London Neighborhoods Guide - Where to Go & What to Visit for Tourists

UPDATED JULY 2024
By Katie Sagal

London is an amazing city, but it can often be quite overwhelming to first-time visitors. It’s a sprawling city, with diverse neighborhoods scattered all over the place that can be difficult to navigate if you don’t know what you’re looking for. To help out new visitors to London, we’ve put together a brief guide to some of the most popular or significant neighborhoods in London to visit, with a few suggestions on things to see and do in those areas.

South of the Thames (South Bank/Southwark)

One of the most happening spots in the city, the neighborhood South of the Thames is bustling with people day and night. Come here for top attractions, museums, shops, restaurants, and much more. Check out our post that features some of the more popular South Bank London attractions.

Things to Do South of the Thames

  • Take in a show at the Southbank Centre.
  • Shop the amazing Borough Market for your perfect souvenir.
  • Take the kids to Shrek’s Adventure to see their favorite characters brought to life.
  • Take a themed walking tour of the city that focuses on pop culture icons like the Doctor or 007.
  • Scare yourself silly at the London Dungeon.
  • Marvel at the wide variety of marine life at the SEA LIFE Aquarium.
  • Ride to the top of the one and only Coca-Cola London Eye.

City of London

The financial heart of the city, the area technically known as the City of London is anchored by the Bank of England, the Mansion House, and the Royal Exchange. Come here to see where all the movers and shakers work.

Things to Do in the City of London

  • See a show at the popular Barbican Centre.
  • Visit the elegant house of Dr. Samuel Johnson, one of England’s best-beloved writers.
  • Roam the rich expanses of the Museum of London, with over 7,000 inspiring and astonishing objects to look at.
  • Visit the iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral for a tour of some of the most significant church architecture in the country.
  • Crane your neck to look up the simply named Monument, which commemorates the Great Fire of 1666.

Marylebone

Pronounced “Marr-le-bone,” this happening upscale neighborhood filled with homes, shops, attractions, and more.

Things to Do in Marylebone

  • “Meet” your favorite celebs from David Beckham to the Queen herself at the original Madame Tussauds.
  • Explore the weird and wacky world of Ripley’s Believe it or Not!
  • Fans of the new BBC drama Sherlock will want to visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum to learn more about the inspiration and sources for this pop culture icon.
  • Visit one of the best art galleries in the country at the Wallace Collection, with one of the most impressive collections of Old Master paintings in the entire world.
  • Cheese lovers should stop by La Fromagerie for a delightful section of their favorite fare.

Regent’s Park

Spanning 410 acres, this former royal hunting ground is today home to many top outdoors attractions, including gorgeous gardens, playful parks, and intriguing museums.

Things to Do in Regent’s Park

  • Meet the animals at the London Zoo, home to some of your favorite critters from around the globe.
  • Explore the exhibits and artifacts at the Jewish Museum, which explores the unique history of Judaism and Jewish culture in England.
  • Take the kids to the Primrose Hill Playground for a rollicking good time.
  • Enjoy a Shakespeare play at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
  • Wander through Queen Mary’s Gardens, an unmatched collection of 400 different varieties of rose among 30,000 individual specimens.

Notting Hill/Bayswater

These two adjacent neighborhoods are lively and filled with tons of cultural events and activities, not least of which is the annual Notting Hill Carnival, a famed celebration of Caribbean culture in Britain.

Things to Do in Notting Hill / Bayswater

  • Hop aboard a rental bike and tour this neighborhood (and the whole city!) at your own pace and direction.
  • For another wonderful park option, the immensely popular Hyde Park is located in this area.
  • Those interested in contemporary art should head to Graffik, an amazing collection of exhibits honoring modern street art.
  • Kensington Gardens represent another wonderful botanical option for the nature lovers.
  • Snap a photo of the Peter Pan statue.
  • Shop the historic Portobello Road for unique souvenir options.

Covent Garden

Located east from Charing Cross, this shopping district boasts a ton of history and culture with several modern shopping and entertainment options alongside traditional architecture.

Things to Do in Covent Garden

  • Take a city bus tour (that you can actually pick up in many of these neighborhoods) for a chance to explore it all.
  • Spring for a show at the Royal Opera House to see Britain’s most talented performers.
  • For the art lovers, Courtauld Gallery offers more master works of art to enjoy.
  • Americans will value the chance to visit Benjamin Franklin’s House, to see where this inventor and statesman lived before the Revolutionary War.
  • See an avant garde performance or classic show at the Donmar Warehouse.

