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London is a city unlike anywhere else. It’s thriving and buzzing with so much to see and do and a rich history just waiting to be explored. In this article, we take a look at some ways you can make the most of a 2 Days in London. Whether you’re someone who likes to eat and drink out or see the sights, you’re sure to find many things that will keep you amused and help you make memories to last a lifetime. Whether you’re stopping off on the way to somewhere else, or just coming for a few days, there is so much to cram into a short amount of time. Keep on reading to find out more.
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The place you stay can have a tangible impact on your trip, so why not book somewhere nice? Luckily in London, there are so many different places to stay that you really can find something that’s specifically tailored to what you want to spend and where you want to be. Whether you’re after hotels near the London eye, near London zoo, or hotels with hot tubs, there is something for everyone.
Do your research, look into the reviews, and don’t make any rash decisions. Check if they can store your luggage for you and if not – or if you want to head to a different area the next day – look into luggage storage London so you don’t have to lug your suitcases everywhere with you.
Alright, daring dames of the solo travel world, let’s dive into the juicy bit of choosing where you’ll temporarily hang your stylishly worn hat in the sprawling, tea-obsessed metropolis known as London. Because let’s face it, we’re not just looking for a place to crash; we’re seeking the perfect backdrop for our “Eat, Pray, Love” adventure—minus the midlife crisis.
Here’s the deal: if you’re going to London to see anything cooler than your hotel room’s questionable artwork, you need to be where the action is. Think the British Museum for a rendezvous with mummies, Buckingham Palace to wave at Liz (she might be busy, but it’s the thought that counts), or the West End theaters to sob silently during Les Mis. Covent Garden, Soho, Westminster, and South Bank?
Newsflash: You do not want to be stuck in London’s version of “The Amazing Race”, trying to decipher bus schedules while a pigeon judges you. Opt for a hotel that’s a stone’s throw from a Tube station or clutch bus routes. This is London, darling, not an episode of “Survivor”. Quick and efficient – like your coffee order.
Choosing a neighborhood in London is like selecting your favorite ice cream flavor—there’s something for everyone, and no, vanilla doesn’t count (we’re looking at you, Paddington). Fancy a side of culture with your tea? South Kensington is your posh, museum-laden haven. Feel like unleashing your inner rockstar? Shoreditch, with its edgy vibe and neon-lit nightlife, will embrace you with open tattooed arms. Choose wisely, and may the ambiance be ever in your favor.
As well as a flourishing hotel scene, London also has a brilliant foodie scene with every cuisine you could think of available here. You can find a wide range of mouth-watering Italian eateries, from small local joints to large, bustling chains. You can eat street food from artisan trucks or stalls, head to Michelin starred restaurants or try a tiny, local eatery. No matter what type of cuisine you’re after, you’re sure to find it.
We recommend reviewing the menu in advance, as some can get quite pricey! It can be a good idea to take advantage of special pre-theatre and happy-hour menus to get the most for your money and still enjoy great food.
Street Food and Markets: Embrace London’s colorful and bustling street food scene without breaking the bank. Borough Market, Camden Market, and Boxpark Shoreditch are your go-to spots for a gastronomic adventure.
Budget-Friendly Restaurants: Who says dining out in London has to drain your wallet? Here’s where to go for fantastic food that’s as kind to your taste buds as it is to your budget.
Casual Dining: If you’re willing to spend a bit more for a sit-down meal, London’s casual dining scene won’t disappoint. You’ll find a sweet spot between price and quality, with a side of ambiance.
Pubs: No visit to London is complete without a pint at a pub. But these aren’t just any pubs; they serve up delectable dishes that’ll make you see pub food in a new light.
London is a city that has a range of free activities which happen all throughout the year. Whether you want to attend a show, a foodie festival, or something different, it’s well worth keeping an eye out to make the most of your time here, especially when you’re on a budget. The museums in London are all free, so be sure to visit the Natural History Museum,
Science Museum, V&A Museum or the London transport Museum during your trip. Not only is it free, a shelter from the rain which so often frequents the city, but also, you’ll learn plenty about London too.
Let’s kick things off at the British Museum, where you can travel the world without spending a dime. Forget about those around-the-world flight deals; here, you can strut alongside mummies, decode the Rosetta Stone, and still have time for a cheeky afternoon tea. Who knew time travel was free?
