Romantic things to do in London for every couple

Discover the enchanting charm of London with your loved one, from serene strolls along the Thames to intimate dinners in cozy, candlelit restaurants.

The NH Concierge’s Tips

Do you want to take a special trip with your partner but you don't know what to plan? Don't worry! Whether you're thinking about a weekend getaway or planning a surprise for Valentine's Day, we'll help you to find the best ideas for you and your special one to have the perfect date.

In this article, we'll compile a series of romantic things to do in London, as it is one of the best destinations for couples who want to have unforgettable memories in one of the most dynamic cities in the world.

Iconic landmarks and views in London

What makes London the perfect spot for a romantic getaway? Being the UK capital, London offers some of the top restaurants in the world, with international cuisine adapted to all tastes and budgets. London shares an incredible diversity of romantic activities and spots like parks and gardens spread throughout the city that captures a magical and romantic atmosphere.

The London Eye

If you want to have a special moment with your partner, we recommend experiencing one of the most iconic views of London. The London Eye is the world’s largest cantilevered observation wheel. There you will enjoy a ride of approximately 30 minutes, which gives you enough time to share a pleasant moment with that special person. You can book your tickets online from 29€ and you can get there by tube to Westminster station (Jubilee, District, or Circle lines), and book your tickets in advance to avoid the long lines.

Tower Bridge

One of the most romantic date ideas in London is to walk across the iconic Tower Bridge and cross the Thames River. From here, you can capture your memories by taking spectacular photos and, if you're interested, you can explore the exhibition inside the bridge's towers to learn about its history. To get there you have to take the District or Circle subway lines to Tower Hill station. But we recommend traveling by bus, to see the beautiful landscape, with any of the lines 15, 254, 343, N15, and 734 to the Tower of London Stop (Stop TB).

Sky Garden

This is an additional plan that you can add to your itinerary to make your day more special. Discover this indoor garden with a beautiful viewing platform on top of a building where you can enjoy a cocktail or try the best British food in the area. It’s a magical and romantic place, especially at sunset. Make sure to make a reservation in advance, as entry is free but can fill up quickly. It’s located at 1 Sky Garden Walk, and you can get there by taking the tube to Monument Station with the Circle and District lines.

Parks and gardens for a date

You don’t need to go extra to create a special moment. The simplest dates can become the most romantic. No need for a fancy restaurant or a breathtaking view. One of the most romantic things to do in London is just taking a walk in the park. It will allow you and your partner to be totally present while enjoying the atmosphere. There are few better places than London to take someone on those special walks. The city offers amazing green spaces to escape from the hustle and bustle of life in the capital.

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is London's green lung and an ideal place to stroll with your partner. You can rent a boat to row on the lake Serpentine or simply enjoy a picnic in its spacious green areas. If you're lucky, you might even catch one of the open-air concerts during the summer. So, write down that you can get there from the nearest station at Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly line) or Lancaster Gate (Central line).

Kew Gardens

This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a romantic atmosphere with greenhouses, gardens, and a wide variety of plants. Walking along its paths and losing yourself in its natural beauty is an experience that every lover should experience. To get there, take the District Line to Kew Gardens station, which is right next to the main entrance of the garden.

Greenwich Park

This is yet another romantic activity in London with one of the nicest views. Here you can enjoy various attractions such as the Royal Observatory, Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark, the hidden gem of The Queen’s House, St Alphege Church, and the Old Royal Naval College. But if you want to have a memorable date, visit the park in spring, enjoy a romantic walk and a picnic while you look out over the Thames River. To get there by tube you must take the Jubilee line to North Greenwich station.

Richmond Park

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, Richmond Park is the perfect place. This park is famous for its deer and its wide green spaces, perfect for a quiet afternoon. So it's a good place to stroll along its paths and connect with your partner. The nearest tube station is Richmond (District line), from which you can walk about 15 minutes to the park. Or you can take the 65, 371, and 490 bus lines that have stops near several entrances to the park.

Free museums and galleries in London

Enjoy the best of London's culture for free. From the worldly renowned free exhibitions London has to offer you can find stunning art galleries and historic houses. Admiring the permanent collections of these museums and galleries is free and it is, undoubtedly, a must on your romantic trip to London: 

National Gallery: This is another romantic date idea in London. So, if you share a passion for culture, don't miss this spot as it houses some of the most relevant pieces in the history of art. There you will find different artists from Van Gogh to Turner, which can result in a very inspiring experience for both of you. Even though there is a free entry, don’t forget to book your ticket online. To get there, you can take the Bakerloo and Northern tube lines to Charing Cross station. Or take the bus to the stop at Trafalgar Square (lines 24, 29 and 176). 

Victoria & Albert Museum: This is a perfect spot to make your partner happy, especially if they are a design and fashion lover. Here you can explore interactive exhibits and enjoy a creative atmosphere. But don't forget to visit the beautiful tea room for a romantic break. The nearest tube station is South Kensington (District, Circle, and Piccadilly lines), and bus lines 14, 74, and 345 all have stops nearby.

Theatrical experiences for art lovers

Looking for a unique way to enjoy the City streets? There’s nothing like art to make your getaway an unforgettable experience and to surprise you and your especial. 

If you love the visual arts, booking a theater ticket for, at least, one show is one of the most romantic things to do in London. London’s Theatre district, commonly referred to as Theatreland or West End has a generous and fabulous show offering. Get ready for the neon signs and flashy billboards announcing the shows’ names. With award-winning musicals such as Les Misérables, Hamilton or Phantom of the Opera you can be sure that you will be entertained with all London shows on offer.

