by Jeny Rizo-Perez and Zainab Husein
London is no ordinary city. It’s a place you could visit as a tourist every day and never really run out of unique things to do. But sometimes you find yourself with only one day in England’s capital city thanks to a layover. And if that’s all you’ve got, take it! We’ve had the good fortune of visiting the United Kingdom on several occasions. Just last year, one of us went in May and the other in June. So we decided to pull a list together of five places that we’d definitely not want to miss if we found ourselves here just once for 24 hours. (And we’ve got a map at the bottom to help you find your way!)
National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery is the most captivating art gallery you might come across because of who this gallery brings you to face with. Unlike other museums filled with landscapes and other abstract works, this gallery is dedicated to portraits only. Featuring pieces from all over the world, we especially loved Mary Shelley’s portrait by Richard Rothwell, which captures the intensity of the author of the iconic Frankenstein. Another piece we enjoyed was the Chandos portrait of William Shakespeare, which feels like you’re making direct eye contact through time with him somehow. Yes, it is one of the most well-known images of Shakespeare and getting to see it in person is really cool. Located near Trafalgar Square, the NPG is in a prime location and very easily accessible when walking across central London, which is what you want when you’ve only got a day. What truly sets this place apart from the others is how immersive and intimate it feels. Being there feels like you’re encountering all of these legacies, face-to-face, with their stories and histories; their portraits speak.
Daunt Books Marylebone
Walking into Daunt Books feels like stepping into a cozy, dreamy, and calming library. What makes this place so charming is the organization of the books. They’re laid out in wooden oak shelves on three floors, arranged by geographical region, with the most enchanting skylights, encouraging readers to explore the world through literature. My favorite section that I walked into was the downstairs area, which was made up of the “America, Africa, Asia, and Australasia” and the “Russia” book sections. Daunts Books is a distinctive independent bookstore. It truly feels like you’re traveling between the pages when you start browsing, enveloped by the warmth of this place. I spent hours exploring the shelves and picked up Metamorphosis, from the Little Clothbound Classics, by Franz Kafka. I also chose a lovely white tote bag featuring a green outline of the interior of Daunt’s Books in all its wonder too, because who doesn’t need a book bag from one of the best bookstores ever!
Cafe Maya
Cafe Maya is the place to go to refresh and get away from all the tourists you’ll likely find yourself wondering and wandering around with. This tucked-away corner of the city seems to slow everything down just a little. When you enter, the comforting smell of coffee and cozy atmosphere make it less like a busy London cafe and more like a place that you can truly unwind in for a couple of hours.
It’s just steps behind the famous “Mail Rail” British Postal Museum, where you can “travel through tunnels used for the delivery of mail on a miniature train.” It’s also less than a mile away from the British Museum, making it an easy and worthwhile stop during a day of exploring.
When I visited, they had many breakfast options, but I wanted to try their iced latte – and let me tell you, I had the most delicious caramel iced latte of my entire trip! Served in a cute, clear jar, it was perfectly balanced with just the right amount of smooth, sweet caramel syrup blended into the coffee without it being too overpowering. My friends and I sat there for over an hour, talking and just savoring our drinks. Afterall, being in London isn’t about rushing around and checking off all the must-sees. You need to take time to sit and enjoy being there! By the end of it, we couldn’t stop talking about how amazing our drinks were. We regretted not finding this place sooner, especially since we only discovered it two days before our study abroad ended.
It’s not just us. Cafe Maya had been praised by a local guide on Dine Awards, saying, “Prices are mercifully reasonable, astonishing given London’s notorious cafe price inflation.” The guide describes the location as having “hearty breakfast, friendly staff, [and] unbeatable value.” The Cafe Maya feels like a little home away from home and is definitely a place I hope to return to.
Hyde Park
Hyde Park carries centuries of history. People have been walking across it for hundreds of years. Originally established in 1536 by Henry VII, it is now a global tourist attraction. The park offers endless amenities and activities, one of the best of being the little lake they call The Serpentine. Don’t miss the chance to rent a boat while there and take in the views of the park from across the lake. I found it so interesting how the park is able to blend both city life and nature in a way that makes it feel truly unique to London.
The Rose Garden is a must-see here too, especially if you’re lucky enough to visit with in early June like I did. Why? The memory of being there, surrounded by hundreds of roses that have just bloomed, truly just stays with you, no matter how far away from the park you manage to find yourself. I thought that the ducks there were just too cute and spent most of my time feeding them, so be sure to be on the lookout! Entrance into the park is completely free, so if you’re looking for an affordable and fun way to spend your evening, look no further than Hyde Park.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
Cameras aren’t allowed inside The Globe, but they don’t stop you from snapping a pic before going inside. This was before we went into “Romeo and Juliet” last summer. Photo by Jeny Rizo (May 22, 2025).
Love it or hate it, everyone’s heard of Shakespeare’s plays! But did you know you can actually still see a performance in the same spot his work originated? Shakespeare’s Globe is a reconstruction of the original theater built right where the world’s most famous playwright staged many of his plays. The Shakespeare Trust Birthplace states that “Henry V, Julius Caesar, As You Like It, Hamlet, Measure for Measure, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, and Antony and Cleopatra” have all been performed here.
Located along the South Bank of the River Thames, directly across from St. Paul’s Cathedral, the theater’s exterior beautifully captures the spirit of London. It’s one of the best ways to experience London’s theatrical history with a glimpse of what it was like to live when these famous plays were first written.
When I visited last May, I saw Romeo and Juliet. I was surprised that while The Globe is a theatre, it is still outdoors, which I was not expecting. Before the show began, I picked up some merch, including a “What fools these mortals be” card and a “To be or not to be” pin, which I love looking at and remembering the fun we had there.
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