Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Ah London! Are you looking to plan a trip to London, or find the perfect things to do in this incredible city? London is such a big city with so many things to do, that it can feel overwhelming to plan a visit. This 2 Day London itinerary will help you decide exactly what to do in London in 2 days, how to prioritize your time, and general information to help you plan your London visit.
You can also find information on extending or shortening this London 2 day itinerary to make it a 1 day London itinerary or a 3 day London itinerary. We’ve loved spending time in London and exploring this incredible city. While we visited most recently on a family trip to London, this itinerary can be adapted for most travelers and you can find several suggestions of the best things to do in London.
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About London
London is an expansive and old city that oozes with culture and history. As the capital of the United Kingdom, London is one of the great cities of Europe and is a lovely place to visit for a few days. In addition to a population of roughly 8.6 million people, London covers a vast area all built up around the River Thames. A perfect mixture of old and new, London dates back 2,000 years when the Romans first settled the area.
About this 2 Day London Itinerary
Below you can find suggestions of a how to see London in 2 days. I’ve grouped together activities to limit walking and transportation, but these days are jam packed. If you aren’t up for such a packed schedule, you will need to choose what to skip.
You can also find a list of the 20 best London activities below. We had to select what we think of as the best London two day itinerary but you can use this lost of other London activities to swap out the activities that work best for you and those you are traveling with.
You can also find additional information about planning your London itinerary including where to stay in London, how many days you need in London, and how to get around London. If you are trying to do 2 days in London on a budget, you can find many suggestions for free or inexpensive activities.
2 Day London Itinerary
Below you can find several suggestions for seeing London in 2 days. We’ve included 3 itineraries. Each itinerary tries to group activities by location to limit walking and taking transportation. If you continue to scroll down, you can find lots of information on the different attractions so you can pick, choose and substitute the activities that work best for you.
Best of the Best: 2 days in London Itinerary
Day 1: Along the River Thames
This is a fully packed days with some of the most famous sites in London. Start the day by grabbing some breakfast, then heading to Buckingham Palace and enjoy the changing of the Guard. From here you can walk to most of the other destinations. Here are the highlights for your first day in London:
- Buckingham Palace
- Trafalgar Square
- Covent Garden
- Parliament Street
- Big Ben
- Westminster Abbey
- London Eye
- Thames River Cruise
- Tower Bridge and the Tower of London
You can start in Buckingham Palace with a tour or arrive in time to see the Changing of the Guard. From here wander into Trafalgar Square then stop for lunch in Covent Garden. After lunch visit Parliament Street, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. If you want, hop on the London Eye before getting on a boat for the River Thames cruise.
Hope off at Tower Bridge and the Tower of London to explore the castle before grabbing dinner on the river.
Day 2: Markets and Museums
On your second day in London, you will get a chance to visit some markets and museums and try high tea. The highlights include:
- Camden Market
- Regent’s Park
- British Museum
- High Tea
- Globe Theatre or Museum
For your second day, grab breakfast in Camden Market and then start with a walk in Regent’s Park. Make your way to the British Museum. In the afternoon enjoy high tea. In the late afternoon, you have some time to go back to anything you missed or consider visiting the Globe Theatre or one of the other museums.
2 days in London on a Budget
London is expensive and a itinerary for London in 2 days can be a bit expensive. If you are If you are visiting London for 2 days and don’t want to spend too much, you can find many free or inexpensive activities. Start by booking a less expensive hotel outside the city and an Oyster Card so you can take the Underground into the City Center.
Day 1: 2 day Itinerary for London on a Budget
Start the morning in Hyde Park – stroll the paths before heading to watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Visit Trafalgar Square and grab a late lunch in Covent Garden. Spend the afternoon exploring the National Gallery (for free).
Finish your day with a walk across Westminster Bridge for views of Big Ben and Parliament and a stop at Westminster Abbey. You can also take a ride up the London Eye (although this is not free).
Day 2: 2 days London Itinerary on a Budget
Grab Breakfast then head out to walk along the River Thames. Several of the sites on this day cost money to enter, so you can decide which attractions are worth in and simply enjoy the others from the outside. Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral then make your way to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.
In the afternoon visit one of the free museums such as the Natural History Museum, Tate Museum, National Gallery, or the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)
Two days in London Itinerary for Families
If you are visiting London as a family, you will want to hit some of the highlights while keeping everyone fed and happy. This of course also depends on how old your kids are when you visit London. You can see more about how we plan trips with kids at every age. I would try to prioritize at least one thing your kids will enjoy each day and then try to limit the walking when you can.
