4 East London Markets in One Day: Itinerary & Guide
Spend the day living like a Londoner in East London, where street food, markets, and creative neighbourhoods make every stop feel like a little discovery. This East London walking tour is a relaxed, family-friendly way to explore some of the city’s trendiest areas on foot, with plenty of places to pause for snacks, browsing, and a breather when little legs need it.
In this guide, you’ll follow an easy route through Shoreditch, Brick Lane and Whitechapel, mixing historic streets with modern London energy. Along the way you’ll visit three of East London’s best markets (and four if you go on a Sunday), with options for vintage finds, local makers, and delicious bites that everyone can agree on. Expect colourful street art, buzzing food spots, and those classic East London contrasts, old brick buildings with shiny skyscrapers peeking over the rooftops.
At the end of the walk, you’ll finish near a train station with direct links back to London Liverpool Street, making it simple to head home after a full day of exploring.
A little bit about East London
East London begins just beyond the City of London, around Liverpool Street, and it’s one of the best areas to explore on foot if you love local culture, street food and a little bit of history with your wander. Known for its working-class roots, East London has long been shaped by migration, markets and industry, and today it’s a vibrant mix of old and new that makes it perfect for a walking tour.
As you stroll from Shoreditch out towards Brick Lane and Whitechapel, you’ll spot the city’s contrasts in real time: glossy glass skyscrapers rising behind East London walking tour Victorian terraces, bold street art splashed across brickwork, and historic lanes that still feel like the London of decades past. This part of the capital is famous for its markets, from vintage stalls and independent makers to some of the best bites in the city, and it’s the kind of place where every turn gives you something different, a hidden courtyard, a bagel shop with a queue, a buzzing food hall, or a quiet street packed with character.
Whether you’re planning an East London market itinerary or a self-guide East London walking tour, this route is an easy way to see the area’s energy, history and ever-changing skyline in one day.
The Market Walking Tour
London Liverpool Street is on the fringes of East London and the City of London (The Financial District) Where old meets new - you see the historic streets on East London against the backdrop of modern skyscrapers, Liverpool Street has a plethora of over ground trains, tubes and buses in its hub, making it a great place to start no matter which corner you are coming from
This walk will take you from London Liverpool Street in the City to Mare Street in Hackney.
This walk will take you approximately 60 minutes door to door but of course you are going to want to stop along the way! I have noted great places to stop for a bite, browse or tipple en route.
So grab you comfy shoes, grab a tote bag and head out on an empty stomach because there is a lot to eat, see and do along the way!
Lets Go!
Liverpool Street Station
~ Head out of the station from the Bishopsgate exit turn left onto Bishopsgate.
~ Photography Tip ~ Take a moment to look behind you at the skyscraper backdrop. This still takes my breath away!
~ Continue to walk down Bishopsgate then take a right on Brushfield Street.
TIP ~ Grab a coffee from Nagare Coffee Shop on Brushfield St.
Spitalfields Market
Spitalfields is a large, covered market open 7 days a week. Spread over two areas, the new Spitalfields market and the old building, this charming place is buzzing and a great place to stop for a wonder.
Along with the market you will find trendy bars. Restaurants and food trucks. I highly recommended sitting in the communal area on the corner of Lamb St and Commercial Street in the old part of the market, where you will find independent food stalls and my favourite - Donovan’s bakehouse (try the biscoff doughnut!)
~ Cross over Commercial Road towards Hambury Street.
You are now entering the area of….
Brick Lane
Brick Lane is a diverse area of London with lots to offer. From street art to vintage markets, independent cafes to curry houses and the world famous 24 hour bagel shop, Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery!
There is a street market here every Sunday on Brick Lane but additionally, there is a market at The Truman Brewery 7 days a week with different markets everyday from Vintage clothes to food trucks.
~ Photography Tip ~ This is a great area to capture some amazing street art. The Truman Brewery is also a stunning building.
~ After your delicious bagel, take some time to wander up and down brick lane. Take in the sights and sounds before heading to the top again to continue our walk.
~ Walk to the very top of Brick Lane to Bethnal Green Road where you will continue along Brick Lane.
~ TIP ~ take a little detour here to see Boundary Garden. A park and bandstand set in the middle Boundary Estate. This is steeped in history and can be seen in many films. If you are looking for a pit stop head to he corner.
~ Head back to the top of Brick Lane and turn right on to Ducal Street. You’ll enter a residential area but not for too long! Continue along Ducal Street baring left until it brings you to Chambord Street.
~ Continue to the top of Chambord Street until you get to Colombia Road and the location of your next market (if visiting on a Sunday)
Colombia Road Flower Market
Colombia Road is a a great visit anytime of the week with it’s independent shops, bars and pubs. BUT, Sundays are when it comes alive with the Flower Market.
It does what it says on the tin. A flower market selling fresh flowers, plants, pots and more. It can get very busy to be prepared for crowds!
~ Photography Tip ~ Campania is a popular photography hotspot.
~ With an arm full of flowers and a belly full of cake, head east along Colombia Road towards Hackney Road.
~ Cross over Hackney Road to Hackney City Farm. This is a great place to stop off if you have little ones, or if you just love animals! It’s rare to find a farm in the middle of a city! It’s free to enter just give a little donation.
~ If farms aren’t you thing then continue up Goldsmiths Row passing the farm on your left. This will take you on a 10 minute walk across Regents Canal to Broadway Market.
~ Photography Tip ~ There are great view down the river of industrial London and Canal Boats.
Broadway Market
Broadway Market is a brilliant stop on an East London markets itinerary, especially if you love a proper local vibe. Tucked in Hackney between London Fields and the Regent’s Canal, this lively street market is best known for its Saturday food stalls, artisan bakes, street food and small producers, with independent shops and cafés lining the road. It’s an easy one for families too: grab something tasty to-go, let the kids stretch their legs in London Fields, then wander down towards the canal for a slower, scenic stroll (pram-friendly, snack-friendly, sanity-friendly
Head north-east along Broadway Market (keeping the stalls/shops on either side as you go).
- Continue straight onto Westgate Street
Broadway Market naturally becomes Westgate Street as you leave the main market stretch.
-Turn left onto Mare Street
At the end of Westgate Street, turn left onto Mare Street.
-Walk along Mare Street
Stay on Mare Street for a few minutes, passing local cafés and shops as you go.
- Arrive at Mare Street Market
You’ll find Mare Street Market on Mare Street
London Fields station has direct trains to London Liverpool Street, and it’s a quick ride around 8–10 minutes
Thanks for exploring East London with us. If you do this market walk, let me know which stop was your favourite, and tag me so I can see your day out.
