London is an amazing city with so many different and interesting views to take in. Whether you are looking for a panoramic view of the city or a skyline view, London has it all. The best London views can be seen from some of the most iconic landmarks and attractions that dot the city’s skyline. From the O2 to Big Ben and the London Eye, these are some of the most picturesque and Instagram-worthy places in London.  If you want to see the city from a new perspective, go for a walk or ride a bike to some of the more unfamiliar parts of London.

A perfect view of London

Most visitors to London stick to the well-known spots but there are a few secret spots in London that are worth exploring for some breathtaking London views.

1. Parliament Hill Hamstead Heath

Located in north London, you will find Parliament Hill overlooking the city. This green space is a favourite spot for locals and visitors and offers stunning views of London City that sprawl below. On a clear day, you can see for miles as far as Buckingham Palace, main attractions like the Shard, and beyond.

There is a bandstand, playgrounds and plenty of open space for picnics. It is a popular spot for joggers and kite flying. You will also find some of the best outdoor swimming spots in London. There are three natural bathing ponds and a Lido on Hampstead Heath so it is the ideal place to cool down on a hot day.

2. Primrose Hill

My favourite spot for a view of London is Primrose Hill. On a clear day, you can see Canary Wharf, the London Eye and iconic London landmarks along the River Thames. It is one of the viewpoints in London that is loved by locals and tourists alike. It is great for a picnic or just relaxing with friends.

Primrose Hill is easy to get to and is about a 10-minute walk from Camden High Street. There is also a market every Saturday that is worth exploring.

3. Greenwich Park and Observatory

A favourite place for Londoners is Greenwich which offers lovely panoramic views of the River Thames, Canary Wharf and central London. The park is also home to a Royal Observatory, founded in 1675 by King Charles II.

Greenwich is located in the southeast of London. Getting there is easy and a great way to see some of London’s landmarks with some of the best views of London that you won’t find anywhere else!

You can combine your trip with a visit to the Greenwich Observatory and stand on the meridian line representing the Prime Meridian of the world, Longitude Zero (0° 0′ 0″). You may also like to visit the beautiful Cutty Sark, a ship built in 1869 that has survived fires, explosions, an attempt to sink it and even WWII bombings.

Plan a visit at sunset for a truly magical experience as the sky lights up with hues of orange and pink.

🤩 Recommended:  Royal Observatory Greenwich Entrance Ticket OR Entrance Ticket to the Cutty Sark. Have you thought about a river cruise from Westminster Pier to Greenwich? It’s another great way to see some of the best London views.

4. The best London view from the Sky Garden

Another place to take in the amazing views of the London skyline is the Sky Garden. It is on the top floors of the Walkie-Talkie building ( a nickname because of its shape). This also happens to be London’s highest garden. The Sky Garden offers the best free views in London. You can see the iconic landmarks such as the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral from a different perspective.

The garden is open to the public free of charge but don’t think of arriving without a booking as they will not let you into the building. New blocks of tickets are released every Monday morning. Be sure to book well in advance as it is really difficult to get tickets.

Try and visit during daylight hours, as the views at night are not nearly as impressive.

Pro Tip: If you can’t get any of the free tickets you can guarantee your admission by booking for either the Fenchurch Restaurant or City Garden Bar.

5. View of St Paul’s Cathedral from One New Change Shopping Centre

This is one of my favourite secret views of London. I know you can buy a ticket to visit St. Paul’s but it is fairly expensive, especially if you are a family. When we last went we paid around £18 per person booking online in advance. Quite honestly I have never understood what all the fuss is about. The interior has never blown me away, but I know it is on many London bucket lists, so please don’t let me put you off visiting. My cheap free alternative is to make your way to the One New Change shopping centre.

Head to the top floor for stunning rooftop views of London. There is a restaurant and bar on the roof if you want to soak up the atmosphere.

If you are looking for a fabulous shot you can snap one like the one below as you walk out of the shopping centre towards St. Pauls.

7 St. Paul’s Cathedral

If you are going to visit the cathedral the best panoramic view of London is from the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral. It’s one of the oldest churches in London and offers stunning 360-degree views of the cityscape.

The present St. Paul’s Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, was begun in 1675 and dedicated in 1710. It is the fourth cathedral on the site. The dome of St. Paul’s is one of the world’s largest.

The best spot for the perfect view of London is the Golden Gallery. There are 528 stairs up to the Golden Gallery and no lift so be prepared for a climb. The stairs are shallow at first but then become a steep, narrow, spiral staircase. This is the smallest gallery and encircles the highest point of the outer dome. You will see many famous London landmarks including the River Thames, Tate Modern, and the Globe Theatre.

Pro tip: The Cathedral closes by 4.30 PM, so there are no nighttime views. But in winter, when the days are very short, if you get your timing right, you can watch the sunset.

