There are so many things to do on a Saturday in London that planning a weekend in the city will definitely be an easy task. Choose from an array of Saturday Markets in London, explore the different shopping districts, dine in the best restaurants that the city has to offer or enjoy some of the best events in London.
Saturdays in London are obviously filled with excited tourists, and even though the streets may be a little crowded some weekends it’s still a great opportunity to explore all that London has to offer. Although London is normally packed on a Saturday, you may want to avoid the office areas such as Farringdon, Bank and Moorgate as they are very quiet during the weekends with most shops and restaurants even closing.
If the weather is nice we would highly recommend a stroll around one of the beautiful parks of London and in summer there are even public pools that people flock to! And not to mention the vast amount of museums and shopping centres to explore.
However, there are also some things that are only available to do on a Saturday – so we are going to tell you about those too.
Saturday Markets in London
If you are planning a trip to London, it’s worth planning your trip knowing that some of the best street markets in London are only open on Saturdays, so don’t forget to include this in your itinerary.
Portobello Road
The iconic Notting Hill flea market. Even though parts of Portobello Road Market are open on other days of the week, there is a full market on Saturdays, and therefore, this is undoubtedly the best day to visit this famous London market. Saturday is the main market day. The official market hours are 8am to 7pm, with traders usually operating from about 8.30am to 6pm; arrive in the morning for the widest choice.
Find out more: Notting Hill Guide
Borough Market
The oldest market in London, and a must-see when visiting London. Borough Market is located next to London Bridge Underground Station. The market now opens Tuesday to Sunday, and its regular Saturday hours are 9am to 5pm. Check the official calendar for bank-holiday and Christmas changes.
Camden Market
Another very famous London Market, and even though it’s open every day of the week, there is a full market on Saturdays, with all of the shops and stalls open. It is probably also one of the busiest places to visit in London on a Saturday. Camden market is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm (except Christmas Day).
Broadway Market
A lively street market next to Regent’s Canal in Hackney. Saturday is its main trading day, with the market open from 9am to 5pm.
Spitalfields Market
Another market in London worth checking out. Old Spitalfields Market is open every day of the week, with regular Saturday hours from 10am to 6pm. If you are planning on visiting Spitalfields Market we would suggest visiting on a Sunday, as Brick Lane Market and Petticoat Lane Market are right next to Spitalfields Market and the three of them are open on Sundays.
Maltby Street Market
A hidden gem located in south-east London. Maltby Street Market is open during weekends, and on Saturdays is open from 10 am to 5 pm.
Brixton Market
A combination of outdoor markets located on pedestrianized roads and a beautiful covered market. The outdoor markets are located on Electric Avenue, Pope’s Road and Brixton Station Road. Brixton Village and Market Row are covered market arcades, but are also connected to the outdoor markets. On Saturdays the outdoor markets and the covered markets are all open, and there is also a themed market on Brixton Station Road. Brixton Market is open on Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm.
Tourist attractions that open on a Saturday in London
Most major tourist attractions in London open on Saturdays, but hours and closures vary, especially on public holidays. Check the attraction’s official calendar and last-entry time before travelling. This includes London’s most famous attractions like for example: the London Eye, The View from the Shard, Madame Tussauds, the Sea Life London Aquarium, the Tower of London, Shakespeare’s Globe, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey (just to name a few!) which are all open on Saturdays.
Sightseeing bus tours and sightseeing river cruises also operate on Saturdays and can be useful when central London is crowded.
The Best Tourist Attractions in London
Museums that open on a Saturday in London
Most major museums in London normally open on Saturdays, including the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum and the Tate Modern, just to name a few!
Shops and restaurants that open on a Saturday in London
Most shops and restaurants in central London open on Saturdays, although individual venues and holiday dates vary, and you can walk, shop and dine in the most popular tourist spots in London such as Regent Street, Oxford Street, Soho, Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, just to name a few.
Major department stores such as Harrods, Fortnum & Mason and Liberty normally open on Saturdays. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City also open on Saturdays; check the individual venue for current hours.
Guided tours available on Saturdays
Walking tours are available mostly during the weekends in London, some famous walking tours include Jack the Ripper walking tour or Changing of the guard walking tour or the famous Harry Potter locations walking tour.
Somerset House currently runs its one-hour Historical Highlights Tour on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It costs £12 and advance booking is recommended. The programme and courtyard use change through the year, so check what is on before visiting.
Do something a little different
If you’ve done all the most popular tourist spots in London, then maybe it’s time to explore an area that you’re not as familiar with. For example, you could make your way to the beautiful Richmond neighbourhood, where the Duck Pond artisan market at Heron Square normally runs at weekends or the stunning Greenwich, where you will also find the Royal Observatory. The district of Hampstead has plenty of trendy bars and restaurants as well as Hampstead Heath, a stunning park to explore – and you can see the spectacular London skyline from the highest point in the park.
Our suggestions to spend the perfect Saturday in London
Personally, we think the best way to spend a Saturday in London is to spend the morning at one of the amazing Saturday markets in London before heading to Covent Garden to see the street entertainers, do some shopping and go to one of the restaurants. And as the sun goes down, head to the South Bank, for a walk along the River Thames – taking in the sights of the London Eye, Westminster bridge and Big Ben.
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.