The Shard is a glass skyscraper beside London Bridge, with offices, a hotel, restaurants and the paid observation experience, The View from The Shard. From its upper levels, you can look across the Thames and pick out landmarks including Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and Canary Wharf. The indoor galleries and partly open-air deck give different ways to take in the skyline. For a meal or drink with a view, several bars and restaurants are inside the building, though booking ahead is sensible at busy times.
The building and its design
Italian architect Renzo Piano designed The Shard as a tapering glass tower. Its pointed outline and angled façade set it apart from London’s older landmarks, and the building is easy to spot across the city. The name refers to its shard-like form.
The tower brings several uses together: offices, the Shangri-La Hotel, restaurants and bars, as well as the public observation experience. That mix means a visit can be built around the views alone or paired with a meal or drink. The restaurants and bars occupy different floors, so check the venue details when booking.
Inside The View from The Shard
The observation experience reaches levels 69 and 72. The indoor gallery gives you a sheltered place to look over the city; higher up, level 72 has a partly open-air viewing area. From above the Thames, the landmarks are easier to place in relation to one another: Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and Canary Wharf are among the sights visible from the building.
The view changes with the weather and the light. On a clear day, distant parts of the city and its surroundings come into view; later in the day, you can watch daylight give way to the city lights. Allow time to look in more than one direction, and bring a camera with a zoom or binoculars if you want to pick out details.
A meal or drink instead of an observation ticket
The Shard’s bars and restaurants give you another way to enjoy the height and the skyline. Some venues sit well below the observation galleries, but still have broad city views. A table or bar visit is not the same experience as going to The View from The Shard, and it is not a free substitute: you will be paying for what you order, and prices at the building’s venues can be high.
Book a table in advance if you have a particular restaurant in mind, especially for a sunset visit. The building includes venues such as Aqua Shard, Hutong, TĪNG, OBLIX and GŎNG. Check the venue’s own booking details before setting out, since access and reservations depend on where you plan to go.
Perguntas frequentes
Is The View from The Shard free?
No. The observation experience is paid, and advance ticket booking is recommended.
What can you see from The Shard?
Views include the Thames, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and Canary Wharf. How far you can see depends on the weather.
Can you visit The Shard without buying an observation ticket?
Yes. The building has bars and restaurants with city views. Book a table ahead, particularly around sunset.
When is a good time to visit The Shard?
Late afternoon can give you the changing light around sunset. Clear weather helps with seeing more of the city.
