London
Noisy, vibrant and truly multicultural, London is a megalopolis of people, ideas and frenetic energy. The capital and largest city of the United Kingdom sits on the River Thames in South-East England.| Tap on a place to explore it |
Photo: Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Essential Destinations
Top destinations include South Kensington-Chelsea and Heathrow Airport.
South Kensington-Chelsea
Photo: Peter Suranyi, CC BY-SA 3.0.
South Kensington-Chelsea is a district of central London. It is one of the most densely populated places in London and most affluent areas in the world.
Heathrow Airport
Photo: JamesZ Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
Heathrow Airport is the main airport for London, the largest airport in the United Kingdom, and the second busiest in the world in terms of international passenger traffic.
City of London
Photo: jikatu, CC BY-SA 2.0.
The City of London, also known as the City, or the Square Mile, is the area of London that originally lay within the ancient city walls. This independent part of Central London is known for its history and heritage, so is a must for anyone wishing to explore and understand London.
Destinations to Discover
Explore places such as Westminster and South London.
Westminster
South London
Photo: Wjh31, Public domain.
South London is generally defined as any part of London that is south of the river Thames. However, this guide only covers the outer South London boroughs, namely Bromley, Bexley, Croydon, Kingston-upon-Thames, Sutton, and parts of Merton.
Greenwich
Photo: Sebjarod, Public domain.
Greenwich is a famous maritime district of south east London - 5.5 miles from central London. An area of great historical importance, the town centre contains Maritime Greenwich - one of London's four UNESCO World Heritage sites - known for its naval history, connections with the Royal Family and as the location from which the Prime Meridian is derived.
Gatwick Airport
Photo: Mike McBey, CC BY 2.0.
Gatwick Airport is London's second-busiest airport by passenger numbers, and serves the south-east of the United Kingdom. It is a hub for British Airways, easyJet and TUI Airways.
South Bank
Photo: Bloodholds, CC BY-SA 3.0.
The South Bank is on a sharp 90° bend of the Thames in central London and one of the city's cultural centres. It is a small area but it contains many artistic and creative sites, as well as an eclectic range of other attractions, boutique shopping and trendy food and drink places.
West London
Photo: brett jordan, CC BY 2.0.
The outer western suburbs of Greater London form a diverse area that ranges from the densely-populated but tree-lined streets of Chiswick, Acton and Ealing, through to the semi-rural western districts that lie between Heathrow Airport and Uxbridge.
East End
Photo: Mark Towning, CC BY 2.0.
The East End is a district of inner London. The boundaries of the East End are not well defined, but for the purposes of this page it covers from the edge of The City to the River Lea or the old boundaries of the former borough of Poplar.
Richmond-Kew
Photo: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Richmond-Kew is a district in south-west London. This is perhaps the area of outer London with the most to offer visitors.
North London
Photo: Villy Fink Isaksen, CC BY-SA 3.0.
North London is the northern part of London, England, north of the River Thames and the City of London. It extends from Clerkenwell and Finsbury, on the edge of the City of London financial district, to Greater London's boundary with Hertfordshire.
Hampstead
Photo: Khamtran, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Hampstead is a district of north inner London. The key sights are a wealth of under-stated historical attractions, and the magnificent open spaces of Hampstead Heath.
Southwark and Lewisham
Photo: Loz Pycock, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Southwark and Lewisham are two boroughs of inner south east London.
Mayfair-Marylebone
Photo: Aniacra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Mayfair and Marylebone are districts of central London. Together they cover a large area of western central London, encompassing the whole of Mayfair and Piccadilly to the south and the area from Oxford Street through Marylebone to Regent's Park and the border with St John's Wood to the north.
Hammersmith and Fulham
Photo: Chmee2, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Hammersmith & Fulham is a borough in west London, and boasts 3 Premiership football teams within its boundaries.
London Stansted Airport
Hackney
Photo: Laurencefwhite, CC BY 2.5.
Hackney is a district of London. Hackney has a diverse population and the area has undergone massive regeneration in recent decades. Hackney is now very fashionable with a thriving arts scene in the south of the district for example.