Bloomsbury

This artsy area is the legacy of the famous Bloomsbury Group – including greats like Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forster – and is today still a thriving artistic and literary community.

Things to Do in Bloomsbury

  • Head a few blocks north to the world famous British Library, an unparalleled research resource and a fun place to tour.
  • Visit the British Museum for a chance to explore one of the country’s top collections of art and artifacts (including Ancient Egyptian artifacts).
  • Lit lovers won’t want to miss the Charles Dickens House, where this popular nineteenth-century author wrote Oliver Twist.
  • Explore the bizarre and singular world of Sir John Soane, whose house has been preserved exactly has he left it for generations to marvel at his ingenuity.

Greenwich

Greenwich is probably most famous as the site of the Royal Observatory, which calculates the official time observed by the entire planet. But it’s also filled with other attractions from museums to historic ships. A visit here is worth the short trip out east from Central London.

Things to Do in Greenwich

  • Antique lover? You must stop by the Clock Tower Antiques Market for your next great find.
  • Visit the Cutty Sark, a speedy nineteenth-century clipper ship which is today preserved as a museum.
  • If you liked the idea of the historic ship, then the National Maritime Museum is another great destination for you.
  • The Royal Observatory is definitely a must – where else can you stand on the Prime Meridian AND see the calculations at work?

Knightsbridge

London’s wealthiest neighborhood, Knightsbridge is home to major shopping venues and tiny boutiques, all selling the top names in fashion and design. Come here with a hefty budget if you want to purchase anything. Otherwise, there’s nothing wrong with some active window-shopping!

Things to Do in Knightsbridge

  • The big highlights of Knightsbridge are the two iconic stores, Harrods and Harvey Nichols.
  • You can also enjoy a tasty meal at one of the many amazing (and predictably pricey) restaurants in the area.
Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

