London is a city of layers—Roman roots, Tudor drama, Victorian ambition, and modern swagger—stacked along a river that has witnessed it all. In two days you can trace centuries in a few miles, from Parliament’s Gothic spires to the Norman stones of the Tower. The trick is to cluster sights, walk the scenic bits, and reward yourself with excellent food.

Expect iconic photo ops—Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge—interspersed with quiet surprises like St. Dunstan-in-the-East’s vine-wrapped ruins. Food-wise, London is global: Sri Lankan hoppers in Soho, flaky pastries from Scandi bakers, and Borough Market’s sizzling grills. Plan for contactless payments on transit, timed museum entries, and layers for the famously changeable weather.

Practical notes: Heathrow to central London is 15 minutes on Heathrow Express (~£25–£28), ~35 minutes on the Elizabeth line (~£13.30), or 45–60 minutes on the Piccadilly line (£5–£6 off-peak). Tap in/out with a contactless card. Book popular experiences in advance (Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, dinner cruises, and any West End show).

London

Welcome to the capital where royalty, rock ‘n’ roll, and readable street history meet. Your 2-day plan strings together Westminster and the South Bank on Day 1, then the Tower, Borough Market, and the City-to-South Bank culture line on Day 2. You’ll see headline monuments, but also taste what Londoners actually eat and drink right now.

• Top sights: Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s, Tate Modern, Covent Garden.
• Great eats: Borough Market for grazing; Soho for small plates (Kiln, Hoppers); stalwarts like St. JOHN near Smithfield; steak done right at Hawksmoor.
• Fun facts: The Tower’s ravens have “kept” the kingdom safe since the 1600s; the Millennium Bridge once wobbled; Big Ben is the bell, not the tower.

How to get to London: From within Europe, compare flights and trains on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains); Paris–London by train is about 2h20. For buses and ferries, see Omio (buses) and Omio (ferries). Flying long-haul? Compare deals on Trip.com (flights) and Kiwi.com.

Where to stay: Search broad options on VRBO London or Hotels.com London. Hand-picked picks:

• The Savoy (Strand): historic glamour and a Thames-side address. Check The Savoy
• Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London: unbeatable for Big Ben views and South Bank access. See Park Plaza Westminster Bridge
• Novotel London Tower Bridge: steps from the Tower; great for early Crown Jewels access. See Novotel London Tower Bridge
• Premier Inn London County Hall: well-priced rooms in a landmark building by the London Eye. See Premier Inn County Hall
• Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras: budget-friendly and handy for Eurostar. See Point A Kings Cross
• YHA London Central: clean, social, central. See YHA London Central
• YHA London St Pancras: excellent for arrivals by train. See YHA London St Pancras

Day 1: Westminster, South Bank, and the Thames at Night

Morning: Travel to London (assume arrival later). If you land early, fuel up near transport hubs: try the cult-favorite bacon naan or a vegan sausage naan roll at Dishoom King’s Cross (airy former stable block), flaky morning buns at Pophams in Victoria, or a classic fry-up amid art-deco tiles at Regency Café near Westminster. Coffee purists should seek out Monmouth Coffee (Covent Garden) for single-origin pour-overs.

Afternoon: Check in and head straight to the nation’s front porch: Westminster. Join a guided walk that threads Parliament, Big Ben, and the Abbey—stories of coronations, Churchill, and pageantry bring the stones alive.

Book this guided experience: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Guided Tour of London (efficient orientation; Blue Badge guide; ideal post-check-in).

After the tour, stroll through St. James’s Park to Buckingham Palace. Treat yourself to afternoon tea: go classic at Fortnum & Mason’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon (silken scones, seasonal jams), contemporary art-meets-pastry at Sketch, or a grand-café spread at The Wolseley on Piccadilly.

Evening: Aim for sunset on the South Bank—street performers, skyline views, and bridges lighting up. Dine pre-cruise around Covent Garden: Hawksmoor Seven Dials for dry-aged British beef and sticky toffee pudding; Bancone for silk handkerchief pasta with walnut butter; or J Sheekey for Dover sole and a proper martini.

Cap the night on the river: London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River (evening sailing; multiple courses; live entertainment; views of St. Paul’s, Tower Bridge, and the Shard all lit up).

Nightcap ideas: atmospheric Gordon’s Wine Bar (candlelit vaults near Embankment) or inventive cocktails at Swift Soho (fast, polished service; famed for Irish Coffee).

Day 2: Tower to Borough, Bridges and Soho

Morning: Be at the Tower of London near opening to wander ramparts before it crowds. Prioritize the Crown Jewels (the moving walkway keeps things flowing). Grab a flat white at WatchHouse Tower Bridge or sample a warm doughnut at Bread Ahead (Borough Market) if you’re early.

Skip the line with timed entry: Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket (includes access to the Yeoman Warders’ legendary tales).

Afternoon: Cross Tower Bridge for postcard views, then detour to the ivy-draped ruins of St. Dunstan-in-the-East—a tiny, magical pause. Lunch at Borough Market: line up at Padella for fresh pappardelle with beef shin ragu; graze on Middle Eastern plates at Arabica; or go classic British fish at Fish! with market-fresh catch cooked to order.

Want an easy overview between stops? Use a flexible loop with commentary: Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (24–48h ticket, three routes, optional river segment). It’s handy for reaching St. Paul’s Cathedral, Millennium Bridge, and Tate Modern without juggling Tube lines.

Evening: Soho for your finale. Pick a table at Hoppers (order bone marrow varuval and string hoppers), Kiln (Thai clay-pot cooking and charcoal grill; sit at the counter), or the nose-to-tail pioneer St. JOHN Smithfield (roast bone marrow, eccles cake with Lancashire). If you prefer a show, choose a West End musical near Shaftesbury Avenue and toast the trip afterward at The Harp (ale haven) or Bar Termini (tiny, perfect negronis).

Optional add-on (if you swap part of Day 2): Wizarding London

If you’re a Potter fan, trade the afternoon for a studio pilgrimage (allow ~7 hours with transport). Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport from London includes round-trip coach and time on the sets—Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and the Hogwarts Express.

Getting around in London: The Tube and buses are fastest; tap a contactless card for daily caps. Walking between Westminster, the South Bank, Covent Garden, and Soho is scenic and often quicker than changing lines. Black cabs are plentiful; rideshare is ubiquitous but slower in peak traffic.

Final bites and souvenirs: Swing through Seven Dials Market for last-minute tastings, pick up tea at Fortnum & Mason, or a bakery box from Bageriet (Swedish cinnamon buns) to sweeten the journey home.

Summary: In 48 hours you’ve ticked London’s greats—Westminster, Buckingham Palace, the Tower, and Borough Market—without losing the city’s human scale. Between riverside sunsets and Soho suppers, you’ve seen royal pageantry, medieval mystery, and modern flavor in one compact, walkable loop.