Covent Garden Piazza
A bustling London hub with street performers, unique shops, and diverse dining in historic market buildings.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, lively atmosphere
Covent Garden Piazza
Best Time
Fewer crowds, lively atmosphere
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A bustling London hub with street performers, unique shops, and diverse dining in historic market buildings.
"Covent Garden is a vibrant, central spot with amazing street performers and great shopping!"
🎯 Catch the Street Performers
Arrive early to secure a good spot for the amazing street shows! Tip your favorites.
👟 Comfortable Shoes Essential
You'll be doing a lot of walking and exploring the market stalls and surrounding streets.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Piazza Performers
World-class street entertainers captivate crowds with music, magic, and comedy. A true Covent Garden spectacle!
Apple Market
Covent Garden Market
Discover unique crafts, jewelry, and art from independent artisans. Perfect for finding a special souvenir.
EL&N London Deli & Bakery
Covent Garden Market Piazza
Indulge in Instagrammable pastries, folded pizzas, and artisanal baked goods. A sweet treat for any visitor.
Amano's Rooftop
Covent Garden
Enjoy exceptional ambiance and rooftop views with candle-inspired lighting and heaters for comfort.
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Buzz
Street Performers & Shopping
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Catch the Street Performers
Arrive early to secure a good spot for the amazing street shows! Tip your favorites.
👟 Comfortable Shoes Essential
You'll be doing a lot of walking and exploring the market stalls and surrounding streets.
🍕 Bottomless Pizza Deals
Check out Doughnation Pizza for bottomless pizzas and pitchers on select evenings. +1
🤫 Explore Hidden Gems
Venture beyond the main piazza to discover unique shops and eateries.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Catch the Street Performers
Arrive early to secure a good spot for the amazing street shows! Tip your favorites.
👟 Comfortable Shoes Essential
You'll be doing a lot of walking and exploring the market stalls and surrounding streets.
🍕 Bottomless Pizza Deals
Check out Doughnation Pizza for bottomless pizzas and pitchers on select evenings. +1
🤫 Explore Hidden Gems
Venture beyond the main piazza to discover unique shops and eateries.
🎭 Theatre Land Proximity
Covent Garden is in the heart of London's theatre district, perfect for pre or post-show dining.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Covent Garden is celebrated for its lively atmosphere, diverse street performers, and excellent shopping and dining options. Visitors love the vibrant energy and the variety of experiences available. However, some find it can get very crowded, and prices for food and goods can be on the higher side.
"Covent Garden is a vibrant and historic destination in the heart of London. It offers excellent shopping, dining, and entertainment, including the Royal Opera House and West End theatres. The area boasts a lively atmosphere with street performers, markets, and seasonal events, all set against beautiful architecture. With its central location and great transport links, it’s a must-visit for all ages.
It covers between high brands marks and hand made shops ."
Saleh Turdi
"The Christmas atmosphere at Covent Garden is absolutely magical! The decorations are stunning, and the overall vibe is festive and cheerful. There’s a great selection of stores and a lovely marketplace to explore, making it a perfect spot for some holiday shopping. It does get quite busy during the Christmas season, but that just adds to the lively atmosphere. The area is very clean, with lots of street performers adding charm and entertainment. Plus, there are plenty of nice places around to eat and explore. Highly recommend visiting during the holidays!"
Seyurie Naidoo
"The best central place to be in London with shopping places, cafes and restaurants, my favourite parts are the terrace of the opera house and the Jubilee market is where you want to find nice handmade souvenirs and gifts. There’s always something happening there, whether it’s a late night musician playing on the entrance of the apple market or magicians doing shows next to the massive Christmas Tree, always joyful and pleasant to walk around."
Najlaa Jarbou
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Covent Garden is easily accessible via the London Underground. The nearest stations are Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line) and Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly Lines). Numerous bus routes also serve the area. +1
Yes, Covent Garden is very central and walkable to many major attractions like Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, and the South Bank.
The best way to explore Covent Garden is on foot. The area is compact and best enjoyed by strolling through the piazza and surrounding streets.
Parking in central London can be expensive and challenging. It's highly recommended to use public transport to reach Covent Garden. If driving, look for nearby car parks like the one at Seven Dials.
Yes, taxis and ride-share services can drop you off at the perimeter of Covent Garden. However, due to pedestrian zones, they may not be able to get directly into the heart of the piazza.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, entry to the Covent Garden Piazza and its public spaces is free. You only need to pay for specific attractions, performances, or purchases within the area.
The market stalls and shops generally open around 10 AM and close between 6 PM and 8 PM, with some restaurants and bars staying open later. It's best to check individual shop hours.
The street performers in Covent Garden are free to watch, but they rely on donations. It's customary to tip them if you enjoy their performance.
Yes, booking is highly recommended for popular restaurants, especially during peak hours and weekends, to avoid disappointment.
Yes, the London Transport Museum is a paid attraction within Covent Garden. Tickets can be purchased online or at the museum.
🍽️ 🛍️ Shopping & Dining
Covent Garden offers a diverse range of shops, from high-street fashion brands and beauty stores to independent boutiques, craft stalls in the Apple Market, and unique souvenir shops.
Many restaurants in Covent Garden offer vegan and gluten-free options. Doughnation Pizza, for example, explicitly states they have vegan pizza and gluten-free bases available.
Popular spots include Amano's Rooftop for its ambiance and views, Bunga Bunga for pizza making and cocktails, and various eateries within the market buildings. EL&N Deli & Bakery is also a hit for pastries and pizzas. 
Yes, Doughnation Pizza offers bottomless pizzas and pitchers on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
The Apple Market features a rotating selection of independent artists and craftspeople selling handmade goods, jewelry, art, and unique gifts. It's a great place to find artisanal treasures.
📸 📸 Photography
The Piazza itself, with its performers and architecture, is a prime photo spot. Also, explore the charming streets around Seven Dials and the colorful displays at EL&N Deli & Bakery.
Yes, it's generally acceptable to take photos of street performers, but always be respectful and consider tipping them for their entertainment.
Late afternoons offer beautiful golden hour light, while evenings provide a magical ambiance with the lights. Weekday mornings can offer fewer crowds for clearer shots.
Amano's Rooftop offers a unique perspective and great views of Covent Garden, making it an excellent spot for photography. +1
Covent Garden is ideal for street photography, capturing candid moments, architectural details, food photography, and vibrant people-watching scenes.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
💰 Budget Travelers
couples
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Magic of Street Performance
Visitors often find themselves captivated by the energy and skill of the artists. It's a fantastic way to experience free entertainment while exploring the area. Remember that these performers rely on the generosity of the audience, so if you enjoy the show, a small tip is greatly appreciated. The variety of acts ensures there's something to entertain everyone, making it a highlight for many who visit.
Shopping Delights: From Artisanal Crafts to Streetwear
Beyond the market, Covent Garden boasts a mix of high-street brands and independent boutiques. For streetwear enthusiasts, shops like Unicode and Kick Game offer curated selections of apparel and sneakers, with options for custom embroidery at Unicode.
+1Culinary Experiences: From Pizza to Rooftop Dining
For a more unique dining experience, Bunga Bunga provides a pizza-making class combined with cocktails and entertainment, creating a memorable night out.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit