2 perfect days in London

We admit it: You can’t see everything London has to offer in just 48 hours. But with a strategic itinerary, you can get a surprisingly solid sense of England’s capital. From a taste of the royal life at Buckingham Palace to a taste of beer at a local pub, think of this as a London sampler.

To make the most of your time, we’ve grouped each day’s activities based on area, so you won’t have to trudge (or tube) your way back and forth across the city. We’ve also included down time that does double-duty as sightseeing (think afternoon tea at an iconic spot). And, to ensure not a single stop is a dud, this itinerary uses Tripadvisor reviews and ratings, highlighted throughout.

Prioritize your most essential London sightseeing by heading to Westminster first thing. The Westminster tube stop drops your right out at Westminster Bridge, which extends over the Thames River and offers an epic view of several of London’s main attractions. We’re talking the London Eye, an enormous Ferris wheel with city views, and Westminster Palace (the House of Parliament) with its attached clocktower, aka Big Ben (though technically, Big Ben is the bell inside). Get there at the top of the hour to hear it chime.

After you’ve taken in the grandeur from the outside—Westminster Bridge offers the best view—walk around the corner to Westminster Abbey, a stunning gothic cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage Site (together with Westminster Palace). Plan to arrive right when it opens (9:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday) to avoid the crowds, and book ahead to guarantee a spot. For a small extra fee, you can also visit The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries, a small gallery that gives you a bird’s eye view of the abbey. Expect to spend at least 45 minutes marveling at Westminster Abbey, though some visitors spend as much as two hours scouting out the famous figures buried there (Charles Dickens, Stephen Hawkins, Henry VII) and taking in all the ornamental sculptures and stained glass.

Once you’ve had your fill of gothic architecture, take the 15-minute walk to Buckingham Palace. If you want to see the changing of the guard, which takes place at 10:45 (every other day in some seasons), skip the interior of the Abbey and arrive here nice and early to stake out a good view. Otherwise, snap an exterior pic of the royal residence and forge ahead.

WESTMINSTER TOURS OPTIONS

Hop on the tube at Green Park and hop off two stops later at Knightsbridge Station to find yourself in one of London’s fanciest shopping districts. Window-shop on the five-minute walk to Harrods, London’s world-famous department store.

Here, you can cross off another square on your London Bingo card with Harrods’ exceptional tea time, complete with the requisite tiny sandwiches and scones. If you forgot to make a reservation or can’t pull off “smart casual” on a day of sightseeing, Harrods has plenty of other bars and restaurants for a pit stop. Once you’ve snacked, check out the wonderfully bizarre Egyptian Escalator, pick up some souvenirs, or visit the toy department, where you nab the official Harrods’ version of a Paddington Bear plushie.

If you’ve splashed out a bit on toys and fancy tea, you can save money at the Victoria and Albert Museum, which is mercifully free. Just a ten-minute walk from Harrods, the V&A is the world’s largest museum of the decorative arts and home to prints, paintings, costumes and ceramics. It’s also one place where you don’t have to book tickets ahead, so just wander over when you’re ready. Highlights include one of the world’s oldest and largest carpets and Tipu’s Tiger, an almost life-size statue of a tiger with a mechanical organ that mimics the cries of the person it’s attacking (though you may want to read up on its controversial history).

Pop on the Piccadilly Line at South Kensington and rest your feet for the 20-minute tube ride to Trafalgar Square, London’s most photographed square, thanks in part to the 145-foot-high Nelson’s Column. There are plenty of dinner options nearby, but we recommend The Marquis, which serves up quintessential cozy pub charm and equally quintessential British dishes like fish and chips. If it’s good enough for Charles Dickens, who was once a regular there, it’s good enough for us.

From here, amble your way around Covent Garden, a charming neighborhood that’s home to shops, street performers, pubs, and cafes. (Note that most stores in the area close at 8 p.m., so if shopping is priority you may want to amble first, then eat.) Make your way north to Soho, the city’s nightlife neighborhood, which is home to the Red Light District and is also LGBTQ+ central. We love The French House, an authentic no-frills bar that was once a gathering point for the French Resistance during World War II. This is also West End territory, London’s Broadway equivalent, so the theater nerds can swap out a pub crawl for the latest hot ticket performance.

Fill up before a day of sightseeing at Salt & Pepper, which serves up a classic English Breakfast (typically bacon, eggs, and yes, baked beans). It also has a handy location just a five-minute walk from The British Museum, your first stop of the day. This museum of human history, art, and culture is arguably London’s best, which means getting there early is a good strategy for heading off the crowds. (The museum opens at 10 a.m. daily, and tickets are free and can be booked ahead, though you may be asked to donate.) Even half a day here isn’t enough, so make a beeline to the Rosetta Stone, then pick and choose which exhibits to explore. If deciding which of 80,000 artifacts to look at is overwhelming, just take a tour—many are free, though booking ahead is recommended.

If you need a break from heavier English food, hop across the street for lunch at Bloomsbury Street Kitchen (open Wednesday through Saturday) which serves up outstanding Mediterranean and Japanese small plates.

Once you’ve refueled, take the 30-minute trip on the tube to the Tower of London. This 11th-century fortress castle and UNESCO World Heritage Site is where, among other things, 16th-century queen Anne Boleyn was locked up and beheaded (supposedly, she is one of many ghosts that haunt the grounds). Yes, the Tower of London is often overrun, but its true crime history is completely fascinating. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the Crown Jewels.

Next, head over to Tower Millennium Pier and take the RB1 “River Bus” to Bankside, with the added benefit of a built-in 10-minute river cruise.

TOWER OF LONDON/THAMES RIVER TOUR OPTIONS

Start your evening off with a dinner at Swan at the Globe, a chic modern restaurant offering seasonal British dishes and classy cocktails. An added bonus: It has a great view over the Thames and St. Paul’s Cathedral, which means you’ll cross yet another attraction off your London sightseeing safari.

Then head next door for a play at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, a full-size reproduction of the famous playwright’s original open-air theater. (When you book tickets ahead, make sure they’re for The Globe; it’s easy to accidentally book tickets to The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse instead.) Standing room tickets on the floor are super cheap and super fun—it’s like you’re watching a production back in the 1600s. But after a full day of sightseeing, we understand if you want to rest your feet and sit on a bench. (If you do, spring the extra pound for a cushion.) Even in an open-air theater, the show must go on, as they say, so if the weather looks iffy bring a raincoat (umbrellas aren’t allowed) and enjoy a truly British experience: Shakespeare in the rain.