ULTIMATE LOYALTY PROGRAMME
5 D$ rewards guaranteed for all website and app bookings
Always up to 10% off
Member-only offers and exclusive experiences
Log in to NH DISCOVERY. Best prices, more flexibility!
The NH Concierge’s Tips
You have not much time, and you want to visit London In just 48 hours. Well, rest assured, we're here to help! In this guide, you'll find a fun itinerary to experience London for a weekend with must-see places that you can visit in just 2 days. So get your road map and your adventurous spirit ready, because your getaway to the British capital is about to begin!
Start your day by exploring the Tower of London, a royal castle with more than 1,000 years of history in the borough of Tower Hamlets. There you can see the Crown Jewels and learn about the history of the city and the UK. Tickets price is £30 and you can visit it from 9:00am to 5.30pm. You have the option to take either the District or Circle tube lines until you reach Tower Hill station. But for enjoying the landscapes, we recommend taking any of the following bus lines: 15, 254, 343, N15, and 734 to the Tower of London stop (Stop TB).
Another nearby attraction you should visit is Tower Bridge, which is an 8-minute walk from the castle. The bridge that joins the banks of the River Thames is accessible for free crossing, but its towers hold the Tower Bridge Exhibition. This exhibition costs from £14.30, and you can visit it daily from 9.30am to 6:00pm.
Whether you're visiting London for a weekend or not, strolling through the South Bank is a great way to enjoy the city. There, you will find several renowned attractions such as the London Eye, Shakespeare's Globe Theater or the London Aquarium, among others. As well, you can find galleries, restaurants and many recreational activities. To get there, you can take the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, and Waterloo & City tube lines to Waterloo station. Or take the RV1, 45, 63 100, 381 and 344 bus lines.
Your walk will take you to discover the Tate Modern museum, one of the top things to do in London. It’s open every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and is located in a former power station with international art from 1900 to the present day. So get ready to see the most exclusive works of Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí, among others. But remember, it’s recommended to be prepared to walk around it for 3 to 4 hours.
However, that walking will surely make you hungry, so get a delicious lunch at the famous Borough Market. One of the oldest markets in London where you will find food from every corner of the world, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
After an exciting day exploring the South Bank and Tate Modern, it's time to head to another spot for a lovely evening. To do so, take the Piccadilly subway line to Covent Garden station.
There you'll find shops, restaurants, street performers, malls, and more. Ready to satisfy any taste, whether it's Indian food, vegetarian, or British classics, there's a wide range of options in the best local atmosphere.
Start your day at one of London’s most iconic landmarks, the famous Buckingham Palace. This royal residence is a must-see and the perfect setting to immerse yourself in British tradition. To get there, you need to go to the subway to Green Park station (Jubilee or Piccadilly line). Make sure you get a good spot to watch the Changing of the Guard, which takes place at 11:00 a.m. (this may vary). Also, bring a light jacket, because mornings there are often cool, and make sure you’re prepared for possible crowds.
Once you have visited the stunning Buckingham Palace, it's time to head to Westminster Abbey, well-known for the coronations and royal ceremonies which take place there. It's open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 3.30pm, with a ticket price around £27. There you can explore its impressive chapels and stained-glass windows, as well as Poets' Corner, where some of England's most popular writers are buried.
To get there from Buckingham Palace, you can walk about 15 minutes to the Abbey or take a bus (number 11) for a quicker trip. So after visiting it, you can take a short walk to the exterior of the iconic Big Ben and Parliament. Once there, you can capture photos from Westminster Bridge or have a nice light lunch at the nearby cafes.
After a day full of culture and history, head to Soho, one of London's liveliest districts, famous for its nightlife. To get there, take the Bakerloo subway line to Piccadilly Circus station, in the heart of the city. Once there, you can explore its streets full of bars, clubs, and theaters. But we recommend heading straight to Duck & Waffle restaurant at 101 Bishopsgate in the Heron Tower (make a reservation). For a delicious modern menu and a stunning view from the 40th floor, where you'll see the best views of the city.
On the other hand, if you want to note down other must-visit points of interest to experience London for a weekend, here are some of the top attractions you can't miss, along with details on how to visit them.
It's one of the most iconic attractions in the city because it's the world's largest cantilevered observation wheel that offers panoramic views of London. London Eye is especially magical at sunset or night, and you can easily get there by subway to Westminster station (Jubilee, District, or Circle lines). But you should book your tickets in advance to avoid the long lines.
London is home to some of the most outstanding museums in the world, and many of them offer free entry. Here are two of the most popular: the British Museum at Holborn tube station (Central and Piccadilly lines). Known for its extensive collection of artifacts spanning thousands of years of history, including the Rosetta Stone and sculptures from the Parthenon. This museum is open daily from 10:00am to 5:30pm.
Natural History Museum located in South Kensington (District, Circle or Piccadilly lines). It’s one of the most impressive free museums in the world, where you will find everything from dinosaurs to precious gems. It’s open every day from 10:00am to 5:50pm.
