How to see London in only one day

The challenge? 1 day in London. Our solution? Big Bus.

By <a href="#author-bio">Alice Padfield</a>

Last updated: July 29, 2026

Here’s the dilemma: one glorious day in London, and a checklist full of palaces, parks, and postcard-worthy landmarks. We get it, it’s a lot. So, armed with our favourite caffeine supply and a Big Bus map flapping in the wind, we set out to conquer London in one day to see if it could be done. Read on for our verdict.

With the Blue Route doing the hard work for you and The London Pass unlocking top attractions, it’s the easiest – and we think most fun – way to see the best of London in just one day.

So grab your headphones (commentary is available in multiple languages), your camera, and a big bag of snacks, and get ready for one very packed itinerary. Seriously, you’ll cover more ground than a royal corgi on coronation day.

Why the Blue Route is the secret to sightseeing success

The Big Bus Blue Route is a 3.5-hour (traffic-dependent), all-encompassing tour through central and west London. But it’s not just a sightseeing ride – it’s a rolling history lesson, a mobile photo studio, and, occasionally, a full-on comedy show. (Provided your sense of humour isn’t too high-brow.)

From posh parks to haunted houses: highlights from the Blue Route

Start early – Victoria / Belgravia
We’re off! Roll out from Victoria past the stucco-fronted elegance of Belgravia, where the embassies are fancy, the houses are fancier, and the 4x4s are washed more often than I vacuum my flat.

Top tip: if you’ve only got one day, start early! This also makes it easier to get those coveted top deck seats!

Hyde Park Corner & Wellington Arch
At the first major roundabout (sorry – “traffic island”), you’ll circle Wellington Arch and cruise past Hyde Park.

Fun fact: this is the only traffic island I’ve ever been actively encouraged to look at. There's also a poignant row of war memorials here, including the RAF Bomber Command and an Animal War Memorial.

Mayfair & Marble Arch
Next, you’ll float down Park Lane and through Mayfair. Keep your eyes peeled for No. 50 Berkeley Square, allegedly the most haunted house in London.

Not far ahead: Marble Arch, near the old site of the infamous Tyburn gallows. Bit grim. Still pretty though.

Oxford Street & Regent Street
Brace yourself – this stretch is full of red buses, black cabs, and more shoppers than sense. You’ll also glide past Soho and see the swanky side of town: The Ritz (hello, tea sommelier), Frameless, the Immersive Art Experience, and MOCO Museum.

Piccadilly, Haymarket & Trafalgar Square
Next, we veer into theatreland. You’ll spot His Majesty’s Theatre, Leicester Square, and Trafalgar Square. On a sunny day, it’s pigeons galore and buskers battling for your attention.

Fun fact: to perform in Covent Garden, you need to audition. Like, officially.

Whitehall & Westminster
Here’s where it gets regal. The Cenotaph, Downing Street, and then – boom – Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey all roll into view. This is your moment. Snap that London Eye shot from Westminster Bridge (look left!).

Southbank to Tower Bridge
As the route rolls along the South Bank – you’ll spot Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tate Modern, and the golden spire of Southwark Cathedral. Further on, the shimmering Shard dominates the skyline.

Then it’s up and over the river via Tower Bridge – possibly London’s most iconic crossing. Cameras at the ready: this view is pure postcard.

The return to Victoria
As the bus loops westward back towards Victoria, it cruises through the City of London and past St Paul’s Cathedral – that magnificent dome is hard to miss. You’ll also pass the Monument to the Great Fire, the sleek skyscrapers of the Square Mile, and Lambeth Palace across the river.

It's a calmer stretch of the route, perfect for soaking up the final views and vibes before hopping off at your starting point.

Hop-off highlights with your London Pass

Now, if you're smart (and we know you are because you’re reading this), you’ll pair your Big Bus ride with The London Pass, and actually go inside some of the city’s top attractions. Here’s where we recommend jumping off:

Westminster Abbey (Stop 18)
A true British icon. This Gothic masterpiece has hosted royal weddings, coronations, and more historic funerals than you can count. Explore the tombs of monarchs, poets, and scientists (shout out to Newton and Darwin).

