London · United Kingdom
August
Notting Hill Carnival bank holiday weekend — and everywhere else, maximum crowds and expense.
Strong option
#8 of 12 months
There are better months for London — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
24°C
Low
16°C
Rain
50mm
Sun
6.5hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How August scores in London
Weather
Excellent
Value
Below average
Crowds
Low
Events
Perfect
Atmosphere
Very good
What you gain in August
- ↑Notting Hill Carnival (August bank holiday weekend): Europe's largest street festival — two days of Caribbean food, sound systems, and costumed bands through west London
- ↑Edinburgh Fringe spill-over energy as performers pass through London on their way north
- ↑Still 24°C and long days — the outdoor city is fully open; lido swimming, riverside walks, and rooftop bars all active
What you sacrifice
- ↓Highest crowds of the year — Londoners leave for the Med and are replaced by international summer tourism en masse
- ↓Notting Hill Carnival weekend means acute accommodation shortage and price spikes in W11 and Kensington
- ↓The tube in August is brutal without air conditioning on many lines — central London travel requires patience
How August compares to May (best month)
| Factor | August | May ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 8 | 8 |
| Value | 3 | 6 |
| Crowds | 2 | 6 |
August in other destinations
Lisbon (26.5°C)Barcelona (28.6°C)Tokyo (32.1°C)Bali (29.9°C)Santorini (26°C)Paris (24.3°C)New York (27.7°C)Marrakech (35.8°C)Amsterdam (21.4°C)Maldives (30.3°C)Rome (30.4°C)Bangkok (31.5°C)Istanbul (28°C)Vienna (25.9°C)Seoul (29°C)Dubrovnik (28.5°C)Rio de Janeiro (25.9°C)Kyoto (33.7°C)Phuket (31.3°C)Cape Town (17.2°C)Prague (26°C)Amalfi Coast (31°C)Mexico City (23°C)Medellín (29°C)Fiji (26°C)Sydney (18°C)Iceland (14°C)Tulum (33°C)Dubai (42°C)Singapore (32°C)Hoi An (33°C)
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within London, not across destinations. Methodology →