It is said that when a man tires of London, he tires of life. It is one of those cities that is just imbued with magic around every corner and has little pockets of different worlds in every neighborhood. It has a vibrancy and a calmness, and offers an endless adventure day in, day out. With a heady mix of history and culture, London has something for everyone. 

London is a multifaceted city, with everything the world has to offer in one place. But each neighborhood has its own personality, and what you want out of your trip will strongly impact where you should go, where you should stay. 

There are the central areas of Mayfair, Marylebone and Soho, which offer a bountiful medley of shops, restaurants, hotels and galleries. There are the neighborhoods of Notting Hill, South Kensington and Chelsea to the west of Hyde Park, which are a delightful mix of culture and calm to explore. The North London ‘villages’ of Hampstead, Highgate, Angel and Islington offer a sense of calm to set off the mania of London, in a historical and beautiful setting. And then there is East London, which is grimy, new and hip, full of converted warehouses and phenomenal warehouses.

Take your pick.

When to go

London is more enjoyable in warmer months, period. There is nothing better than getting lost in the city’s streets, or wandering through its many parks in the blossom-filled spring or summer. A crisp, sunny winter day around Christmastime can be romantic, though; and fall’s rich color palette can be stunning.

High season is July / August, but the city becomes a tourist hotspot, and August is nearly always devoid of locals. The perfect months to visit would be the more relaxed late April – late June. You may be just as lucky with the weather, and you’ll definitely avoid those pesky crowds.

Spring:  April – May: top temp 79 / average temp 50 to 68
Summer:  June – August: 86/ average temp 69 to 74
Fall:  September – November: top temp 63 / average temp 41 to 59
Winter:  December – March: top temp 50 / average temp 37 to 48