London was the first stop on our 4-month European Adventure. We only spent 1 full day here, as a stopover on our way from Canada to Switzerland. Luckily, we have friends from England who gave us some tips on what to see, and how to fit a ton into our one day.
We will include a list at the end of this post of extra ideas of things to do that we didn’t get a chance to see/do, as well as great markets to visit if you’re in London for more than a single day. If you want to check out where we ate, check out our gluten free guide.
In this guide you’ll find:
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When is the best time to visit London?
As it seems is the case with virtually any European city, the summer months (May, June, July) are the most popular due to the favourable weather. However, it will be much less crowded during the shoulder months of mid-September to November and March to April. Some tourists love the festive season of December due to the decorations and celebrations. Regardless of when you go, if you’re not in the summer, be prepared for rain. Bring layers, and a very waterproof raincoat. London is a major city, so there isn’t a time of year where you would visit and find everything shut.
Where to stay?
We stayed at the Hub by Premier Inn – Westminster Abbey. We quite liked this location, as it was easy to walk to everywhere we visited in our single day. Additionally, this line of hotels is quite reasonably priced, especially for the central area. There are many other “hub” locations in London if you’d like to stay in the same chain, but a different neighbourhood.
While we found Westminster to be quite central for what we wanted to see, there are other neighbourhoods that are recommended for first timers to London. Mayfair is right in the center of the city, making it a great spot if you want to be in the hubbub. However, this also makes it one of the pricier options in terms of location. Covent Garden is also fairly central to our suggested stops for a single day and has fantastic entertainment and food options nearby. There is an awesome guide to all the different neighbourhoods and what type of holiday they suit here.
Explore London hotel availability below:
Transportation Information
TO/FROM HEATHROW
You have 3 main options: Piccadilly Line, Elizabeth Line, and Heathrow Express. Which one you take will depend on where you’re staying and how much you want to spend. We took the Piccadilly line and had to switch lines partway, as we were staying in Westminster.
TO/FROM GATWICK
Get to Victoria Station and take Gatwick Express all the way to airport (30min). You can book tickets for the Gatwick Express in advance online.
TRANSIT
Oyster card is used for tapping in/out of transit (tube, busses, etc). It can’t be used on the Piccadilly line or Gatwick Express. You can tap in/out using a credit card too.
Things to Do
If you’re planning to visit several paid attractions in London, like Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, or the London Eye, costs can add up quickly. It’s worth comparing your booking options: individual timed-entry tickets for specific attractions or bundled passes that include multiple entries. Options include a flexible Go City London Pass (pick your attractions), and skip-the-line tickets and tours available through GetYourGuide. Always check official ticket sites directly to compare prices. If you choose the Go City London Pass, you can use our code CAPTURENCRAVE5 for 5% off any city’s passes.
1. Westminster Abbey
Royal Church which offers tours. The cost to enter is about 30 GBP per adult (yes, you need tickets). Quite the sight even just from the outside! You can also get tours (a bit pricey!).
2. Big Ben
One of the most iconic landmarks of London – the giant clock tower. Stick around to hear it ring on the hour. Attached is the Palace of Westminster, which is a parliament building. You can pay to go into both of these, but tickets for Big Ben sell out well in advance, and it seems the only option to purchase is direct through their site.
3. Tower Bridge
You can walk across this majestic bridge for free or pay to go up the towers. Tickets are about 14 GBP per adult.
4. Covent Garden
This is a shopping and cultural area of the city, with lots of fashion stores, craft stalls, and restaurants. Expect it to be super busy on a weekend.
5. Leicester Square
A central hub and part of the entertainment district, this area will likely look familiar as it is the home to many red-carpet events.
6. St. Paul’s Cathedral
Vibrant church containing a crypt and some of the national treasure. You can buy tickets to enter for about 25 GBP per adult.
7. Tower of London
While the name is a bit misleading, this is in fact a castle in the center of London that houses some crown jewels. You can pay about 35 GBP to enter and tour the castle.
8. Piccadilly Circus
A bustling square that is the center of the theatre district. Be prepared to see many street performers and bright lights, (almost like Times Square).
9. Trafalgar Square
Iconic square with fountains, a museum, and lots of art. This is sure to be a busy area, so keep your wits about you.
10. The Mall
Ceremonial road in Westminster neighbourhood, that leads to Buckingham Palace. Wonderful to walk down!
11. Buckingham Palace
Home of the monarch and the royal residence. The changing of the guards is at 10:45am every day and lasts for 45 minutes (and it’s free). If you want to go into the palace, you must book very far in advance (and it’s quite pricey!). There are a variety of different tour and entrance options available. They also don’t offer tours year-round, so it may not be an option depending on when you’re visiting.
12. St James’s Park
Right in front of Buckingham Palace and alongside The Mall. This is a beautiful park with tons of birds, and tranquil waterways.
Markets
Note that it is free to visit any of these markets, however we hope it’s clear that food and shopping are not.
1. Borough Market
One of the largest food markets in London. You’ll find meats, cheeses, produce, baked goods, food to go – you name it. Open 10am until 5pm daily, except on Sundays only until 4pm.
2. Camden Market
A trendier market, you’ll find more fashion and thrifting here. Lots of street food! Considered one of the more cultural markets in the city. Open daily from 10am to 6pm.
3. Portobello Road Market
One of the most famous markets in the world, it is an open-air market. Known for its vintage shopping, street food, and souvenirs. Open 8am to 7pm daily, except only until 5pm on Sundays.
4. Broadway Market
Here you’ll find food, souvenirs, clothing, and cafes. The market itself is only open on weekends, but there are coffee shops and boutiques on the surrounding streets that are open throughout the week. Open Saturdays from 9am to 5pm and Sundays from 10am to 4pm.
5. Spitalfields Market
Originally known for being a produce market, Spitalfields now is known for having trinkets, souvenirs, flowers, and antiques as well. This is a covered market. Open at 8am on weekdays and 9am on weekends, and open until 11pm nightly.
MAP of Things to Do in London
HOW TO USE THE MAP: Click on the Wanderlog logo in the bottom right corner to open the full-size map up in a new tab. There, you can choose to just look at one type of activity at a time or see all the activities on the map at once (click the 3 squares in the top right to choose). You can also export the map to Google Maps, share the map with others, or save the map.
Other Things to Do (that we didn’t get to)
- London Eye (the big Ferris wheel)
- London River Cruise
- Kensington Palace
- Hyde Park
- Harrod’s department store
- The British Museum (free!)
- The National Gallery
- Natural History Museum
- King’s Cross train station (to see Platform 9¾)
- Sky Garden
Helpful Planning Tips
I rely on these tools when planning my trips:
- Get Your Guide – book tickets for the Tower of London, London Eye, or West End shows
- Go City Pass – multiple paid attractions can be bundled for savings
- Airalo eSIM – get UK mobile data instantly on arrival, without roaming charges
- Stay22 – explore hotels across London neighbourhoods, like Covent Garden, Westminster, or Shoreditch
- Wanderlog – keep track of your trip details, map your itinerary, and plan your London days efficiently
Explore below for even MORE museums, galleries, tours, and experiences:
As mentioned above, buying tickets to multiple of these experiences can add up. Consider buying a London City Pass.