Shopping in December lets visitors enjoy the Christmas lights
Blog

Your Complete Guide to London in December

If you thought London was a city solely for the summer months, think again. Because London in December sees the British capital at probably its most colorful of the year. Few can avoid getting in the Christmas spirit, before turning their attention to the south bank of the River Thames and the nation’s foremost fireworks display to bring in the New Year in style. With all that in mind, here’s your complete guide to what’s going on in London in December, so you don’t miss a thing. Shop till you drop Forget what you’ve seen in the movies, you’ll need to be lucky to encounter any snowfall in London at Christmas. With average December lows of 5°C, snowmen are more likely in February. But this takes nothing away from the Christmas atmosphere, which sweeps across the capital’s streets and storefronts from the end of November. From Abbey Road to Lambeth Palace, Carnaby Street to St Katharine Docks, London’s sidewalks are bright with an array of lights, adding a further attraction to the window displays of shops big and small. Not too far away, London’s largest Christmas tree – an annual gift from the Norwegian capital topping out at around 20 meters high – takes center stage in Trafalgar Square. Christmas markets occupy other well-known spaces, including Leicester Square and the riverbank in front of Tower Bridge and City Hall, where last minute gifts and traditional festive treats jostle for attention. Never one to rest on its laurels, as soon as the big day is over, the focus moves to the Boxing Day sales of December 26, which has been a date to circle in the diary long before the advent of Black Friday. Aim to get there before sun up for the very best deals. Enjoy the capital’s historic attractions in a new way Even if you’ve visited London before, December offers many new experiences at some of the city’s most famous sites. The UNESCO-enshrined Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew puts on a dazzling display of lights and colorful projected images every evening from dusk. Hyde Park becomes the location of a huge combined fun fair and Christmas market, perhaps best taken in from its dedicated observation wheel. Alternatively, you might prefer to cheer on the brave souls who take part in the Peter Pan Cup. A swimming competition in Hyde Park’s Serpentine Lake, it has taken place on Christmas Day since 1864 in one of the capital’s stranger traditions. If you prefer your water even colder, look no further than the temporary outdoor ice rinks that appear at many of London’s most-loved attractions during December. Kensington’s Natural History Museum, The Strand’s Somerset House and even Hampton Court Palace provide extraordinary backdrops to a quick spin on the ice followed by a warming mug of hot chocolate. Experience the UK’s top Christmas events Christmas in London sees Christopher Wren’s masterwork, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the thousand-year-old Westminster Abbey both present a series of traditional carol services which fill their august spaces with stunning vocals. The Royal Albert Hall has an equally impressive program of concerts, ranging from Christmas classics played by big bands to performances of Handel’s Messiah. Heading to a ballet performance is another popular London December tradition. Shows with winter themes such as The Nutcracker grace the stages of several major theaters, and are bound to bring back a sense of childhood glee. For an altogether less-serious evening out, it has to be a panto performance, filled with slap-stick comedy, audience participation and men dressed in drag. But don’t be misled by the brash colors and fairy-tale plots, there’s serious acting going on here, with everyone from Sir Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings’ Gandalf) to Hollywood ‘giant’ Mickey Rooney having taken to the pantomime stage. Oh no they didn’t – oh yes they did! But when it comes to events in London in December, few can compete with the capital’s annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display. Launched from barges on the Thames and the 32 pods of the London Eye, the display takes eight technicians a week to wire up the seven tons of explosives needed for the 10-minute show. Dazzling audiences since its inception in the year 2000, it can be enjoyed from various high points around the city, as well as the river bank and the comfort of sofas in well-heated bars just about everywhere. Eat, drink and be merry With 60-plus Michelin star restaurants at your fingertips, London’s food scene takes some beating. Even if your budget doesn’t quite stretch to beef aged for 90 days in Himalayan salt chambers and desserts decorated with 24-carat gold leaf, you’ll still find plenty of choice. Don’t get caught out though – many restaurants (and attractions) close their doors on Christmas Day to give their staff a well-earned rest. Even those that do open – and Chinatown is always a good bet – get booked up early and can be difficult to reach without London’s usual transportation options, which also cease for the day. Roast turkey has been the Christmas Day meal of choice since at least the time of Henry VIII, and will be served with ‘all the trimmings’. These include Brussel sprouts, honey-roasted parsnips, sage and onion stuffing, pigs in blankets (that’s sausages wrapped in bacon) and roasted potatoes. Traditionally made with suet, Christmas pudding is another must try, being loaded with dried fruits, spices and a liberal quantity of alcohol before being served with hot custard (crème anglais). You’ll find mince pies (which are nothing to do with ground beef) dusted in icing sugar and on display at pretty much every bakery, café and supermarket in the capital in December. Many Brits, Londoners included, then head out for a post-meal walk, which may involve a stop off at a local pub. Whether they’re open or not will largely depend on where you’re located – central London takes on the air of a ghost town on December 25. Those on popular walking routes are more likely to be open than those on streets like The Strand, although probably for no more than a few hours in the afternoon. Hotel bars are likely to remain open for longer. Save on London December attraction admission Admission to many of London’s top attractions and activities can be enjoyed at a reduced rate with Go City. Our Explorer Pass includes admission to a range of London attractions, while giving you the flexibility to do what you want, when you want, without having to make any decisions beforehand. If London’s December weather lets you down, there’s no need to rearrange the plans for your entire stay. In fact, with Go City you don’t need a plan at all.
Ian Packham
David Bowie at Madame Tussauds London. Image credit: Merlin.
Blog

