Figuring out the best area to stay in London honestly made me laugh because I thought it would take, like, five minutes. Nope. London is huge, and every neighborhood has this whole personality, like you’re choosing who you want to be for the week. The first time I went, I just booked whatever looked central, and I swear I spent more time on the Tube than actually doing stuff. So now I’m way more picky. Covent Garden is great if you like being in the middle of everything, but it does feel like the entire world is also there. Kensington is super calm and pretty — kind of the “I’m just here to stroll and drink coffee” vibe.
Soho is for people who don’t mind noise because it basically never shuts up. And then there’s Shoreditch, which is where you stay if you want cool people judging you for ordering the wrong kind of latte (in a friendly way, though). What I’ve learned is you have to choose based on your actual energy level. If you want convenience, go central. If you want sleep, go west. If you want to feel hip, go east. It’s like personality matchmaking, but with neighborhoods.
Best Area To Stay In London
Here are Top 50 Ideas for best area to stay in London:
- Covent Garden
- Soho
- Fitzrovia
- Bloomsbury
- Leicester Square
- South Bank
- Waterloo
- London Bridge
- Bermondsey
- Westminster
- Mayfair
- Marylebone
- Kensington
- South Kensington
- Chelsea
- Knightsbridge
- Notting Hill
- Holland Park
- Paddington
- Bayswater
- Shepherd’s Bush
- Earl’s Court
- Hammersmith
- Fulham
- Clapham
- Shoreditch
- Hoxton
- Dalston
- Hackney
- Islington
- Angel
- King’s Cross
- St. Pancras
- Camden
- Regent’s Park area
- Hampstead
- Highgate
- Greenwich
- Canary Wharf
- Wapping
- Victoria
- Pimlico
- Blackfriars
- Barbican
- Old Street
- Whitechapel
- Wimbledon
- Richmond
- Chiswick
- Deptford
Ideas for best area to stay in London:
1. Covent Garden
and
jetsetjodi
-
Honestly, Covent Garden just feels like that place you wander into and suddenly lose two hours without meaning to.
-
There’s always someone performing — musicians, magicians, random guys balancing on ladders.
-
The market is fun to stroll through, even if you’re not buying anything.
-
I love grabbing a coffee and just people-watching in the Piazza.
-
The whole area has this mix of touristy buzz and old London charm.
-
And the Royal Opera House looks super fancy, even if you’re not going in.
-
Great spot for food, shopping, or just drifting around.
2. Soho
-
Soho is chaotic in the best possible way.
-
It always feels like something is happening — music blasting from somewhere, people pouring out of bars, neon lights everywhere.
-
Food-wise, it’s ridiculous. You can basically point at a random street and find something amazing.
-
It’s also where a lot of London’s nightlife happens, so it gets pretty wild.
-
However, during the daytime, it has an artsy, creative vibe.
-
Lots of little shops, record stores, and quirky places tucked down side streets.
-
It’s messy, loud, fun, and very, very Soho.
3. Fitzrovia
-
Fitzrovia feels like Soho’s calmer, slightly more grown-up sibling.
-
It’s still central, but the streets are quieter and a bit more stylish.
-
Lots of cool cafés and places where people seem to be “working on something creative.”
-
The buildings are really pretty — old townhouses, old studios, that sort of thing.
-
It’s a nice mix of residential and workspaces, so you don’t get that heavy tourist rush.
-
Great area if you want good food without the chaos.
-
It doesn’t scream for attention, but it’s one of those places you end up really liking.
4. Bloomsbury
-
Bloomsbury has this calm, bookish vibe — like the whole area reads more than the rest of London.
-
The garden squares are gorgeous, and everyone seems to be walking somewhere with purpose.
-
The British Museum is right there, so you can just wander in whenever you feel like it.
-
Lots of students because of the universities around, which keeps it feeling young.
-
Tons of old buildings with blue plaques that make you go “oh wow, someone important lived here.”
-
It’s relaxed, leafy, and a nice break from the busier parts of the West End.
5. Leicester Square
-
Leicester Square is pure tourist energy — loud, busy, bright, but kind of fun anyway.
-
It’s where all the big film premieres happen, so you might randomly stumble into a red carpet.
-
The screens and lights make it feel a bit like a mini Times Square.
-
There are always crowds, street performers, and kids dragging parents into the LEGO store.
-
It’s not somewhere you’d hang out all day, but it’s perfect for a cinema trip or meeting up before a show.
-
Super central and always buzzing, even late at night.
