8 exciting things to do in London at night

As one of the largest and busiest cities in the world, London attracts an impressive number of visitors every year. People from all over the world come to London to explore its many facets and they’re not disappointed. The British capital is indeed a city of contrasts, blending the old with the new and offering visitors and locals alike the opportunity to enjoy a variety of exciting activities and create wonderful memories along the way. 

No matter how many times you visit London, you’re still going to discover something new every time. This wonderful cosmopolitan city that doesn’t cease to surprise us has something in store for everyone. If you’ve chosen London as your next travel destination, you’re definitely in for a treat. There are zero chances of getting bored while visiting London, but plenty of opportunities to experience unforgettable moments. 

One of the best things about London is that the city is on 24/7. This means there are just as many exciting things to do in London by night as they are by day. So, if you want to get the whole London experience and make the most of your trip, here are 8 interesting and exciting things to do in London at night. 

Ride the London Eye

The London Eye gets more visitors than the Taj Mahal, The Eiffel Tower, or the Great Pyramids of Giza, so it would be a shame not to check such a sought-after attraction off your list. It’s no surprise so many people flock to take a ride in the London Eye, as the views you get from its top are absolutely spectacular. But since it’s such a popular thing to do in London, you’re bound to meet quite a large crowd when you get there. So, it’s way better to visit the London Eye at night when there are fewer tourists and the views are even more breathtaking. 

Go for a shopping spree 

You can’t go back home without a few souvenirs to remind you of the wonderful time you’ve spent in the British capital, but are you really willing to battle the hundreds of tourists that crowd popular shops and markets? Instead of going on a shopping spree during the day and wasting your precious time while doing so, you can save yourself the trouble and do your shopping late in the evening. There are many stores and markets in London that stay open long after the sun has set, such as the Brixton Night Market, so you can explore them when the crowds have dispersed.

Visit museums after hours  

Visiting a few museums is a must when you’re in London, but there are so many that you might not have time to visit as many as you want during the day. Luckily, you can visit museums at night as well, thanks to the monthly late openings that many museums have established recently. Apart from visiting exhibitions, you can also take part in different workshops or attend lectures on different topics. 

Go on a night tour

What better way to explore London at night than by going on a night tour? London has a very rich history and hides many interesting and sometimes quite frightening stories behind its walls, and you can learn about some of them if you are brave enough to join a guided night tour. Just get ready to listen to terrifying ghost stories or famous legends and discover the city in a completely different light.

Go bar-hopping in Shoreditch

If the night tour scared you a bit and you want to shake off that chilling feeling, you can and should mingle with the crowds and get a taste of the London vibrant nightlife in Shoreditch.  This is the place to be if you enjoy hopping from one bar to another, sipping on delicious drinks, or partying with British escorts like there’s no tomorrow. London is a reveler’s dream, so you’ll surely meet a lot of like-minded people from different parts of the world who are looking to have fun and party from dusk till dawn.  

Attend the Ceremony of the Keys

However, if you’re not really into partying and you want to spend your London evenings in a more peaceful and serene way, you can always leave the party crowds to do their own thing and go watch the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. This 700-year-old tradition starts every night at exactly 9:53 pm and finished at 10:05 pm, so it’s not something that will take up a lot of your time. Attending the Ceremony of the Keys is completely free, but you do have to book tickets in advance since it’s quite a popular tourist attraction. 

Admire the night sky at Hampstead Observatory

Stargazing is always such a wonderful and mesmerizing thing to do at night, but gazing at the night sky in London is all the more special. The Hampstead Observatory in London gives visitors the possibility to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and discover the wonders of the night sky. A visit to the Observatory is totally free, but make sure to check the schedule before you head there because opening times are quite limited and you don’t want to make the trip in vain. 

Go to a comedy show 

You’ve probably heard about the famous British sense of humor, so if you enjoy comedy shows, London is your dream destination. You can attend a comedy show in one of the many tiny comedy bars that are scattered across the city, or you can go to famous comedy clubs such as The Comedy Store near Piccadilly Circus or the Apollo Theatre in London’s West End. The Brits have a very special type of humor that blends satire with the absurdity of everyday life, making them masters of sarcasm and irony. What can we say, it’s funny ‘cause it’s true.