Enter the realm of the National Gallery, where the greats like Van Gogh, Da Vinci, and Turner are just chilling on the walls, waiting for your awe-inspired gazes. These aren’t just paintings; they’re your chance to stand inch-close to genius (without the awkward personal space issues).
Ready for something as contemporary as your Instagram feed but with significantly more depth? The Tate Modern is your spot. Perched sassily on the riverside, it’s where you can ponder over a pile of bricks or a twisted metal sculpture and genuinely debate, “Art or just lost construction materials?” The views are a bonus!
Who said history had to be dull? The Natural History Museum is where you can squeal over the closest thing we have to a T-Rex while learning why your ex’s heart was so cold (spoiler: science!). With exhibits from dinosaur skeletons to a thrilling earthquake simulator, it’s the wild ride through history you never knew you needed.
Lastly, swan into the Victoria and Albert Museum (also known as the V&A) like it’s Paris Fashion Week. With over 5,000 years of fashion, design, and art, you can trace how we went from togas to the little black dress. Remember, darling, fashion fades, but style (and art) is eternal.
Hyde Park: The Grand Dame of Greenery Alright, roll out your fanciest picnic blanket at Hyde Park, one of London’s royal parks, where you can frolic like an 18th-century aristocrat—if they wore yoga pants and took selfies. This park has it all: Serpentine Lake for those who fancy a paddle, Speaker’s Corner for shouting your latest epiphany, and enough greenery to make your ex-green with envy.
Think of Regent’s Park as Hyde Park’s trendy sibling, complete with stunning rose gardens (hello, 12,000 roses) and an Open Air Theatre. Yes, that’s right, culture vultures, you can catch a show while munching on your gourmet sandwich—because why not mix Broadway with birdwatching?
At Greenwich Park, strap on your hiking boots (or, let’s be real, your worn-out sneakers) and conquer the hill for killer Instagram-worthy skyline shots. Play ‘stand on the Prime Meridian line’—half in the east, half in the west, because you’re not about limits, girl. Bonus: brush up on your astronomy at the Royal Observatory.
Welcome to Hampstead Heath, where the grass is greener and the hills have views. This is no manicured garden; it’s a wild, sprawling space perfect for forgetting that you live in a bustling city. The Parliament Hill viewpoint is a must—see London’s skyline and contemplate life, or just where you’re going to eat later.
Kew Gardens, where admission is usually more exclusive than your favorite speakeasy (read: not free), but catch it on a special event day, and you’re golden. Wander amidst the treetops and pretend you’re in a tropical rainforest, because pretending is free and so is dreaming—sometimes.
Changing of the Guard: A Royal Rendezvous (That Won’t Cost Your Kingdom): Gear up, queens of the kingdom of Solo Travel, for the pomp and pageantry of ogle-worthy lads in bearskins doing their synchronized two-step. We’re talking about the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, the kind of ritual that screams, “We are British, hear us march!” No tickets needed for this show, so save your quids for something more practical, like another round at the pub.
Trafalgar Square: Where Pigeons and History Collide: Strut into Trafalgar Square like you own the place (spoiler alert: it’s public, so you kinda do). Here, the lions aren’t just statues, they’re the ultimate symbol: “Mess with London, and you’ll get the claws” — also perfect to lean against while you casually look like a fierce globetrotter in photos. And if you’re feeling extra, give ol’ Nelson a nod. Dude’s been standing on his column forever, and that’s commitment.
Tower Bridge: London’s Selfie Starlet: Take a jaunt down to Tower Bridge and pretend you’re in a Victorian novel—minus the dreary fog and mutton-chop whiskers. This isn’t just any bridge; it’s the bridge that’s probably been on your screen saver since you booked your ticket. Epic Thames views, cool breezes, and no admission fee. Reminder: no jumping when the bridge lifts (it’s frowned upon).
Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament: The Neighbors from Gothic Heaven: Wander by Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament to give those other tourists, actually paying to go inside, a knowing smile. You, savvy traveler, will revel in the gothic splendor without spending a penny. Just looking at the spires reaching for the heavens will have you plotting a heist — stealing glances, that is. Hey, why pay to worship when the outside puts the ‘awe’ in ‘awesome’?
