Ironically, I’m writing this as someone absolutely petrified of heights, but the best way to see London is undoubtedly from above ground level. So, if you’re not a total wimp like me, here’s an extensive, but by no means exhaustive, list of places to see beautiful, panoramic views of London. And for ease of access, we’ve even broken it down into the venues, attractions, and parks that you’ll want to check out.
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Restaurants and bars with views of London
If you want to pair your viewing experience with a cocktail or a meal, head to these bars and restaurants that offer up incredible vantage points around the city.
1. Frank’s Cafe, Peckham
Sitting pretty at the top of a 10-storey car park in Peckham, Frank’s Cafe is so much more than its name suggests. With delicious food, cold beers, and arty installations: it’s a hipster hangout that is absolutely worth a visit in the summer. And be sure not to miss the venue’s iconic pink staircase that leads the way to the view!
Frank’s Cafe is currently closed, due to reopen for the summer on May 17.
đź“Ť Find Frank’s Cafe at Bold Tendencies, 7th-10th Floor Multi Storey Car Park, 95A Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST.
🚇 Nearest station is Peckham Rye.
2. The Terrace, Alexandra Palace
The Terrace marries sumptuous views of the capital with all the sun-soaked comforts of a beer garden. The vast area covers a rather epic 1500 square metres, making it one of London’s biggest beer gardens. Thanks to Ally Pally’s Phoenix Bar & Kitchen, you can kick back and enjoy plenty of drinks and Italian stone-fired pizzas. And on the weekends you’ve even more to choose from, with pop-up street food vendors and bars.
đź“Ť Find The Terrace outside The Phoenix Bar & Kitchen at Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY.
🚇 Nearest station is Alexandra Palace.
3. Radio Rooftop, Covent Garden
Sitting above the Strand, Radio Rooftop is precisely what you’d expect from a swanky London rooftop bar. This place is a glamorous place to stop off for a spot of food or expertly crafted cocktails (just don’t expect them to come cheap).
đź“Ť Find Radio Rooftop at 336-337 Strand, WC2R 1HA.
🚇 Nearest station is Temple.
4. Oblix at the Shard, London Bridge
There are a lot of free options for views across the city, but the View from the Shard certainly isn’t one of them. Yes, you get views from the 72nd floor, but tickets start at a whopping ÂŁ28. Instead, grab a drink at Oblix on the 32nd floor. Even their most expensive cocktail is cheaper than the price you’d pay to get to the top. And hey, what’s an extra 40 floors when you could be sipping on a delicious drink as you peer out at the city? You still get amazing panoramic views, just at a fraction of the price.
đź“Ť Find Oblix at The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
5. BĹŤkan, Canary Wharf
Guests can enjoy 360° views of the city from BĹŤkan’s roof terrace on the 39th floor, but the venue also offers up a number of other venues under the same roof. BĹŤkan 38, for example, is their bar (on the 38th floor), whole BĹŤkan 37 is the restaurant (can you guess what floor?). Regardless of which floor you’re on, though, you’ll be treated to stunning sights, but we reckon the rooftop always wins!
đź“Ť Find BĹŤkan at 40 Marsh Wall, Isle of Dogs, E14 9TP.
🚇 Nearest stations are Canary Wharf and Heron Quays.
6. Duck & Waffle, Aldgate
Duck & Waffle is famous for its – yep, you guessed it – duck and waffles. It’s not the cheapest of London’s breakfast offerings but for the price you also get an unbeatable view of the capital. Added bonus? It’s open 24/7. Get a table at sunset and stay as late as you like; with enough espresso martinis, you might even make it all the way to sunrise.
đź“Ť Find Duck and Waffle at Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY
🚇 Nearest station is Liverpool Street.
7. Madison, St Paul’s
Madison Rooftopis where you’ll get that famous view of St Paul’s Cathedral. It’s a great place to kick back with a cocktail or some fantastically fancy dinner before heading out onto the terrace for some cracking Insta shots. Head there on the weekend and you can also enjoy a bottomless brunch with free-flowing bubbles –
đź“Ť Find Madison at One New Change, EC4M 9AF
🚇 Nearest station is St Paul’s.
8. OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar & Brasserie, Southwark
The OXO Tower’s restaurant serves up classic British grub and Thames-side views of the London skyline. And while the building itself is a stunning feature of London’s skyline, it offers gorgeous views of the surrounding areas as well. Summer sunsets at the OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar & Brasserie are simply stunning.