Allow about an hour here to take it all in – and don’t miss the stunning Cosmati Pavement and the Lady Chapel.

Tower of London (Stop 16)
Dark, dramatic, and home to some very shiny bling (hi, Crown Jewels). This fortress has seen it all: royal beheadings, raven legends, ghost sightings, and that one time I got lost in the gift shop. You’ll need at least 1.5 hours here, but it’s well worth it.

Tower Bridge
Just a short stroll from the Tower of London, Tower Bridge is another must-see (and must-photograph). Walk across the high-level glass walkway for epic Thames views. It's a test of nerve, and the 206 steps are a great thigh workout.

Kensington Palace (Stop 34)
Out west, the bus breezes through Kensington and Notting Hill, with a peek at Beatrix Potter’s old haunts and the gorgeous Princess Diana Memorial Playground. Jump off for Kensington Palace, a real royal residence and surprisingly chilled spot for such a fancy place.

Fun facts from the top deck

Monument is taller than it looks, and it turns out more people have died falling off it than in the Great Fire of London itself. Awkward right?
Old London Bridge was sold to an American and is now allegedly in Arizona. Apparently, when he bought it, he thought he was getting Tower Bridge. Oops.
You pass St Paul’s, the Australian High Commission (which Harry Potter fans might recognise as the inspo for Gringotts), and even the Garden Museum, which is even prettier than it sounds.
Lambeth Palace is where the Archbishop of Canterbury hangs out – and you get a pretty good sneaky peek into the gardens from the top deck of the bus.

Ride smart: top tips for making the most of your Big Bus day

Start early: Big Bus services kick off just before 9AM. Be on one of the first to avoid traffic snarls and secure a prime top-deck spot.

Bring layers: even in summer, that wind up top can be bracing. And if it rains? You’ll want a hood, not just hope.

Use the Big Bus app: live tracking = no wasted time standing at stops.

Plan hop-offs: prioritise 2–3 attractions you really want to see and don’t try to cram everything in.

Drinks and snacks: bring a reusable water bottle and pack a few on-the-go snacks (granola bars, trail mix, etc.). It’ll save you time and money – and keep the hangry moments at bay.

Portable charger: if you’re taking lots of pictures, and you will be, this is a must!

Can you really see all of London in a day?

Honestly? No. London is huge. But can you see a lot, learn loads, and feel like you’ve had a proper London adventure? Absolutely. The Big Bus Blue Route gives you an unbeatable overview – with laughs, legends, and a skyline that never quits.

It’s stress-free, super flexible, and way more fun than trying to navigate six Tube lines and two bus transfers on your own.

At the end of our one-day London blitz, we had the wind in our hair, Big Ben in our camera roll, and at least 10,000 steps logged. It was ambitious. It was exciting. It was... slightly exhausting. But we’d do it all again in a heartbeat. And so should you.

Enjoyed this?

Check out our complete guide to visiting Westminster Abbey or our complete guide to visiting the Tower of London, or see why Londoners actually love the Big Bus!

Step up your sightseeing with The London Pass®. We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems, and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings compared to buying individual attraction tickets.

See more, do more, and experience more with The London Pass® – just choose a pass to get started!  

Alice Padfield

Content Manager

Alice is a copywriter in the Content team at Go City®, where she combines her love for travel, literature, food and theatre to craft inspiring content for cultural explorers. From blog articles to TikToks, she creates engaging stories that help travellers uncover hidden gems and must-see spots in every city. Passionate about exploring new destinations, Alice shares her discoveries to help others curate unforgettable itineraries.

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Top 7 Photography Spots in London (& Giveaway!)

