With the rising costs of hotels, food and activities, it’s not uncommon for travellers to only visit a city or location for a single day. This would have once seemed impractical, but with streamlined travel as well as the invention of travel apps, 24 hours is now plenty of time to get the gist of what a city has to offer. Even if you just have an extra day after a business meeting, or are visiting nearby and want to spend a day in London, there is so much you can get out of this bustling city.
In this article, we will take a look at where you should visit if you only have 24 hours in London, taking you through a complete journey from start to finish. Let’s get right into it!
Famous landmarks and sights
The perfect place to begin your journey would be at the Tower of London. Being a central location and an iconic landmark, this will give you the most bang for your buck, right from the start. Once you have taken it all in, head over to Tower Bridge. Here, you’ll see breathtaking sights and get a good view of a large part of central London.
From Tower Bridge, you could walk over to Borough Market. There are plenty of other things to do in London close by if markets aren’t your thing, but the market is a perfect place to pick up a quick bite to eat before carrying on your journey.
Royal attractions and shopping
Just a short walk away from Borough Market lies Buckingham Palace. No visit to London would be complete without seeing Buckingham Palace, and the fact that it is also centrally located makes it an easy one to check off your list as you go about your day. Make sure to experience Buckingham Palace fully – it remains one of the main attractions in London.
Next, you could take a walk down to Soho. This is a modern, vibrant neighbourhood that is known for its eccentric dining scene. If you didn’t already get a bite to eat at Borough Market or are feeling peckish, now is the perfect time to indulge.
Of course, there are plenty of new London restaurants to explore if you prefer to dine later in the day, but Soho’s unique vibe makes it stand out.
After lunch, it’s time to make your way over to Oxford Street. This is every shopper’s dream – you can find practically everything on Oxford Street. From luxury fashion outlets to department stores, you are truly going to be spoilt for choice.
Enjoy the nightlife
By now, it should be getting pretty late. While this could spell the end of a day in some cities in locations, in London, it’s just the beginning. Your best bet would be to see if you can catch a West End show. People from all over the world travel to London to get a glimpse of West End musicals and plays, and it’s something you just have to experience while you are in London.
Once you have had your fill of West End performances, it’s time to enjoy the true nightlife. Ah, the nightlife. London is known around the world for being one of the best places in the world to have a night out, and if you are a fan of clubs, pubs or casinos, you are going to have the time of your life.
Soho, in particular, is known for having a unique nightlife, so you could make your way back there if you would like to see this corner of London come alive. If not, pretty much anywhere you go in London will suffice. Feel free to stay out as late as you like – there are places in London that stay open until sunrise.
Once you get back to your hotel or bed and breakfast, it’s time to relax (or pass out). Spin the reels on High 5 Casino (here’s a High 5 Casino review, if you’re curious) if you want to keep the fun going for a little longer, but if not, get some sleep then prepare for your departure. After such a long day, you’ll want to get as much sleep as possible.
If you have a few hours spare in the morning before you leave, don’t be afraid to nip out for breakfast. There are plenty of incredible choices.
Conclusion
So, are you excited to have an action-packed 24 hours in London? If you get the most out of your experience and take it all in, you will be able to fit in more adventures than people who are able to stay much longer than a single day. The beauty of London is that there is so much to do, no matter where you look. The city is compact and well designed, and there’s something for everyone within arm’s reach.
Feel free to break away from our recommendations if you wish. It’s your experience, and with a little research and planning, you will be able to build the perfect itinerary that fits in everything you would like to do. Have fun!