In a nutshell
- London has over a dozen great viewpoints — from historic domes to modern glass platforms.
- We’ll show you the best spots to see London from above — with a ticket, for free, or combined with a restaurant visit. Some are also included in a London City Pass.
- We’ve personally visited every viewpoint in London. Our absolute favorites are the London Eye, One New Change Rooftop Terrace, and Sky Garden.
- Still planning your London trip? Check out our complete London guide!
London Viewpoints Overview
Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick overview of all the London viewpoints:
| Location | Cost | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| London Eye | Lambeth | approx. £29 | Buy tickets |
| The Shard | Southwark | approx. £33 | Buy tickets |
| Tower Bridge Walkways | City of London/Southwark | approx. £12 | Buy tickets |
| St Paul's Cathedral | City of London | approx. £26 | Buy tickets |
| Sky Garden | City of London | free | Book now |
| Horizon 22 | City of London | free | Book now |
| Primrose Hill | Camden | free | free admission |
| One New Change | City of London | free | free admission |
| The Monument | City of London | approx. £6 | on-site |
| Tate Modern | Southwark | free | free admission |
| Lift 109 | Battersea | approx. £17 | Buy tickets |
| Sky Garden's Fenchurch | City of London | Minimum spend | Reserve now |
| Duck & Waffle | City of London | Minimum spend | Reserve now |
| Oxo Tower | Southwark | Minimum spend | Reserve now |
| Wagtail | City of London | Minimum spend | Reserve now |
| The Swan | Southwark | Minimum spend | Reserve now |
London Viewpoints on the Map
We’ve marked all the viewpoints in London — from the top spots to the rooftop restaurants — on a map.
This way you can see exactly which viewpoints fit in with your activities in London. And maybe one of them is even close to your hotel in London?
Top Viewpoints in London
These four London viewpoints are true icons. Even if you’re only in London for a weekend, you should visit at least one of them:
London Eye
Best for: First-time visitors, families, photography enthusiasts
Height: 135 meters
Location: Lambeth
What you need to know: The London Eye is the iconic Ferris wheel right on the Thames. You ride for about 30 minutes in enclosed gondolas. Book tickets online in advance — the lines can get seriously long.
What can you see from there? A sweeping 360° panorama over the Thames, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, The Shard, and on a clear day all the way to St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! The London Eye is a fantastic experience for first-time visitors and great with kids too. It’s not the cheapest, but the experience more than justifies the price — and you get to tick it off the bucket list.
Combine with: a boat trip on the Thames — the pier is right around the corner
Book London Eye tickets online
Read about our London Eye experience here:
The Shard
Best for: Photography enthusiasts, architecture fans, families, modern design lovers
Height: 310 meters (observation deck at 244 meters)
Location: Southwark
What you need to know: The Shard is the tallest building in London, with a glass-enclosed observation deck called “The View from The Shard” at nearly 244 meters. The building also houses the luxury Shangri-La The Shard London hotel.
What can you see from there? A breathtaking vista across all of London — including Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, the Thames, Canary Wharf, and on a clear day all the way to Windsor.
Is it worth it? Definitely. London’s highest viewpoint offers a truly exclusive experience. If you love modern observation platforms, this is the place for you.
Combine with: a visit to Borough Market — just a few minutes’ walk away
Book The Shard ticket online
Read about our Shard experience here:
Tower Bridge Walkways
Best for: First-time visitors, families, history buffs, photography enthusiasts
Height: 42 meters
Location: City of London/Southwark
What you need to know: Tower Bridge is one of London’s most historic landmarks. It features walkable glass corridors 42 meters above the ground between the two towers — complete with a glass floor and an exhibition.
What can you see from there? A direct view of the Thames, river traffic, and City Hall, plus views of The Shard and the Tower of London.
Is it worth it? Yes! A thrilling experience with a real sense of history, at a genuinely fair price. And a great option if you’d rather not go quite so high up.
Combine with: a visit to the Tower of London right next door
Book Tower Bridge Walkways ticket online
St. Paul's Cathedral London
Best for: History buffs, culture lovers, romantics
Height: 85 meters (Golden Gallery)
Location: City of London
What you need to know: St. Paul’s Cathedral stands in one of London’s oldest neighborhoods. Your visit takes in the nave, the historic crypt, mosaics, and works of art, plus three observation galleries connected by 528 steps. At the very top, the “Golden Gallery” dome awaits.
What can you see from there? A historic view across the rooftops of London, with highlights like the Thames, Somerset House, the Monument, and Parliament Hill on the horizon.
Is it worth it? Anyone who loves history and historic London will be completely in their element here. The cathedral itself is stunning, and the view is too. It’s a real journey back in time — well, at least if you mentally block out all the modern buildings.
