2 Days in London: your essential itinerary 2025

London is packed with colour and culture – where do you start? There’s so much to see that 2 days doesn’t seem long enough. So don’t miss out! This local’s guide will show you how to plan a 2 days in London itinerary that includes must-see landmarks, cultural highlights, world-class shopping and great food too. Updated 2025

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Your Ultimate 2 Day London Itinerary 

With its ancient pageantry and awe-inspiring architecture, world-class theatre, restaurants, art and shopping, London is a real pin-up amongst capital cities. And it’s a fast-moving metropolis, constantly evolving so there’s always something new to see and enjoy. Which is why so many people are drawn back to the UK’s capital city again and again. 

I’ve lived in London most of my life and my two sons have grown up here as well. But we’re still finding new things to explore. So it’s no wonder the city can seem overwhelming when you first visit: so much to see, so little time!

I can still remember the thrill of the first time I visited London. Getting up close to the landmarks that I’d only ever seen on TV. Walking through Soho to a restaurant, going to the theatre, getting lost in the V&A museum. So here’s the guide you need! I’ve put together a 2 day itinerary that’s a whistle-stop tour of London’s culture and iconic sights.

I’ve skipped the made-for-tourists experiences in favour of the authentic sights that Londoners themselves cherish.  It’s an action-packed schedule but you can tailor-make it to suit yourself.

I’m a Londoner so this is a realistic London itinerary. It’s what I’d want to see on my first visit – but I’ve put it together based on years of experience living here! I’m not going to suggest that you visit four museums in one day or sending you racing desperately from poiht to point. I’ve concentrated on the must-see sights that work well together to save you time and effort.

Each morning and afternoon of these two days in London has options for you to choose from depending on your interests, how much walking you want to do… and the weather. 

Two days in London gives you plenty of time to see the major sights and get a taster of this great city. You won’t have time to see everything , but then that’s a great reason to come back!

Where to stay in London

If you’re only here for two days then you don’t want to waste time travelling! I recommend you stay centrally so you can begin your London adventure the minute you set foot outside your hotel doorway. It is quite possible to find affordable hotels in central London – and as an added bonus some have great views too!

SAVE Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Great location, views of Big Ben

MID-PRICE London Marriott County Hall

SPLURGE St Ermin’s Hotel Autograph Collection Good location and quiet

Getting around London

If you’re staying centrally you’ll also be able to do a lot of your sightseeing on foot. Make sure that your hotel is close to train and tube stations. Download and use the Citymapper app to work out the quickest ways to travel between sights.

All the sights on this itinerary are in Zone 1 on the Transport for London map which includes Westminster, the City, Southwark and much of Kensington and Chelsea. 

What to pack for London

These are the must-haves that’ll help make your visit go smoothly.

Comfy flat walking shoes – I can easily clock up 20k steps on a day of walking around central London. It’s the best way to really soak up the sights and atmosphere of the city so don’t risk spoiling it with blisters or aching feet. I’ve walked miles in these (paid link), just make sure you don’t bring brand-new shoes, you need to be certain they’ll be comfortable!

A secure cross-body bag – We all have to be very aware of pickpockets and phone-snatchers in London, as in many other major cities. So take care not to walk around with your phone in your hand. Instead keep it zipped away along with your wallet in a cross body bag that you can wear in front of you.

A small folding umbrella – If you already own one pop it in your luggage. Or buy this (paid link) to bring with you. London is famously prone to rain showers and a damp umbrella is easier to deal with than wet hair and clothes!

A lightweight portable charger – I always pop a mini powerbank like this one (paid link) in my bag when I’m going to spend a day in London.

UK adaptors – This travel adaptor (paid link) also includes USB ports and meets strict UK safety standards.

Is it worth buying a sightseeing pass for 2 days in London?

The London Pass offers free entry to more than 80 London attractions along with one day’s Hop On Hop Off bus tour. A 2 day pass costs £104 per adult. Plan your 2 day London Itinerary first and then you can work out exactly how much you can save with the London Pass.

