If you’re looking for a vibrant, diverse, and busy area in London then Covent Garden is the place for you. It’s known mainly for its theatres and entertainment, but Covent Garden has something to offer for everyone. You could easily spend a whole day exploring Covent Garden and not see it all. And you’ll definitely want to head back time and time again.
Visit the Apple & East Market
The Apple & East Market in the square of Covent Garden offers a range of unique jewellery prints and one-off antiques throughout the week.
I like to stop off here to get some sweets and also love the handmade soaps for gifts around Christmas time. It’s also a great place to come and wander around if you find yourself with some time to spare.
See the flowers at Petersham Nurseries
A relatively new addition to Covent Garden but one that has already made its mark. A restaurant, a florist, a shop and so much more, Petersham Nurseries covers everything.
I love popping into the shop and having a wander around. They have some of the most beautiful home decorations I have ever seen. It’s also a lovely spot to catch up with friends.
Visit a burlesque show and have pizza at Bunga Bunga
Do I need to explain? Pizza and burlesque dancers make for a great evening out.
The pizza at Bunga Bunga is a light thin base that’s stretched out and long enough for the whole table to grab a slice.
And while enjoying your pizza you can even watch a show. This makes for quite a wild night so be prepared.
Try Hot Yoga at Yotopia
If you enjoy yoga then you must visit Yotopia Yoga studio and try their Myo-Fit yoga and Pilates class.
It’s a great class for those looking to be more flexible and uses scientific research as well as hand and leg weights.
They have two studios, one hot and one more tepid so take your pick of which session you would rather.
Try a different type of ice cream at Milk Train
I first discovered Milk Train two years ago and have been hooked since. If you love ice cream and candy floss like me, you too will love it.
They combine an ice-cream cone with candyfloss, then add soft serve ice cream (they have different flavours daily) and then top it off with your favourite toppings.
The taste is great but make sure you get a photo before it melts away.
Tacos and Margaritas at Cafe Pacifico
One of my favourite Mexican restaurants in the city has to be Cafe Pacifico. The menu offers some of the best tacos around town and the margaritas are divine.
I love coming here for a girl’s night out as it covers two of my favourite things; food and cocktails. It has a very chilled vibe and you can book for groups or if it’s just two of you, you can usually just show up, there’s hardly any waiting time.
Stay at the Henrietta Hotel
One of my favourite hotels in Covent Garden has to be Henrietta Hotel. I love the style, interior, and location of this hotel.
It’s so chic and has some of the loveliest views of Covent Garden overlooking the London Eye. With only 18 rooms, this boutique hotel has a key focus on food, and who doesn’t love food?
My favourite thing about this hotel is just how cosy it feels. The Henrietta room has one of the nicest bathrooms I’ve ever seen and the location of the Hotel means you are right in the middle of Covent Garden.
Spend time at St Martin’s Courtyard
Within Covent Garden, there is St Martins Courtyard. Here there are a variety of different restaurants, shopping destinations, and lifestyle spots to visit.
The area itself is secluded from the rest of Covent Garden and as a result, is a lot quieter than the rest of Covent Garden.
Spend the evening at the Royal Opera House
Whether you like opera or not, it’s definitely worth visiting the Royal Opera House. Over Christmas, I love coming here to watch the Nutcracker.
It’s something the entire family can enjoy together. You can also stop off here to meet friends for drinks or dinner before the show making it a great evening out.
Head to Sway for Limitless Thursday
Pizza, prosecco, 90 minutes. That’s what you get at Sway’s Limitless Thursday. From 5 pm until 3 am every Thursday head to Sway to eat as much pizza and prosecco as you can.
As a pizza lover, this is one of my favourite places to go. It’s great for work parties, a girl’s night out, or even a regular Thursday night to be honest. If you spot me in the back on my do come say hi.
Go visit a Comedy show at Top Secret Comedy Club
If you’re looking for a laugh then look no further. Top Secret Comedy Club has some of the funniest comedians around.
Pick a night that suits you and your humour. But I like to go to work-in-progress shows. These are free and you get to see comedians practice their shows before big comedy festivals.
Make sure you book in advance though as these tend to sell out quickly.
