The start line of the 2026 TCS London Marathon is officially within touching distance. And as we speak, carbs are being loaded, race bibs are being collected, and spectators are starting to think about where along the 26.2 mile route they’d like to plonk themselves down for the event.
With vibes as high as The Shard itself, the London Marathon is – without a doubt – one of the very best days in the capital’s calendar. But it’s also one of London’s busiest days. So, to make things a bit more enjoyable for those wanting to watch the 59,000 heroes that’ll be hotfooting around the city on Sunday, memory curation app, Popsa, have done some research to locate the best spectating spots.
Having rummaged through the millions of customer photos that were taken during the 2025 London Marathon, Popsa have managed to identify the best places along the route to make some memories. As well as seeking out the less crowded sections of the race-route for those who’d prefer a quieter watching experience. They analysed each relevant image, using a science-led approach to identify the locations in which they were each taken. And have made a handy list, detailing their findings.
The best places to watch (and photograph) the London Marathon, according to Popsa:
Canary Wharf topped Popsa’s list as the best place to watch the London Marathon from. Spanning miles 18-19, the striking skyscrapers make for a rather dramatic backdrop, and its unsurprising that this part of the course was one of the most photographed by Popsa-users last year.
Perhaps the London Marathon’s most iconic stretch of route came in at second place. Tower Hill, covering miles 12 and 22, was also highly-photographed last year. With views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London in the background, it’s a pretty unparalleled spot for marathon-viewing. But it’s also one of the busiest sections – you have been warned.
Limehouse, Embankment, and Canada Water followed the top two respectively; each offering a unique (but equally wonderful) perspective of the race. If you’d rather secure yourself a spot that might not be quite as chaotic, Popsa also looked into the locations where the least photos were taken last year. Rotherhithe (miles 9-11), Bermondsey (mile 11-12), and Mudchute (mile 17-18) are expected to be some of the least-crowded stretches of the London Marathon, according to Popsa’s data.
You can peruse Popsa’s full findings here.
