London is one of the most visited cities in the world. To fully enjoy the city, you first need to ask yourself where to stay in London first time. Choosing the right place that suits your preferences is one of the most important tasks of your entire trip.
From the bustling heart of Soho to the refined elegance of Chelsea, your choice of accommodation can transform your visit from unforgettable to magical.
Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Camden Market, the London Eye, the British Museum, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. These are just a few examples of the city’s must-see attractions.
That’s why we’ve written a well-researched article with first-hand experience to make choosing the right London neighbourhood incredibly easy for you.
In brief: The best areas to stay in London are Covent Garden, Soho, Southbank, Kensington, Marylebone, and Shoreditch.
If you want to stay as centrally as possible, you should stay in Covent Garden or Soho.
Of these two districts, Soho is the one with the most nightlife.
If you are traveling with children, Southbank is the best option.
If you are looking for a less touristy area, consider staying in Kensington or Marylebone.
These two areas feel more residential.
If you are looking for an up-and-coming and more affordable neighborhood, consider trendy Shoreditch.
You can easily navigate to each area by tapping the link. Or, go straight to the overview of the best areas to stay in London first time.
Covent Garden is a centrally located area where you can easily visit the major attractions such as the British Museum, West End theatres, Covent Garden Market, Trafalgar Square and the Royal Opera House. It is best known for its vibrant atmosphere.
There are many restaurants to explore and the area itself has a rich history. Due to its compact nature, Covent Garden is very walkable. You can easily explore nearby areas such as Soho, Leicester Square and Chinatown on foot. If you don’t want to walk, just take the tube.
Covent Garden tube station is on the Piccadilly Line and offers easy access to other parts of London, including Heathrow Airport and the major attractions in the wider area.
As this is by far one of the most popular areas for tourists, there are a few disadvantages to it as well as the many advantages.
Firstly, it is one of the busiest areas in the city.
Secondly, due to the high demand, it is difficult to find a hotel that is considered affordable.
Finally, the whole area feels very touristy, but there are many alternatives that offer a quieter and much more authentic atmosphere.
However, we cannot deny that it is one of the most practical areas of the whole city.
Convent Garden: This is the most convenient area for exploring London, but also the busiest area for tourists. If you’re looking for something a little quieter, there are alternatives, but if you’re going to be doing a lot of sightseeing, it’s hard to beat the benefits of this area.
Soho: There are many similarities between this area and Soho, but the biggest difference is that Soho is London’s nightlife district. If you’re looking for a fun night out, stay as close to this area as possible.
Southbank: This is one of the best options if you’re visiting London with kids. You’ll have easy access to the main sights and kid-friendly attractions while staying in a relatively quiet area.
Kensington: Kensington is a residential area with easy access to London’s parks and several major attractions. Couples and families will appreciate that this area is considered quiet and very safe.
Marylebone: There are many similarities between Kensington and Marylebone, but the main difference is that Marylebone feels more like a small town, while Kensington is a bit more tourist-friendly.
Shoreditch: Shoreditch is a trendy area of London, ideal for those looking for an alternative area with great nightlife and dining options. Compared to other parts of the city, you can find slightly cheaper hotels here.
*If you tap on the area, you will be taken directly to that section of the article for more detailed information.
How do you get around in London? This is actually quite easy. London is – as everyone knows – famous for its underground system and the underground is by far the easiest way to get around the city. However, London is also a very walkable city, so you will only really need to take the underground a few times a day for longer journeys.
Once you are in the tourist areas where you will find most of the sights, you can easily explore these areas on foot, if it is not too busy.
If you decide to stay in an area that is not so central, always make sure that you choose a hotel near one of the underground stations.
Southbank stretches along the south bank of the River Thames. This means that it offers great views of the river and landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye.
There are several attractions worth visiting in this area, including the London Eye, SEA LIFE and the London Dungeon. Compared to the two previously recommended areas, Southbank is a much better option for families or those looking for a more relaxed experience.
Yes, it does get busy during the day due to the attractions located here, but it is not as chaotic as Covent Garden in Soho.
Southbank is well connected by public transport and there are several tube stations nearby, including Waterloo and Embankment. However, you also have good access to riverboat services along the Thames. Southbank is simply a great option for travellers with children, but be aware that there are some drawbacks.