Day 1 of your 2 Day London Itinerary with Kids
Start by visiting the main sites in the City Center. Visit Buckingham Palace for the changing on the Guard. Then make your way over to the Thames. Take a ride on the London Eye and then hop aboard one of the Thames River Cruises. These two activities will give you an overview of many of the most famous sites in the city.
In the afternoon, choose an activity in town that your kids will enjoy – consider the London Zoo, Harry Potter World, the National History Museum, or have high tea. In the afternoon visit one of the Markets.
Day 2 of your 2 Day London Itinerary with Kids
Choose one of the historic sites to start your morning. The Tower of London is great if your kids are interested in the Crown Jewels. From here walk across Tower Bridge. Use the afternoon to do one of the activities for kids in London from Day 1: the London Zoo, Harry Potter World, the National History Museum, or have high tea. In the afternoon visit one of the Markets.
25 + Best Things to do in London
Below you can see details on the the different things to do in London. Even if you choose one of the exact itineraries above, it’s worth reading through these London activities in case the weather is bad or you have extra time if your day. You can also choose the London things to do that interest you the most and build an itinerary from this.
Westminster Abbey
This World Heritage Site offers a daily services. This incredible church is where the kings and queens are coronated and where many monarchs make their final resting place.
Westminster was first created by Henry III in 1245. The gothic building is built around the medieval shrine of an Anglo-Saxon saint. You can see general information about visiting Westminster Abbey on their official website.
You can book a tour of Westminster Abbey. This tour is a 1/2 day with a guide and visited several other popular London sites.
Big Ben and Parliament
Big Ben is one of the most famous sites in London. At the moment you need to be a UK resident to visit inside Big Ben, but you can still take in the view of this famous bell tower from a distance. You can see the tower from the Thames – specifically Westminster Bridge.
The bell tower is located on the corner of the Parliament Building.
You can also see Parliament from the river, and it’s possible to visit Parliament on a guided tour. You can learn more about visiting Parliament here.
Enjoy a Park: Hyde Park, Hamstead Heath
London is full of amazing parks. An excellent thing to do during your 2 days in London is to take some time to stroll through one of these parks. It’s a nice way to break up the site seeing. Most of the parks have benches, water features, hills to take in the views, walking trails and more. London has done an incredible job in creating this public and open spaces to enjoy.
Some of the best parks in London include:
- Hyde Park
- Hamstead Heath
- Waterlow Point
- Regent’s Park
- Richmond Park
- Greenwich Park
London Eye
Rising above the surrounding buildings, the London Eye.
This giant Ferris wheel takes you above the city for incredible views down the Thames River. This is a fun activity for anyone and a must-do if you are traveling to London with kids.
The London Eye is popular and the line can get long to visit. It’s best to book your ticket online in advance. You can book a skip the line tour through Viator.
Soho
If you are visiting the most popular sites around Westminster Abbey, you really can’t miss SOHO. Soho (or South of Horton). You can find a variety of things in Soho including great places to eat, nightlife, and shopping.
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square in Westminster is a open square near some of the best attractions in London. The square often has celebrations or events. It’s worth a visit to see some of the statues including the stone lions and fountains.
Harry Potter World
This activity is a bit outside of London, but is an incredible outing. It’s hard to fit this into a London 2 days itinerary, but if you have a Harry Potter fan in your group or are traveling with kids, this is a great activity. We spent a full afternoon exploring this magical world. You can find full Harry Potter sets, props, and special effects.
You can book Harry Potter Tickets online – some of which come with transportation from London.
Changing of the Guard
The changing of the guard is a classic London activity takes place at St. James’s Palace and Buckingham Palace daily or every other day depending on the time of year. Each day the tradition occurs begins at 10:30 am, the ceremony begins at St James Palace and progresses towards Buckingham Palace. The official changing of the guard takes place at 11 am at Buckingham Palace.
This is such a popular activity that you need to get to the site about an hour early to stake a place to stand.
See the official schedule of the Changing of the Guard.
The London Zoo
The large London Zoo is a great activity if you have enough time in London. If you’re only in London 2 days, you likely won’t have time to visit the London Zoo. If you are visiting with very young kids, this is a good option, otherwise you might want to save this activity for when you have a longer time in London.
The zoo itself is just a bit outside of the main sites in London.
Take a Thames Cruise
There are many excellent tours to take around London (you can see more options below) but one of the must-do activities is to take a tour on the Thames. There are a number of boats operating along the waterfront. You can book a lunch tour, evening tour or a simple cruise.
