How to Spend 48 Hours in London

48 hours in London barely scratches the surface of England’s capital city, but it was all the time I had. Since I had friends studying abroad in London, I decided to visit before starting my study abroad program in Madrid. Also, it was cheaper for me to fly into London, and then fly into Madrid from there, so it seemed perfect! I stayed with my friends in their dorm at the University of Westminister, which helped keep spending low.

So, I’m sharing how I spent 48 hours in London.

Where to play

Regent’s Park

We grabbed some snacks and alcohol from a grocery store and had a nice picnic in Regent’s Park. Regent’s Park is large and provides different activities for people of all ages. It was nice catching up, meeting new friends, people-watching, and eating and drinking for a few hours.

Buckingham Palace & the Changing of the Guards

We took the tube to Buckingham Palace where the queen resides. and stumbled upon the Changing of the Guards. This ceremony is when new guards take over responsibility and protection of Buckingham Palace from the old guards. Since our next destination was the same route as the Changing of Guards, we followed them for some time.

Big Ben, Westminster Bridge & The London Eye

Have you been to London if you haven’t seen Big Ben, the Westminster Bridge and the London Eye? It also helps that they’re relatively close to one another (roughly a 7-minute walk).

The Shakespeare Globe Theatre

The Shakespeare Globe Theatre is within walking distance from the London Eye. It’s also a beautiful walk because you’re alongside the River Thames. We bought “yard standing” tickets ahead of time to Antony and Cleopatra for only £5. This ticket means that you’ll stand during the play, which in hindsight wasn’t the best idea. Especially given that we walked a lot throughout the day, and had to stand for a roughly three-hour play.

Portobello Market

One of the most famous street markets in London, besides Camden Market. Portobello Market offers souvenir shops, food stands, antiques, clothes and more. This street has many vendors, shops, a lively environment, and beautiful architecture. I bought souvenirs and a few pieces of clothing that were being sold at discounted prices.

The Metropolitan Bar

A pub not far from Regent’s Park, the Metropolitan Bar offers a traditional menu (e.g. burger & chips, fish & chips, nachos, chicken, salads, and more) and cheap drinks. This pub serves people of all ages – including children. You can order food and include an alcoholic beverage with your order, which is only a couple of pounds extra to substitute for a soft drink.

The London Cocktail Club

If you’re looking for a night out, I’d highly recommend this cocktail bar. The London Cocktail Club has a few locations in London, we went to their location off of Oxford Street since it was close to their university. It’s pretty dark, but the vibes are amazing! There was hip-hop, funk, and old-school music playing in the background and the bartenders were extremely friendly. My friends came to this place often because of their happy hour specials – the day we went was ladies’ night. So the drinks were buy one get one free for ladies! The cocktails were delicious; I remember getting the Jam-Jar daiquiri (a strawberry daiquiri) and another drink they lit up before serving.

London Travel Tips:

Getting Around

London is a large city, but fairly easy to get around with public transportation. Upon arrival, I got an Oyster Card which is a better investment than paper tickets. The Oyster Card can be used for the bus, Tube, tram, DLR, and other transportation services in London. Either order the card online ahead of time and have it delivered, then add value online. Or, get the card upon arrival in London at an underground station. There’s also a visitor Oyster card, but not all airports provide this option. So you might have to purchase it beforehand online. When using an Oyster Card, you tap the card when entering a station. And again when exiting the final station.

Money

The U.K. is fairly expensive, so make sure you have enough pounds for your stay. I took out £65 for two days and that was enough for me. But unlike Edinburgh, where you can walk everywhere, London is a big city. So taking public transportation and taxis is necessary to get around.

Safety

I felt safe, but like any big city, you should be aware of your surroundings.

Other Tips:

• London has quite a few airports, so make sure you’re aware of which airport you’re arriving in and departing from.
• Like my hometown, London’s weather can be fairly unpredictable. So make sure to check the weather and pack accordingly. The two full days I explored London it was seasonably warm, but the morning I left it was cold and damp.