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$142 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
NZ$142
includes taxes & fees
21 Apr - 22 Apr
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (61 reviews)
"Clean, quiet, efficient"

Reviewed on 17 Apr. 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$488 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
NZ$488
includes taxes & fees
20 Apr - 21 Apr
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! (1,239 reviews)
"Beautiful hotel, great staff and comfortable rooms. Complimentary drink on arrival was a nice touch. Thank you"

Reviewed on 18 Apr. 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$187 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
NZ$187
includes taxes & fees
20 Apr - 21 Apr
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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (11 reviews)
"Proximity to shops,:restaurants and the tube."

Reviewed on 17 Apr. 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$307 per night from 4 May to 5 May
NZ$307
includes taxes & fees
4 May - 5 May
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! (7,059 reviews)
"Had the best view from our room and the staff were great. Difficult to find any place in London that’s 5 star cleanliness though."

Reviewed on 16 Apr. 2025

The Tower Hotel, London
Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge
Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge
4 out of 5
200 Westminster Bridge Road, London, England
The price is NZ$431 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
NZ$431
includes taxes & fees
20 Apr - 21 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! (4,196 reviews)
"We had a great experience. Excellent customer service. Everything was great except the shower wasn’t cleaned ."

Reviewed on 16 Apr. 2025

Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
3 out of 5
Great Windmill Street, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$200 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
NZ$200
includes taxes & fees
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and premium bedding. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
7.4/10 Good! (4,644 reviews)
"This hotel is located in a busy tourist area, close to many dining options, landmarks and shopping (all walking distance). The facilities are nice, look recently renovated and are overall very clean. Despite the positives, it was a slightly uncomfortable stay. A few drawbacks: - temperature cannot ..."

Reviewed on 15 Apr. 2025

Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
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
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
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


Covent Garden Travel Guide

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