Travel Guide of Square Mile, London for: Apex City of London Hotel Rating: 4.0 Pearls

Square Mile, London, England

Square Mile Summary

What It's Like

Referred to as "The City" by locals, London's Square Mile marks the original site of the city, founded by the Romans. Today, the Square Mile is the financial district of London, as well as home to several tourist destinations. The skyline is dominated by modern buildings, but some centuries-old sites -- those that survived the Great Fire of London in 1666 -- remain.

Since it's a business hub, the Square Mile clears out on the weekends, and some restaurants and bars even close down on Saturday and Sunday. Popular sites -- St. Pauls Cathedral, the Tower of London, and the remains of the Temple of Mithras, among others -- are almost always busy with tourists, however, as they are must-sees when visiting London. Although the shopping scene in the Square Mile can't beat those of Soho and Covent Garden, Bow Lane is lined by several boutiques.

Where to Stay

Square Mile has only recently received an influx of hotels, so many in the area are new. Despite being home to several museums and historic sites, Square Mile mostly draws in business travelers overnight -- many tourists visit the area by day but stay in West End neighborhoods.