2 days in London: Itinerary for an epic first-time visit

As one of the world’s oldest, most historically significant and cosmopolitan cities, London has a dizzying amount of sites and experiences.

In fact, even those who live here will tell you they’re still happening across new spots every day, whether it’s a gentrified neighbourhood, hot restaurant or pop-up art space.

Cramming in all of the best things to do in London during your first trip here is virtually impossible, but let’s be honest, sometimes you really only do have a few days to sightsee. 

That’s what I faced during my first visit to the city, when I found myself with two days in the UK as part of a layover en route to Portugal. 

Making the most of it, I decided to power through and explore the most touristy, popular, must-see sites to cross them off the list, so I could enjoy more leisurely neighbourhood jaunts the next time I came back to the city.

Those couple of days were a whirlwind of sightseeing, mostly on foot as London is surprisingly walkable. Aside from obvious landmarks like Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace, we ducked into cute spots like St Luke’s Mews which is the cutest street ever (Love, Actually was filmed there), and the charming Marylebone neighbourhood.

The Southbank Centre street market was foodie heaven and a fantastic spot to grab dinner, we spent an outrageous amount of time ducking into the traditional English pubs.

Was it a whirlwind? Yes. Would I do it all over again? Absolutely yes.

With that in mind, here’s an itinerary sharing exactly how to make the most of 2 days in London.

A quick note before we dive into this 2 day London itinerary… 

This is exactly what I did during my two days in London so it’s definitely doable, but does cram in a lot of sites without much time to meander.

If you’re lucky enough to have three days in London then I recommend splitting up the first day’s activities, which makes for a slower pace and allows time to actually do things like the Thames cruise, riding the London Eye or going up to one of the panoramic viewpoints versus just admiring them from below.

Best things to do in London in 2 days: Day 1

Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, River Thames, Tower Bridge, The Shard or Sky Garden

Buckingham Palace

Most of the top things to see in London in 2 days are easy walking distance from Buckingham Palace, so kick off your visit in royal fashion. 

During summer, the regal State Rooms are open to visitors who are curious to see the interior. Otherwise, you can explore the sprawling grounds which includes highlights like the Victoria Memorial and Canada Gate, and will want to time your arrival for the Changing of the Guard.

Wander down The Mall which runs parallel to leafy green St. James’s Park, and passes under the stately Admiralty Arch to Trafalgar Square.

The pretty plaza is anchored by the grand National Gallery, and visitors love the fountains and towering Nelson’s Column.

Covent Garden

Continue up the Strand and make a quick detour into Covent Garden, which is actually a shopping district—not a park as its name would suggest.

Beautiful sandstone buildings hold trendy shops like Burberry and Chanel, alongside independent boutiques and plenty of dining options which make it the perfect place to grab lunch.

Big Ben

The next stop as you make your way back down the Strand toward the River Thames is sure to look familiar once you make it to Parliament Street, which is accented by Big Ben himself.

You can go right inside the towering clock by booking a 90-minute guided tour that takes visitors up 334 stairs to see the clock mechanism room, behind the four clock dials and the Belfry, where the famous bell is located.

Tickets are released three months in advance on the second Wednesday of every month at 10am and sell out well in advance; I looked for tickets at the end of October and the next available weren’t until January 6th. 

Note: Children under age 11 are not permitted, and the tour involves a lot of climbing.

Other famous spots in this area include the prime minister’s residence 10 Downing Street, the parliament buildings and Westminster Abbey where Will and Kate—as well as plenty of other royals—tied the knot.

Enjoy the waterfront views at the Westminster Bridge, stop at one of the food markets, and make your way across to the gargantuan London Eye.

The ferris wheel is nearly 500 feet tall, and its clear domes reveal a birds-eye view of the city below. Queues can be long during high season, so spring for a fast-track ticket to jump the line or go all out and enjoy some bubbly by reserving their Champagne Experience.

River Thames

Since you’re probably tired of walking by now, hop on one of the boats anchored along the river bank and enjoy a cruise down the Thames (some also serve afternoon tea). Most last about 40 minutes, and will zip you along the waterway granting a unique vantage point of the main sights.

Marvel at the crisp architecture of the Golden Jubilee footbridge as you glide under it, and keep your eyes on the shoreline as you pass the popular Southbank Centre (which has fantastic food stalls) and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Tip: To save money, buy a London Pass which includes a hop on-hop off boat ride along with admission to many top attractions.

Panoramic viewpoints in London

Hop off at the grandiose Tower Bridge, then finish your first day in London by watching the sunset from more than 60 stories up.

You have two choices: The Shard or Sky Garden. The Shard bills itself as London’s highest and best view, which includes an open-air Skydeck and fabulous restaurants and bars.

There’s a steep entrance charge—unless you’re savvy enough head to the 33rd floor instead. There, you can enjoy a cocktail at Hutong for less than the price of admission, and still enjoy the panoramic city views.

The other option is Sky Garden, which juts 155 metres above the skyline. The open-air terrace and observation decks make it a crowd pleaser, as does the fact that entrance is free.

However, they limit the number of tickets per day which means you’ll need to book weeks in advance (even in low season: I checked for tickets on October 28th and the next available slot was January 17th so definitely plan ahead!)

