A local’s complete Covent Garden itinerary filled with secret shops and food spots, aesthetic streets, bakeries, cafes and instagrammable places!
I’ve already written lots of Covent Garden guides here.
But I thought, since bright, shiny and somewhat warm spring days are back, I’d share a cool, soothing, and exciting Covent Garden itinerary with you today.
Visiting London: A Covent Garden Itinerary in 10 Top Spots
Other similar guides and itineraries are already available on The Working Line, and if you’re just interested in food, you’d also do well to check out my Foodie Itinerary in Covent Garden 🙂
Now, let me take you on a walk around Covent Garden’s shops, bakeries, cafes, restaurants and other landmarks.
Hopefully, you’ll find here some really cool things to do while in Central London!
Covent Garden Itinerary Stop 1: Apple Market
Let’s start our day out in London (or half-day depending on how many things you want to do!) at the Apple Market, right in the middle of the Covent Garden Piazza.
You could either have breakfast at home /AirBnb/hostel or in one of Covent Garden’s coffee shops and bakeries: there are many in the area.
Or, you could start the day at the Apple Market to see all the really cool shops, from Venchi and their delicious gelato to Whittard of Chelsea and their incredible hot chocolate, tea and coffee.
Walk around to see the handmade jewelry, soaps, and other vintage bits at the Apple Market.
Maybe grab a bite from Ladurée, a stunning French pastry shop slash bakery on Covent Garden Piazza, and we’ll keep walking.
Read: 15 Themed London Itinerary Ideas Off the Beaten Path
Covent Garden Itinerary Stop 2: Covent Garden Piazza and Its Shops and James Street
There is a crazy number of shops in Covent Garden.
These range from makeup stores such as Glossier, The Ordinary, Charlotte Tilbury and MAC Cosmetics, to cheaper makeup options at Boots, vintage, bookshops, and more incredible stuff.
Walk around Covent Garden Piazza to discover high-end makeup stores like Chanel and other unique shops to bring home some foodie goodies.
If you would like to distill some history into your day, take a moment to discover the secret church garden of St Paul’s Church right off the Covent Garden Piazza.
Inside the church are stunning purple and gold colors in addition to a reconstitution model of a 1920s theatre, and the garden is especially beautiful when flowers are blooming in the spring.
Read: London Foodie Itinerary Around Piccadilly & Soho
Covent Garden Itinerary Stop 3: King Street
We’ll then make our way to King Street, right off Covent Garden Piazza and parallel to Henrietta Street on the other side.
King Street is a great street to go clothes shopping, with the likes of Maje for high-end basics.
You’ll also find a couple of jewelry shops on King Street, namely with Monica Vinader’s excellent pieces, and makeup at Nars.
If you’d like, you can also walk down Henrietta Street for beautiful views: the buildings there are some of my favorite in the city and always strike a chord when I spot them after a long time.
Read: A Quirky Bookish Itinerary in London
Covent Garden Itinerary Stop 4: New Row
Walking down King Street brings us to New Row, a tiny, village-like street filled with little restaurants, cheap eats and other bakeries.
There are a few unmissable bakeries in Covent Garden located in this street, which include Santa Nata for incredible pastel de nata, Wa for authentic Japanese pastries.
Floral Street and Rose Street being located quite close, I’d also recommend trying the Bageriet bakery for unbelievable cinnamon buns if you have the time.
Or, if you’re more into comfort food, one of the most local restaurants London has, MotherMash, has a branch on New Row – their pie’n’mash is nothing short of amazing.
If you can, start your day in Covent Garden pretty early if you’re also looking for photo spots: this is not only one of the prettiest areas in London, but also one of the busiest at pretty much all times of the day.
At the end of New Row, you’ll find Mr Fogg’s Tavern.
I’ve already mentioned it in my Marylebone itinerary, as this is one of the cutest pubs/restaurants in London, with a different decor/vibe depending on the location.
Facing New Row is a gorgeous little alley you can walk down to see what’s happening: there are only a few shops there, but a definite Diagon Alley vibe.
Keep walking down, and you’ll reach our next stop: Charing Cross Road.
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Covent Garden Itinerary Stop 5: Charing Cross Road and Donutelier
Charing Cross Road is at the limit between Leicester Square and Covent Garden, and you can cross it to reach the quirky Leicester Square art trail with the movie and cartoon sculptures.
You can also stop for a snack at Donutelier on Charing Cross Road.
It’s of the best bakeries in London, which specializes in French pastries like croissants/pains aux chocolat but also features the craziest religieuses/donuts.
