2 Days In London - Planning The Perfect London Travel Itinerary
How to have a quick and authentic stay in London . . .
London is a city where you never feel like you have enough time. 48 hours goes by very quickly, and you have to be so decisions have to be made. On our most recent visit, we used our London trip as a short respite between visiting with family over the holidays, so that kept our stay short and sweet. There was a lot left on my to-do list, but I always love a reason to return. Metropolitan, storied, and diverse cities like London always leave me wanting to see more.
From my first visit to my tenth, I still check in the Rick Steves Guide to London. It is always packed with a wealth of information from suggested itineraries and hotel recommendations to rankings of the most important sights to visit.
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Getting To London
We traveled by train from Nottingham via the East Midlands Railway. It's an easy two-hour direct train with ample seating, snacks, bathrooms, and wifi. The time flies as you pass by the green countryside (green all year round). The East Midlands Rail arrives at St. Pancras which serves as a central starting point. And on top of its central location, St. Pancras is a beautiful, clean station with lots of shops and a magical feel.
Getting to London Via Train
We started our journey from Nottingham, but you can easily get to and from London via other parts of England, the greater UK, and even Europe by train. Whether I’m booking a train within the UK or between the UK and Europe, I always turn to The Trainline. They have the most up to date schedules and lowest prices, and they offer e-tickets so you don’t have to worry about getting tickets in the mail or at the station. With the Eurostar, you can direct trains to London from Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam from St. Pancras.
Getting to London Via Plane
London has five airports, all supporting international flights. Heathrow to the west, Gatwick to the south, Luton to the north, Stansted to the north, and City to the east all are good options and provide public transit connections to the city center. I’d recommend taking a look at all and picking the airport with the best flight paths and prices for your starting point.
Getting Around London
The Underground is a brilliant way of getting around London. Similar to The Metro in Paris, it can get you just about anywhere, and it is even faster than a cab at times because you don't have to stress about traffic. To know where to go, I'm a big fan of City Mapper. With your origin and your destination, it will provide multiple options on how to get where you're going, how much each option costs, and how long they will take. Even better, you can search for your route while on wifi, and then it will direct you even while offline on your journey through GPS.
A new improvement for traveling on the Tube, you can pay by tapping with a card that has a ‘tap to pay’ technology or by using a device with a digital wallet or Apple Pay (my preferred option). I only needed to tap my Apple Watch walking through and then when exiting the turnstiles. No more topping up or buying an oyster card.
Buses are also a fun route. As a tourist, the double decker is always exciting to see, and even more exciting to use it as a basic means of transportation. The other reason for taking a bus is being able to look out the window at the buildings passing by, something you sacrifice on the Underground.
And last but not least, you can black cab or uber if all else fails. We took an uber one night because we had been walking all day and didn't want to use our brain power to get home at the end of a long day.
Where To Stay In London
London’s different neighborhoods are diverse and spectacular in their own rights. If you only have time for a short London itinerary, the most important criteria is to pick somewhere near to the sights you want to see. I've located myself in different parts of the city, and they all have their own unique charm.
Staying in East London - Shoreditch
I often stay in the Shoreditch area, mostly for a few different reasons unique to me. One, it's a 30 min walk to my work's office if I'm working while I'm visiting. Two, my cousin used to live in Shoreditch, so I would stay with her and I've gotten to know the neighborhood. Three, I like the vibe of it. It's artsy, a little edgy, with lots of interesting restaurants and things to see. I've either stayed with relatives or at an Airbnb.
London must-see sights nearby: Columbia Road Flower Market, Spitafields Market, Brick Lane (for endless curry options), Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral
Staying in West London - Kensington
On a recent visit, we stayed in Kensington thanks to hotel points. We ended up really happy with it because the neighborhood is cute and has lots of shops and restaurants. The only downside is that most of the activities we wanted to do were in more central London, so we usually had a forty-minute Tube ride to get to our activities for the day. The hotel itself was like having our own flat because it was a Residence Inn. The other perk, it has a big Tesco grocery store nearby so you can get groceries and snacks to bring back into the room.
London must-see sights nearby: Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Kensington Park, Kensington Palace, Hyde Park
2 Days in London Itineraries
2 Day London Itinerary If It’s Your First Time
This itinerary is all about hitting the top tourist sights, having some nice meals, and getting the most out of your time. On the first day, you'll spend the majority of your time between Southwest and Central London. The second day will continue with the quintessential London landmarks in Central and East Central London.
Day 1 in London for your first time
Morning
Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guards: Start your day at the Buckingham Palace (the home of the British Royal Family). Changing of the Guards takes place at 10:45 and lasts for roughly 45 min every Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday. You can also get tickets to tour the inside of Buckingham Palace, but it's only open for certain dates. These tours from Get Your Guide make it easy to plan your Buckingham Palace tour.
