Looking for some ideas on how to spend 2 days in London? You’re in the right place! Even as a local Londoner, I know how overwhelming it can be when planning a trip to one of the greatest cities in the world. Where do you even start?
It’s important to remember that London is a big city. Seeing and doing everything in 2 days, sadly, isn’t going to be possible. But, if you’re savvy about it, plan wisely and follow this itinerary, you can see and experience some of London’s most iconic attractions.
However, the specifics of your London itinerary will depend on what kind of person you are. In the following plan, I’ve stuck to Central London, as I’ve assumed you’re visiting for the first time.
But if you’re returning for the second, third or fourth time, have a look at the ‘other places to visit in London’ section, where I recommend some of the best areas out of the main tourist spots.
All of the locations in this itinerary can be reached in under 30 minutes of walking from each other. However, I’ve included a section on how to get around London if you’d prefer to use the bus, tube, bike or taxi.
As you only have 2 days, you’ll need to start early! These itineraries rely on you starting in the morning and finishing in the evening.
Local’s tip: Be careful not to cram too much in when visiting London. Take some time to just soak up the atmosphere of the city without ‘doing’ everything. Just walking around London is an experience in itself – don’t forget that!
A Summary of the 2 days in London itinerary
In summary, you will be visiting the following places in this 2-day London itinerary.
Day 1: Buckingham Palace and St James’ Park > Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament > Trafalgar Square + The National Gallery > Leicester Square + Piccadilly Circus > Covent Garden > West End Show
Day 2: Tower Bridge and the Tower of London > Monument > St Paul’s Cathedral > Borough Market > Southbank and the London Eye > Soho/ Chinatown
As you can see, this is a lot of places in 2 days. But, they’re all within walking distance, and can easily be done in two days! Most of the locations are great to see, experience, take photos and move on.
Below I have gone into more detail about how to get to each location, what to do there and where to go next. So, let’s get started and get you to London!
If you can spend more than 2 days, there are a lot of hidden gems in London that you shouldn’t miss!
Day 1 in London
Day 1 of this London itinerary is all about seeing the sights. We stick to Central London – walking around to some of London’s best and most famous landmarks, buildings, and streets.
My top tip for seeing London in 2 days? Wear comfortable shoes, as we’re going to be doing a lot of walking!
Starting tube station: Green Park (Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria Line)
Stop 1: Buckingham Palace
Start your morning at the iconic and unmissable Buckingham Palace. Centuries old, this is one of the many homes of the King of England and is one of the main buildings that attracts thousands of tourists to London each year.
With over 700 rooms and 78 bathrooms, a grand exterior and traditionally-dressed security known as ‘Beefeaters’, Buckingham Palace is one of London’s most famous landmarks.
Sadly, you are not allowed inside Buckingham Palace, but you can admire it from The Mall – the road that connects the palace and Trafalgar Square.
Local’s tip: Visiting Buckingham Palace on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Sunday? Arrive by 10.15 am and watch the changing of the guard. This is a traditional English ceremony that you won’t see anywhere else in the world – it’s worth going out of your way for!
Stop 2: St James’ Park
St James’s Park is a large green space loved by most local Londoners. One of the city’s eight Royal Parks, it’s located just a five-minute walk from Buckingham Palace and is a great place for an early morning stroll and a coffee.
The park spreads over 57 acres and is full of greenery, colourful flowers and a large lake.
Movie fan? St James’s Park has been part of the set to many Hollywood movies, including Disney’s 101 Dalmations, Match Point and 28 Days Later.
Stop 3: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament
No visit to London would be complete without seeing the famous Big Ben! Just a 10-minute walk from St James’s Park, you can stroll around the famous grounds of Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, with the iconic Big Ben as a backdrop.
Big Ben has undergone renovations in the past few years, but luckily the world-famous clock tower is back to being scaffold-free and picture-perfect.
If you want to spend some more time exploring the area, you can wander around Westminster Abbey, one of the grandest and most gothic buildings in the city. Dating back to 1245 (nearly 800 years ago), it’s decor and impressive interior are worth the visit!
