London is an epic city! Now, yes – I know I’m always biased (being a Londoner) but our city is totally amazing. We really do have a whole heap of the best neighbourhoods in London… which, I’m sure you’ll love. Honestly, with all their diversity, culture and history, there’s every reason why you’ll find some best areas in London to explore on your trip.
Anyway, before I ramble on, I wanted to share some of the best neighbourhoods in London that you’ve gotta visit. It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting, just moved to the city or you’re a Londoner yourself.
Take a look at some of the best neighbourhoods in London and the best areas in London that I think you’ll love.
See some of the best areas in London to visit, below.
1.) Southbank
A popular haunt in London, Southbank is one of the best areas in London that’s just perfect for a stroll.
Wander over from the London Eye, follow the promenade on the bank of the Thames and stop off at all the joints that take your fancy.
Make sure to head over to the historic Clink Street (famous for its historic prison), gorge on all the food at the OXO Tower and stop off at the market stalls too. They’re mostly happening on weekends and festive periods around the National Theatre.
On that note, actually, pop into the National Theatre too – it hosts some of the best plays in all of London.
Oh, and don’t forget to see Winchester Palace Just off Clink Street. It’s one of the ruined palaces of London that most people forget to see.
Finally, book yourself tickets for a river cruise down the Thames. You can see some of our favourites, below. They’re so much fun and a great way to explore London. Just be sure to book in advance, this way you’ll be guaranteed a spot on the boat.
Read more: Best things to do in South London
2.) Bermondsey Street
Not too far from Southbank, Bermondsey Street (and the area around it) is one of my favourite and possibly the best areas in London to visit.
Filled with gorgeous little boutiques, independent coffee spots (like the Victorian Watch-house) and even a glass blowing studio where you can test your glass blowing skills. It’s just gorgeous.
Now, although Bermondsey Steet isn’t technically its own neighbourhood, it has a very distinct feel that sets it apart from the rest of Central London. It almost has a small-town feel.
For a tasty bite to eat, pop into The Garrison Public House and try their yummy British pub grub.
Read more: London’s independent coffee spots
3.) Camden
Perched in north London, Camden is one of the best areas in London to experience our city’s diversity. markets, buzzing streets and epic art scene, Camden is one of the best neighbourhoods in London that has a totally distinct feel.
Make sure to stop off at Hache Camden for some of the best burgers in London, see Camden Lock and catch a gig at one of the best venues in London, the Roundhouse.
It’s still one of my favourite venues to watch a concert and is totally unique.
After all, that enjoyment, pop over to the famous Cyber Dog store that a store that’s like none other. Inside you’ll be greeted by neon lights, pounding music and dancers raving on the roof area.
It’s surreal and one of the best areas in London to visit.
Visiting London? Best things to do in Camden
4.) Notting Hill
Beyond the colourful streets of Notting Hill is a whole heap of tasty restaurants and cafes that make it one of the best areas in London to explore.
Of course, as with most of the best neighbourhoods in London, it’s likely you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to places to see. It’s the kind of area you visit and totally roll away from – mainly because you’re so stuffed!
That being said, make sure to stop off at Granger & Co for one of the best brunch menus. Wander through Portobello Market and grab some antiques or flowers from the hundreds of sellers. Oh, and pop in for a pint in the Churchill Arms in summer (when it’s in full bloom).
After a long day exploring, head over to Core by Clare Smyth for a tasty evening treat.
Visiting Notting Hill? Check out these restaurants
5.) Peckham
Now, some visitors to London forget to venture to some of the lesser-known neighbourhoods in the city.
And you know what, Peckham is one of the best areas in London to visit if you’re wanting an authentic take on how cool our city can be. It really is a bit of a hidden gem for people that don’t live in London.
Over recent years, Peckham has come to be a proper haunt for Londoner’s to enjoy on the weekend or an evening ‘on-the-town’.
