48 Hours in London: Recommended Things to Do from a Klooker

Christian Suzon

Last updated 20 May 2022

a group of people in front of london's st paul's cathedral

Experience the ultimate 2-day London itinerary with Klook!

One of the busiest cities in the entire world, London welcomes travelers with a wide range of activities and experiences. Whether you’re planning to go sightseeing, enjoy the nightlife, or peruse art and historical treasures at the local museums, you’re sure to find something you’ll love! And given that there’s so much to do in this big city, longer stays are recommended so you can maximize your trip and experience the city at its best, all without being pressed for time.

But not everyone has the luxury to stay in London for extended periods since travelers typically have plans to visit other nearby cities and countries as well. Many stay in the city for only a few days or up to a week at most before they set off to other destinations, which can make planning a bit complicated.

Luckily for you, we have a wonderful two-day London itinerary that takes you to some of our favorite destinations in the city. This 48-hour London itinerary includes a little bit of everything the city has to offer, giving you a well-rounded experience of London in just 48 hours.

Klook’s Recommended 48-Hour London Itinerary

A key point to remember when you only have such little time to explore is that you won’t be able to experience everything in the city, but you can definitely try to anyway! Our two-day London itinerary only covers what we think are the essentials, but feel free to add more to it if you wind up finishing either day early. On the other hand, we’ve also added some tips on what to do in case you feel like the itinerary is too cramped and want to spend more time at specific locations.

London Itinerary - Day One:

08:00, Buckingham Palace

Begin your first day in London with breakfast at any of the local cafés near Buckingham Palace - since you have a big adventure waiting for you, you’ll need to start it with a hearty and energizing meal to get you ready for the day. One of our places in the area is Timmy Green, which serves savory and sweet breakfast dishes, as well as a bottomless brunch option if you want to try both alongside a beverage or two. If the weather is clear on the day of your visit, we recommend sitting outdoors on the terrace for the best experience.

Once you’re done with breakfast, make your way to Buckingham Palace to visit the staterooms and the palace gardens, which open only in the summer months when the queen is away. Step inside Buckingham Palace and explore 19 different staterooms (out of 775 in total), each with its own purpose. The rooms are also adorned with the finest furniture in the world and valuable art pieces from the Royal Collection, including paintings from Canaletto and Rembrandt. Make sure to stop by the Buckingham Palace Garden to observe the stunning lakeside scenery, where you’ll get to spot local flora and fauna, including some rarely-seen species.

On select days in summer and winter at around 11:00 (the exact time varies depending on the season), you’ll also be able to watch the Changing of the Guard, a 45-minute ceremony wherein soldiers march in their famous bright-red uniforms. As this ceremony is wildly popular among tourists, it’s recommended to find a good spot as early as you can.

Klook Tip: If you’re visiting outside of the summer months when Buckingham Palace is closed, you can either opt to head straight to Trafalgar Square after breakfast or instead make a detour at the nearby Hyde Park to explore the area for a couple of hours. You can then pass by Buckingham Palace for a bit to take some souvenir photos before making your way to Trafalgar Square.

11:45, Trafalgar Square and National Gallery

Host to a variety of events that range from film viewing and Christmas celebrations to political protests, it’s no surprise that Trafalgar Square is so popular among locals and tourists (especially on weekends!) Nevertheless, it remains to be one of the many must-visit historic sites in London and is well worth a visit for its historical artifacts. Check out the 52-meter tall Nelson’s Column, which pays homage to Admiral Horatio Nelson and his greatest naval battles.

At its corners are four plinths: three of them are occupied by King George IV, General Sir Charles James Napier, and Major General Sir Henry Havelock, while the fourth one remains empty due to financial issues. Though the fourth one currently lacks a statue, it has been used to display limited-time installations since 1999, with each installation remaining in place for 18 months.

