Piccadilly Circus in London - Piccadilly Circle? Piccadilly Square?

Piccadilly Circus is right in the heart of action in London's West End. Hostel rooms available for as little as twelve Euros a night but you'll have to pack light because it is definitely backpacker's delight and tight. The coolest thing about staying in the area is easy walking access to a weeks worth of stuff. Ride the tube just for the fun of it. Hit the Circus in the evening as the entertainers appear such as the Bollywood dancing girls or a guy juggling flaming torches right in front of the fountains topped with the archer. Eros to some, a tribute to Christian charity originally and hopefully you'll find some of both.

The shops are a little on the touristy side but Tower Records and the Virgin Records Mega Store are well worth it. Hamling's Toy Store was crowded but had plenty of stuff worth seeing. Head up the side streets for cheaper food, curry, chip shops and Mediterranean quick fare abound if you look.

It's a big City so watch out for the bums, pick pockets and pigeons. If the pigeons get you run up Haymarket Street to Trafalgar Square where there are public restrooms that aren't too bad. The National Gallery and Portrait Gallery can keep you busy all day and there is no charge which makes it better. The Institute for Contemporary Art is right off the square and is always hosting something like the month long I-Pod festival featuring music and film for the whole month of July.

Move right on past the square to Green Park and on to Buckingham Palace just the other side. Green Park is a little less busy than Trafalgar and makes a nice place to picnic lunch from a nearby market. Eating from the bakeries and markets can save a ton better spent on pints and a gift for Mum. Check out Madame Tussaud's Rock Circus, it's cheaper than the regular museum and features rock and roll icons.

If you are really hungry for a good but reasonable meal take off up Gerard Street and move on in to Chinatown. Here is where the best restaurant values are if you stay away from the chains. Just watch and see where the Chinese are going to eat. Check out the little shops for books, herbs and crazy little gadgets.

Take a day and cruise the elite, posh shops on Carnaby Street even if all you do is window shop. Check out Animal for the latest shades and sportswear. You can't miss it; it's the store with the Easter Island heads in the window. Check out the Red Lion Pub for a traditional pint. Stop by Shampers Wine Bar for good eats and some local flavor. Finish off your night with Zebrano's and have a look at who thinks they are the hippest in London. The drinks aren't cheap here but they are really strong.

Take a day and spend it in Leicester Square where you can catch a political rant, an acrobatic troupe or maybe a really awful blues guitarist. With Shakespeare gracing the middle of the square and Charlie Chaplin guarding the edge, no telling what you will find. This is the place for Cinema though it isn't always cheap. The best deal was at the Prince Charles Cinema which offered cult films at a bargain price.

Take a weekend stroll out of the Circus and up Cranbourn to Garrick to get to Covent Gardens. Floral Street will give you a good start but hit the side streets for the best little shops. Covent Gardens is almost like a self contained village. It has some of the best and worst architecture in the city often side by side. Three of the best Marketplaces in the city and this area may take two days to get through. Lot's of galleries and crafty little morsels.

Trudge wearily back to the Hostel right next to the Piccadilly Theatres, snap those pictures in front of the fountains, catching the neon signs or maybe try the Horses of Helios statues. Get nights sleep and catch the tube out of there in the morning. Then start planning to go back and catch all that stuff you missed.

All the info for this article was gleaned from these sources. If you are planning a trip to Piccadilly Circus for a photo-op or a week they can be invaluable.