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"Planning a trip to London? May is when the best weather begins — perfect for long walks and exploring without the crowds. Immerse yourself in a blend of modern culture and local traditions."
We built this guide using recent climate data, hotel price trends, and our own trips, so you can pick the right month without guesswork.
Why Visit London?
London, one of the world's great capitals and former British Empire's center, seamlessly fuses 2,000 years of history with cutting-edge innovation across its sprawling landscape of around 9-10 million in Greater London and about 15 million in the wider metropolitan area, spread across 32 boroughs. The Thames flows past iconic landmarks where Big Ben's Elizabeth Tower chimes beside Gothic Parliament, Tower Bridge's Victorian spans lift for ships, and the Tower of London's Norman fortress guards Crown Jewels including St. Edward's Crown and the 530-carat Cullinan I diamond behind medieval walls where Anne Boleyn met execution.
Royal London shines at Buckingham Palace's Changing of the Guard (usually around 11:00, but always check the official schedule), Westminster Abbey where monarchs are crowned since 1066 and Poets' Corner honors Shakespeare and Dickens, and Kensington Palace displaying Diana's fashion collection. Yet London's magic lies in diversity making it Europe's most multicultural capital—the British Museum's 8 million objects from Rosetta Stone to Parthenon Marbles (free entry), Tate Modern's contemporary galleries in converted Bankside power station, and the West End's 40+ theatres rivaling Broadway with shows from The Mousetrap (since 1952) to new productions. Each neighborhood offers distinct character—literary Bloomsbury where Virginia Woolf lived, trendy Shoreditch with street art and tech startups, elegant Notting Hill with Portobello Road's Saturday market, Brick Lane serving the UK's best curries, Greenwich's Royal Observatory at Prime Meridian, and Camden's punk markets.
London's food scene transformed into culinary destination with around 80 Michelin-starred restaurants, Borough Market's 1,000-year history showcasing gourmet producers, Dishoom's Bombay cafés, and afternoon tea at The Ritz or Fortnum & Mason ($68–$110 / £51–£81). British pub culture thrives—Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (1538) where Dr. Johnson drank, and riverside pubs where Thames Path walkers rest.
Royal Parks provide green lungs—Hyde Park's 350 acres with Serpentine and Speaker's Corner, Regent's Park with London Zoo, Richmond Park's 2,500 acres where wild deer roam. South Bank buzzes with riverside walks passing National Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe, Tate Modern, and Borough Market. Museums offer free permanent collections—National Gallery's Old Masters, Natural History Museum's dinosaurs, Science Museum, V&A's 2.8 million design objects.
The London Eye ($41–$54 / £31–£40), The Shard ($39–$48 / £29–£36), and Sky Garden's free deck offer panoramas. Shopping spans Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street boutiques, Harrods, Covent Garden. Markets include Portobello antiques, Columbia Road flowers, Camden's sprawl.
Day trips reach Windsor Castle (1 hour), Oxford or Cambridge (90 min), Stonehenge (2 hours), Bath. The Tube connects everything—Oyster cards cap costs $11–$20 / £7.86–£15. With distinct seasons (spring daffodils, summer festivals, autumn gold, Christmas markets), English as universal language, and ability to walk between Westminster, British Museum, Tower, and South Bank uncovering 2,000 years of history, London welcomes over 20 million international visitors a year discovering parliamentary democracy's birthplace, royal pageantry, empire's collected treasures, world-class theater, and global city living where 300+ languages represent every culture.
What to Do
Iconic London
Tower of London & Crown Jewels
Pre-book Tower of London tickets (around $49 / £37 for adults online) to guarantee entry and avoid the ticket queue. Aim for the first hour after opening and head straight to the Crown Jewels before tour groups arrive. Join a free Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour, which usually starts every 30–45 minutes from mid-morning, for the best stories. Allow at least 2–3 hours.
Big Ben & Houses of Parliament
Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) tours (around $48 / £36 for adults) book out months ahead—reserve on the official UK Parliament website. The Palace of Westminster is free to admire from the outside; the classic photo is from Westminster Bridge at sunset. Guided tours of Parliament itself cost around $47 / £35 for adults and usually run on Saturdays and selected weekdays in summer.
Tower Bridge
Walking across Tower Bridge is free and feels quintessentially London. The Tower Bridge Exhibition with glass walkways (around $22 / £17 adult) is a nice-to-have rather than essential if you're on a budget. For photos without crowds, come around 07:00–08:00; for golden-hour views, time your walk for sunset.
Buckingham Palace
Changing of the Guard (free) usually takes place at 11:00 on set days (typically Monday, Wednesday and Friday—always check the official calendar). Arrive 30–40 minutes early for a decent view. The State Rooms open to visitors for a limited summer season (roughly July–September), with tickets from about $44 / £32. St James's Park behind the palace offers the best palace views with more space and fewer people.
World-Class Museums (Free Entry)
British Museum
Entry to the permanent collection is free, but it's wise to book a free timed ticket online to avoid queuing at busy times. Go at 10:00 opening or after 15:00 for slightly calmer galleries. See the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies first, then wander the Great Court's spectacular glass roof. Plan at least 2–3 hours, more if you're a history nerd.
National Gallery
Free entry to one of the world's great painting collections—think Van Gogh, Da Vinci, Turner, Monet. Trafalgar Square makes it easy to combine with other sights. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter. The Gallery runs free guided 'taster' tours on selected days; check the events schedule when you arrive if you'd like a one-hour highlights overview.
Tate Modern
Free entry to cutting-edge modern and contemporary art housed in a converted power station on the South Bank. Head up to the top-floor viewing level for panoramic city views at no extra charge. Cross the Millennium Bridge for a dramatic approach to St Paul's Cathedral. From late 2025 Tate Modern stays open later on Friday and Saturday evenings—ideal if you want galleries plus night-time skyline.
