Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in London?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in London?
Many travelers spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in London during their visit. After all, the historic city has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, and the theatre.
London is a world class international city that has charming neighborhoods, iconic landmarks, and a vibrant nightlife scene. There are a diversity of attractions that offer something for everyone. Although prices can be steep, there are many free activities as well, with wandering the many markets being a favorite of many visitors.
Do you have one or two days to visit London? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in London?
London offers plenty of activities and attractions and remains a top choice for tourists. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the historic city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have at least 3 or as many as 7 days to fully enjoy the city. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
How to spend a day in London
When visiting London, you absolutely can't miss Big Ben as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.
Don't miss an evening at the theater while in town. Whether it's a musical, opera, ballet, or a famous Broadway-style production, London is known for its wide range of shows. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.
A few tour suggestions include:
- London Theatre: The Phantom of the Opera ($46)
- London Theatre: Moulin Rouge! The Musical ($36)
- London Theatre: SIX The Musical ($60)
London is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in London?
Since it's a large city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in London. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great museums and landmarks and fun big city activities, visitors can enjoy the nightlife, live music, and shopping by staying for a weekend.
London, England
How to spend 2 days in London
With a weekend (two to three days) in London, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
London is known for it's world-class museums and famous landmarks, so make sure you spend at least a day exploring at one or more of the most appealing. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.
Make sure to set aside around 3 hours for The British Museum, which is free. It's great for backpackers and is known for its historical collections and antiquities including the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon Sculptures, Crouching Venus, and more.
The Natural History Museum is worth visiting for around 6 hours, which is great for families. Known for exhibits about nature, animals, dinosaurs, and more, entry is free.
The National Gallery is worth visiting for around 3 hours, which is great for couples. Known for its large collection of world-famous artwork and its stunning architecture, entry is free.
You'll want to have around 3 hours for Buckingham Palace. It's a nice activity for families and couples and is known for being the home of the royal family and the Changing of the Guard ceremony. It's from £50 to £100, depending on the tour.
It's worth around 2 hours for The Tower Bridge. Entry is from £13 to £27 depending on the chosen tour option. It's known for great views and maritime history.
The Tower of London is worth visiting for around 3 hours, which is great for families. Known for the Crown Jewels, the Beefeaters, and its bloody history, entry is £34.
You'll want to have around 3 hours for Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It's a nice activity for anyone and are known for its historic architecture, famous clock, and home to Parliament. It's around £20 to £32 depending on the chosen tour.
You'll want to have around 3 hours for Westminster Abbey. It's a nice activity for couples and is known for royal weddings and coronations, gothic architecture, and historical events. It's around £29 without a tour, or more depending on your selected tour option.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for St. Paul's Cathedral, which is £21. It's great for couples and is known for Baroque architecture, impressive views over the city, and the burial ground of historic figures.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace ($247)
- The London Landmarks. 3.5 hour Morning tour ($48)
- The London Landmarks, 3.5 hour Afternoon tour ($48)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Camden Pub Crawl in London ($34)
- London Pub Crawl ($29)
- The Great East London Pub Crawl! ($34)
The public transit in London is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about London, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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