What To See In London In Two Days: Itinerary For First Time Travelers

Welcome to London, England!!! One of my favorite cities in the whole world. I am so excited for your upcoming trip (or dreams of visiting!) and hope this easy to follow guide of the top “bucket list” sights in London helps make your trip planning a little less daunting. Fun fact: London is more than TWICE the size of New York City (in terms of square kilometers) with dozens of scattered neighborhoods, so it can be overwhelming to squeeze in a lot in just a short period of time. This guide is going to simplify and summarize what to see in London in two days.

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Don’t have time to read the full guide? The pass I highly recommend getting for your visit to London is the Go City Explorer Pass! With this one ticket, you can get access to London’s top attractions including: Tower of London, London Eye, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kensington Palace, and more!

How To Get To London

Whether you’re flying in from across the globe or hopping over from a nearby European country, getting to London is a breeze. Here’s everything you need to know about arriving and getting around.

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By Plane

London is one of the world’s busiest travel hubs, served by 6 international airports, making it one of the most accessible and easy to get to cities in the world. Aside from the thousands of flights that service Greater London on a weekly basis, the flights are also some of the cheapest to Europe from the US! I wrote an entire guide about how to find cheap flights here, but my favorite airlines are Play Airlines and Norse Air. Flights from the east coast of the US to London can be as cheap as $150 each way.

Here’s a quick breakdown of each:

Heathrow Airport (LHR)

London’s largest and busiest airport. Located west of the city, it’s a major gateway for international travelers and offers tons of amenities.

Gatwick Airport (LGW)

South of London, Gatwick is well connected and serves both long-haul and budget airlines. Trains from Gatwick will take you to the city center in about 30 minutes.

London City Airport (LCY)

Just a short hop from central London, this small, efficient airport is great for business travelers and European flights. I’ve never used this airport — the top two are definitely the most popular!

Luton Airport (LTN)

Located to the north, it’s a popular hub for budget airlines flying across Europe. These airlines include RyanAir, Wizz Air, and Easy Jet.

Stansted Airport (STN)

Northeast of London, Stansted is another budget-friendly choice with a wide range of European destinations.

London Southend Airport (SEN)

The smallest of the six, Southend offers a quieter experience with select routes to European cities.

Each of these airports has easy access to Central London via express trains or buses. Or, you could always taxi or Uber. Yes — London has Uber! The cheapest way to reach the city is definitely the train or bus. There are “tubes” (aka the subway) from both Gatwick and Heathrow that I’ve taken many times into London. It only takes about 30-40 minutes and costs just a few dollars!

By Train

There are two main types of trains around London. The “Tube”, as mentioned above, is the city’s subway. It’s also called the London Underground and is the city’s local transporation within Greater London. These are the regional, color-coded & named lines that can bring you pretty much anywhere around the city. There are also the Overground and National Rail to get around the UK.

If you’re looking to travel into / from London from a nearby European country, you can do so by train! You can book a train that travels under the English Channel, aka the Chunnel. I booked this ticket on a recent trip to London when traveling to Bruges, Belgium and was a bit disappointed to see it’s just a pitch black tunnel, but I guess it was cool knowing we were under the sea!

St Pancras International is your launch pad for Eurostar services. Most people think you can only travel to Paris (about 2 hours), but you can also use this train to get to Brussels and Amsterdam! Brussels takes a little under 2 hours and the journey to Amsterdam from London is the longest — just under 4 hours.

If you’re looking to travel within the UK, maybe up north to cities like York, Newcastle, or Edinburgh, Scotland, you can book a ticket from King’s Cross. This is another major train station in London, and one you will most likely use during your two days in London.

Pro-tip: Are you a Harry Potter fan? This train station is where you can find Platform 9 3/4. It’s a classic tourist attraction so expect a long queue, but there is a cool brick wall, trolley, and props you can pose with just like a movie! There’s also a Harry Potter themed store right here.

You can of course also drive to London, but since 99% of first-time travelers will arrive by plane or train, I only covered these! Plus, these are the only two methods of transportation I have personally used and can write about.

How To Get Around London

The Tube

USE THE TUBE! When considering what to see during two days in London, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of the Tube so you can explore as many neighborhoods as possible. The tube is Greater London’s local, public transportation.

Pro-tip: You can tap on and off at the Tube station with your credit card! No need to get a separate public transporation card or refill anything. You can literally use Apple Pay on your phone. JUST BE SURE TO TAP OFF too so you don’t get charged more than just your journey.

There are 11 color-coded lines that are easy to understand if you look at a map! Some of the key lines include: Central, Piccadilly, Jubilee, and Northern lines.

The Tube is the oldest underground railway system… in the world!

Pro-tip: Download the app “citymapper” (it’s green in the App Store!) to help you navigate the city. While Apple Maps and Google Maps will work just fine if you select public transportation / train to get between your two destinations, this app makes it straightforward to follow directions. This app, paired with reading maps in the train stations, and following signs should get the job done! You’ll be a pro by the end of your two days in London.

The Buses

And by bus, I mean those classic red, double decker buses you’ve seen in movies. These are actually London’s public buses! Aside from the Tube, you will probably end up riding in these during your two days in London too! Similar to the Tube, payment is contactless so you can use Apple Pay / Google Pay, a bank card, or a refillable oyster card.

There is a flat fare of £1.75 per ride, making the buses an extremely affordable way to navigate the city. This Hopper Fare” means you can switch buses within 60 minutes and only pay once. Since there’s a flat fare, you don’t have to worry about tapping out. Just be sure to enter at the front door so you can pay.

Pro-tip: Want to take the “scenic route” without paying for a sightseeing bus tour? Ride Bus 11! This bus covers Chelsea, Victoria, the Westminster area, Trafalgar Square, and St. Paul’s — aka some of the top sights you’ll want on your “what to see in London in two days” list. I did this exact route on my first morning. Get a cappuccino, sit on the top floor, and in the first window / bench area!

Again, there is Uber here, plus you’ll definitely end up walking A LOT! But, hopefully this guide encourages you to use the Tube and bus system.

Pro-tip: Looking for recommendations on where to stay during your two days in London? I’m working on a dedicated blog post about this next, so check back soon!

What To See In London In Two Days: Day One

Now for the fun part! Now that you know how to get to London and how to get around, let’s focus on what to see! This itinerary is going to go in order by geographical location, so I recommend starting with the top of the list beginning in the morning, walking site to site, and wrapping up before its time to go to bed!

Changing Of The Guard At Buckingham Palace

Begin your first day in London with a visit to Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British monarchy. The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place here every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 10:45 am. A crowd will start to form a little beforehand, so get there early to get a good view!

Pro-tip: Buckingham Palace is open to public tours, but only during the months of July – October. You could see 15+ state rooms on the interior, but most tourists probably just take photos of the exterior and since you’re only in London for two days, don’t stress!

Afterward, take a stroll through St James’s Park, one of London’s prettiest green spaces, filled with flowers, ponds, and photogenic swans. The Churchill War Rooms are also located on the edge of this park. If you are a history lover, you may enjoy seeing the secret underground headquarters where Prime Minister Winston Churchill lived and worked during WWII.

Break For Lunch On Victoria Street

Looking for a coffee shop that also has great food? Iris & June located in this neighborhood is perfect for a quick fix, and is one of the best places to eat near Big Ben.

Want to visit a “historic watering hole”? London has no shortage of pubs. The Albert is one of the prettiest pubs in London, and you DEFINITELY need to visit a pub or few during your two days in London.

*The Albert is just a 9 minute walk from Buckingham Palace*

Visit Westminster Abbey & Big Ben Photos

From the park, it’s just a short walk to Westminster Abbey. Unlike Buckingham Palace, I think it is worth it to wait in line to see the inside!

Not only is this the world-famous cathedral where the royals have gotten married, it’s the grand Gothic church where British kings and queens have been crowned for centuries. Take your time exploring the inside, where notable figures like Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin are buried. There is an excellent self-guided audio tour here I recommend listening to as you wander!

Just around the corner are the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Despite what 99% of the world may think, this tower is actually called the Elizabeth Tower! Big Ben is the name of the bell on the inside. It strikes every single hour.

This combo Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey tour is a FANTASTIC option for seeing all of these sights at once!

Pro-tip: One of my favorite photo-ops in all of London is right near Big Ben. Go to the Westminster Bridge to grab this iconic shot of the tower and Parliament. And beware of the bike lane please, they will not stop!

If you walk over the bridge to the other side of the river, and walk under the tunnel near the river, you’ll see this arch that has the perfect view of Big Ben in the backdrop… another favorite travel photo of mine!

*The Albert is 7 minutes from Westminster Abbey, and the cathedral is 5-10 minutes from Big Ben and the center of the bridge for the photo-op*

Explore South Bank & Ride The London Eye

Now that you’re on the other side of the bridge in the lively South Bank neighborhood, you’re probably ready for another break! There are many riverside restaurants and food stalls here.

Once you’re fueled, it’s time to ride the London Eye! Yes, this is just a ferris wheel. Yes, it’s touristy. However, it really does provide incredible views of the ENTIRE city! It’s such a cool way to get a feel for how huge London really is.

