Updated on 31/07/2024
If you’re visiting London, there’s inevitably going to be a lot you want to fit into your trip, given the city’s plethora of history, culture, and attractions. But with so much to see and do, exploring London in a single day can seem like an impossible task.
However, with a well-planned itinerary and a few insider tips, you can experience some of the most iconic landmarks and hidden gems that make London one of the world’s most captivating cities.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or a seasoned traveler looking to maximize your time, this guide will help you navigate the bustling streets and uncover the best of what London has to offer in just 24 hours.
Can You See London In A Day?
The answer to this question is yes, you absolutely can see a lot of what the wonderful city of London has to offer in a day.
That said, if you’ve never been to London before, you’ll want to know some tips for sightseeing in London to ensure that you don’t miss anything and get the most out of your trip.
6 Tips for sightseeing in London in one day include, but are not limited to:
- Find a private tour company
- Book ahead of time
- Make use of night openings
- Start early
- Wear comfortable footwear
- Make the most of the free activities
1. Find A Private Tour Company
With only one day in London, your time is limited. That said, finding a private tour company is one of the most efficient ways to see all the best sights in one day.
You will want to make sure that you do your research and check reviews to find the right tour for you.
Booking in advance is also important when it comes to booking a tour company, as London is an extremely busy city.
At Yellow Moon Tours, we offer a variety of private tours around London. Whether you want to explore the city by tube, boat, car, bus, or on foot, on the beaten track or away from it, we have the perfect tour for you.
We can suggest a private tour in London, or you can alternatively let us know what you’d like to see during your time in London and we’ll create a custom private tour just for you.
All of our professional tour guides are English-born and bred, and we will hand-pick the best guide for you depending on where you would like to visit.
If you’re interested in booking a tour in London, be sure to get in touch with a member of our team today.
2. Book Ahead Of Time
The next tip for sightseeing in London in one day is to book ahead of time when it comes to the activities you’d like to do.
You might be tempted to leave it until the last minute, but considering that London is one of the most visited cities in the world, this is not advised.
You could spend valuable time queuing for hours for certain activities, which can significantly slow you down when you’re sightseeing in London for only one day.
Booking in advance also allows you to save money, as leaving it until the day can be more expensive.
So, whether you want to go on the London Eye, or visit the National History Museum, be sure to book ahead of time to avoid any disappointment.
The English countryside also has plenty to offer in one day, take a look at our countryside tours that depart from London to discover more.
3. Make Use Of Night Openings
If you’ve only got a single day in London, another sightseeing tip is to make use of night openings.
A variety of museums and galleries in London offer night openings, such as the British Museum, which stays open until 8.30 pm on Fridays.
Making the most of night openings, then, frees up your day to do other things, allowing you to make the most of your time around London.
That said, you will want to ensure that you do your research beforehand to check when the last entry times are to ensure that you don’t miss out on anything you want to see.
A huge plus of seeing London at night is that this offers you a different perspective of the city. The famous London landmarks, such as Big Ben and Tower Bridge, look nothing short of breathtaking when lit up.
4. Start Early
As well as making the most of the night, the same goes for the morning. Begin your day as early as possible to make the most of your time.
As well as making the most out of your day, early starts help you beat the crowds, as most attractions see highest footfall around 11am-3pm.
5. Wear Comfortable Footwear
No matter the way in which you’re planning to travel around London in one day, you’re still going to be on your feet for a lot of it, so an essential sightseeing tip is to wear comfortable footwear.
It’s no secret that ill-fitting shoes can cause blisters, as ‘shoes that fit too tightly or too loosely can rub against the skin, caus[ing] friction’, and in turn can be painful.
So, while it might sound like a simple sightseeing tip, make sure that you’re in a pair of well-worn shoes, as breaking into a new pair of shoes when you’ve only got the day to see London is not a good idea.
Wearing a pair of comfortable shoes, then, will allow you to get the most out of your trip as you won’t have to worry about sore feet slowing you down.
6. Make The Most Of The Free Activities
Lastly, a sightseeing tip for London is to make the most of the free activities.
From the Tate Modern to the Imperial War Museum to the numerous parks the city has to offer, London is packed with free activities for people of all ages.
Regardless of whether you’re on a budget or not, there’s always something free to do – so don’t miss out.
To learn more about the best winter activities in London, be sure to read our blog here.
We hope this article has provided you with some useful tips for sightseeing in London in one day.
For inquiries or questions, contact us today at info@yellowmoontours.com or at (+44) 02032903665 to book your private tour today or check out our Instagram page.
Written by Jemima Thomas for Yellow Moon Tours, the private tours specialist covering London, Paris, New York and Ireland.