Taking a tour lets you see many of the most popular sites from the water. You can see several options of cruises on the Thames below. I highly recommend including a boat tour on your 2 day London itinerary.
Visit a Market: Bourough, Camden
We love visiting the bustling markets of London. These markets really come alive at Christmas but are excellent places to visit all year long. You can wander the busy stalls, grab some food and take it all in.
Some of the best markets to visit include: Covent Garden , Camden, and Bourough Market.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theater
Located along the river Thames, The Globe Theatre is a replica of the original Globe Theater that originally opened in 1599. Today you can walk through the Theater for free or take in a show. You can purchase tickets in advance. If you can fit it into your 2 day London itinerary, this is a great place to visit.
See the official site and book your theater tickets online.
Tate Museum
The Tate Museum is free to enter and has artwork in a variety of forms. You can find artists such as Picasso, Dali, and Andy Warhol. This is a lovely stop, especially if you are an art lover.
The National Gallery
This incredible collection of paintings highlights some of the best artists between the 13th and 19th century. You can find artwork here from including Leonardo da Vinci, Monet, Rembrandt, Turner, and Van Gogh. The artwork is housed within a beautiful gallery and it’s worth a visit to wander among the artwork.
See more about visiting the National Gallery (you can also book your tickets here)
Kew Gardens
This beautiful botanical garden just south of London is a great place to visit if you have time and are looking for a quiet and tranquil outing. With just a 2 day itinerary for London you may not have the time to visit these gardens, but with more time this is a great activity.
Tower of London
Chock full of history, the Tower of London is an interesting visit. In the Tower of London, you can explore this palace as well as the Crown Jewel’s of England. It’s hard to imagine all the stories that have taken place here at the Tower.
You can see more about booking tickets and hours at the Tower of London.
British Museum
Another excellent museum in London, the British Museum has artifacts from places all around the world. The exhibit is large and is open every day. You can see information on hours and booking tickets on the official website.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
This famous landmark in London has been home to famous weddings and funerals. In addition, St. Paul’s Cathedral houses an extensive art collection and holds services regulary.
St. Paul’s is open Monday-Saturday starting at 8:30 AM (except Wednesday when it opens at 10). You can see the most recent hours and information on the official website.
Have Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is a classic English tradition. Throughout London, you can find many different tea options. An English tea typically consists of scone, jam, baked goods, clotted cream, mini-sandwiches and of course tea.
Many restaurants offer tea or you can book tea in advance as several other locations. Below is a list of some of the most unique and best London Teas:
- Thames River Afternoon Tea: Combine tea with a cruise on the river – this is a great way to combine two fun activities.
- High Tea and Kensington Palace: A classic English tea, you also get to stroll around the grounds of Kensington Palace
- Tea at the Ruebens: This is another great English tea at the Palace Hotel near Buckingham Palace
If you are looking for a budget option for tea, you may want to consider the Basement Tea Room in Camden. We enjoyed a relaxed tea here and found it a fun and one-of-a-kind place for tea.
Stroll across the Bridges of the Thames: Westminster Bridge, Tower Bridge, Millennium Bridge, and London Bridge
Walking from site to site in London you will inevitably cross over some of the bridges that go across the river Thames. Many of these bridges are famous and should be enjoyed on their own. They also offer incredible views of these different sites along the river. Make sure you visit Westminster Bridge, Tower Bridge, Millennium Bridge and London Bridge.
Buckingham Palace
The famous Buckingham Palace is the home of the Monarch of England. You can book an exclusive tour of some of the rooms during certain times of the year, or visit Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guards.
Learn more about visiting Buckingham Palace.
Picadilly Circus
This bustling square in London is full of flashing neon signs and busy cars and buses bustling past. Very similar to Times Square, this is worth a stop.
Natural History Museum
London’s Natural history museum is one of the best in the world and is home to over 70 million species. This is truly an excellent collection and you can find things such as Darwin’s discovery, the first t-rex skeleton, and a great collection on outer space.
You can book tickets directly with the museum.
Take a London Tour
Taking a tour is one of the best ways to see London. Luckily there is a tour to fit everyone style and budget. Take a walking tour, a bus tour, or even a scooter tour around town and learn from one of the tour guides. Below you can see a few suggestions of some of the tours or you can search for tours on Viator.
- Hop of Hop Off London Tours: This is a classic activity in many European cities and you can easily access many of the most popular sites in London
- Biking Tour of London: Try this morning bike tour of London with stops at the most famous landmarks.
- London tour by Taxi: Travel in comfort on this private tour
- Hidden London e-scooter tour: This is a fun tour that hits up some of the hidden gems in the city
- Private Walking Tour of London: This tour gets great reviews
If you are trying to squeeze a lot into a London two day itinerary, booking a guided tour can help hit the highlights and save time.