West End Shows

A classic date for Londoners is to see a show in the West End. This is a district with more than 40 theaters throughout the area, where you can enjoy musical comedies, dramas, and a wide variety of shows. To do so, we recommend booking your tickets in advance to get the best seats and deals, as well as enjoying a dinner beforehand to complete the magic experience. 

To get to the West End area you can take the tube to Leicester Square station (Northern and Piccadilly lines) or Covent Garden station (Piccadilly line). Or if you want to travel by bus, you can use lines 14, 19 and 38.

The Royal Opera House

If you are looking for something more spectacular, romantic and glamorous, you have to treat your partner to an opera at the Royal Opera House. There you'll find a combination of beautiful music and breathtaking architecture Which will make this an unforgettable experience. It's located in central London, close to Covent Garden tube station (Piccadilly line), and bus lines 1, 168, and 171 have stops close to the theater.

Romantic restaurants to have a date

One of the mandatory plans with your partner, not only in London, but in any city in the world you visit is to enjoy a romantic dinner in a very special restaurant. For foodie couples that want to enjoy different cuisines, we leave you a list of places where you can enjoy a pleasant evening.

Michelin-Starred restaurants in London

If you want to treat your partner to a high-end gastronomic experience, you should know that this city has a wide selection of Michelin-starred restaurants. This is one of the most popular romantic things to do in London among locals. So you can book a table at one of these restaurants: 

The Ledbury in Notting Hill (3 Michelin stars) 

Here, you can enjoy modern British cuisine in a very elegant and luxurious setting. The menu has tasting dishes that allow you to explore innovative flavors as they use many seasonal ingredients along with deer, cow and Iberian pig meat raised by the chef and owner Brett Graham himself. Book with a generous advance as it is not easy to get a table due to the high demand. To get to this restaurant you must get to the Notting Hill Gate tube station via the Central, Circle and District lines. 

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (2 Michelin stars) 

Located in Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, this restaurant has been ranked multiple times on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Because it’s a memorable culinary experience with a menu made to find very interesting dishes such as “Chicken liver mousse”, as well as other vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. To get to this restaurant, walk 15 minutes from Hyde Park Corner station (Piccadilly line).

Afternoon tea experiences

An experience that anyone who visits the city should experience, is to enjoy an afternoon of tea in a cozy place. This is an almost sacred activity for the local culture and a lovely way to spend time with your partner. 

There are emblematic places where you can enjoy a wide selection of sandwiches, scones, and a great variety of cakes that would be a dream come true for sweet treats lovers. Accompanied by an incredible selection of national and imported teas. This place is located 5 minutes from the Green Park tube station, which you can reach from the Jubilee, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines. 

Another iconic place to enjoy tea in a more modern way is called Sketch. Located near Oxford Circus tube station (Bakerloo, Central and Victoria lines), there you can enjoy an afternoon tea in the most romantic way possible thanks to its beautiful decoration that mixes a classic trend with modern touches. However, you can only attend with a reservation, so make sure you do it well in advance.

Unique experiences and romantic date ideas in London

Romance is not so much the activity you do, but the experiences you live, since it is possible to forget a restaurant or a painting, but not how it made us feel. Taking a romantic walk or cycle through the city parks can be more than enough to create a memorable moment. This will help you create special moments, so we recommend you don't miss these trips:

Thames River Cruise

One of the romantic date ideas in London to experience London is through a cruise on the Thames River. There are different types of cruises, whether historical tours, to spend an afternoon having tea, experience a dinner on the cruise, speedboat trips, among others. So we recommend you investigate the different companies that offer routes on the Thames canals. So you can coordinate experiencing an unforgettable moment in London.

Other romantic tours in London

On the other hand, if you usually do outdoor activities with your partner, you will love exploring the city by bike. With this type of transport, you can go to the parks and the most iconic monuments in London. Although it does not seem like a very romantic plan, for couples who enjoy exercising, they will love spending this quality time together. 

Therefore, if you are wondering where to rent bikes, you have several options. The most popular among locals is Santander Cycles, a public rental system with affordable rates and stations throughout the city. You can access them at the stations, using the app, and they cost £1.65 for 30 minutes.

Conclusions about romantic things to do in London

You have all you need to complete your bucket list and discover the main London attractions for a memorable stay with your partner. This city is one of the most vibrant places in the world, so exploring its corners will undoubtedly be fascinating for both of you. Just remember to prepare your itinerary well and pack your suitcase with waterproof clothing. Book or buy your tickets in advance for the attractions you want to visit, so you can enjoy all the romantic things to do in London.

Some questions about romantic things to do in London

What is the most romantic spot in London?

There are several places, but one of the most romantic is the Sky Garden, for its stunning views and charming atmosphere. There you can take awesome photos, have a refreshing drink, and eat by reservation only.

Are there seasonal romantic activities in London?

Yes, during the different seasons, there are special activities such as Christmas markets in winter and flower festivals in spring. You just have to set your itinerary according to the season you visit the city.

What are some budget-friendly romantic things to do in London?

Exploring parks like Hyde Park, visiting free museums, and enjoying a picnic are all budget-friendly options, while still being romantic. Also, bike rides are cheap transportation, so you can get to these places while having fun pedaling.

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