48 Hours in London - The Perfect 2-Day Itinerary for the UK Capital (2024)

Today I want to share my itinerary for 48 hours in London with you. 2 days in the UK capital is enough time to get a feel for the city’s highlights and give you a good overview of what there is to do and see. From the major attractions to the local areas and iconic landmarks, London has no shortage of ways for visitors to spend their time. Read on for my itinerary. I’ve included a map, too.

48 Hours in London

When people ask me how to spend 48 hours in London, I have a lot to tell them. You’ll be well aware of that if you’ve seen my London travel guide. I’ve lived here for many years, and I know the city well.

The great thing about spending 2 days in London is that you’ll have enough time to see the highlights of the UK capital. No matter if you’re spending a weekend in London or if you’re visiting mid-week, there are a lot of ways to spend your time.

Whether you want to check the landmarks off your London travel bucket list, visit the big attractions, eat, drink, shop, or discover the city’s rich history, you’ll find no shortage of things to do and see while you’re here.

My 48-hour London itinerary covers a range of activities and sights. It’s just the thing for first-time visitors and those who haven’t traveled to London in a while.

The guide will give you a solid introduction to the best parts of the city and make you want to come back and explore more of London on your next trip.

The interactive map I’ve included at the end will give you a good idea of where things are in relation to one another, too. You can use it to plan your timings and routes.

Where to Stay in London

When it comes to where to base yourself in London, there are plenty of options. Whether you want to stay in a hotel, an apartment, or another type of lodging, there’s lots of different accommodation in London to choose from.

Given the city is enormous, I recommend choosing a place to stay that’s in or near the center. You can take a look at my blog posts about the best area to stay in London, the best hotels for your style, and quirky hotels in London for more ideas.

You can also find deals and book accommodation in London here. With so many good options for every taste and budget, you’re bound to find a place that fits your travel style.

Arrival in London

Once you’ve arrived and settled into your accommodation in London, you can head out to spend an afternoon and evening out in the city.

You can start in the West End, where you’ll be able to explore Soho and Covent Garden. They’re two of the most exciting places in central London, and you can do everything from eat to shop here. You can do my free self-guided walk if you want direction.

If you’re hungry, there are plenty of spots to eat and drink in the area. You can see my recommendations for restaurants in London if you need help finding a place to have dinner.

Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus are always exciting in the evening, too. They look particularly eye-catching when the lights brighten up the sky.

If you want to, you can also take an open-top bus tour afterwards to get an overview of the city. It’s a great way to get a feel for what London has to offer in a short amount of time. You can book tickets here.

If you’re up for continuing your night in style, take the Piccadilly line of the London Underground to South Kensington. You can check out the nightlife scene around Walton Street and the King’s Road in Chelsea.

Day 1 in London

The next morning you can continue your itinerary for 48 hours in London with coffee and a good breakfast.

Whether you head to one of the best coffee shops in London or one of the top places for breakfast, there are plenty of spots to start your day on a delicious note.

Caffeinated and satiated, you can head over to Buckingham Palace. It’s what draws many visitors to the city, and it’s a must on any London itinerary.

You can time your visit to watch the Changing the Guard ceremony (it happens several days a week), or just admire the monarch’s London residence from outside the big gates.

If you’re here during the seasonal opening, you can also take a tour of Buckingham Palace. It’s a great way to see the state rooms and private gardens while you’re visiting. You can book tickets here (you’ll want to book well in advance).

From the palace you can stroll through St James’s Park and Horse Guards Parade to get to Westminster. This area is home to some of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, and it’s what many people think of when they hear the word “London”.

Once in Parliament Square, you’ll be surrounded by icons like Westminster Abbey, Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower), and the Houses of Parliament. If want to, you can tour the abbey and parliament. You can book tickets here.

If you have time and inclination, you can also take my free self-guided Westminster walk to see more of the area beyond the attractions. It will take you around to some of the side streets and hidden spaces locals love in this part of London.

From Westminster, you can cross the Thames to get to the South Bank. This popular area is the perfect place to soak up the views from the London Eye or just wander along the river.

You can book London Eye tickets here. It’s worth it to see the spectacular panoramas from the top of the Ferris wheel. You’ll want to book ahead of time, as it often sells out well in advance.

