Nejlepší vyhlídky v Londýně jsou zadarmo!

London is an incredible city. I personally love it and love coming back. It has the dynamism of a world metropolis, a deep history, postcard icons and an unmistakable atmosphere that you won't experience anywhere else in the world. But there is one small catch – London can be quite expensive. Entrance fees to monuments, transport, food and coffee can quickly drain your budget.

Fortunately, there is one thing that can save you hundreds or thousands of crowns when visiting the British capital, while still having the absolute best experience: bird's eye view of the entire city.

Thanks to city regulations (especially in the financial district City of London) developers of modern skyscrapers are obliged to open part of their buildings to the public. The result? London offers several top-notch observation decks dozens of meters above the ground, where you can look free of charge.

Let's take a look at the best free prospects and how they work.

Horizon 22: The highest free viewpoint in Europe

If you want to see London from the highest possible point without breaking the bank, your goal is clear. Horizon 22 is located on the 58th floor of 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper at a height of 254 meters. It is the highest freely accessible observation deck in all of Europe (it even stands about 10 meters higher than the observation deck on the famous skyscraper The Shard).

What awaits you: A glass gallery with huge floor-to-ceiling windows that offers a 300° view of all of London. You can see Tower Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, The Shard and Wembley Stadium in the distance.
Reservation required: YES (selling out quickly).
How to book: Tickets are free, but you have to reserve a specific time slot on the official website. New dates are usually released every Monday at 10:00 AM for the next 14 days to three weeks. If you can't get a ticket, try to get a walk-in in person first thing in the morning, they sometimes let a small number of people in without reservations depending on the current capacity. They also offer paid entry for early morning or later evening.
There is a café with seating on site, as well as toilets.
Reservation website: https://horizon22.co.uk/

SKY GARDEN: The legendary jungle in a glass ball

An icon among London's landmarks. Sky Garden is located on the 35th to 37th floors of the skyscraper at 20 Fenchurch Street, which no one calls anything other than Walkie Talkie (Transmitter).

What awaits you: A huge glass dome, inside which you will find a tiered tropical garden full of ferns, palm trees and exotic plants. It includes an outdoor terraced lookout towards the River Thames and The Shard skyscraper, several bars and restaurants.
Reservation required: YES.
How to book: Free tickets are released on the Sky Garden website on Mondays, 2-3 weeks in advance. They usually sell out within minutes!
How to get here without a ticket: If you can't get a free ticket for the tour, book a table at a local bar or bistro café (e.g. City Garden Bar) for a morning coffee or an evening drink. A reservation at the bar will automatically grant you access upstairs (I haven't tried this yet, so I can't confirm how it works).
You can have coffee, drinks and snacks in the café on site, and toilets are also available.
Reservation website: https://skygarden.london/

THE LOOKOUT (8 BISHOPSGATE): Chamber Brother on the 50th Floor

Right next to Horizon 22 is another modern tower – 8 Bishopsgate. On its 50th floor you will find an observation deck. The Lookout.

What awaits you: A more intimate, calmer and less crowded atmosphere than at Sky Garden and Horizon 22. The observation deck is located at a height of around 200 meters and offers wonderful detailed views of the surrounding skyscrapers, the River Thames and the whole of London. Due to the wooden paneling, the space feels very cozy.
Reservation required: YES.
How to do it: Reservations are free via the building's website. 8 Bishopsgate. If you don't have a ticket, it's worth trying your luck at the entrance downstairs - the lines here are usually shorter than at the competition and walk-in tickets are allowed quite often. It just may not be available at the time you arrive. The staff at the entrance will tell you when there is a free seat.
There are only small toilets and a few chairs to sit on.
Reservation website: https://www.8bishopsgate.com/lookout

THE GARDEN AT 120: green roof without reservation

Don't want to plan weeks in advance and deal with reservations? Then this is perfect for you The Garden at 120 (at 120 Fenchurch Street / Fen Court).