Oh, and pop over to the Peckham Levels which has a whole heap of stalls, foodie spots and bars.
Afterwards, pop into South London Gallery, too.
Oh, and head over to Manze’s to try their traditional pie and liquor from there shop. It’s one of the oldest and most renowned pie and liquor brands in all of London.
Read more: Best things to do in Peckham
6.) Whitechapel
After living in Whitechapel for a few years, I’ve come to appreciate it as one of the most diverse and best areas in London to explore. That being said, you do need to know what to actually ‘do’ before you go there.
Once here, pop over to the Whitechapel Gallery, which showcases some of the world’s best up-and-coming artists.
Afterwards, head over to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry that created Big Ben and the Liberty Bell (in the USA). And finally, pop on a Jack the Ripper tour that takes you back in time to when he roamed the streets.
Oh, and for food, stop off at the Exmouth Coffee Company for some home-made pudding and finish off with a visit to Tayyabs that service some of the best curries in London (and yummy Punjabi cuisine).
Now, you can’t book a table so you might have to queue if you visit in the evening or at weekends… but trust me, the food in Whitechapel easily makes it one of the best areas in London.
Read more: The best things to do in Whitechapel
7.) Kings Cross
Kings Cross is another one of the best areas in London and a place that’s completely transformed over the last decade.
Now, you can’t go to Kings Cross without seeing Platform 93/4 (in Kings Cross Station) but there’s so much more to find.
After arriving at Kings Cross Station, head out to the Wellcome Collection to see many of the curiosities that were collected by Sir Henry Wellcome over the years.
Afterwards, take a stroll over to the German Gymnasium where they serve up some tasty food in one of the prettiest restaurants in the area.
Afterwards, if you’re feeling like a treat, check into the gorgeous St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel that’s an iconic landmark in Kings Cross itself.
Best of all, you’ll get to see the staircase where the Spice Girls performed Wannabe for their music video. Can you tell my musical taste?!?
Read more: What to see and do in Kings Cross
8.) Fitzrovia
Perched just north of Oxford Street, Fitzrovia is a walkable distance from Kings Cross and one of the best areas in London for foodie joints and museums.
Now, the British Museum needs little introduction, but it’s a treasure trove of artefacts to explore. The museum itself is totally free, which means it can get really busy during weekends.
If you’re wanting to miss the crowds, pop over first thing in the morning when you’ll be able to get up close and personal with the Rosetta Stone, mummies and Greek artefacts that line the corridors.
After a day of exploring, pop over to Mac & Wild for some of the tastiest Scottish cuisines in London. They also make some of the best Scotch Eggs, which coincidentally was created in London (in Fortnum and Mason’s).
9.) Covent Garden
Probably one of the busiest and best areas in London to visit, Covent Garden is well on the trodden path (as one of the best neighbourhoods in London) for almost every visitor.
After getting off at Covent Garden or Leicester Square tube stop, head straight over to the little lanes that are filled with independent shops (like Benjamin Pollock’s Toyshop), designers and quirky boutiques that sell everything you can imagine.
Afterwards, head over to the market itself and pop inside. Here, you’ll find one of the world’s only shops dedicated to the Moomins – it’s as cute as anything! Oh, and don’t forget to book tickets to the Royal Opera House right in the heart of Covent Garden.
If you’re feeling peckish, pop into the Oysterman which serves up some of the best seafood in the city.
Alternatively, head into Clos Maggiore for a yummy French-fusion delight! Just make sure to grab a table in the main atrium (it’s stunning).
Read more: Best things to do in Covent Garden
10.) Elephant and Castle
So, Elephant and Castle in another of the best areas in London that’s really changed in the last 10 years.
Now, Elephant and Castle is only around a 20-minute stroll from Borough Market or Big Ben; which makes it easy to get to by bus, tube or your own two feet.
Once here, make sure to stop off at the Imperial War Museum (which is totally free) across from Lambeth North Underground station. And don’t forget to also see the piece of the Berlin Wall that’s housed outside the museum steps!
