At the moment I wish to share my itinerary for 48 hours in London with you. 2 days within the UK capital is sufficient time to get a really feel for town’s highlights and offer you overview of what there may be to do and see. From the main sights to the native areas and iconic landmarks, London has no scarcity of the way for guests to spend their time. Learn on for my itinerary. I’ve included a map, too.
48 Hours in London
When individuals ask me the way to spend 48 hours in London, I’ve rather a lot to inform them. You’ll be nicely conscious of that in the event you’ve seen my London journey information. I’ve lived right here for a few years, and I do know town nicely.
The beauty of spending 2 days in London is that you simply’ll have sufficient time to see the highlights of the UK capital. Irrespective of in the event you’re spending a weekend in London or in the event you’re visiting mid-week, there are numerous methods to spend your time.
Whether or not you wish to examine the landmarks off your London journey bucket record, go to the large sights, eat, drink, store, or uncover town’s wealthy historical past, you’ll discover no scarcity of issues to do and see whilst you’re right here.
My 48-hour London itinerary covers a spread of actions and sights. It’s simply the factor for first-time guests and people who haven’t traveled to London shortly.
The information will provide you with a strong introduction to the very best components of town and make you wish to come again and discover extra of London in your subsequent journey.
The interactive map I’ve included on the finish will provide you with a good suggestion of the place issues are in relation to at least one one other, too. You should use it to plan your timings and routes.
The place to Keep in London
On the subject of the place to base your self in London, there are many choices. Whether or not you wish to keep in a lodge, an condominium, or one other sort of lodging, there’s plenty of totally different lodging in London to select from.
Given town is gigantic, I like to recommend selecting a spot to remain that’s in or close to the middle. You possibly can check out my weblog posts concerning the greatest space to remain in London, the greatest inns to your fashion, and quirky inns in London for extra concepts.
You can too discover offers and ebook lodging in London right here. With so many good choices for each style and finances, you’re certain to discover a place that matches your journey fashion.
The way to Pack for 48 Hours in London
When you’ve determined when to go to town, you’ll have to pack for London. Relying what time of yr you go to, that may imply various things.
I’ve drawn up packing lists for summer season, autumn, winter, and spring that may assist you determine what to put on in London. I’ve additionally created a information to the way to pack for London all yr.
In the event you’re flying to town, you may try my long-haul packing record and my information to the way to pack with only a carry-on (I used to be interviewed by The New York Occasions concerning the latter).
Arrival in London
When you’ve arrived and settled into your lodging in London, you may head out to spend a day and night out within the metropolis.
You can begin within the West Finish, the place you’ll be capable of discover Soho and Covent Backyard. They’re two of probably the most thrilling locations in central London, and you are able to do the whole lot from eat to buy right here. You are able to do my free self-guided stroll if you need path.
In the event you’re hungry, there are many spots to eat and drink within the space. You possibly can see my suggestions for eating places in London in the event you need assistance discovering a spot to have dinner.
Trafalgar Sq. and Piccadilly Circus are at all times thrilling within the night, too. They appear notably eye-catching when the lights brighten up the sky.
If you wish to, you can too take an open-top bus tour afterwards to get an outline of town. It’s a good way to get a really feel for what London has to supply in a brief period of time. You possibly can ebook tickets right here.
In the event you’re up for persevering with your night time in fashion, take the Piccadilly line of the London Underground to South Kensington. You possibly can try the nightlife scene round Walton Road and the King’s Highway in Chelsea.
Day 1 in London
The subsequent morning you may proceed your itinerary for 48 hours in London with espresso and breakfast.
Whether or not you head to one of many greatest espresso outlets in London or one of many prime locations for breakfast, there are many spots to begin your day on a scrumptious notice.
Caffeinated and satiated, you may head over to Buckingham Palace. It’s what attracts many guests to town, and it’s a should on any London itinerary.
You possibly can time your go to to observe the Altering the Guard ceremony (it occurs a number of days every week), or simply admire the monarch’s London residence from exterior the large gates.
In the event you’re right here throughout the seasonal opening, you can too take a tour of Buckingham Palace. It’s a good way to see the state rooms and personal gardens whilst you’re visiting. You possibly can ebook tickets right here (you’ll wish to ebook nicely upfront).
From the palace you may stroll by means of St James’s Park and Horse Guards Parade to get to Westminster. This space is residence to a number of the metropolis’s most recognizable landmarks, and it’s what many individuals consider after they hear the phrase “London”.
As soon as in Parliament Sq., you’ll be surrounded by icons like Westminster Abbey, Huge Ben (Elizabeth Tower), and the Homes of Parliament. If wish to, you may tour the abbey and parliament. You possibly can ebook tickets right here.
In case you have time and inclination, you can too take my free self-guided Westminster stroll to see extra of the world past the sights. It’ll take you round to a number of the aspect streets and hidden areas locals love on this a part of London.
From Westminster, you may cross the Thames to get to the South Financial institution. This in style space is the right place to take in the views from the London Eye or simply wander alongside the river.
You possibly can ebook London Eye tickets right here. It’s value it to see the spectacular panoramas from the highest of the Ferris wheel. You’ll wish to ebook forward of time, because it usually sells out nicely upfront.
There are at all times pop-ups, road performers, and different leisure on the South Financial institution, so it’s enjoyable to walk by the river and see what’s on.
If you wish to, you may take a river cruise from Westminster Pier to see town from the Thames. You’ll cross by plenty of London landmarks as you go. If that appeals, you may ebook tickets right here.
From the South Financial institution it’s a scenic stroll to Bankside to get to Tate Trendy and Borough Market. They’re two extra of town’s hottest locations.
The museum is world-class, and the truth that it’s free means it’s straightforward to go to for as lengthy or little as you wish to. There are gorgeous views from the highest of the Blavatnik Constructing, too.
Simply down the river from the museum, Borough Market is the perfect spot to seize one thing scrumptious for lunch. It’s enjoyable to wander round and absorb the colours and smells of the stalls as you hunt down the right meal.
From Borough Market you may cross London Bridge to get into the Metropolis of London. Ensure to maintain an eye fixed out for the views of Tower Bridge on the way in which.
From the long-lasting dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to the gorgeous Guildhall, the Royal Change, and the magical inside of Leadenhall Market (you may acknowledge it as a filming location for the Harry Potter motion pictures), there’s rather a lot to like right here.
In case you have time, you are able to do my self-guided Metropolis of London stroll to see the highlights. You can too head as much as the Sky Backyard or Horizon 22 if you wish to soak up a number of the greatest views in London. Simply be certain to ebook free tickets upfront.
In the event you want a relaxation alongside the way in which, you may cease at one of many historic pubs within the space. Locations like Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese have been round for the reason that 1600s, they usually’re filled with ambiance.
As night approaches, you may proceed your 48 hours in London by strolling or taking the tube to the West Finish to have an early dinner and catch a present.
There are many nice eating places that supply pre-theater dinners within the space. I’ve dined in every single place from Frenchie to Spring and Guidelines, they usually’re all scrumptious. If you’d like one thing fast and informal, Seven Dials Market is simply the place.
Afterwards there’s no scarcity of performs and musicals you may see on any given night time in London.
The town’s theater scene is world-renowned, so whether or not you’re up for seeing a musical in Soho or a drama in Covent Backyard, there’s one thing you’ll get pleasure from. If theater isn’t your factor, there are comedy exhibits and reside music, too.
In the event you’re within the temper for nightlife later, there are many enjoyable bars within the space. My favourite is Cahoots, a travel-themed bar in Kingly Court docket. It’s the right place to finish your day in London.
Day 2 in London
I like to recommend beginning the second morning of your itinerary for 48 hours in London with a visit to the Tower of London. This place awes guests with its abundance of architectural historical past.
Getting right here early will mean you can keep away from the massive crowds later within the day. I counsel taking a guided tour with an early-access ticket so you may meet a Beefeater and see the Crown Jewels with out the lengthy strains.
You’ll additionally be capable of tour the White Tower and go to the opposite heritage landmarks inside its partitions. You possibly can ebook your tickets right here.
After the Tower of London, you may have a lightweight lunch at a spot like White Mulberries in St Katharine Docks. This distinctive marina by Tower Bridge is a superb place to have an off-the-cuff meal on a day of sightseeing.
After lunch you may stroll over to Tower Bridge. This spectacular feat of Victorian engineering is likely one of the most eye-catching landmarks in London. You possibly can stroll throughout it, then head as much as the highest on a self-guided tour if you wish to. You possibly can ebook tickets right here.
If you’re finished exploring, you may take the tube from Tower Hill to Hyde Park Nook to stroll round Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. You possibly can see the whole lot from the Serpentine lake to the formal backyard by Kensington Palace whilst you’re right here.
After strolling across the parks and gardens, you’ll be able to relaxation your ft. There’s no higher strategy to do it than by indulging in afternoon tea in London.
There are many good choices within the space, so it’s by no means exhausting to discover a place. Simply be certain to order forward of time, as the very best ones ebook up nicely upfront.
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 Fortnum & Mason, this space is full of afternoon tea choices.
This scrumptious custom is a good way to indulge your candy tooth and cap off your journey to London.
48 Hours in London
I hope you’ve loved my itinerary for 48 hours in London. If you’d like extra concepts, there’s much more about issues to do within the metropolis within the trendy ebook London, Block by Block: An Illustrated Information to the Better of England’s Capital. You possibly can get it right here.
I’ve printed numerous different London itineraries, too. You possibly can check out 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 extra inspiration.
London Itinerary Map
As promised, I’ve created an interactive Google map of my 48-hour London itinerary. You possibly can see it right here. In the event you click on on the pins you’ll discover my related weblog posts about every place. I hope it helps you propose an important journey to the metropolis!
Discover this submit useful? Purchase me a espresso!
New right here? Be part of 1000’s of others and subscribe to the A Woman in London weblog by way of e mail.
A number of the hyperlinks on this weblog submit is are affiliate hyperlinks. Without charge to you, I earn a small fee whenever you click on on them and make a purchase order. It doesn’t have an effect on the way in which you store, and it’s a good way to help the A Woman in London weblog.
Pin it!