Greater London has 32 distinctly diverse boroughs, which are largely autonomous authorities, giving great character and variety to U.K.’s capital city.

The city of London is administered by its own body, the City of London Cooperation, which predates the boroughs. All these diverse areas of London often give the visitor a feel of being in just a small town rather than a major city. I have made a list of what I think are the most interesting boroughs to see while visiting London.

Camden Town – This historic borough, commonly just called “Camden Town” is one the most interesting in London, and one of my personal favorite areas. Camden Town was once a separate town, owing its name to the 1st Earl of Camden in the 18th century. Camden is a very diverse area of London, playing host to a wide ethnic makeup. Just a walk through Camden Town is worth the effort as you’ll encounter so many bizarre things. Famous sites in Camden include its underground “Horse Market”, Electro store/sex shop ‘Cyberdog’, large nightclubs like Proud, and a wide array of street stands selling an endless variety of goods. Camden is well worth a visit.

Covent Garden – Although not technically a borough since the creation of Greater London in 1965, this historic area of London lies on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin’s and Drury Lane. This area was formerly known for its vegetable markets in its central square, but is now a popular shopping area, seeing millions of visitors every year. I really enjoy walking through the area around the square, peaking into all the different shops surrounding it.

Soho – Soho lies within the West End of London, just north of Piccadilly Circus, and lies within the borough of Westminster, being incorporated in the 60’s like Covent Garden. Soho was long established as an entertainment district, and the area became infamous during the 20th century for its abundant sex shops. The area has undergone a large transformation in recent history, with a lot of great clubs and bars in this area.

Kinsington and Chelsea -This Royal borough is one of the wealthiest in England, comprising London’s most exclusive residential neighborhoods, some of the most expensive in the world, and many of the city’s central facilities; such as museums and universities. This area is neat to walk through for its elegance and architectural beauty, and worth a visit if you want to see how London’s elite lives.