Las Vegas in 2 Days: everything you need to know

Two days in Sin City may not seem like much time, but you'll be able to see some international star-studded shows, take in the breathtaking scenery of Red Rocks Canyon, gaze at the neon glow from above on the High Roller, and marvel at the dancing water and light show at the Bellagio Hotel.

If you want to know which places you shouldn't miss on your visit to Las Vegas, where to enjoy a great meal without overpaying, or how to skip the lines and make the most of your time, read on.

Las Vegas is a truly incredible city, so packed with attractions that in two days you'll just fall in love and want to come back for more.

While nothing is cheap here, there are plenty of things to do without overspending, and even many activities that are completely free.

Before we start, let me tell you that you're going to need the most comfortable shoes you have, because Las Vegas is a walking city, and a lot of walking.

Hop on a tour bus and tour Las Vegas from end to end

You may think that a tour bus is boring or that it's reserved for old people. Well, let me tell you, you're wrong. Booking tickets to tour the city on a tour bus can be a great way to locate the main attractions and get an overview of all there is to see and do in Las Vegas.

There are Hop-on Hop-off day buses, which you can hop on as many times as you like and get off at the point of interest. They usually go around downtown, the Strip and part of Fremont Street.

There are also night buses, in case you want to change the order of my suggestions and finish the day by gazing at the neon lights of Las Vegas from the comfort of the Big Bus. Book your tickets in advance, sit back and enjoy the ride!

Visit Fremont Street

Now that you're a little clearer on where everything is located in the city, I recommend you get off the bus at the charming Fremont Street.

Fremont Street is a taste of old Las Vegas, with vintage signs and an aura of melancholic charm during the day. It's also a great place to enjoy street shows, the Neon Museum, and the Fremont Street Experience, a free multimedia show projected nightly on its roof, which boasts the largest screen in the world.

Some say this is all that's left of the real Las Vegas, but there's no denying that this backyard on the Strip is extremely picturesque, and the overall atmosphere is a party.

Traveller Tip

Be sure to check out Slotzilla, a giant slot machine from which you can zip-line over the heads of the crowds.

A walk along the Las Vegas Strip and its themed hotels

Then, hop on the El Deuce bus and in less than 10 minutes you'll be on the main artery of Las Vegas, the Strip. Along this amazing avenue you will find the main hotels and the most incredible attractions you can imagine. This lively street never sleeps, and here you can find some of the most iconic spots in Las Vegas.

Gone are the days when Las Vegas was only for partying and gambling in its casinos. Today, the city has been transformed into a true entertainment centre that includes the whole family.

Touring its themed hotels is one of the classics of any trip to this city and booking a tour of the Las Vegas strip is an excellent option, as you don't have to stay in any of them to visit them. What's more, each offers a different illusion.

• The Luxor Hotel emulates an Egyptian temple, with sphinxes, hieroglyphics and truly amazing architecture.
• The Caesar Palace, one of the most traditional in the city, with its ambience harks back to the height of the Roman Empire's splendour.
• The Venetian Hotel, as its name suggests, recreates the romantic city of Venice, with its canals and gondolas (ideal as a honeymoon destination).
• The Hotel Paris has a replica of the Eiffel Tower over 100 metres high at its entrance, and a roof with an artificial sky inside.
• The New York New York will surprise you with its famous Big Apple Rollercoaster.

The best burgers and milkshakes in Las Vegas

But now it's time for lunch. If you like burgers and milkshakes, you should definitely stop by The Black Tap. With an affordable menu, you'll find some of the best burgers and milkshakes in town. With colourful sprinkles, gravity-defying Oreo biscuits and an out-of-this-world taste, the milkshakes here are truly amazing.

Ideal for adding that extra quota of calories needed to keep you going through the tireless Las Vegas and to take some pictures. The Black Tap is located inside The Venetian Hotel, and is definitely worth a visit.

But if you're a foodie, a food tour in Las Vegas will delight your taste buds.

End the day on an adrenaline high

There's nothing better than ending the day by seeing one of the shows that has become synonymous with the city than Cirque du Soleil. This Canadian company is famous for its impressive themed shows, where they mix acrobatics, music and endless details that make them unique. However, due to the high demand, I recommend you to buy your tickets for the Cirque du Soleil without queuing up in advance.