You’ll find a few used bookshops in that street and, higher up towards Tottenham Court Road, Foyles Bookshop, one of the best book stores in the city, with a book cafe on the 5th floor.
Read: The Best Things to Do in Covent Garden, Central London
Covent Garden Itinerary Stop 6: Long Acre
When you’re done exploring Charing Cross Road, we’re going to take either Cranbourn Street or Great Newport St and stroll down Long Acre.
Long Acre is but one of the best shopping streets in London; from bakeries to photography shops, vintage shops and a huge TK Maxx, it just has it all.
If your plan is to go shopping in Covent Garden, these are some of the must-visit shops:
- TK Maxx: this store has a huge selection of cheap makeup, discounted scented candles (Sand & Fog, DW Home, Yankee Candle and more), jewelry, and lots of designer clothes
- Buns From Home: amazing bakery for cinnamon buns that come in all sorts of traditional and crazy flavors
- & Other Stories: amazing clothing store for elevated basics
- Kryolan: right off Long Acre, this professional makeup store has the best lip liners, duochrome loose eyeshadows and gel eyeliners
Read: The Best Things to Do During Summer in London
Covent Garden Itinerary Stop 7: Slingsby Place
When you’re at & Other Stories, you should be only steps away from Slingsby Place and, if you’re into instagrammable places, that’s a stop you shouldn’t miss.
Slingsby Place is actually an Easter egg; walk down the clean street with colorful floral suspensions, and at the end of the road, you’ll find some other really cool hidden gems.
Mi Scusi, for one, is an Italian restaurant with the freshest dishes and, on its right (when you’re facing the restaurant) is a striking neon place: St Martin’s Courtyard.
Great photo spot, and if you pass underneath the colorful floral ceiling, you can check out the London Graphic Design shop, great for stationery and art supplies for all kinds.
Or, you can go straight to Mercer Walk, which is actually our next stop.
Read: 5 Immersive Experiences in London You Shouldn’t Miss
Covent Garden Itinerary Stop 8: Mercer Walk
Mercer Walk is a little enclave that feels like a village: when I’m there, I don’t feel like I’m in London at all.
There, you’ll find other secret shops like Pineapple, great for yoga and dance clothes, which faces the Pineapple Studio, a place for dance lessons and workshops.
You’ll also find Stanfords, one of the world’s biggest travel and map bookshops – and one of the prettiest bookstores in London with its coffee shop at the front and dangling balloons.
There are even a couple of terraces for you to sit down with a coffee and a cake should you wish to!
Go to the end of Mercer Walk, and you’ll reach Long Acre again: keep walking, and take a left on Neal Street.
Read: The Best Cheap and Free Things to Do in London With Kids
Covent Garden Itinerary Stop 9: Neal Street
Now, Neal Street is one of Covent Garden’s prettiest streets: not only is it colorful, but also filled with really amazing shops.
Lola’s Cupcakes has a little shop there with some of the best cupcakes in town: the Red Velvet one is nothing short of incredible.
There are also a few shoe and clothing shops there, from Dr Martens to, further down, Urban Outfitters and their amazing 90s/2000s-inspired clothes.
Take Monmouth Street only steps away from Urban Outfitters, and somewhere on the left, you’ll find the hidden Neal’s Yard.
Now, this might not be so much of a secret spot anymore, but a picture of Neal’s Yard with its colorful houses definitely is a must when visiting London!
Read: The Best Concept Stores in London
Covent Garden Itinerary Stop 10: Seven Dials and Monmouth Street
Our Covent Garden itinerary ends at Seven Dials and Monmouth Street, both located only steps away from Neal’s Yard.
Assuming you’ve nibbled on desserts and snacks all day, you might not be hungry, but Seven Dials Market is still a must-visit.
It’s one of the best markets in London, as much in terms of the street food they offer as in terms of aesthetics, with the decorations, lights and all.
Read: The Prettiest Shopping Arcades in London
Visiting London: A Covent Garden Itinerary in 10 Top Spots
If you’re visiting London for the first time, Covent Garden is one of the unmissable neighborhoods; there are so many cafes, restaurants, shops, and even museums nearby!
Since Covent Garden is more of a food and shopping area, although it is also one of the most historic neighborhoods in London, I’ve focused on this part here.
You’ll find other secret dining and shopping courts in other parts of the city, though, like the Duke of York Square in Chelsea or Kingly Court off Carnaby Street in Soho.
And, if you’re into more secret spots, do check out my guide to Covent Garden’s best hidden gems.
Or move on to a totally different area, like Canary Wharf, or closer to Central London, unravel Oxford Street’s hidden gems and Soho’s secret food spots!
Until next time!