By adding these historic sites to your itinerary, you'll have the chance to immerse yourself in London's rich cultural heritage. So here are the details on what to expect and how to enjoy them:
● Westminster Abbey: This is an architectural gem and an important place for Londoners. It's where royal coronations are made, and historical figures are buried. So, make sure to buy your tickets in advance to avoid long lines, and remember that the tour should take at least 1-2 hours.
● Parks and outdoor attractions: London has numerous parks and green spaces that are perfect for relaxing and enjoying nature. One of the most popular is Hyde Park, ideal for a stroll, a picnic, or even a boat ride on the Serpentine Lake. You can get there from Lancaster Gate Station (Central Line) or Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly Line).
● Also, St. James's Park is the oldest park in London and offers stunning views of Buckingham Palace and the Parliament building. It is known for its well-kept gardens, lake, and the various species of birds that live there. You can get there from St. James's Park tube station (District and Circle lines).
You can start your day at Westminster Abbey and then continue to the parks to experience London for a weekend. Remember that it is advisable to bring a light jacket and an umbrella, as well as sunscreen.
London is a culinary paradise because it has a very interesting mix of cultures. You can find something here for every budget, with options that go from street food to high-end restaurants. These are some of the suggestions that locals prefer:
Located at 8 Southwark St, it has several options from local and international food at very affordable prices. Also, if you visit during the Christmas holidays, you must try the eggnog and mulled wine, emblematic products of the season.
This is a very famous Indian restaurant that has several branches in the city, including in Shoreditch near the nhow London Hotel. The approximate costs are £15-£30 per person, and there is usually a queue to try their dishes, but it is worth the wait. Our recommendation is that you try the Indian breakfast "Bacon Naan Roll" which will undoubtedly take you to Bombay without leaving your seat.
Located at 1 Sky Garden Walk, this is one of the most impressive viewing points in the city. There is no entrance fee, but it is important to book in advance. There you will find 2 restaurants serving contemporary British food, an Italian restaurant, and a bar to enjoy after eating. Visiting it at sunset will definitely be crazy, due to the views and its majestic gastronomic offer.
However, if you love nightlife, and you're wondering what to do in London for a weekend? Here are some recommendations of areas you can't miss:
● Shoreditch: Known for its bohemian and artistic atmosphere, Shoreditch offers a wide variety of bars and clubs for all tastes. To get there, you can take the subway to Shoreditch High Street (Overground line). Or you can also take bus lines 48 and 55. We recommend going to the famous cocktail bar Dandelyan at the Mondrian Hotel, known for its unique and innovative mixes.
● Soho: This neighborhood is located in the heart of the city and is an epicenter of London's nightlife. It is full of pubs, clubs, and theaters that never stop. You can get there by tube to Piccadilly Circus station (Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines) or Leicester Square station (Northern and Piccadilly lines). Or take bus lines 14, 19 and 38 to explore all the hidden gems this area has to offer.
● Camden Town: This is an area famous for its alternative environment, live music and unique bars where punk culture and creativity intertwine. The nearest tube station is Camden Town (Northern line), which leaves you just a few steps from the main points of interest. Or you can opt for bus lines 24, 27, and 31 which have stops in Camden. Our advice is to go to The Dublin Castle pub, a legendary place in the London music scene, where bands such as Blur, Coldplay, Supergrass, The Killers, Arctic Monkeys, Billy Bragg, among others, have played.
Ready to visit London for a weekend? If you're looking for a modern and stylish place to stay, you should check out all that nhow London Hotel has to offer. This hotel has an exquisite design that offers you a gym and work area in a pet-friendly environment. It’s located on Macclesfield Road 2, very close to the University of London and other places of interest. So, it’s perfectly connected to public transport to move around to any point in the city.
The most convenient way to get there from the airport is by taxi, with a journey time of 30-40 minutes, and it costs around £40. Besides, if you are lucky enough to stay at nhow hotel during your visit to London for a weekend. You can enjoy the pleasant brunch served at the hotel on Sundays. With pizzas, glasses of prosecco, and all the sangria that you can drink for £35 per person.
Definitely! Three days in London allows you to explore the most iconic attractions such as Big Ben, the British Museum, and Borough Market. But you can only do this if you plan your itinerary in detail to not waste your time. Our advice is to use public transport but note down which bus and tube lines you need to use to get to each place.
Although two days is a limited amount of time, you can enjoy many of the most famous attractions. To do this, we recommend prioritizing your sights and traveling on the subway.
For two days, a budget of £200-£350 is reasonable. That will cover transport, meals, and tickets for some attractions. But you should access discounted passes such as the Travelcard for public transport and look for all kinds of deals that can help you to save money.
It's not strictly necessary to carry cash, as most places accept cards without any problem. However, it is useful to have some cash on the markets, especially if you want to speed up your waiting times.
The newly opened nhow London is located in the thriving area between Hoxton, Islington and Shoreditch. Only minutes from ‘Silicon Roundabout’, the high-tech hub around Old Street, the location offers access to leisure and business facilities, as well as easy travel to all London’s main attractions via nearby Farringdon Station.
Join NH DISCOVERY and get 5% off for all your bookings
Loading results