13 things to do in London at night

London is undoubtedly one of the biggest and busiest cities in the world. Energetic is the best way to describe London by night. Activities are plentiful, so don't worry. However limited your options may seem, in reality there is always plenty to see and do when the sun goes down.

Soak up the best of London's nightlife at its world-famous theatres, with its views from Hampstead Observatory or its cool nights in Shoreditch - read on to find out more!

If you're a lover of musicals, London is a city that will captivate you with its full programme. So, if you're travelling to the British capital, bear in mind that you can book tickets for, among others, the following: The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, Wicked, The Tina Turner Musical, Les Miserables, Back To The Future: The Musical, The Play That Goes Wrong, Matilda The Musical or ESIX The Musical.

Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy your favourite musical in London and experience a magical night to remember.

Whether you're a football lover or not, booking Premier League tickets is another stellar plan for your trip to London. Keep in mind that in the UK football is experienced with the greatest euphoria in the world, so choose your team and become a fan for a day.

In the British capital you have the opportunity to attend nothing less than the matches of Chelsea FC, Tottenham Hotspur FC, Arsenal FC, West Ham United FC, Brentford FC, Crystal Palace FC or Fulham FC.

Fancy cruising the River Thames with a glass of champagne in hand? Enjoy an evening cruise on the Thames, with a four-course meal, jazz and spectacular views.

See the world's most striking buildings, including St Paul's Cathedral, the Shard, Big Ben, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge - all with an extra sparkle! Just be aware that this is a very popular activity, so I recommend that you book your Thames dinner cruise in advance.

London' s breathtaking landmarks become even more magical when lit up at night - there's no better way to experience their grandeur than by booking your ticket on the open-top, double-decker London night bus! The bus will take you around London's various sights without fear of getting lost. Try to listen to the live guide as he entertains you with fascinating facts and fun stories.

The bus crosses Tower Bridge, passes the Tower of London, the Palace of Westminster and the London Eye. Be dazzled as you approach the vibrant Trafalgar Square and the west end of the city, Piccadilly Circus. And when you see that Big Ben, you'll know you're really in London!

London night tours on the London sightseeing bus are one of the best plans you can opt for, especially if a lot of walking isn't something that appeals to you.

Taking a ride (never a better word) on the London Eye at night is an iconic London experience.

The London Eye is nothing more than a giant Ferris wheel on the south bank of the River Thames, but it's 135 metres above the ground. I recommend you to know the London Eye prices and the London Eye opening hours to go up to this tourist attraction, as it is worth going up, at least once.

Of course, it is a very popular activity, so I recommend you to book your tickets for the London Eye in advance. Once at the top, you'll enjoy spectacular views of the city's most iconic landmarks.

If you book a ghost bus tour of London, you'll be immersed in a spooky adventure. Lasting approximately one hour, this tour will take you to the most spooky places in the British capital on a classic double-decker bus.

An experience where you will be accompanied by a professional guide, who will tell you several terrifying stories as you pass by some of London's most iconic landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, London Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Cross Bones Cemetery and Southwark Cathedral. Are you in?

Many of London' s best museums and most famous galleries are open late on selected days. This is the case of:

• The British Museum.
• The Science Museum.
• The Tate Modern.
• The National Gallery.
• The Transport Museum.

Often busy during the day, these spaces are quieter at night, allowing you to take your time and explore every detail at your leisure. Not only can you browse the exhibitions, but you can also take part in workshops or listen to talks organised by the museum.

After enjoying your tickets to the Tower of London, you can't miss the Ceremony of the Keys, a 700 year old tradition and one of the Tower of London's must-sees. It takes place every night from 9.53pm to 10.05pm and involves the handing over of the keys by the head of the Tower Guard to the Governor of the Tower.

In the past, securing the Tower was significant because it protected the monarch in residence. Although this is no longer the case, the Crown Jewels and other valuables are still there, making the ceremony still meaningful.

The event is free; however, due to its limited space and popularity, it is advisable to book early.

Harrods is one of the most famous shops in the world and sells mainly luxury goods. I recommend starting a private tour of London with a walk through Harrods, which will be fully illuminated.

The twinkling lights that surround the building at dusk give it an undeniably magical atmosphere. Shopping in Harrods can be expensive if you splurge on luxury items; however, walking around each floor is enough to admire the incredible night-time setting.

Two important things to know for your visit: entrance to Harrods is free but you will need to go before 9pm which is closing time every day except Sundays when it closes at 6pm.

Hampstead Observatory is one of the few observatories in London that allows stargazing and night sky viewing. In fact, it is one of the most visible places to view space, including the moon, planets and other celestial objects. However, be aware that opening hours are very limited.

Please note that it is only open from mid-September to mid-April, on Fridays and Saturdays from dusk to 10pm. So if it doesn't fit in with your dates don't hesitate to book tickets for The Shard as the views from this skyscraper are also breathtaking. Being lucky enough to see almost every point of the city and the sky is an unforgettable experience.

If you're looking for more of a party plan, London is full of funky nightclubs that are open until the early hours of the morning, providing a variety of music genres and experiences.

Head to Shoreditch if bars and nightclubs are your thing, or head to Camden for live music venues such as the Spiritual Bar or Electric Ballroom. Another fun option is to book a pub crawl bike tour. If you're a music lover, wait for the London moon to kick off your evening.

British humour is a genre of comedy based on satire with a strong focus on people's lives and habits. Sarcasm and self-deprecation are two main themes used by British comedians. So when in London, try to open your mind to this kind of classic humour if you have a good level of English.

Located near Piccadilly Circus, The Comedy Store is the most famous of all British comedy clubs and has played a key role in the growth of British comedy. It has approximately 400 seats, enough to attract a crowd of tourists.

Shows at The Comedy Store cost between GBP 8 (€9.52) and GBP 24 (€28.56), depending on the show. There are also many other venues around London that offer comedy shows (many are even free), so you have no excuse not to go.

After a busy day of sightseeing, sometimes you just want to sit back, relax your muscles and enjoy a good movie.

Scattered throughout London are the Curzon cinemas, which have comfortable seating and licensed bars, ideal for a relaxing night out with the family or a romantic evening with your partner. With their quirky yet luxurious interiors, these cinemas are perfect for extra comfort on your trip.

As you can see, there's plenty to see and do in London. And when it comes to nightlife, it's no slouch. If you have a free evening after a long tour of London, you can't miss a night on the town.

I would recommend you to take a night bus tour to identify the most striking nightlife spots, so that you can make more informed decisions and, above all, more in line with your tastes. London has everything and for everything!

• Westfield London: Here you will discover luxury shops and any number of outlets to suit all tastes and styles.
• Westfield Stratford City: This is one of the largest urban shopping centres in Europe.
• London's Oxford Street: Here you will find designer labels and high quality brands.
• Duke of York Square: Here you will find famous brands and an unlimited variety of clothing items.

London is generally safe at all times, including at night. However, as with all big cities, there are some areas or parts of London that are safer than others.

In London, people like to walk, even at night. This means that you will always see people wandering the streets and avenues no matter what time of day it is.

I think Shoreditch is the hippest and most hipster neighbourhood in London. It has some of the best street art (such as graffiti) to accompany a night out in this neighbourhood. Despite the perceived big luxuries, much of the area still retains its original jovial and urban vibe.

The bars in Shoreditch have a unique atmosphere. I would definitely recommend bar-hopping around the area to get the full experience of some of London's nightlife. Of course, Shoreditch is the preferred stomping ground for most young people.

And if you want to know more about London's neighbourhoods I recommend this article on London neighbourhood by neighbourhood so you don't miss out on anything during your trip.