Forget Paris, Milan and New York… London is the place to be if you want a romantic, fun filled break with your better half.
From world-class restaurants to gaze into each other’s eyes across the table in and picturesque parks to stroll through hand-in-hand to sightseeing together, London is the ideal place for lovers of all ages.
If your time in the capital is limited, it can be tough to know what to prioritise to ensure you make the most of your time here. That’s why we’ve put together some itinerary tips for just two days in London, to prove that’s plenty of time to experience some of the best bits of the city as a couple.
Plan the things you want to do together ahead of the trip
This seems a little obvious, but it’s something that can get forgotten following the madness and excitement of planning an amazing trip somewhere. You get so caught up with travel and hotel arrangements, making sure you’ve booked time off work and have got enough funds, and before you know it, you’ve arrived at your destination with not much in the way of plans for how you’ll be spending your time.
Take some time to plan the things you want to see and do together beforehand, so when you get there, you don’t have to waste any time deciding. Check out sites like Time Out London, and Lonely Planet for top tips for things to do, and to stay up to date with all the latest goings-on in the city.
As well as ensuring you’ve got a jam-packed schedule of amazing things to experience, make sure you’ve factored in some downtime too, as city breaks can be quite exhausting, especially in a city as hectic as London. Why not book an experience at a Rituals Spa London to help you relax for a couple of hours? You could even get a hotel with a spa in it to make it even easier.
Use the Thames as a base
When it comes to choosing the things you want to do, if you’re a little stuck or worried about time, you can’t really go wrong with using the Thames as a base. The river goes through central London, and the majority of the city’s top attractions are situated along it, or just a short journey away.
Sauntering along the Thames, either by foot, bus, tube or boat, you’ll see world-famous icons such as the London Eye, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Southbank Centre and the Tate Modern.
A few of the royal parks, such as Hyde Park and Regents Park aren’t far from the water either, as are other key royal institutions such as Buckingham Palace.
Ensure you pick somewhere romantic to stay
The best way to ensure you have a restful, relaxing and romantic city break with your other half in London is by making sure you pick your accommodation wisely. Hotels can be quite pricey in the capital, but if you book far enough in advance, you can certainly find lots of Special Offers London Hotels.
This should ultimately be where you spend the most cash, as you’ll be relaxing and sleeping here, after all. Check out lavish, luxurious yet surprisingly affordable options such as the Piccadilly London Hotel, ideally located in central London in a buzzy, fun district that’s perfect for tourists.
You’ll also want to make sure you’re close enough to lots of great eateries so you’re not exploring on an empty stomach – the one sure way to take away the romance from your trip as you’ll be grumpy! There are loads of great Restaurants Near Piccadilly, for example.
Look for other ways to save cash
Now you’ve invested in a lavish, romantic hotel, you may want to look for other ways to save a bit of cash on your couple’s holiday to London. After all, it is a pretty expensive city to spend a few days in. Luckily, there are a few simple ways you can save those pennies.
Transport is a big one. Opt for getting the tube together instead of taxis as this will save you a small fortune each day. In bars and restaurants, look for places that offer a happy hour, which is a prominent feature of many British watering holes. Here you’ll generally be offered reduced drinks, or two for the price of one. Romantic indeed!
Another top tip to save money, and to save time, is to book the big attractions in advance online. Lots of the big exhibitions and attractions offer reduced rates when booking tickets online, and you’ll also be able to skip the queue when you get there, meaning you’ll have more time to each other too.
Pack well for your holiday
Depending on the time of year you go, you’ll want to make sure you’ve packed well for your two days in London. Don’t over pack – there’s nothing more annoying than lugging around a huge suitcase of things you’re not going to have the time to need.
London summers and springs are generally nice and mild, with highs of around 31 degrees, and lows of around 12. Though regardless of when you’re going, it’s a good idea to pack an umbrella, as British weather can be unpredictable at best!
Do a little research about the boring stuff before you go
If it’s your first time in the UK, you’ll want to do a little research on basic British customs and things to know before you go. Knowing a bit about things like currency is (of course) useful – we use the British Pound, not the Euro – and you’ll need a GB adaptor plug for your electricals.
Internet access is broadly available in the form of Wi-Fi all over the city, including in hotels and coffee shops, so you shouldn’t have any issue staying connected.
London is a generally safe city, although as with any major city, you need to keep your wits about you – keep your possessions with you at all times, keep your wallet or phone in a front pocket and don’t do anything that you wouldn’t do at home.
