It is roughly bounded by the Inner Ring Road to the north and the River Aire to the south and can be divided into several quarters.

The old town is considered the retail core of Leeds, it extends south from buildings on either side of The Headrow to the River Aire.

The area's decline began in the early 20th century when industry moved away from the centre outwards.

Mediaeval Leeds ended at The Headrow, multiple entertainment venues and municipal buildings were built directly north of the narrower shopping areas of the city.

Millennium Square anchored by the civic hall was a flagship project to mark the year 2000.

It hosts regular concerts, with past performers including the Kaiser Chiefs, Bridewell Taxis, HARD-Fi, Fall Out Boy and Embrace.

Leeds Civic Hall opened in 1933 by King George V and is home to the Lord Mayor's Room and the council chambers.

The area has a number high-rise residential properties and developments, including Sky Plaza and Opal 3.

Other major institutions are located within the Quarter, including the Yorkshire Bank HQ and also the Merrion Centre.

In addition to the two university campuses there are also multiple smaller education campuses to the area including Leeds Art University, Notre Dame Sixth Form College, Leeds City College and Blenheim Primary School.

It is where the Royal Armouries Museum can be found, the building was designed by architect Derek Walker and built at a cost of £42.5 million over two years.

The Financial Quarter is bounded by Park Row to the East, Leeds Inner Ring Road to the west, The Headrow to the north and Wellington Street to the south.

is the name given by local government and planning agencies to a mixed-use urban renewal area south of Leeds railway station.

The illuminations are renowned as being the largest display in the United Kingdom, spanning over 13 miles of city centre streets and using over 2 million low energy light bulbs.

The city centre is linked to the airport by the A1 bus service operated by Yorkshire Coastliner.

There have been calls for a second FreeCityBus to serve emerging business, leisure and residential districts in the southern part of central Leeds.