Combine with: the historic Fleet Street, Millennium Bridge, or Christchurch Greyfriars Church Garden (a lovely lesser-known spot)
Book St. Paul’s Cathedral ticket online
Free Viewpoints in London
Sky Garden London
Best for: Budget travelers, photography enthusiasts, families, first-time visitors
Height: 155 meters
Location: City of London
What you need to know: Sky Garden is a publicly accessible garden on the upper floors of the “Walkie Talkie” skyscraper. It has a free observation deck, loads of tropical plants, a café-bar, and a restaurant.
What can you see from there? A sweeping view over the City of London, including the Tower of London, the Thames, Tower Bridge, and many of the historic bridges.
Is it worth it? Sky Garden is one of the best free views in London. The atmosphere is totally unique thanks to all the greenery — somehow very relaxed. A great spot to take your time and soak it all in. And it’s genuinely fun for kids too.
Combine with: a visit to Tower Bridge and a detour to the Victorian Leadenhall Market
Horizon 22
Best for: Budget travelers, romantics
Height: 254 meters
Location: Camden
What you need to know: Horizon 22 is London’s highest free observation deck, on the 58th floor of the “22 Bishopsgate” skyscraper in the heart of the financial district.
What can you see from there? A spectacular 360° panorama with highlights including St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, and to the west, the London Eye.
Is it worth it? If you love modern architecture and want to save some money, this is the place for you. The view is seriously spectacular, and it’s still something of an under-the-radar pick — though you’ll need to reserve in advance.
Combine with: St. Paul’s Cathedral and a visit to the small Bank of England Museum
Book a Horizon 22 time slot (1 week in advance)
Primrose Hill
Best for: History buffs, culture lovers, romantics, nature lovers, families
Height: 65 meters
Location: City of London
What you need to know: Primrose Hill is a hill north of Regent’s Park and one of London’s most popular outdoor viewpoints.
What can you see from there? A wide, natural view of the London skyline, including The Shard, the London Eye, and the BT Tower.
Is it worth it? Primrose Hill is the perfect spot on a sunny picnic day, and wonderfully romantic at sunset. It’s also a great option if you’re in London with kids and want them to burn off some energy away from the crowds.
Combine with: a walk through Regent’s Park and a stroll around the Primrose Hill neighborhood with its cute cafés and bookshops.
Lies auch:
Hidden Gems: Lesser-Known Viewpoints in London
One New Change Rooftop Terrace London
Best for: First-time visitors, budget travelers, history buffs, shoppers
Height: 25 meters
Ticket: free
Location: City of London
What you need to know: The One New Change Rooftop Terrace sits right on top of the One New Change shopping center next to St. Paul’s Cathedral. You can ride up for free in the glass elevator. It’s rarely crowded up here — which makes it even better.
What can you see from there? A perfect view of St. Paul’s dome — it’s genuinely close enough to feel like you could touch it. Plus a great look across the City of London with The Shard in the background.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! We’ve been up here three times already, because the photos in front of the dome always turn out amazing. There are also restaurants in the shopping center if you get hungry, and the central location makes it super easy to slot into your sightseeing plans.
Combine with: St. Paul’s Cathedral, the historic Fleet Street, and a visit to Dr. Johnson’s House
The Monument London
Best for: First-time visitors, budget travelers, history buffs
Height: 62 meters
Ticket: on-site only, around £6
Location: City of London
What you need to know: The Monument is a tall stone column near Tower Hill, built to commemorate the Great Fire of 1666, which broke out at this exact spot and destroyed almost all of London. You can climb the 311 steps all the way to the top.
What can you see from there? A 360° view over the City of London, including Tower Bridge, the Thames, The Shard, and many skyscrapers surrounding the Bank of England.
Is it worth it? The Monument is one of our favorite London insider tips. It’s historically significant, perfectly located, easy to work into your sightseeing plans — and there are barely any tourists here.
Combine with: the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and St Dunstan-in-the-East (a ruined church with a beautiful garden)
Tate Modern Terrace London
Best for: Art lovers, culture fans, modern design enthusiasts
Height: 65 meters
Ticket: free
Location: Southwark
What you need to know: Tate Modern is a museum of modern art on the Thames. The terrace of the Blavatnik Building is freely accessible — no ticket required.
What can you see from there? A lovely view of the London cityscape including the Millennium Bridge, the Thames, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Is it worth it? Yes. Especially if you also explore the museum or take a break at the on-site café. No reservation needed — just show up.
Combine with: the Tate Modern museum, a play at Shakespeare’s Globe, or St. Paul’s Cathedral
Lift 109 Battersea Power Station
Best for: Architecture fans, London regulars, and families with teenagers
Height: 109 meters
Location: Battersea
What you need to know: Lift 109 is a futuristic glass elevator that takes you up to the top of one of the chimneys of the converted Battersea Power Station.
