London Shard

For most visitors, the star attraction is the view from The Shard’s open-air Skydeck, which affords a spectacular vista of London landmarks such as the Tower of London, Big Ben, the London Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and even (on a clear day) the distant Windsor Castle. Visitors can opt for a day or evening visit, splurge to add Champagne, or combine skip-the-line admission with another sight.

• Visits are timed, so it’s best to book ahead.

• For security reasons, all guests are required to pass through metal detectors and have their bags scanned before entering the building.

• Free Wi-Fi is available on-site.

• The Shard is fully wheelchair accessible.

The Shard is located in Southwark in central London, a short stroll from the London Bridge and Borough Market. The closest tube station is London Bridge, served by the Jubilee and Northern lines.

The Shard is open year-round, and thanks to the London Landmarks Guarantee—if you can’t spot at least three of the city’s top landmarks, you can revisit for free in better weather—there’s no bad time to visit. If you're hoping to avoid the crowds, it's best to visit outside the peak summer season or opt for an early-morning weekday time slot. For the most atmospheric views, consider an evening visit to admire the illuminated London skyline.

Standing a dizzying 1,016 feet (309.6 meters) high, The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe and features a shimmering facade comprising some 11,000 panes of glass, with 44 elevators and 306 flights of stairs. At 800 feet (244 meters) high, the observation deck is twice as high as any other London viewpoint, and the 360-degree panoramic views stretch up to 40 miles (64 kilometers) away on a clear day.

The Shard is a skyscraper in London, located just south of the River Thames. Designed by architect Renzo Piano and completed in 2012, it’s not just the tallest building in London but in all of Western Europe. True to its name, the sharp, reflective skyscraper looks like an enormous shard of glass.

The Shard stands a whopping 1,016 feet (310 meters) high, and spans 95 floors (72 habitable). Its creator, Renzo Piano, described the skyscraper as a “vertical city,” and it brings together everything from office spaces and hotels to restaurants and bars. Its observation deck is the landmark’s highlight attraction for visitors.

Yes, you can visit the Shard—and there are a number of ways to do so. The View from The Shard, the skyscraper’s open-air observation deck on level 72, is its most popular attraction, and is open daily, with variable visiting hours. You can also book at its range of bars and restaurants.

Conveniently, the Shard stands right above one of London’s busiest transit hubs: London Bridge Station. Served by the Northern and Jubilee lines of the London Underground, the station is also frequented by numerous mainline trains. A number of local bus lines also serve the area, offering one more way to get there.

The Shard offers sweeping views overlooking London; it’s best to aim for a clear, bright day so you can see as much as possible. The most popular time to visit the View from The Shard observation deck is at dusk, when you can watch the lights come on all over London.

Yes, there are a number of dining options at The Shard. Popular choices include Hutong (which serves Chinese fine dining), Oblix (modeled on New York), and Aqua Shard (which specializes in contemporary British fare). There are also high-end cocktail bars, relaxing lounges, and more casual dining options, too.