Mid-morning
West Minster Abbey and Big Ben: From Buckingham Palace, walk along Birdcage Walk or through St. James's Park to Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. For Westminster Abbey, you can buy tickets to tour the inside. They're best reserved online in advance. For Big Ben, it is possible to tour the inside of Big Ben, but tickets go quickly and are released so many at a time. So check ahead before visiting.
Afternoon
10 Downing Street: Walk down Whitehall Road. Pass by 10 Downing Street, stop to say hi to the horses outside Horse Guards Parade (you can pet the horses if you ask.
Lunch: Lunch at Horse & Guardsman. It has proper pub food with a beautiful interior and plenty of seating. One of my favorite London hidden gems, hidden in plain sight along Whitehall Road. Every time I've visited I've had good service and great food. Find a seat and order at the bar. They serve food throughout the day, so it's a good option for a late lunch.
National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery: After lunch, walk through Trafalgar Square and visit one or both: National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. Both museums are on Trafalgar Square or just around the corner and both are free. The National Gallery houses art from all periods while the National Portrait Gallery is portraits of people in UK history.
Evening
Covent Garden: Have an early dinner in Covent Garden at Dishoom for trendy Indian fare or The Ivy for classic British food. Reservations are recommended
for either restaurant.
West End: End the day at a West End show. Buy tickets in advance if you know of a show you specifically want to see, or leave it to the day of if you're willing to try something random with last minute availability. I've taken both approaches and have equally enjoyed the shows.
Day 2 in London for your first time
Morning
British Museum: Start your second day at the British Museum which houses artifacts of culture from places around the world. Some refer to it as the largest museum of 'stolen items', but they've been doing a good job at addressing the provenance of many of their items. It's easy to spend many hours here, where a short visit can still take even an hour or two of your day.
Afternoon
Borough Market: For lunch, hop on the Tube or a bus and head to Borough Market. Here you'll follow your nose to some of the best London food. Small purveyors and countless food stalls sell everything from street food to high end ingredients. It's the perfect spot, a people pleaser of a destination, as there is truly something for everyone.
Tower of London: Walk across the famous Tower Bridge, and don't confuse it for London Bridge. While the childhood rhyme is about London Bridge, technically Tower Bridge is the name of the famous two column bridge we all think of. Make your way to the Tower of London, a historical castle with views of the Thames that houses the crown jewels. Tickets are timed, so it's best to reserve them in advance. Your ticket includes a guided tour that usually start every 30 minutes. The guided tour really made the experience for me.
Evening
Thames Cruise: From the Tower of London, you're only steps from Tower Millennium Pier where many Thames cruises begin. Lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and different styles of cruises all depart from here. You can book tickets for a Thames river cruise in advance or the day of.
2 Day London Itinerary like a local
This itinerary is for stepping away from the most traveled tourist path. At these places you'll definitely find a Londoner relaxing and spending an afternoon. They're still London attractions, but they tend to be the places people visit to slow down a bit especially after they've already seen the big London landmarks.
Day 1 in London like a local
Morning
Camden Town: Spend the morning wandering through the markets, exploring the streets, and finding some tasty street food in Camden Town. It's an artsy, creative part of the city known for musicians making their big breaks and bright colorful buildings and pubs. Make sure you make it to the vintage shops for items like denim jackets and old cameras.
Afternoon
Regent's Park: After exploring Camden, head over to Regent's Park for a relaxing park afternoon. London is full of beautiful parks and green spaces, so a lounge in the park is a popular choice for many Londoners. Visit the rose garden or try out a paddle on the Boat Lake.
Evening
Soho: Head over to the lively Soho area to end your day with a bit of shopping and some great food. Shops tend to close early, but you might have a chance to explore Liberty of London or find something interesting on Carnaby Street. The area is full of great restaurants. Chinatown is also nearby and is a unique area of the city while also being just on the edge of Leicester Square.
Day 2 in London like a local
If you happen to be visiting on the last Friday of the month, swap these two and end your day at Tate Modern for Lates at Tate.
Morning
Tate Modern: The Thames is a common sight throughout the city, and on this day you'll see it from two different points. First, start at the Tate Modern. Another free museum, it houses modern and contemporary art and has many interactive areas.
South Bank: When you leave Tate Modern, walk along the South Bank river front. There is always something going on and fantastic people watching. You'll walk in the direction of the London Eye with the destination of Waterloo train station.
Afternoon and evening
Richmond: A true London hidden gem, Richmond is a picturesque village set along the western side of the Thames. It has recently received a boost in notoriety for being the series home town and filming location of Ted Lasso, but don't let that dissuade you. You take the train from Waterloo (or other stations throughout the city) to Richmond station. Head to the river and walk along the water. Rent paddle boards, stop for a coffee, or have a pub dinner. Head south along the river and explore Richmond Park with its expansive green space.