What can you see from there? A 360-degree view over the Thames, Chelsea, Westminster, and on a clear day all the way to the City of London. There’s also an antechamber featuring light and sound installations.
Is it worth it? Yes. Especially if you prefer a more modern, less touristy experience. The combination of industrial history and contemporary design is really something special.
Combine with: shopping or lunch at Battersea Power Station, or a walk through Battersea Park to Chelsea Bridge. We’ve been to the park ourselves and the atmosphere is totally relaxed — tourists rarely make it out here.
Restaurants & Bars in London with a View
Sky Garden's Fenchurch Restaurant
Sky Garden’s Fenchurch is the restaurant inside Sky Garden London, which we introduced earlier.
Here you can enjoy fine Caribbean-British à la carte cuisine — think jerk salmon ceviche and BBQ wings. Main courses cost around £40. You can also order a nine-course tasting menu with cocktail pairing for £65. Children are welcome.
While you eat, you’ll have a wonderful panoramic view over the City and the Thames.
Reserve a table at Sky Garden’s Fenchurch
Duck & Waffle
Duck & Waffle is on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower in the City of London, with views of the city skyline and the London Eye.
It serves British-inspired cuisine around the clock — think waffles of all kinds, a full English breakfast, meat and fish dishes, and desserts like cheesecake.
Main courses at Duck & Waffle cost between £15 and £50. Children are very welcome here too. There’s no dedicated kids’ menu, but fries and mac ‘n’ cheese are on the menu.
Reserve a table at Duck & Waffle
By the way: Duck & Waffle also has a location in Edinburgh. Highly recommended wherever you go!
Oxo Tower Restaurant
The restaurant is located on the 8th floor of the Oxo Tower on the South Bank of the Thames. It’s mainly an indoor venue, but on nice days the floor-to-ceiling windows are opened and the interior transforms into an open-air terrace.
You’ll have a wonderful view over the Thames, St. Paul’s, and the Millennium Bridge.
The menu features modern British dishes and afternoon tea. Expect to pay an average of £25 to £40.
Reserve a table at the Oxo Tower Restaurant
Wagtail London
Wagtail is an elegant and modern London rooftop restaurant and bar in the heart of the City.
It’s right next to the Monument, with views of the Thames, the Tower of London, and The Shard.
So on the rooftop terrace you get to enjoy the panorama, cocktails, and great food all at once — think modern British cuisine and a stylish Sunday roast.
Prices range between £10 and £50, which is absolutely justified given the location and quality.
Reserve a table at Wagtail London
The Swan
The Swan is a stylish restaurant and bar lounge in the Savoy Hotel, right on the Thames and just a short walk from the historic Shakespeare’s Globe.
From the window seats you can see the Thames, the South Bank skyline, St. Paul’s, and Somerset House.
The menu includes a variety of main courses, a truly excellent afternoon tea, and a great drinks selection. Prices are very reasonable at £7 to £45 — especially given the view.
Hotels in London with a View
Looking to stay somewhere in London with a dream view? Here are our top picks:
Shangri-La The Shard: Luxury hotel inside The Shard with views across all of London
Sea Containers London: Stylish hotel on the South Bank with views of the Thames
Treehouse Hotel London: Playful boutique hotel near Oxford Circus with rooftop views over Westminster
Frequently Asked Questions About London Viewpoints
What is the highest viewpoint in London?
The highest observation point in London is Horizon 22. It’s located on the 58th floor of the 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper at a height of 254 meters and is free to visit.
Which free observation decks are there in London?
There are over ten free viewpoints in London.
These are our five favorites:
- Sky Garden
- Horizon 22
- Primrose Hill
- One New Change Rooftop Terrace
- Tate Modern Terrace
Which is better — London Eye or The Shard?
It depends on what you’re looking for.
The London Eye isn’t just an observation point — it’s also a cool Ferris wheel right on the Thames, world-famous and perfect for first-time visitors.
The Shard is much higher up and super modern, but it’s “just” an observation platform with both indoor and outdoor decks.
Sky Garden or Horizon 22 — which one is worth it more?
Honestly, if you have the time, try both viewpoints — they’re both free, after all.
If you can only fit in one, our recommendation is Sky Garden. The combination of the view and all those tropical plants makes it something really special.
Where is the best place to see London from above at night?
Want to experience London from above when all the lights are shining? Then we recommend these spots:
- The Shard
- Sky Garden
- Primrose Hill
Tickets for London viewpoints — buy online or on-site?
For the top viewpoints in London, you should definitely book your tickets online in advance. That way you’ll save a lot of time and sometimes even a few bucks.
