London is Calling: 48 Hours in the City

Whether you're a first-timer or a returning traveler, this itinerary will help you hit the highlights and sneak in a few surprises.

By Patricia Harrison

Think two days isn’t enough to do London justice? Think again. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or making the most of a layover, you can squeeze a lot out of 48 hours in England’s historic capital with the right game plan. From must-see landmarks and hidden gem museums to cool neighborhoods that locals actually hang out in, here’s how to spend a weekend in London like you’ve been coming for years with expert ideas on where to stay from the TSA Hotel Program.

Day 1

Start your tour of London by hitting the classics. The morning hours are the best time to snap photos of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament before the crowds roll in. Stroll over to peaceful St. James’s Park, then make your way to Buckingham Palace to catch the Changing of the Guard (check times in advance).

Once you work up an appetite, hop on the Tube to Borough Market, one of the city’s oldest and largest food markets. Grab a bite from vendors like Arabica To-Go (falafel wraps and chicken shawarma), Bao Borough (Taiwanese street food) and Comptoir Bakery (French-style pastries). Grab a takeaway coffee from Change Please, where 100 percent of profits support individuals experiencing homelessness, before embarking on riverside walk along the South Bank—the entertainment and commercial district on the River Thames—passing Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern and Millennium Bridge.

If you have time, cross the river to visit the Sir John Soane’s Museum in Holborn, an underrated gem packed with architectural oddities and ancient artifacts (think: a sarcophagus in the basement). Entry is free, and the preserved 19th-century townhouse (formerly the home of Sir John Soane, a revered English architect) is as fascinating as any blockbuster museum.

Street Art in Shoreditch

Spend the evening in Shoreditch, a buzzing East London neighborhood known for its street art, cocktail bars and indie boutiques. Grab dinner at Dishoom Shoreditch for Bombay-inspired plates in a vintage setting, then check out the bar scene. The Owl & Pussycat Pub & Restaurant is a laid-back hangout with an all-season beer garden, while Nightjar has live jazz and speakeasy vibes.

Day 2

Fuel up with breakfast of butter-slathered toasted coconut bread and a house Bloody Mary at quaint Granger & Co. in Notting Hill, then stroll Portobello Road’s pastel houses and vintage shops. Next, head to The Wallace Collection, an often-overlooked treasure in Marylebone. Housed in a historic townhouse, this museum is home to Old Master paintings, armor and period rooms. Plus, it’s free and rarely crowded.

Stop for lunch nearby at the award-winning La Fromagerie, where you can browse more than 200 types of artisan cheese in its famous cheeseroom and enjoy some of England's best fondue and raclette. Afterward, venture to Regent’s Park and Camden Town. Explore Camden Market, where vendors sell everything from cheesy naan melts and birria tacos to handmade shoes and leather goods, before you stop at Primrose Hill’s summit to take in panoramic sights of London.

Wrap your trip with a sunset ride on the London Eye; or grab drinks at Sky Garden, London’s highest public garden, or The Shard, a 72-story pyramid-shaped skyscraper. For your final dinner, book a table at Kiln in Soho for inventive Thai dishes cooked via wood-burning ovens and grills. End the night with a stroll along Carnaby Street or live music at Ronnie Scott’s, a legendary jazz, soul and blues club established in 1959.

Big Ben and Westminster Bridge on River Thames

Where to Stay

Hyde London City
Built in 1874, this gem inside the historic Spiers & Pond building has evolved into Hyde, a hotel with a blend of bohemian and Victorian-era design that mirrors the surrounding area’s past. Grab dinner at Leydi, the on-site modern Turkish restaurant serving expertly prepared wood-fired breads and meat and fish.

Park Hyatt London River Thames
Set along the iconic River Thames, the Park Hyatt offers sweeping views of the water and London’s skyline, just one of many reasons guests love the sleek, luxury property. Despite its peaceful, tucked-away setting, the hotel is only a five-minute walk from the Victoria line, making it easy to reach nearly every major Underground stop across the city.

Hotel Indigo London Clerkenwell
This stylish hideaway opened in July 2025, bringing the Hotel Indigo’s coveted hospitality to Clerkenwell, one of London’s most creative neighborhoods. To honor the district’s roots as a haven for makers, every room is styled to reflect an architect's studio with touches such as headboards modeled after blueprint poster tubes.  

Dao by Dorsett West London
The Dao by Dorsett offers the perfect combination of residence and hotel. The property’s apartment-style rooms are a fantastic choice for guests seeking features such as a small, fully-equipped kitchen, pull-out sofa, living area and access to a basement laundrette. Bonus: It’s pet-friendly so four-legged travelers will feel right at home, too.

Book these hotels, and more, using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using tripXpress.

Banner photo: London Eye and Big Ben Above River Thames