Go City x MPB Giveaway! Go City is teaming up with MPB, the world’s largest platform for used photo and video kit, to giveaway a chance to make your photography trip dreams come true. One lucky winner will win an attraction pass to any Go City destination, plus £500 worth of used camera gear from MPB! Two runners-up will also receive a Go City attraction pass and £250 credit to spend at MPB. The giveaway opens for entries from December 1st, 2022 to December 31st, 2022, so don't miss your chance to enter! Simply fill out your details and keep your eyes peeled on your inbox on the 10th January 2023, when the winners will be picked at random. We've put together a list of the top 7 photography locations in London to get you started on your photography adventure: 1. The Shard This one's a no-brainer. Standing at a whopping 309.6 meters, the Shard is the tallest building in the United Kingdom so it's no surprise that the pictures you'll capture from the observation deck will be top-notch. We recommend heading up to the top at golden hour for some pretty spectacular sunset shots of the city, or if you're willing to play around with long exposure shots, visiting at night will provide you with amazing images capturing the buzz from above. You can also get creative from the street level. Wander through the narrow lanes of Southwark to capture the giant structure from below and lit up in all its glory. 2. Tower Bridge Tower Bridge, the most iconic bridge in the city, is another of our fave photo ops. Not only are you able to get some pretty impressive snaps from the riverbanks on either side, but taking a visit inside will provide you with some even more spectacular content. Capture stunning panoramic views of the city from the walkways between the towers and take a daring walk over the glass floor to snap a fleeting moment of London life. The best time to photograph the bridge is early in the morning, as you'll capture the sun casting its silhouette as it rises. It doesn't get much better than that. 3. Tower of London Just over from Tower Bridge on the north bank, you'll stumble across the Tower of London. Officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and home to the Crown Jewels and Yeoman Warders, a visit to this attraction is a history lovers' dream. Besides this, there's also some great content for photographers. The striking historical architecture appears great on camera, so take your time on your visit to snap some interesting shots of the grounds as you're sure to get something wonderfully unique! 4. London Eye A shot of the London Eye can't be missed as it's Europe's tallest observation wheel. Get the perfect snap of the most popular London attraction from across the river on Victoria Embankment. You'll be away from the chaos of tourists which will allow you to get creative with angles and lighting. 5. Chinatown Contemporary art statues, ornate gold lions, bright and bold dragons, glistening lanterns, and glowing neon lights, you won't be short of things to capture as you stroll through the streets of this East Asian enclave in central London. Don't miss the famous gate at Wardour Street. This location provides you with the perfect opportunity to gain an insight into Chinese culture and religion, right in the heart of the city. Why not stop for a bite to eat whilst you're here? It would be rude not to. 6. Southbank The riverbanks of the Thames are a brilliant photography location as you can see so much in one go! Take a stroll along Southbank on a sunny Sunday afternoon and you'll capture the hustle and bustle of the city at the weekend. Whether it's the stunning historical building of St Paul's Cathedral, the modern engineering of Millenium Bridge, skaters in action at the famous undercroft of Southbank Centre, or people simply enjoying their London vacation, you're guaranteed to find multiple interesting shots along Southbank. 7. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Fancy capturing something a little bit different on your vacation to London? Kew Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to over 50,000 different species of flora. A trip to the gardens gives you the opportunity to take photos of the best nature has to offer. Among the variety of plants and trees, you'll find all sorts of wildlife and some spectacular structures such as the Great Pagoda in the Japanese Gardens or the Temperate House, a beautiful Victorian glasshouse housing over 10,000 endangered species. Anyway, enough from us. We've given you the locations, the pass and all the gear so now it's your turn to get out there and see what you can do. All images in this blog were taken by MPB using the London Pass to gain entry to London's top attractions! Happy snapping!

