If you happen to find yourself in the capital for only 24 hours, we’ve got a perfectly curated guide to how you can make the most of your time. The goal is to see as much as your time allows so having a plan is a necessity.
As a first-time tourist, it is recommended that you stick to the main tourist attractions within central London and it will help if all your destinations are within walking distance of each other.
Your first call of action for the day needs to be starting your day with breakfast. Londoners take their first meal of the day very seriously and you should too if you’re wanting the full experience and to fuel yourself for the long day ahead of course!
A famous breakfast and brunch spot you need to try is Ottolenghi - run by a celebrity chef, Yotam Ottolenghi, and worth every bit of the hype. The menu has a variety of options to choose from including cakes, fresh pastries, egg, avocado salsa, rainbow-coloured salads and even a Middle Eastern breakfast option!
If you’re wanting a less creative and more traditional full English breakfast, the former bank building, now The Ned should manage to fulfil you with your preferences. Their menu includes light options for an on-the-go breakfast or even scrambled egg-filled quesadillas if you feel like spoiling yourself.
Now you need to plan your route and keep going until you’ve seen as much as your eyes can fill in one day.
The Tower of London
Starting your day off with a historical destination to set the London-ey mood for the day seems like a good idea. A lot of important historical events amongst royalty occurred on this land and if you love history you’ll thoroughly enjoy this visit.
Covent Garden
For an aesthetically pleasing walk through one of London’s busiest piazzas, Covent Garden is a must see for any visitor. You’ll come across various street performers and artists and overall the perfect spot to tour around.
London Eye
In case you were searching for a spot to get the most picturesque view of London, book yourself a seat on the giant Ferris wheel known as the London Eye and allow the views to take your breath away.
Tate Modern
The Tate Modern Gallery has multiple ongoing exhibitions that are definitely worth sneaking a peak at. And while you’re there, getting sight of St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Millennium Bridge from the terrace of the café is worth the visit too.
Trafalgar Square
The most iconic stop of your entire day’s trip would be the one at Trafalgar Square. This is home to Nelson’s Monument and the National Gallery and makes a major London attraction. Your view would include big red buses, the fountain of the bronze lions and Big Ben.
Buckingham Palace
The famous home of the Queen is an interesting visit and you could potentially catch the Changing of the Guard which seems to be a popular event during the day.
Piccadilly Square
Wandering through Piccadilly Square will allow you to see the party life of Londoners and you would get to see the city light up. Piccadilly Square is well-known for its clubs and bars within the area so it would be best to spend a few hours of your evening there.
Sky Garden
What better way to end off your eventful day in London than with a calming view over the city with some live music playing in the background, an absolute dream. Booking is essential though so be sure to plan ahead and check availability before you arrive. Find out more here.
A pro tip for if you’re wanting to travel all the main attractions within central London in a day would be to book yourself in at a nearby hotel room. Twenty Nevern Square in London’s Earls Court most likely has the comfort and luxury you need after a long day in the city. View our range of East meets West inspired rooms here.
Even though you may not manage to see all that London has to offer in a short 24 hours, you could still manage to make the most of every moment you spend there and get a good glimpse of the main attractions in the city if you plan your day well in advance.
