With more daily flights than anywhere else on the continent and an efficient public transportation system, London is among the easiest European cities to visit and explore. It’s also one of the closest European capitals to the Eastern Seaboard, and it doesn’t hurt that English is the official language, either. Whether you’re tacking on a few days to a UK work trip or crossing the pond for a weekend in town, here are the best things to see and do with 48 hours in London.

TRY THESE TRADITIONAL LONDON FOODS

The Brits may not be known for an incredible national cuisine, but there are a few local bites you should try before branching out into the city’s top-notch international dining scene. A hearty English breakfast (that’s the official name) of meats, eggs, tomato, mushrooms, and, often, baked beans and black pudding, is a must before a busy morning of exploring. Feel free to have a morning coffee with this meal—despite the national association with tea, more than 50% of the UK drinks coffee daily, and there’s plenty of tea to come. For a quick lunch, fish and chips (which are actually French fries) is the go-to takeaway meal in London.
  

"The Palace of Westminster in London in the evening; photo by Leonid Andronov"

ENJOY THESE LONDON RESTAURANTS

You’ll find this comfort food all over London, but Poppies is a top choice and currently has three locations. At least one dinner should include a Sunday roast, and don’t worry, it’s fine to eat this British staple any day of the week. There are several variations of Sunday roast today, but the classic includes roast beef, roast potatoes, vegetables (often peas or carrots), and Yorkshire pudding, which resembles a large popover but is technically a baked pudding. Finally, treat yourself to a proper afternoon tea at an elegant hotel like The Savoy.

VISIT SOME OF THE TOP LONDON MUSEUMS

With only two days in town, you’ll have to ration your museum hours wisely as London is home to a slew of world-class collections. If you’re likely to spend hours immersing yourself in exhibits, you’ll only have time for two, and The British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum will offer the biggest bang for your time budget, with massive collections of world artefacts at both, and an added emphasis on design and other creative arts at the V&A. If you’re a speedier browser, consider spending your spare hours admiring some of the world’s most famous paintings at The National Gallery, the eye-popping pieces at Tate Modern, or the positively wild collections of the carefully cluttered Sir John Sloane’s Museum.

"Multiracial group of happy young friends bonding in London city; photo by Diamond Dogs"

SNAP PHOTOS AT LONDON’S CAN’T MISS SIGHTS

If this is your first visit, popping by the most famous sights in London is essential, but it’s not all that necessary to pop in to most of these, especially on a short trip like this. Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and, across the River Thames, the London Eye are all within minutes of each other, and Buckingham Palace is just about a 15-minute walk west from these.

If you’re interested in properly touring just one iconic landmark, make it the Tower of London, several miles northeast of these other heavy hitters. The crown jewels are here, where so many of London’s royal imprisonments (and worse) occurred.

STROLL THROUGH LONDON'S COOLEST NEIGHBOORHOODS

To catch as many of the coolest London neighborhoods as possible, consider plotting your meals in or around these areas. Close to the tourist hub, Covent Garden is full of shops, street performers, and beautiful buildings like the Royal Opera House and St. Paul’s Church.

A couple miles northeast, Marylebone is another posh spot rife with specialty shops and upscale dining. Further north, the markets of Camden Town appeal to the artsy, alternative, and curious, with countless shops and stalls collected across several connected markets. If you’re hungry, be sure not to miss Camden Lock, where dozens of food vendors are nestled among the canal waters of this picturesque market. All told, there are more than 100 places to eat among the collective Camden Markets.

SLEEP IN STYLE AT ONE OF LONDON’S BEST BOUTIQUE HOTELS

Stay close to the action without sacrificing comfort or style by checking into one of the 30 rooms at the boutique Hazlitt’s Hotel, inside three historic homes on Frith Street. It’s exudes a sense of quintessential London aristocracy that sets the mood for your chic stay in town.