Covent Garden is a lively West End district centred on its historic market buildings and pedestrian piazza. Inside and around the arcades, visitors find craft stalls, shops, cafés and restaurants, while licensed street performers bring music and theatre to the open spaces. The surrounding lanes lead towards the Royal Opera House, Seven Dials and many of London's theatres, giving the area a strong cultural character. It works equally well as a short daytime wander or as the starting point for an evening in the West End.
Covent Garden (Piccadilly)
1–2 hours
Late afternoon when performers are at their best.
Why visit
Lively atmosphere, top-quality buskers and excellent dining.
Visitor information
- Free to visit: the piazza, Apple Market hall and street performance areas.
- Street performers work in licensed pitches with rotating slots through the day and evening.
- Covent Garden station has lifts but heavy queues; Leicester Square is a 4-minute walk away.
- Allow 1–2 hours, more if you add a West End show in the evening.
Official sources
Practical tips
- 01Use Leicester Square tube — Covent Garden station is often crowded.
- 02Visit the Apple Market upstairs.
- 03Catch a West End show in the evening.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay to watch the street performers?
No, the shows are free to watch. Performers pass a hat at the end and a small contribution is customary if you stayed for the whole act.
Is Covent Garden good in the rain?
Yes — the historic market building is covered, so the shops, cafés and the lower-level performance space stay usable in bad weather.