A local’s guide to hidden gems and amazing things to do in Greenwich, London when you want to visit London off the beaten path and discover new, secret places! Nestled along the historic Thames, Greenwich offers an array of unique experiences beyond its iconic landmarks. From tranquil riverside walks to quirky markets and tucked-away gardens, this charming borough brims with surprises. For those craving a touch of tranquility, don’t miss exploring the secret beaches in London near Greenwich, where you can escape the city buzz and enjoy serene waterside views.
Greenwich, London, is one of those places that has a little bit of everything—history, culture, amazing views, and plenty of fun stuff to do.
Whether you’re into exploring iconic landmarks, shopping for bargains, or just chilling by the river, Greenwich has you covered.
From the awe-inspiring Cutty Sark and the stunning Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College to the lively vibes at Greenwich Market and the shopping haven at the O2, there’s no shortage of cool experiences to dive into.
So, if you’re planning a visit, get ready to discover the best of what this vibrant London neighborhood with village vibes has to offer!
5 Cool Things to Do in Greenwich, London’s Maritime Neighborhood
The 02 is one of the coolest places to go shopping in London, but did you know that beyond budget clothes, there are also strong traces of the city’s maritime history in Greenwich?
The Royal Observatory, the Cutty Sark or just taking a river cruise allows us to enjoy nature in London, in a way that you simply cannot when spending time in famous – or secret gardens in London.
In addition, Greenwich, one of London’s cutest villages, also offers of vibrant market, as well as views of the Canary Wharf skyscrapers.
And, if you’re the kind of person who loves wandering off the beaten path, you’ll quickly find that walking around the Greenwich area can also lead you to lesser-known neighborhoods, like Deptford and its street food market.
There are so many hidden gems and cool things to do in Greenwich and neighboring areas – these are some of my favorites!
Best Things to Do in Greenwich London: National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum is one of the first places to visit in Greenwich, since it’s one of the most popular attractions – even if places like Southbank and London Bridge, or Canary Wharf on the other side of the river are much more known to tourists.
The National Maritime Museum is already important under one specific angle: it shows just how ancient navigation history is, and its strong binds to London’s history.
There, you’ll see Nelson’s Trafalgar Coat, with the the bullet hole from the battle that ended his life, and be able to visit the Royal Observatory nearby, which also happens to offer some of the prettiest views of London.
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Best Things to Do in Greenwich London: Greenwich Market
The Greenwich Market has always felt like one of the coolest markets in London as it’s a goldmine for handmade bits, artisan bobs and other vintage clothes stalls.
My favorite place there, though, in addition to the various street food vendors, is a cute little vegan bakery called Ruby’s of London, where you’ll be able to taste some of the best doughnuts in town.
The market is strategically located so that the Royal Observatory, the Cutty Sark and the view on the Canary Wharf skyscrapers are all reachable within a few minutes.
The one word I would use to describe the Greenwich Market is ‘cozy’ – it goes to show how much of a secret London village Greenwich really is, with winding streets and beautiful homes all around.
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Best Things to Do in Greenwich London: Cutty Sark
I remember the first time I ever saw the Cutty Sark, and not understanding what it was at all – a huge ship established on the shores of the Thames River, revealing the Canary Wharf area in the distance is what I saw.
As I got older and got ever more interested in London’s history, I came to understand to importance of its maritime past, and the Cutty Sark, a 19th-century tea clipper, is but one of the most famous ships in the world, and one of the fastest of its time.
Walk around and take in the atmosphere of the past, get aboard and explore the ship’s wheel and its masts, and enjoy learning about its history on the lower decks, all the way back to its time as a tea clipper in the China trade.
And, if you were wondering about what cool things to buy in London and bring back home, the gift shop offers plenty of maritime and history books, as well as model ships and more unique presents.
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Best Things to Do in Greenwich London: Old Royal Naval College
The Old Royal Naval College is another top place to visit if you’re interested in maritime London, as it was originally built as a hospital for retired sailors, and later served as a training center for naval officers.
In addition to its maritime importance, there are a few hidden gems in the Old Royal Naval College you just cannot miss, like the Painted Hall, also known as the Sistine Chapel of the UK.
When you are done admiring the intricate paintings, make your way to the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul, with its neoclassical architecture, complete with columns, carvings and painted ceiling.
Since the Old Royal Naval College also hosts classical concerts and various art exhibitions, do check the schedule to be able to catch a mind blowing performance, right in the heart of a beautiful historical site.
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Best Things to Do in Greenwich London: O2 Shopping Outlet
It would feel strange for me to write about a London neighborhood without including a shopping element.
That’s something you may have noticed when I told you about the Bethnal Green area, or the London Bridge area, too – I love shopping in London, and well, Greenwich happens to offer a beautiful outlet shopping center.
The O2 Shopping Outlet is home to Tommy Hilfiger, The Body Shop, Nike, Levi’s, as well as other beauty and makeup brands.
There used to be an outlet Yankee Candle store there, which has shut down, but if you’re ever looking for cheap Yankee Candle scents and other affordable clothing brands, you can always visit the London Designer Outlet in Wembley Park.
And just so you know, if you’re one who loves catching a good view of London, you can climb to the top of the O2 Arena and take in the realness and beauty of the city from up high.
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5 Cool Things to Do in Greenwich, London’s Maritime Neighborhood
There you have them, all the best things to do in Greenwich!
Since this beautiful area is located away from Central London, it’s still one of the most secret and local places to visit when in town, and a place I love from the bottom of my heart.
After all, I lived in Greenwich for a few weeks a couple of years ago, and absolutely loved my time there.
Hungry? You’ll find there lots of secret restaurants, along with famous food spots like Pizza Pilgrims and other Starbucks cafes!