48 hours in London
Day one covers Westminster, the royal parks and the South Bank. Day two starts early at the Tower, crosses to Borough Market and ends in Bloomsbury and Covent Garden.
- Length: 48 hours
- Pace: balanced
- Rough cost: £110–£190 pp
- Best for: First-timers who want the big sights without running
The plan
Day 1 · Westminster and the South Bank Westminster, St James’s, South Bank
- 09:15–09:45 Westminster Bridge and Big Ben
Best photos from the south end of the bridge before the crowds build.
- 09:45–11:30 Westminster AbbeyBook aheadIndoors
Coronation church and royal tombs. Sightseeing Mon–Sat only; Sundays are for services.
- 11:45–12:30 St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace
Stroll the lake path to the palace gates. Changing the Guard runs on set days only — check the schedule.
- 12:45–13:45 Lunch around Trafalgar Square
Plenty of quick options on St Martin’s Lane and in Covent Garden.
- 13:50–15:30 National GalleryIndoors
Free. Pick a wing — the Sainsbury Wing holds the early Italian works.
- 15:45–17:15 South Bank to Tate Modern
Riverside walk past the London Eye and Southbank Centre. Tate Modern is free and open until 18:00.
- 17:15–17:40 Millennium Bridge and St Paul’s view
Cross for the classic view of the dome, then head back to Bankside.
- 18:30–20:00 Dinner around Bankside
Pubs and restaurants by the river and around Southwark Street.
Day 2 · The Tower, Borough and Bloomsbury Tower Hill, Borough, Bloomsbury, Covent Garden
- 09:00–11:45 Tower of LondonBook ahead
Go straight to the Crown Jewels at opening, then join a Yeoman Warder tour.
- 11:45–12:15 Tower Bridge
Walk across on the road deck. The glass-floor walkway inside is a separate ticket.
- 12:30–13:30 Lunch at Borough Market
Graze the stalls. Quieter before noon; some traders take Mondays off.
- 14:00–16:30 British MuseumIndoors
Free. Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures and the Egyptian rooms. Booking a free slot is optional.
- 16:45–18:00 Covent Garden and Seven Dials
Street performers in the piazza, then the small lanes around Neal’s Yard.
- 18:30–20:00 Dinner in Soho
Lots of choice on Dean Street and around Chinatown.
Rough cost
Per person. Westminster Abbey and Tower of London tickets, two days of Tube/bus fares on contactless, mid-range meals. Not hotel.
Prices checked November 2026 against official and widely published 2026 rates; they change, so confirm before you pay.
Book ahead
- Westminster Abbey — Timed tickets, cheaper online. Closed to sightseers on Sundays.
- Tower of London — Book the first slot to see the Crown Jewels before queues form.
If it rains
- Instead of St James’s Park walk: National Portrait Gallery (free), next to the National Gallery
- Instead of South Bank walk: More time inside Tate Modern, or Tube straight to Southwark
Good to know
- Tap the same contactless card on every Tube and bus; daily fares are capped automatically.
- Westminster Abbey is closed to visitors on Sundays — swap the days if you arrive at a weekend.
- Borough Market is busiest from 12:00 to 14:00 on Saturdays.
Book it
- Tickets and tours in London (GetYourGuide)
- Hotels in London (Booking.com)
- UK train times and fares (Trainline)
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Want some fresh air after the city? Easy hikes in the Lake District (Roamglade).