This is a digital pass to download to your smartphone or print at home.The London Pass works on a credits system.  Each time you scan your pass at one of the qualifying attractions credits are deducted. Click here for more info and to order your London Pass. 

Should you book a tour during 2 Days in London?

I really like to start a city break with a tour, especially if I’ve never visited before and only have limited time. Small group or private tours can often work out to be the best value because a friendly local guide will give you many extra tips above and beyond the theme of the tour.

2 Day London Itinerary: Day 1 Morning

The first morning of our London in 2 days itinerary is all about the must-sees. It includes palaces, pageantry and Parliament, all within walking distance if the weather is decent. I’ve given options for bailing out to go shopping and some cultural stops too.

We’re starting at Buckingham Palace which is a 10 minute walk from both Victoria station and Piccadilly to the north. If you want to see some pageantry in action then you”ll need to be at the palace around 10.30 am.

This could give you time to start the day with a traditional British breakfast. The iconic Wolesley cafe-restaurant on Piccadilly has a sophisticated menu including a Full English and eggs benedict. And a walk along Piccadilly will take you past legendary store Fortnum & Mason and the Burlington Arcade.

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Buckingham Palace and London pageantry

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of His Majesty the King. It’s a beautiful building and looks extra special if the Royal Standard is flying from the flagpole. It’s a sign that the King is in residence. Visiting Buckingham Palace in the morning also gives you the opportunity to glimpse some of the pageantry that London is famous for. 

Buckingham Palace is easy to find from Victoria station or Piccadilly. In front of it stands the Victoria Memorial and The Mall, a grand carriageway that stretches from the Palace to Trafalgar Square. 

Changing the Guard

This traditional military ceremony takes place several times a week at 11am in front of the Palace. Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace is popular: to get a good view you’ll need to arrive up to an hour beforehand. Even then your view is interrupted by the railings of the Palace. Although the steps of the Victoria Memorial are another popular place to stand.

Tips for viewing the Changing of the Guard 

But you can still admire the mounted soldiers in ceremonial uniform, a marching band and the parade ground precision of the troops from other points on their route. The Changing of the Life Guards at Horseguards Parade at the other end of The Mall takes place most days and can be less crowded than the Palace railings. For all details including timings, maps and general guidance click here for the official Changing the Guard website.

 Another option is to stroll down The Mall between 10.45 and 11.45am on a day in which a Changing of the Guard is scheduled. This way you’ll see the mounted contingent ride down from Hyde Park barracks and then return after the ceremony at Horseguards. You may also see a marching band leave St James Palace to go to the ceremony at Buckingham Palace, then return later on the same route. Check the website, above, for timings.

Alternatively you can book a Changing of the Guard walking tour here, so you can walk in step with the soldiers on their route to Buckingham Palace and learn about the background of this royal ceremony. 

Royal Exhibitions near the Palace

On days without a Changing of the Guard ceremony, you can still enjoy the splendour of the Palace, then pop into an exhibition in nearby Buckingham Palace Road. The Royal Mews for instance is a working stables with a fine collection of state coaches. The Queen’s Gallery displays selections from the Royal Family’s art collection.  At the other end of The Mall the Household Cavalry has a living museum: a glass panel allows visitors to see inside the stables on Horseguards where troopers tend their horses. 

St James Park

Changing of the Guard is all over by 12 at which point you can pop into St James Park, handily adjacent to The Mall. It’s an oasis of greenery with colourful formal planting and a peaceful lake and fountain.

Buy an ice cream or be like a Londoner and bring your own snacks to enjoy on the park benches or the green stripy deckchairs to hire. If you cross the bridge over the lake you’ll see distant views of Buckingham Palace in one direction and the London Eye in the other.

Trafalgar Square

Now walk down through the park or along the Mall to Admiralty Arch and Trafalgar Square where Nelson stands on his Column.

Admiral Horatio, Lord Nelson, lost his life in 1805 whilst winning a great victory at sea in the Battle of Trafalgar. His lofty statue overlooks the geographic centre of London. The four bronze lions who guard the base of the column are almost as famous. 

