There are some cities that immediately feel familiar, even if it is your first time stepping foot in them.
London was one of those places for me.
I recently found myself reminiscing about my trip to London with friends and honestly, I still cannot believe how much we packed into such a short amount of time. We were only there for two days. Truly. Two days in one of the most iconic cities in the world sounds borderline criminal, but somehow we managed to squeeze in so much that it still felt incredibly fulfilling.
If you know me, you know I have always loved England, British culture, history, and honestly the whole aesthetic of it all. The architecture, the accents, the charm, the tea, the old pubs, the way everything somehow feels both timeless and alive at the same time. London had been on my travel bucket list for years, so finally getting to experience it felt surreal.
And somehow, despite only having 48 hours in London, we made it happen.
First Impressions of London
The first thing that struck me about London was how beautiful it was. Not in a flashy or over-the-top way, but in a deeply layered way. It feels historic without trying too hard. Everywhere you turn there is another building with hundreds of years of history, another hidden street, another beautiful church, another reminder that you are somewhere so much older than home.
As an American, it is kind of wild to stand in places that have existed longer than the history of your own country.
The city somehow feels grand and cozy at the same time. One second you are standing in front of a royal palace and the next you are tucked into a charming side street with flower boxes and cafés.
Seeing Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard
One of the things I was most excited for was seeing Buckingham Palace and watching the Changing of the Guard.
And somehow, Buckingham Palace was even more beautiful than I imagined.
You always see photos online, but standing there in person feels entirely different. The gates, the architecture, the sheer scale of it all. It genuinely felt regal. I know that sounds dramatic, but there is really no other word for it.
Watching the Changing of the Guard felt like one of those classic “wow, I am actually here” travel moments. It was touristy in the best way possible and honestly something I think everyone should see at least once if they are visiting London.
There is just something very distinctly British about it that made the whole experience feel so special.
Big Ben, London Bridge, and So Many Iconic London Landmarks
If you are looking for things to do in London, the city practically overwhelms you with iconic places to see.
We wandered through so many historic sites that at some point I lost track of what century I was mentally living in.
Seeing Big Ben in person felt oddly emotional. It sounds silly because obviously it is “just” a clock tower, but it is one of those landmarks you have seen your whole life in movies, books, and photos. Standing there and actually seeing it with your own eyes feels surreal.
We crossed London Bridge, walked through some of the most beautiful historic areas, and spent a lot of time simply wandering because honestly, London is one of those cities where walking around is part of the experience.
You could spend hours just admiring architecture.
There was something beautiful around every corner.
Riding the Tube Like a Real Londoner
Of course, I had to experience the London Tube.
I feel like riding the Tube is a London rite of passage. Once you figure it out, it honestly feels kind of iconic. There is something oddly fun about navigating a city through underground tunnels while hearing all the station announcements in British accents.
I will say, there is definitely a moment of panic when you are trying to figure out which direction to go, but somehow we survived.
And honestly, public transportation in London is elite.
A Very Touristy Red Telephone Booth Photo
Listen.
You simply cannot go to London and not take the classic tourist photo in one of the red telephone booths.
I refuse to feel embarrassed about this.
Was it cliché? Absolutely.
Did I still do it anyway? Also absolutely.
Some moments are tourist moments for a reason.
Riding the London Eye
One of my favorite experiences was riding the London Eye.
Seeing the London skyline from above was such a cool perspective of the city. You really get a sense of how massive and layered London is. Historic buildings mixed with modern architecture, the River Thames winding through the city, landmarks popping up everywhere.
It was one of those moments where I kind of stopped and thought, wow, this is really happening.
Walking Across Abbey Road
As someone who appreciates music history, walking across Abbey Road was honestly so fun.
Yes, we absolutely recreated the iconic crosswalk moment.
No, I will not be accepting judgment.
It is funny because something so simple somehow feels weirdly exciting when you are actually there.
London really has a way of making even small moments feel special.
Touring London’s Graffiti Scene
One of the coolest and most unexpected parts of the trip was taking a private London graffiti tour.
I loved this because it showed a completely different side of the city.
When most people think of London, they picture royal landmarks, churches, palaces, and historic buildings. But there is also this incredibly creative, artistic side that exists throughout the city.
The street art was unbelievable.
It felt like stepping into an outdoor gallery and hearing the stories behind the artists made it even more interesting. I loved seeing this contrast between old London and modern London existing side by side.
History and rebellion.
Tradition and creativity.
London somehow balances both perfectly.
Beautiful Churches and Historic Sites in London
We also toured one of the most beautiful churches and honestly, it was one of my favorite quieter moments of the trip.
There is something about old churches in Europe that immediately slows you down.
The architecture, the details, the feeling that generations and generations of people have walked through the same space before you. It makes you pause for a second.
London is filled with historic places like this and I think that is what makes it feel so magical.
You are constantly surrounded by stories.
Exploring a London Outdoor Market
One thing I always try to do when traveling is experience places beyond the obvious tourist attractions.
We spent time wandering through a large outdoor market in London, which felt so alive.
I love markets when I travel because you get such a better feel for the local culture. The food vendors, handmade items, antiques, people watching, flowers, random little treasures. It is chaotic in the best way.
Honestly, I probably could have wandered for hours.
The Surprisingly Perfect Meal After Traveling
One of the dinners that weirdly stands out most in my memory was also the simplest.
I had a vegetable soup (and Fanta- yes the rumors are true, the Fanta in Europe is 1000% better and tastes more like sparkling OJ rather than fake orange candy flavor like we get in the US).
And I know that sounds deeply underwhelming for a meal on vacation.
But after traveling, running around nonstop, barely sitting down, and trying to fit an entire city into two days, it genuinely felt like the best meal ever.
It tasted homemade. Warm. Comforting.
Like the kind of thing someone makes you when you are exhausted and need a reset.
Sometimes travel meals are not about fancy restaurants or over-the-top experiences. Sometimes it is just about finally sitting down and eating something that feels grounding.
That soup honestly deserves its own honorable mention.
Sneaking Away for Pasta in Kensington
Although, in very me fashion, I also managed to sneak away to a build-your-own pasta spot in Kensington because priorities.
And honestly?
Zero regrets.
There is something about customizing your own pasta after walking around all day that feels like self care.
Kensington itself was beautiful too. Quiet, charming, elegant. The kind of neighborhood where every townhouse makes you start imagining an entirely different life.
Final Thoughts on Visiting London
Looking back, London felt like one of those places that leaves a mark on you.
Was two days enough? Absolutely not.
Did we somehow still manage to experience so much? Weirdly yes.
London is beautiful, historic, creative, charming, busy, and endlessly interesting all at once. It feels royal without feeling stuffy, historic without feeling frozen in time, and touristy in a way that somehow still feels magical.
I left feeling like I had barely scratched the surface and already wanting to go back.
Because if London managed to make me fall in love with it in just 48 hours, I can only imagine what longer would feel like.
Until next time, London 🇬🇧
