London is one of the most romantic cities in the world with plenty of activities at night. Relax on a cruise along the River Thames, dine at restaurants, or have a few drinks at bars. We’ll show you some of the best places you can visit for an intimate evening with your partner. To get you started, here are the most romantic things to do in London at night.
1. London Eye
The London Eye is one of the best places to appreciate the romantic atmosphere of London. Up in the capsules, you’ll see the Thames winding its way through the well-lit streets, historical buildings, and London’s modern skyscrapers. Try a trip at sunset and add a glass of champagne and a private capsule to really impress your loved one. Book a capsule between 6pm and 9pm if you want to see London light up at night.
- Opening Hours: Daily 11am-6pm
- Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom
2. Helicopter Sightseeing
Blow your partner away with an exclusive helicopter tour of the sights of London. Sip Champagne while you see London’s top sights from above. You’ll see landmarks including Westminster, St Pauls Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, and the Tower of London amongst others. It’s the perfect romantic setting for a proposal or anniversary treat. These London skyscraper tours will be more than enough to make your partner fall absolutely in love with you!
- Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
3. Bustronome
Go a step further than London’s hop on hop off bus with a 6-course dinner on board. Snuggle up in the seats as you drive past London’s famous monuments. Seeing London by night has an awe-inspiring atmosphere that will spice up a sightseeing tour, making it that bit more special. There’ll be a number of delicious options on the menu, including vegetarian. Pair that with a glass of wine to make it a memorable evening.
- Departure Time: 7:15pm
- Duration: 3 horus
- Departure point: 25 Victoria Embankment, London WC2N 6PB, UK
4. Sunset Sightseeing by Bike
For active couples, a tour of London by bike is a great way to see London’s sights. The relaxing pace of the bike means you soak up more of the atmosphere of London. You’ll be able to cover more ground than you could on foot. Cycling alongside the Thames will certainly ignite the magic as you absorb the city’s sights and lights. On most tours, you’ll also see the Tate Modern, the Globe Theater, St Paul’s, Big Ben, and Convent Garden.
- Duration: 2-5 hours
5. Theatre, Shows, and Musicals
It would almost be a sacrilege to visit London and see a show at the West End. With around 40 theaters there is plenty of shows to choose from. Every couple will find something to suit them. From a light-hearted musical such as Mama Mia, to a classic show such as Phantom of the Opera, or something a little more obscure such as Kinky Boots. There are plenty of dinner and show deals too, so make sure you don’t miss out.
- Duration: 2-3 hours
6. Dining Experiences
It will come as no surprise that London has a wide variety of culinary experiences on offer. Who doesn’t enjoy a delicious meal and entertainment? Treat your loved one to more than just a pub or bog-standard restaurant meal, with choices like Fawlty Towers, a British comedy experience. Put on your detective hats at a Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Dinner, or enjoy a bite at the infamous Hard Rock Cafe. Alternatively, be surrounded by glamour at Planet Hollywood while enjoying a romantic dinner with your partner.
- Duration: 2-4 hours
7. Cruise on River Thames
The River Thames is 215 miles (346km) long, making it the longest river in England, and the second-longest (after the River Severn) in Britain. It meanders through London on its way to the sea. London wouldn’t be the city it is without the River Thames. It arose as a port city, supplied by the river and with a growing economy it’s no surprise London has existed for over 2000 yrs. As the Thames is such an important feature of London, it is an excellent place to see the sights and how London grew up around it. A river cruise is a top pick for a romantic night out with your partner.
- Duration: 2-3 hours
8. London Pubs
An English pub is iconic of the British way of life. People spend their evenings socializing with friends and meeting new people. It’s an enjoyable way to spend the night with their loved ones. There are few people who haven’t had at least one date in a pub, so make sure you enjoy a ‘date night’ in the best pubs London has to offer. There are plenty of pub crawls to choose from. This includes quieter, historical pubs visited by royals; or lively modern pubs with the buzzing atmosphere of Central London. Visit craft beers and local pubs of the tourist track for a more genuine experience of London’s social life. Whatever pub you choose, a beer or two will definitely open up conversions for a romantic night out.
- Duration: 2-4 hours
9. London Night Clubs
Night owls will love the London clubs, buzzing with music, lights, and plenty of energy. Get jiggy with your loved one, and maybe rub shoulders with celebrities if you go to the right places! There are plenty of clubs to choose from. Visit the infamous Ministry of Sound, home of dance music. Tiger Tiger’s 6 rooms mean it caters to most music tastes and is the place to party. Discover Strawberry Moon, a smaller VIP club built to impress, with cheesy music and tapas to nibble.
- Duration: 3-5 hours
10. London Food Tasting at Night
London is a very multi-cultural city, and as such caters to an extensive range of cuisine. Unsurprisingly, there is a huge range of restaurants, from cheap and cheerful to fine dining and everything in between. You could have Indian, Turkish, Thai, or something more unique. Woo your other half over a good old-fashioned dinner date. Discover the best restaurants for your chosen palette, be in Bolognese, international food, or even Scandinavian. With so much variety, you won’t need to worry if you have special dietary requirements either; there is even a Vegan food tour!
- Duration: 2-4 hours
11. Culinary & Gourmet Date
Satisfy your inner sweet tooth with chocolate and dessert tours around London. Or try different cheeses and traditional British scones. If you don’t want to appear like a pig or look like a mess on big meals, these are the types of tours to go on. Explore the different flavours of London for your next romantic date.
