Europe

London in Two Days: What I Would Actually See

You can see a lot of London in two days, but not all of it. Here is how I would spend the time on a first visit, including what I would skip.

By Christine Scheeler, Agency Owner and Principal Travel Advisor at Adventure the World Travels, specializing in Europe and destination-focused travel planning.September 1, 20264 min read

Christine Scheeler smiling in Parliament Square with Big Ben, flags, and a red double-decker bus behind her

The London most first-time visitors picture. Big Ben, the flags, and a red bus, all in one frame.

Quick Answer

Yes, you can see a lot of London in two days. No, you cannot see all of London in two days, and I wouldn’t try. For a first visit, I’d concentrate on the major sights around Westminster, make time for the Tower of London, and then choose a few experiences based on what you actually enjoy. I’d rather see less and enjoy it than spend two days racing across London checking things off a list.

Day One: Start With the London You Came to See

If it’s your first trip, you probably want to see Big Ben. You want Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, and those iconic London views you’ve seen your entire life.

Christine Scheeler in front of Buckingham Palace in warm evening light with the Royal Standard flying — Buckingham Palace in the evening light, when the crowds thin out and the walk over from St. James’s Park is at its best.

Good news. A lot of it is relatively close together. I’d spend the first part of the day around Westminster and St. James’s Park rather than bouncing all over the city.

And leave some room in the schedule. Walk along the Thames. Stop at a pub. Have afternoon tea if that’s your thing. Wander into someplace you didn’t plan. Some of my favorite travel moments happen when nothing is scheduled.

Christine Scheeler holding a pint in a historic London pub decorated with Union Jack bunting — An unplanned stop in a pub that has been licensed for more than three hundred years. This is the kind of hour you leave room for.

Day Two: The Tower of London and Then Pick YOUR London

The Tower of London would be high on my list for a first visit. And I’d actually give it enough time instead of squeezing it between four other attractions.

Christine Scheeler standing beside a Yeoman Warder in full uniform inside the Tower of London — The Yeoman Warders are part of what makes the Tower worth real time rather than a rushed hour.

After that, this is where I’d stop following somebody else’s “must-see” list.

Love food? Go to Borough Market. Want shopping and people-watching? Spend some time around Covent Garden. Love museums? London has some incredible ones. Theater person? See a West End show. Harry Potter fan? That’s an entirely different conversation.

Christine Scheeler leaning on the Privet Drive street sign in front of the Dursley house set — Privet Drive. If you are a Harry Potter fan, London opens up an entirely different itinerary.

You have choices. You don’t have to do all of them.

What Would I Skip?

Anything you’re only doing because somebody told you that you’re “supposed” to do it. Two days is too short to spend half your time getting from one side of London to another just so you can say you saw something. Pick what matters to you.

Only Two Days Because of a Cruise?

This is actually one of my favorite ways to use London. If you’re already flying across the Atlantic for a British Isles or Northern Europe cruise, don’t automatically fly in, sleep one night, and head straight for the ship. Give London a couple of days if you can.

Your cruise doesn’t have to be the entire vacation. Sometimes the days before and after it end up being some of the best parts.

Planning a cruise that begins or ends near London? Adventure the World Travels can help you put the cruise and land pieces together so the whole trip makes sense, not just the part on the ship.

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