The perfect 1-day London itinerary

If you’re in London for a limited time, the overwhelming amount of choice may paralyze you. There’s so much to see in a single day and there’s so little time. If it’s your first time, then it might be worth doing the tourist faves. So if you’ve only got a single day, here’s my suggestion for a 1-day London itinerary that you won’t forget with a fairly linear path that won’t have you dashing back and forth around the city.

Tower of London – 9 to 11AM

You’ll begin your day by heading down to the Thames. It won’t be hard to miss the imposing structure of the Tower. By going to the Tower when it’s just opening, you’ll be able to avoid some of the worse crowds.

That means spending two hours here will be extremely productive to walk around, see the crown jewels, and learn the history (including being present at the spot where so many executions took place during the Middle Ages).
Tower Bridge – 11 – 1PM

You won’t be going far for your next visit. Just a stone’s throw away from the Tower is Tower Bridge (the name gives it away). It’s an iconic sight that you can take pictures of before you start your visit.
Lunch – 1PM – 2PM

Before the day continues, find a quick lunch spot along the river. Don’t go too far, as your next itinerary stop departs from nearby. Luckily, there’s plenty of options for you around the Tower.
Thames Cruise – 2PM to 3PM

Head to the river and buy your tickets for a cruise along the Thames. There are multiple piers that you can pick up the boat, but the closest is the Tower Millennium Pier. Make sure you’re headed in the direction of the London Eye!
London Eye – 3 – 4PM

Your next stop will be at the London Eye Pier. This brings you right to the London Eye for your next itinerary stop. Get your tickets ahead of time so you can pick the perfect time to go, and then enjoy the sights of London from above!
Covent Garden & Dinner – 4 – 6PM

You’ll need to do a little travelling for your next stop, but riding the Tube is something I highly recommend. In general, riding the public transit in any city you go to is a must-do for me. Once you arrive in Covent Garden, you have a wealth of options for dinner. Find something that speaks to you, do some shopping, and enjoy!
West End Show – 7PM Average Start

End your day with a show in the West End. There’s plenty to choose from, though I would recommend buying your tickets ahead of time. However, if you aren’t fussed about what you see, you can head to a TKTS booth mid-day at Leicester Square to get cheaper tickets. However, you won’t have much control of what you see or where you sit. If you want to avoid the booth, you can also buy online.