One rotation of the London Eye takes about 30 minutes. Each pod is HUGE, and can hold like 20-25 people. It’s so big, I didn’t feel claustrophobic at all. You can walk around, take photos at all angles, etc.

Pro-tip: It’s cheapest to buy tickets online and in-advance, and to ride the ferris wheel during an off-peak time if you can. A standard London Eye ticket for adults costs £33ish.

I didn’t see these sights during my two days in London since this itinerary is already jam-packed, but I do want to call out that on this side of the river, if you walk east, you will hit the National Theater, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and the Tate Modern, a free contemporary art museum.

Pro-tip: If you love theater and history, you would really enjoy this top-rated West End and South Bank Theater tour. It covers all of the sights mentioned above in about 3 hours!

*The London Eye is a 9 minute walk from Westminster Bridge, and 8 minutes from the National Theater*

Explore Covent Garden & Dishoom Dinner

On every trip I’ve taken to London, I somehow find myself in Covent Garden. It’s central, it’s full of restaurants and nightlife, and is a must-visit during your two days in London. Take the Tube over here to close out day one of your two days in London. Here you’ll find the best place on earth — Dishoom.

Eat at Dishoom. There are 7 locations around London. All will probably have a long line. The one in Covent Garden is the biggest and most popular, and it is 10000% worth the hype. Dishoom does take reservations, but really only for large groups. They save most of their tables for walk-in’s so GO EARLY!

Covent Garden is also where you’ll find Seven Dials, a network of streets surrounding a rotary known for its shopping and dining.

Pro-tip: This part of London is the most beautifully decorated during the holiday season! If you’re planning a trip to London between mid November and early January, check out this guide to the best Christmas markets (and decor!) around Europe.

Also, Neal’s Yard is here. London’s most colorful alleyway full of independent restaurants, shops, and cafes. Definitely worth the walk through for another photo-op!

*Dishoom is less than a 5 minute walk from Seven Dials and Neal’s Yard*

What To See In London In Two Days: Day Two

There are hundreds of incredible coffee shops around London, so start your day with some fuel! I don’t have any specific morning cafe recommendations since I would just grab a bite near your hotel! Once you’re ready to start the day, head to the Tower of London. I would plan to be here for 2-3 hours.

Tour The Tower Of London

The Tower of London is one of the city’s oldest landmarks. This historic fortress located on the north bank of River Thames dates back to 1066! 1066! You read that right. It’s extremely difficult to wrap your head around this year — making this site an ABSOLUTE must-visit for its 1,000+ years of history. This building was founded by William the Conqueror and was originally built as a symbol of Norman power.

Over the years, the Tower of London has had many purposes: it’s the first Royal fortress and palace in England, was a treasury, was once home to the Royal Mint, and also a prison. Many notable prisoners were executed here, particular during the Tudor period (mostly the 1500s), including Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey.

Most interestingly, this site also had a royal zoo. Kings would gift exotic animals to each other. Apparently a polar bear once lived in the moat.

Today, the Tower of London is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and should be at the very top of your list of what to see in London in two days. The Tower is currently home to the Crown Jewels and is guarded by the Yeoman Warders. These are the royal bodyguards and have been since the 15th century! They live on-site with their families and must’ve served in the armed forces for at least 22 years to qualify for the role. They receive 6 months of training and give FREE 45 minute tours departing from the entrance every 30 minutes. A MUST!

Pro-tip: The Crown Jewels exhibit gets very crowded and has a long line as the day goes on. I recommend arriving here early and going straight for the Crown Jewels. Here you’ll see centuries worth of medieval armor, crowns, and more! It’s also worth it to tour the other interior museums to see execution weapons, more jewels. etc.

Walk Across Tower Bridge 

Once you exit the Tower, take some photos with the Tower Bridge! I love the view of the bridge from this side of the river. Then, it’s time to walk across it! This bridge is one of London’s most striking structures.

This is the beautiful, historic bridge with the blue suspension cables. Most people think it’s “London Bridge” but the one that Fergie wrote that song about is actually not nearly as beautiful or famous. Both the Tower Bridge and the London Bridge cross the River Thames (pronounced “Tems”). It’s also a very popular commute for a lot of locals. Watch out for the bike lane, but you can admire the city views and watch the double decker red buses cruise on by.

*Tower Bridge is just a 5 minute walk from the Tower of London*

Eat Lunch At Borough Market

London is known for its global cuisine! It literally has everything. It has a few major food halls / markets that are the perfect places for sampling food from various places. I love Borough Market for lunch. The front area will look like a farmers market with vendors selling produce, but keep walking to the back where you’ll find an open-air food market with stadium seating.