🤩 Book Tickets: Entrance tickets to St. Paul’s Cathedral

8. Tate Modern – Best London views from the restaurant

The Tate Modern is an art gallery with some of the best views in London from its riverfront location. The gallery, housed in a former power station, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. You can enjoy panoramic views of London and some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament. Admission is free, but they limit the number of people allowed into the gallery. There are some special exhibitions that you will need to pay an extra fee for if you want to see them.

Make your way to the Terrace Bar on the top floor of the Tate’s new Blavatnik Building. This is one of the best viewpoints in London and it is free. I never get tired of this view.

9. The bar at Citizen M Tower of London

I love this hotel and stay here whenever I can. It has a wonderful location, at the Tower Hill tube station making it easy to get to. The rooms are fabulous and the Cloud M bar on the 7th floor has some of the best views in London.

⭐️ RATING: 4 Stars | 📍 LOCATION: City of London | ✅ Check Prices / Availability / Book it!

10. King Henry’s Mound, Richmond

For those looking to escape the crowds, Richmond Park is a great choice; with its rolling hills and forested areas, it feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. The mound is supposedly famous as the spot where King Henry went to watch for the signal from the Tower of London that Anne Boleyn had lost her head. However, there is no real evidence of this.

It has amazing views of London and St. Paul’s is in the direct line of sight. There is even a telescope trained on the dome. The view is so famous that has become officially protected so that no buildings can be built to obstruct the line of sight.

King Henry’s Mound is near the edge of Richmond Park which makes it a great spot to start exploring the park or to relax at the Pembroke Lodge Café nearby.

Pro tip: Enter Richmond Park from Richmond Gate in the northwest and walk a short distance down Queens Road.

11. The Dare Skywalk – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

If you are a bit of an adrenaline junkie then this is the perfect activity for you. The 90-minute Dare Skywalk experience takes things to a whole new level. You can walk along a glass walkway 46.8 metres above the pitch and look down on the pitch below and enjoy the amazing views of the London skyline. It’s a unique experience and one that fans won’t want to miss.

🤩 Recommended: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: The Dare Skywalk Experience entry ticket here

12. Monument to the great fire of London

The Monument to the Great Fire of London is a 202-foot tall Doric column built between 1671 and 1677 on the site of the fire’s original location. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, you can climb the 311 steps all the way to the top to see many of the main London landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge. The space is rather small at the top so if you don’t have a head for heights maybe you should avoid this one.

13. Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in London. I can’t tell you how many times I have walked across the bridge without knowing that there is a high-level walkway with a glass floor hidden away in it. On a clear day, you can see as far as Wembly and of course, you get a birds-eye view of the comings and going on the bridge below and the boats on the river.

It is an inexpensive unique London experience . If you are looking for a different angle to enjoy the best view in London you won’t find much better than this.

🤩 Recommended: Tower Bridge Entry Ticket

Restaurants and Rooftop Bars with a view of London

14. Duck and Waffle

For a meal any time of the day or night head to the Duck and Waffle. When I say any time I meant it! The restaurant is open 24 hours a day. Located in Bishopsgate on the 40th floor of the Heron Building you can admire the views through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Their signature dish is confit duck leg, with a fried duck egg with mustard maple syrup served on a waffle. It’s on my list of places to go for one of the best brunches in London. Their menu is extensive and covers everything from small plates to steak and cocktails. Why not take in the sunset while you soak up some of the best views of London.

15. Bōkan restaurant

Bōkan restaurant, nestled atop the Novotel Canary Wharf offers a contemporary dining experience. With its modern decor and panoramic views of London’s skyline, Bōkan provides a stunning backdrop for indulging in contemporary European cuisine with a creative twist.

16. The Oxo Tower

The Oxo Tower on the south bank of the River Thames is a popular tourist destination for visitors to London. The tower offers panoramic views of the London city and its iconic landmarks. It is also home to a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops. The tower has been featured in films and television shows.

Pro tip: There is a viewing platform that hardly anyone knows about, and here’s the bonus, it is free! Catch the lift to the 8th floor – the same floor as the restaurant and bar, and ask them to show you the entrance to the public viewing platform. There are amazing views of St. Pauls and the river. The bar is also a great

17. Westminister Bridge

Westminster Bridge is a bridge over the River Thames and links Westminster on the north bank to Lambeth on the South Bank. The bridge is painted green and white in case you are not sure which one of the bridges it is.

The area around Westminster Bridge offers some of the best views of London. From the bridge itself, you can see Big Ben, Parliament Square, and Westminster Abbey. To the south, you can see Lambeth Palace and the London Eye. It is the perfect place to snap beautiful pics of the main London attractions.

Westminster Bridge has a busy road with pavements on each side for pedestrians. Apart from the views from the bridge, you can walk along the river as well for a different perspective. The easiest way to get to the walkway along the river is on the side of the London Eye.

Pro tip: This is a great place to visit at different times of the day as the light changes. It is also a great spot for a London night view.