On the other hand, Las Vegas has a huge offer of shows every night. You can buy tickets for a U2, Lady Gaga or Elton John concert or attend a David Copperfield magic show, first-class sporting events (boxing matches are a favourite), Broadway-style musical comedies...

Another original way to end your first day in Las Vegas is from the air. Take a helicopter tour of Las Vegas and you'll see how, even at night, Sin City never sleeps. Night and day in this city are one and the same thing, which is why it is one of the places with the most night tours and activities in the world. If you want to check out our guide to nightlife tours in Las Vegas and add one last escapade before heading back to the hotel.

As you may have already realised, Las Vegas is a city like no other, so it's very important that you start this second day early, otherwise you won't get to enjoy everything I suggest here.

A breakfast of kings

Before starting our second and last day in fabulous Las Vegas, we must recharge our batteries, and what better way to do it than with a buffet breakfast.

Not all hotels offer this type of breakfast, so I recommend you go to The Buffet at the Wynn Hotel, which is a real gem. You have a choice of everything you can imagine.

One detail, the buffets for breakfast are usually cheaper than for the rest of the meals, for obvious reasons: few people wake up before 12hs. to have breakfast.

Visit Red Rock Canyon

Just a 30-minute drive from Las Vegas is the beautiful Red Rock Canyon, an incredible natural setting to feel at one with nature. It's not all about the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas.

Red Rock is a great place to take pictures and do a little hiking, where the reddish rock makes you think you've travelled light years to Mars.

Being about 20 miles from the city centre, you can rent a car, but as this itinerary is only 2 days, it is advisable to travel with everything already taken care of and book a Grand Canyon tour.

It's time to try your luck

Las Vegas is world famous as the gambling capital of the world. It welcomes more than 40 million visitors annually, of which less than 20% do not participate in some form of gambling. Every hotel has its own gaming room, some are more colourful than others, and of course, you don't have to be staying in the hotel to use the gaming rooms.

Roulette, slots, blackjack, poker, craps and a host of other games can make you a millionaire in no time (or at least pay for your holiday!).

Everyone wants to experience the once-in-a-lifetime experience of losing themselves in Sin City, but remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

A photo on the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign

Before the sun goes down there is one place you must visit.

Located at the south entrance to the city, on Las Vegas Boulevard, this is undoubtedly one of the most photographed places in Las Vegas, and one of the must-visit spots to feel part of the mystique of the city. Of course, we all feel the same way, so you may have to queue up to get your picture taken with the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. But, hey, classics are not up for debate.

To get to the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, keep in mind that it's a bit far from the Strip, so I recommend you take the bus. The Deuce is the bus that runs Las Vegas Boulevard from end to end 24 hours a day (yes, the same bus you take to the Fermont).

Traveller Tip

Everyone waits and lines up to take their photo from the front, you can do it just a little to the side, or diagonal to the traditional sign, and that's it! Sometimes a little originality is the key, especially when you're only in town for a couple of days.

End the day at the High Roller

To close this second and final day, I've booked something very special. The High Roller is the biggest Ferris wheel in the world, at 168 metres high it is taller than the famous London Eye, which is only 133 metres high. At sunset the real Las Vegas comes to life, illuminated by multicoloured neon lights, the spectacle of watching the sunset from above is priceless. The experience lasts about 30 minutes and will give you time to take unbeatable pictures of the whole city lit up.

By booking a ticket for the High Roller we say goodbye to one of the most incredible cities in the world, where boredom is never an option. Clearly with only 2 days left there are many things to do, but I'm confident that with this little glimpse you'll already be thinking about coming back.

There's plenty more to see, both in the city and in the surrounding areas, such as visiting the national parks from Las Vegas or enjoying the Shark Reef Aquarium, where you can see sharks from inches away. There's always something to do in Las Vegas.

The best time to visit this fantastic city is definitely in the warmer months, i.e. spring (March to May), summer (June to August) and autumn (September to October).

During the summer months some of the outdoor activities may not be as enjoyable, as the temperatures become a little sweltering. However, all casinos and hotels are air-conditioned indoors, allowing you to enjoy games and shows without any inconvenience.

Getting around Las Vegas can sometimes be a headache, especially when you're short on time or have a tight itinerary.

In those cases, the monorail is a great way to get around more freely. You can take a look at the Las Vegas Monorail route map in case you are interested at some point.

As with the Deuce, ticket prices vary according to the number of trips and hours you want to use it. In the summer months, travelling in air-conditioned comfort and without traffic jams is a real treat.