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Are you in London for two days and wondering how best to plan your time and get the most out of your short visit? In this guide, we share a recommended 2-Day London Itinerary featuring the best London sights and attractions, a must-see whether you’re visiting the city for the first time. In addition, we include hidden gems that will make your trip special. Find out!
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London and only scratch the surface of what’s available there. I need to know! I have lived and worked in the Big Smoke for years and still find new places and hidden gems every time I go back! So planning a comprehensive itinerary for just 2 days in London is a challenge…
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With just 48 hours in London, you have to choose what you’re doing. Embracing FOMO and trying to cram too much into your trip is a recipe for trouble! You run the risk of falling off your feet and getting tired, unable to really enjoy each stop.
So to help you make the most of your two days in London, we’ve put together this itinerary, along with some insider tips and advice, so you can see as much as possible. This guide was written with the help of Danny Newman, a travel writer who has lived in London for several years and knows the city very well.
Good to know: At the end of this article you’ll find a summary of this route, a map showing all the places mentioned in our guide, tips for getting around and recommendations for the best area to stay on this London route. Read!
The best of London in two days… So there is no standard London 2-day itinerary or one ‘best’ way to do it. This is just one of the possible options, and a good first introduction to the city if you want to see the best of London in two days.
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Whether you’re planning a short city break, a stopover or a weekend in London, and whether you’re traveling to London with kids, a group of friends or alone, this guide will help you make the most of it. time and in 2 days you can see most of the “must see” places in London. Find out!
On your first day in the UK capital, we offer the chance to see many of London’s classic tourist attractions, which should not be missed by any first-time visitor. Here’s how you can plan your day:
For a fantastic way to start the day in London, I recommend a leisurely stroll around the famous Hyde Park. Early morning is usually the best time to see it, especially when the weather is nice. With sunlight glazing the green grass and relatively few people, you’ll have some space to relax and prepare for the busy schedule ahead.
There are several cafes in the park – mainly around the lake, the Serpentine, where you can start your day with breakfast or coffee.
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But don’t sit too long! Make sure you take the short walk through Hyde Park and Green Park to the iconic Buckingham Palace in time for the Changing of the Guard at 11am!
The official royal residence, Buckingham Palace is a must-see in London. Normally you can only admire this impressive building from the outside, but in late summer – usually from the last week of July to the first week of October – you can go inside (you can find more information and tickets to the state rooms here. ). However, with only two days in London, you need to plan your itinerary really well, and doing so means less time for other places.
If you like pageantry and tradition, don’t miss the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. This is a very popular attraction, so be sure to arrive on time to ensure a good spot to see it all! This is a free event and you can see it on the street.
Good to know: The ceremony takes place daily at 11 a.m. in June and July, and on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays the rest of the year. More information here.
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TIP: Alternatively, you can see a similar ceremony at the Horse Guards Parade. If you want to make the most of your day, this would be a good option. More information below.
If you’re not sure where to go, you can also take a Changing of the Guard tour.
After seeing Buckingham Palace, walk through St. James’s Park (another incredibly beautiful royal site!) towards Horse Guards Parade. The walk through the park is very pleasant and takes about 15 minutes.
Horse Guards Parade is a large parade ground in Whitehall, home to the Household Cavalry Museum. This is one of the best places to see the famous Horse Guards. There will also be a changing of the guard ceremony every day at 11:00 (10:00 on Sundays).
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TIP: This ceremony is shorter than the one at Buckingham Palace and it’s also closer to other places you want to see. So if you want to start your day early and make the most of it, you can visit Buckingham Palace first and come here for the Changing of the Guards. This gives you a bit more time for other attractions afterwards.
You cannot approach the building because the street is closed to the public by large guarded gates. But you can see the famous 10 Downing Street in the distance.
I wouldn’t go out of my way just for this, but it’s an amazing place in London and you’ll be passing by anyway, so take a look!
A Gothic building of incredible beauty and scale, Westminster Abbey is a popular venue for royal weddings and coronations. Every British monarch has been crowned here since 1066. Don’t miss the Coronation Chair in St George’s Chapel!
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The Abbey is also the burial place of countless famous British historical figures, including Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton and one of the most famous explorers, David Livingstone.
PRO TIP: If you really want to visit Westminster Abbey and not just see it from the outside, book your timed entry tickets in advance.
Good to know: If you’ve visited any of the other places mentioned before and want to visit Westminster Abbey
, you probably won’t have enough time to get to the Tower of London at the end of the day. So, either skip the changing of the guard, choose only one of these two locations – Westminster Abbey or the Tower of London, or adjust the itinerary so that you visit Westminster Abbey on Day 1 and the Tower of London on Day 2.
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Just a stone’s throw from Westminster Abbey, you’ll find another must-see, the impressive Houses of Parliament, aka the Palace of Westminster. This beautiful Gothic building sits proudly on the banks of the River Thames and makes for an incredibly impressive sight.
The House of Parliament houses the British government, where the House of Commons and the House of Lords meet. Political meetings have been held here since 1066!
Here you’ll find Big Ben, the famous bell tower that rises like an ornate monolith and forms part of the Palace of Westminster.
There are guided tours to visit the Houses of Parliament, but with so much to see in London and so little time, take photos of these beautiful buildings and move on to your next destination. It’s time to cross the river over the famous Westminster Bridge and walk to one of my favorite parts of the whole city, London’s South Bank!
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With the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben visible from across the river, London is close by.
The South Bank is one of the liveliest and most beautiful places in the heart of London. The views are spectacular and as you walk along the South Bank you will see some of London’s most iconic buildings and cityscapes.
There’s more here! From art galleries to aquariums and of course the famous London Eye, you can easily spend an afternoon enjoying everything the South Bank has to offer. However, if you’re visiting for the first time and in an effort to squeeze as many great sights into one day as possible, we recommend just one activity – the London Eye.
The London Eye is Europe’s tallest observation wheel, offering easy access to the best views of London. From the top, you’ll have a bird’s-eye view of central London and all the sights you’ve seen so far, from Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace in the distance.