London: a city where Roman walls meet glass-and-steel skylines, where royal pageantry shares the stage with music halls, markets, and world-class museums. Founded by the Romans as Londinium, the capital has reinvented itself through fires, blitzes, and booms—each era leaving stories etched in stone. Today, old and new live side by side, and the fun is choosing how to weave them together.

In two days, you’ll stand beneath Big Ben, step inside the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels, taste your way through Borough Market, and watch the skyline glow on a River Thames cruise. We’ve balanced must-see icons with local favorites, building in time for cafés, pubs, and a little wander down atmospheric lanes. Expect efficient routing, memorable meals, and insider context.

Practical notes: contactless payment (e.g., Apple Pay) works on the Tube and buses; get an early start for popular sights. London’s dining scene is dynamic—book high-demand restaurants, especially in Soho. Pack layers and a compact umbrella, and check for any planned transport strikes before you go.

London

London’s top sights cluster along the Thames: Westminster and Big Ben, the London Eye, the Tower of London, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Neighborhoods are the city’s soul—browse Covent Garden’s arcades, taste through Borough Market, and linger over dinner in Soho. If museums call, the British Museum, National Gallery, and Tate Modern are free to enter.

Food is a highlight. Start with a proper flat white, then graze: oysters at Wright Brothers, silky pasta at Padella, Sri Lankan hoppers in Soho, a curry on Brick Lane, or a Sunday roast in a pub. For sweets, seek out Bread Ahead doughnuts or St. John’s legendary custard-filled buns.

Fun facts: The “Big Ben” nickname actually refers to the bell inside the Elizabeth Tower. The ravens at the Tower of London have caretakers and names. And London’s famous “blue plaques” mark the homes of artists, scientists, and rogues—spot them as you stroll.

• Where to stay: Classic luxury at The Savoy (Covent Garden/Strand) puts you steps from theaters and the river. For great value near landmarks, consider Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (pool, spa; across from Big Ben) or Novotel London Tower Bridge (perfect for early Tower access). Budget-friendly and central: Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras or YHA London Central. Browse more options on Hotels.com and apartment-style stays on VRBO.
• Getting to London: From Europe, compare flights and Eurostar trains on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains)—Paris–London by Eurostar is about 2h15m, often $70–$180 one-way if booked early. From North America or Asia-Pacific, check fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com (typical nonstop 7–10 hours from the U.S. East Coast; $550–$950 off-peak round-trip).
• Airport to city: Heathrow to central London: Elizabeth line (~35–40 min, ~£13–£14 off-peak) or Heathrow Express to Paddington (~15 min, from ~£25). Gatwick Express to Victoria (~30 min, from ~£18), or Thameslink to London Bridge/St Pancras (~30–40 min). Contactless fares apply.

Day 1: Westminster Icons, Covent Garden Flair, and the Thames by Night

Morning: Travel day. Aim for an early arrival or midday landing. Drop bags at your hotel and grab a pick-me-up: Monmouth Coffee (Covent Garden) for single-origin brews, or WatchHouse (Seven Dials) for seasonal roasts and pastries.

Afternoon: Orient yourself in royal London with a guided walk that threads past Parliament, Big Ben, and St. James’s Park, with entry to the Abbey.

Featured activity:

Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Guided Tour of London

Blue Badge guides bring centuries to life: coronations, poets in the Abbey’s nave, and the rituals behind the Changing of the Guard. Expect 2.5–3 hours with thoughtful pacing and photo stops.

Evening: Settle into the river’s rhythm on a dinner cruise as London lights come on. It’s a memorable first-night “panorama with plates.”

Featured activity:

London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River

You’ll glide past St. Paul’s, the Tower, and the London Eye over a multi-course meal with wine and live music. If you prefer to dine ashore, book J Sheekey (seafood classic), The Wolseley (grand café), or Frenchie Covent Garden (modern European). For a nightcap, try Swift Soho (split-level cocktail bar: aperitivo upstairs, serious cocktails downstairs) or Gordon’s Wine Bar (candlelit arches, fortified wines, and cheddar with chutney).

Day 2: Crown Jewels, Borough Market Feast, and Citywide Sights

Morning: Arrive early at the Tower of London when the gates open. Fuel up first at WatchHouse Tower Bridge (excellent filter coffee, cardamom buns) or Côte by the river for a quick hot breakfast.

Featured activity:

Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket

Meet the Yeoman Warders, hear tales of intrigue, and then view the Crown Jewels before queues build. Don’t miss the ravens and the medieval battlements for river views.

Afternoon: Walk 15 minutes to Borough Market for a greatest-hits lunch. Try Kappacasein for molten raclette on potatoes; Padella for hand-rolled pici cacio e pepe; Brindisa for chorizo rolls; and Bread Ahead for filled doughnuts. If you need a sit-down, Wright Brothers (oysters and stout) or El Pastor (tacos al pastor) are stellar.

After lunch, cover more ground aboard an open-top bus. It’s efficient for a short trip and doubles as a narrated city tour.

Featured activity:

Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise

Use it to hop between St. Paul’s, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, and Kensington. If you didn’t cruise last night, choose the river add-on for a short sail from Westminster to Tower Pier.

Evening: Celebrate your final night in Soho. For dinner, pick your vibe: Dishoom (Bombay-inspired grills and black daal; expect a queue but they move fast), Kiln (fire-and-wok northern Thai; counter seating), Hoppers (Sri Lankan hoppers and karis), Flat Iron (no-fuss steak; free salted caramel soft-serve), or Barrafina (counter-only Spanish tapas—order the tortilla, prawn gambas, and arroz negro). For dessert, gelato at Gelupo or Chinatown buns at Bun House. End with jazz at Ronnie Scott’s or inventive cocktails at Silverleaf near Liverpool Street if you’re eastbound.

Need-to-Know Logistics

• Local transport: Use contactless for Tube/bus. Daily caps keep costs in check (Zones 1–2 cap ~£8–£9). The Tube runs roughly 5am–midnight; Night Tube and plentiful night buses cover late hours.
• Timing tips: Book Westminster Abbey tours and dinner cruises in advance. Arrive at the Tower near opening to minimize queues for the Jewels.
• Weather fallback: Duck into the National Gallery (Turner, Van Gogh), Tate Modern (Turbine Hall installations), or the British Museum (Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures)—all free to enter.

Book Your Essentials

• Hotels & apartments: The Savoy, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, Novotel London Tower Bridge, Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras, YHA London Central, browse more on Hotels.com or VRBO.
• Transport to London: From Europe, search Omio for flights and Omio trains (Eurostar Paris/Brussels–London ~2–2.5h). Long-haul deals on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.
• Activities included in this plan:
  – Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Guided Tour
  – Tower of London & Crown Jewels Ticket
  – Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
  – Thames River Dinner Cruise

In two days, you’ll have seen London’s headline acts, tasted its markets and modern kitchens, and sailed its storied river—all without rushing. Consider this your springboard: next time, add a museum deep-dive, a West End show, or a day trip to Oxford or Windsor.