First time visiting London? It’s a doozy to work through.
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Unlike massive hubs like New York City, home to residential boroughs like Staten Island and Queens, you’ll probably make your way around more of London. In other words, it’s not just a large city—it’s one that has dozens of neighborhoods (also called boroughs) with attractions, landmarks, and ambiance worth exploring.
During my first visit to London, I holed up at a hostel in the popular, well-known King’s Cross area. I quickly ingratiated myself at the local pub and made a colorful group of (temporary) friends. The next time I visited, I stayed in Dalston, which is a more hip, up-and-coming neighborhood.
During those visits, I don’t think I saw the same sights twice. (My most memorable moment in London was going to Hyde Park and seeing the Eurasian Coot for the first time. Those feet… those terrible, terrible feet…)
Here’s my point: You need a rundown of the places to stay in London for first-time visitors. You want to stay close to your must-sees… which could be littered across five boroughs. The city has 32 boroughs to learn about and their long list of neighborhoods and areas, along with the City of London, smack in the middle.
For now, I’m sticking to the places to stay in London that tourists usually focus on. Some of these areas are located inside the same borough, which I’ve listed in parentheses.
Places to stay in London for first-time visitors: at a glance
- Bayswater (Westminster)
- Camden Town (Camden)
- Covent Garden (Westminster, Camden)
- London Fields (Hackney)
- Mayfair (Westminster)
- Paddington (Westminster)
- South Kensington (Kensington, Chelsea)
- Shoreditch (Hackney)
- Soho (Westminster)
Best places to stay in London for first-time visitors
Bayswater (Westminster)
- Nearby attractions: Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens
Thanks to its balance of greenery and its historic architecture, Bayswater is consistently one of the top places to stay in London for first-timers. You’ll get a feel for the multicultural neighborhood as you wander around to explore restaurants, boutiques, and shops. Just know that it’s a popular tourist area, meaning you’re likely to run into crowds.
Check out hotels in Bayswater.
Camden Town (Camden)
- Nearby attractions: Camden Market, Regent’s Park, Primrose Hill, Regent’s Canal
Once again, you have a balance of green space with urban buzz in Camden Town. The area is defined by its lively, eclectic vibes. You’ll get to check out some of London’s punk and goth pubs and hangouts. It’s a hotspot for live music, unsurprisingly, with hubs like The Roundhouse & Live Music. Just expect some noise—this is a very popular zone for nightlife.
Check out hotels in Camden Town.
Covent Garden (Westminster, Camden)
- Nearby attractions: Covent Garden Piazza, Royal Opera House, Neal’s Yard, Holland Park, Apple Market, East Colonnade Market
Considered one of the top places to stay in London for first-time visitors, Covent Garden puts you near all the city’s top attractions. It’s also got a long list of free things to do, in case you’re sticking to a budget. If you like the feeling that you can wander out of your hotel and instantly be entertained, stick with Covent Garden.
Check out hotels in Covent Garden.
London Fields (Hackney)
- Nearby attractions: London Fields Park, Broadway Market
Full of young creatives and their brainchildren, London Fields is one of the coolest spots to stay in the city. You’ve got the absolutely massive London Fields Park to explore, along with dozens of food markets and small food shops. Get into the weeds while you explore homegrown projects like E5Bakehouse, Forno, and Brat.
Check out hotels in London Fields.
Mayfair (Westminster)
- Nearby attractions: Bond Street, Savile Row, Royal Academy of Arts
With an opulent edge underpinning its quaint streets, Mayfair is the de facto luxury place to stay for first-time visitors. You’ll find London’s finest shops and high fashion houses in Mayfair. The area is so popular that it’s actually its own separate destination that tourists visit, especially around Bond Street, Grosvenor Square, and Shephard Market.
Check out hotels in Mayfair.
Paddington (Westminster)
- Nearby attractions: Little Venice, Hyde Park, St. Mary’s Hospital
Both historical and convenient, Paddington offers a great balance for first-timers looking for places to stay in London. You’re close to Paddington Station, giving you great public transportation—and access to the Paddington Bear statue. You’re also close to Hyde Park and one of London’s coolest walkable zones, Little Venice.
Check out hotels in Paddington.
South Kensington (Kensington, Chelsea)
- Nearby attractions: Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Dove & Kynance Mews
Looking for museums set across a lovely, quaint neighborhood? South Kensington is home to tree-lined streets you’ll want to walk down twice. Some are narrow, cobbled streets called mews. It’s also a hotspot for concert series in the summer, letting you mingle with locals.
Check out hotels in South Kensington.
Shoreditch (Hackney)
- Nearby attractions: Old Spitalfields Market, Columbia Road Flower Market, Boxpark,
Like London Fields, Shoreditch is a trendy neighborhood where you can delve into London’s hipster tendencies. It’s vibrant, eclectic, and home to delicious lounge, pub, and restaurant projects. In lieu of main attractions, you’ve got access to London’s best markets, culinary joints, street murals, and even things like flower shops. It’s where Banksy hangs out.
Check out hotels in Shoreditch.
Soho (Westminster)
- Nearby attractions: British Museum, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace
Like Mayfair, Soho is the attraction. People visit this area to experience London’s LGBTQ scene, its live music scene, and plenty more. Rich in both history and atmosphere, you’ll feel like you’re walking through a living museum of coolness. Just expect crowds in Soho’s main drags—during the day, in the middle of the night, first thing in the morning.
Check out hotels in Soho.
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