Looking for immersive experiences in London? Well, good, because I’m the UK’s biggest independent immersive experience blogger. Whenever an immersive experience launches in London, I’m there no matter how weird it is. I have visited more than 100 so far!
Below London’s best immersive experiences that I have tried and tested, organised by type. This article gets updated regularly, check the last published date for the latest update time and you’ll find 30+ immersive experiences here at all times.
Something needs updating? Give me a shout in the comments, or on Instagram (@travelwithpau).
This Month’s Highlight
Luminiscence
After captivating over one million people worldwide, Luminiscence is coming to London this summer — and Westminster Cathedral might be the most spectacular venue it has ever had. The building’s vast domes, soaring columns, and intricate mosaics become a living canvas as 360° projections sweep across every surface, all set to the music of Beethoven, Verdi, Debussy, Vivaldi, and Bach performed live by the Lux Aeterna choir. There’s also a specially commissioned script narrated by Hugh Bonneville. It’s seated, around 50 minutes, and genuinely unmissable. Running 1 July – 27 September 2026, from £32.50.
The most technically remarkable concert I’ve ever seen — and I don’t even say that lightly. ABBA Voyage takes place in a purpose-built arena in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where four holographic ABBAtars (the band as they looked in 1979) perform a 100-minute setlist backed by a ten-piece live band. The result is genuinely uncanny — it looks, sounds, and feels like seeing ABBA live. All 20 songs are greatest hits: Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Waterloo, Fernando, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! — the full lot. You can sit or go on the dance floor. London exclusive, has been running for years, and still sells out. If you haven’t done it yet, stop waiting.
You’re the crew of a starship. That’s the premise of Bridge Command, and it delivers completely. Held in a custom-built spaceship set in Vauxhall, you and your group take on roles — pilot, engineer, weapons, communications — and work together to navigate missions, survive crises, and interact with live actors playing characters in the story. No VR, no headsets — just an extraordinarily immersive set with sliding palmprint doors, smoke and sparks when you take damage, and two hours of proper group gameplay. One of the most original immersive experiences in London right now. Running until August 2026, from £40. Groups of up to 14.
This is one of the most exciting immersive experience launches of 2025! The official live, playable experience based on the BAFTA and Emmy award-winning TV show, The Traitors is set in London’s West End. The Traitors: Live Experience will allow players to dive into the world of the hit TV series as they take a seat at ‘The Round Table’, participate in missions and work together to uncover the Traitors.
Candlelight has exploded into one of the most popular concert experiences in London — and honestly, I get it. Intimate live performances in stunning venues, lit entirely by candlelight, at prices that won’t bankrupt you. There are now over 45 different shows running across the city, from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Hans Zimmer film scores to tributes to Adele, The Beatles, Queen vs ABBA, and even Hip-Hop on Strings. Venues range from Southwark Cathedral and St Martin-in-the-Fields to Central Hall Westminster and Cadogan Hall. Whatever your taste in music, there’s almost certainly a Candlelight show for you — and it makes a brilliant date night or gift.
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and one of the most underrated city breaks in the UK. It’s compact, incredibly walkable, and packed with history, culture, and one of the best food and bar scenes I’ve encountered anywhere in the British Isles.
It’s also a city that wears its complex past openly — the murals, the Peace Wall, the political taxi tours — and that honesty makes it one of the most thought-provoking places I’ve visited. Come with an open mind, and you’ll leave with a genuine understanding of a city that has worked incredibly hard to reinvent itself.
Nowadays Belfast is my second home, as I own short term accommodation properties in the city. I’m constantly advising and engaging tourists so I do dare say I know a lot. So if you are visiting do me a favour and stay in one of them… wink, wink!
GRAND OPERA HOUSE
VISITING BELFAST: THE ESSENTIALS
Transport / Belfast City is quite small and fully walkable, there’s buses of course, but frankly you don’t even need them. However, I do encourage you to get a rental car so you can independently visit the rest of Northern Ireland which is also very small so you can use Belfast as your base. Book your rental using DiscoverCars, the website I recommend for all international car hires. If you are not renting a car, should you require an airport transfer, I always use WelcomePickups.
Connect / You’ll need mobile data while you are in Belfast, I always recommend using an eSIM (there’s absolutely no need for a physical one!). I always use Sim Local, and you can get 5% discount with code TRAVELWITHPAU. Get it here.
Luggage storage / You might need to store your luggage before checking in to your hotel, you can use this website which has spots all across the city!
Get Insured / Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
WONDERFUL THINGS TO DO IN BELFAST
Visit the Titanic Belfast Experience
The Titanic Belfast museum is, without exaggeration, one of the best museums I’ve ever been to. Built on the exact slipway where the Titanic was constructed, it takes you through the full story of the ship — from Belfast’s industrial history to the night of the sinking and beyond. The building itself is stunning, designed to resemble the prow of a ship.