đź“Ť Find the OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar & Brasserie at OXO Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, SE1 9PH
🚇 Nearest stations are Waterloo, Southwark, and Blackfriars.
9. Peckham Levels, Peckham
This former car park boasts wacky interiors, quirky drinks, delicious grub, and panoramic views of London. Peckham Levels has it all, really. As well as a large bar space on the sixth floor, and plenty of food traders, there’s also a community hub, tattoo studio, co-working spaces, and more spread across the six floors. There’s always something going on here, be it a free DJ set, a pop-up market or an exhibition showcasing up-and-coming local art… Oh, and the view is pretty damn fine too!
📍 Find Peckham Levels on floors 1 – 6, 95A Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST.
🚇 Nearest station is Peckham Rye.
10. Galvin at Windows, Mayfair
You’ll find this restaurant high on the 28th floor of the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane. With their award-winning fine dining, they serve up a helluva meal (with a price tag to boot). But with views like this, we simply had to include Galvin at Windows anyway – even as we gaze enviously at the food all the while…
đź“Ť Find Galvin at Windows at 22 Park Lane, W1K 1BE.
🚇 Nearest station is Hyde Park Corner.
11. Coq d’Argent, Bank
Showcasing fine regional French cuisine and bistro-style classics, Coq d’Argent not only boasts cracking panoramic views across the Square Mile from its stunning roof gardens, but it’s also a fine-dining hotspot. And those immaculately maintained lawns make for a wonderful framing for any attempts at catching all of London’s skyline in one photo.
đź“Ť Find Coq d’Argent at 1 Poultry, EC2R 8EJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Bank.
12. SUSHISAMBA, City of London
Shoot up the Heron Tower in a scary (to me at least!), glass-walled lift to SUSHISAMBA where you’ll be confronted with phenomenal 360-degree views of the city and a rather mesmerising close up of the Gherkin. Also, there’s sushi. But that probably goes without saying. Read what we thought about it here.
đź“Ť Find SUSHISAMBA at Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY.
🚇 Nearest station is Liverpool Street.
13. The Rooftop at Trafalgar St. James, St. James’s
Located above the Trafalgar St. James, The Rooftop boasts some breathtaking views of London’s iconic landmarks. You certainly won’t need to strain your neck to see the top of Nelson’s Column. Instead, you can stare at Admiral with ease, with a glass of prosecco in hand.
đź“Ť Find The Rooftop at Trafalgar St. James, 2 Spring Gardens, SW1A 2TS.
🚇 Nearest stations are Charing Cross and Embankment.
14. Seabird, Southwark
You’ll find Seabird on the fourteenth floor of The Hoxton’s Southwark Hotel. The stunning, sky-high restaurant is the proud home of one of the longest oyster lists in London, as well as some pretty insane views over the city. Head here on a sunny, blue-sky day, and slurp it all in! Find out more here.
đź“Ť Find Seabird at The Rooftop, The Hoxton Southwark, 40 Blackfriars Road, SE1 8NY.
🚇 Nearest station is London Blackfriars.
15. Searcy’s at the Gherkin, City of London
Nestoped at the top of the Gherkin, and commanding fabulous views of the City of London and beyond, are Searcy’s’ restaurant and bar, Helix and Iris. Take in the views with a cocktail close to hand and you’re set for an unforgettable experience. Find out more.
đź“Ť Find Searcy’s at the Gherkin at 30 St Mary Axe, EC3A 8BF.
🚇 Nearest station is Aldgate.
Attractions with views of London
Some of London’s best views come courtesy of specific viewing attractions or as a fantastic bonus to a day of activities. Check out these attractions for some of the best panoramic views of London.
16. Sky Garden, City of London
This viewing gallery on the 43rd floor of the Walkie Talkie offers panoramic views over London from a foliage-filled atrium. With floor-to-ceiling glass windows, this lush urban jungle provides fantastic views of the famous rooftops of London. Psst, did we mention that access is free?! Find out more.
đź“Ť Find the Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street, EC3M 8AF.
🚇 Nearest station is Monument.
17. Horizon 22, Bishopsgate
If you want stunning views in London, another obvious place to head is the recently opened Horizon 22. Boasting the highest free public viewing platform in all of Europe, you can enjoy incredible panoramic views of London – completely for free! A high-speed lift takes visitors 254 metres up into the sky, to the building’s 58th floor. It’s a truly incredible vantage point. Read all bout it here.
đź“Ť Find Horizon 22 at 22 Bishopsgate, EC3V 4QT.
