Where to Stay in London: Best Areas for First-Time Visitors (from a Londoner)
Looking for where to stay in London for your first time in the city? Here‘s the best areas in the Big Smoke to call home for a few days—from a full-time London travel blogger.
Coming to London soon?
In a city of nine million, it can be hard to know which part of town to spend your trip, especially if it’s your first time visiting.
But as you’ll soon realise, where you stay can make all the difference to your London trip.
Given London’s size, staying in the wrong area could mean spending your trip on 50-minute Tube rides with three changes instead of spending your trip trying London’s best afternoon teas and unique experiences in London.
I prefer the latter, don’t you?
With that said, here’s the best areas and hotels to stay for your first trip to London (or if you want a trip that’s close to most of Central London and touristy bits).
About the Author
Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.
On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.
P.S. – For more trip inspiration, travel videos, and behind-the-scenes adventures, be sure to follow along (and say hello, if you fancy) on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.
🗞️📺 As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.
First, let’s talk about London areas
Before we get into the best areas to stay in London, there’s a few general rules I’d follow for your first trip.
Because although London is very well-connected, it’s also huge. And when you only have a few days in the city, choosing the right base really does make your trip better.
Stay in Zone 1
The first bit to know for your stay is London’s transport system is split into zones—with Zone 1 covering most of Central London, and it’s absolutely where you’ll want to stay your first trip to the city.
Read More: How to Get Around London: Your Ultimate Transport Guide
This is where you’ll find many of the places first-time visitors to London (i.e. you!) usually want to see: Big Ben, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Covent Garden, Soho & the West End, Oxford Street, the British Museum, St Paul’s Cathedral, Borough Market, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
Read More: Top 10 London Attractions: 10 Famous Places to See & Visit
Of course, you absolutely can stay further out and travel in (for example, by staying at a local hotel in London), but for a first trip, I’d stay as Central as you can to spend less time commuting and more time actually enjoying London.
Choose a London Neighbourhood that suits your trip and who you’re travelling with
London neighbourhoods are so distinct in character, which is part of what makes choosing where to stay here exciting.
South Bank gives you big London views and easy sightseeing. Covent Garden puts you right in the middle of theatre, restaurants and classic first-time London buzz.
Soho is best if you want food, nightlife and to be around everything.
And Kensington, Paddington and Bloomsbury are brilliant alternatives if you want somewhere practical, well-connected and central without necessarily staying in the busiest parts of town.
South Bank
Best for: families, sightseeing, riverside walks and classic London views
If you want your first trip to London to feel like London straight away, South Bank is one of the easiest areas to stay.
This stretch of the Thames is home to some of London’s most famous sights, from the London Eye and Big Ben views to cultural favourites like the National Theatre, Southbank Centre, South Bank Book Market, Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe.
Keep walking east and you’ll eventually reach Borough Market, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, which is exactly why I love this area for a first visit.
It’s also especially good for families because you can do a lot without constantly hopping on and off the Tube. For example, you could start with a riverside walk, stop for lunch, visit a museum or gallery, take photos along the Thames, and still feel like you’ve had a full London day without spending half of it underground.
🚇 Closest Tube stations
Waterloo, Southwark, Blackfriars, London Bridge and Westminster, depending on where exactly you stay.
☎️ Things to do nearby
- Walk along the South Bank
- See the London Eye and Big Ben from Westminster Bridge
- Browse the South Bank Book Market
- Visit the National Theatre or Southbank Centre (the Hayward Gallery exhibitions here are usually great)
- Walk to Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe
- Continue towards Borough Market, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London
- Cross Millennium Bridge for views of St Paul’s Cathedral (or go inside!)
Best hotels in South Bank
citizenM London Bankside
citizenM London Bankside is best if you want a modern, design-led hotel in the heart of the city.
Rooms are compact but clever, with XL king beds, rainfall showers and in-room tech that lets you control things like temperature, lighting, TV and blinds from a tablet.
Location-wise, it works well if you want to be close to Tate Modern, Borough Market, Shakespeare’s Globe and the South Bank without staying directly in the busiest tourist stretch.
Best for: couples, solo travellers or friends who want a stylish but practical South Bank base.
Bankside Hotel, Autograph Collection
Bankside Hotel is another great South Bank option if you want a London hotel that’s a bit more boutique.
It has more of a creative, residential feel than a standard chain hotel, with art-led interiors, an on-site restaurant and bar, and a fitness centre. I’d look at this one if you want a hotel that feels like part of the trip, not just somewhere to sleep.
It’s also in a brilliant position for a first-time London itinerary. You can walk to the London Eye in 13 minutes, plus Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, the river, Borough Market and St Paul’s from here, then use nearby stations when you want to get elsewhere.
Best for: couples, design lovers, or anyone who wants a stylish South Bank stay.
Covent Garden
Best for: London’s theatre scene, restaurants, Christmas (especially), first visit to London and easy walking
If someone asked me for the easiest answer for where to stay in London for the first time, Covent Garden would be top of the list.
