5 quick ways to see the best views of London
Something I got to appreciate a lot during my last trip to London was the incredible views of the city skyline, the quirky architecture and vibrant street art. If you have the luxury of a few days in the capital it’s a feast for your eyes. However, if you’re short on time is it still possible to see the best views of London?
The good news, is you can! Read on for five ways you can sample some of the city’s amazing vistas in under two hours.
*This post includes affiliate links*
Love city breaks? Take a look at our tried and tested UK city breaks with kids.
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Open top bus tour
A hop-on-hop off bus tour allows you to see as little or as much as you want of London’s famous landmarks – perfect if you’re time limited or are travelling with kids who won’t sit still for long.
Big Bus Tours are the largest open-top sightseeing tour operator in the world and run three routes in London.
Its Green route from Convent Garden to the British Museum takes one hour and 15 minutes or you can join the Red or Blue routes for as long as you wish.
I took a two hour journey on the Blue Tour last time I was in London, boarding in Trafalgar Square, travelling through Westminster, Belgravia, and Kensington.
Along the way we passed Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben (under renovation at the time), Harrods, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Kensington Palace and Hyde Park.
Buses run every 20-30 minutes during the day. Buy your tickets online to save 10 percent.
Cruising down the River Thames
I’m not going to lie, this has to be my favourite way to view the sights of London.
City Cruises run services along the Thames every 40 minutes between four piers located next to some of London’s most iconic sights. I’ve been on this river cruise three times now and the best trips have been at dusk.
The city comes alive with lights and if you’re lucky to cruise on a cloudless day you’ll be treated to an amazing sunset with Westminster, the London Eye or Tower Bridge as your backdrop.
You can buy tickets for single or return trips as well as hop on and hop off tickets to allow you to see the sights up close. Access special offers by booking online.
Exploring on foot
If you’re serious about experiencing London’s best views then you have to do it on foot.
You won’t cover as much ground but you will, even during a two hour wander, be able to see some of the capital’s more quirky and detailed features.
I can recommend the South Bank as a good place to spend a couple of hours discovering what’s hidden in plain view. This was where I went on a guided Instagram Walk with other bloggers. I was amazed that I hadn’t done this before.
Riding the London Eye
It doesn’t matter which way you look at it, the London Eye is phenomenal.
But aside from being a beautiful sight in itself the Eye is a fabulous way to achieve panoramic views of the cityscape.
As your 10 ton pod slowly glides up and round the wheel you become more engrossed in your view. I’ve been on the Eye four times now always wish they’d stop at the top to give you the time the vista warrants for a good look.
A ride on the London Eye takes 30 minutes. However, the queues can be lengthy. Book your tickets* and ride time in advance to avoid waiting.
Scaling The Shard
This is an experience still on my bucket list and thanks to Janice from Scots2Travel I have some top tips for visiting The Shard next time I’m in London.
The Shard offers London’s highest viewing platform from which you can see for 40 miles on a clear day. The good news is that if the weather is bad, you can return for free another time, if you have that luxury.
Tickets for The View at The Shard must be booked for specific times. It takes minutes to reach the viewing platforms on floors 68, 69 and 72, and you’ll want to allow at least an hour to appreciate the scenery.
Why restrict your views?
If you can dedicate a bit more time to seeing London’s best views and chose to see the sights with Big Bus Tours you can get an open top bus tour, a river cruise and guided walk all in the price of your ticket.
There’s also the option to add the London Eye to your tour.
Got longer for London?
If you can spare longer than a few hours in the capital then the world is your oyster! You might want to read more about:
- easy and cheap things to do in London with kids over a weekend
- Afternoon tea at the Waldorf
- a week in London or this comprehensive London with kids itinerary
- reasons to check out the amazing South Bank
- things to do in Windsor with kids
- must do day trips day trips from London
Looking for more short urban trips with the family? Read about more tried and tested UK city breaks with kids.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of these and make a purchase I may earn some commission. This does not affect the price you pay.
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One of my favorite things to do in a city is to check out all the views. I’m a big fan of hop on/hop off buses. I find them so relaxing! #citytripping
Lots of great tips here – London will never run out of great views for me. I was very envious of the instagram tour you got to do with Britmums, it looked great! #citytripping
It was a great experience. I rarely get the chance to wander with my camera without any other purpose 🙂
I love London and these are some get ways to get a different perspective on its landmarks and streets. Thoroughly recommend the Shard. We ate at Hutong and enjoyed spectacular views. #citytripping
Ohhh, thanks for the recommendation!
I love the view from The Sky Garden and also St Paul’s. I never bore of the London skyline #citytripping
I know exactly what you mean. It’s epic!
