Hotels near Covent Garden

Covent Garden's covered market piazza has been a gathering place since the 17th century, and today it buzzes with licensed street performers, independent boutiques, and restaurants. The main Market Building houses a mix of shops and the lower-level Apple Market with handmade crafts and jewellery. The Royal Opera House, facing the piazza, offers backstage tours and a free lunchtime concert series most Mondays during the season.

The area is the heart of London's Theatreland - the half-price TKTS booth in Leicester Square sells same-day discounted tickets for West End shows. Neal's Yard, a tiny hidden courtyard just north of the piazza reached through a narrow alley, is one of London's most photogenic spots with its multicoloured facades and independent cafes. The London Transport Museum (£21/~€25) on the piazza's east side is surprisingly engaging and a great rainy-day option.

Pro Tip: The street performers audition for their spots, so the quality is consistently high - expect world-class acrobatics and magic. Visit the Jubilee Market on Mondays when it becomes an antiques market with real bargains.