.png)
Piccadilly Circus is one of those places you’ll probably recognise before you’ve even been there. The huge screens, red buses, black cabs and the famous winged statue in the middle have become some of the most recognisable sights in London. It’s busy, noisy and usually packed with people, but that’s part of what makes it worth seeing. You’re also right in the middle of the West End, with Soho, Leicester Square, Chinatown, Regent Street and plenty of theatres all within walking distance.
There’s no ticket or opening time to worry about — Piccadilly Circus is open all day and night, so you can just turn up and have a look around. It’s best after dark when the screens are lit up, although it gets very busy in the evening. If you want photos without quite so many people in the way, go earlier in the morning. You don’t need hours here; 20–30 minutes is plenty for the main sights, but it’s an easy place to use as a starting point for exploring the surrounding area. Comfortable shoes are a good idea because you’ll probably end up walking much further than planned.
The first thing you’ll notice is the Piccadilly Lights. The screens cover the curved building above the junction and are hard to miss. Find a spot across the road, take a few photos and watch the traffic and crowds moving around the Circus. In the middle is the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, topped by the famous winged statue. Most people call it Eros, but it actually represents Anteros and was built in 1893 in memory of Lord Shaftesbury.
Once you’ve had a look around, it’s worth seeing where the different roads take you. Regent Street is great for shopping and leads towards Burlington Arcade and Fortnum & Mason, while Shaftesbury Avenue takes you towards Soho and the theatres. Coventry Street leads to Leicester Square and Chinatown, and you can carry on to Covent Garden for the market, shops and street performers. If you’d rather escape the crowds, head towards Green Park and St James’s, where things get noticeably quieter. Piccadilly Circus itself doesn’t take long to see, but with so much nearby, it’s easy to turn a quick visit into a full afternoon or evening exploring central London.