48 hours in London | United Kingdom

Forty-eight hours in London is barely enough to scratch the surface of one of the world’s greatest cities, but with a smart itinerary, you can hit the essential sights, eat memorably, and leave with a genuine sense of the city’s character rather than a blur of Underground stations and queueing. London rewards focus over FOMO, you cannot see everything in a weekend, and trying will make you miserable. Pick two or three things per day, leave time for wandering (London’s real magic is in the accidental discoveries, a hidden courtyard, a centuries-old pub, a street market you weren’t looking for), and accept that you are tasting, not consuming, the city.

In This Article

• Quick Facts: 48 Hours in London
• Where to Eat in London on a Short Visit
• London’s Free and Low-Cost Attractions

Quick Facts: 48 Hours in London

• Day 1: Westminster and the South Bank. Morning: Westminster Abbey (book the first slot, 9:30am, to avoid the worst of the queues) and the exterior of Buckingham Palace. Walk through St. James’s Park. Lunch at Borough Market (the greatest food market in London, arrive hungry, bring cash, and try the Scotch egg from Scotchtails). Afternoon: The Tower of London (allow 3 hours, the Crown Jewels, the White Tower, and a tour with a Yeoman Warder are all essential). Evening: dinner in Covent Garden or Soho, then a West End show (book ahead for popular musicals; the TKTS booth in Leicester Square sells discounted same-day tickets)
• Day 2: Museums and Markets. Morning: The British Museum (free, focus on the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Marbles, and the Egyptian galleries, and accept you cannot see it all). Lunch: a street food market, Camden Market, Maltby Street Market, or Broadway Market (Saturday). Afternoon: The South Bank walk from Tower Bridge to the London Eye along the Thames, one of the great urban walks, taking in Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tate Modern (free, the Turbine Hall alone is worth the visit), and the views of St. Paul’s and the City. Sunset: The view from the Sky Garden (free but book weeks ahead) or the top of Primrose Hill (free, no booking required, and you can bring a bottle of wine)
• Getting around: The Tube is fast but you see nothing. Walk between nearby attractions whenever possible, central London is smaller than most visitors realise, and the walking routes through the royal parks and along the river are among the city’s greatest pleasures. Get an Oyster card or use contactless, daily fare caps make this the cheapest option

7 Of The Best French Ski Resorts For 2013

France is the most popular tourist destinations in the world. According to the UNWTO, 79.5 million tourists arrived in France in 2011. From Paris and Versailles to the French Riviera and the Alps, France abounds in tourist attractions. For Britishers, France has been the traditional destination for skiing holidays. Each year, millions of British tourists […]

Where to Eat in London on a Short Visit

London’s dining scene is one of the most exciting in the world, and even in forty-eight hours you can eat memorably without breaking the bank. For breakfast, head to a traditional cafe for a full English or try the modern trend of Australian-style brunch at places like Granger and Co or Caravan. For lunch, the city’s food markets are unbeatable, with Borough Market leading the way for quality and variety, though it can be crowded. Maltby Street Market on a Saturday offers a more relaxed alternative with exceptional street food. Dinner options range from the tasting menus of Michelin-starred restaurants to the hearty dishes of gastropubs. For a truly London experience, book a table at a classic restaurant such as Rules in Covent Garden, the oldest in London, or St John in Smithfield for nose-to-tail British cooking. The city’s ethnic diversity means you can eat world-class Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and West African cuisine, often at very reasonable prices.

London’s Free and Low-Cost Attractions

One of London’s greatest advantages is the wealth of world-class attractions that cost nothing to enter. The British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Science Museum, and the National Gallery all offer free admission to their permanent collections. These institutions are among the finest in the world and could occupy days of exploration. Beyond museums, London’s parks provide free enjoyment of some of the most beautiful urban green spaces anywhere. Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, Hampstead Heath, and Greenwich Park each have their own character and offer respite from the city’s pace. The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is free to watch, as is the daily ceremony at Horse Guards Parade. Walking the South Bank from Tower Bridge to the London Eye costs nothing and offers constantly changing views of the city’s landmarks. Even the impressive Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street is free, though you must book well in advance. London proves that the best experiences are sometimes the ones that cost the least.

What’s your perfect 48 hours in London, the museums, the markets, the theatre, or the accidental discoveries? Share your London itineraries and hidden gems in the comments! 🎡

Explore all our United Kingdom travel guides, from London landmarks to the Scottish Highlands.

Explore More

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:

• Tower of London – Royal Palace, fortress, prison, place of execution, arsenal, Royal Mint, Royal Zoo and jewel house | United Kingdom – United Kingdom
• Moving to London? Here are Four of the Finest Neighbourhoods – United Kingdom
• Gower Peninsula – Amazing Natural Beauty You’ll Never Forget | Wales, UK – United Kingdom