Bloomsbury
Covent Garden
Photo: Hamster28, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Covent Garden is one of the main shopping and entertainment districts of London, and is hugely popular with visitors, who swarm to its shops, bars and restaurants, especially at weekends.
Wimbledon
Photo: Jonotennis, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Wimbledon is a district in south-west London and hosts one of the world's four tennis grand slam tournaments.
Holborn-Clerkenwell
Photo: Matthew Black, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Holborn-Clerkenwell is a district in central London that is in many ways a buffer zone between London's West End and the City of London financial district.
Lambeth
Photo: brodiepunk, CC BY 2.0.
Lambeth is a borough of inner south-west London. Here is the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace, St. Thomas's Hospital and County Hall.
Notting Hill-North Kensington
Photo: Garry Knight, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Notting Hill-North Kensington is a district in west London. Notting Hill is a popular destination for its lively market, gorgeous streetscapes, interesting history and diverse population.
Soho
Photo: garryknight, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Soho is a district of central London, part of the West End, famous for jazz, its gay village, sex shops and alternative lifestyles.
Camden
Photo: Colin, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Camden is an inner northern district of London. Its heart lies in Camden Town, a neighbourhood known for its market and the colourful nightlife. Camden is home to three of the most important railway stations in London: King's Cross, St. Pancras and Euston.
London St Pancras International
Photo: Mattbuck, CC BY-SA 3.0.
London St Pancras International is a major international rail interchange and shopping destination in London. It is the British capital's only international station, with Eurostar services connecting the city with destinations in mainland Europe.
East London
Photo: Roel Hemkes, CC BY 2.0.
East London is the part of London, England, east of the ancient City of London and north of the River Thames as it begins to widen. East London developed as London's docklands and the primary industrial centre.
Paddington-Maida Vale
Photo: Natesh Ramasamy, CC BY 2.0.
Paddington-Maida Vale is a district of northwest central London, around the vast Paddington Station of Paddington Bear fame. This inner London district is somewhat bereft of attractions but it does have a large range of budget and mid-priced accommodation.
Leicester Square
Photo: Aurelien Guichard, CC BY-SA 2.0.
The area around Leicester Square, often called the West End, is the entertainment heart of London. The area also includes Chinatown, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square.
Wandsworth
Photo: PAUL FARMER, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Wandsworth is a district of south-west London. Today the smart houses, cafes and bars close to the expansive green lung of Clapham Common are popular with young professionals working in the City, whilst cosmopolitan Tooting is home to a large South Asian community.
Islington
Photo: DAVID HOLT, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Islington is a district of north London covering much of the London Borough of Islington. The area around The Angel, Upper Street and Essex Road is of special interest to visitors; it is home to a number of interesting shops selling antiques and collectibles as well as art galleries.
Hornchurch
Photo: Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Hornchurch is an outer district of East London, England. It is about 15 mi from the centre of the city, in the London Borough of Havering. It is one of two main tourist centres in Havering and extends to include the neighbouring areas of Rainham and Upminster, with a collection of small museums and heritage sites.
Photo: Steve Collis, CC BY 2.0.
Photo: Alexander Kachkaev, CC BY 2.0.
Photo: Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Places of Interest
Highlights include Big Ben and London Eye.
Big Ben
London Eye
Ferris wheel
Photo: Khamtran, CC BY-SA 3.0.
The London Eye, originally the Millennium Wheel, is a cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. It is the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom with over three million visitors annually.
Westminster Abbey
Church
Photo: Σπάρτακος, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London, England.
Places in the Area
Nearby places include Westminster and Chelsea.
Westminster
Quarter
Chelsea
Suburb
Photo: Danny Robinson, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Chelsea is an area in West London, England, due south-west of Charing Cross by approximately 2.5 miles. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames and for postal purposes is part of the south-western postal area.
Brixton
Suburb
Photo: Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Brixton is an area of South London, part of the London Borough of Lambeth, England. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.
London
- Type: City with 8,910,000 residents
- Description: capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom
- Also known as: “Augusta”, “Big Smoke”, “Kaerlud”, “Karelundein”, “LDN”, “Llan Dian”, “Llyn Dain”, “Loñ”, “Lon.”, “Loñ.”, “Lond.”, “Londini”, “Londiniensium”, “Londinio”, “Londinion”, “Londinium”, “London U.K.”, “London UK”, “London, England”, “London, UK”, “London, United Kingdom”, “Loniniensi”, “Lunden”, “Lundenburgh”, “Lundenburh”, “Lundenwic”, “the Big Smoke”, and “Trinovantum”
- Neighbors: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, and Sussex
- Categories: metropolis, financial center, global city, megacity, largest city, national capital, and locality
- Location: Greater London, England, United Kingdom, Britain and Ireland, Europe
- View on OpenStreetMap
Latitude
51.5074° or 51° 30′ 27″ northLongitude
-0.1278° or 0° 7′ 40″ westPopulation
8,910,000Elevation
82 feet (25 metres)IATA airport code
LONUnited Nations Location Code
GB LONOpen location code
9C3XGV4C+XVOpenStreetMap ID
node 107775OpenStreetMap feature
place=cityGeoNames ID
2643743Wikidata ID
Q84
This page is based on OpenStreetMap, GeoNames, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons, and Wikivoyage.
We’d love your help improving our open data sources. Thank you for contributing.
Satellite Map
Discover London from above in high-definition satellite imagery.
In Other Languages
From Abkhazian to Zulu—“London” goes by many names.
- Abkhazian: “Лондан”
- Abkhazian: “Лондон”
- Achinese: “London”
- Adyghe: “Лондон”
- Afrikaans: “Londen”
- Albanian: “Londër”
- Albanian: “Londra”
- Amharic: “ለንደን”
- Amis: “London”
- Angika: “लंदन”
- Arabic: “لندن”
- Aragonese: “Londres”
- Armenian: “Լոնդոն”
- Arpitan: “Londres”
- Arpitan: “Londro”
- Assamese: “লণ্ডন”
- Asturian: “Londres”
- Avaric: “Лондон”
- Awadhi: “लण्डन”
- Aymara: “London”
- Azerbaijani: “London”
- Balinese: “London”
- Balinese: “ᬮᭀᬦ᭄ᬤᭀᬦ᭄”
- Bambara: “London”
- Banjar: “London”
- Bashkir: “Лондон”
- Basque: “London”
- Basque: “Londres”
- Bavarian: “London”
- Belarusian: “Ландыніум”
- Belarusian: “Лёндан”
- Belarusian: “Лондан”
- Belarusian: “Люндэнбург”
- Bengali: “লণ্ডন”
- Bengali: “লন্ডন”
- Betawi: “Londen”
- Bhojpuri: “लंदन”
- Bislama: “London”
- Bosnian: “London”
- Brahui: “Landan”
- Breton: “Londrez”
- Bulgarian: “Лондон”
- Burmese: “လန်ဒန်မြို့”
- Catalan: “Londres, Anglaterra”
- Catalan: “Londres”
- Cebuano: “London”
- Central Bikol: “Londres”
- Central Kurdish: “لەندەن”
- Chavacano: “London”
- Chechen: “Лондон”
- Cherokee: “ᎫᎴ ᏗᏍᎪᏂᎯᏱ”
- Cherokee: “ᎶᏂᏙᏂ”
- Chinese: “Lûn-tun”
- Chinese: “Lúndūn”