Or, you can take photos, admire the exterior architecture and move on to our next stop!
Stop 4: Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery
Trafalgar Square is one of my favourite places in London. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, there is always something going on. From Christmas markets to street entertainment, festivals, parades and even live West End shows, free for all to enjoy! During the winter months, Trafalgar Square is also home to London’s biggest Christmas tree.
Even locals will return to Trafalgar Square time and time again for its vibrant atmosphere and energy.
If you have time, head to the National Gallery. It’s free to enter, and you can stroll around for 45 minutes to an hour and admire art from around the world; including the world-famous Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh.
Local’s tip: Head to The Rooftop bar on Trafalgar Square for incredible views of the city and a cocktail!
Stop 5: Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus
Just a 10-minute walk away is another of London’s most animated areas. Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus are like something from a movie set – bright lights, crowds of people, street performers, loud music, grand casinos, rooftop bars and even the chance to see one of London’s red-carpet premier events.
There are mixed opinions about Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus on the internet. But even as a local, I still see the magic in this area. Yes, it may be overpriced and chaotically busy, but it’s one of London’s prominent areas.
It’s also within walking distance of some of the best areas in the city, such as Soho, Chinatown, Regents Street and Oxford Street, and it really does feel like a bustling hub of madness. In my opinion, it’s wonderful.
Don’t skip Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. Maybe don’t eat or drink there (as I said, it’s overpriced), but at least walk through it and feel the energy. It’s an experience, that’s for sure!
Stop 6: Covent Garden
From Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, walk to Covent Garden. Another popular spot in London, Covent Garden is known for its shopping, dining and over 60 bars, pubs and drinking spots.
Convent Garden is electric. It’s impossible to walk around it without feeling something. Full of both locals and tourists, people will be lining the streets, pouring out of pubs and socialising on the streets every evening of the week.
Covent Garden is also known for attracting some of the best street performers in the country. Since the 1600s, it has been known for its street performances by musicians, magicians, artists, comedians, dancers and illusionists. Whatever time of day you visit, there will be something going on!
Stop 7: See a West End Show
If you’re visiting London for the first time, I highly recommend booking tickets to see a West End show. You can either do this in advance online or rock up on the night and buy tickets an hour before (especially if you’re visiting on a weeknight).
Discounted, last-minute tickets can be bought via ticket booths in Leicester Square. You’ll often get seats that haven’t sold for a much lower price to some of London’s best shows.
Just be careful to buy tickets from a licensed ticket seller – and not someone randomly roaming the streets!
Day 2
Whew, if you completed all of Day 1’s activities, you’re going to be feeling it in your legs! Walking around Central London is no easy task – but hopefully, you will have seen some of London’s most famous, iconic and impressive attractions.
On day 2, we head a little out of Central London. But again, all of the stops are within walking distance of each other. If your feet hurt, don’t be afraid to jump on the tube!
Starting tube station: Tower Hill (District and Circle Line)
Stop 1: Tower Bridge and the Tower of London
Our first stop of the day includes a visit to a bridge you may have seen before. Commonly confused with ‘London Bridge’ (which is actually a very ordinary-looking bridge), Tower Bridge is one of the most impressive structures in the entire city.
If you disembark the train at Tower Hill, you can actually grab coffee or brunch in one of the riverside restaurants to admire the Thames and Tower Bridge views.
If you’re looking for somewhere to go – I recommend Coppa Club – it’s reasonably priced and has the best views of the bridge!
After admiring the views, if you’re into gruesome history, head to the Tower of London. Better known as the most famous ex-prison in the country, it has a dark past of torture, insanity and executions. However, it’s also home to the Royal Crown Jewels – which is a great sight for any history fans.
You can buy tickets and walk around the Tower of London if it interests you, or head on to our next location.
Stop 2: Monument
As you leave Tower Bridge, head to Monument. Just a 15-minute walk away, you can climb to the top and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
Dedicated to the Great Fire of London, if laid on its side, the monument would reach all the way to the original bakery that started the fire. Even if you don’t climb to the top of the Monument, it’s a cool landmark to see from the ground.
