Visiting The Shard London
The Shard is the tallest building in the United Kingdom and one of the most recognisable landmarks on the London skyline. Located next to London Bridge Station, the glass skyscraper stands at 310 metres tall and dominates the skyline of central London. The building contains offices, restaurants, a hotel, bars and the famous observation deck known as The View from The Shard.
The public viewing platform is located on floors 68, 69 and 72, offering some of the highest views in Western Europe. From the top, visitors can see across the entire city, including landmarks such as Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, the River Thames, Canary Wharf, the London Eye and Westminster.
Visiting The Shard is one of the most popular things to do in London, especially for first-time visitors who want to see the city from above. Unlike some other viewpoints in London, The Shard offers both indoor viewing galleries and an open-air viewing platform, so you can experience the skyline in all weather conditions.
Because The Shard is located next to London Bridge, many visitors combine a visit with nearby attractions such as Borough Market, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London or a Thames River walk. The area around London Bridge is one of the most interesting parts of London and is worth exploring even if you are only visiting the viewing platform.
The View from The Shard
The main reason most people visit The Shard is for The View from The Shard, which is the highest public viewing platform in London. On a clear day, you can see up to 40 miles (64 km) across London and the surrounding countryside.
From the viewing platforms, you can look down over Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, follow the River Thames through central London, and see major landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, Westminster, Canary Wharf and the Olympic Park. Because of the height of The Shard, many of London’s famous landmarks look surprisingly small from the top, which really shows how large the city is.
There are two main indoor viewing floors with large glass windows, and above them is the open-air Skydeck on level 72, where the top of the building is open to the air. This is one of the most impressive parts of the experience because you can stand outside at the top of one of Europe’s tallest buildings and feel the wind while looking across London.
Many visitors try to visit The Shard around sunset, because you can see London in daylight, watch the sunset over the city, and then see the city lights come on at night. This is usually considered the best time to visit, although it is also the busiest time.
If the weather is cloudy or visibility is poor, some flexible tickets allow you to return for free within a few months, which is worth considering when booking tickets.
The Shard Tickets and Prices
Tickets for The View from The Shard are usually sold as timed entry tickets, which means you choose a time slot when booking and arrive within that window. Booking online in advance is normally cheaper than buying tickets on the day, and during busy periods tickets can sell out, especially around sunset.
Standard tickets allow access to the indoor viewing galleries and the open-air Skydeck at the top of the building. Once inside, there is no strict time limit, so you can stay and enjoy the views for as long as you like. Most visitors spend around 60 to 90 minutes at the top, but you can stay longer if you want to watch the city change from day to night.
Prices vary depending on demand, time of day and whether you choose flexible tickets, but in general The Shard is one of the more expensive viewpoints in London compared to places like the Sky Garden or Horizon 22, which are free. However, The Shard is significantly higher than other viewing platforms in London, so many visitors feel the views justify the higher ticket price.
It is also worth noting that children’s tickets are usually cheaper than adult tickets, and sometimes family tickets are available. If you are visiting during peak tourist season, weekends or holidays, it is strongly recommended to book tickets in advance, as popular time slots — especially sunset — often sell out several days ahead.
There are also premium ticket options, including flexible tickets that allow you to change your visit date if the weather is poor, and packages that include a glass of champagne at the top, which is a popular option for special occasions. Flexible tickets can be very useful because London weather can change quickly, and clear visibility makes a big difference to the experience. If visibility is poor on the day of your visit, some flexible tickets also allow you to return for free within a certain period, which gives you another chance to see the views in better weather.
Some ticket packages also include fast-track entry, which can be useful during busy periods when queues for security and lifts can be longer, particularly around sunset and weekends. While queues are usually well managed, fast-track entry can save time if you are visiting on a tight schedule.
When you arrive, you will go through a security check similar to an airport, and large bags may be checked before entry. After security, you will take a very fast lift to the viewing floors. The lifts are part of the experience, with digital displays showing your height as you travel up the building and the lift journey only takes around a minute.
