After living in London for 3 years, we have explored everything London has to offer and can give you the best spots to visit if you’re looking to explore beyond the landmarks.
In just two days, you’ll explore London’s South Bank, wander through artistic boroughs like Shoreditch, shop in bustling markets, indulge in delicious street food and take in the city skyline from a rooftop garden.
This itinerary is perfect for anyone looking to explore London’s iconic landmarks while also exploring the bustling streets and hidden gems.
While many itineraries focus solely on ticking off famous sights, this guide offers a more immersive approach – perfect for first-time visitors who want to experience the city like a local.
Day 1: Explore the South Bank & Shoreditch
Morning: Explore the South Bank
Start your day with a walk along the South Bank, one of London’s most vibrant areas, and one of my favourite parts of London!
This is where I lived and went to university, so I’ve spent a lot of time wandering around this part of London.
I would recommend starting at Westminster Bridge / London Eye and walking north towards Tower Bridge.
This way, you can see iconic landmarks such as the Houses Of Parliament, London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, while taking a scenic walk along the River Thames.
Along the way, you’ll find plenty of street performers, cafes and bars giving off a lively atmosphere, and you can grab a hot drink and snack for your walk.
It usually takes around 40-50 minutes to walk this route, but will take longer with stops along the way.
If you don’t want to walk that far, you can hire bikes, scooters or jump on a bus or tube to either end!
Stop at the Tate Modern, one of the world’s leading contemporary art museums. The museum is free to enter, apart from a few exhibits that charge for entry.
I always love visiting this museum as it always has quirky art installations and interesting pieces, and it’s perfect for escaping the rain!
The museum also has a great rooftop viewing platform that has incredible views of the city, just take the elevator to the top floor.
Continue your walk to Tower Bridge, one of London’s most iconic landmarks. Across the river you’ll be able to spot the Tower of London and get a great view of London’s skyline.
Walk across the bridge and consider visiting the Glass Floor Walkway for a unique perspective of the river below.
Once you’re across the bridge you can go on to see the Tower of London, or if you prefer, make your way to Shoreditch for the afternoon.
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Afternoon: Explore Shoreditch & the City Area
Shoreditch is one of London’s trendiest neighbourhoods known for its street art, creative vibe, and food scene.
The area of Shoreditch isn’t far from Tower Bridge so you can carry on walking or biking to this area. Or, take a bus or tube to either Shoreditch High Street Station or Liverpool Street Station.
Shoreditch is full of cute cafes, vintage shops, colourful street art and incredible street food, so it’s a great place to spend the afternoon shopping and working up an appetite for a delicious lunch.
Spitalfields Market is a place to go in Shoreditch, with market stalls offering a mix of vintage clothing, handmade crafts, and gourmet food.
You can grab some lunch here, and try one of the food stalls offering various foods such as burgers, thai food, mexican, fish, or we suggest NaanWrap, it’s delicious!
Or, you can head over to Boxpark Shoreditch, a pop-up mall made of shipping containers. You’ll find a variety of street food vendors offering everything from sushi and burgers to churros and cookies!
If you decide to head here, we recommend trying ‘The Athenian’ which sells Greek souvlaki. Boxpark also has fashion and lifestyle stores so you can do some shopping here too.
If you’re looking for a fun indoor activity to do, the Van Gogh Immersive Experience is located on Brick Lane and lets you step inside Van Gogh’s paintings, with immersive light and sound exhibits.
Speaking of Brick Lane, this is a must visit spot in Shoreditch. Brick Lane is a vibrant area full of street art, vintage shops and quirky cafes.
Wander down alleyways and side streets to see famous street art, including works by Banksy.
Wrap up the afternoon and try to catch the sunset (depending on the time of year) at the Sky Garden or Fen Court Roof Garden for the best free panoramic views of London.
The Sky Garden is a lush indoor garden located at the top of the ‘Walkie-Talkie’ building with free entry (advance booking required), while Fen Court is a quieter and lesser-known spot next door and does not require bookings.
Evening: Dinner & Drinks in Shoreditch
For dinner, choose from one of Shoreditch’s various trendy restaurants, such as Dishoom Shoreditch, serving modern Indian cuisine or Pizza East serving delicious wood-fired pizzas.
Or, if you want to embrace British culture, one of the many local pubs serving traditional pub food and roast dinners, such as the Owl and Pussycat.
After dinner, explore Shoreditch’s nightlife with a visit to a cocktail bar. There’s plenty of unique spots to choose from, like Nightjar, a hidden speakeasy known for its vintage cocktails and live jazz or The Cocktail Club (one of our favourites).
Or, if you prefer a rooftop vibe, check out Queen of Hoxton or Boundary Rooftop for drinks looking over the city.
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Find the best views in London (on a budget) by reading our guide to the best free & low cost rooftop views here.
Day 2: Shopping, Markets & Theatre Shows
Morning: Shopping on Oxford Street
A trip to London isn’t complete without some retail therapy on Oxford Street, London’s iconic shopping destination. You’ll find flagship stores like Selfridges, Zara, Uniqlo and Gymshark, and thousands of other high-street and designer fashion shops.
I’d highly recommend taking a short detour to Carnaby Street, which is a backstreet off of Oxford Circus with more shops, street art and cafe’s.
After exploring the shops, walk over to Soho, a lively neighbourhood not far from Oxford Street. Here, you can stop for a coffee at one of the area’s many artisanal coffee shops, such as Flat White or Hideaway Coffee House.
Afternoon: Camden Town & Markets
In the afternoon jump on the tube to Camden Town, a quirky and arty part of london, not far from Oxford Street. This is a great spot to wander around and shop at market stalls offering unique clothing, accessories, and home decor.
You might know of Camden for its food stalls, which is the highlight here with plenty of choice – think gooey mac and cheese, loaded burgers, or vegan treats.
You can also take a walk along Regent’s Canal, a picturesque pathway where you can see the colourful canal boats lining the water.
Evening: Covent Garden & West End Show
In the evening make your way to Covent Garden, a picturesque area with cobblestone streets, market stalls, and street performers.
You can explore more shops here or we recommend enjoying a pre-theatre dinner at one of the many great restaurants in this area.
For classic British food, try The Ivy Market Grill or Rules, London’s oldest restaurant serving traditional dishes in a historic setting.
End your London trip with a West End show, a quintessential experience for every visitor. From musicals like The Lion King to iconic plays like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, there’s something for everyone.
Make sure to book your tickets in advance as many shows sell out!
Best London Travel Resources
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