2 Day London Itinerary: Day 1 Morning Options

You may be thinking it’s lunchtime now. So you have three options:

Covent Garden is a few minute’s walk from Trafalgar Square. So this could be a good option for more sights, shopping or to sample the excellent coffee shops and cafes in Covent Garden. 

The National Gallery overlooks Trafalgar Square. Art lovers may not want to miss the opportunity to visit some of the world’s most famous paintings like Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Constable’s Hay Wain and the Rokeby Venus by Velasquez. The National Gallery is one of London’s free museums, and also has cafes and a restaurant. Allow an hour or two to look around.

Whitehall and the Houses of Parliament From Trafalgar Square turn into Whitehall then walk past the Cenotaph and our Prime Minister’s HQ at 10 Downing Street towards Parliament Square, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament. 

So far the walk from Buckingham Palace has been 1.5 miles. It takes about 25 minutes without stops. If you decide to linger to watch parts or all of the Changing the Guard allow at least one and a half or two hours. 

The Parliament buildings are under repair at the moment.  But round the corner Westminster Abbey is as glorious as usual. Because this is a short, two day itinerary, I suggest you admire it from the outside only. 

Parliament Square

History buffs and/or teenagers studying World War Two will be fascinated by the Churchill War Rooms. This was the nerve centre of Winston Churchill’s defence of our realm against the forces of Hitler. It is surprising and humbling to see the low-tech, cramped and subterranean world from which Churchill and his team directed operations. 

South Bank at lunchtime 

If you still haven’t had lunch, cross Westminster bridge to South Bank. This is a great spot to photograph Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament as well as views of the London Eye and County Hall.

The London Eye, an observation wheel to mark the Millennium, has become a landmark in its own right. But it’s a pricey ride and there’s generally queuing involved even if you book ahead.

To take a turn in the wheel click here to book tickets for the London Eye.  

There are lots of food choices on South Bank for late lunch or snacks. 

2 Day London Itinerary: Day 1 Afternoon

Options: If you want to do some shopping, this might be the moment to head back over the river. See the Shopping in London box below. This is also, incidentally, a good wet weather option. Otherwise continue along the Thames to Bankside.

Bankside

If you’d prefer to carry on walking and sightseeing, stroll east along the south side of the Thames. A pleasant tree-lined walkway passes the Royal Festival Hall and the National Theatre and you’ll find various happenings on the way including street entertainers and food trucks. East of Blackfriars Bridge the walkway becomes Bankside.

Option: As a break from walking you could catch a Thames Clipper boat for a 10 minute river journey from the London Eye Pier to Blackfriars Pier, nearest stop to our next port of call.  

It takes around 20 minutes to walk the mile from the London Eye to Bankside and the Tate Modern.  Here you can cross to the north side of the river on the no-longer-wobbly Millennium footbridge.  Enjoy the views, especially of St Paul’s Cathedral as you cross the Thames. 

St Paul’s Cathedral

Now it’s up to you to decide whether to go inside the cathedral itself. As well as the great Cathedral floor and the famous tombs and artwork, you can climb to the viewing Galleries in the Dome. Bear in mind there are 528 rather antiquated steps in the climb to the Golden Gallery, although great views when you get there. You’ll need a couple of hours in St Paul’s if you do go inside.

British Museum

Option: If you decide against an interior visit to St Paul’s you’ll have time for our next stop, the British Museum. It’s hard to pick which of London’s free museums to visit on a short two day trip. I’ve chosen the BM, not only because it is the oldest and the best known, but also because it’s easy to get to from St Paul’s. Just hop on the Central line tube from St Paul’s to Holborn, two stops away, followed by a short walk to the museum itself.  