You really do appreciate more of London’s architecture by getting up high – although the river cruises are one of my favourites as well, but I’ve spotted so many little details from the open topped bus that you simply miss by wandering around a street level. What a fab way to approach exploring the capital. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…City Tripping #100 – and giveaway
Seeing a place from lots of different angles is always fun!
I love this, Claire! London from all angles. We did a trip with City Cruises, too. There’s something really nice about seeing the city from the water. #citytripping
Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me) recently posted…A festive trip to Leeds Castle Christmas market
Yep, that is my favourite way to see London 🙂
London’s best explored on foot:) #citytripping
Tanja (the Red phone box travels) recently posted…Guest post:Top 11 Ways to Kill Time at the Airport
It is a great way to see all those little details that you’d otherwise miss!
Thanks for the tips.. never even knew you could go up the Shard. I rarely go to London but am there for a cruise event in Feb so that sounds like something I could do to mark the occasion 🙂
Sanna Vegancruiser recently posted…Discover Oceania Cruises and their vegan menu
Yes! Have a class of something chilled in the restaurant!!
Great post, the BritMums experiences were brilliant. I love the views across London from just outside the Royal Observatory at Greenwich. #MondayEscapes
I love visiting London I could spend hours just wandering, the views from up the shard are just incredible x
Great post! I loved the London Eye and the views (at sunset!). We hope to go back to London next year. We missed the Shard but I hope to go there!
Sharon recently posted…Visiting the Berlin Holocaust Memorial
It’s so true! I’ve never thought about this before but yes you only need a few hours in London to take a good look around with a view point from the Thames, road or above! The Shard is a fab experience and one I thoroughly recommend
All this talk about it has made me really want to go! I’ll have to try to get up there next time I’m in London
My parents are going on their honeymoon to London and Paris in December. I’m going to send them your post! I think they’ll need to layer up with gloves and scarves, but it would still be great for them to be able to take these tours. Maybe there’s a special winter boat tour with hot chocolate or mulled wine! #MondayEscapes
I wouldn’t be surprised! Yes, they’ll definitely need to wrap up warm. It’s already cold here!
Oh pleased to say I’ve done all of these except for the Shard, opened just after I left the UK!
Some great tips for all here though lovely way to get around and see London #MondayEscapes
Maybe we can go together? 🙂
We always like to get a good view of a city early on in our trip to help get the lay of the land. We loved riding the London Eye and climbing up St. Pauls Cathedral in London! #MondayEscapes
St Paul’s Cathedral is another one I’d love to do!
Cruising down the River Thames and riding the London Eye both sound essential to me! I can’t wait to do both someday! Great post. #MondayEscapes
Thanks! IT’s such a greta way to see the city!
Ah we did the shard and then a cruise at the weekend and it was amazing!
Kerry recently posted…2 IN 1 DAY… | WEEKEND VLOG | KERRY CONWAY
Ohhh, I’m jealous. I’d love to do it all again!
Such a useful post for anyone who won’t have much time in London. pinned for the future! #MondayEscapes
Glad you found it handy!
id love to do the eye. I can’t believe I never did when I lived in London
Leona recently posted…Perfect Christmas city break in Stockholm
London has so many great views to offer. You covered some great ones! I remember taking a cruise on the Thames on a very cold day, on my way to Greenwich. It was beautiful but I was half frozen by end of trip #MondayEscapes
Birgit | Groove Is In The Heart recently posted…Blown away by Belgrade’s street art
Yes, I think if you want the very best views you have to be on the upper deck. You can huddle in the warmth inside though on City Cruises 🙂
Last time I took the children we took the yellow water bus which was fun but I would really like to take the cruise down the river. I love the South Bank as well. Shard is on the bucket list still – so much to do #Monday Escapes
I know! I get a bit overwhelmed every time I think of how much I still want to do in London – and that’s just one city!!
I’ve never done a bus tour, and I really want to. It’s next on my list for my girls day out with my daughter – if I can drag her out of the shops!
Helen recently posted…Why a Roomba is Better than a Dog
Ha! Yes, I can see that being my problem in a few years 🙂
Our favourite way of seeing London so far was a guided tour down the Thames on a speedboat. I would do it over and over if I could! Loved it #MondayEscapes
I’d heard of the London Eye before, but I never knew about the Shard! I’m gonna have to add that one to my bucket list, too. Thanks. And the river cruise looks so pretty. <3
Jillian Michelle recently posted…Atlanta Has a Tardis Bar Where Doctor Who Fans Can Battle and Brew
It is a great way to see the city and so relaxing watching the water and cityscape glide by 🙂
The cruise on the Thames looks amazing! I’ll definitely have to do that next time I’m in London 😀 #MondayEscapes
Melissa C. recently posted…19 essentials for your remote island tropical vacation packing list
I can highly recommend it. See if you can get on one before sunset!
