24 hours in London? 🇬🇧✨ Steal my itinerary! 🙂‍↕️

London in 24 hours sounds intense, but it ended up being one of our most fun, fast-paced travel days. We squeezed in all the iconic sights, from Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace. We wandered through the prettiest shopping streets, and made it our mission to eat as much as possible. Including at the popular Borough Market and Dishoom! If you’re planning a quick stopover, here’s exactly how we made the most of every minute.

In this blog post you’ll find almost all listed places linked to Google Maps and Instagram Accounts! To make it easy for you to search each location.

✨ Checkout my Instagram highlights for more! ✨

✨ GetYourGuide Links ✨

✨ Viator Links ✨

✨ Sightseeing & Landmarks

We were able to hit up all of the 7 spots below. Plus I listed some additional options.

London Bridge
Tower Bridge
Big Ben
London Eye – Grab tickets here
Buckingham Palace – Grab tickets here
Trafalgar Square
Red Phone Booth Photo Spot (you’ll find them all over, but the Westminster ones are the most iconic)

If you have more time also checkout:
Notting Hill – Colorful homes + photo spots everywhere.
Shoreditch – Street art, boutiques, vintage markets, and cool cafés.

🍴 Where to Eat & Drink

We were able to do the Borough Market and Dishoom! You can honestly spend a lot of time at Borough Market!

Borough Market @boroughmarket – street food + local bites
- ⭐️ Go early before lunch because it gets PACKED and avoid weekends!
- ⭐️ Check out my reel for details on my visit!
Maltby Street Market @maltbystmarket – Smaller, trendier, and more “local” than Borough.
Southbank Centre Food Market @scfoodmarket – Perfect if you’re already visiting the London Eye or wandering the Thames.
Dishoom @dishoom – They have multiple locations so pick what works best for you! Go for an early dinner to avoid the long wait. We went at 4 PM and walked right in. A line formed afterwards.
Traditional Pub
- The Churchill Arms @churchillarmsw8
- Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese @yeoldecheshirecheese_
Classic Fish & Chips
- Poppies Fish & Chips @poppiesfishnchips – They have 4 locations. All look different.
- Golden Chippy @the_goldenchippy
Seven Dials Market @sevendialsmkt – Trendy indoor food hall — great if you can’t decide what to eat.
Flat Iron Steak @flatironsteak – Famous budget-friendly steakhouse. No reservations, but worth the wait.
Gordon’s Wine Bar @gordonswinebar – London’s oldest wine bar with candlelit caves.
The Lord Nelson (Near Heathrow Airport) – We ate here the night we flew in and I would definitely recommend!

🛍 Where to Shop

We did most of our shopping on Regent Street but walked through Carnaby Street as well.

Regent Street @regentstreetw1 – London’s iconic curved shopping street lined with major brands, stunning architecture, and holiday lights in December.
Carnaby Street (Soho) @carnaby.london – Trendy, colorful pedestrian street filled with boutiques, cafés, and that classic Soho vibe.
Oxford Street @oxfordstreetw1 – One of Europe’s busiest shopping streets, packed with high-street brands and huge flagship stores.
Covent Garden @coventgardenldn – Shops, restaurants, street performers.
Camden Market @camdenmarket – Edgy, alternative, tons of food stalls, vintage shops + unique finds.
Portobello Road Market @portobellomarketofficial– Famous for antiques, boutiques, and colorful Notting Hill scenery

🚇 Getting Around

We stayed close to Heathrow airport so we took both the bus and train to get into London’s main city area. Plus Uber!

Ride the Tube (Overground or Underground)
Hop on a London bus — London Buses
Classic London Taxis – Only black cabs can be hailed in the street. If the yellow taxi sign is on, the cab is available for hire. Black cabs are metered, and the minimum charge is £3.80. Minicabs can be a cheaper alternative. Ask for the price beforehand as they are not on a meter.
Uber

We didn’t really have time for any museums or parks but here are some options!

🎨 Museums & Culture (most are free!)

The British Museum @britishmuseum – A massive, iconic museum, totally free and perfect if it rains.
The National Gallery @nationalgallery – Located right in Trafalgar Square; incredible art collection.
Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) @vamuseum – Beautiful exhibitions focused on fashion, design, and decorative arts.

🌿 Parks & Views

Hyde Park @hydeparklondon – One of London’s biggest and prettiest parks. Perfect for a peaceful walk or picnic.
Sky Garden @sg_skygarden – FREE entry! Beautiful indoor garden + panoramic city views (book ahead).
Primrose Hill – A classic sunset spot overlooking the London skyline.

By the end of the day, our feet were tired, our bellies were full, and we somehow managed to check off every iconic London moment . Red phone booth photos included! Even with only 24 hours, we felt like we got such a fun feel of the city’s energy, the historic landmarks, food scene, shopping, and even a ride on the London bus. So if you ever find yourself in London for 24 hours, don’t stress about having “too little time.” This guide proves you can still experience so much in a single day!

✨Checkout my Instagram highlights for more! ✨