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Day 1
Morning (7am–11am)
Breakfast Spot: Kickstart your day at The Breakfast Club in Soho. This lively spot serves up hearty pancakes and fresh smoothies that the kids will love.
Attraction: Madame Tussauds
Get up close with over 150 lifelike wax figures of celebrities, royals, sports stars, and superheroes across 8 immersive themed zones.
Highlights:
- Walk the red carpet at the Awards Party and snap selfies with Dwayne Johnson, Harry Styles and Taylor Swift.
- Experience the Marvel Hall of Heroes featuring a 4.5-meter Hulk and enjoy the Marvel Universe 4D movie.
Pro tip: Visit during weekday mornings for smaller crowds and better photo opportunities.
Suggested time to spend: 2-3 hours
Noon (12pm – 3pm)
Lunch Spot: Enjoy a family lunch at Pizza Express, where kids can create their own pizzas in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
Attraction: London Eye
Soar 135 meters above the Thames on the world's largest cantilevered observation wheel, offering breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of London's iconic skyline.
Highlights:
- Enjoy a 30-minute rotation in air-conditioned glass capsules with enough room to walk around and take photos from every angle.
- Spot famous landmarks including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, and The Shard.
Pro tip: Combine with nearby attractions like the SEA LIFE Aquarium or hop-on hop-off bus tours for significant savings.
Suggested time to spend: 1-1.5 hours (including 4D experience)
Evening (4pm – 7pm)
Attraction: Tower Bridge
Walk across London's most iconic Victorian bridge and explore its glass-floored walkways 42 meters above the Thames, plus discover the historic engine rooms that once powered this engineering marvel.
Highlights:
- Experience thrilling views through the transparent glass-floored walkways connecting the two towers.
- Explore the Victorian Engine Rooms, displaying the original coal-driven steam engines that powered the bridge lifts from 1894, with interactive exhibits.
Pro tip: Time your visit to witness the bridge lift in action as the roadway raises to allow tall ships through.
Suggested time to spend: 1.5-2 hours
Day 2
Morning (7am – 11am)
Breakfast spot: Start your day at Gail's Bakery in South Kensington. The freshly baked pastries and coffee will fuel your morning adventures.
Attraction: Hyde Park
Escape into London's largest Royal Park, spanning 350 acres of green space in the heart of the city with tree-lined paths, the Serpentine Lake and historic monuments.
Highlights:
- Rent a rowboat on the Serpentine Lake and enjoy views of the park from the water.
- Discover hidden gems, including the Rose Garden with seasonal blooms, the ornate Albert Memorial, and various war memorials.
Pro tip: Visit the Hyde Park Learning Centre to join free pond dipping or mini beast hunting sessions.
Suggested time to spend: 2-3 hours
Noon (12pm – 3pm)
Lunch spot: Head to Borough Market for a vibrant lunch experience with diverse food stalls offering everything from gourmet burgers to exotic dishes.
Attraction: Sea Life London Aquarium
Dive into an underwater world at Europe's largest aquarium, home to over 500 species and thousands of marine creatures, all housed in the historic County Hall building.
Highlights:
- Walk through the Ocean Tunnel, a 360-degree glass walkway where sharks, rays, and tropical fish glide around you.
- Meet the Gentoo penguins at Penguin Point, where you can watch them dive, swim, and waddle across their icy habitat during daily feeding talks.
Pro tip: Discover the Pacific Ocean zone featuring the Jellyfish Kingdom with glowing jellies floating in blue-lit tanks.
Suggested time to spend: 1-2 hours
Evening (4pm – 7pm)
Attraction: Paddington Bear Statue
Meet the bronze Paddington Bear at his home, where the story began; Platform 1 at Paddington Station, where Mr. and Mrs. Brown first discovered the marmalade-loving bear from Peru.
Highlights:
- Snap a photo with the life-sized bronze statue of Paddington, with his duffle coat, suitcase, and the famous tag reading "Please look after this bear, thank you" on Platform 1.
- Sit on the Paddington Bear bench beside the plaque that details the bear's appearance in both books and films.
Pro tip: Head to Selfridges on Oxford Street, where author Michael Bond bought the original teddy bear on Christmas Eve that inspired the entire Paddington story.
Suggested time to spend: 30-45 minutes
Day 1
Morning (7am – 11am)
Breakfast Spot: Start at The Wolseley, an iconic London café with a rich history and a proper breakfast.
