A Perfect One Day in London Itinerary

Big Ben on a sunny day, seen from across the river. The bridge leading to it is on the right hand side. On top of the photo there are a few green leaves. The sky has a few white fluffy clouds on it.

London, the United Kingdom’s bustling capital, is an exciting and diverse city where history and modernity intertwine. Its skyline is dominated by iconic landmarks such as Tower Bridge, Big Ben and the London Eye. The River Thames meanders through the city, flanked by the South Bank’s cultural hub, Canary Wharf’s financial district as well as the Houses of Parliament. Even the city’s neighbourhoods are individually unique – from the artsy flair of Shoreditch to the sophisticated charm of Kensington, through to the naval area of Greenwich (my old stomping ground)! And even if you have only one day in London, you can see and feel its essence, which will make you want to come back for more.

A photo of a very cloudy London, focusing on the City of London with its famous skyscrapers: The Sky Garden and the Gerkin

I have lived in London for over 20 years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you will never (ever) run out of things to do here! The parks, the museums, the galleries, the restaurants, the music scene, the history, and (most importantly) the pubs – need I go on? London is one of the biggest and most vibrant cities on the planet, making it a truly awesome destination to visit!

Don’t be disheartened or overwhelmed if you only have one day in this incredible city, as you can fit plenty into just 24 hours here! And I’m here to help you make the most out of it. So let’s get started!

How to Move Around London

Despite its size, London is a surprisingly walkable city and the public transport is unrivaled! 

Once you’ve touched down in one of London’s many international airports, the capital has pretty much every form of transport you can imagine! Trains, buses, the tube (aka the London Underground), trams, ferries, taxis, or even bikes are all easy options. You can use any of these with a contactless card or purchase a day travel card at any station, which covers all your journeys in one day.

In terms of walking, once you’re in an area of London that you want to explore, being on foot is ideal. One place of interest seamlessly leads to the next, with plenty of interesting things to see in between!

Barring rush hour (8:00-9:00 and 17:00-18:00), I’ve found that getting around London is half the fun, so I’ve incorporated as many different types of London transport into this itinerary, whilst leaving plenty of opportunity to explore on foot as well.

This one-day London itinerary begins at London Bridge station – one of this city’s most connected train stations situated in the heart of the capital. This makes it quick and easy to reach by train, tube or bus wherever you are staying in London. 

The Perfect One Day In London Itinerary

Morning

A sunrise photo of the Shard. The sky is orange.

The first stop on this one day London itinerary is to marvel at the tallest building in the United Kingdom – the Shard. Standing at 310m tall and located directly on top of London Bridge Station, you will only begin to see its scale as you walk away from the station. It is worth going up to see the view from the Shard – click here to book tickets in advance as they sell out quick. Walk along the Thames towards HMS Belfast, a ship from the Second World War, which is now permanently moored in London as a floating museum! 

Continue walking towards Tower Bridge, the iconic twin-towered bridge that opens up for boats. You can actually go inside the bridge, but I wouldn’t bother if you only have 24 hours in the city. Instead, walk directly across to the Tower of London, the historic fortress where the Crown Jewels are kept. Since this is one of your first stops of the day, you should hopefully avoid some of the crowds – I strongly recommend arriving here when it opens at 09:00. The main things to do are getting a guided tour of the grounds and seeing the Crown Jewels which should take around 2 hours in total (NOTE – click here to buy your tickets way in advance for this – £34.80 for adults). 

A photo of the Tower of London on a cloudy day, taken from across the river.

Next, walk along the Thames towards 20 Fenchurch Street, otherwise known as the Walkie-Talkie building. Here you can check out the best FREE view over London at Sky Garden. Walk around the viewing deck and spot some of London’s most iconic landmarks. It’s touristy, but the views are great (I’ve been up here at least 10 times now). Openings for tickets appear on their website 3 weeks in advance, so check then to secure a slot (you can always cancel nearer the time if you don’t fancy it). 

A photo of St Paul Cathedral taken from the viewing platform across the street. It's a hazy day.

Continue walking and check out St Paul’s Cathedral (Open Mon-Sat). You can go inside (£25 for adults) and admire the spectacular architecture or simply admire from the outside. Whilst the inside is amazing with galleries, tombs and domes, it’s something that I would recommend if you have more time in London. Instead, check out the free observation deck opposite which offers a unique perspective of the cathedral. Simply search for Madison Roof Terrace – you don’t have to go in the bar, it’s located  just beside. 

Millennium Bridge leading towards St Paul's Cathedral. The bridge is pedestrian only and it has a twisty shape. It is a cloudy day.

Once again, cross the river, this time over the Millenium Bridge which featured in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! Back on the south side of the Thames, walk past Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Tate Modern art gallery. If you have time, I recommend going into the Tate Modern, one of London’s most famous galleries, and is also FREE.

Morning Activities/Sights

  • The Shard
  • HMS Belfast
  • Tower Bridge
  • Tower of London
  • Sky Garden
  • St Paul’s Cathedral
  • Millenium Bridge
  • Shakespeare’s Globe
  • Tate Modern

Lunch at Borough Market

The fish stand in Borough Market

Why not combine an activity with your lunch? 