A great way to start your trip is to take a hop-on; hop-off bus across all Belfast city top attractions. It’s the perfect way to get started and get an overview of the city if you are short on time and an efficient way to get around the furthest away sites. I took this one with Belfast City Tours and loved it. It stops on 19 sites (many which I feature below) and pricing wise it’s great. Book it here, or below:
Some relationships just stand the test of time. I’ve had my Vivaia Jade Pro heels for over four years now — four years of airports, evening dinners, cobblestone streets, and last-minute “I need to look put-together” moments. And although they do now look a little worn, they are still genuinely the most comfortable heels I’ve ever owned. The promise on the box when I bought them was that you could practically run in them. Reader, it’s kind of true.
So when Vivaia sent me a selection of their summer styles to try, I was both excited and a little nervous. Could they possibly live up to that benchmark?
You’ll see AdaptAll mentioned across several of these styles, and it’s worth explaining before we get into individual reviews. It’s Vivaia’s strap-adjustment technology — essentially, the straps are designed to flex and adapt to the shape of your foot rather than locking you into a fixed fit. For anyone who’s had one too many new-shoe blisters on holiday, it makes a real practical difference.
👠 Best for: dinners out, summer weddings, anywhere you want a heel that won’t destroy your feet
If I could summarise the Ava in one sentence: these are what I would have bought instead of the Jade Pro if they’d existed when I first discovered Vivaia.
The Ava has that same square-toe silhouette I’ve loved for years, with a block heel that sits at a height I’d actually consider wearing for a full day of exploring. The AdaptAll strap across the front gives you a surprisingly secure fit — I wore these on an uneven terrace and felt perfectly stable, which I genuinely did not expect from a heeled sandal.
They won’t replace the Jade Pro for me (nothing will, honestly — those shoes are practically family at this point), but they’re the closest thing to that level of wearable-heel I’ve found in a sandal. If you’ve been on the fence about Vivaia’s closed-toe styles because summer is coming, start here.
Fit: True to size. Comfort: 8.5/10 Style tip: These look brilliant with a midi dress or wide-leg trousers. The square toe keeps them feeling modern rather than overly dressy.
👟 Best for: everyday errands, casual lunches, commuting in warmer months
The Carey flats are Vivaia doing breathable casual wear, and the mesh upper is genuinely lovely in warmer weather — light, airy, and they don’t trap heat the way a lot of summer flats do.
They’re also very pretty. The square-toe shape keeps them looking intentional (mesh can sometimes veer into trainers territory, but these don’t), and the fit out of the box is comfortable enough to wear immediately without a break-in period.
Honest caveat, though, and I think it’s worth flagging: the non-mesh panels — the solid fabric sections around the toe and heel — show wear faster than I expected. After a couple of days of regular use, mine were looking noticeably dirty. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to go into with open eyes. If you’re planning to use these as your daily shoe through an entire summer, factor that in.
Fit: True to size. Comfort: 8/10 Worth noting: Great for warm days when you need something breathable, but for heavy daily wear you may find the solid panels show their age sooner than you’d like.
🌿 Best for: long walking days, anyone who needs arch support without sacrificing style
I’ll be honest: I didn’t expect to love the Paloma as much as I do.
The selling point is the Arch Pro midsole — dual-density foam that gives you a noticeably different underfoot feel compared to a standard flat sandal. If you’ve ever walked a city for six hours and arrived home with aching arches, you’ll understand why this matters. The heel sits at a gentle 10mm, which adds just enough lift to reduce strain on the Achilles without feeling like a heel.
What I wasn’t expecting was the herbal insole. Vivaia uses an Artemisia argyi-infused footbed, which apparently has traditional anti-inflammatory properties — I can’t verify the science on that, but I can tell you the insoles feel noticeably softer and more padded than a standard sandal. The anti-slip outsole is also genuinely grippy, which matters when you’re navigating damp pavements or uneven ground.
The AdaptAll straps mean these adjust to fit properly around the midfoot, which is the part that usually makes or breaks a sandal for me. Round-toe shape, clean lines — these look good with summer dresses and shorts alike.
Fit: I’d go true to size, but if you have wider feet the AdaptAll strap gives you a bit of flex. Comfort: 9/10 Worth noting: If arch support is a priority for you, these are the pair to go for. The Arch Pro midsole makes a real difference over a long day.
🩴 Best for: holidays, beach days, quick outings when you just need something easy to slip on
The Delia is the most relaxed of the four — a flat, open sandal with an AdaptAll strap and a square-toe silhouette that makes it look more polished than your average slide. These are your throw-on-and-go summer shoes.
