The best views in London in 2026 are free at Horizon 22 and the Sky Garden in the City (book ahead), paid at The View from The Shard and the London Eye, and from the dome of St Paul's Cathedral. For open-air skylines, Primrose Hill and Parliament Hill are free and loved by locals.
London's best views split into free and paid. The free City platforms, Horizon 22 and the Sky Garden, need booking ahead online; tickets are released in advance and go quickly. Paid views, such as The Shard and the London Eye, are cheaper booked online. The hills of north London and Greenwich give open-air views that cost nothing. For drinks with a view, see our best rooftop bars.
A free, very high viewing platform at 22 Bishopsgate.
Horizon 22 is a free viewing gallery near the top of 22 Bishopsgate, one of the City's tallest towers, with floor-to-ceiling glass looking across the whole of London.
Book free tickets online. It is quieter than the Sky Garden because it has no bar or restaurant.
Good to know: Book a slot at golden hour; check the website for release dates.
22 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4BQ
A free indoor garden at the top of the Walkie-Talkie.
Sky Garden fills the top floors of 20 Fenchurch Street, nicknamed the Walkie-Talkie, with a landscaped garden, an open-air terrace and bars and restaurants, looking out over the Thames and the Tower of London.
Book free tickets in advance, or reserve at one of its restaurants or bars for guaranteed entry.
Good to know: Step onto the open-air terrace for photos without glass reflections.
20 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 8AF
London's highest view, from viewing floors near the top of The Shard.
The View from The Shard occupies floors around the 70th storey of western Europe's tallest building, with views up to about 40 miles on a clear day.
Check the weather before booking. Go at sunset to see the city in daylight and lights.
Good to know: Book online for cheaper tickets than at the door.
Joiner St, London SE1 9QU
A slow loop over the Thames with Westminster right below.
The London Eye is a giant observation wheel on the South Bank. A rotation takes about 30 minutes and gives close views of the Houses of Parliament and the river.
Book online and choose a timed slot to cut the queue. It suits families and first-timers.
Good to know: Go in the late afternoon, then walk across Westminster Bridge.
Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB
A climb of over 500 steps to the top of St Paul's dome.
Inside St Paul's Cathedral, you can climb to the Whispering Gallery, then the Stone and Golden Galleries outside the dome, for a view over the City and the river. The full climb is over 500 steps.
The climb is included in the cathedral ticket. It is steep and narrow at the top.
Good to know: Try the Whispering Gallery on the way up: whisper against the wall and someone across the dome can hear you.
St Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD
A free rooftop terrace looking straight at St Paul's dome.
One New Change, a shopping centre next to St Paul's, has a free roof terrace on the top floor with a close-up view of the cathedral's dome.
Take the glass lift up and combine it with a visit to St Paul's.
Good to know: Go just before sunset for warm light on the dome.
1 New Change, London EC4M 9AF
A free view over the Thames and St Paul's from the Tate's top floor.
Tate Modern's Blavatnik Building has a free viewing level on its tenth floor, looking over the Thames to St Paul's and the City.
Visit the free collection galleries, then take the lift up. Parts of the terrace may be closed.
Good to know: Cross the Millennium Bridge to St Paul's afterwards.
Bankside, London SE1 9TG
A grassy hill with a classic skyline view, loved at sunset.
Primrose Hill rises just north of Regent's Park, and its summit gives a classic open-air view of the London skyline, from the BT Tower to the Shard.
Bring a picnic at sunset. Walk down to the cafés of Regent's Park Road afterwards.
Good to know: Pair it with a walk through Regent's Park and London Zoo.
Primrose Hill, Prince Albert Rd, London NW1 4NR
A hilltop on Hampstead Heath with a protected view of the City.
Parliament Hill, on the southern edge of Hampstead Heath, has a protected view across London to the City and St Paul's. Its benches fill at sunset.
Combine it with a walk on the Heath or a swim at the ponds.
Good to know: Arrive from Gospel Oak station; it is a short walk to the top.
Parliament Hill, Hampstead Heath, London NW5 1QR
The view from the General Wolfe statue over Greenwich to Canary Wharf.
The terrace by the General Wolfe statue, beside the Royal Observatory, looks down over the Queen's House and the Old Royal Naval College to the Thames and Canary Wharf.
It is free and open all day. Visit at dusk for the towers lit up.
Good to know: Climb up from the Cutty Sark through the park.
Greenwich Park, London SE10 8QY
Horizon 22 at 22 Bishopsgate and the Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street are both free but need booking. Primrose Hill, Parliament Hill and Greenwich Park are free and open-air with no booking.
Free tickets are released online in advance and go quickly, especially for sunset slots. If you miss them, you can book a table at one of its restaurants or bars instead.
It is the highest view in London, from viewing floors around the 70th storey, and on a clear day it is spectacular. Check the weather before you go, and book online for lower prices.
Primrose Hill and Parliament Hill face the City skyline. The Sky Garden and Horizon 22 sunset slots are the most sought after.
The Shard is much higher and gives a 360-degree view; the London Eye is lower but has the river and Westminster right below you. The Eye suits families; The Shard suits a clear evening.