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 "911爆料网: 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 911爆料网 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.

Harry Potter Walking Tour II

The Harry Potter movies and London go together like Butterbeer and a cold winter night at Hogsmeade. While much of the magical world was brought to life with computer-generated images and studio sets, quite a few iconic scenes were filmed right in the heart of the British capital, transforming ordinary city spots into wizarding landmarks. Here's a look at six more London locations where the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 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

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 Introduction Walking Tour

London: the capital of England, heart of the UK, and international heavyweight in history, culture, and sheer charm. Its name comes straight out of Rome. Londinium was founded circa 43 AD as a trading post. Then came Queen Boudica in 61 AD, who, let鈥檚 say, didn鈥檛 care much for Roman urban planning and burnt it to the ground. But Londinium wasn鈥檛 one to stay down鈥攊t bounced back,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles

South Bank Walking Tour

London鈥檚 South Bank, stretching along the southern side of the River Thames, roughly between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, is one of the most interesting and liveliest parts of the British capital. Here, London鈥檚 old soul and modern edge shake hands... and then probably go grab a pint together. Famous for its arts, culture, food, and scenic riverside walks, the area has a long and... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles

Beatles London Walking Tour

The Beatles, often hailed as one of the most influential bands in music history, began their journey in Liverpool in 1960, but it was in London that they truly became global icons. While Liverpool gave them their start, the British capital became their professional playground during the peak of Beatlemania. From recording sessions and business deals to public performances and personal milestones,... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles

View all walking tours in London, England

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

London Souvenirs: 18 Distinctively British Products for Travelers

Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...