Right next to Trafalgar Square is The National Gallery, which houses an extensive collection of priceless art pieces from the 13th to the 20th century. Art aficionados can easily lose most of the day as they explore the museum’s contents, which boasts thousands of artwork that showcase various art styles. Some highlights include:

Venus and Mars by Sandro Botticelli: depicting the goddess Venus gazing tenderly at her sleeping lover Mars, the god of war, this is one of Botticelli’s most popular works, as it is an epitome of the visual poetry and elegance that he is known for. Four satyrs, half-child and half-goat, are also in the painting as they play with one another.
The Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci: one of the two versions of this mysterious painting (the other one is all the way at the Louvre!) The Virgin of the Rocks is a portrayal of the Virgin Mary, Saint John the Baptist, Christ’s cousin, and an angel kneeling to adore Christ, currently an infant. Da Vinci uses innovative techniques to illustrate how shadows come into play, specifically in blurring the edges of their forms.
The Entombment by Michelangelo: One of the three remaining panel paintings by Michelangelo, the Entombment shows Christ’s body being carried into the tomb by a group of people whose identities are not certain, despite there being many guesses. This painting was left unfinished after Michelangelo returned to Florence in 1501.

Take a break in the middle of your visit to have lunch at either of the two restaurants inside the museum, ideally at around 13:30-14:00 when the lunchtime crowd disperses. Choose between Muriel’s Kitchen, a self-service bistro offering hot meals and small plates, and Ochre, a brand-new restaurant with a tempting menu of contemporary European cuisine using seasonal British produce. If you’re still full from breakfast, you can instead grab a beverage and a light snack at Espresso Bar by Muriel's, and then have a late lunch at Covent Garden, the next stop of this itinerary.

The National Gallery is also host to temporary exhibitions and events that feature different topics in the world of art. Check out the official website before your visit and book tickets as early as you can, as popular events sell out rather quickly.

16:30, Covent Garden

Boasting a fantastic collection of shops, cafés, restaurants, and market stalls, Covent Garden and its Italian-style arcades are a shopper’s paradise! You can find some pretty cool souvenirs at Covent Garden and the surrounding buildings if you have the time to spare. You’ll even get to see all sorts of buskers here, including acrobats, musical groups, mime artists, magicians, and so much more.

Covent Garden may be most known for the shopping adventures to be had there, but it’s also a great place for anyone who just wants to walk around and get a feel of the city. The piazza makes for a great place for taking photos, so make sure to take photo-taking opportunities when you find a suitable spot.

You can also stop by any of the cafés and pubs in the area for a quick refresher - we recommend VyTA or The Savoy’s American Bar for pubs!) If you’ve got a sweet tooth, there’s also a good selection of desserts to be had here: check out Ladureé for tea and melt-in-your-mouth macarons, or go for hot-out-the-oven treats at Ben’s Cookies.

18:00, The Shard

A staple of the London skyline, The Shard stands out not only because of its height of 310 meters, but also its unique design: featuring a jagged peak and a facade made entirely out of glass that reflects the city from all sides, it’s definitely a sight to behold! And though just seeing it in person is enough (the photos don’t do it justice), the experience is made even better when you reach the top, where you’ll take in 360-degree views of the city and the surrounding areas. On clear days, the views can stretch up to 40 miles away.

You can opt to dine or have a few drinks at the restaurants and cafés, with tables by the window being the best seats available. After all, not much can compare to the experience of a delicious meal paired with such an amazing view, especially at dusk when the sun sets and the city is slowly lit up, one building at a time.

Tickets for The Shard are dated and timed for your arrival. Once you take the lift, you can stay at the top for as long as you want.

Klook Tip: If you’re running short on time, you can skip The Shard on the first day - St. Paul’s Cathedral tomorrow offers similar panoramic views at the top.

Get your timed entry tickets to The Shard with Klook!

20:00, Shoreditch

After a long day of exploring, it’s now time to relax with a trip to Shoreditch in Eastern London. Home to some of the trendiest bars and restaurants in the entire city, it’s definitely the place to be for anyone looking to experience London’s nightlife scene! Establishments here may not be as swanky as they would be in other parts of the city, but they more than make up for it with the memories you’ll make here. It’s best to spend time walking around the area to find something you fancy, but don’t take too long - otherwise, it’ll be packed wherever you go and you may have to travel to another part of the city.

Some of our recommendations in the area include:

Exit Bar: serving handcrafted, flavorful cocktails and delicious, homemade burgers, Exit Bar is the ideal destination if you’re just getting the party started in the early evening. Here you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the music and the ambiance.
Café 1001: a BBQ spot by day and a cocktail bar at night, Café 1001 prides itself on the records that they play - they’ve even got recordings available on their website for you to relive your visit! If you visit during the weekend then you’re in for a treat, as you’ll get the chance to listen to DJs from other parts of the world.
The Book Club Bar: dubbed one of the best clubs in Shoreditch, this two-story establishment is a must if you’re really into the clubbing scene. Aside from its cocktails, draft beers, and tasty pizza (yes, really), The Book Club Bar is also known for its themed nights that spotlight different types of music like Hip Hop and R&B.

