At the moment I need 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 sights to the native areas and iconic landmarks, London has no scarcity of how 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 spend 48 hours in London, I’ve rather a lot to inform them. You’ll be properly 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 properly.
The wonderful thing about spending 2 days in London is that you just’ll have sufficient time to see the highlights of the UK capital. Regardless of in case you’re spending a weekend in London or in case you’re visiting mid-week, there are a whole lot of methods to spend your time.
Whether or not you need to examine the landmarks off your London journey bucket record, go to the massive sights, 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 spread of actions and sights. It’s simply the factor for first-time guests and those that haven’t traveled to London shortly.
The information gives you a strong introduction to the most effective elements of the town and make you need to come again and discover extra of London in your subsequent journey.
The interactive map I’ve included on the finish gives you 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
Relating to the place to base your self in London, there are many choices. Whether or not you need to keep in a resort, an house, or one other kind of lodging, there’s numerous 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’ll be able to check out my weblog posts about the most effective space to remain in London, the most effective inns on your type, and quirky inns in London for extra concepts.
You may as well discover offers and e book lodging in London right here. With so many good choices for each style and finances, 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 if you need route.
For those who’re hungry, there are many spots to eat and drink within the space. You’ll be able to 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 give the impression of being significantly 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 outline of the town. It’s an effective way to get a really feel for what London has to supply in a brief period of time. You’ll be able to e book tickets right here.
For those who’re up for persevering with your night time in type, take the Piccadilly line of the London Underground to South Kensington. You’ll be able to try the nightlife scene round Walton Road and the King’s Highway in Chelsea.
Day 1 in London
The subsequent 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 top-of-the-line espresso outlets 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’ll be able to 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 outdoors the massive gates.
For those who’re right here throughout the seasonal opening, it’s also possible to take a tour of Buckingham Palace. It’s an effective way to see the state rooms and personal gardens whilst you’re visiting. You’ll be able to e book tickets right here (you’ll need to e book properly upfront).
From the palace you’ll be able to stroll by way 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 after 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 need to, you’ll be able to tour the abbey and parliament. You’ll be able to e book tickets right here.
If in case you have time and inclination, it’s also possible to take my free self-guided Westminster stroll to see extra of the realm past the sights. It is going to 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 common space is the right place to take in the views from the London Eye or simply wander alongside the river.
You’ll be able to 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 need to e book forward of time, because it usually sells out properly upfront.
There are all the time pop-ups, avenue 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 move by numerous 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 straightforward to go to for as lengthy or little as you need to. There are gorgeous views from the highest of the Blavatnik Constructing, too.
Simply down the river from the museum, Borough Market is the best 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 search out the right meal.
From Borough Market you’ll be able to cross London Bridge to get into the Metropolis of London. Be certain that to maintain a watch 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 Alternate, and the magical inside of Leadenhall Market (you would possibly acknowledge it as a filming location for the Harry Potter films), there’s rather a lot to like right here.
If in case you have time, you are able to do my self-guided Metropolis of London stroll to see the highlights. You may as well head as much as the Sky Backyard or Horizon 22 if you wish to absorb a number of the finest views in London. Simply ensure to e book free tickets upfront.
For those who 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 because the 1600s, they usually’re stuffed with environment.
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 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 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.
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 take pleasure in. If theater isn’t your factor, there are comedy reveals and stay music, too.
For those who’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 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’ll be able to 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 off-the-cuff 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 without doubt one of the most eye-catching landmarks in London. You’ll be able to stroll throughout it, then head as much as the highest on a self-guided tour if you wish to. You’ll be able to e book tickets right here.
If you’re achieved 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’ll be able to 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 solution 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 ensure to order forward of time, as the most effective ones e book up properly 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 filled with afternoon tea choices.
This scrumptious custom is an effective 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 extra concepts, there’s much more about issues to do within the metropolis within the fashionable e book London, Block by Block: An Illustrated Information to the Better of England’s Capital. You may get it right here.
I’ve revealed quite a lot of different London itineraries, too. You’ll be able to 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’ll be able to see it right here. For those who click on on the pins you’ll discover my related weblog posts about every place. I hope it helps you propose a terrific journey to the town!
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