🚇 Nearest stations are Liverpool Street and Aldgate.
18. Lift 109, Battersea
Check out London from a whole new vantage point at Battersea Power Station’s new Lift 109 experience. The lift zooms visitors up to the top of one of the power station’s iconic chimneys, through an immersive experience, to a viewing platform situated 109 metres high in the sky. It’s not quite as tall as some of London’s viewing experiences, but it’s a truly unique 360° view of London. Read all about it here.
đź“Ť Find Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station, Circus Road West, Nine Elms, SW8 5BN.
🚇 Nearest station is Battersea Power Station.
19. The London Eye, South Bank
Look, I know, I know, we’re called ‘Secret London’ and the lastminute.com London Eye is just about one of the most well-known attractions in the world. But, come on, the views are pretty hard to beat. Add to that the constant special displays that illuminate the big wheel for various occasions and celebrations, and you’ve got a right ocular treat!
đź“Ť Find the London Eye at the Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB.
🚇 Nearest station is Waterloo.
20. St Paul’s Cathedral
Remember I told you that I am absolutely terrified of heights? Well, I cried at the top of St Paul’s Cathedral and got laughed at by a 12-year-old… I did, however, get a badge that read “I climbed to the top of St Paul’s Cathedral” so that was alright. Eventually, when we were safely on the ground, I got to see the views by way of my mum’s phone and if I hadn’t been crying I probably would have liked it. It’s a stunning building, and it offers up absolutely gorgeous views.
đź“Ť Find St Paul’s Cathedral in St. Paul’s Churchyard, EC4M 8AD.
🚇 Nearest station is St Paul’s.
21. ArcelorMittal Orbit, Stratford
Add a bit of fun (and/or terror) to your viewing experience by (optionally!) descending the longest and tallest tunnel slide in the world. It’s a 178-metre drop from the top of the tower, but the views are astonishing. It also stands as a significant example of London’s public art, as much a sculpture as it is a viewing point. Read more here.
đź“Ť Find the ArcelorMittal Orbit at 5 Thornton Street, Olympic Park, E20 2AD.
🚇 Nearest station is Stratford.
22. The View from The Shard, London Bridge
As the tallest building in Western Europe, the Shard boasts pretty nifty views across London. From your perch on Level 72(!), you can catch a glimpse of pretty much every landmark in the city – plus, they’ve got a great bad-weather policy that lets you return for free if visibility reaches a poor enough level. Read all about it here.
đź“Ť Find The Shard at 31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
23. The Dare Skywalk, Tottenham
The Dare Skywalk requires view-seekers to have a dash of the adventurous about you because you’ll be walking up to the very top of the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to find them. Sweeping views from Alexandra Palace to Stratford are your reward, though. The truly daring can add The Edge to their Dare Skywalk package – it’s the fastest way to the ground as you clip in, step off the edge and descend 42 meters to the south Podium below. See more here.
đź“Ť Find The Dare Skywalk at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, N17 0BX.
🚇 Nearest station is White Hart Lane.
Parks with views over London
For some panoramic views without the price tags, head to these London parks where you’ll be treated to plenty of stunning sights. Grab a blanket and a picnic basket and make a day of checking out these views of London.
24. Primrose Hill, NW3
Easily one of London’s most scenic sights, Primrose Hill offers plenty for the aesthetically minded. Be sure to take a stroll around some of the gorgeous surrounding streets before heading to the park and taking in THAT VIEW.
🚇 Nearest stations are Swiss Cottage and Chalk Farm.
25. Greenwich Park, SE10
Greenwich already has so much to offer to Londoners, and on top of all that they’ve also got a stunning park. They’re frankly spoiled out there! Head here to catch almost all of London’s skyline in one neat view.
🚇 Nearest stations are Maze Hill, Blackheath, and Greenwich.
26. Alexandra Palace & Park, N22
So nice we put it on here twice (see, The Terrace), Ally Pally offers up gorgeous views no matter where you are in the park. So if the outdoor beer garden gets too busy for your liking, just hit the road and find another perch to chill out and take in the sights.
🚇 Nearest station is Alexandra Palace.
27. Parliament Hill, NW5
Over in Hampstead Heath you’ll find plenty of park space, but the best place to catch the views would have to be Parliament Hill. The 98-metre-tall viewpoint also has plenty of benches so you’re sure to find somewhere to sit when you’re simply overcome by the sights.
🚇 Nearest stations are Gospel Oak and Hampstead Heath.