Afterwards, pop over to Mercato Metropolitano for a tasty bite to eat and some delicious cocktails. On the weekend, the market is filled with music and DJ’s, too. You can spend a whole afternoon here.
After all those cocktails, pop over to the Southwark Playhouse which has recently moved to the area. Here, you’ll find more fringe plays than the National Theatre and a more intimate venue.
Read more: Best things to do in South London
11.) City of London
The City of London is actually one of the best areas in London where the financial district is concentrated.
Once here, make sure to explore Tower Bridge, and book these Tower of London tickets (to see the world’s biggest diamond) and pop over to Duck and Waffle for a tasty bite to eat. Best of all, they’re open 24 hours a day. It’s a great restaurant to visit at sunrise and just watch the sunset after a night out.
Just nearby, if you’ve got time, climb the Monument to the Great Fire of London. Tickets are reasonably priced for London and it’s a spot most visitors don’t always consider seeing. It’s a pretty unique view of the city too.
Afterwards, head up to the top of the Sky Garden, which is a public space on top of the ‘Walkie Talkie ‘ building in the city of London. Best of all, ss it’s a public space, the Sky Garden is totally free to enter but you will need to reserve a time slot (book here). It offers some views of the best neighbourhoods in London.
Oh, also, one easy way to know if you’re entering the City of London is by looking out for the iron dragon statues that line the roads and pathways entering the City of London. They represent the ancient border and you can’t really miss them. That being said, if you can’t find them, this Map pinpoints each of them.
Read more: The best views in London
12.) Richmond
Although a little outside of the city centre, Richmond is one of the best areas in London to explore if you fancy a more relaxing day.
Once here, make sure to head to the Dysart Arms for a tasty Sunday roast. Afterwards, pop over to Richmond Park where you might even catch sight of deer.
Oh, and check out The Fallow Deer which serves one of the best Welsh rarebits in the city.
Read more: The best bakeries to visit in London
13.) Greenwich
Perched within the south-east of the city, Greenwich is one of the best neighbourhoods in London to explore. Especially if you’re interested in history.
Once here, make sure to stop off at the Cutty Sark, head inside Greenwich Market for some of the tastiest foods from all over the world and explore the Old Royal Naval College which is an iconic part of the area.
After all that exploring, and once the day turns to night, keep your eyes peeled for the Greenwich Mean Time laser that shines across the river.
Read more: Best things to do in Greenwich
14.) Shoreditch
Shoreditch is often considered one of the best areas in London for hipsters (and wannabe hipsters).
It’s the type of place that’s gained popularity over the last 15 years and has really come to be a pretty cool area of London. Though, there’s often talk of the area becoming ‘too-commercialised’ now.
Once you’re here, pop over to Box Park to discover some local shops and international brands. Afterwards, head to Poppies Fish and Chips for (in my opinion) one of the best fish and chips in the city.
Oh, and don’t forget about going out in the evening, Shoreditch is easily one of the best neighbourhoods in London for a night out. Especially at the London Cocktail Club for, you guessed it, their delicious cocktails!
Read more: The best bars in Shoreditch to visit
15.) Westminster
Although technically it’s called the City of Westminster, It’s actually based right in the heart of central London and it’s where the majority of government sits. It’s one of the best areas in London to visit if you want to learn more about London’s history.
Once here, make sure to see the Houses of Parliament and organise a free tour with your MP if you’re a resident of the UK. You can do this via the Parliament link, here.
Afterwards, pop over to Downing Street (where the prime minister lives), book tickets to enter Westminster Abbey and visit the final parts of the Palace of Westminster.
The latter is the place where monarchs (hundreds of years ago) would perform healing rituals that people would request.
If you’re feeling peckish, pop over to Kona which has a lovely spot that serves up a tasty afternoon tea.
Read more: What to do at every stop in Central London
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