What I appreciate about the Delia is that it feels instep-friendly in a way that a lot of flat sandals don’t. If you have a higher instep and sandals often feel tight or gap oddly, the adjustable strap makes a meaningful difference. I’ve been grabbing these for quick errands and low-key evenings out, and they’ve genuinely become the shoe I reach for when I don’t want to think too hard about what’s on my feet.
They’re not the shoe for a long walking day — for that I’d point you to the Paloma — but for a relaxed holiday, a weekend market, or anything where ease is the priority, the Delia earns its place.
Fit: True to size. Comfort: 8/10 Style tip: These pair nicely with linen trousers or a casual summer dress. The square toe elevates them just enough that they don’t feel like beach shoes.
Final Thoughts
All four pairs are genuinely comfortable out of the box, which is the thing I value most in a shoe — especially in summer, when blisters from new sandals are practically a rite of passage.
One thing worth noting: none of these are machine washable. If you’ve followed my previous Vivaia reviews, you’ll know that machine washability is usually one of the brand’s big selling points. It’s not the case with these summer styles, so something to be aware of going in if you hate hand cleaning shoes (like me).
That said, the quality, comfort, and design are all still very much there. The Paloma is my top pick for anyone who walks a lot. The Ava is my recommendation if you want a summer heel that won’t have you limping home. The Carey is lovely for casual wear. And the Delia is brilliant for holidays and easy days when you just want something slip-on and put-together.
If you’re new to Vivaia, this summer collection is a great starting point — and if you want to see my full honest review of their closed-toe styles, I’ve written that up here too.
FAQs About Vivaia Summer Shoes
Are Vivaia sandals true to size? Yes — all four pairs I tested ran true to size. If you’re between sizes, I’d suggest going half a size up for the Ava (heeled) and true to size for everything else.
Are Vivaia shoes sustainable? Vivaia makes sustainability a core part of their brand. Many of their styles, including the Jade Pro, are knitted from recycled plastic bottles. Check individual product pages for material details on specific styles.
Are Vivaia sandals machine washable? This batch of summer styles — the Ava, Carey, Paloma, and Delia — are not machine washable. Some of Vivaia’s other styles (particularly their closed-toe knit shoes) are. Worth checking before you buy if that matters to you.
How comfortable are Vivaia sandals for walking all day? For a full walking day, I’d recommend the Paloma — the Arch Pro midsole with dual-density foam makes a real difference. The Ava is also surprisingly walkable for a heeled sandal. The Delia and Carey are better suited for lighter days.
Where can I buy Vivaia shoes in the UK? Vivaia ships internationally and you can order directly from their website. Use the links in this post to shop each style.
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If you’ve been here a while, you know I’m a huge fan of VIVAIA — sustainable, comfortable, stylish footwear that actually looks good with real outfits. I recently added three new pairs of VIVAIA boots to my wardrobe, and after testing them out on long walks, travel days, and everyday wear, here’s my honest review.
Model:Slip-On Square-Toe Ankle Chelsea Boots “Ryan”
These boots quickly became a staple. The square toe adds a modern edge without being flashy, and the slip-on design is so practical. They pair with everything — jeans, trousers, dresses, skirts — and are perfect for rainy city days thanks to their water-repellent finish.
Sizing: True to size; forgiving upper for wider feet. Best for: Everyday wear, travel, changing seasons. Why I love them: Stylish, practical, and surprisingly weatherproof.
These boots instantly solve the struggle of finding knee-high boots that actually fit your legs comfortably. The stretchy wool shaft hugs your calf without squeezing, and they’re warm without being heavy. They somehow combine the sleek look of a classic boot with the comfort of a sneaker.
They’re incredibly elegant with dresses and skirts, but they also slip perfectly under wide-leg trousers. The silhouette is timeless, and the wool material adds that cosy winter touch without compromising style.
Sizing: True to size; very calf-friendly thanks to the stretch. Best for: Winter outfits, cool-season travel, everyday wear. Why I love them: Warm, flattering, and comfortable for real walking — not just posing.
These are the boots you choose when you want a little attitude with your comfort. The chunky platform sole gives height and a bold silhouette, while still keeping things stable and easy to walk in. The rounded toe and smooth finish make them surprisingly versatile — they work with skirts, dresses, straight-cut jeans or wide-leg trousers.
They also feel significantly sturdier than some of the more delicate knit-based styles, which makes them ideal for travel, city exploring, or days where you might be on your feet a long time.
Sizing: True to size; platform sole gives a confident, grounded feel. Best for: Travel, work, street-style outfits, colder seasons. Why I love them: Bold, comfortable, and durable enough for many seasons of wear.
FINAL VERDICT — ARE VIVAIA BOOTS WORTH BUYING?
Yes — all three VIVAIA pairs deliver on comfort, style, and practicality:
