The Perfect 2 Days in London Itinerary

You can only be in London for a short visit and need a 2 Days in London itinerary?

I can help! We recently had a 2 day stop over in London and although we’ve been to that fabulous city many times, we still wanted to see our favorite highlights and squeeze in some new and undiscovered places. 

Is 2 days enough in London? London is so packed with beauty, history, culture, and charm, that 2 days is not nearly enough to absorb it all – but if all you’ve got is a weekend or 48 hours, then don’t despair, I’ve got you covered.

Westminster is the area with the most historical monuments and landmarks, Central London is where you’ll find museums and shopping, The South Bank is my favorite area along the River Thames, and the West End is the famous theater district. I also love neighborhoods like Nottingham Hill and Marylebone.

I promise this guide will give you a lot of bang for your buck and show you the perfect 2 day London itinerary. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, which is always the best way to explore. Follow these steps to see the top landmarks and a few off-the-beaten-track gems.

Important Tips for your 2 Days in London Itinerary

• Wondering what is the best way to get around for 2 days in London? The Tube is excellent in London and there are Ride Share Apps (uber) as well. You’ll want to be efficient with your transportation choices.
• Be realistic about what is possible in 2 days in London. For instance, we landed very early at Heathrow Airport and powered through a full day, fighting jet lag. We slept well that night and were fresh to get going early the next day.
• Some attractions require advanced booking, ie: London Eye, Tower of London, and West End shows. Download the Today Tix app on your phone now and start searching for show tickets.
• Walking shoes are a must.
• Always carry an umbrella!

2 Day Itinerary for London

I’ve created a 2 day itinerary of London that will cover some of the most fun parts of the city. You can mix it up a bit based on your schedule, but use this as an outline to hit all the top places and some hidden gems as well.

Check out the 2 maps I’ve included to chart your walks.

Day One of 2 Days in London: Westminster and More!

Day One is for the first timer and frequent visitor because it’s always great to be in the hub of London! I’m mentioning major sites and highlights, but you’ll see a lot more as you walk by famous statues, monuments, and historic buildings. Keep your camera ready! Today’s walk will be about 2.6 miles (4km).

Morning:

Start your day from the Westminster Station. Directly outside of the Tube station you’ll see the Westminster Bridge, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. If you prefer a guided walking tour, try the one below  – if not you’ll be fine on a DIY tour.

Westminster Bridge – Walk to the Westminster Bridge and enjoy views of the Thames and take a few pics with the London Eye in the background. You’ll cross over the Thames later. 

Big Ben – The magnificent tower called Big Ben houses the bell and the clock for the Palace of Westminster. There was a commissioner at the time the clock tower was built whose name was Sir Benjamin Hall. It is believed that the clock is named after him. Tours are available to go inside the tower and climb the 300 steps into the belfry and see the clock’s workings. Advanced tickets are required via the UK Parliament website. I don’t recommend you spend the time on this short trip for this adventure because it will take a lot of time.

Houses of Parliament – Right next to Big Ben is The Palace of Westminster is where the UK Parliament meets. They call it the Houses of Parliament because of the legislative branches; the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Tours are available via the UK Parliament website. However, no time today! 

Westminster Abbey – Continue on the path from the Houses of Parliament and pass St. Margaret’s Church, a 12th century church meant for the local people, as you walk toward the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site of Westminster Abbey. For me, this is one of the most interesting sites in London because it has been the place for coronations of queens and kings since 1066! 

Visitors are allowed to attend services at both churches, but if you want to explore the Abbey without attending a service, you’ll need a ticket. Check the times and prices on the Westminster Abbey Site.

Afternoon:

Lunch at St. Stephen’s Tavern across the street from Big Ben is highly recommended for a great fish & chips in a historic pub where members of Parliament are said to dine!

Buckingham Palace – From the Abbey, walk along the Birdcage Walk to Buckingham Palace. It will be very crowded as you approach the palace gates, but you’ll get a peak at the guards. The Changing of the Guards ceremony usually begins at 11AM and lasts for 45 minutes. You’ll miss it on this midday visit, but if it’s important to you to see, then get there at about 10AM to secure a spot!

St. James’s Park & Green Park – These two parks are in front of Buckingham and are the gems of this part of the city, in my opinion. I’ve wandered through these gardens at different times of the year and they are always lovely.

St. James’s Park is the oldest of London’s Royal Parks and one of the prettiest with flowerbeds, tree-lined paths, and the lake with the magnificent swans and pelicans. Here you get views and some of the best photo ops in the city.

The Green Park is quieter, filled with large lawns and deck chairs for relaxing in the summer.

Piccadilly Circus – As you exit Green Park, you’ll be on Picadilly, turning right toward Piccadilly Circus. This area is similar to New York’s Times Square. Filled with lights, shops, and a famous statue of the Greek god of selfless love, Anteros.

