The Must See Destinations if You’re Only in London for One Day

Want to see the sights but only have a day to spare?

• Take in London’s rich history
• The Southbank: Everything you need in one place
• Immerse yourself in London’s culture
• See it all at once from the London Eye

Introduction: Want to see the sights but only have a day to spare?

Whether you are just passing through or you finally have a spare day to spend in the nation’s capital, the city of London has plenty to offer. As the country’s premier location for culture, art and history, it is possible to spend just one day doing a variety of activities that will give you a real taste and feel for the great city. Here is our guide to all of London’s ‘must sees and must dos’:

Take in London’s rich history

As you have just a day to get to know London, we recommend doing some essential sightseeing. And with so many places of historical importance to see, we’ve chosen the three best spots to take in London’s rich culture:

Big Ben

As probably the world’s most famous clock, London’s very own Big Ben (the name technically given to the 13-tonne bell inside) is the perfect way to get an authentic flavour of London in just one day. Big Ben first rang across Westminster on the 31st of May in 1859 and has barely stopped ringing since. Despite the neighbouring Commons chamber being destroyed by a bomb during the Second World War, Big Ben continued to strike the hours as intended. Standing at 96 metres tall (with 334 steps to climb up to the belfry and 399 steps to the Ayrton Light at the very top of the tower), Big Ben is even more of a wonder to see at night when the clock face lights up for everyone to see.

Westminster Abbey

As a royal church offering daily services and a World Heritage Site with over a thousand years of history, Westminster Abbey is one of London’s most beautiful and famous tourist attractions. Situated in the heart of the city, the abbey was founded by Benedictine monks in 960AD. Most recently, it was home to the Coronation of the his Royal Highness and has been the nation’s coronation church since 1066. Throughout the year, there are a variety of exhibitions and events to choose from (which are suited for people of all ages), so make sure to get your ticket in advance.

Buckingham Palace

As the official Royal residence, Buckingham Palace is one of the finest and most patriotic ways to spend a day in London. Known across the country as the focus of many national (and royal) celebrations, the palace is first thought of by many across the globe as the backdrop to the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Throughout the year, there are a number of guided tours to explore the inside of the palace, so you can see how a Prince and Princess really live. From the throne room to the ballroom, you’ll have an unforgettable day at Buckingham Palace.

The Southbank: Everything you need in one place

London’s often visited Southbank is home to many of the city’s favourite attractions. It’s also just across the river from Big Ben and Houses of Parliament. With an array of things to do for adults and children alike, we’ve gathered together a list of our favourite things that you can do in just one day.

The London Eye

A wonder of modern engineering, the London Eye is a must see in London and a great way to get to know the city in just one day. Perfect if you’re travelling alone or with your family, the London Eye has 32 pods (numbered 1 to 33, with 13 left out for good luck) that are completely enclosed, offer a 360 view and are climate controlled. The London Eye is the perfect place to see many of London’s famous landmarks from the sky like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard and more! The circumference of the London Eye is 424 metres (1,392 feet) and is technically considered to be an engineered cantilevered observation wheel, as opposed to a Ferris wheel, due to the way it’s constructed with an A-frame on one side.

SEA LIFE London Aquarium

With just one day in the city, many Londoners would agree that there’s no better way to pass the time than at the SEA LIFE London Aquarium. Home to around 500 different species of marine life (including an array of sharks and a sea turtle or two) and 14 themed zones, there’s a variety of things to see (and touch) at this famed aquarium. Throughout your day, you’ll get to traverse the ocean floor in the spectacular glass Ocean Tunnel and Coral Kingdom Zone, meet the penguins of the Gentoo penguin colony and shake hands with a starfish (and a sea anemone, if you dare) in the Rockpool Zone.

The London Dungeon

If you fancy getting a little history lesson mixed in with a thrill and a scare or two, then the London Dungeon is the perfect way to spend your single day in London. Hiding just under County Hall, you’ll be treated to a macabre interactive history of the city’s nightmarish and grizzly past. Take a seat on the Dead Drop: Drop Ride, hold on tight during the underground boat trip, pull up a barstool and hear a tale or two at the Tavern, or get to know the infamous Jack the Ripper (London’s most prolific serial killer). If you have the time, you can even try to escape from the dungeon’s brand-new attraction, the Guy Fawkes Escape Room.