Stop 3: St Paul’s Cathedral
Next up is one of London’s most prominent skyline buildings, just a 15-minute walk away from Monument. St Paul’s Cathedral dates back to the 1600s (even though it has been built and rebuilt five times), and is known for its impressive exterior and interior architecture.
Entry to the cathedral is free if you’re attending a mass or a fee for simply sightseeing. In my opinion, it’s worth every penny!
Local’s tip: to the right of the cathedral entrance, there is a red telephone box. With the right angle, this makes for an amazing photo opportunity, with the iconic red box and St Paul’s Cathedral in the background.
Stop 4: Borough Market
After walking around St Paul’s, it’s going to be close to lunchtime. Whilst there are plenty of restaurants and bars near St Pauls (and if you’re staying around there, I recommend Madisons for incredible city views), it’s worth walking to Borough Market.
It’s around a 20-minute walk, but the walk gives you the chance to cross over one of London’s iconic bridges. The closest is the Millenium Bridge (which is known for starring in Harry Potter), or you can walk back on yourself and cross via Tower Bridge. This is down to you, and as long as you make your way to Borough Market, it doesn’t matter!
Borough Market is one of the best food markets in London. There is something there for everyone – meat eater, veggie, vegan, dessert fan or the one in the group who just wants to drink a large glass of wine.
Borough Market has vendors from all over the world who sell high-quality foods and dishes. From cheesemongers to butchers, delicatessens and baristas, it’s one of the best locations in London for delicious food.
Oh and of course, like most places in London, it has an incredible atmosphere.
Borough Market is open daily from 10am – 5/6pm.
Stop 5: Southbank and the London Eye
Onto our next bustling and lively location – Southbank! Southbank is another of my favourite areas in London, simply because it’s full of festivities and events taking place.
Depending on the time you are visiting London, Southbank will host a range of events. From Christmas igloos to summer beer gardens, Southbank will be full of locals and tourists at every time of year.
Located on the riverbank, there are daily book sales, street performers, musicians, picnics on the green, food vans and even group salsa lessons to enjoy!
Southbank is also home to the London Eye, which if you have a good head for heights, is worth a trip. The queues are usually exceptionally long, so be sure to pre-book online beforehand.
Stop 6: Soho or Chinatown
This is the only time when I’ll suggest getting the tube, as walking from the London Eye to Soho can take up to 30 minutes. But if your feet aren’t hurting too much, the walk is a great way to see more of the city.
If you are getting the tube, jump on the Bakerloo Line at Waterloo, and get off at Piccadilly Circus for the evening’s activities.
Depending on where you ate on Day 1, you can spend the evening in either Soho or Chinatown.
For a sit-down meal, head to Soho. Soho is the beating heart of London and has some of the best clubs, bars, restaurants, LGBTQ+ venues and theatres.
If you need a recommendation, try either La Bodega Negra for authentic Mexican food or Bao London for, obviously, delicious bao buns.
If you’d like to experience the craziness of Chinatown, it’s just a few minutes walk from Piccadilly Circus Station. Chinatown London is home to over 100 authentic Asian restaurants and often has more reasonably priced food than some other areas in Central London.
Simply walk through the streets of Chinatown and pick one of your favourite restaurants. We’ve tried a fair amount of food in Chinatown, and it’s always been delicious.
Local’s tip: Even in 2023, many of the venues in Chinatown need cash. The ATMs will often have crazily long lines, so bring cash with you beforehand!
Other places to visit in London
As previously mentioned, this 2-day London itinerary is mainly in Central London. London has so much more to offer, but if you only have a short time, it’s easy to start there.
If you’re returning to London for the second, third or fourth time, these are some of the best locations to visit. They’re a little further out, but can all be easily accessed by tube, bus or overground train.
- Richmond Park: want to escape the bustle of the city? Richmond Park is my personal favourite Royal Park in London. It’s also the biggest – it stretches over 2500 acres! Get the train from Waterloo to Richmond to spot wild deer, stroll around the forest and enjoy a picnic in the great British sunshine.