Ultimate Guide to Madame Tussauds London

Madame Tussauds wax museum has been wowing (and startling) London tourists for nearly two centuries now, its collection of lifelike wax models of historic figures, stars of stage and screen, rock legends and other celebrity icons proving an irresistible draw for millions of visitors every year. Here’s where you can get up close to the Royal Family, come face-to-face with Jack the Ripper, and experience impossible festival line-ups that team Bob Marley with Beyoncé and David Bowie with Dua Lipa. Read on for our ultimate guide to Madame Tussauds London, including when to visit, how to get tickets, and the waxwork highlights you simply mustn’t miss! Madame Tussauds London: The Lowdown It’s nearly 250 years since the teenage Madame Marie Tussaud, then a trainee wax sculptor in Paris, created her first waxwork, an effigy of writer and philosopher Voltaire. Tussaud’s journey to fame and fortune was long and arduous, taking in imprisonment during the French Revolution, a spell in swinging London in the early 1800s, and a 33-year-long tour of Britain with which she finally made her name. In 1835, she finally settled in a permanent exhibition space on Baker Street, a stone’s throw from the larger Marylebone premises opened by her grandson in 1883, where the iconic wax figures have been displayed ever since. Marie Tussaud died in 1850 at the grand old age of 88, leaving behind a wax legacy that included a sculpture of herself. The immortal figure of Madame Tussaud can still be seen today, welcoming guests through the museum’s entrance on Marylebone Road. She’s joined by some 150 fellow models, a rotating circus of the great and good (and not so great and good) that moves with the times, capturing the zeitgeist and national mood. Zones like the Chamber of Horrors, with its roster of ghosts, ghouls and bad guys of yore, pay tribute to Tussaud’s original vision, while the Marvel Universe, Awards Party, Impossible Festival and Star Wars zones keep pace with the latest trends and fashions. There are several epic immersive areas, and you can even cast your own hand in wax and take it home as a fun (if slightly macabre) souvenir of your visit! Madame Tussauds London Highlights The Royal Palace. Practice your best curtsy as you come face-to-face with King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and snap a selfie with Wills and Kate. You’ll also encounter royal guests such as Dame Judi Dench, Mo Farah CBE, and former US president Barack Obama. Awards Party. Hit the red carpet and pap Angelina Jolie, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Harry Styles and others. Impossible Festival. Impossible by name, impossible by nature, the line-up at this dream festival boasts Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Amy Winehouse and Taylor Swift. Marvel Universe 4D. Join your favorite Marvel superheroes – Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, the Black Panther and more – on a cinematic adventure that includes real-world water, wind and seat-quaking effects! Chamber of Horrors. Not for the faint of heart, this immersive zone reveals London’s dark underbelly, and features relics rescued from genuine crime scenes. Meet notorious gangsters the Krays and other London monsters like John Christie, Dennis Nilsen and, of course, Jack the Ripper himself. Spirit of London. Take a black cab ride through the city’s turbulent past, from the plague to the Great Fire of London,and Carnaby Street in the swinging 1960s. Star Wars. Space cadets, rejoice! Here’s where to spot Chewbacca helming the controls of the legendary Millennium Falcon, encounter C-3PO and R2-D2 on the shifting sands of Tatooine, and watch Luke and Darth battle it out on the Death Star. Meanwhile, in the swamps and forests of his native Dagobah, Yoda you must meet. Madame Tussauds London: When to Visit Madame Tussauds London's opening hours vary throughout the year. It’s generally open from 9AM or 10AM until 3PM or 4PM, with longer hours (usually 9AM–5PM) during school holidays. Check the official Madame Tussauds London website for opening hours on the days you want to visit.  Generally speaking, the first and last tours of the day (after around 2PM) are less prone to overcrowding, but avoid weekends and school holidays if you can, when the crowds of tourists inside can occasionally make getting close to your favorite wax icons… challenging. Book in advance to lock in your 15-minute time slot; turning up on the day and buying a ticket then and there is possible, but unadvisable. This, after all, is one of London’s most popular attractions, so doing it this way will likely require you to while away several hours in nearby Regent’s Park as you await your slot. Madame Tussauds London: Tickets One of the best ways to visit Madame Tussauds London is with an All-Inclusive attraction pass from Go City. Just select the number of consecutive days you plan to sightsee (up to 10), and fill your boots with as many bucket-list London experiences – including tours, activities, attractions and more – as you can in that time. The pass offers savings of up to 50% against regular entry prices, with the value increasing the more things you see and do. The All-Inclusive pass comes packed with dozens of essential London attractions, including Madame Tussauds, plus the London Eye, Tower of London, the View from The Shard, London Zoo, the London Bridge Experience and many more. You can also book direct via the Madame Tussauds London website, where options include multi-attraction tickets, fast track passes and a champagne bar experience. Fun Facts About Madame Tussauds London Waxworks at Madame Tussauds take around six months to create, from concept to completion. They are groomed and touched up throughout their lifetime and, when retired, have their heads and extremities removed and placed in storage. Those archives must be a sight to behold! Figures are made 2% larger than the human (or movie character) they represent, to account for melting during the modeling process. The museum’s oldest waxwork is of Louis XV’s last mistress Madame du Barry, sculpted by Marie Tussaud’s teacher Philippe Curtius in 1765. Closest Transport Links to Madame Tussauds London Madame Tussauds is a two-minute walk from Baker Street station on the London Underground; access to multiple Tube lines including the Bakerloo, Circle, Jubilee and Metropolitan make this by far the easiest way to get here. Marylebone train station is a 10-minute walk and several bus routes also service the area. All images shown depict wax figures created and owned by Madame Tussauds. Save on London Tours, Activities and Attractions Save on admission to 100+ London attractions with an Explorer or All-Inclusive pass from Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
The Tower of London will a foreground of fallen leaves
Blog

