The Best Viewpoints in London

London is a modern city with a history dating back to the Roman period. In its streets you will find many free and paid viewpoints, from which you can get incredible panoramic bird's-eye views of the city.

You can get close to the London Eye observation wheel and the iconic Shard skyscraper. You can also visit St. Paul's Cathedral, the British National Museum of Modern Art and Garden 120, which is suspended on a building, among other viewpoints that you can not fail to incorporate into your itinerary of things to see and do in London. Below, I'll tell you about them.

The London Eye is considered one of the biggest Ferris wheels in Europe, thanks to its 120 meters diameter and 135 meters high. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most popular attractions for locals and tourists, which will allow you to see the city from a bird's eye view.

When you buy tickets for the London Eye you can climb inside one of the 32 capsules of the Ferris wheels and, thus, take a ride on this great wheel. You will be in the heights for approximately 30 minutes.

You will enjoy the best views from the London Eye. You will contemplate the calm waters of the River Thames and an impressive panoramic view of approximately 40 kilometers long. You will be able to identify St. Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, among other destinations.

Information of interest

• Price: you can find this activity for a price starting at 34€ per person. Similarly, prior to your visit you can check the prices of the London Eye and information on discounts, offers and how to get tickets.
• Hours: The London Eye is open from Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 18:00 hours, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 20:30 hours.
• Address: The Queen's Walk, Bishop's, London SE1 7PB.

The Shard is a skyscraper designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and opened in 2013, whose pointed structure reaches 310 meters high. It is the tallest building in Western Europe and a true architectural icon of London.

From this viewpoint you will enjoy the highest panoramic views, being able to observe the city as if it were a small model. Whether you are on the glass floors or on the open terrace, the views from The Shard in London are simply amazing and will allow you to live a unique experience.

In addition to the 360º panoramic views, with tickets to The Shard you will enjoy a projection of images of the city in the interactive elevator. And, on the closed floors, you will find digital telescopes with which you will zoom in on the destinations observed: the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, London Eye, the River Thames, among others.

Information of interest

• Price: the prices of The Shard observation deck in London can be found from 37€ per person.
• Opening hours: this attraction is open from Thursday to Saturday from 10:00 to 22:00 hours, and from Sunday to Wednesday from 10:00 to 19:00 hours. You must take into consideration that access is usually until an hour and a half before closing time.
• Address: 32 London Bridge St, London SE1 9SG.

Another of the best viewpoints from where you will discover new panoramic views of London, without a doubt is usually the Dome of St. Paul's Cathedral. This impressive structure of 111 meters high and 32 meters in diameter, is recognized as one of the largest in its style worldwide.

The iconic dome of this religious precinct is divided into three sections, which will offer you different panoramas. These are:

• The Whispering Gallery: this is a dais that borders the entire dome and offers a view of the interior of the cathedral.
• The Stone Gallery: in this area you will enjoy a 360º view of the river Thames in the south of England.
• The Golden Gallery: this last viewpoint is located at the top of the dome and will allow you to contemplate the whole city of London.

In addition, with the entrance to St. Paul's Cathedral you will not only see the city from a bird's eye view. You will also be able to discover the architectural beauty and history of this religious site.

Information of interest

• Price: the entrance fee to St. Paul's Cathedral is around 24€ per person.
• Hours: Access to the Cathedral Dome to view the city is available from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
• Address: St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD.

In the financial district of London you will find the Tower 42. This is a skyscraper of 183 meters high spread over 42 floors that, although you will not find it as the first choice of the tourist guides, offers privileged panoramic views of the city.

The building designed by Richard Seiferd was built over a period of eight years (1971 - 1979) and opened in 1980, holding the title of the tallest skyscraper in London for the next decade.

This architectural work has in its glazed top floor an elegant bar-restaurant, whose tables are arranged next to the windows. This way, you can sit and contemplate different areas and perspectives of the city from the heights while sipping a cocktail.

Undoubtedly, an ideal activity to incorporate among the best things to do in London at night, as the views after sunset are usually mind-blowing due to the contrast of lights.

Information of interest

• Price: the entrance to Tower 42 is free, but to enjoy the panorama of the city you will have to pay for everything you consume in the bar-restaurant where the viewpoint is located.
• Hours: generally, the attraction is open from Monday to Saturday from 12:00 to 16:30 and from 17:00 to 23:00.
• Address: Tower 42, 25 Old Broad St, London EC2N 1HN.

A scenic viewpoint that can't miss on your itinerary of things to see and do in London in a day or more happens to be the IFS Cloud Cable Car. This is an urban cable car that, since 2012, allows locals and tourists to fly over the River Thames while gazing at the panorama.

The IFS Cloud Cable Car covers a route of more than a kilometer distance between the Greenwich Peninsula and Royal Docks. You will be at a height of 90 meters in a journey of approximately 20 minutes (round trip).

The cabins are comfortable and from them you can enjoy a view from the heights of the city. You will have different perspectives of the Thames Barrier, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, St. Paul's Cathedral, the maritime Greenwich, among other destinations.

