Covent Garden Travel Guide

London
St. Paul\'s Church showing a garden as well as an individual male
Come to Covent Garden and you're guaranteed the best of produce, both local and international – and the best of performance, both operatic and theatrical.

Covent Garden has been many things in its 500-year history – an elegant area of 17th century London a notorious district of coffee and vice and a thriving vegetable and fruit market, until the 1970s. Markets remain at the heart of the Covent Garden area, but so too does culture, with the Royal Opera House and the Theatre Royal both close by. But most visitors are drawn here for the Market itself, a beautiful covered Victorian arcade dating back to 1830.

Here you will find specialist vendors, selling everything from flowers, fruit, and organic meats to artistic works and gourmet coffees. There are also stalls and coffee shops, offering food and refreshments with a distinctly international flavour. Outside the covered arches, the square is given over to fresh farmers' produce, their stalls weaving a dazzling spectacle of colour and aroma. And once you've satisfied your urge to explore its markets, the local area has much to offer.

There are over 60 public houses and bars in the surrounding streets, many serving traditional English ales and hearty London cuisine. And there are 13 theatres close by, making this one of the entertainment hotspots of the West End. Musicals, plays and Shakespearean dramas are all played out here every night, making this one of the more exciting and bustling parts of town in the evening.

And the entertainment here isn't only of the formal variety. Covent Garden has a long tradition of street performers, going back to the time of Samuel Pepys. In 1662, he made the first mention of the slapstick puppet show of Punch and Judy. You may still catch these colourful hand-puppets – more likely you'll find mimes and acrobats, dancers and street artists. Variety is certainly the spice of life when you visit Covent Garden.


Popular places to visit


Top hotels in Covent Garden

The Tower Hotel, London
The Tower Hotel, London
4 out of 5
St Katharine's Way, London, England
The price is ₹13,074 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
₹13,074
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 their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (4,287 reviews)
"The hotel was great! The views of the Tower of London were amazing. Very close to lots tourist attractions. Walking distance to the tube. Would recommend first time visitors to stay here."

Reviewed on 29 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 ₹18,348 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
₹18,348
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 their 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹15,707 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
₹15,707
per night
31 Mar - 1 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 their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹15,373 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
₹15,373
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 their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,021 reviews)
"We liked the option to “go green” for our 2 night stay without having the room serviced. Everything else was up to the usual service we always enjoy."

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2024

Strand Palace Hotel
President Hotel
President Hotel
3.5 out of 5
56-60 Guildford Street, London, England
The price is ₹14,039 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
₹14,039
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and on-site parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,303 reviews)
"."

Reviewed on 28 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 ₹18,339 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
₹18,339
per night
1 Apr - 2 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 their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,544 reviews)
"Staff prompt responsiveness to our requests, such as needing towels or things for our room, was one of the things we really appreciated."

Reviewed on 27 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(21 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(1,172 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


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