Immerse yourself in London’s culture

As you might expect from one of the oldest and largest cities in England, London has a wealth of rich culture to experience. However, in just one day, we recommend doing one of three things:

Must see museums in London

For those wanting to learn a thing or two during their trip to London, why not take a walk through one of the city’s many world-renowned museums? Discover the colossal titanosaur ’Patagotitan Mayorum’, one of the largest known creatures to have ever walked the planet or unearth some gold and kryptonite at the Natural History Museum. Expand your mind at the Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery (perfect for children of all ages) or catch a science-infused show on an IMAX movie screen (the size of four double-decker buses) at the National Science Museum. Or experience cultures from across the world, spanning the entirety of human history, at the British Museum. From the mummies of ancient Egypt, to a ceremonial mask of the indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast of America, this will certainly be a day well spent in London.

Must see galleries in London

London is home to some of the most spectacular art galleries and finest works of art in the world. From Paul Cézanne’s ‘Bathers’ (Les Grandes Baigneuses in French) to Vincent Van Gough’s ‘Sunflowers’, the National Gallery is perfect for a classically artistic day in London. However, if you prefer your art a little more modern, try a visit to the famous Tate Modern, where you’ll find works by modern artists, ranging from Pablo Picasso and Emily Kame Kngwarreye to Jenny Holzer and Cildo Meireles. Or for something a little different, try the National Portrait Gallery, which contains 11,000 portrait paintings, drawings, miniatures and sculptures, around 250,000 photographs and negatives that range from the 1840s to the present day, and over 80,000 portrait prints, drawings, silhouettes and caricatures; you won’t run out of things to see here.

Must go markets in London

To get a true feel for London as it is today, you should take a stroll into one of its many markets (and maybe buy a souvenir while you’re there). For a classic slice of London life, try Covent Garden Market, renowned for its world-class boutiques and restaurants, it’s a great way to pass a quick day in the hustle and bustle of London. For something a little different (and quirkier), try the famous Camden Market, known for its eclectic stores and music venues.,. Finally, if it’s food that you like, a ‘must go in London’ is Borough Market, best known for its array of produce and street food markets (open six days a week).

See it all at once from the London Eye

If you’re looking for something spectacular when you’re short for time, we highly recommend taking a 30-minute ride on the city’s beloved must see site, the London Eye. At over 135 metres tall (or 443 feet, the equivalent of 64 red telephone boxes piled on top of each other) its observation pods allow you to see up to 40 kilometres from the very top, which is as far as Windsor Castle on a clear day. In fact, on the London Eye, you’ll be able to see:

• The Houses of Parliament

• Westminster Abbey

• The famous Big Ben

• His Majesty’s Buckingham Palace

• St Paul's Cathedral

• The Tate Museum

London Must-Sees FAQs

What are 4 interesting places in London?

If you’re only able to do 4 things in London, we recommend visiting the royal home Buckingham Palace, the world’s most famous clock, Big Ben, the Tate Museum and the much-loved London Eye (where you’ll have the chance to see all 3 from the top).

Which London museum is better?

Many people think the British Museum is the best museum to visit in London because of its diverse range of exhibits. However, if you prefer science and engineering, then you should try the National Science Museum. If you like dinosaurs and natural history, then the Natural History Museum is for you.

How much time do you spend on the London Eye?

You spend approximately 30 minutes riding the London Eye once around. A single pod travels at about 26cm per second, or 0.9km (0.6 miles) per hour (twice as fast as a tortoise sprinting). This speed allows guests to comfortably step on and off without the wheel having to stop.

Is The London Eye the best view of London?

Many people think that the best view of London can be found at the top of the London Eye. With a view of up to 40 kilometres (as far as Windsor Castle on a clear day), you can see famous landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Tate Modern.