London is a city that never runs out of surprises. Every time I visit I find new neighborhoods to explore and new museums to get lost in. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, there’s always something new to experience in London. If you’ve only got 48 hours to spare in this city, don’t worry! There is so much to see in London and you can knock out a few major sights in two days.
I frequently fly in and out of London Heathrow Airport on the direct Delta x Virgin Atlantic flight from LAX to LHR with my American Express Delta travel points. I’m actually booking another flight to London this week entirely with points! More on that later. All that to say, I typically stop in London on my way to other European destinations, so I’ll spend two to four days here and explore as much as I can. 48 hours is a great amount of time to scratch the surface of this historic and beautiful city.
Where To Stay
There are so many different neighborhoods to explore in London and each will give you a different experience.
Depending on what you want to see and how much you want to walk, you may want to stay near Westminster or Soho to see the major sights like The Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, The London Eye, and Buckingham Palace.
If you’re hoping to explore more than just the major sights, I recommend Kensington, Notting Hill, Chelsea, or Marylebone. Staying in Notting Hill is great because you can experience the Portobello Road Market, the Notting Hill shops, Holland Park, and more while also being able to easily access the main areas by car or the Tube.
If you’re looking for easy access to the Kings Cross or Euston train stations, I recommend looking near Russell Square and Camden.
Day 1 – Knock Out the Major Sights
I’ll never get tired of seeing the major sights of London, no matter how many times I visit. Head down to Westminster and be prepared for lots of walking. See Big Ben, the House of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, and Buckingham Palace.
You can pop your head into Westminster Abbey, but the other sights are really just sights. You can see them, take photos, and soak up the fact that you’re in London. I recommend starting this sightseeing journey at Buckingham Palace and weaving up past the river and towards Tralfalgar Square. You might even be able to catch the changing of the guard at the palace if you’re lucky!
London Eye Tip:
Don’t waste your time riding the London Eye. In my opinion, it’s a total tourist attraction and will suck up a lot of your time. Sure, you get a bird’s eye view of the city, but I personally was very underwhelmed and wished I spent that time in a museum or exploring different neighborhoods. Seeing it from up close or from across the river is enough.
Museums in the Area
There are some fantastic museums in this main sightseeing area. Seeing the sights should only take a half day or less, depending on how long you spend at each. Spend the rest of your time in and out of museums.
Churchill War Rooms
One of my favorites is the Churchill War Rooms which sits on the opposite end of St. James Park from Buckingham Palace.
Plan to spend at least 1.5 to 2 hours here, especially if you enjoy reading the exhibits and diving into the rich history. History buffs (like me!) could easily stretch it to 3 hours. It’s best to book tickets in advance, as it can get busy, and audio guides are included and super helpful for context as you explore.
The Churchill War Rooms are one of London’s most fascinating and immersive historical museums. I decided to visit this museum last minute one time and it’s now one of my favorite museums. Tucked beneath the streets of Westminster, this underground bunker served as the British government’s command center during World War II. Visitors walk through the preserved rooms, complete with maps, telephones, and even Churchill’s private quarters, and it feels like stepping back in time. You’ll also find the Churchill Museum, a detailed exhibit chronicling his life, leadership, and legacy.
The National Gallery
The National Gallery in London is an absolute gem for art lovers. Located right on Trafalgar Square, it houses an incredible collection of European paintings from the 13th to the early 20th century. In this museum, you will see Van Gogh, da Vinci, Monet, Turner, and so many more. The building itself is stunning, and the galleries are well laid out, making it easy to lose yourself in the art.
If you’re short on time, you can hit the highlights in about 1 to 1.5 hours, allowing yourself to see the most famous works. But if you want to explore more deeply through the different periods and artists, give yourself 2 to 3 hours. Admission is free, and they often have free guided tours or talks, so it’s worth checking the schedule before you go.
Enjoy a Sunset Cruise on the River Thames
Whenever I’m in a new European city, I seriously love booking river cruises at sunset. Many European cities are centered around a river, so the river cruise allows you to see a large portion of the sights in one go.
Particularly for London, the river cruise will allow you to see the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, which are out of the way and would likely not make the 48 hour itinerary. It’s always fabulous to see the sights lit up at night as well. It’s an entirely different experience than during the day. See the Big Ben, London Eye, and more from the river as you reflect on day one in this magnificent city.
Day 2 – Kensington, Abbey Road, Notting Hill, or More Museums
After knocking out the major sights on day one, I recommend picking one or two other sights and tailoring your second day around those areas.
Day 2 Examples
01. Kensington and Notting Hill
02. Victoria & Albert Museum and Chelsea
03. Abbey Road and Regent’s Park or Hampstead
04. National Gallery and the British Museum
05. Notting Hill and the Portobello road market
Notting Hill and the Portobello Road Market
As mentioned at the beginning of this blog, I love staying in Notting Hill. It’s such an adorable pocket of London and still is accessible to the main attractions. When in Notting Hill, you can see the Portobello Road Market and explore the quaint shops in the area. Yes, this includes the Notting Hill Bookshop from the iconic movie. Also in this area is Holland Park and Westbourne Grove.
Kensington and Hyde Park
Walking through the Kensington Gardens is always a highlight when in London. See Kensington Palace and the new Princess Diana Memorial. The gardens are pristine and so beautiful. This leads into Hyde Park which is an enormous park where you will find bikers, people having picnics, and locals walking their dogs. The Victoria & Albert Museum is also on the other side of this park from Notting Hill.
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Abbey Road
This one is a little further out, but if you’re a music lover, it is very cool to see. The iconic Beatles album cover was shot on the crosswalk outside of Abbey Road Studios. The recording studio is a small museum itself. You won’t need a lot of time here, but it takes a little bit to get to if you’re coming from Downtown London. After seeing Abbey Road, you will be near Hampstead, which is a really nice pocket of London.
Hampstead
Hampstead itself is a very cute little town and it borders the large Hampstead Heath park. Take a walk through this park and explore a new area of London that is unique in its own way. There are nice restaurants in the park as well, which are perfect for a sunny day.
The British Museum
The British Museum is one of those places where you could spend days and still not see everything, and that’s not an exaggeration. This large museum home to over eight million (!) objects spanning centuries and civilizations, from the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies to the Parthenon sculptures and treasures from ancient Mesopotamia. It’s a deep dive into human history all under one roof. I’ve learned on my travels that many countries, especially Greece and Egypt, would like their pieces back. We’ll see if that ever happens! For now, you’ll be shocked to see how many iconic items are housed in this museum.
For a more relaxed visit to this museum where you can explore beyond the greatest hits, plan for 3 to 4 hours. Like the National Gallery, general admission is free, and it’s totally worth it even if you just wander for a bit.
48 Hours in London
I hope you enjoy your next trip to London! I absolutely love visiting this historic, royal, and lively city. Don’t miss the world-famous pubs and be sure to try some fish and chips while you’re there. After 48 hours in this city, you’ll already be planning your next visit.