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St David’s Day in London: What’s On

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Get swept away on a musical journey celebrating Wales’s patron saint as the esteemed Welsh Guards section of The Queen’s Household Division fill The Guards’ Chapel in the Wellington Barracks with sound. It’s free to enter, but you need to register to get in. Be sure to get there early to get the best seats! Friday 6th March 2020, 18.30 - 20.00. The Guards’ Chapel, Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London SW1E 6HQ. For more information and to book, head HERE. St David's Day Concert in Aid of The Passage Hear the wonderful tones and timbres and harmonies of the London Welsh Male Voice Choir at a special St David’s Day concert. Held at the Methodist Central Hall Westminster, the concert celebrates Welsh music and popular classical tunes through this most Welsh of choral setups. The evening, hosted by broadcaster, writer and political adviser Guto Harri, is held in aid of The Passage’s homelessness services. You can pay for general admission to the concert, which starts at 19.00. Alternatively, you can choose to add on a ticket for the pre-concert reception from 17.30. Drinks and canapés are served as you await the beginning of the concert. Friday 28th February 2020, 19.00 - 21.30. Methodist Central Hall Westminster, Storey’s Gate, London SW1H 9NH. For more information and to book, head HERE. Annual St David’s Day Walk with Caroline James Now in its 17th year, the Annual St David’s Day Walk takes you on a tour of Welsh history in London. It’s the ideal way to celebrate St David’s Day in London, learning about the contributions made to the city by famous Welsh residents and groups, including Sir Hugh Myddelton, Royal Jeweller under King James I, and various 18th Century Welsh societies. The walk starts at 11am, with all guests asked to meet outside The Blackfriar Pub on Queen Victoria Street. From there, you’ll pass through the famous streets of this storied area, picking up fascinating facts and interesting tales about Welsh culture and heritage in the capital. The walk ends at Bank Junction and lasts approximately two hours. Handily, the tour takes place on two consecutive Saturdays, the 29th February and 7th March 2020. Saturday 29th February and Saturday 7th March 2020, 11.00 at The Blackfriar Pub, 174 Queen Victoria St, London EC4V 4EG. For more information and to book, head HERE. Welsh Whiskey Masterclass and Food Pairing Celebrate St David’s Day in London with five whiskeys from the Penderyn distillery and food pairings to match. It’s a Welsh-themed whiskey tasting, with all five tipples award-winning creations of the Penderyn distillery, Wales’s oldest whiskey producer. Hosted by Forbes whisky writer and World Whisky Awards judge Felipe Schrieberg, the evening event will teach you techniques to train your nose and palate. Schrieberg will also take you through the fascinating history of Welsh whisky and the Penderyn distillery. The food pairings mix the classical with the creative. Signature whisky Welsh rarebit. Cheese and leek sausage bits. Cawl, in both traditional and veggie versions. The menu comes courtesy of The Ingredientist, a catering company who run the kitchen at Milroy’s, England’s largest whisky bar. Put simply, they know what they’re doing. Half price early bird tickets are on sale now. Tuesday 25th February, Wednesday 26th February, Tuesday 10th March and Wednesday 11th March 2020, 19.00-21.00. Factory Coffee, 96A Leather Lane, London EC1N 7TX. For more information and to book, head HERE. Novello & Son A new play by Welsh writer Arnold Evans, Novello & Son will be performed twice at the London Welsh Centre on 25th February 2020. The piece focuses on Clara Novello Davies, mother of Ivor Novello, famed Welsh songwriter, composer, dramatist and actor. An eccentric and proud character, Clara was a musical star in her own right, a leading light of Welsh choral singing as a choir mistress, teacher and singer. But her son’s fame came to eclipse hers, as he became a star of silent movies and the West End stage. The play finds Clara struggling with her son’s newfound superstardom, their relationship and her own place in Welsh musical history. Expect performances of Ivor’s best loved tunes, lashings of humour and poignant moments that interrogate the relationship between mother and son. Two performances on Tuesday 25th February 2020, 13.00 matinee and 19.30 evening performance. The London Welsh Centre, 157-163 