London's coolest neighborhoods you'll want to visit
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Do you have a trip to London on your mind, but not sure yet where best to spend your time? That's understandable, as London is huge! With many nice neighborhoods full of markets, stores, museums, and hotspots for lunch or dinner, it can be overwhelming to decide where to go. Are you planning a city trip to this vibrant city? Then check out these 6 coolest neighborhoods in London that you definitely do not want to skip.
1. Shoreditch
One of my favorite neighborhoods in London is definitely the alternative Shoreditch. In recent years, this area has become extremely popular among tourists, and I can understand why. You'll find the perfect mix of good food, original stores, and cool street art here. Granted, Shoreditch is also a bit raw and alternative, but that's partly what makes it so appealing. 
The Old Spitalfields Market is a covered market hall not to be missed. You can eat delicious food and shop for original goodies there. If at all possible, I recommend planning your visit to Shoreditch on the weekend. On Sunday mornings, Brick Lane, the beating heart of the neighborhood, transforms into a huge market full of delicious food.
Shoreditch is much less chic than, say, Westminster and Kensington, but that raw, industrial edge is what makes this East London neighborhood so interesting. It used to be an up-and-coming neighborhood, but now this modern area is frequently Instagrammed (yes, that's a word from now on) and a lot more expensive. Wander around, and you will automatically spot cute hipster spots: lunch spots, bars, and vintage shops. On Old Street, you'll find mostly young tech companies nowadays. 
2. Soho
Soho is a super nice neighborhood to visit in London. Located in the West End, Soho is one of the most popular neighborhoods in the city. You will find numerous nice cafes, restaurants, bars, and clubs. This is the place to be if you want to have a nice evening out, especially on weekends. You can also shop very well because in Soho you will find one of the main shopping streets of London, namely Regent Street. 
Soho has a totally different atmosphere where young and creative people from all walks of life will feel right at home. You will find hip coffee shops and pubs, record stores with every genre you can think of, and restaurants serving food from all over the world. By the way, Soho is also part of the iconic West End, London's heart of the theater and musical world.
3. Camden
Shoreditch is alternative, but Camden Town is just a bit more so. Despite this, tourists have known how to find their way to Camden, mainly thanks to Camden Lock. This huge, partly covered market sells everything—from socks with typical British pictures to beautiful oriental lamps and from homemade postcards to cheesy souvenirs, it's all there. In the outdoor area, you will mainly find food trucks full of tasty snacks. If you like more alternative places and enjoy looking for original stuff for your home, you'll find Camden Town one of the nicest areas of London.
In Camden you will also find many old factory buildings that are now filled with shops and boutiques. Especially on weekends, there are also many food stalls that complement the restaurants in the halls.
4. Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a fine neighborhood to stay in. This is because you are close to the Thames and therefore also to all the important sights such as the London Eye, Big Ben, and London Bridge. You can choose to stay in the City of London or Westminster, the areas where these attractions are located, but personally, I think Covent Garden is a much better option. Here you can wander through the smaller streets and occasionally come across special stores, and you have the indoor market hall Covent Garden within reach.
Covent Garden is one of the busiest districts in London, but that character creates a fine, metropolitan atmosphere. In Covent Garden, you will enjoy the historic architecture, cozy cafes, and street performers combined with the nicest independent stores and boutiques for avid shoppers. 
The Royal Opera House is also cool to have seen once. Covent Garden borders Soho and is somewhat similar in style. But where Soho is all about going out, Covent Garden is more about shopping and eating. You'll find some of the best restaurants in London here, serving food from all corners of the world. In the mood for Chinese? Then Chinatown is only about a five-minute walk away.
5. Notting Hill
Notting Hill will always be a special place for me. It is just a fantastic part of London. The beautiful houses, the fresh colors and the amount of greenery make this a very special place to wander through. In recent years, the houses with their colored front doors or facades have become immensely popular among Instagrammers and it is a lot more crowded than say 10 years ago. Still, Notting Hill remains incredibly fun to visit. Throughout the week there is a market on Portobello Road. On Saturdays, the market is a whopping 2 kilometers long, so I would definitely recommend planning your visit to Notting Hill on this day. 
Personally, I find the Portobello Market a little too crowded, but I find Notting Hill itself very fun to wander through. When I'm here I always find a cafe and go people watching. I also always combine it with a visit to Hyde Park, passing through Bayswater, which in turn is full of fun hidden side streets. And of course a visit to a bookshop is not to be missed.
6. The Westminster district
The Westminster district, officially known as the "City of Westminster," is a must-see if you've never been to London before. This district has some of London's most iconic landmarks, including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye Ferris wheel. Just down the road is Buckingham Palace, where you can watch the ceremonial changing of the guard.
Besides the stately buildings, there is also plenty of art and greenery in this district. The Tate Britain offers a wonderful collection of British art, while Hyde Park and St. James's Park are perfect for a stroll.