There are always pop-ups, street performers, and other entertainment on the South Bank, so it’s fun to stroll by the river and see what’s on.

If you want to, you can take a river cruise from Westminster Pier to see the city from the Thames. You’ll pass by lots of London landmarks as you go. If that appeals, you can book tickets here.

From the South Bank it’s a scenic walk to Bankside to get to Tate Modern and Borough Market. They’re two more of the city’s most popular places.

The museum is world-class, and the fact that it’s free means it’s easy to visit for as long or little as you want to. There are stunning views from the top of the Blavatnik Building, too.

Just down the river from the museum, Borough Market is the ideal spot to grab something delicious for lunch. It’s fun to wander around and soak up the colors and scents of the stalls as you seek out the perfect meal.

From Borough Market you can cross London Bridge to get into the City of London. Make sure to keep an eye out for the views of Tower Bridge on the way.

From the iconic dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to the stunning Guildhall, the Royal Exchange, and the magical interior of Leadenhall Market (you might recognize it as a filming location for the Harry Potter movies), there’s a lot to love here.

If you have time, you can do my self-guided City of London walk to see the highlights. You can also head up to the Sky Garden or Horizon 22 if you want to take in some of the best views in London. Just make sure to book free tickets in advance.

If you need a rest along the way, you can stop at one of the historic pubs in the area. Places like Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese have been around since the 1600s, and they’re full of atmosphere.

As evening approaches, you can continue your 48 hours in London by walking or taking the tube to the West End to have an early dinner and catch a show.

There are lots of great restaurants that offer pre-theater dinners in the area. I’ve dined everywhere from Frenchie to Spring and Rules, and they’re all delicious. If you want something quick and casual, Seven Dials Market is just the place.

Afterwards there’s no shortage of plays and musicals you can see on any given night in London.

The city’s theater scene is world-renowned, so whether you’re up for seeing a musical in Soho or a drama in Covent Garden, there’s something you’ll enjoy. If theater isn’t your thing, there are comedy shows and live music, too.

If you’re in the mood for nightlife later, there are lots of fun bars in the area. My favorite is Cahoots, a travel-themed bar in Kingly Court. It’s the perfect place to end your day in London.

Day 2 in London

I recommend starting the second morning of your itinerary for 48 hours in London with a trip to the Tower of London. This place awes visitors with its abundance of architectural history.

Getting here early will allow you to avoid the huge crowds later in the day. I suggest taking a guided tour with an early-access ticket so you can meet a Beefeater and see the Crown Jewels without the long lines.

You’ll also be able to tour the White Tower and visit the other heritage landmarks within its walls. You can book your tickets here.

After the Tower of London, you can have a light lunch at a place like White Mulberries in St Katharine Docks. This unique marina by Tower Bridge is a great place to have a casual meal on a day of sightseeing.

After lunch you can walk over to Tower Bridge. This impressive feat of Victorian engineering is one of the most eye-catching landmarks in London. You can walk across it, then head up to the top on a self-guided tour if you want to. You can book tickets here.

When you’re done exploring, you can take the tube from Tower Hill to Hyde Park Corner to walk around Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. You can see everything from the Serpentine lake to the formal garden by Kensington Palace while you’re here.

After walking around the parks and gardens, you’ll be ready to rest your feet. There’s no better way to do it than by indulging in afternoon tea in London.

There are lots of good offerings in the area, so it’s never hard to find a place. Just make sure to reserve ahead of time, as the best ones book up well in advance.

From The Lanesborough to The Dorchester, The Berkeley to the Mandarin Oriental, the Jumeirah Carlton Tower to Claridge’s, The Goring to The Halkin, The Ritz, Brown’s, and , this area is packed with afternoon tea options.

This delicious tradition is a great way to indulge your sweet tooth and cap off your trip to London.

48 Hours in London

I hope you’ve enjoyed my itinerary for 48 hours in London. If you want additional ideas, there’s a lot more about things to do in the city in the stylish book London, Block by Block: An Illustrated Guide to the Best of England’s Capital. You can get it here.

I’ve published a number of other London itineraries, too. You can take a look at my 1-day, 2-day, 36-hour, 3-day, 4-day, 5-day, 6-day, 7-day, 1 week, 8-day, and 10-day itineraries for more inspiration.

London Itinerary Map

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