A contrasting mix of a buzzing cosmopolitan vibe with chic vistas & an elegant and elaborate legacy, a day in London is an introduction to the city's many chapters of history.

Bustling with landmarks and heritage monuments, London’s streets are steeped in history and one is but spoilt for choice with the diversity of options. From history walks around legendary Buckingham Palace to serene river cruises along Thames or an arthouse delicacy at West End London or the National Gallery, the long and fascinating legacy of the city that spans over two millennia opens up a world of possibilities and experiences for visitors to take their pick from. London has, no wonder, made its own very distinctive mark on the world map as a tourist destination and while exploring it within the slight of a day is near to impossible, India Outbound compiles a guide to the connected landmarks around the nerve centre of the city for the visitors to experience in a day.

Buckingham Palace

Home to the monarch of the UK, the iconic Buckingham Palace is easily on the to-dos list for anyone visiting London. This majestic castle is one of the only few working palaces left in the world. All the more reason why visitors can start their London tour from this key destination which was once the centre of power that controlled much of the world. The historic changing of guard and palace garden guided tours are available for visitors that can be booked online from the Royal Collection of Trust. Palace doors are open to public every summer as well as for selected dates during winter and spring for guided tours.

Art aficionados could include the British Museum in the itinerary, which is just a 20-minute walk or 12-minute tube ride from here.

Trafalgar Square

Visitors can head next to Trafalgar Square. As the epicentre of social movements, a bustling site of fun and frolic, and one of those locations that is simply a crowd magnet, Trafalgar Square has served as a lasting emblem of Britain’s legacy at the heart of tourist London.

From the centre of the square emerges a huge Nelson’s Column, protected by four bronze lions and adorned with fountains and waterfalls. Nonchalant pigeons, street performers to classic black taxis zooming in on all directions and iconic red double deckers are a usual sight in this lively city centre.

Showcasing paintings from the Italian Renaissance and French Impressionists and as far back as the mediaeval period, the National Gallery surrounds the north side of Trafalgar Square and is the fourth most visited art museum in the world. Exploring the free visit to this arthouse is a non-negotiable to satiate any creative appetite.

Westminster Palace, Big Ben and the London Eye 

A short walk, and an even shorter tube or bus ride takes one to London’s celebrated Big Ben, officially known as the Elizabeth Tower. Both located on the same side of the river Thames in central London, distance between Big Ben and the London Eye is barely a km. Visitors might want to include riding the London Eye for unmatched views of the cityscape.

Located in close proximity is Parliament, also known as the Westminster Palace. The oldest royal residence in London, one of the city’s most landmark buildings, and a World Heritage site, the Westminster Palace has served as a royal house, a court, and even a prison for troublesome MPs.

The palace’s neo-gothic architecture’s appeal continues to captivate visitors and artists alike, representing a striking sequence of the eras bygone with its distinctive artistic construction of perpendicular style and an oak roof that is known to be one of the greatest achievements of mediaeval English Gothic art.

Cruise on the Thames

River Thames is source of trade and transport yet also of beauty and heritage, it is said that the river is what made London the capital city today. A short walk from Big Ben to any of the cruise piers takes one to the popular London River Cruises. It is an ideal way to leisurely explore the city and soak in the breathtaking vistas of the city including St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, the Shard, and much more, as one cruises along the River Thames.

The history, culture and significance of the places that passengers encounter along the journey are explained in detail by the informative commentary that is provided on many Thames cruises in a variety of languages. Most circular loop cruises are about an hour long.

A West End show or at the National Theatre

The grandeur and ambiance of London’s West End theatres have a long and illustrious theatrical history, adding to the whole experience of watching a performance here. Many of the productions here are appreciated around the world for being immersive displays of human performance, exemplary finesse and award-winning in multi-faceted arenas.

Visitors can end the day with an iconic play like A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams or musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Les Misérables by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg. Attending a show at the West End really transcends one in pulsating with the thriving arts and entertainment capital of the city.