5 of the most exciting neighborhoods to visit in London

Sometimes it’s hard to know how to make sense of a big city, and with a population of nearly 9 million, London can be overwhelming for a first-time visitor. Therefore, it makes sense to break down the best neighborhoods in London, especially when most were originally small, individual villages in the past, which slowly became absorbed into the metropolis. Each of them has its own individual flavor, character, and appeal; for instance, when Londoners talk about the “West End,” they mean Soho and Theaterland, where you can see a play or musical, stroll around Chinatown, or drink and dine at any number of bars and restaurants. Covent Garden is known for the imposing Royal Opera House and the fascinating London Transport Museum, while cinematic Notting Hill has a great antique market on its famous Portobello Road. Wherever you choose to spend your time, these top London neighborhoods are well worth a visit.

1. Battersea

Sandwiched between the better-known areas of Chelsea and Clapham, Battersea sits right on the River Thames, and in recent years has come into its own. Perhaps the most significant thing to happen here is the renovation of the mighty Battersea Power Station, a striking building designed by renowned architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott which was decommissioned in the 1970s. Today it’s home to a vast retail and entertainment space, where you can shop, eat, and drink to your heart’s content. Battersea Park is a significant landmark, where your strolls might take you to the pretty Japanese Peace Pagoda and the New Covent Garden Flower Market. The area is perhaps best known for the Battersea Dogs and Cats home, where unwanted pets are looked after until they can be adopted by caring owners.

Best things to do in Battersea, London

Take your pick from dozens of food stalls dishing everything from epic fried chicken to authentic Italian gelato at Arcade Food Hall; head up 109 meters in an elevator inside one of the former power station’s chimneys for stunning river views at Lift 109; take in a movie under the railway arches at Cinema in the Arches; or enjoy some radical theater at the Battersea Arts Center.

2. Soho

Soho has been one of London’s main entertainment districts since the 19th century; the heart of the West End, dozens of theaters line Shaftesbury Avenue and many leading film companies have their headquarters here. It’s also popular with the LGBTQIA+ community, with many gay bars and nightclubs, and you can find just about any cuisine you want within its buzzy restaurant scene. It’s bordered by famous shopping areas, Oxford Street and Regent Street, where you’ll find traditional British department stores from John Lewis to Marks & Spencer, as well as Hamleys toy store.

Best things to do in Soho, London

Browse one of the city’s most elegant stores, Liberty London, which dates from 1875 and houses luxury fashion, homewares, and beauty products. If you love jazz, a night at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club is a must; established in 1959, it’s hosted musicians such as Nina Simone, Chet Baker, and Curtis Mayfield. And don’t forget to stop for dim sum or dumplings in Chinatown.

3. Shoreditch

Gentrification only came to this part of East London in recent years. In its Elizabethan heyday it was known for being the site of the very first theater in England where Shakespeare put on his plays, and in the 17th and 18th centuries, Shoreditch was home to booming textile and furniture industries. It sadly fell into decline after WWII, but when young artists and creatives started moving in to take advantage of cheap rent, it began to find new life. Today you’ll find colorful street art, cool clubs, hip hotels, tech startups, and fascinating museums. Visit Boxpark for modern street food and indie pop-up boutiques, stroll around Spitalfields Market for artisan crafts and homewares, or find out how East Londoners used to live at the Museum of the Home.

Best things to do in Shoreditch, London

Get an authentic taste of East London at the 24/7 Brick Lane bakery, Beigel Bake; you can’t beat their bagels stuffed with smoked salmon and cream cheese or salt beef. Browse beautiful blooms at Columbia Road Flower Market, held on Sundays, or explore the eclectic Dennis Severs House, a fantastically well-preserved 18th-century home decorated in period style.

4. Covent Garden

There’s been a market in Covent Garden’s central piazza since the 17th century. Back then, it sold flowers, fruit, and vegetables. Today, the elegant, neoclassical, covered building houses small boutiques, bars, and cafes. In good weather, you can often find street performers, musicians, and mimes plying their trade here for tips. Beyond the square’s ancient cobblestones, you’ll find more entertainment offerings: several theaters around Drury Lane, and the imposing Royal Opera House on Bow Street. There’s excellent shopping opportunities on nearby Long Acre, as well as the spoke-like streets which radiate out from Seven Dials.

Best things to do in Covent Garden, London

Much more interesting than it sounds, the London Transport Museum hosts exhibits focusing on the heritage of London’s tubes, trains, and buses, with a fantastic gift shop. You’re also within walking distance of Somerset House, which creates a skating rink in its grounds every winter.

5. Notting Hill

Made globally famous by the 1999 movie of the same name, this bohemian, residential neighborhood in West London has attracted celebrities for decades, including Elton John, Simon Cowell, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Harry Styles. They’ve no doubt been attracted by the elegant townhouses, many of which are painted in colorful pastel shades, as well as the traditional and historic pubs, and lively, diverse community; this, after all, is where the annual Notting Hill Carnival is held.

Best things to do in Notting Hill, London

You can’t miss Portobello Road Market, one of the world's largest antique, bric-a-brac, and vintage clothing markets. Stalls stretch for a mile all the way down Portobello Road and round the corner into Golborne Road, and you’ll find street food and live music, too. The Museum of Brands takes a look at the history of consumer culture, so you’ll find advertising posters, packaging, signage, and more. For entertainment, catch a movie at the Electric Cinema, one of the oldest film theaters in the UK, or a lively gig at the Notting Hill Arts Club, where artists from Amy Winehouse to Ed Sheeran have performed.