Why go
No other city packs in this much. The British Museum, the National Gallery, Tate Modern and the Victoria and Albert Museum are all free. The West End has dozens of theatres within a short walk of each other, and the royal sights, from the Tower of London to Westminster Abbey, are the real thing.
It is also a wonderful city for doing very little. The parks are huge and green, the pubs are old, and afternoon tea in a grand hotel is a ritual worth keeping.
When to go
May, June and September are the sweet spot, with long light evenings and the gardens at their best. July and August are warm and crowded. From mid November the Christmas lights go up and the city is at its most festive, and hotel rates rise with them.
January to March is grey and quiet, and it is when the best hotels are easiest to get into at their lowest rates.
Where to base yourself
Mayfair and St James's are the classic choice: quiet streets, the great old hotels, and Bond Street, the Royal Academy and the parks on foot. Knightsbridge and Belgravia suit shoppers and anyone who wants Hyde Park on the doorstep.
Covent Garden and the Strand put you beside the theatres and the river. Whitehall is closest to Westminster and the big sights, though it is quieter in the evening.
What we would build into your trip
An early private visit to the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey before the crowds, a West End play with dinner booked nearby, and a proper afternoon tea. We like a morning at Borough Market followed by a walk along the South Bank to Tate Modern.
With more time, add a day out with a driver to Windsor, Oxford or the Cotswolds, or a night or two in a country house hotel.
Good to know
Visitors from the United States, Canada, Australia and most of Europe now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation before they fly, applied for online. From Heathrow, the Elizabeth line reaches the West End in about half an hour and is often quicker than a car.
You do not need a travel card. Just tap a contactless bank card or phone on the Tube and buses. Restaurants usually add a service charge to the bill, so check before tipping twice. Many smart dining rooms and bars still expect you to dress up a little.