26 April

Date: Thu 08 Jun 2023

What to do in London in a Day

Must-see locations for tourists visiting the city!

We all know that London is a hotspot for tourists with its record-breaking 19 million visitors last year - yep that’s 1.5 million a month! With all its delightful little wonders, it’s no surprise! From businessmen exploring the city’s renowned historical sites to students looking for cheap drinks and tasty food! We know how expensive London can be and that some of you are only here for a limited time, so we have created this list of things to do for both big spenders and for those of you that are on a budget!

High Tea at Ladurée in Harrods

The perfect place for Macaroon lovers—outside of Paris! The elegant Ladurée café in Harrods provides the perfect Parisian lunch experience. If Macaroons or 'high-tea' isn’t exactly your thing, they also have a lunch menu that offers a fusion of fine-dining and simplicity. Try the club lobster or just stick to Ladurée’s take on the classic French Croque-monsieur. It’s convenient location inside Harrods also means you get to see the world-famous department store that London is famous for and of course indulge in some luxury shopping.

Location: 87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL

Closest station: Knightsbridge (Central)

Opening hours: 10 am to 9 pm

Price: Approx £65 (Based on two people)

Official Harrods Site

Queen's Theatre

Calling all theatre lovers! What could be better than watching an all-time classic at the Queen's Theatre in London? Whether you want to see the classic Les Misérables or the Lion King, this is a fantastic experience. Its perfect location in London’s West End close to Leicester square means you have an abundance of options for a pre-theatre dinner so whether you want to eat Pizza or visit a Steakhouse, you do not have to travel far!

Location: 51 Shaftesbury Ave, Soho, London W1D 6BA

Closest station: Piccadilly Circus (Central)

Price: £52 - £127

Official Queen's Theatre Site

Tower Bridge

No one can come to London without visiting the famous Tower Bridge. To get the best experience (and view) possible, we would recommend exiting at London Bridge station and walking through Hays Galleria so you can walk by the river and up to the tower. If you are interested in the historical importance of Tower Bridge, then please feel free to follow the link below.

Location: Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP

Closest station: London Bridge (Central)

Price: Free

Official Tower Bridge Site

The Tate Modern

Feminism, history, media, modernity and a sky room with phenomenal views of London, this place has something for everyone! Being a tourist can be expensive; however, this wonderful gem is free for all! The Tate museum’s diverse collection of art ranges from classics such as Claude Monet’s Water-Lillie’s and Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Diptych to the Guerrilla Girls. The Tate is easily accessible from Blackfriars and Southwark station (10-minute walk) offering beautiful riverside views of the globe theatre.

Location: Bankside, London SE1 9TG

Closest station: Blackfriars and Southwark (Central)

Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 10 am - 6 pm

Price: Free (Excl. special displays)

Official Tate Modern Site

Regents Canal and Camden Town Market

Regents Canal has long been regarded as the 'Little Venice' of London; however, we find it more comparable to the canals of Amsterdam. This hidden gem is close to Camden town market with its quirky atmosphere and fantastic street food; you can spend the day exploring and eating here! The food market at KERB Camden is bound to satisfy all your cravings whether you fancy a vegan burger, a Venezuelan arepa or a Dutch pancake, they’ve got you covered! After filling your stomach with fantastic food why not take a romantic stroll along the canal (or a run if you want to burn off those calories!)

Location: Regents Canal

Closest station: Camden Town (North/Central)

Price: Free

Official Camden Market Site


The Shard

If the views from the top of the Tate building weren’t quite doing it for you, maybe the view from the shard will do! The shard offers the most spectacular unparalleled views of London from the highest possible point. If you’d like to enjoy a meal or drinks with your view then do head over to one of the restaurants and bars, however booking ahead for restaurants is strongly recommended!

Location: London Bridge

Closest station: London Bridge Station (Central)

Price for the view: £28 - £37 (Add a glass of Moët & Chandon champagne for £16pp)

Restaurant price: Approx min £100 (per person)

Official Shard Site


Shoreditch High Street

Shoreditch is arguably one of the 'coolest' areas in London with its array of bars, underground fashion markets and street art but it also has its romantic flair: the beautiful wall filled with love locks. It’s a much quirkier take on the classic Parisian love bridge, but its individual character is what makes it all the more special. When you're done admiring the street art and placing your own love lock on the wall, why not look through the tasty range of street food available at Box Park then later on head over to one of the many bars for a drink.

Location: Shoreditch

Closest station: Shoreditch High Street Station

Price: Free (Excl. Food, Shopping etc.)

Agree or disagree with anything we have said; would like to see more articles like this or suggest a new topic? Please do let us know at info@observelondon.com