Piccadilly Circus, London | What to see and things to do

Why you should visit

• Experience one of London’s must-visit landmarks, where notable historic buildings frame one of city’s most vibrant and recognisable locations.
• Enjoy world‑class shopping and dining along Regent Street and Piccadilly, with iconic venues such as Fortnum & Mason, The Ritz, and Hotel Cafe Royal close by.
• Explore the best of central London, with Soho, Mayfair, Covent Garden and top attractions all within easy walking distance, including the free Scenes in the Square statue trail in nearby Leicester Square.
• Travel with ease thanks to excellent transport links, including direct Tube connections across the city and to London Heathrow Airport.

Top things to do in Piccadilly Circus

At the heart of London’s West End, Piccadilly Circus is one of the city’s most popular areas, with plenty of top attractions and things to do nearby.

See a world‑famous theatre show

Immerse yourself in the spectacular Moulin Rouge! The Musical, or catch two of London’s longest‑running and most beloved theatre productions - Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera, both renowned for their powerful storytelling, unforgettable music and enduring popularity.

Explore London on a guided tour

Discover London on tours from Piccadilly Circus, from behind‑the‑scenes experiences to classic sightseeing.

Explore hidden areas of the Underground on Hidden London: Piccadilly Circus – The Heart of London, a guided tour by the London Transport Museum, or see top attractions on a hop‑on hop‑off sightseeing bus tour, which stops at Piccadilly Circus.

For a memorable evening experience, choose a London by Night Open Top Bus Tour and see the city and Piccadilly Circus illuminated after dark.

Discover art and culture near Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus is perfectly placed for exploring some of London's best museums and art galleries, all within easy walking distance.

Discover major exhibitions and free displays at the Royal Academy of Arts on Piccadilly, experience cutting‑edge contemporary works at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) on The Mall, or visit the National Gallery in nearby Trafalgar Square, home to world‑famous European paintings from the 13th century to the early 20th century, with free entry to its permanent collection. Many of these institutions also offer discounted tickets or concessions for young people.

Insider tips for visiting

Piccadilly Circus is a bustling landmark in central London. Soak up the atmosphere and famous lights before exploring nearby neighbourhoods such as St. James’s and London’s West End, all filled with things to do.

• Top tip: See the blue plaque at 87 Jermyn Street marking where Sir Isaac Newton once lived, linking Piccadilly to one of history’s greatest scientific minds.
• Top tip: Explore the stunning Burlington Arcade, opened in 1819 as one of the world’s earliest covered shopping arcades and among the first places to have electric lighting, where uniformed police, the Burlington Beadles, still uphold historic arcade etiquette. Then visit nearby Piccadilly Arcade, opened in 1909, a Grade II‑listed Edwardian arcade renowned for its British menswear heritage.
• Top tip: For a peaceful pause just off Piccadilly, visit St. James’s Square, one of London’s oldest garden squares and home to an equestrian statue of William III. It’s free to enter on weekdays.
• Top tip: Head to the Royal Academy of Arts courtyard, a relaxing space you can enjoy without an exhibition ticket. You’ll also find one of London’s distinctive and much‑photographed K2 phone boxes, an earlier and larger model than the more common red boxes seen across the city, and a favourite with visitors!

Best times to visit

The area is lively at most times of day, so you can expect a busy, energetic vibe with street performers, traffic, and constant movement, especially at weekends - these are the best times to visit: 

• Early morning on weekdays from 7am for fewer crowds and photo opportunities.
• After dark from around 8pm, to see the illuminated screens at their best.

Where is Piccadilly Circus in London?

Piccadilly Circus is located in London’s West End, making it a convenient base for sightseeing. It is in Westminster, at the meeting point of Regent Street, Piccadilly, Shaftesbury Avenue, Haymarket and Coventry Street. From here, you can easily walk to Soho, Leicester Square, Chinatown, Regent Street and Trafalgar Square.

How to get there

• Underground – Piccadilly Circus station is located directly beneath Piccadilly Circus and is served by the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines, offering quick connections across London and to Heathrow Airport.
• Bus – Several bus routes stop nearby, including 3, 6, 9, 12, 14, 19, 22, 29, 38, 88, 139 and 159, with stops around Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Haymarket and Shaftesbury Avenue.
• Cycling – Hire a Santander Cycles bike and use one of several docking stations within a short walk, including locations around Soho, St. James’s Square, Pall Mall East and the Strand.
• Walking – Piccadilly Circus is centrally located and within easy walking distance of Soho, Leicester Square, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and London’s West End theatres.

A brief history of Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly is a historic street and district in central London, running from Piccadilly Circus to Hyde Park Corner. It forms part of the boundary between London’s West End and St. James’s and has long been associated with shopping, culture and grand architecture.

It takes its name from “piccadills”, the stiff decorative collars that were fashionable in the early 17th century and sold there by Robert Baker, a tailor who acquired land in the area around 1611. He made his fortune from these collars and built a residence known as Piccadilly Hall.

Before the name Piccadilly became widely used, the street was also known as Portugal Street, in honour of Catherine of Braganza, the Portuguese wife of Charles II. Both names remained in use until the early 18th century, when Piccadilly became the established name.

Piccadilly Circus was created in 1819 as part of architect John Nash’s redesign of Regent Street to improve movement through London’s West End. Although conceived as a practical road junction, it quickly developed into a lively social and commercial hub during the 19th century, as theatres, shops and cafes transformed the surrounding area.

It took on its iconic character in the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. In 1893, the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain was unveiled, topped by a statue commonly known as Eros, although it actually represents Anteros, the god of selfless love.

The area became a symbol of modern London in 1908 when the first illuminated advertising signs appeared. Over time, Piccadilly Circus grew into a hub for transport, theatre, nightlife and popular culture.

Things to do nearby

Piccadilly Circus in London’s West End is an ideal base for first‑time visitors, with many of London’s most popular areas just a short walk away. Nearby highlights include Regent Street for shopping, Soho for food and nightlife, Leicester Square for cinemas, entertainment and the free Scenes in the Square bronze statue trail, Chinatown for dining, and Covent Garden for markets, street performers, shops and restaurants.

Culture and green spaces are easy to reach on foot. Visit Trafalgar Square for the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, explore exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Arts, or browse the historic Burlington Arcade on Piccadilly. For a break between sightseeing, Green Park and St. James’s Park are close by, while London’s West End theatres along Shaftesbury Avenue offer world‑class shows day and night.

Food and drink nearby

Piccadilly Circus is close to several long‑established and famous food and drink venues. Cafe Royal, opened in 1865, is one of London’s most iconic dining addresses, while Brasserie Zédel is a popular pre‑theatre favourite serving classic Parisian‑style food.

Nearby, The Ritz London is famed for its elegant dining and afternoon tea, alongside The Wolseley, known for refined all‑day European dishes. Fortnum & Mason, founded in 1707, is celebrated for luxury food and afternoon tea, alongside traditional pubs such as St. James’s Tavern, The Devonshire, and the lively, Alpine‑inspired Albert’s Schloss Soho.