Borough Market: Where Food Dreams Come True: Ladies, welcome to Borough Market, where the cheesemongers know your name (or pretend to, anyway) and the smell of fresh bread is your new perfume. It’s like your local farmers’ market but with less kale and more charisma. Get ready to eat your way through history—just follow the trail of artisanal cheese crumbs. And if anyone judges you for double-fisting pastries, remember: you’re a traveler here for a good time, not a long time.
Portobello Road Market: A Vintage Wonderland: Saunter down Portobello Road Market like you’re in a quirky British rom-com. This place has more antiques than your grandma’s living room and enough vintage fashion to make you reconsider your entire wardrobe. Who needs fast fashion when you can wear someone’s groovy, old-school leather jacket? Embrace the chaos, haggle like a pro (even if you’re just pretending), and find that one item you’ll brag about for years: “Oh, this old thing? Picked it up in Notting Hill, darling.”
Covent Garden: Where Performers and Shoppers Collide: Covent Garden: it’s not just an opera house, folks. It’s the only place in London where getting photobombed by a living statue is considered a rite of passage. Prepare for sensory overload with street performers, musicians, and more twee boutiques than you can shake your credit card at. Dive into the madness, applaud the performers (yes, they’re working hard for that £1 you reluctantly part with), and maybe—just maybe—find a souvenir that isn’t a fridge magnet.
Brick Lane: The Hipster’s Paradise: It’s where hipsters and tourists awkwardly mingle, pretending they’re here for different reasons. Brick Lane is a cultural mishmash that’ll have you buzzed on caffeine from a café you can’t pronounce, rummaging through vintage stores for that perfect denim jacket, and taking artsy photos your friends will pretend to like. Bonus: eat enough bagels and curry here, and you might just be mistaken for a local.
Alright, majestic wanderers of the solo female travel realm, who says you need to splash the cash to immerse yourself in London’s ritzy cultural scene? Newsflash: You don’t! Get ready to add some class to your solo adventures without spending a dime, because London’s cultural buffet is about to blow your mind (and not your budget).
Southbank Centre: The Arty Party: First stop, the Southbank Centre. Picture this: you, sauntering along the Thames, soaking up free art like the sophisticated globetrotter you are. The Southbank Centre is like that cool aunt who knows everyone in the arts scene and isn’t afraid to show it off. From grooving to music performances that make you forget about your two left feet, to art installations that have you tilting your head like a confused puppy—there’s plenty to keep your Instagram and your spirit fed.
National Theatre: Drama, Baby!: Next up, we strut to the National Theatre, where the drama isn’t just on stage—it’s everywhere, dahling. Who needs to pay for a ticket when the building’s public spaces are a hotbed of free exhibitions and events? It’s like getting backstage access without having to flirt with the bouncer. Keep an eye out for anything from impromptu performances to art that makes you go, “Hmm, interesting,” while you quietly Google what it means.
Open-Air Events: Where Freedom and Culture Collide: And for the grand finale of our cultural crawl, the great outdoors! London, in its infinite wisdom, blesses us with free open-air events in the summer, from toe-tapping concerts in Regent’s Park to film screenings that make you go, “Wait, I’ve actually seen this one!” at Somerset House. It’s the universe’s way of apologizing for all the rainy days.
While there is a fantastic public transport infrastructure in London, you can get so much from walking around London and when the sun shines, there’s no greater way to take it all in. There are many routes you can find out about online, but it’s also great to just let yourself get lost down the streets, allowing yourself to stumble across some of the most beautiful hidden gems.
As well as the above 2 Days in London you need to visit a theatre. London is known for its fantastic shows that are truly some of the best around the world, so you want to catch at least one during your trip. We recommend booking your tickets either far in advance or trying to get a last-minute deal as these will enable you to save money while still seeing the same fantastic show. It’s a win-win situation! These are just a few ways that you can really make the most of your 2 Day Stay in London.
No matter if you’re heading here for only 2 days, as part of a longer road trip style holiday, or are looking to stay before going to an airport abroad, you really are spoilt for choice. There is something in this city for everyone, and once you’ve visited once, you just won’t be able to stay away. What are some of your top tips for making the most of a short break in London? Let us know in the comments below; we’d love to hear from you. And, no matter where you choose next, always remember to Travel Till You Drop!
Hi, Jill Here
Hi! I’m Jill, a Dallas, Texas girl traveling the world. After a career in the Air Force and touring over 50 countries later, my need to explore keeps going! It’s time to rock & roll and find all those places I never knew I was missing.
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