A local’s itinerary to things to do in 2 days in London, from iconic sights and landmarks to free rooftops, river walks, historical sites and hidden gems!
2 days in London sounds like a tight squeeze…
And for most people, it is.
The first idea, naturally, the temptation is to rush between the landmarks, cram everything in, and leave without having seen much at all.
But if you want to actually feel the city, you’ve got to move a little slower: that’s exactly why I’ve crafted this itinerary for you.
2 Days in London: Itinerary, Attractions, History and Shops
Over my years living in London, I’ve ticked off quite a few neighborhoods in which I’ve spent a couple of months, sometimes over a year.
Mile End, Bethnal Green, Greenwich, West Hampstead, or North Finchley are all places I’ve lived in.
They’ve taught me that London’s prettiest neighborhoods aren’t always where the crowds are.
They’re along the canals, behind rooftops, in early-morning markets or empty, secret courtyards.
Following my one day in London, 3 days in London, and 10 days in London itinerary guides, I thought a complete but easy-to-digest itinerary to spending two days in London could come in handy.
Of course, as usual, you can mix and match, or exchange to tailor your trip to fit in exactly what you like.
That’s why, throughout this post, you’ll also find lots of the Quirky London Itineraries I’ve crafted, which you can use depending on your passions: fashion, books, and even historical sights in places like the City of London.
DAY 1
London 2 Day Itinerary: Covent Garden in the Morning
Start early in Covent Garden. It’s one of those places that feels completely different before 9am.
You’ll see the Apple Market with its stalls still being arranged, and if you walk around to Neal’s Yard, the light hits the walls in a way you miss later in the day.
The pastel colours, quiet cobbles, and soft shadows feel more like a village than Central London, but I can’t emphasize this enough: start as early as possible.
Especially if you’re also looking for secret photo spots where people won’t be crowding the backdrop.
You can then wander toward Seven Dials and dip into some of the small streets around it.
Earlham Street and Monmouth Street both have independent shops, tucked-away cafés, and slower energy.
If you’ve read my post on hidden Covent Garden gems, you’ll know this is where you start to notice the texture of the area – and you’ll also find plenty of shops in Covent Garden.
Other guides to check out if you’re planning to spend more time in Covent Garden:
- The Prettiest Streets in Covent Garden
- The Best Spots for Breakfast in Covent Garden
- The Best Halal Restaurants in Covent Garden
- The Best Shopping Streets in London
London 2 Day Itinerary: Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus
From there, you can quickly reach famous landmarks like Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus.
This area gets a reputation for being touristy, but the architecture and theatre history still make it worth a quick look.
If you’ve been here before, you know how much I love coming across historical buildings and other secret churches – love everything about London’s past.
In Leicester Square, you’ll not see the famous cinemas, but also a quirky Shakespeare statue.
Walk around to find the dreamy Sculpture Trail with Mary Poppins, Charlie Chaplin and other famous characters immortalized around the square.
Read: London in May: 15 Free Things to Do For Broke Dreamers
Keep going into Piccadilly Circus.
It’s where the lights meet the curved buildings, and if you follow Regent Street slightly south, you’ll find yourself near the quieter arcades (and close to Mayfair).
Burlington Arcade and Princes Arcade, two of London’s most famous shopping arcades, are both open from early and offer peaceful covered passages through old, tiled halls.
Read: Italy in London: An Unusual Itinerary to Italian Places in London
London 2 Day Itinerary: Free Rooftop at The Post Building and Holborn
From Piccadilly, you can take Regent Street and then right on Oxford Street back toward Holborn.
Long walk, or you can hop on the bus – did you know that there’s a daily cap for London transportation? Make sure you check that out so you don’t overtire yourself.
Or, you can go back from Piccadilly to Holborn through Shaftesbury Avenue – close to the station, you’ll find the Post Building and its free rooftop.
It’s easy to miss unless you know what to look for, but there’s absolutely no booking required, and if you’re one to always look for free London viewpoints, just don’t miss this.
A great spot, especially if you’re an overthinker visiting London and will need your space, your moment of stillness, and your time to recharge.
Read: Visiting London: A Covent Garden Itinerary in 10 Top Spots
London 2 Day Itinerary: Chancery Lane and Lincoln’s Inn Fields
From Holborn, walk down toward Chancery Lane and into Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
This is one of the largest public squares in London, surrounded by some of the oldest and most atmospheric buildings in the city, and it’s a really good place to write, to reflect, or just pause.
Sit down on one of the benches and just watch the rhythms of the city for a moment.
If you’ve got time, step into the Sir John Soane’s Museum nearby – it’s a completely free museum and filled with an eclectic collection of fragments, mirrors, sculptures and quiet corners.
One of those stately homes you don’t really know about unless you really look into London’s history – and lookie here!
We are indeed in one of London’s oldest neighborhoods: perfect to dive deep into the past and understand the city better.
Read: Marylebone’s Hidden Gems: A Quick Itinerary in Central London
London 2 Day Itinerary: Somerset House and the Thames
You can slip in a quick lunch whenever, but just having a little meal deal in a bench on a secret garden is what I usually do.
Then, from Lincoln’s Inn Fields, head south toward the Strand and walk through Somerset House.
You’ll enter into a wide courtyard, and if you keep walking, you’ll come out on the back terrace with views over the Thames.
This spot always surprises people: it’s calm, central, and easy to access, but it’s rarely crowded.
You get views of the river, the bridges, and the layered skyline.
If there’s time, you can also pop into one of the exhibitions inside the main buildings.
