Gallery – 10 minutes walk from Piccadilly Circus.

I love my visits to both these museums.  They’re much smaller than the big museums in South Kensington but no less interesting.

If you’re in London for Christmas, the Charles Dickens Museum is an absolute must.  It’s located in the house he lived in and gives you such a cosy Christmas feel.  Although for literary fans, it’s a top spot any time of the year.

The Photographers Gallery is small but has thought provoking exhibitions (and a fantastic shop).

Day 2: evening

The London Eye

Walk 30 mins or take the Tube to go for a spin on the London Eye.  I recommend timing this for dusk if you can, as you get to see the views across London as well as seeing the city lit up as night falls. 

As the time it gets dark varies so much throughout the year in the UK, you’ll need to adjust the itinerary accordingly.

Book tickets in advance as the London Eye is one of London’s most popular attractions.

Local secret: graffiti tunnel at Waterloo

Just around the corner from the London Eye is one of London’s hidden gems, a graffiti filled tunnel near Waterloo.  If you’re looking for artistic inspiration, take a walk through the tunnel and check out the bright and bold art works. 

There are a few bars here as well, if you’re in need of refreshment.

Dinner

The last stop on your two day itinerary in london is to head out for dinner.  There are several places to eat near the London Eye and Waterloo.  Here are a few to check out:

The Sherlock Holmes, Embankment – a classic Victorian British pub experience, with a literary twist.

Crust Bros, Waterloo – for very reasonably priced and delicious pizza.  This place is a good choice if you’re in a hurry.

Cubana, Waterloo – I have to mention this one, as Mr Flip Flops Included is Cuban.  Head here if you want to finish your 48 hours in London sampling some of the diverse cuisine that London offers.

Pin this

Enjoying this post? Pin for later.

Getting around London

This 2 day itinerary uses walking between most locations, as it means you get to see even more of the city.  However, if walking is not an option for you, these methods will also get you around London.

London Underground

London’s metro system is also known as the Tube.  There are loads of stops throughout London and trains run very frequently. 

Use a contactless card to tap in and out at each station barrier.  Prices are capped at a maximum for each day.

Check the direction of your train carefully.  Despite all my years of getting around London, I have occasionally been known to excitedly jump on the next train as it’s about to pull away, before realising I’m going the wrong way.

London buses

Running frequently, a ride on a big red London bus is an experience in itself.  They can get stuck in the heavy London traffic though, so take the Underground if speed is important.

Boats

Another way to see London is to jump on a boat along the Thames.  Ferry boats make regular journeys to stops at key points along the famous London river.

Uber

One of a range of ride booking services, Uber operates in London via the Uber app.  There’s also Bolt and Addison Lee.

Black cabs

The archetypal taxis in London are the smart looking black cabs you’ll see all over the place.  They aren’t cheap but the drivers have to pass a difficult knowledge test to be allowed to operate, so they know where they’re going.

Different from the pre-booked app-based services, you can hail a black cab down in the street.

Car hire

You could rent a car in London but traffic is hectic and if you’re sticking to this itinerary in central London then there’s no need.

Where to stay for your 2-day London itinerary

London is full of accommodation but it’s a very popular international destination, so you’ll need to book in advance to get your preferred choice.  Here are three top options, depending on budget.

Budget – easyHotel South Kensington

Finding affordable accommodation in central London is tough, but easyHotel South Kensington offers a budget-friendly option in a prime location. The rooms are compact and no-frills, providing a clean, comfortable place to stay close to major attractions like Hyde Park and the Natural History Museum.

By focusing on the essentials, easyHotel keeps costs low, making it one of the few affordable choices in this area. With nearby public transport links, including Gloucester Road and South Kensington Tube stations, it makes it easy to explore London while staying within budget.

Mid-range – Locke at Broken Wharf

Locke at Broken Wharf has a fabulous location, right by the banks of the Thames. The studio apartments are small but provide everything you need for a short stay. Air con and Wi-Fi come as standard.

Wake up right in the heart of the city, so you can make the most of your time in London. With modern, clean rooms and highly rated, Locke at Broken Wharf is a great mid-range choice.

Luxury – Sofitel London St James

If you’re celebrating a special occasion, the 5-star Sofitel London St James is the place to be. Its location on the corner of St James’s Square is perfect for visiting Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye.

The hotel blends French elegance and British tradition, making it one of the most luxurious places to stay in central London. You can indulge in the hotel’s top-tier amenities, including the award-winning Sofitel Spa, gourmet dining at the restaurant, and afternoon tea in the elegant Rose Lounge. The hotel’s impeccable service ensures a stay that is both lavish and memorable.

FAQs: London for 2 days

Is it worth going to London for 2 days?

Yes, it’s absolutely worth going to London for 2 days.  While it’s impossible to see everything in such a short time, this itinerary will help you to experience some of the city’s most iconic sights.

From the Tower of London and the British Museum to a walk through Hyde Park, you can get a real taste of London’s history and culture. Plus, you’ll have time to enjoy some great food, explore Covent Garden, and even squeeze in a visit to a world-class West End show.

Can you go to London for a weekend?

You can definitely go to London for a weekend. A weekend trip allows you to experience the city’s highlights without feeling rushed.

With two full days, you can visit major attractions like St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace, while also enjoying iconic sights like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

You can even catch a West End show or indulge in London’s lively bar scene. A weekend in London is a perfect way to dive into the city’s vibrant atmosphere and leave you wanting to come back for more.

How to get around London as a tourist?

Getting around London as a tourist is easy thanks to the city’s public transport network. The Underground (Tube) is the quickest way to travel between major sights, while buses offer a more scenic route and are great for sightseeing.

For a unique view of the city, consider taking a boat along the river. London is also very walkable, with many attractions close to each other, especially in the centre.

Do you tip in London?

Tipping in London isn’t as customary as in some other countries, but it’s still very much appreciated in certain situations.  In restaurants, a tip of 10% is typical if service isn’t already included in the bill.

Tipping in bars, taxis, and for hotel staff is optional at your discretion. Use my handy tip calculator to help you work out how much to tip.

How long is the London Eye trip?

The London Eye trip lasts 30 minutes.  The wheel does not feel like it’s moving fast, it’s a slow and smooth movement that gives you time to take in the views of the city. From the top, you can see iconic landmarks like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.  It’s a unique way to see London from above and a must-do for first-time visitors looking for a memorable experience.

Where to go next in the UK

Cambridge makes great day out from London – only 50 minutes by train, this historic city is one of the most beautiful in the UK.

Eastbourne is full of fun things to do – experience the Great British seaside on your travels.

Loch Lomond Scotland – don’t miss visiting Scotland on your UK trip.