Soho Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Photo provided by Expedia
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 neighborhood 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

Activities


Our pick of the best Soho Hotel Deals

St Giles Hotel - London
St Giles Hotel - London
3 out of 5
Bedford Avenue, London, England
The price is AU$202 per night from 5 May to 6 May
AU$202
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 our 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
The price is AU$447 per night from 27 May to 28 May
AU$447
per night
27 May - 28 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! (1,005 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 AU$292 per night from 5 May to 6 May
AU$292
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 our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,157 reviews)
"The staff at reception were lovely, my room was very cute as I stayed in a single, it had everything I needed. Everything seemed spotless until I lifted the toilet seat and there was a pubic hair there. There were also only two tiny cartons of UHT milk. There was a beeping noise all night coming ..."

Reviewed on 30 Apr. 2024

Strand Palace Hotel
The Tower Hotel, London
The Tower Hotel, London
4 out of 5
St Katharine's Way, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$284 per night from 12 May to 13 May
AU$284
per night
12 May - 13 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 our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,578 reviews)
"Overall very happy with our stay, one issue, we were there for four nights, room was only cleaned once, hotel was a bit dated, but I think it added to its charm, the room was specious, but the TV didn’t work, kept turning off, told the front desk, never got fixed. The location is great, the breakfast ..."

Reviewed on 30 Apr. 2024

The Tower Hotel, London
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
3 out of 5
Great Windmill Street, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$214 per night from 12 May to 13 May
AU$214
per night
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this 3-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
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 AU$428 per night from 6 May to 7 May
AU$428
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 our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,692 reviews)
"The location was perfect! Right off River Thames, next to Big Ben, The London Eye, Westminister Bridge. The hotels bar/lounge, Primo Bar had excellent service, great tasting & very well made drinks. Hotel staff were friendly & quick with requests. The concierge was super helpful. Room service was ..."

Reviewed on 1 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(2 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

4.5/5(209 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

4.5/5(5 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


Search cars