The Best Views in London: What’s Actually Worth Your Time
If you’d asked me about the best views in London, when I first moved to London, I probably wouldn’t have known there were so many options. The very first view I wanted to experience was the London Eye.
Like many first-time visitors, I assumed the famous ferris wheel was the one experience everyone had to do.
That was in 2013 and I’ve since explored the city with my London-born husband (Mr Sunny), and helped thousands of Americans plan their London trip through my consultations, guides, website and social media videos.
One thing I’ve noticed is that the “best” view depends far less on how much you spend and far more on the kind of experience you want.
The highest view isn’t always the best view. The most expensive view isn’t always the most memorable. And sometimes the places to see in London that stay with you longest aren’t observation decks at all.
If you’re trying to decide which London attractions deserve a place in your London itinerary, these are the viewpoints I genuinely recommend after experiencing them myself over many years.
My Favourite of All the Best Views in London: Sky Garden
If I could only recommend one viewpoint in London, it would be Sky Garden.
I’ve visited at least seven times over the years. I’ve been on rainy afternoons, during Christmas, with my mum, with my sister and with Mr Sunny’s best friend when he visited. Every visit has felt slightly different because the weather, light and atmosphere constantly change.
I love Sky Garden because you can wander through the indoor gardens, find different angles for photographs and simply sit looking across London. Mr Sunny is always happy because he can enjoy a beer while taking in the skyline, which to him is a key focus for any day out in London.
One of my favourite hacks is booking lunch or dinner if free tickets aren’t available. The food is genuinely excellent.
One of my consultation clients messaged me after her London trip earlier this year to tell me how much she loved doing exactly this. It ended up being one of the highlights of her visit.
Sky Garden vs Horizon 22: Two Incredible Views in the City of London
One of the questions I’m asked most often during consultations is whether visitors should choose Sky Garden or Horizon 22.
The good news is that both are located in the City of London, so you’re comparing two experiences in roughly the same part of the city rather than opposite ends of London.
They’re often compared because they’re both free. But in reality, they offer completely different experiences.
Horizon 22 is currently London’s highest free public viewing platform.
The first time those doors open, the height genuinely takes your breath away. If standing at the highest public viewpoint in London is important to you, Horizon 22 absolutely delivers.
Where Sky Garden wins for me is everything else.
- There’s atmosphere.
- There are gardens.
- There are places to sit.
- There are restaurants and bars.
- There are more opportunities for photographs and for simply slowing down to enjoy the view.
Horizon 22 is spectacular. And, the building also includes Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants, so there is delicious food within the proximity.
If someone only had time for one, I’d recommend Sky Garden almost every time. The highest view in London isn’t automatically the best view in London.
The Best Views in London Aren’t Always From Above
One of my favourite recommendations for first-time visitors surprises people.
Sometimes the best way to see London isn’t from above at all. It’s from the River Thames.
If you’ve just arrived in London after a long flight, spending an hour walking from attraction to attraction can be exhausting. A river cruise lets you sit down, orient yourself and watch many of London’s most famous landmarks drift past while someone else does the navigating and narrating.
For visitors with limited time, it’s one of the smartest introductions to the city.
If you’re celebrating a special occasion, the afternoon tea cruise is a great experience because you’re combining sightseeing with a traditional British afternoon tea.
Is it the absolute best afternoon tea in London? No.
Is it the most comprehensive sightseeing cruise? Also no. But combining both experiences together offers fantastic value and saves precious time in your London trip itinerary.
My sister felt the afternoon tea cruise was one of her favourite things we did together during her visit to London.
For thrill seekers, the Thames Rocket speedboat couldn’t be more different.
I’ve done it three times now and every single visit has been enormous fun.
My best friend from Florida absolutely loved it when she visited because it feels less like sightseeing and more like an adventure that just happens to include London’s skyline.
If you’re someone who enjoys roller coasters and fast boats, you’ll probably leave exhilarated. If you’re looking for a peaceful afternoon, choose the traditional cruise instead.
Looking for a classic British afternoon tea? Read my guide to the best afternoon teas in London.
Want my full review? Read my Afternoon Tea River Cruise review before you book.
Most Thrilling Views in London
Not every memorable viewpoint is about height. Sometimes it’s about how you experience it.
Tower Bridge
I’ve visited the Tower Bridge Experience twice and I’m always impressed by how well organised and interesting it is.