- Duration: 2-4 hours
12. Wine Tasting
If you dream of being a wine connoisseur, then a wine-tasting masterclass is the perfect way to spend the evening. Learn how to pair wine with food depending on how its flavors complement different tastes. Practice some professional wine-tasting techniques and tantalize your taste buds with some blind-tasting games. After a few drinks with your partner, we’re sure the fun will start!
- Duration: 2-4 hours
13. Ghosts Tour
Discover London’s spooky side on a ghoulish night tour. You’ll see major landmarks such as the Tower of London and Westminster Abby. But the highlights are ghostly sights like the Cross Bones Graveyard. Cuddle up with your loved one on the shadowy double-decker bus. Learn tales of terror, including the infamous serial killer, Jack the Ripper, and the demon barber of Fleet Street.
- Departure times: starting from 7:30pm
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Departure Address: 8 Northumberland Ave, London WC2N 5BY, UK
14. The Shard
The Shard is an iconic building in London’s cityscape. On the top floors, you’ll have the most epic views of London, especially at night. Discover the architectural wonder from the inside too as you ascend the elevator to ‘the View’ on floors 68, 69, and 72! It’s possible to see 360 views stretching 40 miles away. There is nowhere else in London that offers views like this. Treat yourselves to a glass of Champagne to make it that bit more special for you and your partner.
- Opening Hours: Thursday to Satruday 10am-10pm; Sunday to Wednesday 10am-7pm
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Address: 32 London Bridge St, London SE1 9SG, United Kingdom
15. Airline Cable Car
See London with a birds-eye view from its cable car, spanning 1 km of the River Thames and reaching heights of 90 meters. It’s the highest observation point above the Thames. Soar between the Greenwich Peninsular and the Royal Docks. Cruise past many riverside landmarks, such as the Tate Modern and Westminster, as you arrive in style by boat. Try and time your visit for sunset to make it an extra-romantic highlight of your trip to London.
- Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 7am-10pm; Friday 7am-11pm; Saturday 8am-11pm; Sunday 9am-10pm
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Address: 27 Western Gateway, London E16 1FA, United Kingdom
16. Natural History Museum Ice Rink
Enjoy an evening on ice as you skate away on London’s most beautiful winter Ice Rink at the National History Museum. What better way than to whisk your partner off their feet as you take to the ice, surrounded by London’s History. Feel the rush of the years fly by, as Londoners have been skating for decades, and enjoy some heartwarming, good old-fashioned fun. If you’ve only just started dating, it’s the perfect time to hold hands as you glide across the ice!
- Opening Hours: Daily 11am-10pm
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Address: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
17. The National Gallery of London
If you love art, a private tour of the National Gallery is sure to satisfy you. The National Gallery houses artwork from the 1300’s to the 1900’s. It has on display some of the most famous pieces in the world, including Van Goghs “Sunflowers”. Other famous painters include Botticelli, Monet, and Rembrandt. You will learn about their lives and how art has changed throughout the centuries. The evening tour starts at 5pm and runs for approximately 2.5 hours.
- Opening Hours: Saturday to Thursday 10am-6pm; Friday 10am-9pm
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Address: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, United Kingdom
18. Sky Garden
Don’t miss London’s incredible Sky garden, an amazing botanical indoor world. Three stories of exquisitely landscaped gardens create a fabulous setting to watch the sun go down. In addition, the public gardens have observation decks, an open-air terrace, and a choice of places to dine. Even better, a visit to the gardens is completely free, although it must be booked in advance.
- Opening Hours: Monday to Wednesday 10am-11:30pm; Thursday 10am-12am; Friday 9am-2am; Saturday 8:30am-2am; Sunday 8:30am-11pm
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Address: 1 SKY GARDEN WALK, London EC3M 8AF, United Kingdom
19. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
A visit to Shakespeare’s Globe is a must for anyone who thrives on theatre. It is probably the most famous theatre in the world and an ideal place for a romantic date. Built in 1599 by Shakespeare’s play company, it has seen countless performances of every play by Shakespeare over the years. The building today is a faithful replica and is both an exhibition and homage to William Shakespeare. He is undoubtedly one of the most famous playwrights in history.
- Opening Hours: Check the official site for shows
- Duration: 1-3 hours
- Address: 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT, United Kingdom
20. Christmas & New Year’s Eve Celebrations
The bustling city of London becomes an even more incredible place to visit over Christmas and New Year. You will be lucky to get snow; but with Christmas lights, trees, and decorations surrounding you, who needs it? Visit a Christmas market and enjoy mulled wine while you soak in the lights, or see them on a tour. On New Year’s Eve, don’t miss the amazing firework display; being there is an experience you will remember for a lifetime. Book a cruise and watch it in comfort, or wrap up warm and arrive early for your free space on the bank opposite. There is certainly no greater city than London to celebrate Christmas or New Year’s Eve.
With these amazing romantic things to do in London at Night, the difficulty will be in choosing where to start. Hopefully, this list has given you a great choice, and plenty of ideas to wow your other half. If you are planning on proposing, or have a special anniversary to celebrate, treat yourself with some luxury and champagne. It doesn’t matter if you are 18, 80, or somewhere in between, London has plenty of romantic activities for all.
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