11 Of The Best London Views

Take a step back from the hustle and bustle that London is known and loved for to marvel at her in all her glory from these heady heights.

Every major city has a tall building offering outstanding views to entice tourists, from Dubai’s Burj Khalifa to New York’s Empire State Building. But London does things a bit differently.

Given her ripe old age, there are a variety of interesting scalable structures both old and new, natural and man-made to give you a different take on one of the best cities in the world.

1. The Monument

311 steps will take you to the top of The Monument, a stone column that marks the point where the Great Fire of London started in 1666.

Opened in 1677 it has been providing visitors with 360-degree views of the city for over 300 years. Edge your way up the spiral staircase that takes you to the viewing platform where you can squeeze around the periphery of the column amongst your fellow visitors while you take in the views.

The Monument in London, UK — The Monument has been providing visitors with 360-degree views of the city for over 300 years.

Cost: Adult £6 ($11.20); Child £3 ($5.60)

Address: The junction between Fish Street Hill and Monument Street, London

2. St Paul’s Cathedral

Not everyone knows you can climb to the top of St Paul’s Cathedral, making it a unique and affordable experience and one of my favourite places to take visitors when I lived there.

The climb to the top is in three phases, and before you have visions of harnesses and belays, it is all done inside the cathedral via steps – 528 steps to be precise.

The first phase takes you to the main dome where you can peer down inside the cathedral and try to talk to your companion from the other side of the ‘whispering gallery’ as your voice magically travels around the inside of the dome.

Next climb to the Stone Gallery before the final push up the narrow stairs to the Gold Gallery which is almost at the very top of the cathedral dome, where you can marvel at your achievement and the views.

a magnificent stairway at St Pauls Cathedral, London — Walk up the magnificent stairway at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Cost: Adult £20.50 ($38); Child £9 ($16.80)

Address: St. Paul’s Churchyard, London

3. The Sky Garden

Opened in 2015 the Sky Garden is notably one of the younger vistas to visit. The garden sits across the top three floors of a 37-floor commercial skyscraper nicknamed the ‘Walkie Talkie’ by Londoners due to its shape.

It’s London’s highest public garden with the bonus of 360-degree views. Built post the introduction of health and safety and accessibility requirements, unlike some of the older vantage points on the list, lifts and wide spaces make the Sky Garden more user-friendly than its more historical counterparts.

crowds of people at The Sky Garden, London — Be surrounded by lush greenery at The Sky Garden.

Cost: Free, but you need to book in advance (available up to three weeks in advance)

Address: 1 Sky Garden Walk, London

4. The Tate Modern

The Tate Modern Kitchen and Bar in the museum offers fantastic riverside views of London. My favourite time to arrive was at doors opening at 10 am for a coffee at one of the high-top tables facing the window so I could marvel at the beautiful London skyline and watch the boats on The Thames before the crowds arrived.

a couple sitting in front of the panoramic London skyline at The Tate Modern — Admire panoramic views of the London skyline at The Tate Modern.

Cost: Free with a food or beverage purchase

Address: Bankside, London

5. Parliament Hill

Your surroundings might feel familiar as you walk to the top of Parliament Hill which has featured in a number of movies including Eternals, Notes on Scandal and Run Fatboy Run to name just a few. A gentle incline up this grassy knoll takes you to a height of 98 metres – making it one of the highest points in London. Take a picnic and a can of gin and tonic to enjoy while you admire the view.

a man sitting on the grass while admiring the scenic view at Parliament Hill, London — Enjoy a picnic with a view at Parliament Hill.

Cost: Free

Address: Parliament Hill, Hampstead Heath

6. Tower Bridge

The two enclosed walkways connecting the towers of Tower Bridge had glass walkways installed in 2014 enabling visitors to gain an impressive bird’s eye view, in addition to the panoramic view, from 42 metres above The River Thames. If you’re lucky enough to time it just right, you may even see the bridge open.

visitors standing on the edge of a glass pathway at the Tower Bridge, London — Conquer your fear of heights at Tower Bridge.

Cost: Adult £12.30 ($23); Child £6.20 ($11.50)

Address: Tower Bridge Rd, London

7. The Shard

As London’s highest building, unsurprisingly The Shard offers the highest viewing gallery with 360-degree views of the capital.

‘The View from the Shard’ experience can be accessed across three floors. On level 72 you can access the ‘Sky Deck’ which is outside.

an aerial view of the capital on top of Shard, London — Capture spectacular views atop London’s highest building.

Cost: Tickets from £28 ($52.50) for both adults and children with various add-ons available, such as a glass of champagne

Address: 32 London Bridge St, London

8. IFS Cloud Cable Car

The Cable Car transports you 90 metres above the Thames between Greenwich on the south of the river and the Royal Docks on the north.

A novel way to travel across the city, the 1-kilometre journey takes approximately 10 minutes. As part of Transport for London, you can use your oyster card or tap your debit card to pay while you rub shoulders with the locals on their commute.

cable cars hovering above the city at IFS Cloud Cable Car, London — Get whizzed across the city 90 metres above the Thames.

Cost: Adult £6 ($11); Child £3 ($5.50) for a one-way journey

Address: Greenwich Peninsula Terminal, Edmund Halley Way, London or Royal Docks Terminal, 27 Western Gateway, London

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9. The London Eye

You can’t help but notice the massive Ferris wheel jutting up into the London skyline as you explore the city.

A ride on the London Eye provides excellent 360-degree views and a fun experience from a very central location. Its well-known tourist attraction status comes with a high price tag.

a ferris wheel at dusk, The London Eye — Get a bird’s eye view of the city on The London Eye.

Cost: Adult £38 ($71); Child £34 ($63)

Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, London

10. Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden

Not the highest vista on the list but definitely one of the coolest. Enjoyed by both locals and tourists the gardens include 200 different species of plants and even a lawn.

Sit amongst nature where you least expect to find it and enjoy looking down on the South Bank and across the river while enjoying a coffee from the cafe and, if you’re lucky, some sunshine.

an overhead shot of Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden — Bask in warm sunshine with a cup of coffee at Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden.

Cost: Free

Address: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London

11. Big Ben

Heading to London this winter to enjoy the Northern Hemisphere’s summer? Big Ben (also known as Elizabeth Tower) is set to resume tours this year, after a five-year hiatus due to extensive renovations of the iconic London landmark.

the Great Bell of the Great Clock of Westminster, Big Ben, London — Big Ben is a true spectacle you shouldn’t miss when in London.

Cost: TBC

Address: Palace of Westminster, 67 Bridge St, London

Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK.

Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

Why is it so hot in Europe?

Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

How travel is impacted

A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius — A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris — People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.