Walking across the famous glass floor is one of the most unforgettable experiences in London. No, it isn’t the highest viewpoint in the city. But standing above London traffic while buses and black cabs drive underneath your feet creates a completely different kind of excitement.
It’s also one of my favourite selfie spots in London. Lie down carefully on the glass floor and you’ll end up with one of the most unique holiday photos you’ll ever take. If you’re travelling with teenagers, this is one experience I’d move much higher up the list.
Up at The O2
I’ve climbed Up at The O2 twice and it’s another attraction that’s consistently brilliantly organised. Unlike observation decks, the climb itself is the experience. You’ll only spend around twenty minutes at the summit, so I wouldn’t recommend it purely for the view.
I’d recommend it because you enjoy the challenge of getting there. It’s ideal for adventurous travellers, but less suited to anyone who simply wants to admire London’s skyline.
It’s located in Greenwich, which is a great day out in London if you have the time. Here are my favourite things to do in Greenwich while you’re there.
Best Views in London: Hidden Gem
Some of the best views in London aren’t famous at all.
My favourite hidden gem is the rooftop bar at the Royal Ballet and Opera.
The view isn’t the highest. It isn’t the widest. But it might be the most charming. Looking out across Covent Garden with a drink in hand feels wonderfully London.
This is exactly the kind of place I love recommending during consultations because most visitors simply don’t know it exists.
If you’re already spending time exploring Covent Garden, watching a performance or enjoying dinner nearby, it’s well worth stopping for a drink and taking in one of central London’s loveliest hidden viewpoints.
Best Views in London Views: Others Worth Adding to Your List
St Paul’s Cathedral
The climb to the dome isn’t easy, but that’s part of what makes reaching the top feel so rewarding. I haven’t climbed it for several years because it’s one of the more physically demanding viewpoints in London, but the historic perspective over the city remains unforgettable.
If you’re comfortable with lots of stairs, it’s one of London’s classic experiences.
Sunny Top Choices
If I were planning a London trip for different types of travellers, this is what I’d choose.
- Best overall experience: Sky Garden
- Best free view: Sky Garden
- Highest viewpoint: Horizon 22
- Best first-day activity: Thames river cruise
- Best hidden gem: Royal Ballet and Opera Rooftop Bar
- Best for teenagers: Tower Bridge Experience or the London Eye
- Best thrill: Thames Rocket speedboat
- Best historic viewpoint: St Paul’s Cathedral
Final Thoughts
Planning a London trip can quickly become overwhelming.
One article tells you to book the London Eye. Another says The View from the Shard is essential. Someone on social media insists Sky Garden is impossible to get into, while another recommends completely different places to see in London.
After a while, you end up with dozens of browser tabs open and no clearer idea of what actually suits your trip.
That’s exactly why I created my London Travel Planner.
It doesn’t just tell you what to book. It shows you when to book it, how much time to allow and gives you the exact booking links I’ve personally recommended to hundreds of visitors.
If you’d rather have personalised advice, my 1:1 London trip consultations are designed to help you build an itinerary around your interests, whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, travelling as a family or simply want to experience the very best places to go in London.
The best views in London aren’t necessarily the highest or the most expensive. They’re the ones that become the moments you still talk about long after you’ve flown home.
I really like the view from St Paul’s Cathedral and the Monument to the Great Fire. Both of those are great vantage points to get interesting shots of Tower Bridge and the Thames. The Monument is the cheaper option, though.
Hi Sarah! Thank you for the suggestions. I think you wrote blogs about those in the past? For some reason I remember the pictures. I would really like to visit both those places and am so happy you auggested them for readers. Cheers!
Love this! I do love a good London view. The view from Parliament Hill at Hampsted Heath is a good one too but similar to Primrose Hill
Thank you, Sarah! My husband was there New Year’s Eve, but i was in Florida. I’ll be sure to make sure he takes me there soon 🙂
I’ve hardly done any of these!! Must get my act together! I have to admit I had a proper chuckle at the title. I didn’t quite know what to expect when I clicked through!
Katie <3
Great post Melanie – I’d definitely recommend the Sky Garden as one of the best views, you can see all the way to Wembley! Must go up the Orbit
Suze | LuxuryColumnist
Suze, I have to admit I don’t know anything about the Sky Garden, so I truly appreciate your recomendation. So many views, so little time 😉