London is a city packed with famous landmarks, brilliant attractions and is bursting with history and culture. If you’ve got just two days in the city, you may wonder if you can fit it all in and truly experience London.
To help, we’ve put together this 2-day London itinerary so you can see the most popular sights worth seeing in a 2 day visit.
You’ll find a range of activities, including sightseeing, museums, attractions, parks and places to eat – all grouped by area so that you can walk from one to the other.
We hope it helps you enjoy two great days out in London.
Day 1 of 2-day London Itinerary
Westminster sightseeing, South Kensington museums, Harrods and Royal Albert Hall
From £85.00: Guided tour of Westminster sights.
Day 1, 9:00 am Westminster sightseeing
Start off your 2-day London itinerary with sightseeing in Westminster, which has some of London’s most famous sights. These include Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace.
You can either visit these sights independently or book a walking tour of all the Westminster sights.
A guided tour allows you to learn more about the history of these places and to see the highlights at each venue.
We recommend this tour with a 5-star licensed guide: Guided tour of Westminster sights. It takes 4 hours and includes tickets and priority entry to Westminster Abbey.
From £85.00: Guided tour of Westminster sights.
Day 1, 1:00 pm Lunch in Hyde Park
When you finish sightseeing in Westminster, you can head to Hyde Park which is a 14 minute walk from Buckingham Palace.
This historic park makes for a great lunch spot. Have a picnic or enjoy food from one of the park cafes. There is also a playground and The Serpentine Lake to visit.
Day 1, 2:00 pm Natural History Museum or Science Museum
From £172.00: Dinosaur Discovery tour
A 10-minute walk from south Hyde Park are the South Kensington museums of London.
These are some of London’s top museums and all have free entry. We’ve suggested two of the most popular museums here below for you to choose from.
Natural History Museum
Discover the history of our planet stretching back 4.6 billion years at the Natural History Museum. Popular galleries include the Earthquakes & Volcanoes gallery and the Dinosaur Zone. And the Mammals section features a life-size model of a blue whale.
You can also take a kid-friendly guided tour of the Natural History Museum. This Dinosaur Discovery tour starts with looking at the geology and world of dinosaurs.
It then goes on to have a look at the museum’s fossil collection and the dinosaur gallery. All are led by a knowledgeable guide.
From £172.00: Dinosaur Discovery tour
Science Museum
Admission is free to the Science Museum for access to their main galleries. They also have changing paid exhibitions going on.
You can see cool science objects and learn about discoveries and developments throughout human history. You can also get tickets to the Wonderlab, which costs £15.00 and features friction slides, a chemistry bar and live demos.
Day 1, 5:00 pm visit Harrods
Harrods is the most famous department store in the world. It’s worth a visit for the magic and grandeur of the place or to see the beautiful Christmas window displays. There is also a famed kid’s department to have a browse in.
If you want to grab an early bite for dinner Harrods has a selection of restaurants in store from Asian to Lebanese to American cuisines. Some suggestions are Gordon Ramsay Burger and Harrods Pizzeria.
Day 1, 7:30 pm Royal Albert Hall evening show
From Harrods, you can walk to the famous Royal Albert Hall to take in a show or performance. They have a variety of shows on, from musical concerts, to Cirque Du Soleil tours. Taking in a show is a great way to finish your first day of the 2-day London itinerary.
See what’s on during your stay: Royal Albert Hall tickets
Day 2 of 2-day London itinerary
Tower of London, Tower Bridge, South Bank and the West End
From £34.80: Tower of London and The Crown Jewels Exhibition
Day 2, 9:00 am visit the Tower of London
Start day 2 of the 2-day London itinerary with a visit to the Tower of London, one of the city’s oldest buildings and most visited attractions. (1)
This World Heritage Site has been the centre of London’s history since it was built by William the Conqueror in the 1070s. Many famous kings and queens lived there, including Henry VIII.
You can also visit the sites where Guy Fawkes was imprisoned and where Anne Boleyn was executed.
Book from £34.80: Tower of London and The Crown Jewels Exhibition
Day 2, 12:00 pm cross Tower Bridge
Built in 1894, Tower Bridge has become an iconic symbol of London. It is well worth a visit for iconic photos along the river.
You can also climb up the towers and walk across the glass floor walkways, seeing through to the cars and people crossing the bridge far below.
Day 2, 1:00 pm Lunch at Borough Market
Borough Market is perhaps London’s most famous food market. It makes for a great spot for a quick lunch. Try some free samples from the variety of street food stalls.
You can then take a Thames Clipper boat from London Bridge City Pier to Westminster to visit the Southbank.
Book a boat day-pass from £22.10: Uber Boat
Day 2, 2:00 pm London Aquarium or Shrek’s Adventure
From £27.50: London Aquarium
The South Bank has some of London’s best family attractions. These include the London Aquarium and Shrek’s Adventure. They make for an entertaining afternoon for day 2 of the 2-day London itinerary.
