Covent Garden Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
St. Paul\'s Church featuring a garden as well as an individual male
Sit back and watch the street performers in London’s historic piazza, or venture down the winding alleys to seek out the bars and boutiques that are hidden away.

Covent Garden, situated on the edge of London’s West End, has had a colourful history ever since its beginnings in the 17th century as a small open-air fruit and vegetable market. Today, the cobbled piazza is a hive of activity, buzzing with street performers ranging from string quartets to mime artists and comedians.

The original fruit and vegetable market moved to South London in the 1970s, but Covent Garden remains a haven for food-lovers. The numerous restaurants and cafés offer cuisine from all over the world. Why not try a lunch of Spanish paella, North African curries or Thai street food? Close by, Monmouth Street is home to many charming tea rooms and coffee bars serving a range of delicious pastries and cakes. For something a little stronger, head for the many historic and atmospheric pubs offering traditional British beer.

Each section of Covent Garden has something different to offer. Whilst the main piazza may be the focal point, there’s plenty to discover in the streets leading off this area. Seven Dials is named after the small junction where seven streets converge with a pillar at its centre bearing multiple sundials, and offers fashion-forward boutiques and trendy cafés. Don’t miss Neal’s Yard between Shorts Garden and Monmouth Street, famous for the natural health and beauty shop Neal’s Yard Remedies and the excellent Neal’s Yard Dairy. For mainstream retail therapy, head to Long Acre just north of the piazza where you’ll find many of the top British high-street shops.

One of the most prestigious attractions to be found in Covent Garden is the Royal Opera House. Home to the Royal Opera, the Royal Ballet and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, this venue that dates back to 1732, offers some of the best artistic performances in the world. Listings and tickets are available from the Royal Opera House Website.

The nearest Underground station is Covent Garden. At peak times, Leicester Square Underground station is a good alternative.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Covent Garden Hotel Deals

The Tower Hotel, London
The Tower Hotel, London
4 out of 5
St Katharine's Way, London, England
The price is NZ$267 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
NZ$267
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (4,280 reviews)
"Really nice rooms, great location, good food, nice bar."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

The Tower Hotel, London
AMANO Covent Garden
AMANO Covent Garden
4 out of 5
34-43 Russell St, London, England
The price is NZ$441 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
NZ$441
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (675 reviews)
"Rooms were a bit dusty and could use some cleaning"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

AMANO Covent Garden
The Hoxton Holborn
The Hoxton Holborn
4 out of 5
199 - 206 High Holborn, London, England
The price is NZ$377 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
NZ$377
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,007 reviews)
"great location, walking distance from Euston, Covent Garden and the strand. Spotless. We stayed in a Cosy room and we were surprised how good the size was. Really nice interior design and modern. Great coffee. Couldn’t ask for more!"

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2024

The Hoxton Holborn
Strand Palace Hotel
Strand Palace Hotel
4 out of 5
372 The Strand, London, England
The price is NZ$369 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
NZ$369
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,008 reviews)
"My stay was excellent."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Strand Palace Hotel
President Hotel
President Hotel
3.5 out of 5
56-60 Guildford Street, London, England
The price is NZ$337 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
NZ$337
per night
8 Apr - 9 Apr
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,298 reviews)
Perfect for site seeing
"Hotel was great, perfect location for sight seeing, nice and clean with friendly staff. Breakfast was great and very reasonably priced. Would recommend. Close to Russell Square tube station and british museum."

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2024

President Hotel
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
4 out of 5
200 Westminster Bridge Road, London, England
The price is NZ$451 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
NZ$451
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,539 reviews)
"Beautifully presented property. Room stunningly decorated. Extremely ckesn. Staff were extremely helpful and very pleasant"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Covent Garden

Carnaby Street which includes a square or plaza as well as a large group of people

London City Centre

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, stunning river views and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in London City Centre. Top attractions like Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus are major draws. Catch the metro at Charing Cross Underground Station or Leicester Square Underground Station to see more of the city.

London City Centre
Soho

Soho

Soho is beloved for its fantastic nightlife. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Oxford Street and Soho Square.

Soho
Bloomsbury showing street scenes and heritage architecture

Bloomsbury

4.5/5(209 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Bloomsbury. Check out top attractions like The British Museum and Russell Square, and jump on the metro at Euston Square Underground Station or Russell Square Underground Station to see more of the city.

Bloomsbury
Mayfair

Mayfair

Travellers love Mayfair for its popular shops, and you can see more of London by jumping on the metro at Bond Street Underground Station or Bond Street (Elizabeth Line) Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Oxford Street and Berkeley Square.

Mayfair
West End showing heritage architecture, street scenes and night scenes

West End

Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square are a few top attractions in West End. Hop around the city on the metro at Bond Street (Elizabeth Line) Station or Oxford Circus Underground Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

West End
Victoria showing a city and heritage architecture

Westminster

While you're in Westminster, take in top sights like Big Ben and jump on the metro at St. James's Park Underground Station to see more of the city.

Westminster


Covent Garden Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: