4 Photo Spots at the Piccadilly Circus

About the location

For photographers, this location is a masterclass in urban energy, offering a unique blend of heritage architecture and futuristic lighting. The curved facade of the buildings provides a sweeping backdrop for street scenes, while the constant flow of red buses and black cabs offers perfect opportunities for light trail photography. It is one of the few places in London where you can capture a truly cinematic 'Time Square' vibe within a distinctly British context.

Best timing

The blue hour is the most magical time to shoot here, as the twilight sky balances perfectly with the high-intensity glow of the advertising screens. This allows you to capture architectural detail without blowing out the highlights of the LEDs.

Rainy nights are another prime opportunity for photographers, as the wet asphalt turns into a mirror, reflecting the colorful lights and creating a saturated, atmospheric look.

Traveling

Piccadilly Circus is exceptionally easy to reach via the London Underground, with its eponymous station serving both the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines. It is also a major intersection for numerous central London bus routes, including several 24-hour services. Since the area is within the London Congestion Charge zone and parking is both extremely scarce and expensive, public transport is the only practical option for photographers. The area is best explored on foot, as it is perfectly positioned within walking distance of Soho, Leicester Square, and Regent Street.

Photography tips for Piccadilly Circus

A wide-angle lens is essential to capture the full scale of the LED screens and the circular layout of the junction. For long exposures, bring a sturdy tripod and set up near the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain to capture the red bus light trails winding through the scene. Street photographers should focus on the diverse crowds or use the glowing advertisements as a backlighting source for dramatic silhouettes. For a unique perspective, try shooting from the steps of the fountain or head to the upper floors of nearby shops that overlook the circus.

Other languages

Here is how Piccadilly Circus is called in other languages:
CS Piccadilly Circus DE Piccadilly Circus EL Πικαντίλι Σέρκους ES Piccadilly Circus FI Piccadilly Circus FR Piccadilly Circus HI पिकैडिली सर्कस HR Piccadilly Circus IS Piccadilly Circus IT Piccadilly Circus JA ピカデリー・サーカス NL Piccadilly Circus NO Piccadilly Circus PL Piccadilly Circus PT Piccadilly Circus RU Пикадилли-сёркус SV Piccadilly Circus TR Piccadilly Circus ZH 皮卡迪利圆环