London travel guide by district
From Westminster’s riverfront and the Square Mile to Brixton’s markets, Greenwich and the parks of west London. Learn the boroughs, find the sights worth your time, and get to know the city in ten short sections.
- Population
- About 8.8 million (Greater London, 2021 census)
- Area
- About 1,572 km² (Greater London)
- Districts
- 32 boroughs and the City of London
- Language
- English, alongside many community languages
- Origins
- Roman Londinium, first century CE
- Main river
- Thames
Thirty-two boroughs and the Square Mile
City of London
The Square Mile grew from Roman Londinium. St Paul’s, the Bank of England and modern office towers share an old street network; this district has its own local government.
Explore all 32 boroughs and the City of London, the historic core with its own local government. Soho, Notting Hill and Brixton are neighborhoods inside this larger map. Select an area to read about it, then play a round and learn how the city fits together.
A little London before you go
Geography & significance
The river, the Square Mile and Westminster explain how London fits together.
The Thames linked London with inland markets and maritime trade. Wharves and docks expanded eastward as ships grew larger. Today many former port sites hold homes and offices, but the river still provides a useful way to read the city’s development. The City of London, often called the Square Mile, is the historic commercial core with its own local government. Greater London includes the City and 32 boroughs, stretching far beyond the familiar sights around St Paul’s and the Thames.
The City grew around commerce and the old Roman settlement, while Westminster developed upstream around the abbey, royal palaces and government. Their separate histories help explain why Parliament and the main financial institutions occupy different parts of central London. Financial services, universities, publishing, theater and international migration connect London with the wider world. Its global role comes from these overlapping networks, rather than from being the national capital alone.
Commonly asked2 questions
- How does the Thames help explain London’s growth?
- The Thames linked London with inland markets and maritime trade. Wharves and docks expanded eastward as ships grew larger. Today many former port sites hold homes and offices, but the river still provides a useful way to read the city’s development.
- How does the City of London differ from Greater London?
- The City of London, often called the Square Mile, is the historic commercial core with its own local government. Greater London includes the City and 32 boroughs, stretching far beyond the familiar sights around St Paul’s and the Thames.
The places you came to see
Palace of Westminster & Big Ben
Parliament’s Gothic riverside palace and the Elizabeth Tower. The pin marks the tower; check Parliament’s visitor arrangements for access inside.
Find the familiar river landmarks, then venture into museums, market streets and green spaces. Start with the essentials or try the detours, from the Barbican to Kew Gardens. The pins mark the named places; Tower Bridge’s pin uses its north entrance.
Keep going one place deeper
When you have had your fill of London, the country around it has a guide of its own, and there are more cities to explore.
District boundaries: Greater London Authority / Ordnance Survey. 2017 borough polygons, retrieved October 2026 and simplified together for display. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0. Boundary source and license. Guide references: Wikivoyage London, Visit London, Transport for London, British Museum visitor information, Royal Museums Greenwich. Check official attraction sites for current admission and access details. Photographs are from Wikimedia Commons and credited on each one.