London

Best time to visit London

• Spring (March to May): The best time to visit London for a balance of mild weather and smaller crowds, while the Royal Parks come to life with spring blooms.
• Summer (June to August): Enjoy warmer temperatures and longer days that are perfect for outdoor drinking and dining. Expect larger crowds and busier hotels.
• Fall (September to November): Golden-brown leaves appear on the trees, and the weather is generally mild, getting colder in November.
• Winter (December to February): As the mercury dips, winter brings holiday-season magic with impressive light displays, markets and festivities.

How many days to spend in London

Allow three to four days if you want to visit London’s main sights. To explore several museums and neighborhoods in more depth, or take a river cruise or walking tour, plan a week-long London trip. This will also give you time for day trips out to historic sites like Windsor Castle and Stonehenge. London also serves as a great starting point for exploring the rest of the UK, with destinations like Manchester and Edinburgh just a train ride away.

The vibe of London

London is one of the world’s most multicultural cities, with almost two-fifths of its residents born outside the U.K. and over 300 languages spoken. Its vibrant art, food, music and nightlife reflect this diversity. The city started as a collection of villages, so each neighborhood has a distinct look and feel. Venture beyond the center to explore the likes of Camden, Brixton and the East End and see the city’s many faces. But one thing that brings Londoners together is its pub culture, and there’s seemingly a historic tavern on every corner. From around 5 p.m. on weeknights, they spring to life as after-work gathering places.

What is London famous for?

Don’t be surprised if London gives you a feeling of deja vu. The city is the backdrop for many famous movies, from Bridget Jones’s Diary to Love Actually and the James Bond films. Stroll around the neighborhood of Notting Hill, the star in the movie of the same name, or visit Harry Potter’s real-life “Platform 9 ¾” at King’s Cross. One of the best places to visit in London is Buckingham Palace, the 300-year-old official residence of the British monarchy. You can delve deeper into royal history at Kensington Palace and Westminster Abbey, a Gothic masterpiece where monarchs have been crowned since 1066. And don’t forget to look for the iconic red double-decker buses, telephone boxes and black cabs that London is known for.

Events in London

London sure knows how to party. In August, it hosts Europe’s largest street festival, Notting Hill Carnival, a Caribbean celebration with colorful floats, steel drums and Calypso bands. Pride Month in June brings a rainbow of LGBTQ+ events in London, culminating in a vibrant parade. Cheer on athletes at the London Marathon (April), or admire floral displays at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (May) and epic outfits at London Fashion Week (February and September). The city comes under a festive spell from mid-November to early January. Revel at Oxford Street’s spectacular light displays, or head to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland for markets, rides and ice skating.  

Food in London

From Chinatown’s dim sum joints to Brick Lane’s curry houses and Peckham’s North African eateries, a London vacation is a food tour of the world. For street eats in a former fruit-and-veg market with a 1,000-year history, head to Borough Market. Here, you’ll find freshly made pasta alongside Chinese bao buns, Mexican tacos and Spanish tapas. To sample some traditional British fare, hunt out a Sunday roast dinner at one of London’s historic pubs. Or experience the ritual of afternoon tea, which usually consists of dainty sandwiches and cakes accompanied by the nation’s favorite drink. Find it at London’s ritziest hotels and arrive hungry — this is much more than an afternoon snack.

Nightlife in London

A night out in London could mean anything from throbbing techno clubs to intimate indie gigs and late-night performances at art galleries. Soho is a good starting point for after-dark fun, offering cool cocktail bars and some of the best LGBTQ+ venues, including the iconic superclub Heaven. Techno and electro parties are concentrated around East London; ravers shouldn’t miss Fabric, a world-renowned warehouse club in Farringdon. If jazz hands and curtain calls are more your idea of fun, catch a musical on the West End. London’s theater hub is a vibrant blend of neon lights and centuries-old venues like Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Lyceum Theatre and the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Shopping in London

Oxford Street is renowned for its huge flagship stores and spectacular seasonal lights, while nearby Carnaby Street steals the show for independent boutiques and trend-setting designers. Harrods is a London institution, and rightly so — the department store has been a hallmark of luxury for over 130 years. Visiting with kids? Don’t miss Hamleys, the world’s oldest toy store, which is almost more like a museum with its mesmerizing, interactive displays. For unique treasures, make a beeline for London’s markets. Camden Market is an eclectic mix of fashion, crafts and trinkets in a pretty canal-side setting, while Brick Lane Market is a hot spot for vintage clothing, vinyl and antiques.