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1X 8UE. For more info and to book, head HERE. Annual St David’s Day Celebration at Guildhall The longest-running event celebrating St David’s Day in London. Each year since 1904, the Welsh community in London has held a St. David’s Day dinner. This year’s takes place on Wednesday 26th February 2020 at Guildhall in the City of London. Hosted by Huw Edwards, with speakers including poet Mereid Hopwood-Bard and former Labour government minister Lord Davies of Abersoch. The champagne reception starts at 18.15, with dinner in the Great Hall from 19.15. Music comes from choir, Only Boys Aloud. Guildhall, Basinghall St, City of London, London EC2V 7HH. For more information and ticket enquiries, head HERE. Dominique Ansel Bakery They always make something to celebrate St David’s Day at Dominique Ansel Bakery. Well, they do something to celebrate all British patron saint days, and plenty of other special events besides. And if you thought that such celebratory creativity might be a push for most bakeries and patisseries, you probably need introducing to Dominique Ansel. He’s the guy who came up with the cronut. You know, the super calorific croissant-donut hybrid that everyone was talking about, regardless of whether they’d tried it or not. Yep, that guy. And here at Dominique Ansel Bakery in London, they do a welsh rarebit croissant every year to celebrate St David’s Day. It is as decadent as you’d expect from one of the most daring minds in contemporary baking. Dominique Ansel Bakery, 17-21 Elizabeth St, Belgravia, London SW1W 9RP. A Double Dose of Chef Bryn Williams1. St David's Day Breakfast Welsh celebrity chef Bryn Williams is putting on two events to celebrate St David’s Day in London. First off, there’s the St David’s Day Breakfast, held at Bryn Williams at Somerset House. Williams and his team will be serving a range of delectable Welsh breakfast canapes, including leek and potato soup, deep fried oysters, black pudding and apple, Welsh rarebit and sausage rolls. The event starts at 9.30, so there’ll be freshly-brewed coffee, fruit juices and teas. The event ends at 11.30, so there’ll be a selection of Welsh sparkling wines and beers brought out as soon as it’s appropriate. The St David’s Day Breakfast takes place on Friday 28th February 2020, 09.30-11.30 at Bryn Williams at Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA. To find out more and book, head HERE. 2. St David's Day Sunday Lunch Next up, Williams’ popular Primrose Hill restaurant, Odette will be offering a special St David’s Day Sunday lunch on March 1st. The celebratory meal features three courses for £40, with plenty of choices to make for each of the three stages. For starters, there’s a Welsh beef tartare with mushroom ketchup and rosemary cracker, up against, among others, leek and potato soup with a slow cooked egg and warm Caerphilly scone. In the mains, choose from Cornish turbot, shin of beef and cockles with sea herbs (a Great British Menu Winner in 2006); roast beef with all the trimmings; and a white onion risotto with pickled trompette mushies and pecorino for the veggie people or the veggie-inclined. The cheese and dessert course is pretty astounding too. Bara brith panna cotta served with a warm Welsh cake, a blackberry souffle and Welsh rarebit are all vying for your attention. The St David’s Day Sunday Lunch takes place on Sunday 1st March 2020 at Odette’s Restaurant, 130 Regents Park Road, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XL. For more information and to book, head HERE. Watch Some Rugby Rugby is a big deal in Wales. Is it Wales’s national sport? Some might contest that it’s football these days. But whatever, it’s still a big deal. Can’t people like both? Surely you can have two national sports? Can’t we all get on all the time? It’s the Six Nations, so two big Wales rugby games are taking place around St David’s Day. First off, you’ve got Wales vs France on Saturday 22nd February. Then you’ve got England vs Wales on Saturday 7th March. Get along to your local, or find a packed out sports bar or Welsh supporters event. They’re a bit before and after the day itself. But there are few more appropriate and enjoyable ways of celebrating St David’s Day in London than singing a few songs and watching the big guys in red. So, that's it for our St David's Day in London. As ever, if you have anything to add, let us know in the comments below. For information on how you can see London's best attractions with one pass, click the button below.

Matthew Pearson