- Chinese: “伦敦”
- Chinese: “倫敦”
- Church Slavic: “Лондонъ”
- Chuvash: “Лондон”
- Cornish: “Loundres”
- Corsican: “Londra”
- Crimean Tatar: “London”
- Croatian: “London”
- Czech: “Londýn”
- Dagbani: “London”
- Danish: “London”
- Dhivehi: “ލަންޑަން”
- Dimli (individual language): “Londra”
- Dotyali: “लण्डन”
- Dutch: “LDN”
- Dutch: “Londen, Engeland”
- Dutch: “Londen, Verenigd Koninkrijk”
- Dutch: “Londen, VK”
- Dutch: “Londen”
- Eastern Mari: “Лондон”
- Egyptian Arabic: “لندن”
- Erzya: “Лондон ош”
- Esperanto: “Londono”
- Estonian: “London”
- Ewe: “London”
- Extremaduran: “Londri”
- Faroese: “London”
- Fiji Hindi: “London”
- Fijian: “Lodoni”
- Finnish: “Lontoo”
- French: “London”
- French: “Londres”
- Friulian: “Londre”
- Fulah: “London”
- Gagauz: “London”
- Galician: “Londres”
- Gan Chinese: “倫敦”
- Georgian: “ლონდონი”
- German: “London”
- Ghanaian Pidgin English: “London”
- Gilaki: “لندن”
- Goan Konkani: “London”
- Goan Konkani: “ಲಂಡನ್”
- Gothic: “𐌻𐌰𐌿𐌽𐌳𐌰𐌿𐌽”
- Greek: “Λονδίνο”
- Guarani: “Londye”
- Guarani: “Lóndyre”
- Guianese Creole French: “Lonn”
- Gujarati: “લંડન”
- Haitian: “Lonn”
- Hakka Chinese: “Lùn-tûn”
- Hausa: “Landan”
- Hawaiian: “Lākana”
- Hebrew: “לונדון”
- Hindi: “लंदन,इंग्लॅण्ड”
- Hindi: “लंदन,यूनाइटेड किंगडम”
- Hindi: “लंदन”
- Hungarian: “London”
- Iban: “London”
- Icelandic: “London”
- Icelandic: “Lundúnir”
- Ido: “London”
- Igbo: “London”
- Iloko: “Londres”
- Inari Sami: “Lontoo”
- Indonesian: “London”
- Ingush: “Лондон”
- Interlingua: “London”
- Interlingue: “London”
- Irish: “Doirelondain”
- Irish: “Londain”
- Italian: “Londra”
- Jamaican Creole English: “Landan”
- Japanese: “ロンドン”
- Japanese: “倫敦”
- Japanese: “霧のロンドン”
- Javanese: “London”
- Kabardian: “Лондон”
- Kabiyè: “Lɔndrɩ”
- Kabyle: “London”
- Kadazan Dusun: “London”
- Kalaallisut: “London”
- Kannada: “ಲಂಡನ್”
- Kara-Kalpak: “London”
- Karachay-Balkar: “Лондон”
- Kashmiri: “لَندَن”
- Kashubian: “Londin”
- Kashubian: “London”
- Kazakh: “Англия астанасы”
- Kazakh: “Құрама Патшалығы астанасы”
- Kazakh: “Лондон қаласы”
- Kazakh: “лондон, Англия”
- Kazakh: “Лондон, Біріккен Патшалық”
- Kazakh: “Лондон, БП”
- Kazakh: “Лондон”
- Khmer: “ទីក្រុងឡុង”
- Khmer: “ឡុងដ៍”
- Kirghiz: “Лондон”
- Kölsch: “London”
- Komering: “London”
- Komi-Permyak: “Лондон”
- Komi: “Лондон”
- Korean: “런던”
- Kotava: “London”
- Kurdish: “London”
- Ladin: “London”
- Ladino: “Londra”
- Lak: “Лондон”
- Lao: “ລອນດອນ”
- Latin: “Londinium”
- Latvian: “Londona”
- Lezghian: “Лондон”
- Ligurian: “Londra”
- Limburgan: “Londe”
- Lingala: “Lóndɛlɛ”
- Lingala: “Londoni”
- Lingua Franca Nova: “London”
- Literary Chinese: “倫敦”