Here, I recommend trying the Israeli chicken shawarma pita from a stall called “Shuk”. I still think about it often. Oh, and people love the chocolate covered strawberries here. If you want a food tour of Borough Market, I recommend this one!

*The Borough Market is just a 15-20 minute walk from the Tower of London over either the London Bridge or the Tower Bridge.*

More Sightseeing & British Museum

From here, make your way back across the river to St Paul’s Cathedral, either on foot or via a quick Tube or bus ride. The cathedral’s massive dome is a masterpiece of architecture.

*St. Paul’s Cathedral is a 20 minute walk from Borough Market*

Pro-tip: Not too far from here is a skyscraper called Sky Garden. It’s round and kinda looks like a walkie talkie. The top floor has floor to ceiling windows, beautiful plants, and is one of the best look out towers in London! If you are looking for a meal with a view, or at least one of the most scenic cocktail bars of your life, add this spot to your what to see during two days in London list.

*Sky Garden is a 17 minute walk from the cathedral*

If you’re feeling up for it, head over to the British Museum to wrap up the afternoon. This museum is one of the top museums int he world and is always free to enter. This museum houses globally significant artifacts that span over two million years of history such as the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, and more. This would be the perfect way to spend a rainy few hours in London!

Pro-tip: Although admission is free, there is usually a line here! For $12 you can skip the line and use this audio guide!

*The British Museum is about 35-40 minutes from the St. Paul’s Cathedral area so I would take the bus or Tube!*

High Tea / Drink At Sketch

From the British Museum, head to sketch — the Instagram-famous but actually totally worth it restaurant destination offering several stylish dining and cocktail rooms. I didn’t eat a meal here (it is SUPER expensive and reservations are hard to come by), but I did get some tea! The rooms at sketch are a work of art, and don’t even get me started on the bathrooms. I’m sure you’ve seen these weird egg pods on IG.

Pro-tip: Reservations are needed weeks in advance here for the main dining room and even afternoon tea, but there are smaller rooms that offer a la carte menus for walk-in’s, so definitely try your luck!

*sketch is a 20 minute walk from the British Museum*

Camden Market

Two food halls in one day? I hope that’s ok! Head over to Camden Town to wrap up your second day in London. You’ll definitely want to uber, bus, or Tube here since it’s quite north of downtown London. You’ll pass the beautiful Regent’s Park on your way!

Camden Market is the other famous food hall in London. It’s been open since 1974 and consists of street food vendors, independent boutiques, and more located adjacent to the canal. It’s open every day! There are over 1,000 places in here to shop, eat, drink, and hangout, but this place also gets extremely busy. Don’t show up hangry… especially on a weekend.

Pro-tip: If you don’t feel the need to visit BOTH Borough Market and Camden (although I would… especially if you’re in London for longer than two days), you could head back downtown for dinner in Chinatown. You absolutely can’t go wrong here — London has incredible Asian cuisine. I wouldn’t properly cover what to see in London in two days without including some intentional cuisine recommendations!

If you’re staying downtown, you could swing into Gordon’s Wine Bar for a night cap! It’s London’s oldest wine bar, is right on the river, and even has a cave. Highly recommend it here!

Bonus Idea: Notting Hill & Day Trips

Staying longer than two days in London? Or visiting over a weekend? Head to Notting Hill on a weekend morning! Notting Hill was the scene of that cute rom-com, but also has some of the most colorful, beautiful architecture of all the neighborhoods in London. The main road here, Portobello Road, has a market on Fridays and Saturdays (sometimes Sundays too, but Saturdays are the main day).

This market is AMAZING! You can buy the cutest souvenirs here, vintage goods, gifts, browse antiques, get a baked good, hop into local pubs and cafes, etc. This is the best way to spend a few hours on a weekend in London.

Pro-tip: From here you’re also not too far from Kensington Palace, the Gardens, and Hyde Park. These gardens are the perfect places to enjoy a picnic, read a book, go for a walk, or just people watch!

*Kensington Palace is a 25 minute walk from Notting Hill*

There is equally as much to see outside of London than there is within the city! London is very central within England, so I highly recommend setting aside time to visit The Cotswolds or even do a day trip to Cardiff, Wales from London! I did this and had the best day ever… read all about it!

That brings us to the end of this VERY complete guide covering what to see in London in two days! This is jam-packed, but also this itinerary ensures you see all the main sights that any first-time visitor to London should explore. Of course if you have more time, I would spread these things out but it’s possible to see the highlights in a short period of time. London is one of my favorite cities in the world and I look forward to going back time and time again.

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