Your first day in London can be overwhelming given the stature of the city. As the world’s oldest modern city, it is something to behold and should be visited at least once. Up there with Rome, Paris and Tokyo, the cultural and historical significance of London makes it a perfect city break.
Get Acquainted with The Tube
London’s underground rail system, affectionately and colloquially known as The Tube, is the oldest in the world. It was opened in 1836 and has grown to include 272 stations today. It spans almost the entire city metro system, The City of London, and some outlying suburbs. Knowing your stops will help you get around quickly, and you can use Oxford Circus luggage storage and other luggage storage facilities so you can enjoy your walk around the most popular areas.
Get a Map for Your First Day in London
London is big! As one of the biggest and densest cities on Earth, it spans 1,572 square kilometers. There’s also a lot to do in London, with many facilities and amenities packed into concentrated areas for tourists and locals alike. You will need a map to see what the place has to offer. No matter where you stay in London, there is always something exciting happening! Google Maps is an excellent tool for finding visitor-friendly places and additional information.
Hit the Most Popular Tourist Spots
Of course, there are many, many tourist spots that thousands of people flock to each and every day in London. These include Trafalgar Square, The British Museum, and Westminster Abbey, where Queen Elizabeth Tower (which houses Big Ben) stands. In many cities, you could plan around the busiest times. But like New York, London also never sleeps! Be prepared for crowds at the most popular destinations. But don’t let that put you off on missing spectacular activities.
Book a Show on Your First Day in London
So you will probably spend three days in London or more, and should book a show! London’s West End is home to some of the best theaters around. As such, the most entertaining and sought-after shows play all year round. As of 2024, some of the best include the following:
- Stranger Things: The First Shadow offers something supernatural.
- The whole family will enjoy Starlight Express from Andrew Lloyd Webber.
- You can’t miss Back to the Future for special effects and a little nostalgia.
- The Book of Mormon offers some tongue-in-cheek comedy for an older audience.
- If you love immersive musicals, then you can’t miss the classic Guys and Dolls.
It helps to book your shows early, such as before visiting or on the first day. It is rare that these remain open and often sell out. So snap up some tickets ASAP to avoid disappointment, and don’t forget to round off the night with a quiet drink and a steaming hot fish and chips.
Check Out the Royal Destinations
There are many tourist spots in London. However, given that London is the seat of the Royal Family for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, Royal destinations are in a class of their own. If you feel like something truly stunning, you can check out Royal establishments, if only for the mind-blowing architecture! Some of the most popular include The Tower of London, The Royal Mews, and, of course, Buckingham Palace, but you may need to grab tickets to enter.
Put Your Camera Away on the First Day in London
Okay, so your finger will itch to take photos. But do yourself a favor and try to resist the temptation to take photos on your first day. This is hard, but you want to experience and appreciate the places you are in, rather than debase them to cheap tourist thrills! For example, All Hallows by the Tower is 1,349 years old dating back to 675 AD, with some roads older than 2,000 years built over original Roman foundations. You can always come back later for pics.
End the Day with Excellent Food
Just one day in London will never be enough. Its size and complexity make it hard to get around everything in just 24 hours. So, when staying, take the time to find somewhere great to eat, reflect on your day, and plan the time ahead. There’s no shortage of excellent eateries in London. Yet, as a 24-hour city, there are some recommendations for late-night eating. Some of the most popular include Duck & Waffle, Bishopsgate, Refill Eaterie, Brixton, and Balans in Soho.
Summary
Just taking some time to get to know The Tube and a map of the city will help set you up for a great first day in London. It is also recommended that you book any shows you want to see in the West End as early as possible. And end the day with some excellent late-night food and drink.
