We admit it: You can’t see everything London has to offer in just 48 hours. But with a strategic itinerary, you can get a surprisingly solid sense of England’s capital. From a taste of the royal life at Buckingham Palace to a taste of beer at a local pub, think of this as a London sampler.

How much of London can you really cover on a long weekend? Quite a lot, actually. Explore art and artifacts at famous museums, marvel at UNESCO World Heritage Sites, sample food at the city’s oldest street market, and drink plenty of pints at historic pubs. Throw in a few lines of Shakespeare (at the Globe Theatre, no less), a red phone booth (they’re everywhere), and a rainy day (almost a given), and your London checklist will be complete.

Spending a long weekend in London? Here's how to make the most of it—top things to do and see, plus where to eat and stay.