18. Emirates Air Line Cable Car 

The Emirates Air Line cable car is a great way to see London. The panoramic view of London from the car is amazing and it’s a fun way to get around. The ride is smooth and takes about 10 minutes, which links the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks so it’s an easy way to see the city landmarks without having to walk or take the tube.

🤩 Recommended:  Thames Clippers and Cable Car Ticket

19. Alexandra Palace

The Alexandra Palace, or Ally Pally as the locals refer to it, is located in the borough of Haringey in North London (between Wood Green and Muswell Hill) and is a historic entertainment venue that offers panoramic views of the city. The palace was first opened in 1873 as an exhibition hall but was destroyed by a fire. It was rebuilt and later it became a popular music venue, hosting performances by artists like The Beatles, David Bowie and Queen. Today, the Alexandra Palace is open to the public and visitors can enjoy its gardens and terraces, which offer stunning views of London.

During the summer months, there’s often a drive-in cinema in one of the palace’s car parks.

20. Scale new heights and climb the O2 Arena

The iconic O2 arena is a unique London landmark that is a dominant feature of the London landscape. For a once in a lifetime experience consider climbing on the roof of the O2 Arena. Discover a new side of the city with a 90-minute climbing experience.

The O2 is a huge building that can accommodate 20 000 people and is shaped a bit like an igloo. It is a popular venue for concerts. The roof has a suspended walkway that is around 52 meters( 170ft) high. Professionals fit you with a climbing harness and a guide will help you with the climb. When you reach the top you can see Canary Wharf, Greenwich, Tower Bridge, The Shard and if it is a clear day, Big Ben.

It is advisable to book in advance as you need to be accompanied by a guide. Children older than 8 years can also take part and enjoy the climb. You can even choose a time so that you can watch the sunset or add the champagne experience when you book your ticket.

🤩 Recommended: Climb The Roof of The O2 Arena experience

21. Millenium Bridge

If you want to see a breathtaking view of London, then you should head to the Millennium Bridge. The bridge connects the City of London with the South Bank and crosses the River Thames. The Tate Modern on the South Bank and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on the other side are the landmarks to look for to start your stroll across the bridge. You will get to see stunning views of both the north and south banks of the river. On a clear day, you can see iconic landmarks like St Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben from the bridge. It is another great place to head to see the lights for a night view of London.

22. The Shard

The Shard is the iconic skyscraper that dominated the London skyline. At 310 metres (1,016 ft), it is the tallest building in the European Union and the UK. The Shard’s exterior features 11,000 glass panels.

The Shard was commissioned by the Sellar Property Group, which hired Piano to design the building after he won an international design competition in 2002. Financial problems delayed the project, but construction began in 2009 and was completed in 2012.

The Shard has 72 floors, with a viewing gallery and an open-air observation deck on the 72nd floor. The viewing gallery is open to the public and tickets can be booked online. It has one of the best views of Tower Bridge.

Each of the observation platforms offers an amazing 360º view over the city of London and beyond. On a clear day, you can see up to 64 kilometres (40 miles). It is also really beautiful at night.

There are a number of restaurants and bars and even a hotel in the Shard which is highly recommended for a stay if you are celebrating a special occasion. If you plan on going to either the restaurant, cocktail bar Gong (on the 52nd floor) or Bar 31 for a drink you should make a reservation. They serve local craft beer and a good selection of wine and spirits. The snacks are made using the best ingredients from Borough Market. 

🤩 Recommended: The Shard Entry Ticket – this ticket is flexible and you can change it

23. The London Eye

The London Eye is a Ferris wheel located on the South Bank of the River Thames and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. The Eye has been described as “the world’s tallest observation wheel”, as it is 443 feet (135 meters) high. From its tallest point, you can see up to 25 miles ( 40km) of panoramic views of London including Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. The rotation lasts 30 minutes.

Here’s how to make the most of your visit to the London Eye

🤩 Recommended: The London Eye: Standard or Fast-Track Entry Ticket

If you are planning on visiting a few London attractions you can save money by buying a London Go City Pass. You can choose from over 90 attractions and the number of days varies from one day to 7 plus days.

24. Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off, River Cruise and London Eye

Another great way to make the most of the London Views is to explore the city at your own pace with a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Enjoy 360-degree views from the London Eye, then take a cruise on the River Thames.

The all in one package offers savings over booking each activity individually. Lets look at the savings.

• Hop-on-hop-off bus trip – £ 34
• London Eye – £ 32
• Sightseeing River trip – £ 18

🤩 Recommended: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off, River Cruise and London Eye – £ 63

London is full of stunning views. Whether you’re up high on the London Eye, enjoying a meal at a rooftop restaurant, or taking a walk at Primrose Hill, each spot has beautiful views of London. Whether you’re new to London or know it well, make sure to explore these amazing views and soak in the city’s beauty.

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