10 Best Areas for Sightseeing in London

The West End is one of London’s most iconic areas and best known for being the home of London’s “Theatreland”. With around 40 theatres in the area, you’ll be able to choose between some of the world’s biggest musicals and thrilling performances. Check out the TKTS booth in Leicester Square to pick up discounted tickets.

Located in Central London, the West End is also home to some of London’s best known shopping spots. Oxford Street hosts several flagship stores, the legendary toy shop Hamleys is located on Regent Street, and you’ll find the world’s biggest Lego Store in Leicester Square. For slightly quirkier shops, stop by Carnaby Street where you’ll also find the Liberty department store.

The South Bank is perhaps best known for the London Eye, Europe’s largest ferris wheel, which allows you to see London’s sights from 135 metres in the air. You’ll have views of the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and more. We recommend booking in advance as it’s currently the most popular paid tourist attraction in the UK.

Opposite the City of Westminster, South Bank takes its name from the fact it’s located on the south bank of the river Thames. It’s home to many cultural gems including the Tate Modern art gallery, Shakespeare’s Globe theatre and the Southbank Centre. Check out the food market outside the Southbank Centre to eat your way around the world.

Chinatown may have had humble beginnings but it’s now one of London’s most vibrant districts. When you enter Chinatown, you’ll enter through one of the 4 gates, all designed in unique styles but each one of them stunning and ornate. If you happen to be in London during the Chinese New Year, Chinatown’s colourful celebrations, featuring costumes, food, music and dancing, are unmissable.

Located in Soho, Chinatown is famous for its authentic ingredients and delicious restaurants. Four Seasons is a local institution, known for its tender Cantonese roast meats which hang in the windows and are unmatched. Check out Dumplings’ Legend for great dumplings and Baozilnn Romilly Street for bao buns and street food.

Shoreditch is one of London’s coolest neighbourhoods where locals often unwind after work. BOXPARK, the world’s first pop-up shopping mall, is a great place to start with street food, independent and well-known retailers and live events, all housed in shipping containers. Elsewhere, Bounce is great for ping pong and cocktails and the Junkyard Golf Club adds a cool twist to mini golf.

Located in the east end of London, Shoreditch is also known for its markets. Brick Lane Vintage Market is open 7 days a week and is perfect for finding a classic gem. On Sundays, you can head to Columbia Road Flower market to add a new plant baby to your home.

Immortalised in Monopoly as the most expensive property of the UK version, Mayfair is a lavish and stylish neighbourhood. If you’re in the mood for shopping, visit Mount Street, Burlington Arcade and South Molton Street to visit boutique stores such as the Vintage Watch Company, Annoushka, Balenciaga and Christian Louboutin. You can always refuel by booking a quintessentially English afternoon tea at The Palm Court or Claridge’s.

Located in the City of Westminster, next to the West End, St James and Marylebone, Mayfair also has several open spaces to enjoy. You can spend time exploring Hyde Park and cycling around Serpentine Lake, see Marble Arch, the former entrance to Bucking Palace’s ceremonial courtyard, or chill out in the urban gardens of Grosvenor Square.

Brixton is a cultural hub known for its nightlife scene, foodie gems and live events. Start by heading to POP Brixton, a local community space which hosts the best local businesses, delicious food outlets with alfresco dining options and live events such as yoga sessions and vintage sales. You can also sample the local beers by going on the Brixton Beer Trail, taking you to 6 local breweries.

Located in South London, Brixton really comes to life at night. There are several iconic venues including Brixton O2 Academy and Electric Brixton. If you’re looking to dance the night away, check out Phonox, the Prince of Wales or Club 414 which stays open until 7 am at the weekend.

Kensington should be on your list as it’s home to 3 of London’s most prestigious museums: the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum. All these museums are within walking distance of each other and feature world class exhibitions. You can also visit Kensington Palace, home to some of the younger members of the royal family and boasting beautiful gardens.

West of Central London, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the Churchill Arms is one of its quirkier spots. Head there for a drink and an aesthetic worthy of Instagram. Stop by Harrods to visit one of the biggest and most iconic department stores in Europe.

While Soho once didn’t have the best of reputations, it’s now transformed itself into one of the coolest areas in London. It packs lots of brilliant venues in a small amount of space. By day, it’s a shopper’s paradise including Foyles, where you can browse 200,000 books, and Sounds of the Universe, for vinyl records. As you shop, see if you can spot the 7 noses stuck to walls around the district.

Located in the heart of London, Soho is the capital of London’s LGBT+ scene and features the iconic G-A-Y bar. It’s also well known for its cocktails, which are particularly good at Disrepute, a speakeasy with a prohibition theme.

Giving its name to a famous rom-com and a lively festival, Notting Hill is always teeming with life. You can even visit the Notting Hill Bookstore which stars in the film. Then head to Portobello Road, known for its colourful houses. The Portobello Road Market is a truly unique experience with antiques and vintage buys – you never know what treasure you’ll discover. Afterwards, you can refuel at one of Notting Hill’s chic cafes.

In the west of London, Notting Hill features some unusual gems such as the Brand Museum, which takes a cynical look at marketing. Don’t miss the Ginstitute which allows you to learn about gin, taste it and even leave with your own personal blended gin.

Home to some of the most notable London sites, some of these buildings have stood for over a century. Here you’ll see the Houses of Parliament, one of London’s 4 World Heritage Sites, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. Some of its more hidden gems include the Supreme Court and the Churchill War Rooms, Britain’s wartime bunker.

In the City of Westminster, it’s also worth exploring Parliament Square where the statues pay homage to significant figures such as Churchill, Nelson Mandela, and Milicent Fawcett. If the weather is nice, take a stroll through St James’ Park or Green Park. The nearby Rooftop St James is also ideal for a drink with a stunning view.