Local London
Borough Market
One of London's oldest and best food markets (closed Mondays; full trading Tuesday–Saturday, shorter hours on Sundays). For fewer crowds and maximum choice, go Thursday morning. Snack your way around artisan bread, cheese, scotch eggs and global street food instead of sitting in pricey restaurants. Monmouth Coffee on the corner usually has a queue for good reason.
South Bank Walk
A free riverside walk from the London Eye to Tower Bridge (about an hour without stops). You'll pass the Royal Festival Hall, Shakespeare's Globe, Tate Modern, Borough Market and plenty of street performers. It's especially atmospheric at sunset with city lights reflecting on the Thames—pause at Gabriel's Wharf or around London Bridge for pubs with river views.
Camden Market & Regent's Canal
Camden Market runs daily and is wildest at weekends—vintage stalls, street food, and alternative fashion. To escape the chaos, follow Regent's Canal on foot or by narrowboat between Camden and Little Venice (around 45–60 minutes on foot), passing houseboats and quiet residential areas you'd never see from the main roads.
Greenwich & Maritime History
Take a quick train from London Bridge (about 20 minutes) or a Thames Clipper boat (around 40 minutes, much more scenic). The National Maritime Museum and Queen's House are free to enter, while the Royal Observatory—home of Greenwich Mean Time and the official Prime Meridian line—requires a ticket (around $33 / £24 adult). Climb the hill in Greenwich Park for one of the best free skyline views in London, then browse Greenwich Market and riverside pubs for a much more relaxed vibe than the West End.
Gallery
Travel Information
Getting There
- Airports: LHR, LGW, STN
- From :
Best Time to Visit
May, June, September
Climate: Moderate
Entry Requirements
Entry rules vary by passport
Check requirements| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°C | 3°C | 11 | Good |
| February | 10°C | 4°C | 11 | Good |
| March | 11°C | 5°C | 12 | Good |
| April | 14°C | 6°C | 8 | Good |
| May | 18°C | 9°C | 10 | Excellent ((best)) |
| June | 21°C | 12°C | 9 | Excellent ((best)) |
| July | 22°C | 14°C | 10 | Good |
| August | 22°C | 14°C | 8 | Good |
| September | 20°C | 12°C | 11 | Excellent ((best)) |
| October | 16°C | 10°C | 13 | Wet |
| November | 11°C | 6°C | 11 | Good |
| December | 9°C | 5°C | 12 | Good |
Weather data: Open-Meteo Archive (2020-2025) • Historical avg. 2020–2025
Travel Costs
Per person per day, based on double occupancy. 'Budget' reflects hostels or shared accommodation in high-cost cities.
💡 🌍 Traveler Tip (February 2026): Best time to visit: May, June, September.
Practical Information
Getting There
London has multiple major airports—Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), Luton (LTN), London City (LCY), and Southend (SEN). Heathrow is largest—Elizabeth Line train to central London costs from $19 / £14, 45 min. Gatwick served by Gatwick Express ($27 / £20, 30 min). Stansted and Luton for budget airlines ($26 / £19, 45-50 min by train). Eurostar from Paris (2h15min) and Brussels (2h) arrives at St Pancras. National Rail connects UK cities. Czech citizens require UK ETA from April 2025.
Getting Around
The London Underground (Tube) is extensive—11 lines cover the city. Get an Oyster card or use contactless payment (daily cap about $12 / £9.17 zones 1-2). Buses cost about $2.47 / £1.83, day cap about $7.3 / £5.41. Walking is rewarding in central areas. Black cabs are iconic but expensive ($22–$27 / £17–£20 short trips). Santander bike-share from $4.95 / £3.67 for 24hr access. Avoid driving—congestion charge $25 / £18/day.
Money & Payments
British Pound (GBP, £). Cards accepted everywhere, including markets and buses (some are contactless-only). ATMs widespread. Exchange rate: £1 ≈ $1.35. Tipping: 10-15% in restaurants if service not included, round up for taxis, $1.18–$2.36 / £0.87–£1.75/bag for hotel porters.
Language
English is official. London is incredibly diverse—over 300 languages spoken. International visitors face no language barriers. American English speakers may encounter some slang or regional accents but communication is straightforward.
Cultural Tips
Queue politely—Brits take line etiquette seriously. Stand on right on Tube escalators. 'Mind the gap' between train and platform. Pubs serve until 23:00 (23:00); food orders often close at 21:00. Sunday roast is a tradition (book ahead). Teatime (afternoon tea) is touristy but fun at hotels. Book West End shows online for discounts. Museums are free but donations appreciated.
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Perfect 5-Day London Itinerary
Royal London & Westminster
Tower & History
Museums & West End
Neighborhoods & Markets
Greenwich & Hidden London
Where to Stay
Westminster
Best for: Royal palaces, Parliament, historic landmarks, government
South Bank
Best for: Thames walks, markets, Tate Modern, entertainment venues
Shoreditch
Best for: Street art, vintage shops, nightlife, tech startups, hipster culture
Kensington
Best for: Museums, Hyde Park, elegant streets, upscale dining
Covent Garden / West End
Best for: Theatre district, shopping, restaurants, street performers
Camden
Best for: Markets, live music, alternative culture, canal walks
Notting Hill
Best for: Pastel houses, Portobello Road, antiques, village charm
King's Cross / St Pancras
Best for: Transport hub, Eurostar, regenerated area, Harry Potter platform
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in London
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- Official tourism boards and visitor guides
- GetYourGuide and Viator activity data
- Booking.com and Numbeo pricing data
- Google Maps reviews and ratings
This guide combines personal travel experience with comprehensive data analysis to provide accurate recommendations.
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