A local’s guide to spending 24 hours in London – the best things to do, places to visit, along with some great food spots in Central London!
I’ve been living in London on and off since 2019, so if you’re looking for a 1 day itinerary or just things to do to spend 24 hours in London, welcome here!
I have chosen some free museums, some of my favorite cheap eats and bakeries, and some really cool, completely free things to do in London.
Whether you’re traveling to London for the first time solo, with your partner or your kids, take notes!
Some of these are perfect romantic date ideas if you want to find something a bit different to do – but if you’re staying for longer, do check out my 3-day itinerary, and 10-day itinerary too.
24 Hours in London: What to Do, See and Eat in One Day
There are a good number of ways to spend 24 hours in London, and it kind of depends on the budget and where you’re staying.
If you’re planning to live in London on a budget while staying here, there are some activities (like a fancy brunch) you probably won’t do.
What airport you’re arriving at matters too, but in this case, we’ll start our 1 day in London itinerary around King’s Cross and Euston!
Free Things to Do in 24 Hours in London: Visit the Wellcome Collection
The Wellcome Collection is one of the most unusual museums in London and located on Euston Road.
You could start by having some kind of breakfast or brunch in King’s Cross (assuming you arrive by train) and walk your way to this incredible body and health museum.
It’s probably one of the most nontouristy ways to start spending 24 hours in London, but the Wellcome Collection definitely is one of my favorite picks.
Plus, it’s an amazing place to write in London if you want to chill for a bit before getting on with your full day.
Read: Italy in London: An Unusual Itinerary to Italian Places in London
Free Things to Do in 24 Hours in London: Visit the British Museum
Another one of my favorite free museums in London is the British Museum, with its Egyptian, Roman, Greek, and Assyrian arts.
There is also African and Japanese art at the British Museum, and if you’re an arts and history lover, that’s a must visit.
There are hidden gems around every corner at the British Museum, and something I’d recommend if you’re looking for mainly free things to do in 24 hours in London.
Read: Paris in London: An Unusual Itinerary to French Places in London
Free Things to Do in 24 Hours in London: Relax at a Free Rooftop
Close to the British Museum, on Museum Street, you will find one of the most secret and free rooftops in London at the Post Building.
After so much walking, you’ll definitely want to rest, and surrounded by the greenery, you’ll be able to do just that.
We’ll go to Oxford Street later, but if you want to have lunch, then one of the best cheap eats in London, Chopstix Noodle Bar, is located close to the Post Building Rooftop.
Read: Morocco in London: An Unusual Itinerary to Moroccan Places
Free Things to Do in 24 Hours in London: Visit Camden Town and Its Markets
After lunch (try to make it light – or even eat on a budget with a meal deal from a supermarket), let’s take the Tube from Tottenham Court Road to Camden Town!
And we’re going to pay a visit to some of the best charity shops in London, amongst which Traid Camden, Cancer Research, Oxfam and the British Heart Foundation.
You’ll find plenty of places to go shopping in London, but Camden High Street and Camden Market are filled with good places that are great to start with.
There are also lots of cool things to do in Camden Town if you choose to spend some more time around this area: street art, vintage shops, and taking in the lively vibe of the area are my favorite things to do there.
Free Things to Do in 24 Hours in London: Eat at an Affordable Asian Buffet
If you haven’t eaten around Oxford Street, it’s time to make your way towards Max Orient, the Asian buffet located near Camden Lock.
It’s one of my favorite cheap eats in London, and you really get a bang for your buck there.
Free Things to Do in 24 Hours in London: Visit Daunt Books Marylebone
After lunch, a visit to Daunt Books, one of the most beautiful bookshops in London, might be necessary to splurge on a new edition of your favorite books.
A book about London is, and has always been I feel, one of the best things to buy in London.
I visit the Foyles Bookshop on Charing Cross Road more often, as I seem to spend more time around Soho and Covent Garden when I live in London, but Daunt Books in Marylebone also offers a plethora accessories and gifts.
Read: Marylebone’s Hidden Gems: A Quick Itinerary in Central London
Cheap Things to Do in 24 Hours in London: Pay a Visit to Portobello Market and Notting Hill
Then, a ride on the bus will take you to Portobello Market, one of the most famous markets in London.
From vintage clothes and antiques to some of the best street food in London, Portobello Market makes you feel surrounded with goodness.
The baked goods there, specifically, are a slice of joy, close to some of the most colorful streets in Notting Hill.
Read: Fitzrovia’s Hidden Gems: A Quirky Itinerary in London
Free Things to Do in 24 Hours in London: Visit Pretty Mews
Close to Notting Hill, you have Paddington and Conduit Mews, which are nothing short of the cutest mews in London.
They are some of the most colorful and the paint is well-preserved, making it one of the coolest photo spots in London if you would like to do so.
In addition to the pretty Conduit Mews, I would also recommend checking out the Paddington statue, and checking out the few charity shops that Paddington offers – I’ve found there a good handful of second hand books and pretty jewelry that I still have to this day!
Read: Rotherhithe’s Hidden Gems: A Unique London Itinerary
Free Things to Do in 24 Hours in London: Rest at the Italian Gardens
From Conduit Street, walk your way to the nearby Italian Gardens, at the entrance of Kensington Gardens.
You’re only a few minutes away on foot, and the Italian Gardens are probably some of the most secret gardens in London.
While being right there in one of the most famous parks in town!
Read: A Local’s Fashion in London Itinerary from Museums to Shops
Free Things to Do in 24 Hours in London: Walk Up Oxford Street
At this point, you might start getting tired, so I’d really recommend you get around by Tube and bus if you’re coming to spend 24 hours in London.
There is a lot to see, and I’ve already created other London itineraries for book lovers, kids, couples you should check out no matter what your tastes are: foodie itineraries, fashion, cultural…
Do check them out, but for now, walking in Central London, you’ll be able to discover some of the best shops on Oxford Street.
TK Maxx with its skincare, candles and discounted designer bags, Primark and its notoriously cheap clothes, Office and their trendy shoes, the Disney store with its plush toys…
There are also plenty of really cool hidden gems on Oxford Street, starting with the Queen of Time right above the entrance of the Selfridges department store!
Read: Dark Academia in London: A Secret London Itinerary
Free Things to Do in 24 Hours in London: Take Pictures of Soho
From Oxford Street, you can reach Soho via a myriad of perpendicular streets – including Carnaby Street.
I really love spending time in this area; there’s a lot of things to do in Soho, from clothes shops to street food, and nearby, Piccadilly Circus.
One of the most instagrammable shops in London, Irregular Choice with its crazy British shoes, is located on Carnaby Street.
Around, you’ll also find plenty of street art and colorful houses.
Read: A Quirky Bookish Itinerary in London
Free Things to Do in 24 Hours in London: Eat a Snack at Chinatown Bakery
When you’re in Soho, you’re basically a stone’s throw away from the many shops and restaurants in Chinatown.
And amongst those restaurants, you have one of the most perfect bakeries in London – Chinatown Bakery.
With its fluffy cakes, Asian drinks and chicken puffs, it’s still one of the cheapest places to eat when you’re spending 24 hours in London.
Read: The Old London: A Historic Itinerary in the City of London
Free Things to Do in 24 Hours in London: Pay a Visit to Leicester Square Statues
What to do next in just 1 day in London?
Well, from Chinatown, walk three minutes and you’re in Leicester Square.
Definitely not a nontouristy thing to do in London, paying a visit to the statues in Leicester Square is something I do quite often.
I’d usually go to Chinatown Bakery or nearby Chinese Tapas House and eat my snacks sitting in Leicester Square.
There, you have statues of Paddington, Mr Bean, Mary Poppins, Frank Sinatra and, in the middle of the square, a famous statue of Shakespeare – they’re all really cool to photograph!
Read: The Prettiest Places for Nature in London
Free Things to Do in 24 Hours in London: Visit the National Gallery + Covent Garden
Leicester Square is located about 5 minutes from Trafalgar Square and the National Portrait Gallery, and 10 minutes from Covent Garden.
And these are our two next spots to visit when spending 24 hours in London!
The National Portrait Gallery is one of the free museums in London which are popular all year round, but I have to say my favorite thing there is the architecture.
It’s incredible, with a mix of genres and colors that make you say ‘wow’ when you discover the museum.
Read: The Prettiest East London Neighborhoods
The shops in Covent Garden are a good reason to stop there next, but the architecture is also incredible.
If you’re ever looking for free views in London, there’s even a hidden roof terrace that towers Covent Garden.
Lots of good cafes in Covent Garden, delicious restaurants, and one of the best spots to see Christmas lights in London too.
Read: The Prettiest Streets in Covent Garden
Best Things to Do in 24 Hours in London: Eat a Neapolitan Pizza at 50 Kalo
By the time you reach 50 Kalo di Ciro, right in front of Trafalgar Square, you probably won’t even want to eat.
London is a very bustling city, and 24 hours in London can be really tiring – especially if it’s your first time traveling to London.
Hence the choice of junk food.
50 Kalo offers some of the cheapest pizza in London; a Margherita is always my go-to.
If you still have some strength in your bones, then you can walk down Northumberland Avenue to see the sunset in London on the Thames.
Read: Where to See Autumn Colors in London?
24 Hours in London: What to Do, See and Eat in One Day
There you have them, all the best things to do in 24 hours in London, or whenever you want, really!
I tried to create a really complete guide which could be cool for locals and travelers.
There are a few things I wish I knew when going to London the first time, and it’s that there is a whole brunch of free things to do here!
And it doesn’t matter whether you’re spending one day, two days, three days, or 4 days in London!