The Ultimate One Day in London Itinerary – Cafes and Getaways

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The Ultimate One Day in London Itinerary

Last Modified: December 10, 2024

London is a popular tourist destination with historic landmarks, a diverse culinary scene, and world-class entertainment. With so many amazing things to see and do, fitting it all into one day is not easy.

If this is your first time in London, visiting the main sites and staying within central London will allow you to get a taste of the city in a short amount of time. To help you do this, I’ve created a one day in London itinerary complete with a map and travel tips. 

This sample itinerary focuses on London’s most iconic landmarks and takes into account travel time, nearby attractions, and the duration of time needed at each place. I have also included some popular London tours to help maximize your time even more.

If you plan on seeing a ton of attractions, then you may pay to purchase the London Pass in advance. This pass allows you entry into 90 attractions, including Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, and the Tower of London. 

Passes range from 1 to 10-day options with an addition of including the oyster pass for more money saving. These passes have regular deals and special discounts, so check the website frequently before purchasing your pass.

The London Pass has additional perks, such as a skip-the-line entry to many sites. For many, including myself, saving time in line is worth the cost. If you want to join a bus tour but don’t want to splurge on tickets, then the London Pass gets you on one for free.

If you are only in London for one day, you will want to pick a hotel that is centrally located and close to public transportation. Covent Garden is a popular area to stay in due to its proximity to many of the city’s main sites, walkability, and assortment of restaurants and pubs. 

Another great area is Westminster since you are just steps away from places like Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. Although there are not as many late-night options here, Westminster is a terrific place for sightseeing and families with children. 

You can get around without the need to take public transportation, and hotels in this area are more reasonably priced. Here are a few hotel recommendations for one day in London. 

The Savoy

The Savoy is one of London’s most famous hotels with a reputation for having impeccable service and a perfect central location. Opened in 1889, the hotel paved the way for the first deluxe hotel in London. The Savoy has hosted many famous visitors over the years such as Harry Truman and Sir Winston Churchill himself. 

This 5-star hotel offers one of the best Afternoon Tea experiences in London, and an assortment of luxurious rooms and suites. Guests at the Savoy also have the option to book special experiences such as private river cruises, cooking classes, chauffeur services, and more. 

Luxury Hotel | Check Rates

Address: St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD

Hours: Wednesday from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm; Sunday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm; all other days from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Start your day off at St. Paul’s Cathedral, which opens as early as 8:30 am on most days. Purchasing a ticket for the first time slot will allow you to tour the inside with fewer crowds and leave plenty of time to see other sights. 

St. Paul’s Cathedral, in my opinion, is one of London’s most beautiful landmarks. It was built by Sir Christopher Wren, who is also known for designing the Monument for the Great Fire of London and Cambridge’s Trinity College Library.

You can spot the cathedral’s dome from a mile away, but I recommend stopping by and taking a tour inside. You can gain access through a self-guided tour, which includes an audioguide. Once inside, you can explore the main level, and crypt, and even climb up to the dome.

Address: Tower Hill, London EC3N 4AB

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 9:00a m to 5:30 pm; Sunday and Monday from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm

Next, make your way to the Tower of London, which is actually more of a fortified castle that sits along the banks of the River Thames. It was used as a royal residence, armery, prison, royal mint, and even a zoo for exotic creatures. Now, it is one of London’s top attractions and home to the crown jewels. 

The original structure was first built by Willaim the Conqueror in 1066, but it was greatly expanded by his predecessors Henry III and Edward I to include the fortified wall and moat you see today. 

The Tower of London’s purpose was to deliver a safe place for royalty to flee during times of war. Eventually, its role changed from keeping unwanted foes out, to trapping them within. The castle walls became a prison for many, including Henry VIII’s wife Anne Boleyn, Guy Fawkes, and even Elizabeth! before she became queen. 

There is a lot to see here, so make good use of your audioguide which will help you make your way around. Entry tickets cost £33.60 for adults and £16.80 for children over the age of five. Guided tours are also available for those who want to learn more about the tower’s interesting history. For an even more thrilling experience, purchase a ticket for the Gunpowder Plot Experience. 

The Tower of London opens at 9:00 am Tuesday through Saturday, and at 10:00 am on Sundays on Mondays. If you start early with St. Paul’s Cathedral and head straight here, you will be able to avoid the longer afternoon lines, especially for the crown jewels. 

To avoid these long lines, go the the Tower of London around when it opens and visit the crown jewels exhibit first. Between the beefeater tours and the numerous exhibits, you can spend a good two hours exploring the tower.

Check Ticket Availability

Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB

Hours: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm every day.

The next landmark you will come across is the London Eye. The 443-foot-tall Ferris Wheel is a popular attraction for those interested in seeing the city from above. The total ride takes about 30 minutes, so if you’re short on time you may just want to admire it from afar. 

If you are interested in taking a ride, purchase a Fast Track Ticket, to skip the long lines. With well over 3.5 million visitors a year, spending the little extra money is worth it, especially if you’re only in London for one day.

Address: Parliament Square, London SW1A OAA

Hours: Check the Parliament website for tour schedules

After you’ve stopped by the London Eye, continue a short distance across Westminster Bridge for the next set of attractions, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Many people think of the tall clock tower as Big Ben, but that’s the nickname for one of the tower’s largest bells which chime every hour. 

The clock tower itself is named the Elizabeth Tower, which is attached to the Houses of Parliament building. The Elizabeth Tower, which is its official name, stands 316 tall, making it very easy to see throughout the city

The Houses of Parliament sit on the north side of the Thames just a short distance from the London Eye. The beautifully constructed building is where both the House of Commons and the House of Lords meet.