Fun fact: It’s called Piccadilly after 17th-century collars called “piccadills,” once made by a tailor nearby.

Trafalgar Square – After your adventure through Piccadilly, turn right on Haymarket and continue to Trafalgar Square. You’ll see the giant column with Admiral Lord Nelson on top commemorating the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar. Enjoy the fountains and the National Gallery, one of London’s premiere art museums. 

Fun fact: The four bronze lions at the base of Nelson’s Column were cast in 1867 from melted-down cannons captured in battle.

Evening:

Are you exhausted yet? So far, you’ve walked about 2.6 miles and you’ve seen so much of what visitors come from all over the world to see! Time for dinner and a show, a ride on the London Eye, or an evening river cruise on the Thames. Here are some ideas for dining and nighttime activities:

Dishoom Covent Garden
12 Upper St. Martin’s Lane
This is everyone’s favorite Indian restaurant in London (and Edinburgh). Picture a classic Bombay decor and the best authentic Indian food you can find.

London Eye – The London Eye , or the Millennium Wheel, is the world’s tallest observation wheel that sits along the river on London’s South Side. The giant cars hang from the wheel, like a Ferris Wheel, and move very slowly to give you amazing 360 degree views of the city. The full rotation of the ride is about 30 minutes. We once waited in line for a very long time to take a ride. Was it worth it? Ehh, maybe. 

The wheel is lit up at night and I imagine an evening ride would be pretty fun. Check the site for open times. The wheel closes at 8:30, at 6:30 during the winter, and even earlier on some days. SO, don’t plan on this as a nighttime activity unless you’re sure it’s open after dark! Definitely get your timed tix in advance if you want to skip the long lines.

Get Your London Eye Fast Track Tix Here!

Thames River cruise – Another nice evening activity for your first night would be an evening or sunset cruise on the River Thames. I confess, I have not taken a nighttime cruise on the Thames, but I’m sure the views would be wonderful as the sun goes down and the city lights up. Some cruises offer dinner as well. The cruises generally depart from piers near the London Eye on the south bank of the river.

Book An Elegant Dinner Cruise on the Thames Here!

Click on the map for Day 2 in London walking tour!

Day Two of 2 Days in London: Southbank and More!

Today is another day for a self-guided walking tour. You’ll take parts of The Queen’s Walk along the south bank of the River Thames to see some major sites with time to stop and enjoy along the way. This area is called Southark. You’ll see both the oldest parts of London and the most modern London. It’s a very easy to follow path because it is literally alongside the river. You’ll pass MANY interesting and exciting attractions as you walk. Here are just a few of the highlights. Today’s walk will be about 3 miles (5K).

Morning:

Tower of London – Take the Tube to the Tower Hill Station. Begin your day at the Tower of London.This is the historic castle and medieval fortress along the river that houses the treasured crown jewels and has famous ravens to guard the tower. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site really worth visiting. Your ticket allows for entrance to the castle and the crown jewels.

Tower Bridge – Walk across the magnificent Tower Bridge. By far the most iconic and prettiest of all the London Bridges.

Afternoon:

Lunch at Borough Market – Continue your walk along the river where you’ll encounter the bustling market. We LOVE Borough Market! Anytime of year, this area is crazy busy with food stalls, restaurants, cafes, shops, colors, sounds, and smells. The market is among London’s oldest stall markets and is now a hub for gourmet treats, fresh meat, fish, produce – literally everything you could want! Get lost here for a bit and grab something to eat!

Southwark Cathedral – Continue your walk to the beautiful Gothic church from the 12th century that is hiding behind the market. 

London Bridge – In our opinion, the most underwhelming of all the London Bridges! But it’s iconic because of the famous nursery rhyme. Lots of history, but not a whole lot to look at!

The Clink – You’ll walk by The Clink, one of the oldest prisons in England. It is now a museum where you can learn the history of this building from the 1100’s that used to house the London prisoners of medieval times.

Shakespeare’s Globe – One of London’s most special sites. The Globe is the reconstruction of Shakespeare’s original theater. You can still see performances here today. There are tours available also.

Millennium Bridge – You may know of the Millennium Bridge because of the famous Harry Potter sequence, but not to worry, its very safe! This masterpiece connects the exquisite Tate Modern museum to the St. Paul’s Cathedral across the river.

Tate Modern – If you have time for only one museum in London, I recommend the Tate Modern. The permanent collection is among my favorite in the world and its FREE! The views of the river are awesome and the museum isn’t overwhelming, but very manageable.

St. Paul’s Cathedral – Time to wrap up your walk by crossing the river to see the massive dome of the beautiful St.Paul’s. The art collection spans from historic carvings and murals to more modern pieces. There are still worship services held and daily tours available. Services are free, but tickets are required for exploring the cathedral.