These are all cool! Good views are a big part of my travels. I rode the London Eye close to sunset and the views were incredible. I will do that again (maybe during another time of the day). The Shard was not up and running when I visited London. I will love to see the city from there too! #MondayEscapes
Ruth recently posted…Drive Around Lake Tahoe: Nevada Side
What a great excuse to return!
So much to see and do in London. We haven’t been for about 7 years now. Can’t wait to go back.
Holly recently posted…Anaheim City Guide
Hope you get to visit again soon!
Great tips! I love river cruises (especially at dusk) but I haven’t done any of these so will have to add them to my “must-do” list for London.
Fab! Glad to pass on some inspiration 🙂
Great tips here for getting the best views of London. Still haven’t been up the Shard so this is on my list. Tried to get tickets in the summer but failed #MondayEscapes
Nicky @GoLiveYoung recently posted…One Week Itinerary in Bhutan with Children
Ah no, it’s so popular. Better luck next time!
Now I definitely want to take a Thames river cruise at dusk! One free alternative to the Shard that we found on our recent trip is to head to Tate Modern. Their top floor deck has excellent 360 views for free!
Jacki recently posted…Hiking to Emerald Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park
Top tip! Thanks for sharing that Jacki!
I recently did a Big Bus tour in Paris, its the best way to see a city quickly. I must do one in London seeing as I live there but I agree that the river cruises are amazing! I’ve yet to see the Shard so that’s def on the list of London things to do. Thanks for having me as a first timer in #MondayEscapes 🙂
Welcome and thanks for joining us! I’ll definitely be looking out for Big Bus Tours during our next city break!
I do love a wander along London’s South bank! The only one I have yet to do is the London Eye. Oh, and need to do the City Cruise again in the daylight without quite so much fizz! Thanks for hosting #mondayescapes
LOL! The fizz does make the skyline a bit fuzzier 🙂
Lots of brilliant tips there! Like you, I think the best views are from the Thames itself, it’s such a beautiful city! 🙂
Emma Raphael recently posted…Sunday Photo – Autumn Sun Munich
Totally agree!
I cruised the river many years ago, and of course I’ve walked around. Chilled out on the lawn next to the Eye one summer, and saw the line… The Shard looks cool! It’s been a long time since I’ve done touristic stuff in London 🙂
It’s strange, I often try river cruises and buses when I am visiting other cities but have never done it in London! I really should give it a go.
Love the tips about The Shard too from Scots2Travel.
#mondayescapes
Trish @ Mum’s Gone To recently posted…Inntravel Lakes & Mountains walking holiday in Austria: Hallstatt
Ah, isn’t it funny how we explore differently at home! 🙂
These are great ways to see London. I’m pinning this for later to use when we finally start planning our trip to London that I’ve been wanting to take for years. #MondayEscapes
Allison recently posted…Les Misérables at the Cadillac Palace Theatre
Thanks, hope it’s handy!
Agreed! Also love the view from Parliament Hill!
There are so many good views in London it is hard to know where to start! The views from the river are definitely great. And I always like the view from the top of Parliament Hill. #MondayEscapes
Good tip! I’ll have to try that one sometime.
It’s been too long since I explored London properly. My boys haven’t even been there! So many great (and easy!) options here. I think the open top bus would be a winner with my boys 🙂 #MondayEscapes
TraveLynn Family – Jenny recently posted…THE ASIA INTERVIEWS – 5 Lost Together chat about UBUD, Indonesia.
Maybe next time you’re in the country!
I can’t believe I have visited London over 10 times and never took a Thames cruise. Next time, I will definitely do so!
#MondayEscapes
Esther recently posted…Meet Vincent van Gogh in The Netherlands
You must, it’s fab!
Oh the shard is the only thing on this list I haven’t managed yet – definitely want to try it though. I really like cruising along the Thames – gives you a fab perspective x
Sam | North East Family Fun Travel Blog recently posted…Don’t forget to visit Blyth Beach this winter
That’s what I love about the river cruise. And anything on the water is relaxing 🙂
London is such a great city and no matter how often I go there I can never get enough! A cruise on the river Thames is still on my bucket list and I’ve actually never thought about viewing platform at the Shard before. Definiteyl going to look into that before my next London visit! #MondayEscapes
Lisa recently posted…TRAVEL DIARY: BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Glad to have inspired you!