This was one of our favorite tours in London. Your guide will take you to some of the most important rooms in the Parliament Building and teach you about the House’s long and intriguing history. If you have more than one day in London, I highly recommend booking a parliament tour.

Address: 20 Deans Yd, London SWIP 3PA

Hours: Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. 

After stopping by Big Ben and the House of Parliament, walk over to Westminster Abbey. This church is where the British kings and queens are coronated. It also has special ties to some of history’s most influential people, including Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Dickens. 

You can take a self-guided tour of Westminster Abbey with the help of an audio guide for £27. You can also access the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries for an additional fee. 

Unless you use a London Pass, you need to book your ticket in advance. Most of London’s attractions, including the free ones, require pre-selected slot times for entry to help lessen crowds. 

Join a Guided Tour of Westminster Abbey

Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG 

Hours: Saturday through Thursday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Friday from 10:00 am to 8:30 pm.

London has a number of free museums, with the British Museum being one of the most visited. If you are in London for just the day, I would recommend visiting this museum since it can take two to three hours to explore. You can find anything from Egyptian artifacts to sculptures from Ancient Greece here. 

The most famous artifact housed in the British Museum is the Rosetta Stone. Dozens of people crowd around the display at all times of the day. All the exhibits have plaques explaining each of the objects on display. 

Download the audio app onto your phone for more information on the museum’s treasures. There are 65 galleries available on the app for free, self-guided tours and expert commentary on over 250 objects.

London is known for its pub scene, which you can find full of customers at all opening hours. Some have been around since as early as the 1500s, and have become part of the English culture.

The cramped rooms, low ceilings, and hidden nooks of these old buildings just add to their charm. They are also a terrific place to go for inexpensive, traditional British food. 

Since you’re already in Covent Garden, start at one of my favorites, the Lamb and Flag. If you’d like to eat here for dinner, make reservations in advance. The building is very old and has a small dining area on the top floor.

Staying in London for More than one day? Here are some great day trip ideas if you have extra time to explore more of England. Each of these destinations can be reached by train in under two hours.

Windsor Castle

Did you know that Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world? This estate has been the home to over 40 monarchs since its founding in the 11th century. The original residence commissioned by William the Conqueror took 16 years to build. Over the centuries monarchs have added their personal touches to the residence.

Queen Victoria was the first monarch to open the residence to the public in 1837 with the purchase of a ticket. Today, Windsor Castle attracts around one and a half million people each year, making it one of the most popular attractions in London.

Tickets are available to visit sections of the castle including the State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel throughout the year. Since Windsor Castle is still a residence, opening times and dates vary. 

You can either take the tube or join a half-day tour. The closest tube station is at St. James’s Park, which is about an 8-minute walk to Windsor Castle. You can also take this guided bus tour from London that includes transportation from the city center, entrance tickets, and a multi-media guide. 

Oxford is one of the most famous towns in England and a popular day trip from London. Not only is it home to the prestigious Oxford University, but the historic town is linked to several famous names such as J.R. Tolkien and Lewis Carroll who studied at the University.

While in Oxford you can tour the university buildings and see the many Harry Potter sites, including the famous Great Hall at Christ Church College. Other popular sites include the Radcliffe Camera and Bodleian Library.

Since Oxford is a short hour train ride from London, it can easily be seen in just one day. There are also several guided tours available including a Cotswolds and Oxford Guided Day Trip and the Warwick Castle, Oxford, and Stratford Full-Day Tour.

The Cotswolds is an area about two hours from London that is full of the most picturesque English villages. If you are looking for an authentic English experience, this is a great destination to visit. Many Londoners and tourists like to visit the Cotswolds for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

Some of the most popular villages to visit are Burford, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, Chipping Campden, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Castle Combe. Each village is full of winding roads, rolling hills, rivers, and beautiful stone cottages. Some villages have been untouched for over a hundred years, making you feel like you have stepped back in time. 

If you decide to visit the Cotswolds, I highly recommend renting a car or visiting as part of a tour group. Since the villages are spread fairly far apart, it would be a lot easier to reach them by car than having to train hop from village to village. 

A Day Trip with Lunch From London includes transportation from London and a 2-course lunch in a cozy Cotswold restaurant. You will enjoy a visit to the villages of Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Bibury, with time to explore the lovely villages and shops.

Is one day in London enough?

London is a large city full of things to see and do. One day gives you time to see the main sites in the city center, however, if you have the time I would recommend spending at least 3 days in London. If you only have one day to spend in London, you will want to have an early start and focus on one section of the city.

Is London a walkable city?

Yes, London is a walkable city, but it is also very large. One of the best ways to get around is on foot, but you also have an extensive tube system that can take you anywhere you want to go. If you’re only spending one day in London and want to see the main sights, you can easily walk from place to place. Most of the top attractions are located close to each other.

How can I see everything in London in one day?

There is no way to see everything in a day. You could spend an entire week in London and only scratch the surface. However, you can still experience the main attractions in one day. This itinerary highlights what you can do in one day and takes into account attraction opening times and locations to help maximize your time. 

Should I purchase a London Pass?

If you plan on visiting more than 3 attractions in one day then a London Pass will save you some money and allow you to skip the line in several places. The pass also comes with additional perks such as a hop-on-hop-off bus tour and river cruise. If you only have one day in London, this tour can help you in a lot of sights in a short amount of time.

Hey, I’m Ally! Welcome to Cafes and Getaways. I’ll be sharing details on my latest travel destinations, as well as tips and tricks to help you plan your next adventure.

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