Covent Garden Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

London which includes markets, heritage elements and signage
St. Paul\'s Church featuring a garden as well as an individual male
Royal Opera House featuring modern architecture and interior views
Royal Opera House featuring street scenes and a city as well as a small group of people
Covent Garden Market showing street scenes as well as a small group of people
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 Z Hotel Holborn
The Z Hotel Holborn
3 out of 5
75 Kingsway, London, England
The price is NZ$167 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
NZ$167
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 3-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions The British Museum and Leicester Square ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (23 reviews)
"Really lovely, friendly and welcoming staff. Breakfast was excellent. Thank you"

Reviewed on 23 Mar. 2025

The Z Hotel Holborn
Middle Eight - Covent Garden - Preferred Hotels and Resorts
Middle Eight - Covent Garden - Preferred Hotels and Resorts
5 out of 5
66 Great Queen St, Covent Garden, London, England
The price is NZ$496 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
NZ$496
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,219 reviews)
Would happily stay here again
"Great hotel - staff were super friendly. Only issue I had was that i couldn't turn the air con off in my room - i turned it off but it stayed on! Thankfully temperature was ok so wasn't an issue. Based on location and staff I would happily stay here again."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2025

Middle Eight - Covent Garden - Preferred Hotels and Resorts
The Z Hotel Covent Garden
The Z Hotel Covent Garden
3 out of 5
31-33 Bedford Street, London, England
The price is NZ$145 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
NZ$145
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 3-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square ...
6.6/10 (4 reviews)
Theatre work
"Location Great for Clubs & Theatre"

Reviewed on 18 Mar. 2025

The Z Hotel Covent Garden
The Tower Hotel, London
The Tower Hotel, London
4 out of 5
St Katharine's Way, London, England
The price is NZ$312 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
NZ$312
includes taxes & fees
20 Apr - 21 Apr
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (6,903 reviews)
Wished we stayed longer
"Sadly only stayed one night as we were going to a show, but wished we stayed longer. Would definitely stop here again."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2025

The Tower Hotel, London
Strand Palace Hotel
Strand Palace Hotel
4 out of 5
372 The Strand, London, England
The price is NZ$377 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
NZ$377
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,992 reviews)
"In a great location. Especially if visiting the theatre. Close to Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square. I stayed in the basic double room, the bathroom was very small. The walls are also pretty thin, fine if you don’t have noisy people in the room next to you but unfortunately we ..."

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2025

Strand Palace Hotel
Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge
Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge
4 out of 5
200 Westminster Bridge Road, London, England
The price is NZ$428 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
NZ$428
includes taxes & fees
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in London. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,078 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2025

Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge
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

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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
Admiralty Arch showing heritage architecture

St James

St James is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Piccadilly Circus or St. James's Square.

St James
London showing a bridge, a city and heritage architecture

Waterloo

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Known for its stunning river views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Waterloo. Check out top attractions like London Eye and Southbank Centre, and jump on the metro at Waterloo Underground Station or Lambeth North Underground Station to see more of the city.

Waterloo
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 Oxford Street, 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 Bond Street.

Mayfair


Covent Garden Travel Guide

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