MapVivid
Buckingham Palace and around
A day in London · 9:30–17:15 · 5 stops
Open it on your phone:
mapvivid.com/london/itineraries/buckingham-palace-and-aroundA walking day around Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Parliament and London Eye, with a lunch break nearby and British Museum to end the day.
Every stop on Google Maps: open the list
Morning
9:301Buckingham Palace ↗1 hGo early
Official residence of the monarch with Changing of the Guard
- Check guard-change schedule online
- State Rooms open in summer
↓ 21 min walk
10:452Elizabeth Tower beside the Houses of Parliament
- Best photo from Westminster Bridge
- UK residents can book tower tours
↓ 8 min walk
12:003London Eye ↗1 hSunset
Giant observation wheel over the Thames
- Fast Track saves queue time
- Book sunset slots
Lunch
13:00Lunch break nearby · Find restaurants nearby on Google Maps ↗
↓ 19 min walk
Afternoon
14:304Covent Garden ↗1 hGo early
Piazza with street performers, shops and market
- Royal Opera House has free lunchtime events
- Eat off the main piazza for better prices
↓ 13 min walk
15:455British Museum ↗1 h 30 min
World history from the Rosetta Stone to Parthenon sculptures
- Free entry
- Pick three galleries to avoid fatigue
Good to know. Times are a guide for an unhurried pace. Check opening days before you go.
London tips
Transportation
- Tap in with contactless: use a contactless card or phone on the Tube and buses; daily and weekly fare caps apply automatically.
- Use the bus for sightseeing: double-decker routes pass major landmarks and use the same tap-in fare cap.
- Ride the Thames Clippers: Uber Boat by Thames Clippers offers river transport with great skyline views.
Local Hacks
- Walk between Tube stations: some central stations are closer on foot than by train, such as Covent Garden and Leicester Square.
- Enjoy free views: Sky Garden is free to visit with advance booking, offering panoramic city views.
- Use Citymapper: the app gives accurate routes across Tube, bus, rail and bike options in real time.
Saving
- Visit free museums: the British Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery and Natural History Museum are free to enter.
- Eat at markets: Borough Market and street food markets offer tasty meals for less than sit-down restaurants.
- Get theatre deals: use the TKTS booth in Leicester Square or day-seat schemes for discounted West End tickets.
Security
- Watch for pickpockets: be careful in crowded tourist areas like Oxford Street, the Tube and Leicester Square.
- Avoid street games: shell game scams on Westminster Bridge are rigged; walk past and keep your wallet away.
- Use licensed cabs: take black cabs or pre-booked minicabs; avoid unlicensed drivers touting for fares at night.
Cultural
- Stand on the right: on escalators, stand on the right and walk on the left; Londoners take this seriously.
- Queue politely: orderly queues are expected at bus stops, shops and attractions; never cut in line.
- Try a Sunday roast: pubs across London serve roast meat with Yorkshire pudding and gravy on Sundays.
Weather/Clothing
- Carry an umbrella: London rain is frequent but usually light; a compact umbrella or waterproof jacket is wise year-round.
- Layer for changeable weather: temperatures shift during the day, so bring layers even in summer.
- Wear comfortable shoes: you will walk a lot between stations and sights, so pick supportive footwear.
Planned with MapVivid. Opening hours change, so check each place before you go. This day, with the map: mapvivid.com/london/itineraries/buckingham-palace-and-around
Day 1 of 39:30–17:155 stops
Buckingham Palace and around
A walking day around Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Parliament and London Eye, with a lunch break nearby and British Museum to end the day.
Opens Google Maps with every stop of the day, ready to save to your own list.
Morning
109:30 · 1 hOfficial residence of the monarch with Changing of the Guard
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Check guard-change schedule online
- State Rooms open in summer
📷 Photos
21 min walk
210:45 · 1 hElizabeth Tower beside the Houses of Parliament
3 tips
- Best photo from Westminster Bridge
- UK residents can book tower tours
- Tours of Parliament run Saturdays
📷 Photos
8 min walk
312:00 · 1 hGiant observation wheel over the Thames
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Fast Track saves queue time
- Book sunset slots
- Go on clear days
📷 Photos
Lunch
Lunch break nearby · 13:00
Find restaurants nearby on Google Maps19 min walk
Afternoon
414:30 · 1 hPiazza with street performers, shops and market
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Royal Opera House has free lunchtime events
- Eat off the main piazza for better prices
📷 Photos
13 min walk
515:45 · 1 h 30 minWorld history from the Rosetta Stone to Parthenon sculptures
3 tips
- Free entry
- Pick three galleries to avoid fatigue
- Open late on Fridays some seasons
📷 Photos
Take this day with you
Add the stops to your calendar
Times are local time in London. Apple Calendar adds every stop at once (Outlook too). Google Calendar adds one event per link.
Times are a guide for an unhurried pace. Check opening days before you go.
More days in London
Day 2 of 3
Tower Bridge and around
🕘 9:30–17:30📍 5 stops
- 1Tower Bridge
- 2Tower of London
- 3Sky Garden
- 4St Pauls Cathedral
- 5Imperial War Museum
Day 3 of 3
Natural History Museum and around
🕘 9:30–16:15📍 4 stops
- 1Natural History Museum
- 2Victoria and Albert Museum
- 3Science Museum
- 4Portobello Road