Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in London?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in London?
Many travelers spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in London during their visit. After all, the global 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 weeks 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 week enough time in London?
One week is more than enough time to see everything that London has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend three to seven days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, the theatre, and the nightlife scene at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
How to spend a week 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:
- Phantom of the Opera Theater Show ($42)
- Tickets to Wicked the Musical Theater Show in London ($42)
- Frozen The Musical Tickets ($48)
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.
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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Guided Tour of Hampton Court Palace ($177)
- Hampton Court Palace 3hr tour: Henry VIII's & William III's intriguing Palaces ($229)
- Hampton Court Palace Grounds Bike Tour ($38)
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 ($32)
- The Original Shoreditch Pub Crawl ($32)
- Pub Crawl of Central London ($32)
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.
In the big city of London, you'll want to dedicate at least a full day to discovering the unique neighborhoods, world-class attractions, and lively activities that are spread around the city. Don't miss out on visiting some of the city's most unique neighborhoods. This city is well connected to the rest of the world, making it international and diverse, as well as cosmopolitan. It has a thriving nightlife, world class theaters, and a restaurant scene that is impressive and evolving.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Silent Disco Thames Boat Party ($38)
- London in a Day with Tower, Westminster & River Cruise ($161)
- London to Southampton Cruise Terminals Private Port Transfer ($199)
Live music is very popular in London, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Brixton Self-Guided Music Walking Tour - Guided By Historian ($6)
- London Rock and Roll Music Tour ($79)
- Tickets to Wicked the Musical Theater Show in London ($42)
Shopping in London is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.
A few tour suggestions include:
- London Local Fashion Designers Shopping Tour with a Stylist ($119)
- Private Shopping Tour from London hotels to Outlet Ashford ($153)
- Half Day Private Shopping in London ($190)
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Eating London: The Heart of 'The City' Food Tour ($113)
- London East End Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours ($120)
- Eating London: Borough Market & Bankside Food Tour ($129)
After you've explored most of London, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Stonehenge Inner Circle Access Day Trip from London Including Windsor ($201)
- Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford Day Trip from London ($125)
- Small-Group Day Trip to Bath, Lacock and Stonehenge from London ($220)
London is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city has quaint neighborhoods and stunning architectural landmarks that are not to be missed.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Secret Old London Guided Walking Tour ($23)
- Changing of the Guard Walking Tour ($28)
- The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour ($32)
London is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.
As the live music scene is so popular in London, make sure you spend another evening finding more of the area's best places to take in a show. Often, many of the local venues are near one another, so you can hop from place to place.
Because this is a world-class shopping destination, you'll need yet another day to find the best deals. Each area of London offers a different vibe and atmosphere, and along with it, different styles of shops.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in London.
Is 2 weeks enough time in London?
Two weeks is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in London. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. You could also use London as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
London
How to spend 2 weeks in London
With 2 weeks in London, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the city has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time perusing the musuems, experiencing the city's neighborhoods, hopping around the bars and clubs, hanging at the music venues, and browsing the shops. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this city looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Stonehenge Inner Circle Access Day Trip from London Including Windsor ($201)
- Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Oxford Day Trip from London ($125)
- Small-Group Day Trip to Bath, Lacock and Stonehenge from London ($220)
- Small-Group Day Trip to Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor from London ($220)
- Leeds Castle, Cliffs of Dover and Canterbury Day Trip from London with Guided Cathedral Tour ($133)
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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