Are you thinking about visiting London, UK? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is London worth visiting?
Yes, it's worth visiting this city for three to seven days because of the many great activities. During our first trip to London in the spring of 2023, we fell in love with the international atmosphere, plethora of Harry Potter activities, and world famous theater scene. We've come back several times since then to experience it even more. London is a world class international city that has charming neighborhoods, iconic landmarks, and a vibrant nightlife scene. There are a diversity of attractions that offer something for everyone. Although prices can be steep, there are many free activities as well, with wandering the many markets being a favorite of many visitors. It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in U.S. News Worlds Best Places to Go in 2023.
Big Ben, London, England
Reasons to Visit London
Museums
The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.
Theatre Productions
The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.
Nightlife
Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.
Music
Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.
Shopping
With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.
Christmas Markets
The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.
Food
Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.
Is London worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the high season for travel in London, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This is an extremely popular destination, and in the high season it's busier than usual as this is when most people are able to travel. Expect large crowds of tourists, longer lines, and higher prices for hotels. On the other hand, you'll find that everything is open and you'll have a wide array of activities, things to do, and places to eat.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during summer with average temperatures around 18°C (64°F).
The activities of the city are numerous, and this is a great time of year to explore all of them. From family-friendly attractions to romantic getaways, as well as budget-friendly things to do, there's something for everyone. Famous landmarks, museums, tours, and more are all available. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to browse through museums, discover the big city activities, and grab some drinks at a bar.
Summer Weather in London
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| August | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| September | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Is London worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in London. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 12°C (53°F).
You'll want to make sure you set aside some time to visit the Christmas markets during the holiday season! This is one of the main attractions this time of year. Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. During this season it's fun to experience the gorgeous scenery, the famous sights and museums, and the Christmas markets. Also, you can soak up the big city atmosphere and listen to some live music.
Autumn Weather in London
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| November | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| December | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Is London worth visiting in the Winter?
The weather in London can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 4°C (40°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
The low season for travel in London is during the winter. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.
You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. This is a great time of year to browse the museums, spend an evening at the theatre, and taste delicious cuisine. Also, you can check out the nightlife, the live music scene, and the big city activities.
Winter Weather in London
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| February | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| March | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Is London worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in London. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
The weather in London can be quite cold during spring, and averages around 9°C (48°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, spend time at the museums, and take in the beautiful scenery. Also, you'll be able to listen to some live music and take advantage of the local nightlife.
Spring Weather in London
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| June | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting London
Lots of Tourists
London sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, London might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for London here or see if London is expensive here.
Related
What is London most famous for?
London is most famous for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. People visit this impressive city for its great museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, and christmas markets. Also, it's known for food. It is often described as global, international, historic, diverse, and iconic.
What is the most famous sight in London?
The most popular sight in London is Big Ben. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in London on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Big Ben and other attractions here.
How touristy is London? Is it a popular city to visit?
London is a very touristy city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Hidden London E-Scooter Tour: $53
- The National Gallery of London - Exclusive Guided Museum Tour: $114
- Working Women of the East End Walking Tour: $38
- A craft beer tasting tour of the Bermondsey Beer Mile: $62
- Palaces, Parliament & Power: A Walking Tour of London's Royal City: $25
- Women Of Westminster Walking Tour: $38
- Afternoon Tea Bike Tour: $114
- 3 Hour Guided Private Walking Tour: The Best of London: $203
How long should I spend in London?
The ideal length of time for a trip to London is at least three or as many as seven days. Since London has a variety of activities such as christmas markets, museums, theatre productions, and nightlife, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in London?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in London?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in London?.
More Things to Do in London
- Is The Natural History Museum Worth Visiting?
- Is The Tower Bridge Worth Visiting?
- Is The Tower of London Worth Visiting?
- Is Buckingham Palace Worth Visiting?
- Is The British Museum Worth Visiting?
- Are Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament Worth Visiting?
- Is Westminster Abbey Worth Visiting?
- Is The Top of the Shard Worth Visiting?
- Is The National Gallery Worth Visiting?
- Is St. Paul's Cathedral Worth Visiting?
- Is The SEA LIFE London Aquarium Worth Visiting?
- Is The London Eye Worth Doing?
- Is Hyde Park Worth Visiting?
- Is Borough Market Worth Visiting?
- Is Camden Market Worth Visiting?
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.