What awaits you: A vast open roof terrace on the 15th floor. It's not an extreme height, but the setting is breathtaking: pergolas of climbing plants, water tanks, benches and a 360° view of the surrounding giants from close range. You can see the Walkie Talkie building and The Gherkin up close and see right at Tower Bridge.
Reservation required: NO.
How to do it: Simply walk up to the building, go through a quick security check at the elevator, and head up to the roof. Free of charge and without any prior registration. There may be a line at the entrance, but it moves quickly.
There are only benches available for seating.
Website: https://fen-court.com/garden-at-120/

ONE NEW CHANGE TERRACE: Cathedral of St. Paul at your fingertips

Another great place without any reservation is right opposite the famous St. Paul's Cathedral on the roof of the shopping mall. One New Change.

What awaits you: The highlight of this 6th-floor vantage point is a direct view of the majestic dome of St. Paul's Cathedral. It's a completely different perspective than from the giant skyscrapers - you're almost face to face with one of the most beautiful structures in the world.
Reservation required: NO.
How to do it: Take the glass elevator in the middle of the shopping center straight to the top floor. On the roof there is a free terrace and a rooftop bar. The perfect place for a sunset photo.
There is seating on the roof and a restaurant with a bar. Toilets are available in the shopping centre, behind the Marks & Spencer store at the very bottom.
Website: https://www.onenewchange.com/en/roof-terrace

BONUS: The Post Building Roof Garden (Hidden Gem near Holborn)

If you're passing by the British Museum or in the Holborn/Covent Garden area, stop by the building The Post Building. A public roof garden is hidden on the 9th floor of the former post office building.

What awaits you: A peaceful green space with views of West and Central London (you'll see the London Eye, Big Ben and the BT Tower). The advantage is that few people know about this place, so it's usually very quiet.
Reservation required: NO. (When entering the security service, you only need to show your ID/passport).
I haven't been here personally, but I know about it :)

What about paid classics? Is The Shard worth it?

When you think of a viewpoint in London, most people imagine a skyscraper. The Shard (The Shard) – at 310 metres, the tallest building in Great Britain. Viewpoint The View from The Shard is located on the 68th to 72nd floors.

Price: Tickets start at approximately £32 (approx. 950 CZK) per person when purchased in advance. They can be even more expensive on site.
Is a reservation needed? Yes, without a reservation you run the risk of long lines or sold-out times.
What else does it offer? The observation deck is open (you can feel the fresh air on the top floor), has an iconic view of the city from the south bank, and offers perks like a champagne bar.
Verdict: The view from the Shard is beautiful, but Horizon 22 (which is right across the river) will offer you almost comparable height (254 m vs 244 m observation deck of the Shard) completely free. If you are on a budget, the thousand saved on the Shard ticket is better spent in London for great food or experiences!

Three tips for visiting the lookouts at the end

Pay attention to security checks: All viewpoints (even the free ones) undergo airport-style security checks (bag x-rays, metal detectors). Do not bring large suitcases, backpacks, or sharp objects with you.
When to go? The most popular times are an hour before sunset. If you want to experience peace and have space by the windows for photos, book a morning slot (between 10:00 and 11:00). Since there is no time limit on the time you can stay at the site, you have the best chance of meeting fewer people in the morning.
Bring proof of: At viewpoints without reservations (like the Post Building), you may be asked for proof of identity (passport or ID card) at the entrance. However, I have never encountered this check anywhere.

Whichever you choose, the view of London from above will get you there. Happy travels and enjoy planning!

🗺️ all the views on the map to your mobile

I've saved all the aforementioned viewpoints to a list in Google Maps. Open the map, save it to your phone, and enjoy London to the fullest.

For more travel tips and itineraries follow me on Instagram @flori_prg and YouTube channel @flori_prg, where I share videos and stories in real time. You can find more of my experiences, adventures and tips on how to travel without a travel guide, for example to Mauritius or Barbados, in my blog.

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