London in one day: an hour-by-hour walking itinerary
Quick answer
In one day in London you can see Westminster and Big Ben, Buckingham Palace from outside, Trafalgar Square with the National Gallery, the South Bank along the Thames and the Tower of London. It's about 10 km on mostly flat ground; book the Tower online and save the museums for a second day.
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One-day itinerary through London
One day can't cover everything, so we follow the Westminster–Thames–Tower axis. Times are approximate and include walking.
- 1
09:00 · Westminster station
Big Ben and Parliament
Step out of the Tube right under the Big Ben tower. Cross Westminster Bridge for the classic view of Parliament from the south bank.
- 2
09:45 · Parliament Square
Westminster Abbey (outside)
If you're not going in, admire it from the square. If you want to visit, book ahead and avoid Sundays.
- 3
10:30 · St James's Park
Walk through St James's Park
Cross the park to Buckingham Palace and see the exterior. The Changing of the Guard isn't daily: check the official schedule.
- 4
12:00 · Trafalgar Square
National Gallery
A free visit of 60 to 90 minutes: Van Gogh, Leonardo, Turner, Constable. With AnyArt, point at any painting to hear its story.
- 5
13:30 · Covent Garden
Lunch in Covent Garden
Markets, pubs and restaurants ten minutes from the square.
- 6
15:00 · South bank of the Thames
South Bank
Cross Waterloo Bridge. Walk along the river with views of the London Eye and Parliament all the way to Tate Modern.
- 7
16:30 · Millennium Bridge
Millennium Bridge and St Paul's
Cross the footbridge towards St Paul's Cathedral, framed head-on.
- 8
17:30 · Tower of London · Tower Hill station
Tower of London and Tower Bridge
Arrive with a booked ticket. Check the last entry for the afternoon; if you're short on time, walk the exterior and cross Tower Bridge at dusk.
- 9
20:00 · Borough Market or the City
Dinner
Dine around Borough Market or head back to Covent Garden.
Tips to make the most of the day
- Pay for transport with contactless; the daily cap applies automatically.
- Book the Tower of London online and choose an early slot to avoid lines.
- Wear comfortable shoes and carry a folding umbrella.
- If you only pay for one ticket, make it the Tower of London; almost everything else on the route is free.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see London in one day?
Yes, the essentials: Westminster, Big Ben, Buckingham, Trafalgar Square, the South Bank and the Tower. Museums and other neighbourhoods need a second day.
Where should I start?
At Westminster station, with Big Ben right in front, then head east along the Thames.
Can I fit the Tower of London in the same day?
Yes, if you book and arrive before the last entry. A full visit takes about 3 hours; a partial one, an hour and a half.
How much walking is it?
Between 9 and 11 kilometres. You can shorten it with a Tube ride between Trafalgar Square and the City.