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What to see in London in 2 days
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Culture
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By Content Team
Culture
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| Day | Route focus | Main areas |
| Day 1 | London Icons | Westminster, South Bank, and Piccadilly |
| Day 2 | History and the City | Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and St Paul's |
| Day 3 | Museums and elegant neighbourhoods | Kensington, Hyde Park, and Notting Hill |
| Day 4 | Markets and leisure | Camden, Soho, and Covent Garden |
| Day 5 | Excursion and alternative London | Greenwich |
Big Ben is the quintessential symbol of London and all of England. Although we popularly refer to the tower by this name, it actually belongs to the enormous 13-tonne bell that strikes the hours.
Following its recent restoration, Elizabeth Tower now displays its golden clock faces and blueish spires with a unique splendour, making it the perfect starting point for any tourist guide.
Being right next to Parliament, you can reach the next point walking in less than 2 minutes.
The Palace of Westminster is the seat of the two houses of the UK Parliament. An imposing Victorian Gothic Revival building, a UNESCO World Heritage site, it sits majestically on the banks of the Thames. Standing before its stone facade, you'll feel the weight of centuries of British democratic history.
Walk around the palace towards the main square, and you'll reach the Abbey entrance in about 5 minutes on foot.
Westminster Abbey is the most important church in England and the site of all royal coronations since 1066. Inside, figures like Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin rest, alongside the great poets of the English language, imbuing the site with a profound sense of mysticism.
Cross the River Thames via Westminster Bridge to reach the next location; it will take you about 10-12 minutes, enjoying the best skyline views.
The London Eye offers a 360-degree panoramic view from its glass capsules. Also known as the Millennium Wheel, at 135 metres high, it's the perfect viewpoint to get your bearings geographically and spot landmarks from St Paul's Cathedral to Windsor Castle on clear days.
Upon disembarking, simply walk east along the riverbank (Queen's Walk) for about 10 minutes, and you'll reach South Bank.
A vibrant area brimming with life, featuring second-hand book stalls, street musicians, the National Theatre, and an endless culinary offering, South Bank is the cultural soul of London. Strolling along the Thames here is one of the most rewarding experiences the capital has to offer.
From Waterloo or Embankment station, take the Northern or Bakerloo underground line towards the centre (15-20 minutes).
With its giant LED screens, iconic Eros statue, and constant flow of people, Piccadilly Circus is London's equivalent of "Times Square." The epicentre of West End entertainment, surrounded by theatres and neon lights, it's one of those places that must feature in your photo gallery, perfect for ending this first day.
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The Tower of London is a thousand-year-old fortress that has served as a royal palace, prison, and armoury throughout its history. Famous for guarding the Crown Jewels and its distinctive guardians, known as the Beefeaters, walking its ramparts is like immersing yourself in legends of betrayal and untold treasures.
The city's most famous bridge is visible from the Tower exit; you can walk there in 5 minutes.
With its neo-Gothic towers and glass walkways, Tower Bridge is a masterpiece of Victorian engineering. It's a must-see stop on your itinerary; if you're lucky, you might see its bascules lift to allow ships to pass on the Thames. If you have time, it's worth waiting to witness the spectacle.
Walk across to the City, about a 15-20 minute walk through the financial district, or take bus number 15.
The City of London is the name given to the financial district, where imposing skyscrapers like the Gherkin stand alongside centuries-old churches. It's where Roman London was born and where the global economy beats today, offering a fascinating visual contrast between the ancient and the ultramodern.
Walk west along Cannon Street, and you'll reach the cathedral in about 10 minutes.
With its iconic white dome, which you've likely seen countless times in films, St Paul's Cathedral is a masterpiece by Christopher Wren, one of history's most acclaimed English architects.
As the seat of the Diocese and the Bishop of London, at 111 metres high, it was the city's tallest building from 1710 to 1962. Its interior is simply awe-inspiring, and if you climb to the Whispering Gallery, you can experience its incredible acoustics before enjoying the views.
Take the Central line underground from St. Paul's towards Bank, or walk 10 minutes towards The Monument.
The Sky Garden is London's highest public garden. Located in the building known as the Walkie-Talkie, it offers a glass-enclosed viewpoint surrounded by exotic plants that won't fail to impress. It's an idyllic spot to see the city illuminated while enjoying a cocktail.
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One of the most impressive museums in the world, not only for its collection of dinosaurs and biological specimens but also for its spectacular Romanesque-Victorian building. Inside the Natural History Museum, the blue whale skeleton suspended from the main hall's ceiling is an unforgettable sight.
The adjacent museum is just a 5-minute walk away along Exhibition Road.
It is the largest art and design museum in the world. The galleries of the V&A house everything from Michelangelo sculptures to contemporary haute couture. Its central courtyard is a magnificent place to enjoy a coffee surrounded by architectural beauty.
Walk north along Exhibition Road, and in 10 minutes, you'll enter Hyde Park.
With its large boating lake (The Serpentine) and the famous Speakers' Corner, Hyde Park is London's green lung. It's my favourite place to unwind, take a stroll amongst the squirrels, and enjoy the tranquility right in the city centre.
Cross the park towards the northwest or take a bus along Bayswater Road to reach Notting Hill in about 20 minutes.
One of the most iconic neighbourhoods, Notting Hill is known worldwide for its pastel-coloured houses, its Portobello Road market, and, above all, for the legendary film starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. You'll love getting lost in its streets and browsing its antique shops with a unique bohemian flair.
Take the District or Circle underground line from Notting Hill Gate to High Street Kensington (10-15 minutes).
Kensington
The heart of sophistication, Kensington is the perfect place if you want to enjoy a more special dinner in an elegant setting of residential streets that exemplify the most stately side of London. After dinner, I encourage you to take a walk in front of Kensington Palace under the lamplight.
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The quintessential alternative neighbourhood, Camden Town, with its facades decorated with giant boots and dragons, its vintage clothing markets, and street food from around the world, is a sensory labyrinth next to Regent's Canal.
Take the Northern line south to Leicester Square or Tottenham Court Road (15-20 minutes).
A lively area where the old flower market boasts countless shops and restaurants. In Covent Garden, you'll find a very animated atmosphere where street performers are a classic.
It's a short 10-minute walk through the theatre district.
The creative and eclectic heart of London, the narrow streets of the Soho neighbourhood hide historic jazz bars, film studios, and, above all, the famous Carnaby Street. It's the perfect place to feel the city's most urban and modern culture.
Walking less than 5 minutes south from Soho, you'll reach Leicester Square.
This fourth day concludes in Leicester Square, London's cinematic centre, where major premieres take place. It's one of the liveliest areas at night, with cinemas, casinos, and endless energy.
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A UNESCO World Heritage site, Greenwich offers a tranquil, maritime atmosphere that contrasts with the rest of your days. Here you can visit the impressive Cutty Sark ship or the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College, known as the "Sistine Chapel" of London.
Reach it from the centre via the DLR train (from Bank or Tower Gateway) or take the Uber Boat river ferry for a unique experience (20-30 minutes).
The Greenwich Observatory is home to the famous Prime Meridian, the line dividing the world into eastern and western hemispheres. In addition to its astronomical history, the building provides fascinating context on global navigation.
Walk up the hill from Greenwich Market; it's about a 10-minute climb, but the reward is worth it.
Greenwich Park is one of the most beautiful Royal Parks, and from the hill of the Royal Observatory, you'll get what is arguably the best view of the Canary Wharf financial skyline across the Thames. It's a perfect spot to watch the sun set over the city.
To conclude your five-day London adventure, head back to the centre by river ferry to see the illuminated monuments from the water before a final farewell dinner.
📍View full route on Google Maps
📍View full route on Google Maps
📍View full route on Google Maps
📍View full route on Google Maps
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