Read this helpful side-by-side comparison of The Shard and Sky Garden to decide which one to visit.

London 2 day itinerary map: Day 1

London itinerary, Day Two

Notting Hill, Little Venice, Marylebone, Mayfair, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens

Notting Hill

Start the second of your 2 days in London in quaint Notting Hill, which has rainbow-hued shops, classic English pubs and adorable mews houses.

Snap a token tourist photo of the Notting Hill Bookstore (sorry, chances are that cheeky bloke Hugh Grant won’t be inside), and browse in the shops before continuing to St. Luke’s Mews.

Easily one of the cutest rows of houses you’ve ever seen, this hidden gem is what Instagrammers’ dreams are made of, and your camera will get a workout capturing the details of the pastel-hued homes.

Little Venice 

A short walk away is the aptly-named Little Venice, an area made up of canals which looks more like Amsterdam or Venice than a neighbourhood right in the middle of bustling London.

Grab a drink at one of the cafes or bars along the water, stroll along the adjacent pathways under the shade of leafy green trees, or hop in a narrow boat for a canal tour that will see you navigate the tranquil waterways.

Paddington

The walking tour continues by heading through the Paddington district, made famous by the children’s book character Paddington Bear.

You can find a bronze statue dedicated to him on Platform 1 inside Paddington Station, then head back out to marvel at the area’s fancy houses and quaint English pubs decorated with flower boxes overflowing with bright blooms.

Marylebone

Head east to Marylebone, which fashionistas will recognize as the home of the iconic Selfridges department store.

Marlylebone High Street is packed with great shops and restaurants, including the photogenic Marylebone pub.

If you’re lucky, you might even end up there during a summer fair when the streets are closed off and it turns into an outdoor market complete with a petting zoo and amusement park rides for the kids.

Mayfair

It’s not much farther to Mayfair, an affluent, exclusive district with designer boutiques, ritzy hotels and grand townhouses.

The entire area has a sophisticated air about it, with clean, quiet streets, wine bars, and is bordered by the trendy West End and Hyde Park.

In fact, Mayfair is one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in the entire world, which is how it landed the most coveted spot on the British version of the Monopoly board.

Chances are you won’t want to open your wallet anywhere near here, but it’s definitely worth strolling through.

Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

The last stop on your London itinerary should be Hyde Park, which is one of London’s largest green spaces. Stretching more than 350 acres in the heart of the city, it has lakes, tennis and volleyball courts, gardens, running paths and restaurants, just to name a few.

But perhaps the biggest draw for royal watchers is that it’s linked to Kensington Gardens, which is where Will and Kate have their apartment and there is also a playground dedicated to Princess Diana.

As the skies darken and dusk arrives, make your way to the striking Albert Memorial which was built in honour of Prince Albert and is anchored in the south end of the gardens.

Marvel as the sun sets behind its golden facade, capping off a whirlwind trip seeing London in two days.

London 2 day itinerary map: Day 2

Free things to do in London in 2 days

The city is notoriously expensive (especially when converting the Canadian dollar to pounds–ouch!), so stretch your budget by enjoying these free activities in London:

• National Gallery (Trafalgar Square): World-class collection, free to enter (advance reservations recommended though, get your fast track ticket here).
• Sky Garden: The open-air observation terrace is free, but book your timed ticket here several weeks in advance.
• St. James’s Park: One of the city’s most beautiful royal parks
• Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens: 350-plus acres of green space, free to wander any time
• Albert Memorial: No charge to admire its golden facade 
• Changing of the Guard: Times vary by season, so check the official website before you go

Tours to help you visit London in 2 days

If you haven’t noticed yet, London is both huge and expensive! Save your tired feet and wallet, and get one of these passes to save money on attractions and transportation:

 

FAQ about visiting London in 2 days

Is 2 days enough to see London?

Two days is enough time to explore a couple of neighbourhoods and see many of London’s top landmarks, though you won’t have much time to actually tour through them. Think of this itinerary as a ‘greatest hits’ guide for first-timers, not an extensive guide for everything to see in London.

What is the best way to spend 2 days in London?

Spend your first day walking between central London’s iconic sights, including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster and the South Bank. Use your second day to explore neighbourhoods such as Notting Hill, Little Venice and Marylebone, with time for Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens.

Can you explore London in 2 days without a car?

Yes, you definitely don’t want to drive here! London has an extensive public transport network, and many central attractions are within walking distance of one another. Use a combination of walking, the Underground, Ubers and buses to get between neighbourhoods.

How much money do you need for 2 days in London?

I’m not going to sugar coat it: London can be expensive for things like accommodation and food. Luckily there are lots of free attractions, you can walk between many of the sites, and get a London Pass to save on multiple attractions.

Where is the best area to stay in London for 2 days?

Look for accommodation in Covent Garden, Westminster, South Bank, Notting Hill or another well-connected central neighbourhood. 

What should you book in advance for a 2-day London trip?

Book fast-track passes for any major attractions you want to enter, popular viewpoints (especially the Sky Garden observation deck and Big Ben) and events like West End shows well in advance.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

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