The neighborhood of Covent Garden in London is located in the heart of London, and is one of the key places you can not miss during your visit to the city of the Thames. This area is home to one of the most historic markets in London, the historically known as “Apple Market”.
Covent Garden Piazza (London, WC2E 8RF) is the official name of the square.
Covent Garden connects some of London’s most famous roads and avenues, such as Holborn, Charing Cross Road and The Strand. Today thousands of tourists and Londoners stroll around or cross its galleries as it is located in a strategic point of the city.
We could almost say that it is one of the corners of the city of London where there is more action at any time of day, either by the market, stores in the area, restaurants, pubs, theaters in the area … the list of things to do in Covent Garden is almost endless.
How to get to Covent Garden in London
If your hotel is in central London, you will most likely be able to walk there in a few minutes, taking advantage of the many things to see around. But, if you need to use public transport, here is some information that will be useful for you.
Address: 41 The Market Building, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8RF
Getting to Covent Garden by Underground
The easiest way is through the “Covent Garden Station” (Piccadilly Line). This station is located on the northern approach to the square. It is also very close to the stations of Leicester Square (Northern Line) or Charing Cross (Northern Line, Bakerloo Line), both less than 10 minutes walk. All these stations are in London’s transport zone 1.
Getting to Covent Garden by Bus
Buses stop on nearby streets including the Strand, Aldwych and Trafalgar Square, followed by a short walk into the Piazza. The old RV1 service no longer runs. Use TfL’s journey planner for the best current route from your starting point, as individual routes and stops can change.
Getting to Covent Garden by Bike
If you are thinking of using a rental bike when you are in London, to visit Covent Garden it is good to know that there are places to leave bikes on Southampton Street, Bow Street and on the corner located between Russell Street and Wellington Street.
London Sightseeing Bus
A London sightseeing bus can bring you close to the area, but its routes and stop numbers depend on the operator and ticket. Check the current route map before choosing where to get off, then walk into the Piazza.
Timetables to visit Covent Garden in London
You can walk through the Piazza and Market Building at any time, and it is free to enter. Shops usually open around 10 am to 8 pm Monday to Saturday and 11 am to 6 pm on Sunday; individual shops and restaurants set their own hours. The Apple Market normally trades daily from 10 am to 6 pm. For a quiet look at the architecture and the stalls, come earlier in the day; stay into the evening for dinner or a show.
Things to do & visit in Covent Garden
When we talk about Covent Garden in London we are really talking about Covent Garden Square. This square houses a market with stalls, stores and restaurants. In the center of the square we find the covered market which has three floors and I recommend you to walk it from start to finish.
Here we find galleries with live music and an area with craft market. There are also take-away food stalls, clothing and accessory stores and chocolate, tea and coffee shops. You will find a very famous toy store, as well as cafes and restaurants and a tobacconist with history. Around the square we also find the Jubilee Market, the London Transport Museum and the Royal Opera House.
In the streets around the square there are numerous restaurants and bars. This is one of the most lively and recommended areas of London to go both day and night.
Apple Market: The famous Covent Garden Apple Market in London
Apple Market is the name that has the craft market located inside the market building in Covent Garden. From Tuesday to Sunday its stalls focus on handmade goods such as jewellery, prints and watercolours; on Mondays the space is given over to antiques and collectables. You will not find a row of apple sellers: the name recalls Covent Garden’s old fruit and vegetable market. The market guide also covers the nearby East Colonnade and Jubilee markets.
Benjamin Pollock’s Toy Shop
Benjamin Pollock’s Toy Shop was founded in 1856 in the Hoxton area of London. In 1980 the store was moved to Covent Garden. This store specializes in selling Victorian toys, and is particularly famous for its traditional toy paper theaters. Inside the first-floor shop you will find both traditional toy theatres and contemporary toys and gifts; prices depend on the piece you choose. In addition to the famous toy theaters, you will find other traditional theater-related toys, including puppets and puppet gloves.
Although Hamleys is the most famous toy stores in London and one that you will visit when passing through the shopping street of Regent Street in central London, Benjamin Pollock’s toy store is one of the small stores that you can not miss.
I really consider it a little secret corner of this square in London, because although the entrance to the store is in the center of the square and is one of the most prominent and attract the attention of people passing by, having to climb stairs to get to the store seems that many people do not dare to enter. Including us, that even living in London for several years and going to Covent Garden about 100 times a year (no exaggeration!) I have to admit that we did not get to enter this toy store until relatively recently.
Official website: Benjamin Pollock’s Toy Shop
Punch and Judy Pub
The Punch and Judy pub in Covent Garden is one of the most famous pubs in London. Its name refers to two very famous puppets of the United Kingdom: Punch and Judy. Punch and Judy are the protagonists of a puppet show that took place for the first time in Covent Garden on May 9, 1662, and whose protagonists, the puppets “Mr. Punch” and his wife “Judy” became the best known characters of puppet shows throughout the United Kingdom. Every year in May the puppet festival is held in Covent Garden in honor of these two famous characters.
The pub offers a wide selection of beers and drinks and also serves traditional British pub food all day Monday to Sunday. It has several floors, but the best is the terrace from which you can get wonderful views of the square and is undoubtedly one of the best places to have a beer on a summer day in London. Drinks on the Piazza can be pricier than at a neighbourhood pub, but the balcony view is what makes this stop memorable.
