Last Updated on December 18, 2025 by Maika Cotton | Published: December 11, 2025
If you’re in the British capital and you want to see London in a day, we have some good news and some bad news: like many other big cities, you really can’t see it all in one day. The good news, though, is that you experience the best of the best in London during one day—seeing the sights that are most interesting to you and eating and drinking at the most superlative spots. Here’s our best tips for experiencing London’s food and icons in a day!
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Tips for Seeing London in a Day
- Want to see London in a Day in the most stress-free way? Take a 3-hour guided walking tour that explores the most edible options that London has to offer. Meet up with a local London expert in the late morning and then eat and drink your way around London, learning insider local information along the way. When you’re done after lunch, you’ve got the rest of the day to explore on your own.
- Go wild and sign up for a day-long guided tour to see London in a day with the help of a local expert, while seeing and learning about the most interesting historical aspects of the city.
- Need more ideas? Get our recommendations for cooking classes in London and tips for what to do in London at night to help you have a wonderful visit to this city!
Start at Westminster Abbey
If you’re going to see the greatest hits of London in a day, start here at Westminster Abbey, a beautiful example of early English gothic architecture and the scene of royal weddings, coronations and funerals of UK’s VIPs. While the church was technically founded in the mid 10th century, most of the stunning architecture you see today is from the 13th century.
On to Buckingham Palace
It’s only a short walk to see another one of London’s most iconic sights: Buckingham Palace. Built in 1703, Buckingham Palace has been the official home of the British royals since 1837. You may see the changing of the guard. You probably won’t see King Charles as he is spending most of his time between royal residences in Highgrove and Clarence House. When the monarch is in attendance, though, you’ll know it by the red, yellow, and blue Royal Standard flag that is flown when he’s there.
Gather in Trafalgar Square
It’s pleasant 20-minute stroll via St. James Square to Trafalgar Square, one of the most popular public spaces in London. The square was inaugurated in 1844 and has long been one of the main sites for protests. The existence of fountains in the square is not random. They were added to the design as a crowd-control measure—fewer protestors could gather in the square if there were fountains taking up space.
Tower of London
Next, amble along the Thames toward the ancient fortress that has played nearly every role imaginable: palace, prison, treasury, mint, and—to the surprise of many—London’s first zoo.
A few delightful facts as you make your way to the Tower of London:
- The Tower once housed the Royal Menagerie, an eclectic collection of exotic animals from across the world. Seeing a giraffe wander across the grounds wasn’t all that unusual. When the Duke of Wellington closed the menagerie in 1835, the animals moved to Regent’s Park, the early home of the London Zoo.
- The elaborately dressed guards you see around the Tower are the Beefeaters tasked with watching over the Crown Jewels. Their nickname supposedly stems from Henry VII’s generosity; he allowed his guards to eat as much beef from the king’s table as they wished. A happy guard is a loyal guard.
The above sites should give you a good idea of historical London in a day. But keep in mind, you can do a similar itinerary but with an expert local guide, choosing either to spend half of the day eating your way through London or taking a full-day guided tour that will allow you to see London in a day with a local pro, plus you’ll get some skip-the-line options too.
Borough Market
If you’re a food-focused traveler, or if you take the 3.5-hour food tour, you’ll most encounter the Borough Market, a high-ceilinged, millennium-old hall in Southwark that is bursting with deliciousness. As locals shop for food for home among the gourmet stalls, you can graze on food from around the world at various food stalls set up in the market. There are also proper restaurants and pubs within the market.
Explore London’s Best Pubs on Tour
Discover the flavors of London on this immersive Ultimate London Food Tour at the Borough Market and Leadenhall Market. Skip the confusion and dive straight into the best eats, from sausage rolls to world-famous fish & chips. Along the way, learn how these historic markets shaped the city’s food culture and uncover hidden gems of Southwark and the City of London. Cap it all off with a private wine and cheese pairing for the perfect ending to your London foodie adventure.
Featured Review: Ultimate London Food Tour (Borough Market & Southwark)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Really enjoyed the tour of Borough Market with Ian. History, food and a lovely wine tasting at the end. We would definitely do it again.”
– Ribin on Tripadvisor
Seeing London in a Day FAQs
Why should you take a tour while visiting London?
If you’re on limited time and you want to see London in a day, right? You can aimlessly wonder and try to find information and historical context on some of London’s most famous sites. Or you could take an all-day guided tour with a local expert. You’ll finish the day with an excellent understanding of this city of nine million denizens. Or, if you’re hungry, take a three-hour food-focused tour with a local food expert.
How long do Devour London tours last and when do they start?
The London-in-a-day tour begins at 10am and lasts 8 hours with a break for lunch on your way. The food tour is 3.5 hours long and begins at 10 am, culminating at 1:30pm.
What is the best time of year to visit London?
Whether you have a few days or a week or even you’re just going to see London in a day, the UK capital is not known for its weather. Summer tends to be hot and humid, winters are cold and drizzly. If you have the choice, try to visit London during the shoulder seasons—April and May or September or October.
