The 5 Most Colorful London Attractions

Five beautiful London attractions that are a feast for the eyes.

Many people associate big cities with skyscrapers, traffic, and basic colors like black, gray, and brown.

From the brown bricks of buildings to the stormy gray clouds that linger over the city most days, one can easily perceive London as a place of darkness.

When observing London from above, the only flash of color in sight is the blue sky (on the off-chance that the weather decided to be nice that day).

Even the River Thames rolls through the city with mellow waters of, not blue, but a dull, murky, mixture of brown and gray.

london-skyline

So with this article, I’d like to highlight some of the most colorful London attractions.

The best thing about these London attractions, they’re all free!

All you have to do is find them on your map, grab your camera, and walk there! Who said you couldn’t explore London on a budget??

In London, the most appealing areas of color are not the touristy areas filled with artificial colored lights and billboards like Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, or the South Bank. 

In my eyes, the best colorful London attractions are the more quiet, hidden areas that burst with humble and heartwarming colors.

So here are the 5 most colorful London attractions!

Check out my Ultimate Budget Travel Guide to London for more inspiration and travel tips!

5 Most Colorful London Attractions

1.Notting Hill

The first oasis of color in London is Notting Hill.

This famous maze of quiet streets contains endless rows of modest little houses.

And each building is slathered in colors ranging from simple white to bright orange, mint green, soft lavender, and deep ocean blue.

Walking down these streets feels like walking through a children’s storybook.

notting hill London
colorful notting hill

2. Portobello Road

Just down the road from Notting Hill is Portobello Road. 

The houses and buildings here are also rainbow!

The Portobello Road Street Market is full of energy, laughter, and happy locals as well.

So aside from the colorful paint on the buildings, there is something wonderfully colorful and lively about the culture and atmosphere of Portobello Road.

portobello road market London
portobello road London

3. Columbia Road Flower Market

The third most colorful London attraction is Columbia Road in East London.

Every Sunday morning from 8 am to 3 pm, this tiny street hosts a popular flower market.

You’ll find beautiful collections of flowers, fresh herbs, potted trees, vegetable plants, tiny cactuses, and more.

So if you can withstand the busy crowds of customers packed into this small street, the Columbia Road Flower Market is definitely worth a trip.

4. Brick Lane

A short walk from Columbia Road is Brick Lane, another colorful London attraction.

This road is most famous for its curry houses and beigel shops.

But it’s also decked out in street art and graffiti.

Most of the art lies in the side streets that branch off of the busy Brick Lane.

Whether it be giant murals or small pictures, this area overflows with creativity.

There is also an amazing weekend market in Brick Lane full of food, art, and more.

brick lane art
brick lane London art

5. Neal’s Yard

This is definitely one of my favorite London attractions.

Nestled in the heart of Covent Garden in central London, walk along Shorts Gardens Road until you see a little alleyway called Neal Street.

After walking through a short, shady tunnel, you’ll emerge into a courtyard that looks like a scene from a Dr. Seuss book.

Neal’s Yard is a small square where every window frame is an eccentric color and crazy plants and flowers decorate every surface.

There are a few amazing healthy cafes and health and beauty shops as well.

Even if you’re not into the health scene, just come relax on one of the benches and admire the festive scenery!

london-neals-yard

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So these five London attractions are sure to infuse your life with color.

But you don’t even have to venture all the way to Notting Hill or Brick Lane to discover something extraordinary.

Though London is a huge industrial city, having an open mind can allow you to find little pieces of beauty that will add a burst of color to an ordinary day.

Before traveling to London… 

For more travel articles about London, check out:

9 Food Markets To Try In London

10 Most Beautiful Parks in London, UK

6 Amazing Day Trips From London

The 5 Most Colorful London Attractions

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