How to Spend 24 Hours in London

London is a city that you could spend days in and not even scratch the surface. I only had 24 hours to spend in this lovely, vibrant city and, while it wasn’t nearly enough time and I can’t wait to go back, you can definitely get a lot ticked off your list if you only have 24 hours in London.

In this quick guide, I am going to give you all of my suggestions on how to spend 24 hours in London. Hopefully, it will leave you definitely wanting to come back and see more of this chic city.

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Morning Visits

Raison D’etre – Start your day off with coffee and pastries at Raison D’etre. If you prefer something a little more hearty for breakfast, they also serve full breakfast options likes eggs and ham.

Hyde Park or Natural History Museum – If you’re a park or museum junkie like myself, then you’ll definitely want to make your way to either Hyde Park or the Natural History Museum.

Buckingham Palace – If you went to London and didn’t stop at Buckingham Palace, did you really even go to London? OK, so I know it’s a super touristy place, but if you’ve never been to London before, you need to see it. Even if it’s just so you can say “yea, I’ve seen Buckingham Palace”. It gets super crowded as the day goes on, so definitely try to arrive as early as possible. Who knows, maybe you’ll even catch a glimpse of Her Majesty.

Big Ben – From Buckingham Palace you can easily walk to Big Ben if the weather is pleasant. I would highly recommend walking across the Westminster Bridge and taking a right once you get across. There is a covered alley area that you can walk through and get some really good photos of the river and Big Ben.

Afternoon Visits

Sketch – Head on over to Sketch around 12:00 for Afternoon Tea in The Gallery. I would also highly recommend making reservations a few days in advance so that you are able to get a table.

Tower Bridge – After you have enjoyed a little Afternoon Tea, scoot on over to the Tower Bridge. This is definitely my favorite bridge in all of London.

Tower of London – If you’re in to British history then you don’t want to miss the Tower of London. This is also where the Crown Jewels are stored so if you love jewelry, you’ll definitely want to visit.

Evening Visits

Simpson’s in the Strand – As one of London’s oldest traditional English restaurants, you’ll definitely want to enjoy a nice dinner here during your short stay in London. I would recommend making reservations and be warned, the menu can be a little on the expensive side.

Queen’s Walk – After dinner, walk off all the delicious food and take a nice stroll along the Queen’s Walk for some great views of the River Thames. You can easily access the Queen’s Walk by crossing the Waterloo Bridge, which isn’t very far from Simpson’s in the Strand.

London Eye – Take a sunset ride on the London Eye for some amazing views of the city. Buy your tickets in advance online to save a little money and splurge on the Champagne Experience . Who doesn’t love sipping a glass of champagne at sunset while taking in the views above London? If you say you don’t, you’re lying.

Gordon’s Wine Bar – Finish your evening at London’s oldest wine bar. If you aren’t too full from dinner, try a cheese board!

There you have it. My guide on how to spend 24 hours in London. What are some of your favorite things to do in London. This quick guide is definitely written for someone who has never been to London and only has 24 hours in London. Think of it as a highlight reel for someone who wants to see what London is known for.

If you’re a Londoner (or even someone who has spent a lot of time there), what are some of your favorite, off the beaten path things to do in the city? Leave a comment below with your recommendations.

Are you looking for some other 24 Hour Guides? Or maybe a weekend itinerary? You may enjoy these posts:

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Ultimate Weekend Guide to NYC During the Holidays