If you are visiting London during peak tourist season, school holidays or weekends, it is strongly recommended to book tickets in advance. Sunset time slots are particularly popular and often sell out first, so booking ahead will give you the best chance of visiting at your preferred time.
Best Time to Visit The Shard
The best time to visit The Shard depends on what you want to see, but many people consider sunset to be the best time of day. Visiting around sunset allows you to see London in daylight, watch the sunset over the city, and then see the city lights at night, all during the same visit.
However, sunset is also the busiest time, so it can be more crowded and tickets can be more expensive. If you prefer a quieter experience, visiting early in the morning is usually much less busy, and visibility is often very good before the city pollution and haze builds up during the day.
Night visits are also very popular because London looks very different after dark, with illuminated landmarks such as Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Eye standing out across the skyline.
The most important factor when visiting The Shard is actually the weather. On cloudy or rainy days, visibility can be very limited, and sometimes the top of the building can even be inside the clouds. On clear days, you can see for miles across London and beyond.
If possible, try to visit on a clear day with good visibility, and consider flexible tickets if you want to avoid bad weather.
Restaurants and Bars in The Shard
The Shard is not just an observation deck — the building also contains several high-end restaurants and bars, many of which offer incredible views across London. Some visitors choose to visit a restaurant or bar instead of the viewing platform, as you can still enjoy the views while having a meal or drink.
Some of the most well-known restaurants in The Shard include Aqua Shard, which serves modern British cuisine, Oblix, which is a contemporary restaurant and bar with panoramic views, and Hutong, which serves Northern Chinese cuisine high above the city. There is also TĪNG, located inside the Shangri-La Hotel, which offers fine dining and afternoon tea with views across London.
There are also bars where you can enjoy drinks with a view, including the Sky Lounge and Bar 31, which is located at ground level and is more casual than the restaurants higher up the building.
Eating or drinking in The Shard can be expensive, but many people choose this option for special occasions, birthdays, anniversaries or romantic evenings, as the views are some of the best in London.
Where The Shard Is Located and How to Get There
The Shard is located next to London Bridge Station, which makes it one of the easiest major attractions in London to reach by public transport. London Bridge is a major railway station as well as an Underground station, so you can reach The Shard from most parts of London very easily.
London Bridge Underground station is served by the Northern Line and the Jubilee Line, both of which connect to many major areas of London. The railway station also has Thameslink and Southeastern train services, so you can reach London Bridge directly from many parts of London and the South East of England.
Because of its location, many visitors combine The Shard with nearby attractions such as Borough Market, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, HMS Belfast and the Thames riverfront. It is also possible to walk along the river from the London Eye area to The Shard in around 30–40 minutes.
If you are travelling by bus, several London bus routes stop near London Bridge, and taxis and Uber are also easy options. However, the Underground and trains are usually the fastest way to get there.
The entrance to The View from The Shard is clearly signposted once you arrive at London Bridge Station, and the building is impossible to miss because it is the tallest building in London.
The Shard vs Other London Viewpoints
London has several famous viewpoints in London, and many visitors wonder whether The Shard is worth it compared to the London Eye, Sky Garden or other viewing platforms. The answer depends on what kind of experience you want, your budget, and how much time you have in London.
The Shard is the highest public viewpoint in London and offers the widest and most dramatic views of London. Because it is so tall, you can see far beyond central London on a clear day, including Canary Wharf, Wembley Stadium, Heathrow Airport and the River Thames. The viewing platforms are indoors and outdoors, which means you can enjoy the views in almost any weather.
The London Eye is lower but gives a very different experience because you slowly rotate above the River Thames and can see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster up close. It is more of an experience attraction, whereas The Shard viewing platform is more of a traditional observation deck.