Information of interest

• Price: the round trip ticket for the IFS Cloud London cable car usually costs about 12 ¤ for adults and about 6 ¤ for children.
• Opening hours: The London IFS Cloud cable car is open every day. Monday to Thursday from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm, Friday from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, Saturday from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm and Sunday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
• Address: IFS Greenwich Peninsula Terminal, Edmund Halley Way, London.

The British National Museum of Modern Art or Tate Modern has a couple of viewpoints that will give you different panoramic views of the city. In addition, you can take the opportunity to enjoy the temporary and permanent exhibitions in their rooms.

On the main floor you will find a low viewpoint from where you will get a good view towards the Millennium Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral. Meanwhile, on the 11th floor, which is the highest floor of the museum, you can see the city as the crow flies and enjoy different perspectives depending on the time of the visit.

Undoubtedly, the Tate Modern is one of the top 10 museums in London as it combines art, architecture and stunning views of the city. You will see works of great exponents such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, and more, in a building erected on the former Bankside Power Station, which has a unique and free view.

Information of interest

• Price: admission to the British National Museum of Modern Art is free.
• Hours: The British National Museum of Modern Art is open Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
• Address: Bankside, London SE1 9TG.

This Doric column is a piece of architecture considered one of the best monuments in London. Through it, tribute is paid to the resistance of the city after the great fire of 1666. At the top, you will find a viewpoint with an impressive panoramic view of the city.

The Monument, as this historic attraction is known, is a design by Christopher Wren and Dr. Robert Hooke. This column was built in isolated stone and has a height that reaches 61 meters.

To access the terrace that crowns the structure, you must climb approximately 311 spiral steps. This way, you can enjoy a 360º view of the whole of London, including, for example, the River Thames, Tower Bridge, the financial district, among other destinations of interest.

Information of interest

• Price: the cost of the tickets for the Monument to the Great Fire of London starts at 5,8€ per adult and about 2,90€ per child.
• Opening hours: access to the Monument to the Great Fire of London is available daily from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with the last entrance at 12:30 pm and 5:30 pm respectively.
• Address: Fish St Hill, London EC3R 8AH.

Tower Bridge is a bascule and hanging structure with a history of more than 100 years. It is a true architectural jewel representative of London, from which you will have the opportunity to get breathtaking panoramic views of the city.

Inside the iconic bridge of 65 meters high and 244 meters long, you will be able to see from the Tower of London to the Cathedral in the West of the city. You'll also see the Eastern region (from Canary Wharf to Shooters Hill).

In addition, this landmark in the footbridge area incorporates a glass-floored viewing platform over the River Thames, giving you a unique view of these tranquil waters and London. And, if you're lucky, you might be able to watch the bridge rise up just below your feet.

This is a tourist attraction suitable for all ages, which you can include among the things to do in London with children, as they will have fun with the fabulous views and, during the experience, learn about the history of the bridge and how its boosters work.

Useful information

• Price: for adults the entrance to the interior of Tower Bridge has an average price of 11,4€, while children pay approximately 5,7€.
• Hours: Access to Tower Bridge is available daily from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, with the last entrance at 5:00 pm.
• Address: Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UP.

Primrose Hill is one of the top 10 parks in London, located on a beautiful hill 65 meters high. From there, you can enjoy a series of panoramic views of the city center and the residential neighborhood around the park: Camden, Belsize Park and Hampstead.

This viewpoint is a site of historical interest, expropriated in 1841 by Henry VIII of England and, the following year, converted into a public area. In addition, during 2001, this natural lung was recognized as a Grade II Monument, that is, a protected area of the British capital.

It should be noted that if you visit London in spring or summer, you will enjoy a clearer sky. Thus, you will make the most of the almost 360º view obtained from the hill. In addition, you can relax on the grass and under the shade of the trees while having a picnic and contemplating the surroundings.

Information of interest

• Price: Entrance to the Primrose Hill Public Park overlook is free.
• Hours: Primrose Hill Public Park is open all day Monday to Sunday.
• Address: Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XJ.

The Garden at 120 is a garden terrace where you will have breathtaking 360º views of the city. In addition, you will enjoy a relaxing atmosphere, surrounded by wisteria bushes, several species of flowers and a water channel of approximately 60 meters.

This small oasis, considered one of London's secret places, is suspended on the 15th floor of the One Fen Court building, which covers an area of 2,800 m².

From this open-air viewpoint you can see the entire metropolitan area of the British capital. In addition, you will have a bird's eye view of some skyscrapers such as The Cheesegrater, the Gherkin, among other important architectural works.

Information of interest

• Price: entrance to The Garden at 120 is free and does not require a reservation.
• Hours: The Garden at 120 is usually open Monday through Friday. However, opening and closing times vary. April to September 10:00 am to 9:00 pm and October to March 10:00 am to 6:30 pm. Closed on weekends.
• Address: 120 Fenchurch St, Langbourn, London EC3M 5BA.