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.

Download The 黑料吃瓜网 App

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

Create Your Own Walk in London

Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Kensington/Knightsbridge Walking Tour

Situated just below Hyde Park, Knightsbridge and South Kensington are two adjacent neighborhoods with grand Victorian homes and leafy garden squares. Home to London鈥檚 most expensive homes, Knightsbridge has some of the highest density of millionaires in the world. This is clearly reflected in the selection of stores & restaurants in the area, including the famous Harvey Nichols and Harrods... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles

Jane Austen鈥檚 London

The celebrated English novelist Jane Austen primarily lived between Bath and Hampshire. However, London also held a special significance in Austen's life. Many of her novels drew inspiration from the capital, like Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham鈥檚 elopement in 鈥淧ride & Prejudice.鈥�

One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles

London's Historic Pubs Walk

If there鈥檚 any more iconic symbol for London than Big Ben or the London Eye, then it must be the traditional English pub. And London sure is full of them, dating from pre-Victorian times to just about five minutes ago.

With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles

Harry Potter Walking Tour I

The Harry Potter phenomenon began with author J.K. Rowling, who famously dreamed up the series while delayed on a train from Manchester to London. With the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher鈥檚 Stone in 1997, the literary world changed forever. Across seven books, readers followed Harry鈥檚 evolution from an orphaned schoolboy at Hogwarts to a brave young wizard confronting evil... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles

Shakespeare's London Walking Tour

You might know him as 鈥渢he Bard,鈥� but to England, William Shakespeare is practically the patron saint of poetic plot twists. Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon to John Shakespeare, a glove maker and town official, and Mary Arden from a prosperous farming family, young William started life with ink in his veins and Latin on his mind. Grammar school likely gave him his first taste of rhetoric.... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles

Walk around Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace, the British monarch's official residence, is a must-see for anyone visiting London, but so are the adjacent royal establishments that give a unique window into the royal way of life. On this self-guided walking tour, along with Buckingham Palace and its memorable fountain, you will visit the St. James's private royal residence, the wonderful Queen's Gallery, and... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

View all walking tours in London, England

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

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