Best Day Trips from London
There is plenty to do to fill 2 days London, but if you have more time or if cities aren’t your thing, you can also find plenty of activities outside of London to explore. There are several excellent day trips from London. Below you can see a few of our favorites. If you are staying in London and don’t want to rent a car for a day, you can visit some of these sites on a train or bus. The other option is to book a guided tour – this is the most efficient option, but also the most expensive. We like to book tours through Get Your Guide and Viator.
Stonehenge – often combined with a visit to Bath, Stonehenge is a must see when you’re in England. You can learn more about making this trip here: 6 Essential Tips on How to Visit Stonehenge
Windsor Castle – This royal palace is still the home of the monarch today and is absolutely worth a visit.
Cotswold – this beautiful village is perfect for getting out of the city into the English countryside.
Stratford-upon-Avon – another beautiful English Village, this medieval town is also the birthplace of Shakespeare.
Things to Know about Visiting London
Below you can find some general information you can use to help plan your London 2-day itinerary.
How to get to London
The easiest way to get to London for most people is to fly. You can also take the tunnel or train from Paris.
There are many international airports near London. The biggest is Heathrow International Airport but there are several more including the busy Gatwick airport. Below you can see some quick details on the different London airports:
- Heathrow: The largest airport. From Heathrow you can take the Underground into the city, ride the Heathrow Express or hire a taxi. It will take between 45-60 minutes to get into the city from Heathrow depending on the time of day and traffic.
- Gatwick – this is another busy airport. It takes about 35-45 minutes to get to the city center from Gatwick
- Other airports include: London City Airport, Stansted, Luton, and Southend
How to get Around London
London is a large and somewhat sprawling city, so while it’s possible to walk around some sections, you will need to find other modes of transportation. The best ways to get around London in two days are the Underground, the public buses, trains, taxis, or Uber.
Underground: This is the metro in London and is an experience on its own. It is the second biggest metro in the world and is a fast, cheap, and great way to get around the city. This is the main way we got around town with the occasional Uber. You can see more about the Underground here.
Taxis in London: for your London itinerary, 2 days is a relatively short time, so it may be worth splurging at times by taking a taxi to get around. While it is more expensive than the Underground, taxis are common and relatively reasonable
Public Buses: Public buses are another option for getting around London. You can’t use cash to get a bus ticket, but you can use and Oyster Card. You can find some good information on taking a London bus here.
Where to Stay in London
Goodness – there are lots of great places to stay in London. You will want to consider location first as London is large. If you decide not to stay in the City Center, look for a nearby Underground stop to make getting into the city easy. This is especially important if you’re only in London for 2 days. We usually book directly with the hotel or through booking.com for the best deals.
Below are a few places we’ve stayed or have friends who recommended to us:
London Marriot Hotel County Hall: This is a great location right along the Thames. You can easily walk to many of the most popular sites and you have great views right from the hotel. You can also find several other Marriot hotels in the city if you like Marriot.
The Savoy: This is a fun option if you are up for a bit of a splurge on your 2 days in London. This is a world famous hotel.
Mad Hatter Hotel: This hotel is mid-range for London and a good option although it’s not right downtown.
How Many Days do you Need in London
To really see all the sites in London you need at least 4 days. If you are planning to do any of the day trips outside the city, you should plan to spend 5 days in London. If you don’t have that much time, two days in London (or 3 days in London) is enough to see some of the major sites and enjoy some of the highlights.
If you only have one day in London, you should prioritize seeing some of the sites along the river Thames and consider taking a London tour to maximize your time.
When is the Best Time to Visit London
There is something to enjoy in London all year long, but the best time to visit London is during the shoulder season in the spring between March and May. London in the summer is amazing, but is also very crowded. The fall is another nice time to enjoy the city and Christmas is a popular season with the holiday markets.
The only time I would consider avoiding for your London in 2 days itinerary is January and February as it tends to be cold and wet.
General Tips for Visiting London
Below you can find some general tips for visiting London:
- Look right when you cross the road since cars travel on the left in England
- Carry and raincoat of umbrella
- Use the Underground/Tube to get around or consider biking
- Bring an adapter for charging devices
- London can be an expensive city to visit, but you can also find plenty of cheap or free things to do
- Get an Oyster Card to help with transportation
- Consider getting a London Pass
- Book everything in advance
Looking for more things to do in the United Kingdom? Check out our UK Travel Page or our 10 Day UK Itinerary.