London Aquarium
SEA LIFE London takes you under the sea to discover the wildlife found there. There are different habitats to learn about, including rainforests, rock pools and the Aquarium Tunnel.
The London Aquarium has all kinds of sea life to encounter, including penguins, sharks and sea turtles.
Book from £27.50: SEALife London Aquarium
Shrek’s Adventure
This immersive experience takes you into the world of Shrek. Set off on an adventure to meet your favourite characters, starting with the 4D flying magic bus ride.
Book from £21.00: Shrek’s Adventure
Day 2, 4:30 pm ride on The London Eye
The London Eye is also on the Southbank. Take a ride on the famous wheel for incredible views over the city.
Book from £29.00: The London Eye
Save with multi-attraction tickets
You can also book a multi-attraction ticket to a combination of these attractions and save up to 61% on tickets.
Day 2, 5:30 pm early dinner in Covent Garden
Cross over the Thames at Golden Jubilee Bridge from the Southbank and head up to Covent Garden.
The former market area is now a famous shopping district. You’ll also see many street performers and great food options.
Some Covent Garden restaurants are Inamo, an Asian restaurant with interactive tables for ordering and playing games. Honest Burgers and Frankie & Benny’s are also great family-friendly restaurants.
Day 2, 7:00 pm take in a West End Musical
London’s West End is known as one of the best places to see musicals and theatre.
There are many brilliant shows for kids and families too. Three hugely popular shows that we recommend are Wicked, Matilda and The Lion King.
If you want more ideas for West End shows, take a look at our roundups of the best shows in London:
12 Best Theatre Shows for Kids
Top Theatre Shows for Teenagers
Alternatively you can search Loopla to find events, shows and activities in London:
How to spend two days in London with kids
To spend two days in London with kids, you could start off seeing the sights in Westminster, including Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. From there, you could visit Hyde Park before one of London’s brilliant free museums, such as the Natural History Museum, in South Kensington.
You’ll then be near Harrods, which is well worth a visit for window shopping. Watch a performance in the Royal Albert Hall or head up to Soho to look around Hamleys in the evening.
On day two in London, visiting the Tower of London will open up London’s rich history. You can cross the Thames via Tower Bridge over to Borough Market which makes for a great lunch spot. It’s then a quick but scenic ride by boat up the Thames to the Southbank. Here you can visit the London Aquarium or Shrek’s Adventure and the London Eye. Cross over the Thames to explore Covent Garden and have dinner before enjoying a West End show in the evening.
How to travel around London
To travel around London with kids, use the public transport network. Under 5s travel free on all Transport for London services. Children aged 5+ can get free or discounted travel with a Zip Oyster photo card.
You can also walk between many attractions in London. CityMapper is a good app for finding the best route, whether walking or using public transport.
The Uber Thames Clipper boats stop off at many key points along the Thames. These make for a fast, fun and scenic way to travel across London.
Money-saving tips for visiting London
Visiting London doesn’t have to be expensive. There are lots of ways to save money and fantastic free attractions to discover.
Visit in off-peak hours
Many London attractions offer cheaper ticket prices when visiting during off-peak times. Be sure to check the website for each attraction you plan to visit to see if they offer off-peak pricing. You can then plan the rest of your day around this.
Save with multi-attraction tickets
You can book multi-attraction tickets, saving up to 61% when you book attractions together. These include the London Aquarium, Madame Tussauds and the London Eye.
Attraction Passes
An attraction pass like GoCity’s London Pass will give you free entry or discounted tickets to many attractions.
Best price guarantee on train tickets
If you’re taking the train into London or to go on a day trip, Trainline offers a price guarantee. They also have special deals on stays that are worth exploring.
International travel to London
Travelling to London from around the globe is very easy thanks to London’s many international airports. Fly into Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted, among other destinations, to visit a city rich in history and culture.
FAQs
Is it worth going to London for two days?
It is worth going to London for two days as you can see many iconic sights and have time to visit some key London attractions. If you plan and prioritise, two days in London will be well worth it.
Where should I stay in London for two days?
There are lots of great places to stay in London for two days. There are luxury hotels such as the Corinthia.
Or more budget-friendly options such as the Premier Inn at County Hall. You can also find aparthotels in London offering more space such as Wilde Apartments.
How much money would I need for two days in London?
This 2-day itinerary in London will cost approximately £240 per person. This excludes the cost of tours and accommodation and depends upon where you eat.
How many days do you really need in London?
The number of days you need in London depends upon what you want to see and do during your visit to the city. Two to three days is enough to see the key sights and visit an attraction or two.
A week in London will give you a real feel of the city. You’ll have the opportunity to visit different neighbourhoods and several brilliant attractions. That being said, even one day in London is exciting, and you can have a fantastic day out seeing the city’s history and culture.
Check out our different itineraries to get the most out of your visit to London:
10-day London itinerary
3-day London itinerary
7-day London itinerary