- Lithuanian: “Londonas”
- Livvi: “London”
- Lojban: “london”
- Lombard: “Lundra”
- Low German: “Londen”
- Low German: “London”
- Lower Sorbian: “London”
- Luxembourgish: “London”
- Macedo-Romanian: “Londra”
- Macedonian: “Лондон”
- Magahi: “लन्दन”
- Maithili: “लण्डन”
- Maithili: “लन्डन”
- Malagasy: “London”
- Malagasy: “Lôndôna”
- Malay: “London”
- Malay: “لندن”
- Malayalam: “ലണ്ടൻ”
- Maltese: “Londra”
- Manx: “Lunnin”
- Maori: “Rānana”
- Marathi: “लंडन”
- Mazanderani: “لندن”
- Min Dong Chinese: “Lùng-dŭng”
- Min Nan Chinese: “London”
- Min Nan Chinese: “Lûn-tun”
- Min Nan Chinese: “倫敦”
- Minangkabau: “London”
- Mingrelian: “ლონდონი”
- Mirandese: “Londres”
- Moksha: “Лондон”
- Mongolian: “Лондон”
- Moroccan Arabic: “لندن”
- Moroccan Arabic: “لوندريس”
- Moroccan Arabic: “لوندون”
- Moroccan Arabic: “لونضون”
- N'Ko: “ߟߐ߲ߘߐ߲߬”
- N'Ko: “ߟߐ߲ߘߙߎ߬”
- Narom: “Londres”
- Nauru: “London”
- Navajo: “Tooh Dineʼé Bikin Haalʼá”
- Neapolitan: “Londra”
- Nepali: “लण्डन”
- Nepali: “लन्डन”
- Newari: “लण्डन”
- Newari: “लन्दन”
- Northern Frisian: “London/mo”
- Northern Frisian: “London”
- Northern Luri: “لأندأن”
- Northern Luri: “لندن”
- Northern Sami: “London”
- Norwegian Bokmål: “London”
- Norwegian Nynorsk: “London”
- Norwegian: “London”
- Novial: “London”
- Nyanja: “London”
- Occitan (post 1500): “Londres”
- Official Aramaic (700-300 BCE): “ܠܘܢܕܘܢ”
- Old English (ca. 450-1100): “Lunden”
- Old English (ca. 450-1100): “ᛚᚢᚾᛞᛖᚾᛖ”
- Oriya: “ଲଣ୍ଡନ”
- Oromo: “Landan”
- Ossetian: “Лондон”
- Paiwan: “lizuk a lundun”
- Paiwan: “lundun”
- Panjabi: “ਲੰਡਨ”
- Panjabi: “ਲੰਦਨ”
- Papiamento: “London”
- Pennsylvania German: “London”
- Persian: “لندن”
- Picard: “Londe”
- Piemontese: “Londra”
- Pitcairn-Norfolk: “Landon”
- Pitcairn-Norfolk: “London”
- Polish: “Londyn”
- Pontic: “Λονδίνο”
- Portuguese: “Londres, GBR”
- Portuguese: “Londres, Inglaterra”
- Portuguese: “Londres, Reino Unido”
- Portuguese: “Londres, UK”
- Portuguese: “Londres”
- Pushto: “لندن”
- Quechua: “London”
- Quechua: “Londres”
- Quechua: “Lundun”
- Quechua: “Lunris”
- Quechua: “Lunrun”
- Romanian: “Londra”
- Romansh: “Londra”
- Russia Buriat: “Лондон”
- Russian: “Лондон”
- Rusyn: “Лондон”
- Sakizaya: “Lon-tun”
- Samoan: “Lonetona”
- Samogitian: “Londons”
- Sanskrit: “लन्डन्”
- Santali: “ᱞᱚᱱᱰᱚᱱ”
- Saraiki: “لندن”
- Sardinian: “Londra”
- Saterfriesisch: “London”
- Scots: “Lunnon”
- Scottish Gaelic: “Lunnainn”
- Serbian: “London”
- Serbian: “Лондон”
- Serbo-Croatian: “London”
- Shan: “လၼ်ႇတၼ်ႇ”
- Shona: “London”
- Sicilian: “Londra”
- Sicilian: “Lònnira”
- Silesian: “Lōndōn”
- Silesian: “Lůndůn”
- Sindhi: “لنڊن، انگلينڊ”
