Two days, ten essentials. Documentary photography rather than tourist itinerary. The kind of route that fits in 48 hours but makes you feel you’ve actually seen the city, not just its postcards.
Day 1 — Westminster + the river
- Westminster Abbey at 9:00 AM, before the queues. Gothic verticality, royal coronations.
- Big Ben + Westminster Bridge. The cliché, yes, but also unbeatable from the south side.
- Tate Modern. Free. Brutalist concrete, contemporary art, panoramic terrace.
- Borough Market for lunch. Smoked salmon bagel from Hobbs.
- Tower of London + Tower Bridge for golden hour. The bridge opens for ships occasionally — check the schedule online.
Day 2 — West London + culture
- Notting Hill at 9:00 AM. Pastel houses, Portobello market on Saturdays.
- Hyde Park + Kensington Gardens. Walk through. Stop at the Albert Memorial.
- V&A or British Museum. Pick one. Both are free and overwhelming.
- Camden Market. Late lunch. Vegan or Argentine empanadas.
- Primrose Hill at sunset. The skyline of London from a real park, no tourists.
Practical notes
- Transport: contactless card, no Oyster needed. Tap in, tap out.
- Accommodation: stay in Bloomsbury or Marylebone. Avoid Leicester Square hotels.
- Best lens: 35mm prime + 70-200mm zoom. The 35mm captures the streets, the 70-200 the architectural detail.
- Pubs: The Salisbury (Covent Garden), The Mayflower (Rotherhithe), The Black Friar (City).
This guide was built from a Bidaiatzen visit in March 2026. The full Instagram gallery has 50+ images.
