The Shard in London: Is it worth a visit?

The Shard in London: Is it worth a visit?

October 19, 2024 Citie to Travel Comments Off

The Shard is one of 35 skyscrapers in London that are higher than 100 meters. It has its own observation deck with a 360 degree view of London. And thousands of tourists visit this iconic skyscraper every year, but is a visit to The Shard worth it? In this blog we will tell you all about that.

What is The Shard?

The Shard in London is a striking skyscraper designed by architect Renzo Piano. The building is 310 meters high and it has 87 floors of which 72 are in use. And currently, The Shard is the tallest skyscraper in England. Observation Decks of The Shard From the 68th to the 72nd floor you will find the popular observation decks of The Shard with 360 degree views of London.

The Shard's elevator

To reach the observation platforms on the 68th and 69th floors, you need to take an elevator. And the lift in The Shard is not just any lift, it is the fastest lift in England. In addition, the lift has video screens in the ceiling that show the history of London’s skyline. The super-fast elevator takes you to the 33rd floor, where you have to transfer to another elevator, which takes you to the 68th floor.

The 68th and 69th floors of The Shard

The observation platforms on the 68th and 69th floors of The Shard are covered and the walls and floors are made of glass. You will also find various digital telescopes and screens, which give you information about what exactly you see and what your view looks like at different times of the day. But the best thing on these floors is a 360-degree view, meaning you can admire the view of London from all sides of The Shard.

The View From The Shard

From the 69th floor you can take a staircase to the 70th floor. On this floor you will find the observation platform ‘The View From The Shard’. And from this observation platform you have a really great view of London and a number of popular sights, such as the Tower Bridge, London Eye, Big Ben, the Tower of London, the walkie-talkie building, the Palace of Westminster, Shakespeare’s Globe Theater and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Restaurants in The Shard

On the 31st to 33rd floors of The Shard you will find three different restaurants where you can enjoy delicious food.

1. Restaurant Oblix (an American grill restaurant)
2. Restaurant Hutong (here they serve Chinese cuisine)
3. Restaurant Aqua Scherf (contemporary British cuisine)

In all restaurants you have a beautiful view of London. And you can even reserve a table by the window, but you have to pay extra for this.

What is better: the London Eye or The Shard?

If you are going on a city trip to London and would like to see the city from above, you can go to The Shard and the London Eye. Both give great views over London and the River Thames. But if your budget is a little more important, it might be better to choose between these two great attractions. The Shard is slightly more spectacular because it is higher than the London Eye, giving you a greater view of the city. In addition, the entrance tickets for the Shard are slightly cheaper.

Is The Shard worth it?

Yes, The Shard is definitely worth it. You have a great 360 degree view of London from the observation platforms. And you shouldn’t miss that beautiful view if you go on a city trip to London.

Entrance tickets for The Shard in London

An entrance ticket to the observation section of The Shard in London is not much more expensive compared to comparable attractions in other major popular cities, such as Paris and New York. More information and prices for The Shard tickets can be found via the link below.

How long can you stay on The Shard?

There is no limit to your visit to The Shard. If you have purchased an entrance ticket, you can stay as long as you want.

Special offers for The Shard

Are you going to London soon and would you like to visit The Shard? Then take advantage of the offers below.