Things to do in London During Weekend

May 14, 2025

Ah, London! Red bus city, world-renowned bridges, unlimited museums, pricey coffee, and, yes—rain (but we love it anyway). If you're a weekend tourist in the city or a local and require some fresh inspiration, you've come to the right place. Let's do away with the too-slick travel-brochure feel and get into a real guide on interesting things to do in London during the weekend.

Saturday Morning: Take it Easy into the City

There are various things to do in London during the weekend. Begin your Saturday mornings slowly. London might be too much if you pound at it too hard from the start. One wonderful way to start is with a laid-back breakfast in a local café. Attempt Dishoom in Shoreditch (go early or be prepared to queue) or something alternative and bohemian like The Breakfast Club in Soho. If you're not a fan of huge breakfasts, pick up a flat white and a croissant from Monmouth Coffee at Borough Market. The early opening of the market means it is relatively peaceful in the morning, so you can stroll, graze, and sniff the roses without being elbowed out of the way by tourists.

Midday: Markets and Museums (Choose Your Mood)

Next in the list of things to do in London is visiting Markets and Museums. If you can find a mood for browsing and observing the people, visit Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill. The market is open every Saturday in full swing. It is quaint, chaotic, and colorful, and if you are lucky, you will see an old camera, a vinyl treasure record, or simply a great street food stall selling jerk chicken or Venezuelan arepas. Not a shopper and not a people person? Mix up your path and get cultural. The Tate Modern in the South Bank is free (yes, FREE) and filled with challenging modern art. Even if you don't "enjoy" modern art, the architecture of the building is beautiful, and the Thames view from the café is worth the trip in and of itself.

Saturday Afternoon: Take a Walk (or a Snooze)

London is a city to walk around, but not walk too much. On a pleasant day, there are many things to do in London. You can walk along the South Bank. From the London Eye to Tower Bridge, it's all charming riverside atmosphere, street performers, book stalls, and spontaneous concerts. Stop off for a pint at The Anchor by Shakespeare's Globe or grab an ice cream from Udderlicious—yes, that is its actual name. Need a break? St. James's Park, just off Buckingham Palace, is ideal for lounging. The chairs are a few pounds, but who cares when you're soaking up the gentle thrum of the city and observing pelicans being strangely regal?

Saturday Nights: Time to Eat and Drink

Dinners in London can take you anywhere your heart wants, depending on what mood you're in. There are many things to do in London. Craving some mysticism? Book a table at Covent Garden's Clos Maggiore (it gets voted the most romantic restaurant in London). Yearning to be a rebel? Go to Brick Lane and try proper curry—a straight-to-the-heart bargain that could make you cry as wait staff will attempt to bribe you into one another's places with "special offers." Still not sure? Flat Iron does great steaks at ridiculously cheap prices, and because it's no-reservations, you simply put your name on the list and grab a drink while you wait. Drinks, by the way.

Sunday Morning: Sloppy and Sweet

Next in the list of things to do in London is relaxing. London Sundays are laid-back, and that's how they should remain. If you wake up early (or don't), start your Sunday off with a visit to Granger & Co. in Notting Hill or Farm Girl Café. Both serve food that will encourage you to up sticks and relocate to London and start yoga classes. If you like to do it even more slowly, go to Columbia Road Flower Market. It's open only on Sundays and is a flower aficionado's dream—rumpled, packed, but somehow un-stressful anyway. And around it, there are close-by shops offering excellent pastries, well-made coffee, and trendy homeware.

Sunday Afternoon: Parks, Pubs, and Personal Space

This is where you get to turn your relaxing weekend into something really magical. There are a number of things to do in London; you can pick one of the large green spaces:

• Hampstead Heath: Countryside, open, and with stunning views from Parliament Hill. Adventure (and sun) allowing, take a dip in the bathing ponds.
• Regent's Park: Nicely trimmed, ideal for a promenade à deux or a solo wander with earplugs inserted.
• Hyde Park: Traditional and downtown. Rent out a bike or paddle boat, or merely observe human passersby.

End your Sunday night in a traditional Sunday roast pub. Believe me, this is important. Try The Spaniards Inn near Hampstead or The Princess of Shoreditch for something a tad more upscale. A roast with crispy potatoes, Yorkshire pudding that's light, and a pint of ale—how better to round out a weekend?

Final Thoughts

London is all things—hustling, historic, gritty, polite, edgy, and creative. It may be five cities in one, depending on the district and the time of day. That's what makes it such an ideal weekend escape: there's no correct way to do it. There are a number of things to do in London—having a Soho cocktail, strolling around the museums, or stuffing bao buns down your face in Chinatown—London will never disappoint—and with some unexpected treats thrown in along the way.