- Sindhi: “لنڊن”
- Sinhala: “ලන්ඩනය”
- Sinhala: “ලන්ඩන්”
- Slovak: “Londýn”
- Slovenian: “London”
- Somali: “London”
- South Azerbaijani: “لندن”
- Southern Sotho: “London”
- Spanish: “Greater London”
- Spanish: “London, UK”
- Spanish: “Londres (Inglaterra)”
- Spanish: “Londres (Reino Unido)”
- Spanish: “Londres”
- Sranan Tongo: “London”
- Standard Moroccan Tamazight: “ⵍⵓⵏⴷⵓⵏ”
- Sundanese: “London”
- Swahili: “London”
- Swati: “London”
- Swedish: “London”
- Swiss German: “London”
- Sylheti: “ꠟꠘ꠆ꠒꠘ ꠨ ꠀꠋꠞꠦꠎꠞ ꠖꠦꠡ”
- Sylheti: “ꠟꠘ꠆ꠒꠘ ꠨ ꠁꠃꠇꠦ”
- Sylheti: “ꠟꠘ꠆ꠒꠘ ꠘꠉꠞ”
- Sylheti: “ꠟꠘ꠆ꠒꠘ ꠘꠉꠞꠤ”
- Tachelhit: “Lunḍun”
- Tagalog: “Londres”
- Tajik: “Лондон”
- Talysh: “London”
- Tamil: “இலண்டன்”
- Tamil: “இலந்தன்”
- Tamil: “லண்டன்”
- Tamil: “லன்டன்”
- Tatar: “Лондон”
- Tatar: “Лундын”
- Telugu: “లండన్,ఇంగ్లాండ్”
- Telugu: “లండన్,యునైటెడ్ కింగ్డమ్”
- Telugu: “లండన్”
- Tetum: “Londres”
- Thai: “กรุงลอนดอน”
- Thai: “นครลอนดอน”
- Thai: “ลอนดอน”
- Tibetan: “ལོན་ཊོན།”
- Tok Pisin: “Landen”
- Tonga (Tonga Islands): “Lonitoni”
- Tosk Albanian: “London”
- Tumbuka: “London”
- Turkish: “Londra”
- Turkmen: “London”
- Twi: “London”
- Tyap: “London”
- Udmurt: “Лондон”
- Uighur: “London”
- Uighur: “لوندون”
- Uighur: “لوندۇن”
- Ukrainian: “Лондон”
- Upper Sorbian: “London”
- Urdu: “لندن”
- Urdu: “لنڈن”
- Uzbek: “London”
- Venetian: “Łondra”
- Veps: “London”
- Vietnamese: “London”
- Vietnamese: “Luân Đôn”
- Vlaams: “Londn”
- Vlax Romani: “London”
- Volapük: “London”
- Võro: “London”
- Walloon: “Londe”
- Waray (Philippines): “London”
- Welsh: “Llundain”
- Western Armenian: “Լոնտոն”
- Western Frisian: “Londen”
- Western Mari: “Лондон”
- Western Panjabi: “لندن”
- Western Panjabi: “لنڈن”
- Wolof: “Londar”
- Wu Chinese: “伦敦”
- Yakut: “Лондон”
- Yiddish: “לאנדאן”
- Yoruba: “Lọndọnu”
- Yue Chinese: “倫敦”
- Zeeuws: “Londen”
- Zhuang: “Lunzdunh”
- Zulu: “ILondon”
- “London”
- “Londons”
- “Londra”
- “Lòndra”
- “Londre”
- “Londres”
- “ma Lantan”
- “ma Lanten”
- “ma London”
- “ma Lonton”
- “ma tomo Lantan”
- “ma tomo Lanten”
- “ma tomo London”
- “ma tomo Lontan”
- “ma tomo Lonton”
- “लंदन”
England: Must-Visit Destinations
Delve into Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, and York.
Explore These Curated Destinations
Discover places selected for their distinct character and enduring appeal.
About Mapcarta. Data © OpenStreetMap contributors and available under the Open Database License". Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license, except for photos, directions, and the map. Description text is based on the Wikivoyage page “London”. Photo: Diliff, CC BY 3.0.