Get a massage at Relax
Ever been shopping and felt like you could do with a massage? I know I have.
That’s why I love Relax in Covent Garden. Now and then after shopping, I like to go and have a chair massage. They are quick, easy, and really do the job.
It’s like an express on-the-go massage. If that’s not your thing and you’d rather a proper massage they also offer full body massages and couple massages.
Eat gelato at Venchi
Like ice cream? Me too!
After dinner sometimes I like to always head to Venchi to have some authentic Italian gelato. I first visited Venchi in Milan and fell in love with the gelato and friendly staff.
When I found out they had a branch in Covent Garden it quickly became my go-to spot. Each of the flavours is more delicious than the next and you can also pick up some fancy Italian chocolate to take home for later.
Floral classes at The Covent Garden Academy of Flowers
From one-day to four-week courses, if floral arrangement takes your fancy, pop into The Covent Garden Academy of Flowers.
As my mum’s birthday and Mother’s day usually fall on the same week I tend to get her a custom floral arrangement from there, which she absolutely loves.
In the courses, you can create anything from wreaths to wedding arrangements.
Dine at Rules, the oldest restaurant in London
Rules is the oldest restaurant in London.
Although I’ve never dined here myself I’ve heard great things about it.
The menu is great and has such a welcoming feeling.
Coffee and breakfast at Abuelo
Relatively new to Covent Garden Abuelo is a hidden gem on the corner of Southampton Street.
I regularly come here for breakfast meetings, as it’s healthy and lightweight.
Abulelo mixes South American and Australian coffee beans to create their unique coffee, which is divine.
Have bottomless brunch at Mabel’s
Brunch during the mid-morning is just the best thing ever invented.
At Mabel’s, you have it all, food, drinks, and entertainment. It’s the perfect way to get your weekend started.
They have bottomless brunches every Saturday 11 am – 3:30 pm and the venue itself is vibrant and quirky with a relaxed feel to it.
A Cultural Experience at Somerset House
Set in the heart of London, this spectacular building was once home to royal consorts and is now home to a diverse range of artistic enterprises. Excellence in culture and art are at the heart of Somerset House today which includes the Courtauld Gallery, housing an important collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings.
For anyone working on a budget, Somerset House is free to enter, with free tours on certain days. In front of the house, the courtyard has a spectacular set of 55 fountains to admire and is the setting for their magnificent winter ice skating rink.
Try Restorative Colour Therapy at Covent Garden Infinity Chamber
If you need to take a little time out from the buzz of city life, step into the Covent Garden Infinity Chamber and be transported to a place of calm. The chamber uses thousands of LED bulbs to create a restorative space amid the surrounding shopping hub.
This is a free-to-enter space, where the lights change colours throughout the year. On one visit they could be pure white, the next a gorgeous rainbow pattern. Whatever colours you find you will want a photo to share with your friends.
Try specialist food at Seven Dials Market
A recent addition to the indoor market scene, an old banana warehouse now houses up to 25 traders, seven days a week. Stroll along Cucumber Alley and sample a range of specialist food producers. The two-story section of Banana Warehouse offers a variety of cafes and street food kitchens, all housed beneath a glass roof.
Be sure to check out the downstairs Market Bookshop, with books showcasing all that is good about the London scene, including food, drink, and sustainability. This market highlights the independent producers bringing quality produce to the capital.
Experience the Thrill at Vertical Chill
Vertical Chill brings the exciting experience of ice climbing indoors. Suitable for beginners and experienced climbers alike, fully qualified instructors are on hand to provide comprehensive instruction. Whether honing your technique or learning a new skill, Vertical Chill welcomes everyone to sample the thrill of ice climbing in London.
The eight-meter ice wall varies in steepness to add authenticity to the climb, with a variety of routes to suit all abilities. You will be wrapped up warm though as the temperature of the room hovers between -5 and -12 degrees centigrade.
Take the kids to the London Transport Museum
I love the fact that children go free at the London Transport Museum. I like to take family that visit London for the first time here as it’s always a hit with kids.
The museum covers the progression of transport in London. It’s quite an interactive museum and has an underground simulator to test your train driving skills.