Attraction: British Museum
Explore the world's largest museum, with over 8 million artifacts spanning two million years of human history across 94 galleries, and free to enter.
Highlights:
- See the Rosetta Stone from 196 BC, the key that unlocked Egyptian hieroglyphics.
- Marvel at the Parthenon Sculptures, 2,500-year-old Greek marble friezes from Athens' Acropolis.
Pro tip: Head to the Enlightenment Gallery to handle a replica of the Rosetta Stone without fighting the crowds around the original.
Suggested time to spend: 2–3 hours
Noon (12pm – 3pm)
Lunch Spot: The Crypt Café, set inside the atmospheric St Martin-in-the-Fields church.
Attraction: Tower of London
Step into nearly 1,000 years of history at this UNESCO World Heritage fortress, built by William the Conqueror as a royal palace, prison, and execution site.
Highlights:
- See the Crown Jewels, including the Imperial State Crown and the Cullinan diamond.
- Explore the White Tower's Line of Kings and the 11th-century St John's Chapel.
Pro tip: Meet the resident ravens — legend says if they leave, the kingdom falls, so their wings are carefully clipped.
Suggested time to spend: 3–4 hours
Evening (4pm – 7pm)
Attraction: Westminster Abbey
Enter the Gothic masterpiece where every British monarch since 1066 has been crowned and where poets, scientists, and the Unknown Warrior lie among royal tombs.
Highlights:
- See the Coronation Chair from 1308, still used in every coronation.
- Visit the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor behind the High Altar.
Pro tip: Download the free Westminster Abbey app for a multimedia guide narrated by Jeremy Irons.
Suggested time to spend: 2–3 hours
Day 2
Morning (7am – 11am)
Breakfast spot: Regency Café, known for its classic English breakfast and retro feel.
Attraction: Churchill War Rooms
Step into the secret underground bunker that served as Britain's nerve center during WWII, where Churchill and his War Cabinet directed the war effort from 1939–1945.
Highlights:
- Walk through the Map Room, where Churchill tracked military operations on D-Day.
- See the Cabinet Room, preserved exactly as it was left after 115 wartime meetings.
Pro tip: Book the 'Behind The Glass' tour for access to areas normally closed to visitors.
Suggested time to spend: 2–3 hours
Noon (12pm – 3pm)
Lunch spot: Café in the Crypt, beneath St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Attraction: Houses of Parliament
Visit Britain's iconic seat of democracy, governing for centuries from stunning neo-Gothic halls along the Thames.
Highlights:
- Explore Westminster Hall, from 1097, with its hammer-beam roof and history of famous trials.
- Marvel at the Central Lobby's mosaics representing England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Pro tip: Walk through St Stephen's Hall, once a royal chapel and the site of pivotal parliamentary moments.
Suggested time to spend: 1.5–2 hours
Evening (4pm – 7pm)
Attraction: The British Library
The world's largest library, holding everything from ancient manuscripts to Beatles lyrics, near St Pancras.
Highlights:
- See the Magna Carta, the Diamond Sutra and the original Beowulf manuscript in the Treasures Gallery.
- View handwritten Beatles lyrics, Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks, and Shakespeare folios.
Pro tip: Register for a free Reader Pass to access the full collection for personal study.
Suggested time to spend: 1–3 hours
Day 1
Morning (7am – 11am)
Breakfast spot: Sketch, known for its quirky interiors and inventive breakfast menu.
Attraction: Tate Britain
Britain's national collection of British art spans 500 years, from Tudor times to today, and is free to enter.
Highlights:
- Explore the world's largest JMW Turner collection in the dedicated Clore Gallery
- See Millais' "Ophelia," the Pre-Raphaelite depiction of Shakespeare's tragic heroine.
Pro tip: Visit the Prints and Drawing Room to request viewings of works not currently on display, including Turner sketchbooks.
Suggested time to spend: 2–3 hours
Noon (12pm – 3pm)
Lunch spot: The Barbican Centre's restaurant, set in a striking cultural venue.
Attraction: Barbican Centre
Europe's largest performing arts center, with brutalist architecture, a tropical conservatory, theaters, cinemas, and galleries.
Highlights:
- Visit the Conservatory, home to a wide range of tropical plants and a rooftop oasis feel.
