Lady’s Itinerary for 36 Hours in London

Today I want to share my itinerary for 36 hours in London with you. If you’re wondering how to spend your time in the UK capital, this guide will help you plan your trip. It has all the highlights of London, including landmarks and attractions, plus a few local places you’ll be glad you discovered. Read on for the details and maps.

36 Hours in London

While there’s no right or wrong way to spend 36 hours in London, this is my ideal itinerary for a trip. Whether it’s your first time visiting the city or your tenth, it’s a great way to see a mix of what the UK capital has to offer.

Where to Stay in London

If you’re wondering where to stay during your visit, you can take a look at my guides to the best area to stay in London for your style and the best places to stay in London when it comes to hotels. You can also book your favorite hotel in London here.

If you’re looking for something unique and different, I’ve published blog posts about the top quirky hotels in London and the best pubs with rooms in London. They’re ideal for finding fun and unusual accommodation in the city.

How to Pack for 36 Hours in London

Once you’ve decided when to visit the city, you’ll need to pack for London. Depending when you come, that will mean different things.

I’ve created packing lists for winter, summer, spring, and autumn that can help you decide what to wear in London. I’ve also created a general guide to things to bring all year. It has a free downloadable checklist.

If you’re flying to the United Kingdom, you can take a look at my long-haul packing list and my guide to how to pack with just a carry-on (I was interviewed by The New York Times about the latter).

Other London Itineraries

If you have more or less time, my itineraries for 1 day in London, 2 days in London, 3 days in London, 4 days in London, 5 days in London, 6 days in London, 7 days in London, 1 week in London, 8 days in London, 9 days in London, and 10 days in London can help. My London Travel Guide has lots of tips, too.

36 Hours in London: Day 1

My itinerary for 36 hours in London kicks off with breakfast. I love starting my mornings with good coffee and food. Whether I head to one of the best coffee shops in London or one of my favorite places for breakfast, it’s hard to go wrong.

Buckingham Palace

Caffeinated and fueled, I like to explore the city. There’s no better place to start than Buckingham Palace. If the Changing the Guard ceremony is on, I like to watch it. If not, I still enjoy getting a glimpse of the guards in front of the facade.

Westminster

From there it’s a pretty walk through St James’s Park to Parliament Square in Westminster. The Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey are beautiful to behold, and Big Ben is a must-see.

South Bank

From Westminster, I like crossing the Thames to get to the South Bank. It’s the perfect place to soak up the riverfront atmosphere or ride the London Eye.

From the South Bank, it’s a great walk to Tate Modern, one of the most beloved London landmarks. The museum is an amazing place to visit, and the fact that it’s free means it’s easy to pop in for as long as I want. There are stunning views from the top, too.

After visiting Tate Modern, Borough Market is the ideal place to find something delicious for lunch. I love wandering around, soaking up the colors and scents of the stalls, and eating whatever my taste buds find appealing.

City of London

After getting my fill at Borough Market, I cross London Bridge to get into the City of London. On the way, I admire the views of Tower Bridge across the water.

The City is the historic heart of London. From the iconic dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to the Tower of London and the colorful metalwork in Leadenhall Market, this part of the UK capital always awes me with its abundance of architectural history.

If it’s a weekday, I love exploring the secret lanes and gardens in Temple, too. My self-guided City of London walking tour covers both.

Covent Garden

As night approaches, I walk or hop on the tube to get to Soho and Covent Garden. There are plenty of places to eat and drink around here, and Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, and the Covent Garden Piazza are always exciting in the evening.

This being the heart of the West End, there’s no shortage of plays, musicals, shows, and other entertainment I can see in London at night.

Chelsea and South Kensington

If I want to stay out late, I take the tube to Chelsea or South Kensington for the nightlife scene around the King’s Road or Walton Street. It’s a fun way to end the first day of my itinerary.

36 Hours in London: Day 2

The next morning, my 36 hours in London continue in Notting Hill. This is one of my favorite local parts of the city, and it’s famous for its colorful houses and market.

Notting Hill

From Portobello Road Market to the quiet mews and the great shops on Westbourne Grove and Kensington Park Road, I like to explore as much of Notting Hill as I can.

My self-guided Notting Hill walk is a good way to see the best of the neighborhood, from the big highlights to pretty side streets like St Luke’s Mews.

Kensington

From Notting Hill I walk down into Kensington for more local highlights. It’s one of my favorite west London areas to explore.

The roads just south of Notting Hill Gate are packed with colorful houses and doors, and Kensington Church Street is home to The Churchill Arms, one of the prettiest pubs in London. Its Thai food makes it a great lunch stop.

Kensington Gardens is an ideal place to get into nature in London, too. It’s home to Kensington Palace, a famous royal palace in London, and it’s adjacent to Hyde Park, one of the city’s biggest and most beloved green spaces.

South Kensington

From Hyde Park it’s a quick walk down Exhibition Road to the famous trio of museums in South Kensington.

The V&A, the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum are all next to each other (and all offer free entry). Whether you’re fascinated by design, dinosaurs, or aviation, there’s something you’ll love.

Knightsbridge

The museums are near Knightsbridge, which has some of the best shopping in London. From Harrods to Harvey Nichols, there’s no shortage of places to get my retail therapy fix here.

And that’s to say nothing of the neighborhood’s cute cafes and the stunning brick architecture on and around Pont Street.

By the time I’m done exploring, my 36 hours in London are up. I’ve gotten to see and do a lot in a short amount of time, and I’ve had a chance to get a feel for both the big attractions and the local areas that make London such an amazing city.

Maps

36 Hours in London

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to spending 36 hours in London. There’s so much to do and see in the UK capital, and I hope you can use this post to create an itinerary that fits your travel style and preferences. Happy exploring!

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