Firstly, compared to some of the more distinctive areas of London, Southbank feels less characterful and charming in the traditional sense due to its focus on cultural and tourist attractions.
Secondly, it is not a cheap area and it can be difficult to find something to suit your budget, especially if you don’t book well in advance. And finally, despite the good connection to the tube, the journey time is longer than in the more central areas.
You often have to take the tube to get to the other well-known attractions and highlights.
But despite these relatively minor drawbacks, Southbank is, with good planning, the best option if you are travelling with the family.
Kensington is known for its luxurious and charming atmosphere. The area is home to beautiful architecture, tree-lined streets and manicured gardens and offers a more refined and relaxed environment compared to some of the busier areas of London.
From here you have excellent access to the city’s major museums, including the Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum and Science Museum. There are also several parks here, including Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. Those who enjoy shopping should visit Kensington High Street, where you will find many designer boutiques and elegant department stores.
During our first two visits to London, we stayed in this part of the city, mainly because of the parks and the tranquility. It is nice to have a relatively quiet morning walk in a busy city like London. We were not in London for the nightlife, so we were looking for a relaxing environment.
Kensington will not disappoint. And when we wanted to visit the city’s major attractions, we were there in no time with a quick tube ride.
Of course, there are some disadvantages to staying in Kensington. First of all, it is mainly a residential area and not always as tourist-friendly as the central areas. This also means that there is no nightlife here.
If you want to explore the city in the evening, you always have to take the subway to the city center.
But if you want to stay in a nice and quiet area as a couple or with your family and don’t mind taking the subway, then you should definitely consider staying in Kensington.
There are many similarities between Marylebone and the previous recommended area.
Both are primarily residential areas. Both have good public transport links to the main attractions and the city centre. Both offer a quiet and safe environment. Both have access to beautiful parks. And both offer beautiful architecture.
The main difference is that Marylebone offers a quieter, more village-like atmosphere with an emphasis on boutiques and local charm, while Kensington offers a slightly more upmarket yet tourist-friendly area with great cultural attractions and a wider range of shopping and dining options.
That said, Marylebone is closer to the city centre.
Marylebone is therefore quieter than Kensington, as much as that is possible in a city like London.
Shoreditch is known for its thriving art scene. The area is a hub for street art, with colourful murals and graffiti adorning many of the buildings. In recent years, this part of London has been revived and today Shoreditch has a reputation for being at the forefront of London’s trendy culture.
It is known for its innovative businesses, independent shops and alternative fashion. The food scene in Shoreditch is both diverse and exciting. In the evening, you can enjoy a real nightlife with numerous pubs, bars and clubs.
Shoreditch therefore combines historical elements with modern developments.
You will find a number of unique accommodation options in this part of the city, including some affordable ones. Due to its location, Shoreditch is close to other popular areas such as Hoxton, Brick Lane and the City of London.
If you are looking for a trendy area with great food and nightlife, look no further.
Bear in mind that you will be further away from the main attractions. Furthermore, due to its popularity, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find something cheap. If you’re travelling on a budget, King’s Cross and St. Pancras International are better options.
Convent Garden: This is the most convenient area for exploring London, but also the busiest area for tourists. If you’re looking for something a little quieter, there are alternatives, but if you’re going to be doing a lot of sightseeing, it’s hard to beat the benefits of this area.
Soho: There are many similarities between this area and Soho, but the biggest difference is that Soho is London’s nightlife district. If you’re looking for a fun night out, stay as close to this area as possible.
Southbank: This is one of the best options if you’re visiting London with kids. You’ll have easy access to the main sights and kid-friendly attractions while staying in a relatively quiet area.
Kensington: Kensington is a residential area with easy access to London’s parks and several major attractions. Couples and families will appreciate that this area is considered quiet and very safe.
Marylebone: There are many similarities between Kensington and Marylebone, but the main difference is that Marylebone feels more like a small town, while Kensington is a bit more tourist-friendly.
Shoreditch: Shoreditch is a trendy area of London, ideal for those looking for an alternative area with great nightlife and dining options. Compared to other parts of the city, you can find slightly cheaper hotels here.
*If you tap on the area, you will be taken directly to that section of the article for more detailed information.
