London, a city steeped in history and culture, offers a remarkable blend of iconic landmarks and hidden treasures. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning to explore further, this 2-day itinerary is designed to help you experience the best of London, including its rich Catholic heritage and royal history.

48 hours in London will only allow you to scratch the surface of what this city has to offer. Note: Please check the website of these places before visiting to confirm opening times, purchase tickets, and book entry times. Enjoy your trip and let me know how it goes!

Highlights Tour with Optional Hidden Gems

Day 1 begins at the Tower of London, where you can explore the historic castle and see the Crown Jewels. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll across Tower Bridge and along the Southbank of the Thames, passing by iconic sites such as The Shard, Borough Market, Shakespeare’s Globe and the Tate Modern. Make your way back across the river on Millennium Bridge to St. Paul’s Cathedral, where you can admire its stunning architecture and climb to the dome for a panoramic view of the city. As evening approaches, consider strolling through Covent Garden and enjoying a performance in the West End, one of London’s most renowned cultural experiences.

For those seeking optional hidden gems along this path, stop off at St. Dunstan in the East Garden, Southwark Cathedral, survive Clink Prison Museum, and admire the ruins of Winchester Palace (Bishops of Winchester’s London home), provides insight into London’s medieval past. Additionally, the Sky Garden (north side of the river) offers breathtaking views of the city from atop the Walkie Talkie building. Admission is free and would recommend booking an entry time otherwise you might have a long wait depending on the time of year. If you finish with enough time left, head on over to St Etheldreda’s Catholic Church at Ely Place, about a 10 minute walk from St. Paul’s – see my post on the history of this church for more information.

Day 2 starts with a visit to Westminster Abbey, an iconic site where many royal ceremonies have taken place as well as the Shrine to St. Edward the Confessor. From there, head to Buckingham Palace to witness the Changing of the Guard (schedule in link here: https://www.householddivision.org.uk/changing-the-guard-calendar), a quintessential London experience. Take a leisurely stroll through St. James’s Park to enjoy the beautiful landscapes on your way to Westminster Cathedral, the home of the Catholic Church in England.

In the afternoon, explore some museums – and they are free! The British Museum, which houses an extensive collection of art and artifacts from around the world, including the Magna Carta and some early Christian treasures. In Kensington, there are several museums near each other, The Natural History Museum, Science Museum (both great places for adults and kids!), and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Optional places include Churchill War Rooms Museum, Royal Horse Guards, or Apsley House (home of the Duke of Wellington). Tyburn Convent is another great place to visit with the Shrine of the Tyburn Martyrs – please reach out to the Convent to schedule time to see the shrine. In Kensington, right next to the Victoria and Albert Museum is the London Oratory – it is the second largest Catholic Church in London, with a nave wider than St. Paul’s Cathedral. It is definitely worth stopping by and if you are around on a Sunday, I would highly recommend attending mass here.