Official website: Punch and Judy Pub Covent Garden
Jubilee Market
In the south side of Covent Garden Square in London we find the Jubilee Market, a covered market where you will find a wide variety of stalls. The most popular items are handicrafts, but you will find from jewelry and clothing to antiques and typical items of a market. You’ll also find a wide variety of food stalls, with options including traditional English breakfast, pancakes and milkshakes, baked potatoes and even an Italian restaurant.
On Mondays there are antique and collectible items of all periods and styles, including: Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, fine art, fine jewelry, fine china, sterling silver, antiquarian and used books.
From Tuesday to Friday the market is open from 10.30 am to 7 pm. During these days we can find a wide range of products, plants for picnic baskets, greeting cards for souvenirs, beauty products and gardening equipment.
On weekends the market is open from 10 am to 6 pm and features an Arts & Crafts section. You will find everything from candles and hand-painted items to jewelry, paintings, clocks and even fossils. Ideal if you are going to visit London with kids.
Official website: Jubilee Market.
Segar & Snuff Parlour
The Segar & Snuff Parlour is one of the most traditional stores in Covent Garden Square in London. It is a traditional tobacco store, and is hidden in the southeast corner of the square, being one of the few independent specialized tobacconists in London.
In this tobacconist we find a wide variety of Havana cigars as well as many other cigars of lesser known brands. We can find exclusive tobacco, a wide selection of loose tobacco blended by experts and different specialized tobaccos. They have over 200 smoking pipes for sale, including a wide range of Dunhill and Peterson brands as well as their own “Covent” brand.
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is home to The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet. The present theatre opened in 1858, although performances have taken place on this site for much longer. You can book a Behind the Scenes Tour to learn how productions are made; it lasts about 75 minutes, and the spaces visited can vary because this is a working theatre.
Even without a performance ticket, the public spaces are worth a look. We like the shop and café, and the Piazza Terrace is a lovely place to pause for a view over Covent Garden when it is open.
See available shows at Royal Opera House
London Transport Museum
The London Transport Museum is one of our favorite museums in London, and we recommend it especially if you are visiting London with children. Visiting this museum is a fascinating journey through the evolution of the different methods of public transport throughout the history of London. We can see from the first horse-drawn carriages and buses used for public transport, to the evolution of the method of transport that revolutionized London: The Underground, the first method of public subway public transport in the world that today is over 150 years old.
More information: London Transport Museum.
St Paul’s Church and garden
The Actors’ Church sits just off the west side of the Piazza. Walk round to its Bedford Street entrance to find the church and its sheltered garden. We like to take a short break on the benches here when the market is busy. The garden is usually open to visitors, though church events can affect access; see St Paul’s visitor information if you are making a special trip.
Seven Dials and Neal’s Yard
The Seven Dials area is located within the neighbourhood of Covent Garden, but you have to leave the piazza to get there. Seven Dials is a junction of seven streets around a historic sundial pillar, with independent shops, cafés and restaurants in the surrounding lanes. It is an easy stroll from the Piazza.
It is also where we find Seven Dials Market, an interior food market where you can eat, dine or just have a coffee and sweet treat.
More information: Seven Dials and Neal’s Yard.
Shopping in Covent Garden
The Market Building is worth browsing for more than the stalls: look for the first-floor Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop, Whittard for tea and hot chocolate, and the small independent shops tucked into the arcades. Around the Piazza you can also find Apple and beauty and fashion stores. Then explore Neal Street, Floral Street and the lanes around Seven Dials for a different mix of shops. The current Covent Garden directory is helpful if you have a particular brand in mind.
Restaurants in Covent Garden
The Punch and Judy pub is on the Piazza, while VyTA offers Italian food and a view across it. Around Covent Garden there are many restaurants, and we personally recommend Sarastro for a different kind of dinner. Clos Maggiore is an atmospheric choice for a romantic meal, with a long-standing reputation for its dining room.
For another sit-down option, Din Tai Fung is close to the market on Henrietta Street. Bill’s and Five Guys offer more casual choices, while Seven Dials Market lets a group pick from different food traders. If you are going to the theatre, allow enough time to eat before the performance.
Events in Covent Garden
In Covent Garden there is usually live music and street performers every day. In this magical square of London are also held during the year numerous events.
One of the most important times in London is undoubtedly Christmas, and I must say that seeing Covent Garden is a must if you are going to visit London at Christmas. The tree and decorations in the Market Building make a lovely evening stop, and the surrounding streets put on festive displays too. In 2026 the bells and baubles return to the Market Building; combine them with a walk through Seven Dials or a show nearby.
There is a puppet festival every year to commemorate the famous characters of Punch and Judy.
Hi, we are Alberto and Amy, the London locals behind PlanTrip London. We’ve lived in London since 2010 and have spent every year since exploring the city, from its famous landmarks to the markets, pubs, parks and hidden corners most visitors never find. Over the years we became the go-to trip planners for friends and family visiting London, so we created this site to share the same first-hand, tried-and-tested advice with you. Every itinerary, tip and recommendation here comes from our own experience with our two children, so you can plan a London trip that’s easier, better value and far more memorable.