Here you’ll find the Rosetta Stone and the Egyptian Rooms with their famous mummies, targets of hundreds of school trips every year but no less fascinating for that. I love the Parthenon sculptures, despite the controversy over their ownership,and the Sutton Hoo hoard discovered in a field in Suffolk. And a Harry Potter fan will spot the intriguing Lewis Chessmen who inspired the figures in the Wizard’s Chess game in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

The British Museum is free to enter although some exhibitions come at an additional cost. You will find you have to queue to enter on busy days. If there’s a long queue at the main entrance try the Montague Place entry at the back. 

Afternoon Tea

And here’s the bonus.  Afternoon tea, a British institution, is served in the stunning Great Court at the British Museum, from 3pm to 5.30pm. It’s an affordable option compared to many of the grand hotel offerings and a convenient chance to relax at the end of a busy day of sightseeing.

Book ahead for this to be sure of getting a table and plan to see the exhibits first to allow for queuing. Book Afternoon Tea at the British Museum here.  

Or pop round the corner from the museum to leafy Russell Square in Bloomsbury where you can book a traditional afternoon tea at the Montague in the Gardens hotel.

Alternatively visit the Sky Garden at Fenchurch Street (you need to book ahead for this too) for a free sunset view of London.

London at night

Go to a show, book a special restaurant or take a tour: there are so many fun things to do in London at night. Here are a few ideas.

Go to a West End show

If you have tickets for a West End show in the evening then you could walk from the British Museum (see above) to Shaftesbury Avenue in about 10 minutes. Or this might be the moment to splash out on a black cab ride. Otherwise use an app to check the best bus to catch, our family uses Citymapper. You’ll find lots of places to eat before or after the show in Soho, Chinatown or Covent Garden.

Take a River Thames Cruise

This is a lovely thing to do all year round, but especially so in the summer when you can enjoy the sunset over London too.

This 3 hour dinner and dance boat cruise along the River Thames departs from Westminster Pier by the Houses of Parliament and travels through the heart of London and out to the Thames Barrier and back. You’ll see London’s landmarks light up, including the bridges that are part of the Illuminated River art project. 

This cruise includes a 4 course meal with entertainment from a cabaret singer performing songs from West End shows. It gets great reviews.

Click here to check availability and to book a River Thames Dinner Cruise. 

Witness the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London

One rare and exclusive experience in London at night is the VIP After Hours Tour and Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. The Yeoman Warders at the Tower are consummate tour guides, full of stories of the centuries of customs, mysteries and intrigue that took place within the castle walls. Whllst the Ceremony of the Keys is said to be the oldest military ceremony in the world.

This would be a wonderful way to round off a day of sightseeing. To check availability and to book the VIP After Hours Tour and Key Ceremony click here. 

2 Days in London Itinerary: Day 2 Morning 

To see London in 2 days it’s best to get up early! This is especially so if you’d like to visit the Tower of London before the rest of the world starts to queue up.  The second morning of our 2 day London itinerary begins at Tower Hill where you can see two of London’s greatest icons, side by side. 

Tower of London

Make an early start at the Tower of London before it gets very crowded. To see it properly you’ll want to allow 2 or 3 hours for a visit. Personally I think the White Tower is the most beautiful and incongruous sight in 21st century London.  Despite its grim history it looks like a little fairytale castle on the banks of the Thames.

Book tickets to the Tower of London here. 

Or start the morning at 8.15am for an early access Tower of London guided tour, click here. This tour includes entrance to the Tower, the Opening Ceremony and skip-the-queue entry to the Tower Bridge Experience too. 

Tower Bridge  

Afterwards cross the Thames on the iconic Tower Bridge which is just a few steps away. Pedestrians cross for free at pavement level, or you can pay admission for a visit to the bridge exhibition. This includes the aerial walkway, complete with glass panelled floor, across the Thames. If you’re lucky your visit might coincide with a bridge lift: check here for timings. 

Or buy Tower Bridge Exhibition tickets by clicking here. 

Option: If you’re using the London Pass you might also decide to pay a visit to the top of The Shard. It has London’s highest viewing platform and is close to Tower Bridge. 