What to do in London in November

Fall is kind to the British capital, and London in November isn’t short of local color. In addition to its year-round historic attractions, the Royal Parks are a swirl of oranges and reds as the London planes lose their leaves. The start of the month sees Diwali and Guy Fawkes’s Night ignite the sky with fireworks, followed quickly by Christmas light switch-ons and shopfronts dolled up for the festive season. Wondering what to do in London in November? You’ve come to the right place! Cruise along the Thames The River Thames has been at London’s heart since the Romans converted a humble Saxon village into a city worthy of becoming the future British capital. Its banks are the location of an array of major landmarks, from the Whispering Gallery of St Paul’s Cathedral to the contemporary form of Tate Modern’s $360m Switch House, expanding the gallery’s floor space by 60%. Bringing together the rival north and south of the Thames, its bridges are some of the most recognizable structures in the world, with Tower Bridge a symbol for both London and the UK. Slipping beneath them on a Thames river cruise adds a new dimension to hop-on hop-off sightseeing tours. Hop on and see the sights in comfort. Hop off to explore attractions such as the Cutty Sark and historic dockyards of Greenwich. Time it right, and you’ll capture the capital at its most romantic, as dusk settles over its parks and monuments and lights flicker on along its banks. Celebrate Guy Fawkes’ Night The grisly origins of Guy Fawkes’ Night (or Bonfire Night) are intricately linked to several London attractions, not least the Houses of Parliament and Tower of London. One of the biggest nights of the cultural calendar, the festivities now extend from Halloween until the big day itself on November 5. Neighborhoods large and small mark the event with organized fireworks displays and the lighting of bonfires. Some of the biggest and most spectacular take place at Battersea Park and Alexandra Palace. Topping many bonfires will be a representation of Guy Fawkes himself, whose band of Catholic rebels attempted to blow up Protestant King James I in the Houses of Parliament in 1605. If you’re wondering where the Tower of London fits in to all this – the plot was discovered, and Fawkes arrested. Imprisoned in the tower, he was tortured on the rack before being hung, drawn and quartered. His head ended up on a spike on London Bridge. Take in a show London’s West End is probably only second to New York’s Broadway when it comes to its shows. Whilst you’ll find theaters dotted right throughout the capital, Shaftesbury Avenue continues to be the place to head. It stretches from Piccadilly Circus and the Statue of Eros to New Oxford Street and the Georgian townhouses that lead towards the British Museum. Shaftesbury Avenue, together with the cobblestone streets around Covent Garden, are home to all sorts of characters – on and off the stage – who seem to come to life beneath the twinkling Christmas lights of late November. New shows are opening all the time, although some have serious staying power. Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is one, holding the record for the longest theater run in the world. It’s first night was back in 1952. For festive fun and a huge dose of British custom look no further than the annual pantomimes (or pantos) at theaters like the Palladium. A mix of fairy tales and folk legends – from Cinderella to Peter Pan – they see British audiences at their most boisterous and gleeful. Explore Westminster Abbey In a city of historic structures, few beside the Tower of London can compete with the heritage of Westminster Abbey. Hidden from the riverside by the Houses of Parliament, this royal church has witnessed the coronation of every British monarch since William the Conqueror in 1066, and was the setting for the marriage of Prince William to Catherine Middleton. Site of the grave of the Unknown Warrior and center of the capital’s November memorial services, the cathedral contains over 3000 burials, with kings accompanying prime ministers and notables such as physicist Stephen Hawking. The abbey’s soaring gothic edifice is home to many treasures including the Coronation Throne, a simple chair of English oak, dating to 1296. But when it comes to hidden gems, this title has to go to the Jewel Tower, built as a treasure house for King Edward III in around 1365. Few Londoners have even heard of it, although it’s one of only two buildings to have survived the fire which engulfed the original Houses of Parliament in the early 1800s. Tour the capital’s markets When the weather holds, the capital’s markets are attractive propositions for any list of things to do in London in November. Often situated in some of the capital’s most interesting neighborhoods, a smooch around their stalls acts as the perfect gateway to experiencing life in Britain’s biggest city. They’re also sure to never be far from a historic pub with a cozy fireplace serving the nation’s famously warm beers. Borough Market, for instance, has been reborn from a sorry spot between London Bridge and the Globe theater to a destination well worth seeking out for its own merits. On its edges you’ll find several noteworthy pubs, including The George Inn, which dates back to the 17th century. Delve a little further, and you’ll encounter flavorful foods from every corner of the globe, as well as traditional British favorites from fish and chips to pie and mash. Alternatively, make your way to the pastel shades of West London’s Portobello Road, whose weekly antiques market is a great place to pick up quirky mementos. But wherever you find yourself in London in November, it’s likely there’s a market somewhere close. Save on London November attraction admission November in London can be glorious. Although the year might be coming to a close, there are arguably more places to visit in London in November than at other times of year. What’s more, you can explore many of the British capital’s top attractions with Go City, giving you flexibility whilst saving in one of the world’s most evocative yet expensive cities.
Ian Packham

Have a 10% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

Thick check Icon