Try not to stay out too late if you can - you’ve still got a big day ahead of you tomorrow!

London Itinerary - Day Two:

08:30, Greenwich Park

If you’re still feeling a bit sleepy from yesterday’s shenanigans, then we’ve got just the thing to wake you up for the second day of your London trip: a walk and an outdoor picnic at Greenwich Park, a 74-hectare royal park in the heart of the city. With lush vegetation, viewing points, and even an enclosed deer park at the top of the hill, it’s definitely worth waking up early for this, even after yesterday’s night out.

There are several cafés near the park, and a couple at the park itself, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Some of our top picks for takeaway include:

The Pavilion Café: serving a selection of hearty baps, including sausage, fried egg, bacon, and a combination of all three, you’re guaranteed to have a filling breakfast! The Pavilion Café is located within the park itself and opens at 9:00, so getting breakfast here is ideal for most. It also offers vegetarian options, tea and coffee, and a great selection of cakes.
Peyton and Byrne Bakeries: treat yourself to savory and sweet breakfast options at Peyton and Byrne at Greenwich Market. Choose from various pastries and toasted sandwiches, which you can pair with freshly-squeezed orange juice, tea, or coffee of your choice.
Heaps Sausage Café: feast on freshly-cooked baps at Heaps Sausage Café, or go for the full breakfast if you wish. Breakfast can be paired with hot beverages such as coffee, hot chocolate, or tea. A Vegetarian Sausage & Avocado Bap is available for vegetarians as well.

Once you’ve gotten your takeaway, you can proceed to your chosen picnic spot. No need to bring a picnic blanket - the grass at the park is soft, and you can always choose to have your breakfast at the park benches if you’re not comfortable sitting on the grass directly. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll soon have the unforgettable experience of a delicious breakfast at the park as you take in the views and the cool breeze.

If the weather isn’t clear on the day of your visit, you can instead choose to dine in at any of the places mentioned above or wait until 10:00 for Goddards at Greenwich to open, which serves traditional London pie & mash. Though you won’t be able to walk outdoors and have a picnic on rainy days, Greenwich is still well worth the visit for Greenwich Market, Old Royal Naval College, and other indoor attractions in the area.

10:30, Tower Bridge

Next up is Tower Bridge, which you can reach from Greenwich by taking the train or a bus (we prefer walking or taking the ferry, but they take much longer). Once you arrive, you can walk along the River Thames for a bit, an activity best enjoyed in the mornings when the air is still cool. Try to visit a couple of the attractions that can be found by the River Thames if you can find the time, such as the various small parks that line the riverside.

Once you’re done, walk up to Tower Bridge, one of the most popular attractions in London. Often mistaken for the London Bridge, which is located a bit further away to the West, Tower Bridge and its two Neo-Gothic towers are simply a sight to behold in person! The bridge’s central road section is raised as much as ten times a day in the summer, best viewed from the glass walkways at the top of Tower Bridge. If you’re trying to cross the bridge, either on foot or on a vehicle, while it’s raised, you’ll get to experience being part of the crowd waiting for Tower Bridge to be lowered once again (believe me, it’s actually kind of fun the first few times!)

After you cross the walkway, proceed to the engine rooms to see the original Victorian engines and some cool exhibitions, before you stop by the gift shop and set off to the next destination in the itinerary.

Klook Tip: If you want to spend more time at the British Museum, you can opt to head to Tower Bridge as soon as it opens at 09:30, which frees up an extra hour for you throughout the day.

Walk along Tower Bridge's elevated glass walkway with Klook!

12:00, St. Paul's Cathedral

If you’re feeling hungry after Tower Bridge, feel free to dine at any of the restaurants and cafés you pass by on your way to St. Paul’s Cathedral, the next stop of this itinerary. One of our top-recommended picks in the area is Madison, a restaurant nearby that offers an eclectic American menu, with grilled dishes and steaks as their specialty. Vegetarians and vegans will also have a special plant-based menu to choose from! If you can, dine at the rooftop terrace to dine with a view.

