Any first trip to London has to start with the classics—cue the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and some unforgettable views of this historic, quirky, and completely charming city. If this is your first trip abroad, welcome to a whirlwind day of sightseeing in Westminster—grab your walking shoes and let’s roll. No need to have an Oyster card anymore, if you have Apple pay or a similar method of payment on your phone. Just about everything in the UK is contactless pay – one of a thousand reasons to love this place!
Start your day at the London Eye, that giant Ferris wheel of fabulousness on the South Bank. Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s worth it.
Book ahead to avoid the queue and hop into one of the “bubbles” (clearly my favorite word around here). As you slowly rise above the city, soak in the panoramic views of the Thames, Big Ben, and beyond. It’s one rotation and about 30 minutes of “wow.”
Bubble tip: Try to go early in the morning—less crowds, and you might just catch that magical London morning light (yes, it exists).
After your flight through the sky, head across Westminster Bridge. Take your time. Snap some photos. Soak up the postcard-perfect view of Parliament.
And don’t forget to turn around—the Eye looks fantastic from this angle, too.
Once across the bridge, you’re smack in front of Big Ben (or more accurately, Elizabeth Tower, but who’s being formal?). Stand in awe. It’s iconic, and no matter how many photos you’ve seen, the real thing still stuns. Big Ben is actually part of the Houses of Pariament & Westminster Abbey is adjacent to that, so you’re in the thick of touristy London here!
Westminster Abbey is the royal venue of royal venues—coronations, weddings, and the final resting place of over 3,000 notable Brits.
Think:
Real talk: Book tickets in advance. Lines can be long, especially in peak season, and you don’t want to waste bubble-sipping time standing in one.
Once across the bridge, you’re smack in front of Big Ben (or more accurately, Elizabeth Tower, but who’s being formal?). Stand in awe. It’s iconic, and no matter how many photos you’ve seen, the real thing still stuns. Big Ben is actually part of the Houses of Pariament & Westminster Abbey is adjacent to that, so you’re in the thick of touristy London here!
Westminster Abbey is the royal venue of royal venues—coronations, weddings, and the final resting place of over 3,000 notable Brits.
Think:
Real talk: Book tickets in advance. Lines can be long, especially in peak season, and you don’t want to waste bubble-sipping time standing in one.
After checking out the Abbey, head north on Parliament Street into Whitehall. This is the area where the Prime Minister and other lawmakers work and reside.
If you’re into WWII history (and air-conditioned basements), the Churchill War Rooms are just around the corner. These underground bunkers are surprisingly captivating. Plus, Churchill’s voice booming from the speakers gives you all the dramatic vibes.
Trip-up tip: This museum isn’t huge, but it gets crowded fast. Try to time your visit midday when everyone else is busy lunching or queuing elsewhere.
Here you will also find the Cenotaph, the site for Remembrance Day events. You can also peek through the buildings on your right to get an amazing photo of the London Eye.
Stroll along Horse Guards Road to snap a photo with the famously stoic guards on horseback (spoiler: they won’t smile back). Bonus points if you catch the changing of the guards. You’re basically living the London postcard life now.
Continue north to Trafalgar Square, a lively hub considered by many to be the heart of the city and London’s city center.
Trafalgar Square is a wonderful place for sightseers and tourists but watch your bags! Pickpockets are all around just knowing that the majority of sightseers are easily distracted by all of the action.
Here you will find:
The Fourth Plinth is an underrated tourist site.
This was started as the base of a future equestrian statue for William IV, but the funding never materialized and neither did the statue.
A base now used for continual displays of everchanging art, it is always fun to see the latest creation. I recall seeing a large glass ship in a bottle residing there previously and wondering what it was. I did some research and now whenever I’m in Trafalgar, I’m intrigued to see what creative artwork is on display.
On another trip, the plinth was decorated with a huge dollop of whipped cream complete with a drone & cherry on top. Around the back side is an enormous, great fly. I. Was. Obsessed.
There’s talk now of erecting a statue of Elizabeth II on this plinth for a more permanent addition to Trafalgar – so watch for furture announcements!
I love the Brits! They seem at first quite stiff, but they have a wicked sense of humor. They also have their pulse sharply on the public mood, which is often subtly reflected in the art!
If all of this site seeing has brought on a hearty appetite, head down Northumberland Avenue off of Trafalgar Square. Take that just one city block and you will find the Sherlock Holmes Pub. I’ve had a few great meals here while taking in the ambiance of this beloved detective!
And come on—you’re in London. A pint and a pie in Sherlock’s name is practically mandatory.
After lunch, walk off that sticky toffee pudding by heading through Admiralty Arch and down The Mall (it’s the red one, typically lined with flags, & oh-so-very royal). This road leads you straight to Buckingham Palace, where you can mix with the crowds outside the gates for a selfie or two.
Planning a tour of Buckingham Palace does require reserved tickets, so definitely book that in advance. However, the Queen’s Gallery is a small art gallery on the south side of the grounds often has tickets for the exhibits that are available for walk-up attendance.
I was able to grab a ticket for the Russia – Royalty and the Romanovs exhibit in 2019 and saw the Vladimir Tiara. Such a stunning piece of jewelry! If you can’t get in to see the palace, definitely check out the Queen’s Gallery.
That’s a busy day, but a great chance to see a lot of touristy sites in one afternoon! Heading back to your hotel, you can walk north through The Green Park, (or just Green Park as the locals say), to catch the Jubilee, Piccadilly, or Victoria lines at the Green Park Station. If you need the Circle, District, or Victoria lines, head south from Buckingham Palace to Victoria Station.
Pickpocket PSA: Keep your valuables close—tourist spots like Trafalgar and the Tube are prime hunting grounds for sneaky fingers. Don’t let anyone steal your bubble budget.
