One Day in London: The Ultimate Itinerary to See it All in 2024

Do you only have 24 hours in London but want to see it all? This city has so much to offer that you could spend a lifetime exploring. If you only have one day in London and don’t want to miss the must-see sites, this is the itinerary for you!

London offers a lot to explore and see for every type of traveler. If you only have 24 hours, don’t worry! You can still experience some of the most iconic landmarks and attractions.  

This one-day in London itinerary includes must-see sites like the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London. It also includes pit stops at Picadilly Circus and Tower Bridge and scenic walks through one of London’s many famous gardens and, of course, the Thames. 

Whether you’re interested in history, culture, food, or nightlife, there is something for everyone in this vibrant and exciting city, and this itinerary covers it all in one day!

Everything You Need to Know for One Day in London

How to get around

London’s neighborhoods are walkable, but the city itself is expansive. Thankfully, London has one of the world’s most organized public transit systems, and it is incredibly easy for newcomers to navigate.

• Underground
  • London’s famous Underground is the best and quickest way to get from one site to the next. You can purchase a day ticket to easily get around on your one-day adventure in London.
• Buses
  • London’s double-decker red buses are iconic and, while slower than the tube, are also a great option to get around.
• Black cab
  • Perhaps just as iconic as the double-decker buses are London’s Black Cabs. Cabbies are famous for their knowledge of the city, and after a pint or two (or five), this might be the easiest choice at the end of your night! 

Where to stay

London is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, and its many neighborhoods reflect this. You could spend an entire day or more exploring each neighborhood with a more extended stay. Still, for a short stay, you’ll need to prioritize staying somewhere that easily connects you to all parts of the city. You won’t want to waste any precious moments in this city sitting in the tube or a London black cab for extended periods.

To ensure easy access to the quintessential sights of London, we recommend staying within a few minutes walking distance of a Circle Line tube stop. As its namesake suggests, this line runs in a large circle around the whole of London from Kensington Palace to the Tower of London. This line gives you easy access to everything you want to see and do in one day.

Morning

Picadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben

Picadilly Circus and Breakfast

If you want to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace this morning (which we recommend), start your day by arriving at the Picadilly tube station by 9:00 am.

When you exit the tube station, you’ll be greeted by the famous Piccadilly Circus. This busy intersection is less crowded in the morning, making it the perfect time to take photos of the iconic billboards and the Shaftsbury Memorial Fountain, also known as the fountain of Eros.

Don’t linger too long here, though. After taking photos, make your way down Picadilly towards The Green Park. Along your way, stop for breakfast and coffee. 

Breakfast

• 45 Jermyn St
  • This restaurant serves classic English breakfast in an upscale atmosphere
• Great British Restaurant
  • The aptly named Great British Restaurant at DUKES London Hotel is an ideal stop for reasonably priced breakfast. 
• SHOT London
  • For a lighter but incredibly luxurious breakfast, head to SHOT London for exceptional coffee and pastries. This is a Milli Guide favorite, included in our list of best independent coffee shops in London! 
• Fortnum & Mason
  • If you choose not to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, a stop in Fortnum & Mason is an experience in itself. This grocer to the royal family is unlike any grocery you’ll have seen. With tea rooms and grab-and-go items, it’s a great place to start your day.

Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard

After breakfast, stroll through The Green Park to Buckingham Palace. You’ll easily be able to navigate the park with clearly marked signs directing you to Buckingham Palace.

As you exit the park through the Canada Gate, Buckingham Palace will be in full view! Join the crowds around the Victoria Memorial and look past the gates to Buckingham Palace. You’ll see the balcony where the royal family stands waving to cheering crowds. Below is the forecourt, where you’ll view the changing of the guard

Changing of the guard 

Every day, starting at 10:45 am, the soldiers guarding Buckingham Palace are relieved of their duties by the New Guard in an elaborate ceremony dating back over 500 years. This ceremony lasts around 45 minutes and is full of that Royal pomp and circumstance you’d expect!

Westminster Abbey and Big Ben

After you visit Buckingham Palace it’s about a 15-minute walk to Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, and Big Ben. Take a quick photo stop in Parliament Square, where you’ll have views of both Big Ben and the Abbey, before heading to the Abbey to explore inside.