Take in the sight of St. Paul’s Cathedral and its iconic dome that towers over Ludgate Hill as you approach. This 300-year-old architectural masterpiece is an integral part of the city’s skyline and history, and is one of the many historic sites in London that travelers should see at least once! The highlight of St. Paul’s Cathedral is the 560-step climb up the dome, passing by three galleries (Whispering Gallery, Stone Gallery, and Golden Gallery) along the way. Though the climb may be a bit tough, you’ll soon be rewarded with panoramic views of the city that will leave you speechless!

Klook Tip: Try to have lunch at around 13:30 after St. Paul’s Cathedral if you can wait, just until the lunch rush is over.

Experience panoramic sights of London from atop St. Paul's Cathedral

14:30, British Museum

Travel across time and space at the British Museum, where you’ll see thousands of exhibits from all over the world that date back thousands of years. Here you can quickly lose yourself in the museum’s maze-like corridors as you admire one exhibit after another, taking in the rich history of each piece.

And since 2.5 hours are nowhere near enough to cover the whole museum (we took some days just to get through all the exhibits), we’ve listed out our favorite exhibits just for you:

The Parthenon Sculptures, Room 18: dedicated to the goddess Athena, this collection of sculptures and friezes used to adorn the Parthenon some 2,500 years ago. You can get a better look at the sculptures in the museum and observe the intricacy of these statues, with each indentation emphasized by the natural light entering the room.
The Rosetta Stone, Room 4: one of the most famous objects in the British Museum, the Rosetta Stone is famed for being the key to understanding the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Observe the three different types of scripts on the stone, which were used by researchers to decipher hieroglyphs and understand more about ancient Egyptian civilization.
The Aztec Serpent, Room 27: carved from a single piece of cedar, then decorated afterward with shells and corals. This is an iconic piece of Aztec art that was worn as a chest ornament during ceremonies.

Enjoy a late afternoon snack to whet your appetite for dinner at any of the restaurants and cafés located inside the museum. There are also a couple of food trucks on the museum grounds (outside of the building itself) that sell hot snacks and some beverages, should you wish to dine outdoors.

17:00, Oxford Street

The last stop of your London itinerary is Oxford Street, the city’s premier shopping street. Lined with all sorts of flagship shops and smaller boutiques, you’re sure to have a blast as you walk around and shop for hours. If you’re looking for last-minute souvenirs or have some extra cash left in your London travel fund that you’re itching to spend, Oxford Street is the best place to be!

If you’re not keen to shop, you can instead visit some of the parks and gardens near Oxford Street, where you can enjoy the nighttime breeze and escape the crowds. Choose from any of these five, or try to visit all of them if you can:

Brown Hart Gardens
Cavendish Square
Grosvenor Square Garden
Hyde Park
Soho Square

End the night with a meal and maybe a drink at the local pubs, bars, or restaurants at Oxford Street. Our favorite in the area is Cocochan at James Street, with a menu specializing in delicious pan-Asian cuisine and serving some of the best cocktails (in our opinion) in town!

Travel Tips for London

Most places in London accept credit and debit cards (especially contactless), but it’s good to bring some cash with you anyway since some shops will either have a minimum amount required or outright won’t accept anything but cash (such as markets and street food stalls). You might also want to check how much your bank charges for any foreign currency fees made using your card, as these can quickly add up if you’re making lots of small purchases.
Pack a foldable umbrella with you every time you head out, as sudden bursts of rain are not unusual in London. After all, you wouldn’t want to be walking around the city soaking wet!
Wear comfortable shoes, ideally water-resistant or waterproof, to protect your feet. You’ll be walking for the most part of this two-day itinerary.
Walk or take public transportation whenever you can - London has an efficient public transportation system and its streets are very walkable as well. For public transport, you can either purchase an Oyster card or use your contactless credit card.
Try to avoid visiting London during bank holidays or school breaks, as prices tend to be higher and crowds are bigger during these dates.
Bring a type G adapter with you - you’ll definitely need it in London (or anywhere in the UK for that matter!)

Book It, Klook It

Now that you’ve got your two-day London itinerary all planned out, it’s time to start booking everything you need for your upcoming trip! For more travel inspiration and ideas, visit the Klook London page or any of our suggested articles below.