It’s central, lively, beautiful and extremely walkable. You can step outside and be surrounded by theatres, restaurants, shops, street performers, pretty side streets and some of London’s most famous areas within minutes.
This is especially the place to stay if you’re coming to London for the theatre scene. The West End is right on your doorstep, Soho is next door, Trafalgar Square is a short walk away and you can get to South Bank easily too.
And if you’re visiting London at Christmas? Covent Garden is deliriously hard to beat.
🚇 Closest stations
Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Charing Cross, Tottenham Court Road and Holborn, depending on where exactly you stay.
☎️ Things to do nearby
- Watch the street performers in Covent Garden Market
- See a show in the West End (check out what’s on here)
- Visit the Royal Ballet & Opera House
- Wander through Neal’s Yard and have a bite at Seven Dials Market
- Walk to Soho and Chinatown
- Visit Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery
- Walk across Waterloo Bridge to South Bank
- Explore Seven Dials and the surrounding shops
Best hotels in Covent Garden
The Z Hotel Covent Garden
The Z Hotel Covent Garden is a good option if you care more about location than your room size.
This Z Hotel sits right in the middle of Covent Garden, designed to be small and efficient. If you’re the kind of traveller who spends all day exploring and just wants somewhere central, clean and convenient to sleep, it works really well.
Best for: short stays, solo travellers, couples who pack light, and anyone prioritising location over room size.
The Resident Covent Garden
The Resident Covent Garden is a lovely option if you want a calmer boutique stay right in the middle of London.
The rooms come with The Resident’s signature mini-kitchens, along with beautiful rooms and incredible London cafés and restaurants just a hop and a skip away,
The location is the main win here. You’re close to Covent Garden, Charing Cross, Trafalgar Square, the West End and Soho, but the hotel itself feels a bit more tucked away than staying directly above the busiest streets.
Best for: couples, solo travellers, theatre trips and anyone who wants a central hotel with useful in-room extras.
NoMad London
If you want a splurge stay in Covent Garden, NoMad London is one of the best options for your trip.
Set inside the historic Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station, it’s the perfect chic Covent Garden hotel, close to the Royal Opera House, theatres, restaurants and all the West End buzz you’d want from a first-time London stay.
This is also a good one if you care about dining and interiors. NoMad is super design-led with a fabulous onsite restaurant and bars that makes it easy to have a full evening without leaving the hotel.
Best for: luxury stays, couples, special occasions and travellers who want a beautiful hotel in the heart of Covent Garden.
Soho
Best for: food, nightlife, shopping, theatre and being around everything
Soho is best if you want to be in the middle of the action.
It’s not the quietest area to stay in London, and I probably wouldn’t make it my first recommendation for families with young children.
But if you want restaurants, bars, theatre, shopping, Chinatown, Carnaby Street, Oxford Street, Covent Garden and the West End all around you, Soho is hard to beat.
This is the London base for people who want to step outside and have options immediately. Dinner? You’re sorted. Drinks? Easy. Theatre? Around the corner. Late-night food? Absolutely. A wander into Covent Garden, Mayfair, Fitzrovia or Oxford Street? Effortlessly easy.
It’s one of the most convenient areas in London for first-time visitors who want energy, nightlife and walkability rather than a quiet retreat.
🚇 Closest stations
Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Circus, Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.
☎️ Things to do nearby
- Eat your way around Chinatown
- Browse Carnaby Street and Kingly Court
- See a West End show
- Go for live jazz at Ronnie Scott’s
- Have dinner and drinks around Old Compton Street
- Walk to Covent Garden, Mayfair or Oxford Street
- Explore the shops around Regent Street and Oxford Street
Best hotels in Soho
The Z Hotel Soho
The Z Hotel Soho is a fabulous choice if you want to be extremely central without paying luxury hotel prices.
The hotel is set across converted Georgian townhouses and has compact rooms, so again, this is one for travellers who care most about location. Rooms come with useful essentials like free Wi-Fi, en-suite showers, HDTV, temperature control and under-bed luggage storage.
The location is the main reason to stay here. You’re close to Leicester Square, Tottenham Court Road, Chinatown, Covent Garden, Charing Cross Road, Soho restaurants and the West End, which makes it very easy to pop back between plans.
Just know that the rooms are small, but for a few nights in London, it’s absolutely fine.
Best for: short stays, theatre trips, nightlife and travellers who want to be right in Soho.
The Resident Soho
The Resident Soho is another lovely option if you want a Soho location with a little more chic (the same brand as The Resident Covent Garden).
It’s close to Soho Square, Oxford Street and Mayfair, but not quite in the middle of the loudest streets, so useful if you like the idea of staying in Soho but still want somewhere a bit calmer to come back to.
It’s also a strong base for walking. From here you can easily reach Covent Garden, Chinatown, Oxford Street, Fitzrovia, Mayfair and the West End.
Best for: couples, solo travellers, longer stays and anyone who wants Soho convenience without feeling directly in the chaos.