Tour Westminster Abbey

We suggest setting aside an hour to tour the church and see its highlights. While there is much to see at Westminster Abbey, an hour should be enough to explore notable spots such as Poet’s Corner, the Coronation Chair, and the Royal Tombs. This way, you can make the most out of your visit to the church and still have time for the rest of the day’s sights.

Keep in mind that Westminster Abbey is a working church and is not open to general visitors on Sundays. Check their schedule beforehand to ensure they are not closed for special occasions. 

Afternoon

Tower Bridge and Tower of London

Lunch and Tower Bridge

At this point in the day, you’ll likely be hungry again, and we recommend heading to the South Bank for lunch and views of the iconic Tower Bridge. 

From Westminster Abbey, take the Jubilee line from Westminster station to London Bridge station. From here, it’s a short walk along the Thames to Tower Bridge and our lunch recommendation: The Vault 1894.

Lunch 

The Vault 1894 is a pub underneath Tower Bridge with a cozy atmosphere and quintessential British pub fare.

To get here from London Bridge station, head towards Hay’s Galleria. Walking through Hay’s to the Queen’s Walk, you might have time to grab a souvenir or two. Once on the Queen’s Walk, walk along the Thames toward Tower Bridge, where you’ll find The Vault 1894. Order a pint (or two) and some fish and chips for a classic London lunch and views of the Thames from under Tower Bridge.

Tower of London

After lunch, stretch your legs and walk across Tower Bridge to the Tower of London. 

The imposing fortress is steeped in history and is an absolute must-see during your day in London. As with most sites in London, you could spend many hours exploring the Tower, but for this itinerary, we recommend choosing only one of the two options at the Tower of London to keep your visit to under two hours. This is a busy day and you’ll want to keep your energy levels up for your evening later on!

• Yeoman Warder Tour
  • Yeoman Warder Tours, led by the famous Beefeater guards of the Tower, are free and start every 30 minutes. These tours last about an hour and are full of fantastic stories about the Tower and its history. Beefeaters are friendly and informative, and while tour groups can get large, they do a fantastic job of making the tour feel intimate.
• The Crown Jewels
  • Also included in the price of your entry ticket, allot an hour to view the Crown Jewels on display in the Tower. Over 100 royal jewelry items are on display, including the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign’s Scepter, made in 1661!

Rest

After your hour at the Tower, we recommend taking the tube from Tower Hill station to your hotel for a quick rest and refresh before your night out. If you choose a hotel near the Circle Line, your trip back will be simple!

Evening

Dinner & Drinks in Covent Garden

After resting and refreshing, make your way to Covent Garden, one of London’s most beloved and picturesque neighborhoods. With more than enough bars, restaurants, pubs, and clubs to keep you entertained all night, this is the perfect neighborhood to end your whirlwind day in London.

Covent Garden’s famous Market Building and Piazza is a short walk down James Street from the Covent Garden tube station. Start your evening with a stroll around the market and its shops, and consider having a cocktail at VyTa before heading to your dinner reservations. 

Dinner

• The Cross Keys
  • If you’re looking for that world-famous London pub culture, head to The Cross Keys for dinner and stay for as many pints as possible before they close.
• Rules
  • Make reservations at Rules, the oldest restaurant in London, for a dinner steeped in history. You’ll be transported back in time in this red velvet dining room and enjoy British specialties that span its 200-year history.
• Ave Mario
  • For a more modern, but no less extraordinary, dinner, head to Ave Mario. This funky restaurant is serving some of the best Italian food in London!

Drink

If you still have the energy to continue your night out after dinner, Mrs Riot can’t be missed! This vibrant cocktail bar (just steps from Ave Mario) has live music every night of the week!

Iconic Sights, Delicious Dining, and Unforgettable Experiences for One Day in London

This one day in London itinerary offers a whirlwind tour of iconic sights, delicious dining, and unforgettable experiences. From the grandeur of Westminster Abbey and the historic Tower of London to an evening in Covent Garden fit for a Londoner, you won’t feel like you’ve missed a thing! With careful planning and our expertly crafted itinerary, you can make the most of your 24 hours in this vibrant city, leaving you with lasting memories and a longing to return for more adventures in the future.