StayAreasTwo days in London: a weekend itinerary
Two days lets you add the Tower of London, a market and one of the great museums to the riverside highlights. If you're there on a weekend, use the markets that only open on Saturday or Sunday.
Day 1: Westminster to the South Bank
Westminster Abbey and Parliament
Start at opening time.
Stay nearby: Westminster · ~$320/nightSt James's Park and Buckingham PalaceFree
Changing the Guard on scheduled days.
Stay nearby: Westminster · ~$320/nightTrafalgar Square and the National GalleryFree
An hour with the highlights.
Stay nearby: Covent Garden · ~$360/nightCovent Garden for lunch
Then cross the river.
Stay nearby: Covent Garden · ~$360/nightSouth Bank walk to Tate ModernFree
The London Eye, the Southbank Centre and the Globe on the way.
Stay nearby: South Bank · ~$295/nightEvening: a West End show
Or dinner in Soho.
Stay nearby: Soho · ~$360/night
Day 2: the Tower, markets and Bloomsbury
Tower of London at opening
Crown Jewels first, then a Yeoman Warder tour.
Stay nearby: South Bank · ~$295/nightTower BridgeFree
Walk across and along the river to London Bridge.
Stay nearby: South Bank · ~$295/nightLunch at Borough Market
Saturday is busiest; go early.
Stay nearby: South Bank · ~$295/nightBritish MuseumFree
Northern line from London Bridge; two hours on the highlights.
Stay nearby: Bloomsbury · ~$255/nightEvening in Shoreditch or Soho
Bars and dinner. On a Sunday morning, swap in Columbia Road and Brick Lane.
Stay nearby: Shoreditch · ~$240/night
Written by the StayAreas editorial team · Updated Oct 2026 · How we research our guides