London Baby! Explore the city in one day
- Cinti
- Jan 7
- 7 min read
The vibrant energy of the British capital has long drawn travelers, and I believe it’s on the bucket list of many adventurers, waiting for its turn. London is easily accessible via direct flights, not only from many European capitals but also from major cities around the world. We chose an October weekend for our autumn getaway, making it the first time Ádi and I had intentionally planned a trip to London, rather than just passing through. Initially, I was a bit skeptical about how much I, a tropical adventure enthusiast, would enjoy sightseeing in a bustling metropolis. However, my doubts quickly faded, and I ended up savoring every moment—especially the day we spent walking and exploring from morning until afternoon. We managed to check off most of the must-see attractions on our list, made possible by thorough preparation. I hope my experiences inspire you to visit London too. Keep reading to discover what you can see in just one day!
Accommodation prices in London are quite expensive, so we tried to choose a place that was both affordable and conveniently located for our plans. We ended up booking a stay at Studios2Let on Cartwrigth Gardens. The room itself was nothing special—the bed was small, and the "bathroom" was so compact you could sit on the toilet, brush your teeth at the sink, and wash your hair in the shower all at once. The kitchen doubled as the living room and bedroom, but we didn’t mind since we were only there to sleep. On our first day, we planned a walking tour of the city. It was a great way to see London’s famous landmarks while getting plenty of steps in and burning off some calories. We left our accommodation in the morning and walked about an hour to Buckingham Palace. Along the way, we passed through Trafalgar Square. Depending on where you're coming from, stopping at Trafalgar Square might involve a bit of a detour, but it’s worth it. We timed our visit to Buckingham Palace to coincide with the famous and spectacular Changing of the Guard ceremony. You can find more details about the ceremony online, as it involves more than just the guards marching in front of the palace. The guards typically arrive at the main gates around 11 a.m., and by then, the crowds are already massive. You can follow their marching route if you’d like, but it’s best to pick a viewing spot and arrive at least 45 minutes before the ceremony starts. Wellington Barracks or St. James’s Palace tend to be less crowded, but the view in front of Buckingham Palace is the most iconic thanks to its beautiful setting. The ceremony usually takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, but it’s best to check the official website for up-to-date information. Keep in mind it’s weather-dependent, but the event is completely free to watch. Personally, I enjoyed walking through the nearby park even more. The green space was stunning, with ducks and squirrels wandering freely. It offered a sense of peace amidst the city’s hustle and bustle and would be a great outing for families with young children.
From there, we made our way to Westminster Abbey, about a 15-minute walk. Like with most attractions, we booked our tickets (£30) online in advance for a specific date. This turned out to be a great decision, as the line to enter was quite long, and we saved at least 15–20 minutes. I highly recommend purchasing tickets online if you plan to visit. For me, the abbey was magical—not only for its historical significance but also for its stunning architecture. It has been the site of coronations since 1066, though the construction of the current church began in 1245 under Henry III in the early Gothic style. It features some of the most beautiful Gothic windows in England. Many notable figures are laid to rest here, including Henry VII and his wife, as well as Elizabeth I, who ruled for 45 years. In more recent times, Westminster Abbey has been the venue for significant events, including the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and that of King Charles III. Even if you're not a history enthusiast or particularly fascinated by royal traditions, you can easily spend hours exploring every corner of this breathtaking abbey. For some fans, you might recall Westminster Abbey making a cameo in the TV series Friends. In the episode where the group travels to London for one of Ross's many weddings, this is one of the stops on Joey and Chandler's sightseeing tour.
Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster, home to the UK Parliament, are just a 5-minute walk away. While we didn’t have time to go inside, we made up for it by snapping at least 100 photos of Big Ben from every possible angle. If you'd like to visit, you can book tickets here (starting at £26). From there, we crossed the Thames via Westminster Bridge, enjoying stunning views in every direction under the bright sunshine.
Our journey took us to the London Eye, where we had pre-booked our tickets (starting at £29), allowing us to skip most of the queue. You can even purchase combo tickets on their website for multiple attractions, like Madame Tussauds or a river cruise, at a discounted rate. Although the London Eye is undeniably impressive, I initially had my doubts about it—it seemed expensive, and I wasn’t particularly enthusiastic. But I’m glad Ádi convinced me, as it turned out to be an amazing experience with breathtaking views. From above, we could trace the route of our walk and enjoy clear, far-reaching visibility thanks to the perfect weather. If you visit on a foggy or rainy day, the experience might not be the same, so it’s worth considering the weather when planning. The cabins have a limited capacity, so make sure to find a good spot for the best views. Luckily for us, everyone in our cabin moved around and shared the space, so there was no need to jostle for a good view. Keep in mind that a ride on the London Eye takes about 30 minutes.
The Tate Modern, home to contemporary art, is about a 20-minute walk away. Although we didn’t make it there, art enthusiasts can purchase tickets here. Just 15 minutes from the Tate Modern is Borough Market, known for its vibrant atmosphere and unique culinary delights. If you’re looking for a great meal, this is a must-visit spot. The market is filled with small stalls offering everything from paella and mussels to fresh smoothies. It’s a feast for the senses, with vibrant colors, enticing aromas, and an incredible variety of food for everyone. Be prepared for some queues, especially for the more popular options, but it’s definitely worth the wait! Bucketlister tip: Plan your sightseeing in a way to enjoy a late lunch here instead of stopping at a bistro—the market’s energy creates a completely different dining experience. For movie fans, a well-known spot from Bridget Jones’s Diary is just around the corner—the neighborhood where the film’s main character lived is close by.
London Bridge, famously referenced in the nursery rhyme (not to be confused with Tower Bridge), is just a few minutes away, as is The Shard. The latter is an impressive sight, standing nearly 300 meters tall and featuring a striking glass facade. If you have time, you can go up to the top and enjoy breathtaking views of the city. It’s a good idea to book tickets in advance (starting at £38). Unfortunately, we had to skip this experience as we needed to leave early to make it home on time for our evening plans.
Tower Bridge is just a 15-minute walk from here, as is the Tower of London, home to the British Crown Jewels, ravens, and Beefeaters, located across the Thames. Tower Bridge is not just an ordinary bridge you can walk across; it’s also a historic landmark. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office on the west side of the north tower or online in advance (starting at £13.40). Due to time constraints, we didn’t go inside but admired it from the riverside, capturing some stunning photos. Unfortunately, we couldn’t visit the Tower of London either, as we had theater tickets for the evening. Missing out on the Tower was a big disappointment for me, but it’s given me even more reason to return to London. I still remember learning in school that if the ravens would ever leave the Tower, it would bring disaster upon the Tower, the monarchy, and even the whole country. If you plan to visit, you can book tickets here (starting at £34.80). Bucketlister tip: Don’t miss the Gunpowder Plot, a unique interactive performance featuring VR technology that brings to life the 1605 attempt by Guy Fawkes and his fellow Catholic conspirators to blow up Parliament and assassinate King James I. The experience takes place near the Tower. When I return to London, this will definitely be on my itinerary!
We began heading back to our accommodation, choosing a route that took us past St. Paul’s Cathedral. We didn’t have time to go inside, but we were glad to at least admire its beauty from the outside.
You might say, “This sounds great, but you’re just skimming the surface without really visiting many places—how does that work?” It’s true, this route allows you to see most of London’s iconic landmarks, but it doesn’t leave much time to explore them in depth. The walk itself, excluding visits to the attractions, covers about 15 km round trip from our accommodation. If you only have one day in London, I think this route is ideal, but make sure not to cram in other activities for the same day. This way, you’ll have enough time to explore more stops along the way. What would I do differently? I’d split this itinerary into two days. That way, I’d have time to go inside places like the Tower of London with an entry ticket, and the walk itself would feel less rushed and exhausting.
London’s colorful, vibrant energy completely captivated me. The glorious, sunny weather we enjoyed certainly helped, but I believe the city would have been just as charming in other conditions. I’m especially glad we explored on foot because we discovered so many beautiful sights along the way—things we would have missed had we taken the Tube.
All you need is a pair of comfortable walking shoes, a comfortable backpack, and weather-appropriate clothing, and you’re ready for an adventure! Of course, there’s so much more you can do in London. In another article, I’ll share ideas for making the most of a visit to London with a list of suggestions.
Thanks for reading! Have a question? Feel free to reach out or leave a comment!
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