At the intersection of shopping mecca Regent Street, theater-land on Shaftesbury Avenue, and the grand Piccadilly boulevard, Piccadilly Circus is as central to London as it’s possible to be. The area was first developed in 1819 as a traffic junction, and people have been passing through ever since. It’s a busy meeting place thriving with tourists, souvenir stalls, restaurants, and entertainment attractions.
Often described as the “Times Square of London,” the area features famous buildings and attractions, including the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, most commonly known as “Eros”—one of London’s most popular meeting points—the opulent Ritz hotel, historic department store Fortnum & Mason, a Planet Hollywood restaurant, and more. Many guided tours of the city stop off at this famous location.