Whether you’re planning a date night or a romantic weekend break, there are plenty of fun things to do in London for couples.
From exploring its parks and walking along the River Thames to having a memorable meal out followed by drinks with a view of the city, there are endless options for a special time together.
With the city offering so many different experiences and activities, check out some of these favourite romantic things to do in London for couples.
1. Catch a show at the West End
One thing London is best known for is the West End, and booking tickets for one of the many shows should be at the top of your itinerary when visiting the capital.
The many theatres host a range of long-running plays and spectacular musicals, so there’s always plenty to choose from and something new to see.
When booking, make sure to use SeatPlan to check the view from your seat.
Top tip: While you can book directly through the theatres, check out TodayTix for a chance to buy super affordable tickets on the day.
Here are some of our favourite shows we’ve seen on the West End:
- Hamilton
- The Book of Mormon
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
- Come From Away
- Six
2. Go for a drink at an activity bar
There are many great places to get a drink in London, but if you want to plan a special date night in the city don’t pass on the chance to try out one of the many bars that also offer games.
Why sit at a table with a cocktail when you can sip while playing mini golf, darts, table tennis, or a range of other fun activities?
One of our favourites is Swingers, a bar with different crazy golf courses and plenty of great drinks, as well as tasty food. They have locations in the West End and the City next to the Gherkin.
Here are some of the best bars with activities in London:
- Flight Club
- Swingers
- Junkyard Golf
- Bounce
- All Star Lanes
3. Explore hidden parts of London on a scenic walk
While public transport makes it easy to get around the city, one of the best things to do in London for couples is to explore its streets, parks, and waterways on foot.
By following some of the best walks in London, you can discover some of the most romantic and secluded spots that it has to offer.
Head on a walk that takes you past famous historic landmarks, along beautiful canals, or through verdant parks, depending on what scenery you want to explore. You can also plan a route that ends somewhere with another fun activity.
One walk we’d recommend is following the Regent’s Canal from Camden to Little Venice, as it will take you to one of the most romantic locations in London.
4. Hire a pedalo in a park
There are many fantastic parks in London that are worth discovering, and within these there are plenty of lakes where you can hire pedalos for an hour or two.
Regent’s Park and Hyde Park are two of the most popular locations to do this, especially in summer. It’s also one of the best things to do in Battersea Park.
Hiring a pedalo is a great way to take to the water and see London’s park from a different perspective, while also giving you the chance to work together as a team!
5. Have a romantic picnic with a view
While the parks and green spaces in London offer great locations to take a stroll and have a picnic on a hot day, having lunch in the open air is even better with a view.
Fortunately, London has some fantastic spots for a romantic picnic.
Hampstead Heath is arguably the most famous, with the viewpoint from Parliament Hill being one of the most well-known in the city.
Primrose Hill, just north of Regent’s Park, is slightly lesser-known but offers just as good a view, with plenty of space to have a picnic on the grassy slopes.
6. Drink cocktails high above the city
Getting a drink together at a rooftop bar or garden is one of the most romantic things to do in London for couples, especially on a warm evening with clear skies above.
But one of the best places for a memorable time together is at the Sky Garden, which offers some of the best views in London.
Top tip: You can book a time slot for free and buy drinks when you’re up there.
We recommend visiting the Sky Garden shortly before dusk so you’re there with plenty of time to watch the sunset. This will provide stunning views of the city skyline as it’s lit up by the setting sun.
7. Book a table for a dinner date
There are many fantastic places to eat in London, and the choice can almost be overwhelming if you’re unsure where to look.
Fortunately, there will usually be plenty of highly-rated options around, whichever part of London you find yourself.
If you find yourself near Covent Garden, we’d recommended trying Ave Mario for incredible pizza and pasta dishes in one of the most unique settings.
8. Discover some of London’s famous landmarks
Tourists flock to London throughout the year to see some of the most famous landmarks in the world, such as the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament.
You don’t need to visit every single one of them, but there are some that we’d consider some of the best things to do in London for couples.
Tower Bridge in particular is worth a visit, as the glass floors of the elevated walkways offer incredible views of the city – if you don’t mind heights!
For another place with impressive views, try the Monument to the Great Fire of London. This is one of the quieter landmarks, so it’s a great way to get away from the crowds.
Top tip: You can buy a ticket that gets you into both the Monument and Tower Bridge for a discount. Just ask at the ticket office of whichever one you visit first.
9. Visit art galleries and museums
London has plenty of fantastic and world-famous art galleries and museums which are perfect destinations for spending a couple of hours together.
For art lovers, the Tate Modern is a must-visit location. The National Gallery is also great to stop by, housing some of the most famous paintings in the world.
