The ultimate guide to London's neighborhoods

07.09.2023 - 16:19 / lonelyplanet.com / Tate Modern / London Bridge / Art / London

Visitors to London may have heard of Oxford Street and Soho, the South Bank and the City, but, as with any sprawling city with a large population, there's way more to it than that.

To help you choose where you want to spend your time, we've got the lowdown on the top neighborhoods in this incredible city. Whether you're looking for the best area for art and culture or where to go for a great family day out, here's what you need to know about London's best neighborhoods.

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The West End is a larger region made up of lots of neighborhoods, including Soho, Covent Garden, Chinatown, Theatreland, Bloomsbury and Westminster. It encompasses many of London’s most iconic locations, buildings and museums, notably Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the British Museum. 

If your budget allows, staying here ensures you'll have all the must-sees and -dos within walking distance, but you’ll likely pay "through the nose," as Londoners say, for that luxurious convenience. Allow up to half a day for each of the big museums (the British Museum and the National Gallery), and at least a couple of hours for places like Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace (the latter only opens in summer).

The West End is also a center for entertainment, packed with theaters, nightclubs, bars and restaurants, with great spots to while away an evening throughout Soho and Covent Garden. Shoppers should head to Oxford and Regent Streets for high-street brands, Bond Street for luxury brands, Covent Garden for market stalls and boutiques, and Soho for specialist and independent stores.

The South Bank, the stretch along the riverside between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, is a cultural hub and must-visit area for art lovers, theater-goers and architecture buffs. This popular area is home to performance spaces such as Shakespeare's Globe and the Southbank Centre, as well as gallery giant Tate Modern.

If you're looking for family entertainment, you'll find the London Dungeon, Sea Life London Aquarium and London Eye all grouped together near Westminster Bridge. There are bars and restaurants throughout the neighborhood, but for a true foodie experience, choose something from one of the fresh-food stalls at Borough Market or the less-crowded Maltby Street Market, which is in a quieter residential area south of London Bridge.

Once a cheap alternative to the central accommodation options north of the Thames, the South Bank has seen prices