As we speak 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 the town’s highlights and provide you with a superb overview of what there’s to do and see. From the most important points of interest 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 folks ask me spend 48 hours in London, I’ve lots to inform them. You’ll be nicely conscious of that in case you’ve seen my London journey information. I’ve lived right here for a few years, and I do know the 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 case you’re spending a weekend in London or in case you’re visiting mid-week, there are quite a lot of methods to spend your time.
Whether or not you wish to verify the landmarks off your London journey bucket checklist, go to the large points of interest, eat, drink, store, or uncover the 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 variety 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 elements of the 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 1 one other, too. You should utilize it to plan your timings and routes.
The place to Keep in London
In relation to the place to base your self in London, there are many choices. Whether or not you wish to keep in a resort, an condo, or one other kind of lodging, there’s plenty of totally different lodging in London to select from.
Given the town is big, 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 resorts in your type, and quirky resorts in London for extra concepts.
You can even discover offers and e book lodging in London right here. With so many good choices for each style and price range, you’re sure to discover a place that matches your journey type.
Arrival in London
When you’ve arrived and settled into your lodging in London, you’ll be able to head out to spend a day and night out within the metropolis.
You can begin within the West Finish, the place you’ll have the ability to discover Soho and Covent Backyard. They’re two of essentially 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 in order for you path.
When 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 case you need assistance discovering a spot to have dinner.
Trafalgar Sq. and Piccadilly Circus are all the time thrilling within the night, too. They appear notably eye-catching when the lights brighten up the sky.
If you wish to, it’s also possible to take an open-top bus tour afterwards to get an summary of the 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 e book tickets right here.
When you’re up for persevering with your night time in type, take the Piccadilly line of the London Underground to South Kensington. You possibly can take a look at the nightlife scene round Walton Road and the King’s Highway in Chelsea.
Day 1 in London
The following morning you’ll be able to proceed your itinerary for 48 hours in London with espresso and a superb breakfast.
Whether or not you head to one of many greatest espresso retailers in London or one of many high locations for breakfast, there are many spots to start out your day on a scrumptious be aware.
Caffeinated and satiated, you’ll be able to head over to Buckingham Palace. It’s what attracts many guests to the town, and it’s a should on any London itinerary.
You possibly can time your go to to look at the Altering the Guard ceremony (it occurs a number of days every week), or simply admire the monarch’s London residence from outdoors the large gates.
When you’re right here in the course of the seasonal opening, it’s also possible to 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 e book tickets right here (you’ll wish to e book nicely upfront).
From the palace you’ll be able to stroll by means of St James’s Park and Horse Guards Parade to get to Westminster. This space is house to a number of the metropolis’s most recognizable landmarks, and it’s what many individuals consider once they hear the phrase “London”.
As soon as in Parliament Sq., you’ll be surrounded by icons like Westminster Abbey, Massive Ben (Elizabeth Tower), and the Homes of Parliament. If wish to, you’ll be able to tour the abbey and parliament. You possibly can e book tickets right here.
In case you have time and inclination, it’s also possible to take my free self-guided Westminster stroll to see extra of the world past the points of interest. It can take you round to a number of the aspect streets and hidden areas locals love on this a part of London.
From Westminster, you’ll be able to cross the Thames to get to the South Financial institution. This standard space is the right place to absorb the views from the London Eye or simply wander alongside the river.
You possibly can e book 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 e book forward of time, because it usually sells out nicely upfront.
There are all the time 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’ll be able to take a river cruise from Westminster Pier to see the town from the Thames. You’ll cross by plenty of London landmarks as you go. If that appeals, you’ll be able to e book 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 the town’s hottest locations.
The museum is world-class, and the truth that it’s free means it’s simple to go to for as lengthy or little as you wish to. There are beautiful 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 take in the colours and smells of the stalls as you search out the right meal.
From Borough Market you’ll be able to cross London Bridge to get into the Metropolis of London. Make certain to maintain a watch out for the views of Tower Bridge on the way in which.
From the enduring dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to the beautiful Guildhall, the Royal Trade, and the magical inside of Leadenhall Market (you may acknowledge it as a filming location for the Harry Potter films), there’s lots 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 even head as much as the Sky Backyard or Horizon 22 if you wish to absorb a number of the greatest views in London. Simply be sure to e book free tickets upfront.
When you want a relaxation alongside the way in which, you’ll be able to 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’ll be able to 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 provide pre-theater dinners within the space. I’ve dined all over the place from Frenchie to Spring and Guidelines, they usually’re all scrumptious. If you would like one thing fast and informal, Seven Dials Market is simply the place.
Afterwards there’s no scarcity of performs and musicals you’ll be able to 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 stay music, too.
When 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 permit you to keep away from the large crowds later within the day. I counsel taking a guided tour with an early-access ticket so you’ll be able to meet a Beefeater and see the Crown Jewels with out the lengthy traces.
You’ll additionally have the ability to tour the White Tower and go to the opposite heritage landmarks inside its partitions. You possibly can e book your tickets right here.
After the Tower of London, you’ll be able to have a light-weight lunch at a spot like White Mulberries in St Katharine Docks. This distinctive marina by Tower Bridge is a good place to have an informal meal on a day of sightseeing.
After lunch you’ll be able to stroll over to Tower Bridge. This spectacular feat of Victorian engineering is among 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 e book tickets right here.
If you’re completed exploring, you’ll be able to 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 toes. There’s no higher method 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 onerous to discover a place. Simply be sure to order forward of time, as the very best ones e book 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 would like further concepts, there’s much more about issues to do within the metropolis within the trendy e book London, Block by Block: An Illustrated Information to the Better of England’s Capital. You possibly can get it right here.
I’ve revealed a variety of 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. When you click on on the pins you’ll discover my related weblog posts about every place. I hope it helps you intend a terrific journey to the metropolis!
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