- Explore the Brutalist architecture's elevated walkways and hidden lakeside terrace.
Pro tip: Book free timed-entry Conservatory tickets in advance — they're popular and essential.
Suggested time to spend: 2–3 hours
Evening (4pm – 7pm)
Attraction: National Gallery
Britain's premier art museum, with over 2,300 Western European paintings from the mid-13th century to 1900, free to explore.
Highlights:
- See Van Gogh's "Sunflowers," displayed in Room 43.
- Explore van Eyck's "Arnolfini Portrait," rich with hidden 15th-century symbolism.
Pro tip: Enter through the Sainsbury Wing to move chronologically through the collection, starting with the earliest works.
Suggested time to spend: 2–3 hours
Day 2
Morning (7am – 11am)
Breakfast spot: The Gallery Café, known for fresh, local ingredients.
Attraction: Victoria and Albert Museum
The world's largest decorative arts museum, spanning 5,000 years of fashion, furniture, and design.
Highlights:
- See Tipu's Tiger, the mechanical sculpture with built-in sound effects.
- Discover the Great Bed of Ware, Shakespeare's famously oversized four-poster bed.
Pro tip: Follow the V&A trail map, highlighting 10 must-see objects for efficient exploring.
Suggested time to spend: 2–3 hours
Noon (12pm – 3pm)
Lunch spot: Serpentine Bar & Kitchen, with lakeside views and a seasonal menu.
Attraction: Serpentine Galleries
Two contemporary art galleries in Kensington Gardens, known for cutting-edge exhibitions and an annual architectural pavilion.
Highlights:
- Explore Serpentine South, housed in a 1930s former tea pavilion, with works by Warhol and Hirst.
- See the annual Serpentine Pavilion, a summer architectural highlight since 2000.
Pro tip: Visit both galleries in one trip — they're five minutes apart across the Serpentine Bridge.
Suggested time to spend: 1.5–2 hours
Evening (4pm – 7pm)
Attraction: Saatchi Gallery
A contemporary art gallery in a Grade II-listed building, showcasing emerging and established artists.
Highlights:
- Explore boundary-pushing contemporary work across three floors.
- Experience immersive installations, from light displays to interactive sculpture.
Pro tip: Visit on a weekend to pair your gallery visit with the Duke of York Square food market next door.
Suggested time to spend: 2–3 hours
Book your London hop-on hop-off tickets
Combo (Save 10%): London Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour with Thames River Cruise + Madame Tussauds Tickets
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Frequently asked questions about a 2-day London itinerary
What can I do in London in 2 days?
See major landmarks such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and Tower of London, while leaving time for areas like Covent Garden, South Bank and Borough Market.
What is the best way to spend 2 days in London?
Split your time by area to avoid unnecessary travel. Use one day for Westminster, Buckingham Palace and the West End, and another for the Tower of London, South Bank, Borough Market and the City.
Is 2 days enough to visit London?
Two days are enough for a good introduction to London’s main landmarks and neighbourhoods, although you will still need to prioritise what you want to see.
What should I do in London for 2 days for the first time?
Start with Westminster, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye, then explore Covent Garden and the West End. On day two, visit the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market and the South Bank.
Can I see London in 2 days using a hop-on hop-off bus?
Yes. A hop-on hop-off bus can connect major sightseeing areas while giving you the flexibility to spend more time at the stops that interest you. Check the hop-on hop-off timetable and route map when planning your days.
What are the best areas to visit in London in 2 days?
Westminster, South Bank, Covent Garden, the West End, the City and the area around the Tower of London offer a mix of landmarks, museums, food and nightlife.
What can I do in London in 2 days without rushing?
Choose two or three major attractions each day and group nearby sights together. Leave time for meals, neighbourhood walks and unplanned stops rather than trying to fit in every landmark.
What can adults do in London for 2 days?
Combine major sights with experiences such as a Thames cruise, afternoon tea, museum visits, a West End show, food markets or an evening in Soho or Covent Garden.
What can I do in London in 2 days on a budget?
Build your itinerary around free sights, parks and museums, then choose one or two paid attractions. Walk between nearby areas and use public transport or a hop-on hop-off pass to cover longer distances.
What is a good 2-day London itinerary for families?
Combine major landmarks with family-friendly attractions such as the London Eye, Natural History Museum and SEA LIFE London Aquarium, keeping each day focused on nearby areas to limit travel time.
