Find the Best Views of London

London is a sprawling city with a stunning skyline, so you’ll want to take in the best views and get some great photos to share online and to remember your trip by. For that, you’ll need a good vantage point. Luckily, London is also full of tall buildings and other great viewpoints that allow you to really take in the views of the city at once.

Let’s hope you’re not scared of heights! And let’s take a look at some of the best places to enjoy the views across London.

London Eye

While it may be extremely touristy, it’s one of the most popular London attractions for a reason with great views of London. The view from the top of the London Eye is one you shouldn’t miss out on, at least once in your life. Nearby landmarks and attractions you’ll get a great view of include Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Bridge, and the River Thames. But, on a clear day, the views spread far and wide across the city, and you’ll get slightly different views as you go around the eye.

Standard tickets for the London Eye start from £24.50.

The View from The Shard

It makes sense that some of the best views of the city will come from the tallest building in the country. Enjoy incredible panoramic views of London from the 72nd floor of this more than 1,000-foot-tall skyscraper. It’s said that you can see for 40 miles on a clear day. The 72nd floor features an open-air viewing deck, but you can stick with indoor viewing on the 69th floor if you’re more comfortable with that.

Standard tickets for the View from the Shard start from £25.

Primrose Hill

If skyscrapers aren’t for you or if you want to avoid the cost of entry to these attractions, then head to Primrose Hill next to Regent’s Park instead. You’ll see the impressive London skyline peeking out above the trees and greenery of the park, making for a great photo opportunity or simply a nice place to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.

Some other parks that offer great views of the city include Greenwich Park, Richmond Park, Alexandra Palace Park, and Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath.

Sky Garden

Not all of London’s skyscraper views come at a cost. The Sky Garden is located at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street, affectionately known as the Walkie Talkie building, and it’s completely free to visit if you’re just going for the view. Capture incredible photos of the city from the open-air terrace or the indoor observation deck, surrounded by a tropical garden. There are also bars and restaurants located up there if you want to enjoy the view for longer.

St Paul’s Cathedral

Head to the other side of the river to visit St Paul’s Cathedral. While most photos of this landmark are of the striking architecture on the outside, there’s also a great viewpoint of the city if you pay to go inside and climb to the top of the dome. You can tour the cathedral to see the beautiful art and architecture inside, and then climb the steps up the dome for views of the city.

Tickets to tour the cathedral cost £17 for adults.

One New Change

If it is the outside of St Paul’s you’re more interested in, or if you want a similar vantage point without paying to tour the cathedral, then head over the road to One New Change. This shopping centre has a free rooftop terrace that offers close-up views of St Paul’s Cathedral as well as stunning views across the city. There’s also a rooftop bar and restaurant if you want to take in the views over a meal or some drinks.

The Emirates Air Line

Fly over London in a different way with the Emirates Air Line cable car, which runs from the Royal Docks to North Greenwich and back again. Take in the far-stretching views over the River Thames and the London Docklands. And the best thing about this vantage point is that it’s classed as a public transport route rather than a tourist attraction, so it could cost you the same as a tube ride on your Oyster Card.

ArcelorMittal Orbit

If the last thing you want after climbing up for a view of the city is to climb all the way back down again, then why not slide down instead? You can do at the ArcelorMittal Orbit in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This modern sculpture was built for the London 2012 Olympics and has divided opinions ever since. But you can’t deny how amazing the view from the top of the sculpture is.

Tickets for the view start from £11.50 for adults, or 16.50 if you want to try out the slide as well.

The Oxo Tower

You can enjoy more free London views from the top of the Oxo Tower, located on the south bank of the River Thames. This building’s free terrace is only on the 8th floor of the building, but it still gives you a great vantage point for views of St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, and other nearby attractions. There’s also a restaurant and bar at the top if you want to stop and relax, but it’s not the cheapest dining option (just like all the other London rooftop bars and restaurants).

The National Portrait Gallery

If you plan on exploring art and galleries while you’re in London, then don’t miss out on the view from the top of the National Portrait Gallery. The Portrait restaurant is another great place to enjoy a meal or a drink with fantastic views of the London skyline. Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and the London Eye are just a few of the sights that dominate the skyline from this exciting vantage point.

At Airport Transfers UK, we can get you to all the best viewpoints across London with a convenient and reliable Greater London taxi service. And don’t worry if you’re travelling on a budget, we help you save more on your taxi fares when you book online with us in advance. Get a free quote for your London taxi to save up to 30%.