London’s skyline is a breathtaking mosaic of historic landmarks and modern architecture. If you are looking to enjoy the best view of London, you are sure to find something you like at one of the city’s many observation decks and viewing platforms. Whether you’re seeking panoramic views of the River Thames or iconic landmarks, London offers several observation points that provide an unforgettable perspective of the city.
The Best View Of London
London is the largest city in Europe and one of the most vibrant cities in the world. With a population of more than 8 million residents and an estimated 25 million people in the city on any given weekday, London has something to offer everyone. To fully appreciate the magnitude of London’s size, one of the best ways to see the city is from high up with a more aerial view of London. If height aren’t your thing, then you might enjoy more of a sky view of London from the ground up or maybe on the River Thames.
I have collated what I think is the best and most comprehensive list of places that have an amazing view of London. Some of these places are free to visit but have long lines and require a booking while others are paid and you can just walk up and buy tickets on the spot. Regardless of what you are looking for and how spontaneous you want to be, I think you will find that any number of these spots offers a unique view of London that the others don’t.
Best View Of London For Free
While it is commonly known that London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, that doesn’t mean that you need to spend a ton of money to get an amazing view of London. There are several places to get a panoramic view of the city without having to spend a penny. Some offer a complete 360 with the opportunity to go for a drink or nice meal while others offer a more immersive garden experience with some great selfie spots. Here are all the best views of London with an admission price of nothing more than curiosity, a sense of adventure, and maybe a booking weeks in advance.
Rise Above The Rest At Horizon 22
Horizon 22 is touted as London’s highest free viewing platform. Located at 22 Bisopsgate, “The Horizon” has its own exclusive entrance directly accessible from Bishopsgate. Upon completing the ticketing and security procedures, visitors take a lift to the Level 58 viewing deck. The viewing gallery is thoughtfully designed to accommodate 280 visitors at a time with an estimated average visit of approximately 45 minutes.
For the highest view of London for free, surpassing even that of Sky Garden, look no further than The Horizon. Since it’s free to visit, the demand is high so you will need to get tickets in advance.
You can book your visit to Horizon 22 here.
Discover 360 Views Of London At Sky Garden
Sky Garden is probably the best 360 view of London for free. Located on floors 36-38 at the very top of the “Walkie Talkie” building (due to its shape), Sky Garden offers a 360 view of the city as well as a sky view of London through the glass canopy above the garden. The lush garden setting adds a unique touch to the experience, making it an oasis above the bustling city. There is even a small outdoor observation deck for those who want a breath of fresh air along with the stunning view of the city below.
Since admission to Sky Garden is free of charge, the demand is high so you will need a free booking weeks or even months in advance. If you are willing to pay to go to one of the bars or restaurants at the top, you can make a reservation to get access much sooner but these establishments may have a minimum consumption requirement so be prepared to pay.
Regardless of how you decide to come, the Sky Garden is one of the absolute best views of London for free. If you are looking for a garden experience that’s a bit more down to earth, then you might enjoy the view from Greenery At Crossrail Place Roof Garden (listed below).
You can book your visit to Sky Garden here.
Take It All In At The Lookout
The Lookout is one of London’s newest viewing platforms with a sweeping view of London for free. Located on the 50th floor at 8 Bishopsgate, The Lookout is just a short walk from some of the other observation decks and viewing platforms mentioned in this post. There are a limited number of free tickets that are releases at the beginning of each week so you will have to be quick to book your visit.
If you don’t want to have to worry about scheduling your visit when tickets are available and you are filthy rich, you can rent out the entire venue. You can find more information here on their website.
Explore The Garden At 120
The Garden at 120 is a hidden oasis nestled atop the Fen Court building just a few blocks from the Walkie Talkie building. Named after its height in meters, this rooftop garden provides a stunning view of London for free. With iconic landmarks such as The Shard and the Walkie Talkie building standing tall in the distance. The garden’s design seamlessly blends natural elements with contemporary aesthetics, featuring vibrant seasonal flowers, carefully curated greenery, and comfortable seating areas.
The Garden At 120 does not require a booking for groups of people of less than 12 and is only a few blocks away from both Sky Garden and Horizon 22 so this may be a good backup plan if you can’t visit either of the other 2.
Explore The Greenery At Crossrail Place Roof Garden
Crossrail Place Roof Garden offers a captivating rooftop experience in the heart of Canary Wharf, London. The garden spans approximately 3,000 square meters and boasts a diverse collection of plants and trees sourced globally. Visitors are treated to an escape from the city’s hustle and bustle as they meander through winding paths to find some unique seating areas. The panoramic views of the surrounding skyline, coupled with the garden’s architectural brilliance, create a unique sky view of London’s financial district.