If you’re into history, then heading to the British Museum should be at the top of your list. Other great ones to visit include the Victoria & Albert, the Natural History Museum, and the London Transport Museum.
Top tip: Many of these museums and art galleries have free entry to some of their exhibitions, including the Tate Modern and British Museum. One of the best free things to do in London for couples is to plan ahead and see what you can without spending a penny.
10. Take a cruise along the Thames
The River Thames weaves through the heart of the city, and travelling along this famous waterway is one of the most relaxing things to do in London as a couples.
Book a sightseeing cruise if you’re after a tour of the city where you can see it’s iconic landmarks and skyline from the unique perspective of the river.
You can also navigate along the river using a Thames Clipper. Buy a drink onboard for a truly serene journey.
11. Cross the Thames on a cable car
Traveling over the Thames on the IFS Cloud Cable Car is one of the most unique things to do in London and great way to see the city from a different perspective.
The cable car takes you from the Royal Docks on the north of the river to the Greenwich Penisula on the south.
For the most romantic experience, book on the cable cars at sunset to get incredible views of the city skyline silhouetted by the dazzling orange setting sun.
12. Wander through vibrant markets
London has many amazing markets all across the city, and simply exploring what they have to offer is a great way to spend a few hours together.
Try Borough Market for some of the best food near the Southbank and Tower Bridge, or wander around the historic Spitalfield Market where you can then take a walk down the iconic Brick Lane.
These are some of our favourite markets in London:
- Borough
- Camden
- Spitalfields
- Greenwich
13. Go ice skating
One of the best things to do in London for couples in winter is to visit one of the city’s many ice rinks which open up to the public during the colder months.
When they’re lit up by Christmas lights, skating around these ice rinks are some of the most magical and romantic things to do in London.
Here are the best places to ice skate in the city:
- Natural History Museum
- Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
- Somerset House
14. Get a drink in a historic pub
London is full of amazing pubs, many of which have a long and rich history. Finding a cosy corner in one of these establishment is the perfect thing to do as a couple, whatever day of the year it is.
Near Borough Market, The George is the last surviving galleried inn in London and grabbing a drink in this 17th-century building is a great spot to unwind.
On the other side of the river, in Limehouse, The Grapes is a Victorian pub which has fantastic views over the river and was supposedly frequented by Charles Dickens.
15. Have afternoon tea at a luxury hotel
As one of the most famous hotels in the world, you might not be staying at The Ritz but it’s still a great place to visit if you have the time.
A quintessentially British experience, and one of the best things to do in London for couples, is to have afternoon tea at the Ritz.
With sandwiches, scones, cakes, and 18 different types of tea to choose from, it’s a great way to spend an afternoon.
16. Stroll through Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens is one of the most beautiful areas in London, and it’s worth making the short journey out from the centre of the city to explore it.
With multiple gardens, amazing greenhouses, and acres of open parkland, it’s the perfect location to stroll around and see what it has to offer.
Explore the unique sights, like the Japanese gardens, arboretum, and rock garden, and bring along food for a picnic if you want to make a day of it.
17. Watch a film in a memorable cinema
Catching a film might be a fairly typical date night idea, but London has plenty of incredible cinemas that are perfect venues for a romantic night out in the city.
Here are some of the best cinemas in London:
18. See London at night
While exploring the city during the day is fun, one of the most underrated things to do in London for couples is to see the sights at night.
The Southbank is especially beautiful once the sun has set, with iconic landmarks like the London Eye appearing even more spectacular when it’s all lit up.
So, if you’ve come out of a theatre, bar, or finished one of the other activities in the city, don’t head straight to the nearest tube station – take a walk around first!
19. Hang out at Pergola Paddington
Pergola Paddington is one of the top spots in London for any couple looking to spend hours enjoying each other’s company with a range of great food and drink options.
This rooftop bar has multiple different spots to grab lunch or dinner from a rotating selection of street food brands, and you can order as much as you want or even mix and match!
Pergola is completely covered so is a great venue come rain or shine, although it’s at its best on a hot summer’s day.
Chill out in the afternoon or book a visit in the evening for a more party vibe – either option makes a trip here one of the best things to do in London for couples.
20. Play together at Fairgame
Located within the dazzling Canary Wharf, Fairgame offers a unique and unforgettable experience for any couple looking for date ideas in London.
Feel a rush of nostalgia as you try your hand at a range of fairground games, with classics like skee-ball and whac-a-mole.
At Fairgame, you’ll have a chance to try each game twice, and your scores are automatically tracked so you’ll also be able to see who comes out on top!
With nine different games, it takes just over an hour on average to work your way around each game. You’ll also be able to grab drinks before, after, or in between rounds, and there are several streetfood providers at the venue too if you’re hungry.