- Shoreditch: Shoreditch is the hub of nightlife in East London. It has recently become one of the most popular locations in London for young adults to party, date and socialise. It’s definitely worth a visit if you have the time! No surprise there since London is one of the best cities in the UK for nightlife.
- Camden: Camden is one of the most esteemed live music areas in London. Known for being one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in London, there are a whole heap of live music venues and pubs to choose from. It’s also home to the famous Camden Market, where you can eat delicious food, and drink, buy clothes, jewellery and other trinkets from around the world.
- Chelsea: Chelsea may be an expensive area in London, but it’s one of the best for fine dining, local markets and high-end shopping. Just walking around Chelsea is an experience in itself, and stopping for a glass of champagne on Sloane Square is one of our favourite things to do. Don’t miss it!
- Greenwich Park: Greenwich Park and the town of Blackheath are such underrated areas of London. Take the train to Blackheath, enjoy the quaint coffee shops, pubs and restaurants, and then head over to Greenwich Park for sunset. It’s one of the best areas in London for clear skyline views, and you can see the Shard, St Paul’s, the River Thames and all of London’s other most prominent buildings.
In the evenings, the viewpoint has a warm and fuzzy feel to it. You can expect couples, groups, families and friends sitting on the grass, drinking out of cans or coffee mugs and watching the world go by. It’s pretty special. ‘
Planning to extend your stay? Here are the best day trips from London to satiate your wanderlust!
Where to stay in London
If you are visiting London for the first time, it’s important to know that you don’t need to stay in Central London. Central London is expensive and chaotic, and some of the surrounding areas are much cheaper and quieter.
Plus, getting around London is easy. As long as your hotel or hostel is close to a tube station or bus stop, you will be able to experience London just as smoothly as staying in the centre.
Some of the surrounding areas I recommend include Shoreditch, Liverpool Street, Camden, Greenwich or Richmond.
However, if you do want to book accommodation in Central London, I recommend Soho, Holborn, Covent Garden or Marylebone.
If you’re a couple, check out our list of the best places to stay in London for couples!
Getting around London
Getting around London is easy. We are so lucky with the amount of public transport we have, and the last thing you’ll want to do is drive! Roads in London are chaotic and busy, and locals know driving in London just isn’t a thing.
The main ways to travel around London are:
- By tube: this is the London Underground. We have one of the most extensive train networks in the world, and you can get from one side of the city to the other in under 90 minutes. For your 2-day itinerary, I recommend utilising the tube! You can simply tap in and out using your own contactless card (no need to get an Oyster or travel card anymore).
- By bus: buses in London are great, but they are prone to getting stuck in traffic. If you are going to use a double-decker, red bus, make sure you sit on the top floor to see the iconic London views! Again, you can board any bus in London with your contactless card, tapping in when you board. You cannot pay in cash for buses in London.
- By foot: most of the main attractions in London can be accessed by foot. It’s by far one of the most popular ways to get around London, and we walk whenever we can. Check your journey time on Google Maps, and if you can walk it, do it! The atmosphere on the streets in London is like no other.
- By bike: In 2010, our government initiated a public bicycle hire scheme in London. Now, we can hire bikes all over London and use them for 30 minutes up to 24 hours. Hire a Santander by either downloading the app and purchasing online, or at the Santander bike station (you will need a debit card, no cash accepted).
- Uberboat: Yes, you can now travel around London by boat! Simply tap on your credit or debit card and whizz around the city via the River Thames. It’s definitely one of the most fun ways to see the city!
2 Days in London: Conclusion
And there you have it! An action-packed, bucket-list for 2 days in London. As someone who has travelled to countries all over the world, there is nowhere that is quite like London.
From the atmosphere, the people, the food, the architecture, the history and the culture, it really is the greatest city in the world.
Now you’ve completed your 2-day trip to London, it’s time to plan the next one (and this time, stay for longer!)
AUTHOR BIO
Jennie is the creator and founder of the travel and adventure blog Jennie Wanders. Based in London, Jennie works as a full-time blogger whilst travelling to global destinations to create curated, realistic and detailed guides.
You can follow her honest stories from around the world, goals to hit all seven continents and adventures (or most often misadventures) on the blog and via Instagram!