The Courtauld Gallery always hosts art installations and photography shows worth seeing, although if you’re only looking for free London activities, maybe just admiring the Neoclassical architecture could be enough…
Especially if you don’t want to miss the rest of our itinerary! 🙂
Read: Fitzrovia’s Hidden Gems: A Quirky Itinerary in London
2 Days in London: Southbank Walk
Cross Waterloo Bridge and begin your walk along the Southbank: this is one of my favorite places in London to see the sunset, and Southbank just has everything I love.
You’ll pass the National Theatre, the Southbank Centre, the used book market set up under the bridge, and food vendors opening up for the day.
You’ll see the river on one side and the buildings stacked on the other. People sketching, skating, cycling, sitting. You don’t need a plan here. Just walk, and you’ll find plenty of spots to stop and rest since the benches face the water.
Further down Southbank, you’ll find the Oxo Tower and its unique concept stores like Brand Academy (great for quirky souvenirs!), and further down, the Tate Modern.
Read: Rotherhithe’s Hidden Gems: A Unique London Itinerary
2 Days in London: Tate Modern and Millennium Bridge
When you reach the Tate Modern, you can head inside the Turbine Hall. It’s always free to enter and worth seeing even briefly – the building itself is part of the experience!
Outside, walk toward the Millennium Bridge and cross to the north bank.
This pedestrian bridge featured in the Harry Potter movies leads you directly to St Paul’s Cathedral.
The view as you walk is simply wonderful: you get the dome straight ahead and the Shard visible behind you!
Read: Halal Friendly London: 20+ Hidden Gems and Eats
2 Days in London: One New Change Rooftop
Just next to St Paul’s is One New Change, and inside this shopping centre is another free rooftop terrace.
Take the lift to the top and step outside, and you’ll see the dome of the cathedral right there in front of you.
This is a good sunset spot if you’re ending the day in this part of town, but even during the day, it’s a nice pause point and of course, a great photo spot.
You can see across the rooftops and listen to the quiet that somehow lingers up there, opening on the skyline and oh, so close to many of London’s secret church gardens!
Read: Dark Academia in London: A Secret London Itinerary
DAY 2
2 Days in London: Camden Town in the Morning
Day Two starts in Camden. The market is best seen early before the main crowd arrives.
You can walk along the canal, watch the locks open and close on the canal, and see the early light hit the brick walls of the old industrial buildings.
Camden Market and Camden Town itself get loud later, but in the morning they have a completely different feel.
That’s when I usually pop by for charity shopping and a visit to my favorite budget shops, because I know the shops and the streets will be half empty and quiet.
There’s still grit, still layers, still outstanding street art, too!, but more room to breathe.
Read: A Local’s Fashion in London Itinerary from Museums to Shops
2 Days in London: Primrose Hill Viewpoint
From Camden, walk north to Primrose Hill.
It’s one of London’s most famous viewpoints, but it never feels overdone as the park is so wide.
the climb is not that steep, and the view from the top opens the city right in front of you.
On a clear day, you’ll spot the London Eye, the Shard, and even Canary Wharf in the distance.
But even on grey days, the hill feels wide and open, and you’ll see locals chatting, reading, or just sitting with music playing through shared headphones, which in turn makes you feel a little bit local, too.
Read: A Quirky Bookish Itinerary in London
2 Days in London: Shoreditch Walk
From there, to go faster, you can take the Northern Line to Old Street and walk into Shoreditch: this is where East London shifts.
The buildings change, the mood loosens, the colours start to show – walk through Redchurch Street, then cut toward Brick Lane and you’ll be able to unravel so much street art and hidden gems!
There’s no perfect route here. Just follow the streets that call to you, and you’ll be fine 🙂
You’ll pass vintage shops, small galleries, and secret coffee shops.
If you’ve read my other itineraries, you’ll know I often end up here. It’s where you can still feel a bit of the city’s edge, and where I personally feel at home.
Read: Paris in London: An Unusual Itinerary to French Places in London
2 Days in London: Optional Stop — Leadenhall Market
If you have the energy, take the Overground or bus into the City and walk through Leadenhall Market.
It’s one of London’s oldest covered markets, and its arches and ironwork give it a special kind of atmosphere.
Even in the middle of the financial district, this place feels like something preserved.
If you want to end your trip with something quiet and visually rich, it’s a great choice 🙂
Read: Morocco in London: An Unusual Itinerary to Moroccan Places
2 Days in London: Bonus — Notting Hill in the Evening
If you want something softer to end on, Notting Hill works well.
It’s not a secret, but early evenings there feel completely different.
Walk the pastel mews streets at the end of the day, browse the antiques arcades on Portobello Road, or sit in a quiet café or a pastry shop (French bakery Maison Puget is +++!) as the lights start to dim.
Most blog posts start with Notting Hill, so it can feel different to end a busy day with something calm.
The rhythm is slower, you let the day fall away without even noticing, and you can either have dinner there, or lazily go back to Central to do just that.
Read: The Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to London
2 Days in London: Itinerary, Attractions, History and Shops
That’s your 2 days in London itinerary complete and done – and a little more to fluff up your bucket list beautifully.
You’ve seen the big sights and the quiet rooftops. You’ve crossed the Thames, watched the skyline change, paused where it made sense to pause.
If you’ve got more time, I’ve written guides for deeper walks, unique workshops, and other really unusual and unexpected places you can visit this time, or another time.
If not, I hope these two days gave you the London that’s just beneath the surface – and have shown you that it’s more than just shopping in Central London.
More than immersive experiences.
More than anything you could have imagined!