Sky Garden and Horizon 22 are both free viewpoints in London and are excellent alternatives if you are travelling on a budget. Sky Garden includes indoor gardens and a café, while Horizon 22 is currently the highest free viewing platform in London. However, both require advance booking and can be fully booked days in advance.
London Viewpoints Comparison
| Viewpoint | Height | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Shard | Very high | Expensive | Best overall views |
| London Eye | Medium | Expensive | Iconic London experience |
| Sky Garden | Medium | Free | Free indoor viewpoint |
| Horizon 22 | Very high | Free | Highest free view |
| Garden at 120 | Medium | Free | Outdoor terrace views |
If you only plan to visit one paid London viewpoint, most visitors choose either The Shard or the London Eye.
Tips for Visiting The Shard
A little planning can make a big difference when visiting The Shard, especially because the experience depends heavily on the weather in London and time of day.
Try to visit on a clear day for the best visibility. If you are visiting London in winter or during unpredictable weather, flexible tickets for The Shard are often worth the extra cost because you can change your visit day if visibility is poor.
Sunset at The Shard is usually the most popular time to visit because you can see London in daylight, at sunset and at night all in one visit. However, sunset tickets sell out quickly and are usually the most expensive time slots.
Weekday mornings are usually the quietest times to visit. Weekends, school holidays and summer afternoons are the busiest times and queues can be longer even with pre-booked tickets.
Allow extra time for security checks at The Shard, especially during busy periods. The lifts are very fast but there can sometimes be a short wait for the next available lift.
The Shard is located near London Bridge, so many visitors combine their visit with Borough Market, the River Thames walk, Tower Bridge, or the Tower of London.
Nearby Attractions
The Shard is located in the London Bridge area, which is one of the best areas in London for sightseeing because many major London attractions are within walking distance along the River Thames.
One of the closest attractions is Borough Market, one of London’s most famous food markets, which is located just a few minutes’ walk from The Shard. This is a great place to visit before or after your Shard visit for lunch, snacks or coffee.
You can also walk along the River Thames towards Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, which takes around 15–20 minutes and is one of the best walks in London. Along the way you will pass HMS Belfast, City Hall, and several riverside pubs and viewpoints.
If you walk in the opposite direction along the river, you can reach Sky Garden, The Monument to the Great Fire of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Millennium Bridge.
Because so many London landmarks are nearby, visiting The Shard is easy to combine with other London attractions on the same day.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
Visiting The Shard is one of the best ways to see London from above, but a little planning can make your visit much better. Here are Rupert’s top tips for visiting The Shard:
- Book sunset tickets: Visiting around sunset lets you see London in daylight, sunset and night all in one visit.
- Check the weather first: Low cloud or heavy rain can reduce visibility, so clear days are best for views.
- Arrive early: Allow time for security checks and queues, especially at busy times.
- Combine nearby attractions: Visit Borough Market, Tower Bridge or walk along the River Thames after your visit.
- Consider flexible tickets: These allow you to change your visit date if the weather is poor.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Further Reading & Related Guides
If you are planning your trip to London, these guides will help you plan your London itinerary, find the best London viewpoints, and organise your time in the city more efficiently.
Start with our London Attractions Guide, which covers the main things to do in London and helps you decide what to prioritise during your visit. If you are planning your itinerary, our London Itinerary Guide, London in 1 Day, London in 2 Days and London in 3 Days guides will help you organise your time and group attractions by area.
If you enjoy views of London, you should also read our Best Views in London guide, which compares The Shard, Sky Garden, Horizon 22, the London Eye and other viewing platforms across the city.
Because The Shard is near Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, many visitors combine these attractions on the same day. You may also want to read our guides to Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and Thames River Cruises.
Before travelling around the city, it is also worth reading our Getting Around London guide and Oyster vs Contactless guide to understand the London transport system.
Last Updated
This Shard London guide was last updated in April 2026. Attraction prices, opening times and ticket options can change, so always check official websites before visiting.
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