Wander round Borough Market – London’s most famous food market, selling food from around the world. You will find anything from fresh produce, to coffee, to oysters, breads, cheeses, cured meats, snacks, smoothies and meals to take away. There are so many options, you’re guaranteed to find something that tickles your fancy. I’ve had falafel wraps, burgers, bento bowls,  and more, however my all-time favourite is Kappacasein’s raclette sandwich which I think is a great option for an on-the-go lunch. Service at Borough Market is friendly and relatively quick (depending on what you choose). It often gets busy, particularly at the weekend, so going for an early lunch or late lunch helps. 

If you want a restaurant, there are plenty to choose from in this area. Some of my favourites include Bao (Taiwanese), Rambutan (Sri Lankan) as well as Padella (Italian). Padella is moderately expensive, but you don’t need a booking and on weekdays it’s a bit quieter around lunchtime than it otherwise would be. 

Afternoon

The Parliament building with Big Ben on a sunny day.

Next, take the Clipper boat from Bankside Pier to Westminster Pier or Millbank Pier. Westminster will drop you closer to where you want to go, though Millbank will give your a drive-by of the Houses of Parliament from the boat (I recommend the latter). 

Walk past the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey before walking through St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace. After taking a few snaps, make your way on foot to Trafalgar Square. You can either walk via the Mall, or back through St James’s Park via Horse Guards Parade onto Whitehall. I recommend the latter as it’s more scenic.

The square behind the Parliament, with the greenery and Big Ben in the background.

If you’re politically minded, make a short detour back along Whitehall to peep through the barriers into Downing Street where the Prime Minister lives (though you’re unlikely to see much). 

A photo of Nelson's Column at sunset. The sky, underneath the clouds, has orange and yellow rays.

Continue walking to Trafalgar Square which commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar from the 1800s and is surrounded by various National monuments including Nelson’s Column.

  • Houses of Parliament
  • Big Ben
  • Westminster Abbey
  • Buckingham Palace
  • St James’s Park & Horse Guards Parade
  • Downing Street (optional)
  • Trafalgar Square

Dinner in the West End (Covent Garden/Soho)

A large Thali plate at Masala Zone with different curries and dishes on a metal tray

From Trafalgar Square, both Soho and Covent Garden are within walking distance, meaning you have plenty of restaurant options! Here you can have a well-earned sit down to enjoy some food. 

Once again, there are so many options depending on budget, location and food-type but here are a some of my favourites as a local:

  • My favourites in Covent Garden: The Ivy (British, iconic), Balthazar (French, old-fashioned), Dishoom (Indian, great quality food).
  • My favourites in Soho: Masala Zone (Indian, protected building, great dhal), Circolo Populare (Italian, aesthetic dining room, carbonara served in front of you), Brasserie Zedel (French, great value fine dining experience, live band).
  • My favourite in Chinatown: Rasa Sayang (Malaysian, traditional)

Night

Ralph Fiennes wearing a camouflage army wear, on the stage, at the end of MacBeth

London is jam-packed with things to do at night. 

When you book your trip, I recommend looking to see what shows or musical events are on. London’s famous West End has a huge array of theatres. You can combine this with drinks around Soho or a visit to Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. One of my favourite bars is Sophie’s Soho, but there are plenty to choose from! 

If you’d prefer a boogie, you can hit up one of London’s many clubs. There’s something for everyone but if, like me, you enjoy electronic music, some of the best options include: XOYO (low ceiling, good vibes in Shoreditch), Fabric (iconic but expensive in Farringdon), as well as Beams, E1, or Drumsheds which are all big-room style clubs.

Spending the Night?

Given the size of London, I’m reluctant to give recommendations for a specific hotel or hostel as you will be able to find them almost anywhere. Therefore, here are a few things to consider:

  • Do you have any friends in London already? If so, reach out! Experiencing London with someone who lives there offers a completely different insight to following the tourist trail.
  • Is your accommodation option near a train or a tube station? For this itinerary, connections to London Bridge are ideal, so anything within Zones 1 and 2 of the Jubilee or Northern Lines are perfect. 
  • Areas to consider:
    • London Bridge/Westminster: Touristy but close to many of the London must-sees on this itinerary.
    • Shoreditch: Trendy, alternative and great for nightlife.
    • Mayfair (Mayfair, Marylebone, Fitzrovia): High-end, central and ideal for shopping.
    • West End (Soho, Covent Garden): Central and lots of restaurants.

Author Bio: Hi! I’m Matt, the Lost Londoner behind Matt’s Next Steps and a long-time resident of England’s capital city. Having lived and worked across various parts of London over the years, I have a better understanding than most of London’s unique character, culture and places to visit… Couple this knowledge with the fact that I’m also an avid traveller and have also hosted several friends visiting London, meaning I’m able to provide super helpful content for travellers visiting London, but from a local’s perspective!

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