London Eye, London

London Eye, London (must see)

Say hello to the London Eye 鈥� or, if you鈥檙e feeling fancy, the Millennium Wheel. Built to welcome the year 2000 in style, it had its soft launch in late 1999 and officially opened in March 2000. Designed by architects David Marks and Julia Barfield, it was supposed to be temporary... but Londoners loved it so much, they basically said, 鈥淣ope, it鈥檚 staying.鈥�

At 135 meters (that鈥檚 443 feet if you鈥檙e still thinking imperial), the Eye was once the tallest observation wheel on the planet 鈥� and it still holds the crown in Europe. The ride 鈥� a slow, elegant spin takes about 30 minutes, offering jaw-dropping, 360-degree views stretching up to 40 kilometers on a clear day. From Big Ben to Buckingham Palace 鈥� and if you squint, even Windsor Castle 鈥� London is laid out before you like a pop-up storybook.

Each of the 32 sleek glass capsules (one for each London borough) can carry up to 28 people. Great for selfies, great for proposals, and perfect if you just want to stare out and feel dramatically reflective.

Want to dial up the experience? Your ticket comes with a 4D cinema show, or you can upgrade to private pods or champagne flights if you're feeling extra. Plus, the Eye sits right on the South Bank 鈥� a hop away from the SEA LIFE Aquarium, the London Dungeon, and the laid-back Jubilee Gardens.

Fun fact: The Eye鈥檚 giant bicycle-wheel design is a true European team effort 鈥� with British steel, Dutch engineering, and a smattering of German, French, Czech, and Italian parts.

Bottom line: Whether you're new in town or just want to fall in love with London all over again, the London Eye is a must-spin.

Tip:
Book online to save cash and skip the long lines. Your Instagram will thank you.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: London Eye
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

South Bank Walking Tour

Walking Tours in London, England

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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