Evening:

Dinner and a show! I use Today Tix for all my theater needs in San Francisco, NYC, and London! Choose a show before you travel and then make dinner plans for before or after the theater. Here are some choices:

The Original Ivy
1-5 West St.
This is the Ivy’s first restaurant in London’s West End theater district. Yes, its a famous spot and might be difficult to get reservations, but if you can – it’s very fun and exciting to be right in the art deco atmosphere with a “modern British menu” inn the heart of the theater district.

The Ivy Chelsea Garden
197 King’s Rd.
We love this restaurant in Chelsea for its amazing food and service, but also the garden atmosphere is quite beautiful. Be sure to order the chocolate bomb for dessert! You’ll find other Ivy restaurants in London and even Edinburgh – I highly recommend this group for a top notch meal.

Regents Park Open Air Theater
If you’re in London between May – September, I insist you attend a show at the Open Air Theater in Regents Park. This beautiful stage tucked into the hillside of the beautiful Regent’s Park is the home to truly some of the best theater productions you can see! Enjoy a night of theater under the stars. We saw Brigadoon there and can’t stop talking about it!

Options to Add to your 2 Days in London Itinerary

Take the Tube to any of these neighborhoods for some fun shopping, great architecture, and fabulous restaurants and cafes!

Marylebone – A chic London neighborhood with a kind of small village charm. We loved checking out the boutique clothing stores and hung out in a great cafe/bookstore, Monocle. There’s also a Sherlock Holmes Museum in Marylebone at his fictitious address of 221B Baker Street.

Notting Hill & Portobello Road – If you’ve never been to Portobello Road, or if you’re a rom com fan, then head to Notting Hill!!! The brightly colored homes and busy streets are filled with antique shops, great pubs and cafes, and a road market that’s open every day 8AM – 7PM along Westbourne Grove up to Golborne Road. This is one of the most picturesque parts of London.

Camden Markets – This neighborhood is particularly fun at the holiday time, the markets here are super eclectic. You’ll find food from around the world, hip fashion, music, and some great souvenirs.

Abbey Road – Yes, we are huge Beatles fans, so a trip to Abbey Road was a must. We had so much fun waiting in line for the photo with fellow fans who were so sweet to take our photo! You gotta do it! Made famous by The Beatles’ 1969 album cover, Abbey Road is home to the iconic zebra crossing in the road. We also popped into the Abbey Road Studios gift shop for a little nostalgia.

Victoria & Albert Museum – This museum is gorgeous and massive – you’ll want to have ample time to really enjoy. Its best to check what special exhibits are going on and plan ahead. The V&A is one of the world’s top museums featuring everything from fashion and design to sculptures and decorative arts. And it’s FREE!

National Gallery –  It’s hard to squeeze in such amazing museums as the National Gallery in a short visit, but if you can make the time, you’ll be so happy you did! This museum in Trafalgar Square has an impressive collection of works by Van Gogh, da Vinci, and Monet. And right next to it is the National Portrait Gallery, with portraits of Britain’s most famous people, from Shakespeare to modern icons.

Harry Potter Tour – We took this tour when the kids were a bit younger and it was a family favorite, of course! The tour takes you behind the scenes of the local spots where scenes were filmed and gives insight into some of JK Rowling’s inspirations.

Where Should I stay for 2 Days in London?

I read somewhere that there are about 125,000 hotels in London! So, its a challenge to figure out where to stay. We are so fortunate to have a friend who lives there! 

My advice: If you only have 2 days and you want to be centrally located, then you’ll try to stay in or near Westminster. It may be difficult to find something reasonable, so don’t be reluctant to check out Piccadilly, Soho, Covent Garden, South Bank, Kensington, Chelsea, and Notting Hill. The Tube can get you everywhere on this itinerary.

Here are a few choices:

Midrange – The Royal Garden Hotel In the heart of Kensington with great reviews! The hotel has 3 bars, 2 restaurants ( one is an award winning Chinese restaurant) and views of the city.

Luxury – The Londoner – Right in Westminster with 4 restaurants, a full spa facility, and great reviews!

Bargain – The Z Hotel Picadilly – This hotel has great reviews for its location. The rooms are small, but more affordable than many other places in Westminster and a continental breakfast is included! 

Get Ready for your 2 Days in London Itinerary!

In a nutshell…

Two days in London will never be enough to take in everything this amazing city has to offer, but it’s plenty of time to get a taste of its history, charm, and energy.

What I love most about London is how walkable it is — you can wander from one world-famous landmark to the next, stumble into a cozy pub or bustling market, and then end your evening in a theater or on the river. Each neighborhood has its own personality, and even after many visits, I’m still discovering new corners and favorite spots.

My advice: don’t stress about seeing it all. Pick the places that excite you most, wear your best walking shoes, and let the city surprise you. That’s the real joy of London — every visit feels both familiar and brand new.

xx,
Carrie