Things To Do When Visiting London
London Museums
London is the land of museums and even better, free museums. Art, science, history, you name it, it's there. The British Museum you have to visit is filled with ancient artifacts across human history (but there's definitely a question of how did they acquire all of these pieces over the years). Think the Elgin Marbles, the Rosetta Stone, and thousand-year-old preserved human remains. I also always find the entrance/lobby area a magical space.
I've heard fantastic things about the Natural History Museum, and it's made many appearances in films over the years. As I said in the opening, there's always something left on my list to do next time, and this was one of those moments.
On this trip, we made it to the Tate Modern, and it was my first time getting to see it. I had been warned that it was very very modern and has the type of art that makes some people say, "this is art?", but it has so much more than that. My biggest takeaway is that art is always reflective of the time when it was made, and it's harder to understand because we are actively moving through time. The Tate Modern has done a fantastic job of including explanations of the rooms overall and the individual pieces in each so you can get the historical background and why that inspired the work.
I’ve included photos of some of my favorite works I came across on this visit. Cecilia Vicuña Quipu’s Womb fills up the room and is quite an experience to see. Yinka Shonibare CBE’s The British Library is equally captivating. It’s a room filled with books covered in beautiful fabrics and the names of people who have spoken about immigration on the spines of each. Some books don’t have names on them to signify that the conversation is ongoing.
London Shopping
Two stores I can't go to London and not visit are Primark (If you’re not already British) and Monki. Primark is at the top of my list because it's affordable clothing including fast fashion, trendy items, and everyday basics like white t-shirts and bike shorts. There are plenty of Primark's throughout the city, but there is a big one in Oxford Circus. Monki on the other hand is fantastic for funky, unique clothing items. On this visit, I left with a pair of green trousers with big white drawings of flowers on them. I also swear by the denim at Monki. My favorite Monki store to visit is the one in the Carnaby Street area. It's such a cute and quaint area even when super busy. It feels like you've been transported to some magical shopping land. And even better there are little alleyways that cut into courtyards where more shops and restaurants can be found.
Beyond those stores, there is plenty more shopping across all price ranges throughout the city. From vintage markets to international chains, it would be hard to walk away without one new item.
London Theater
Although we didn't make it to the theater on this visit, I can't talk about London without mentioning the theater. With the West End being the most famous part of the city, there are countless shows across the city. If you're visiting for more than two days, seeing a show should definitely be a top priority. One of my favorite things to do when taking the Tube is to admire all of the theater posters along the walkways and escalators. There's a show for everyone.
Something Outdoors In London
There are countless beautiful parks throughout the city. From Hyde Park to Regent's Park to hilltop views of the city, there are plenty of outdoor green spaces to explore. Spending an afternoon on a bench or blanket can slow down a packed schedule and allow you to take in your surroundings. An important reminder though, keep an eye on daylight hours to make sure you get to enjoy an afternoon in the park properly. In the winter the sun can set as early as 3:30 pm. We didn't plan accordingly, and we had a very dark (but very safe) walk through Hyde Park on our first night.
In the winter when the days are much shorter and daylight park time is hard to come by, ice skating is a great outdoor activity. The city has plenty of ice skating rinks in all different neighborhoods.
Even better, the city does a fantastic job with lights over the Christmas and New Years holidays. Regent Street, New Bond Street, and Oxford Street usually have some spectacular lights to observe at night.
Where To Eat In London
The food scene in London is on par with other big cities around the world where all different cuisines come together. I've had fantastic Mediterranean, Indian, Italian, and of course British food when in London.
To make the guesswork a little easier, here's a shortlist my dear friend and foodie extraordinaire Cooking with Saloomeh put together for me:
Eataly - Italian hyper store with lots of mini restaurants
Nomad - Hotspot
Session Arts Club - Has music, edgy
Beast - Fancy surf and turf
Angler - Michelin star with views
Norma - Cool spot
JiJi - Middle Eastern meets Japanese
Maya - New Mexican
Barboun - Shoreditch trendy, brunch spot
Berenjak - Fave Persian
Seabird - Stunning
Sky Gardens - Stunning with amazing views
Mama Shelter - Stunning hotel with bar and food
Gold - Notting Hill, very cool
From this list, I was only able to make it to Eataly and Norma this time. Like I said before, there are always more reasons to come back including trying these other gems.
How to Plan Your Own 2 Day London Itinerary
Two days will go by quickly. Review the different things to do, the various itineraries, and shortlist your must-see destinations. Once you have an idea, find where these locations are on a map. That will help you group together the different landmarks and attractions while also giving you a better idea which part of the city you want to stay. Also, have a perfect plan for a day where you have the most energy and the most focus, but have a backup plan. Be prepared to only make it to half the places you want to see. Hope for the best while planning for the middle.
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