Located just above the ground, this pedestrian roof garden doesn’t require a booking.
Aerial View Of London
Free viewing platforms are in high demand and usually require ticket bookings well in advance. However, if you prefer a more spontaneous and on-demand view of London, these paid observation decks and platforms are sure to have smaller crowds and offer the flexibility you seek.
Enjoy The London Eye View
A London icon in its own right, the London Eye is a giant observation wheel situated on the South Bank of the River Thames. The capsules provide stunning views of the city, and a ride on the London Eye offers a unique, slow-moving panoramic view of London’s skyline. Since The London Eye is one of the most popular aerial views of London, it also has one of the worst queues in the entire UK so be prepared to stand in line for quite a while before beginning your 30-minute trip around the eye.
You can book your tickets to the London Eye here.
Walk On The Glass Floors At London Tower Bridge
Standing on London Tower Bridge provides a captivating panorama of the iconic cityscape that is London. For one of the most unique and often overlooked perspectives of the city, venture onto the glass floor of Tower Bridge’s high-level walkways. Admire the traffic passing below and enjoy panoramic views of the River Thames, the Tower of London, and Canary Wharf.
You can purchase ticket for the London Tower Bridge here or you can save some time, money, and hassle with the London Pass.
Enjoy The View From The Shard
Towering above the city, The Shard boasts the title of the tallest building in Western Europe. The View from The Shard, located on the 72nd floor, offers a 360-degree view of London’s skyline. Marvel at landmarks such as Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tower of London.
You can book your tickets to visit the Shard directly or you can visit it with the London City Pass.
Revel In The History Of Saint Paul’s Cathedral Galleries
Saint Paul’s Cathedral is the oldest 360 view of London with not just one but two different viewing galleries. You can gain access to the Cathedral with a ticket that grants you access to both viewing decks but there’s no lift (elevator) to take you to the top so you will have to climb 376 steps to get to the Stone Gallery and 528 steps to get to the Golden Gallery.
The Stone Gallery is the lower viewing deck with much more space and places to sit but because of the high walls the view is a bit obstructed. If you want the absolute best view of London, you need to climb all the way to the Golden Gallery for the most spectacular viewing experience.
You can book your tickets directly with Saint Paul’s Cathedral or you can skip all of that with the London Pass.
Venture Across The Thames In A Cable Car
For a novel perspective, take a ride on the Emirates Air Line cable car. Connecting Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks, this cable car provides sweeping views of the Thames, Canary Wharf, and the O2 Arena.
No need to make a booking. You can just buy tickets on-site or you can just use your Oyster card to pay as you go.
Sky View Of London
If the idea of observing London from a towering height doesn’t pique your interest, perhaps a ground-level sky view of the city is more to your liking. For those who appreciate a more down-to-earth perspective, the enchanting charm of London can be best experienced from these points closer to the ground.
Wine & Dine With Bustronome
Bustronome was one of the first date nights that I had in London. When I first arrived at the pickup location, I was worried that I had gotten scammed because I was standing with my date in the middle of a very normal looking street without any sort of building or kiosk to tell me otherwise. Shortly thereafter, I noticed several other people meeting at the same spot all dressed up so that helped to put me at ease. Only a few moments later, a double-decker bus pulled up and rollout out the red carpet for all of us and welcome us onboard to the best sky view of London and the rest of the city.
Bustronome is a double-decker bus that offers a complete multi-course meal with an optional wine pairing as well as a tour across the entire city to enjoy some of the most spectacular sky views of London from the bustling streets. You can book tickets for Bustronome here.
Take A River Cruise
A Thames River cruise is the best view of London from the River Thames, offering breathtaking views of the city’s iconic landmarks from the perspective of the historic river. Numerous companies provide guided boat tours, allowing you to leisurely cruise along the river while taking in the scenic beauty and architectural wonders. Boat tours and cruises typically pass by famous landmarks such as the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Shard, the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye. Thames River cruises can vary in length, from shorter sightseeing trips to more extended dinner cruises with onboard dining options. These cruises provide a unique and picturesque way to experience London’s skyline and waterfront, making them a favorite among tourists and locals alike.
You can book from a number of different servies here on Get Your Guide or on Viator or take the Uber boat with the London Pass.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for an amazing view of London, any of these destinations are sure to please. If you prefer an aerial view of london, then any one of the observation decks are a great place to get started. For those of you who would prefer a more intimate city view of London from down in the streets or even by boat, there are a number of different methods that you can experience the city. No matter what you are looking for, there is a way to enjoy the best views of London for someone on a tight budget or for travelers with a little more spending money to skip the queues.