Alternative Central Areas to Stay in London
If you’d prefer to stay somewhere slightly calmer and more local than London’s tourist hotspots while still being Central, I’d also consider Kensington, Paddington and Bloomsbury.
They’re not quite as “step outside and you’re in the middle of everything” as South Bank, Covent Garden or Soho—but they’re still practical and central enough for sightseeing, and well-connected for a first trip to London.
Kensington
Kensington is best if you want a pretty West London base with museums, Hyde Park, and a polished neighbourhood feel.
It works especially well if you’re planning to visit the Natural History Museum, V&A, Science Museum, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park or Knightsbridge.
I wouldn’t personally put it above South Bank, Covent Garden or Soho for a first visit, simply because you’ll be a little further from areas like Covent Garden, Soho, Borough Market and Tower Bridge.
But if you’re travelling with family, love museums, or want somewhere calmer to come back to at the end of the day, it’s definitely worth considering.
Closest stations: South Kensington, Gloucester Road, High Street Kensington and Earl’s Court
Nearby: Natural History Museum, V&A, Science Museum, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park and Knightsbridge
Hotels to look at: 100 Queen’s Gate or The Adria
Paddington
Paddington is best if you want a practical base with strong transport links, especially if you’re flying into Heathrow or want easy access to the Elizabeth line.
It’s not the most atmospheric area for a first trip, but you’re close to Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Little Venice and Notting Hill, which makes it a useful option if convenience is high on your list.
Closest stations: Paddington, Edgware Road and Lancaster Gate
Nearby: Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Little Venice, Notting Hill and Marylebone
Hotel to look at: Premier Inn London Paddington, Paddington Basin
Bloomsbury
Bloomsbury is best if you want to stay Central, but somewhere a little calmer than Covent Garden or Soho.
You’ll be close to the British Museum, Russell Square, Tottenham Court Road, Holborn and the West End, with plenty of leafy squares and bookish corners nearby.
It’s a lovely option if you want Central London without feeling like you’re staying right in the middle of the busiest tourist streets.
Closest stations: Russell Square, Holborn, Tottenham Court Road and Goodge Street
Nearby: British Museum, Russell Square, Covent Garden, Soho, Fitzrovia and Oxford Street
Hotels to look at: The Bloomsbury Hotel or Bedford Hotel
So, where should you stay in London for the first time?
If you’re still deciding, here’s how I’d narrow it down.
Stay in South Bank if you want big London views, easy sightseeing and a family-friendly base.
Stay in Covent Garden if you want theatre, restaurants, all things Christmas in London, walkability and the easiest “first time in London” location.
Stay in Soho if you want food, nightlife, shopping, bars and to be around everything.
Stay in Kensington if you want museums, Hyde Park, a prettier West London base and somewhere calmer to come back to.
Stay in Paddington if you want easy transport, Heathrow connections and a practical hotel base.
Stay in Bloomsbury if you want somewhere central, calmer, bookish and close to museums.
If it were me, for a first trip, I’d choose between South Bank, Covent Garden and Bloomsbury first. Then I’d look at Soho if I wanted a fun, energetic trip, or Paddington if transport and budget were the biggest priorities.
Tips for choosing where to stay in London
A few last things I’d keep in mind before booking your stay in London
Check the actual nearest station
London hotels love saying they’re “near” an area, but near can mean many things. Before booking, put the hotel into Google Maps or Citymapper and check the walk to the nearest station.
For a first trip, I’d ideally recommend being within a 5-minute walk of a Tube or train station.
Don’t only look at the hotel price
A cheaper hotel further out can look like a win until you realise you’re spending more time and money travelling in and out every day.
Sometimes paying a little more to stay central is worth it because you’ll save energy, time and possibly even transport costs.
Think about your evenings
People often plan where to stay based on daytime sightseeing, but your evening plans matter too.
If you want theatre and dinners, Covent Garden or Soho will make life easier. If you want riverside walks and a slightly more relaxed evening, South Bank is lovely. If you want a calmer base after busy days, Bloomsbury may suit you better.
Book early if you’re visiting during peak season
London hotel prices can get wild during summer, Christmas, bank holidays and big events.
If you know your dates, I’d book sooner rather than later, especially if you have your heart set on staying somewhere central.
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in London for Your First Visit
London is one of the best cities in the world to explore, but where you stay really does shape your trip.
Choose the right area and you can easily walk between London neighbourhoods, pop back to your hotel when you need a break, and spend more time enjoying London instead of navigating it.
Have the best trip!
Thanks for reading my Where to Stay in London for First-Time Visitors Guide. Let me know how your London trip goes on Instagram!
CHECK OUT MORE LONDON GUIDES:
- London for First-Timers: Your Ultimate Guide
- 10 Tips for Tourists in London
- The Best Afternoon Teas in London
- Changing of the Guards, London Guide: 10 Top Tips
- Tower of London Tips for Your Visit
- Visiting St Paul’s Cathedral
- Your Guide to Westminster Abbey
- The Best Guided Tours of London