Borough Market

It must definitely be lunchtime now.  Bankside, south of the river, has lots of places to eat including the famous Borough Market, check the opening times before you visit. You’ll find plenty of typical London snacks to takeaway, or sit down restaurants if you’d prefer. 

2 Day London Itinerary: Day 2 Afternoon 

You could actually spend the whole day in the London Bridge area if you want to visit all the sights. It is home to two inspired and inspiring reconstructions:  Shakespeare’s Globe theatre on Bankside and Francis Drake’s Elizabethan galleon, The Golden Hinde, moored in St Mary Overie’s Dock.  

Meanwhile HMS Belfast is moored close to Tower Bridge.

HERE’S A SELECTION OF TICKETS AND TOURS FROM GET YOUR GUIDE

2 Day London Itinerary: Day 2 Afternoon options

Covent Garden If you’re keen to see a new district then go to Covent Garden if you haven’t already. Take a Jubilee line tube from London Bridge underground station to Waterloo, then change to the Northern Line to Leicester Square. 

South Kensington If you’d like to explore a completely different neighbourhood then head out west to South Kensington. Catch a Jubilee Line tube from London Bridge to Green Park. Here you change to the Piccadilly Line to South Kensington. The journey takes about 20 minutes. 

South Kensington Museums

This leafy and upmarket residential zone is home to an unbeatable mix of culture, shopping, history and park life. Three of London’s greatest museums reside here and they’re all free.  Choose between the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum or the Victoria and Albert Museum, universally known as the V&A. 

All three South Kensington museums are free to enter, with additional charges for special exhibitions.  

If you haven’t visited a London pub yet there are several good ones near the museums where you can order drinks, snacks and meals. For London souvenirs (and plenty of other shopping), Harrods is just down the road in Knightsbridge.

Kensington Gardens

If it’s a warm day and you’re suffering from culture overload then go for a stroll in pretty Kensington Gardens. Here you’ll see Kensington Palace, the official residence and offices of the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, as well as other members of the Royal family. The Royal Albert Hall and the Albert Memorial are here too on the southern edge of the Gardens. 

You can visit the historic parts of the Palace, explore the 17th century state rooms and take afternoon tea in the Pavilion.

Or take this tour which includes a guided walk in the beautiful Kensington Palace Gardens. Your knowledgeable guide will give insights into the history of the Palace and royal family. Then enjoy a traditional British High Tea in the Kensington Palace Pavilion with views of the gardens. This tour and tea gets great reviews.

Click here to check availability and to book the Kensington Palace Gardens Tour with Royal High Tea 

Or simply sit by the Serpentine Lake with an ice cream. It’ll be a chance to scroll through all the photos you’ve taken on our 2 day London itinerary.

Please note that all visitor information here is for guidance only. Please check the venues’ websites for the most up to date information on tickets, entrance requirements, opening times etc. 

What to Read Next about London

• London is one of the Best European Cities to Visit in November here’s why, plus more ideas for autumn travel.
• Here are the best of London’s free museums, listed by neighbourhood, to fit into your itinerary.
• Check out Russell Square London for its gardens and excellent hotels, close to the British Museum.
• To experience London like a Londoner: the Best Non-Touristy Things to do in London 
• For your essential checklist of London souvenirs: 101 Best London Gifts for Family
• And some fun food souvenirs to bring home from London: 101 Best British Snacks that make Great Souvenirs
• To make the most of the city out of season: Fun and unique things to do in London in Winter
• To plan an itinerary: 40+ Historical Places in London and why you’ll want to see them.
• Visiting London in November or December? Don’t miss the spectacular Kew Gardens light trail
• A drink or a meal in Kensington? Here’s a guide to the best pubs near the Royal Albert Hall. 
• Planning a trip to Windsor? The Long Walk, is a spectacular landmark that’s free to enjoy. 
• Then take a break at one of the historic old pubs in Windsor and Eton. 
• Leafy Wimbledon in south west London has a foot in both town and country.  Explore the common, shop the boutiques and stop for coffee at one of the lovely cafes in Wimbledon. 

London in 2 Days 

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