Experiences
2 Days in London: A First-Timer’s Itinerary
A tightly paced two day route covering Westminster, the Tower of London, Borough Market and the British Museum.
In short: our top picks are Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and Tower of London. 12 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Two days in London means accepting early that you cannot see everything, and this itinerary sticks to seven stops that cover the sights first timers ask about most, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the British Museum among them. The route is split by area rather than by theme, so day one covers Westminster and the City while day two moves through Bloomsbury and the South Bank. It leaves room to slow down without falling behind schedule.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Westminster Abbey | Westminster | |
| Buckingham Palace | Westminster | |
| Tower of London | The City | £££ |
| Borough Market | Borough | ££ |
| The British Museum | Bloomsbury | ££ |
| Covent Garden | Covent Garden | |
| The View from The Shard | London Bridge | £££ |
| American Bar at The Savoy | Covent Garden | ££££ |
| Sir John Soane's Museum | Holborn | |
| The National Gallery | Westminster | ££ |
| St. John | Smithfield | £££ |
| Tate Modern | Bankside | ££ |
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Editor’s choice
Westminster Abbey
Why we pick itEvery coronation since 1066 has taken place here, and the building is as much a walk through British history as a place of worship. Start early since the queue builds fast after 10am.
Coronation church and royal burial site
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Buckingham Palace
Why we pick itThe Changing of the Guard happens on selected days at 11am, and it costs nothing to watch if you check the schedule and get there early for a good spot along the railings.
Royal residence and Changing the Guard
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Tower of London
Why we pick itThe Crown Jewels and the Yeoman Warder tours, included with entry, make this the single best value stop on a short trip. Book online in advance since it is one of the most visited sites in the country.
Medieval fortress home to the Crown Jewels
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Borough Market
Why we pick itThis is the easiest place in London to get a good, varied lunch without booking anywhere, from fresh oysters to a toasted cheese sandwich. It gets packed at weekend lunchtimes.
Historic food market by London Bridge
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The British Museum
Why we pick itThe Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon sculptures draw the crowds, but even an hour inside gives a strong sense of the collection's scale. Entry is free, though special exhibitions charge separately.
World renowned museum of history and culture
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Covent Garden
Why we pick itStreet performers work the piazza most afternoons, and the covered market halls are worth a browse even if you are not buying anything. It sits close enough to the British Museum to combine easily on foot.
Historic piazza with shops and street performers
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The View from The Shard
Why we pick itThe 68th to 72nd floor viewing platform gives an unobstructed 360 degree view that reaches up to 40 miles on a clear day. Book a sunset slot if you want the skyline lit up as the light changes.
Viewing gallery 244 metres above the city
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American Bar at The Savoy
Why we pick itEnd where London cocktails more or less began. Open since 1893, the American Bar still does the classics beautifully, with a pianist most evenings and a martini worth the price of admission. It takes no bookings, so come before seven if you want a seat rather than a stand. It is a five-minute walk down towards the river from the West End, a fitting last note that feels grown-up rather than gaudy. Dress the part and take your time over one good drink.
Worth knowingSkip it if you are chasing whatever is newest
Day two, evening. Landmark hotel cocktail bar
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Sir John Soane's Museum
Why we pick itA short walk east into Holborn brings you to the strangest, best-kept house in London: the architect Soane's own home, left exactly as he arranged it, crammed with antiquities, a sarcophagus in the basement and mirrors that play tricks with the light. It is free and gloriously low-key after the grandeur of the morning. Space is tight so they let people in a few at a time; arrive with a little patience and go on the early side. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Day two, early afternoon. Historic house museum
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The National Gallery
Why we pick itBegin day two in the West End with the big hitters: Van Eyck, Turner, the Wilton Diptych, Velázquez. Entry is free and you do not need long, an hour or two of the rooms you actually want rather than a death march through all of them. Reserve a timed slot first thing online so you walk past the queue. From the steps you get Trafalgar Square and a clear sense of which way the rest of the day runs.
Day two, morning. National art collection
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St. John
Why we pick itFergus Henderson's whitewashed dining room near Smithfield has shaped how Britain cooks for thirty years, and an early supper here is the proper end to day one. Order the roast bone marrow with parsley salad, follow with whatever's gutsy and seasonal, and finish with the Eccles cake and Lancashire cheese. It is a short walk or quick hop up from Bankside. Book ahead; this is the meal the whole plan is built around, so treat it that way.
Worth knowingSkip it if offal is genuinely not for you, though the menu is broader than its reputation
Day one, evening. Nose-to-tail British restaurant
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Tate Modern
Why we pick itA ten-minute riverside stroll west from the market along the Thames Path. The collection is free and you can take it at whatever pace suits, but the real reason it earns the slot is Level 10 of the Blavatnik Building, where the viewing level gives you St Paul's, the river and the City for nothing at all. Go up before you tire of the galleries, when the light is still good. Open late on Fridays and Saturdays if you want a quieter, lamplit version.
Day one, afternoon. Modern art gallery with free viewing level
Before you book
Two days is tight, so accept that you will not see everything and prioritise Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London if the itinerary needs trimming further. Book the Tower of London and the View from The Shard in advance, since both often sell out same day tickets on weekends.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Westminster Abbey is our editor's choice: Every coronation since 1066 has taken place here, and the building is as much a walk through British history as a place of worship. Start early since the queue builds fast after 10am. Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and Tower of London lead the guide, with 12 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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