Soho Travel Guide

London
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Enjoy the dynamism amid the sex shops, the bright lights of the gay-friendly village and the glimmer of red carpet premieres.

With its rows of bars, historic music venues and large Chinatown zone, Soho is a trendy and jazzy neighbourhood in the heart of London. This dynamic district has park-filled plazas, raucous alleys and electrifying entertainment complexes. Spend an evening in this busy and eclectic region to glimpse London’s risqué nightlife.

Relax in the grassy park at the heart of Leicester Square, which serves as a large base for the surrounding entertainment. See one of the city’s red carpet movie premieres, visit the Hippodrome Casino and stay at a luxury hotel on the square. Highlights for families include Ripley’s Believe it or Not! London and M&M’s® World London.

Walk north from Leicester Square for one block to reach the Chinatown part of Soho. Gaze up at the red lanterns, Chinese symbols and dragon sculptures among the pagodas and Chinese restaurants. Chinese New Year celebrations and other festivities take place here year-round.

Stroll along the lively alleys filled with gay bars and sex shops for a glimpse into the city’s risqué side. Burlesque shows, casinos and strip bars are common here. For a change of pace, go shopping in the famed commercial area of Oxford Circus and relax in the spacious Trafalgar Square near Charing Cross.

Make your way east to the northern bank of the River Thames, where you’ll find the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple. These impressive buildings in courtyards are professional bodies for lawyers and judges. Walk north for a few minutes to see the St. Dunstan-in-the-West church and the Temple Church.

Soho is a little northwest of the bend in the River Thames in northwestern London. Ride the London Underground to Leicester Square, Oxford Circus or Charing Cross and get around by bus or on foot. Visit nearby areas, such as Mayfair, Marylebone and Fitzrovia.

Come to this entertainment hub to see the city’s racy and trendy residents and visitors gather and have fun.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Soho

St Giles Hotel - London
St Giles Hotel - London
3 out of 5
Bedford Avenue, London, England
The price is £98 per night from 5 May to 6 May
£98
per night
5 May - 6 May
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their reviews. Popular ...
7.6/10 Good! (2,940 reviews)
"Very handy for the theatre Breakfast wasnt great"

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2024

St Giles Hotel - London
The Resident Soho
The Resident Soho
4 out of 5
10 Carlisle Street, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £223 per night from 12 May to 13 May
£223
per night
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, room service and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,000 reviews)
"great staff upon arrival, help with anything. I highly recommend this place."

Reviewed on 29 Apr 2024

The Resident Soho
Strand Palace Hotel
Strand Palace Hotel
4 out of 5
372 The Strand, London, England
The price is £152 per night from 5 May to 6 May
£152
per night
5 May - 6 May
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,164 reviews)
"Had a really lovely stay at the Strand Palace. We recieved a free upgrade to a King size double room. The hotel was reasonably quiet and the food was great, a huge selection was available for breakfast. The only slight criticism is that the cold water tap in the ensuite bathroom kept running hot. ..."

Reviewed on 2 May 2024

Strand Palace Hotel
The Tower Hotel, London
The Tower Hotel, London
4 out of 5
St Katharine's Way, London, England
The price is £149 per night from 5 May to 6 May
£149
per night
5 May - 6 May
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,594 reviews)
"In view of The Tower of London and almost under the Tower Bridge, this is relatively modefn, and enormousv hotel with lovely spacious rooms."

Reviewed on 2 May 2024

The Tower Hotel, London
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
3 out of 5
Great Windmill Street, London, England
The price is £144 per night from 19 May to 20 May
£144
per night
19 May - 20 May
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk and housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (3,278 reviews)
Business trip to London
"Decent enough place to stay if you don’t have to spend much time in your room. It was clean and modern but a lot of work still going on. No tv in the room and had to pay an extra £10 to borrow the iron and ironing board."

Reviewed on 2 May 2024

Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
4 out of 5
200 Westminster Bridge Road, London, England
The price is £179 per night from 6 May to 7 May
£179
per night
6 May - 7 May
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,702 reviews)
"My first trip to London was wonderful! We were close to everything and it was easily walkable. Checkin was easy, staff was courteous and knowledgeable, Our room was perfect."

Reviewed on 2 May 2024

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Soho

Carnaby Street which includes a square or plaza as well as a large group of people

London City Centre

4.5/5(21 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, stunning river views and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in London City Centre. Top attractions like Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus are major draws. Catch the metro at Charing Cross Underground Station or Leicester Square Underground Station to see more of the city.

London City Centre
London showing heritage elements, markets and signage

Covent Garden

The lively bars and colourful gardens are just a few top-rate features of the neighbourhood. Make a stop by Covent Garden Market or Royal Opera House while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Covent Garden Underground Station to get around town.

Covent Garden
West End showing heritage architecture, street scenes and night scenes

West End

Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square are a few top attractions in West End. Hop around the city on the metro at Bond Street (Elizabeth Line) Station or Oxford Circus Underground Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

West End
Bloomsbury showing street scenes and heritage architecture

Bloomsbury

4/5(1,172 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Bloomsbury. Check out top attractions like The British Museum and Russell Square, and jump on the metro at Euston Square Underground Station or Russell Square Underground Station to see more of the city.

Bloomsbury
Mayfair

Mayfair

Travellers love Mayfair for its popular shops, and you can see more of London by jumping on the metro at Bond Street Underground Station or Bond Street (Elizabeth Line) Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Oxford Street and Berkeley Square.

Mayfair
Marylebone showing autumn leaves and street scenes

Marylebone

4/5(36 area reviews)

Marylebone is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Oxford Street and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. See more of London by jumping on the metro at Baker Street Station or Marylebone Underground Station.

Marylebone

More to explore for Soho


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