Weekend in London: The Perfect 2 Day Itinerary

A weekend in London should be on everyone’s bucket list as Britain’s capital is packed full of interesting things to do. From cultural and historical sites, to world-class shopping, restaurants, and more. In this London 2 day itinerary you’ll find out how best to spend a fun weekend in London.

Spend your days walking around some of London’s most iconic landmarks and discover the city’s many parks and green spaces, some with spectacular views of the London skyline.

After you’ve finished feeding your senses, be sure to feed yourself at any number of London eateries.

Whether you’re craving traditional fish and chips, or you’d rather sample something from one of the many other cuisines represented, you’re sure to stay satisfied on a trip to this vibrant city.

I’ve lost count of the number of weekends I’ve spent in London, but I can certainly tell you all about the best spots to visit, from the top bars and restaurants to some of the city’s hidden gems. So, let’s get stuck in and discover what to do in London in two days.

Read on for a detailed look at how to spend a weekend in London.

Day 1 in London

The best way to start your weekend in London is to dive into a decent breakfast. Many of the major London attractions are within walking distance, but those steps can soon add up so starting off with a full belly is the way to go.

Many people take the tube, (subway), short distances, but it can be quite pleasant to walk one or two stops between stations; consider getting off early and walking between instead. You’ll be glad you did as you’ll be sure to see some interesting places along the way.

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Morning

Start your day in historic Westminster, where many of London’s top attractions can be seen in close proximity. But first, breakfast…

There’s nothing quite like a “full English” to set you up for the day, and the Regency Cafe is the perfect place to get your fix. The nearest tube is Pimlico, (on the Victoria line), which is less than five minutes away on foot.

At just £6.00, ($7.25), for an English breakfast of bacon, egg, sausage, beans, toast, and tea, you’d be hard pushed to find cheaper anywhere in the UK. Veggie options are also available on the menu.

The location of the Regency Cafe is just a five-minute walk to Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey.

You can wander around one of the most iconic parts of London on your own, but to really get a feel for the place, and learn some of the history, consider taking a walking tour.

The above tour is perfect as there’s a morning option from 10:00am – 1:00pm, meaning you can finish your breakfast at leisure before being shown over 20 of London’s most famous and historical landmarks by a real Londoner.

If you fancy doing the tour a little later, there are also options to begin at 1:00pm or 3:00pm. The cost is £16.00 per person.

Should you want to head off on your own, you can also wander down to the River Thames, Westminster Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and St James Park, as they’re all within easy walking distance.

The Tate Britain is just a few steps from the Regency and is a great attraction for art lovers. For the James Bond fans amongst you, it’s just a short walk to the MI5 building on the river bank, (shh, it’s a secret), but for obvious reasons, you can’t go in.

Afternoon

For lunch, head to the foodie heaven that is Borough Market by jumping on the Circle line at Westminster, and travelling six stops to Monument tube. If you’re feeling energetic, it can be walked in under an hour, and most of the route is along the banks of the Thames.

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If you’re not feeling peckish just yet I highly recommend climbing the 311 steps to the top of the Monument for panoramic views across the London skyline.

This 62-metre, (202 ft), tower was erected in 1677 to commemorate the great fire of London, and has been attracting visitors for centuries.

From Monument, walk south onto London Bridge and cross the Thames to Borough. It’s just a quick trot past St Mary’s Church to the market, where you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to lunch options – I personally recommend the venison burger.

There are plenty of sit-down cafes within the market offering a range of cuisines, but if you want to lunch like a local, pick up something from one of the stalls and sit in the churchyard next door, (this is what I usually do), or wander down to the river.

After lunch, you’re well placed for some of London’s most popular attractions around London Bridge. Fans of the macabre can pay a visit to the London Dungeon and learn all about the city’s dark past. This great combo deal for the Dungeon and London Eye will save you money on these top London attractions.

You won’t fail to notice the Shard towering above London Bridge station like a giant piece of glass. The Shard contains a selection of bars and restaurants within, as well as a viewing platform on the 72nd floor, offering unparalleled views of the city.

Evening

London really starts to come alive after the sun goes down and one of the best places to spend the evening is in the West End. Here you’ll find everything from shows to shopping, and some of the best restaurants in the city.

From London Bridge station take the Northern Line five stops to Kings Cross. Here you’ll need to change for the Piccadilly Line for Covent Garden, three stops away.

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You won’t have a problem finding somewhere for dinner in Covent Garden as it’s renowned for its foodie scene. From fine dining to street snacks, there’s something to suit every taste and budget.

For first-time visitors I recommend Rock and Sole Plaice, as no trip to Britain’s capital is complete without sampling our national dish of fish and chips. This is arguably the best place in London – they’ve been making traditional battered fish and chips for over 145 years!

After dark head to Piccadilly Circus to see the famous illuminations. If you’re feeling full, then you can jump on the tube, (two stops on the Piccadilly line). However walking only takes ten minutes and you’ll pass through another London landmark, Trafalgar Square, which is buzzing at night.

Finally, finish up the night in trendy Soho, one of London’s best night spots. You can take a tour of Soho’s bars, but I can also recommend Garlic and Shots which is my favourite Soho hangout.

If you’re interested in whiskey, don’t miss this trip which takes you to 5 pubs with a Scotsman.

Day 2 in London

You’ll want another great breakfast to set you up for day two of your weekend in London. But on day two we dispense with the greasy spoon and opt instead for something a little more cultured – perfect if you’re looking at spending a romantic weekend in London.