London holds universal appeal as a tourist destination, but it can be hard to narrow down which neighborhood is the best place to base your vacation. There is no real “downtown,” so make your choice based on your personal interests, whether you want to walk or take public transportation and your budget.

The main neighborhoods include:

The West End:  Covent Garden, Soho, Leicester Square, Oxford Street, Mayfair – centrally located and home to theaters, art galleries, a variety of dining, nightlife and four- and five-star hotels.

Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia: Just north of West End and a bit quieter, home to the British Museum.

King’s Cross: North of Fitzrovia and not too many sightseeing destinations, but offers great transportation to other part of London and Heathrow and Gatwick airport.

Kensington: Southwest of the West End on the Piccadilly line and connected to central London and Heathrow Airport. Several sightseeing destinations and five-star hotels.

South Bank & Bankside: Across the Thames from the West End, heavy on sightseeing attractions, London Bridge to Gatwick Airport, City of London for sights and variety of hotels, Camden and East End for bargain accommodations.

So, now that you have the lay of the land, where should you stay? Let’s break it down by travel style and preference:

For Sightseeing: South Bank, Bankside

If you’re come to London to hit all the sightseeing highlights, stay in the South Bank or Bankside area. You’ll have easy access to the London Eye, the Tate Modern, the Shard and more. The City of London proper as well as South Kensington have myriad attractions and museums, but fewer places to stay. You can also use Covent Garden or Soho as jumping-off points and there are plenty of accommodations choices.

For the First-Time Visitor: Covent Garden

If it’s your first time in the city, base yourself in centrally located Covent Garden, the heart of London’s Theatreland. You’ll be within walking distance of great dining and theater, as well as the National Gallery, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. Public transportation makes it easy to connect to other areas of the city, plus you can hop on a boat from here across the Thames. Spend some time strolling about and people watching on Covent Garden’s cobblestone piazza and its restored 19^th-century market. Explore the surrounding streets for locally owned restaurants, cafes and pubs.

For Dining: Covent Garden

For foodies, Covent Garden offers a boon of choices. Choose from Indian, Mexican, Brazilian, award-winning and pubs serving great local food. From here, it’s an easy walk to Chinatown and Soho, where you’ll find more global cuisine and a number of cozy coffee shops. If it’s Michelin stars you seek, head to the hotels around Hyde Park. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Camden, the East End and King’s Cross are fantastic for those who love street food.

For Families: South Kensington, Marylebone

With its relatively quiet ambience, South Kensington places families close to fantastic museums, but just far enough from the cacophony of downtown. Plus, Hyde Park is nearby, perfect for running around, climbing on the playground and even the Winter Wonderland in the colder months. If you choose Marylebone, you’ll have access to Hyde Park, the London Zoo in Regent’s Park and Madame Tussauds.

For Nightlife: Soho, Leicester Square

If nightlife is your best life, stay in Soho (the city’s former red-light district) or Leicester Square, where you’ll never be far from a trendy cocktail bar, basement club with DJs, independent designer boutique or record shop. At night’s end (if it ends), your hotel is close by. Camden and the East End are also nightlife favorites for their live music and legendary nightclubs. Catch a movie premiere in Leicester Square and visit bustling Chinatown, south of Soho.

For Romantics: Mayfair, Marylebone, South Kensington

If you’re on a romantic getaway or honeymoon, ensconce yourself in the Old World charm of Mayfair, where you’ll also find The Ritz and The Connaught five-star hotels. Indulge in incredible dining at La Gavroche or Corrigan’s Mayfair. South Kensington boasts a fair number of five-star hotels as well, many lining lush Hyde Park. If you prefer a hipper, less traditional vibe, and a boutique hotel, opt for Marylebone. The moneyed neighborhoods of Belgravia and Chelsea border Hyde Park and Green Park and offer indulgent shopping at Harrods and Harvey Nichols, high fashion on Elizabeth Street, Kensington Palace and some of London’s finest dining.

For an Authentic Experience

To truly feel immersed in London life, stay in Camden, with its gritty streets, working-class ambience, lively pubs and the Camden Market – four markets in one selling everything from vintage clothing to gourmet street food. Barfly and Underworld feature up-and-coming alternative rock bands. To get a sense of London’s global makeup, stay in the East End’s Brick Lane “Banglatown,” home to curry houses and Bangladeshi cafes.

For Walkers

If you want to eschew public transportation and sightsee on your own two feet, choose a hotel in Covent Garden, Leicester Square or Soho. This general area in the heart of London’s West End is comprised of walkable streets (some pedestrian-only) lined with everything you might need, from restaurants to shops. Walk to the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the London Dungeon, Westminster Cathedral. Buckingham Palace is just a 15-minute west of Westminster and the British Museum is a 20-minute walk north of Covent Garden.

What About Safety?

The safest areas of London are typically the wealthiest ones – think Mayfair, South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Belgravia and Chelsea. You can also feel safe walking around in the day in Bloomsburg and Fitzrovia. Covent Garden is safe as well, just keep an eye on your surroundings and belongings at night, especially on the weekend.

As for unsafe areas, you may wish to steer clear of Hackney, Shoreditch and King’s Cross. Avoid Camden, Soho, Leicester Square and Hyde Park late at night.