The Shard

The Shard featuring modern architecture, a river or creek and views
The Shard featuring modern architecture, a river or creek and views
The Shard showing a city, a high-rise building and modern architecture
The Shard featuring modern architecture, a bridge and a high rise building
The Shard featuring a sunset, a ferry and modern architecture

Ascend to the observation deck of one of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe for unparalleled views of the London cityscape.

The Shard is a 95-story pyramidal tower with upscale restaurants, a luxury hotel, offices and a viewing gallery. Admire the futuristic design of this glassy skyscraper and its distinctive splintered summit.

Find out about the history of the tower, which was completed in 2012. Architect Renzo Piano designed it as a glass spire whose appearance would change according to the weather.

Take the elevator to the city’s highest viewing deck, which is on the 68th, 69th and 72nd floors. See for 40 miles (64 kilometers) into the distance on a clear day from this lookout. Attend an event, such as an album launch, a silent disco or a yoga class, in the View from the Shard area.

Capture photos of the impressive view, which includes the nearby sites of Tower Bridge, the HMS Belfast museum ship and Shakespeare’s Globe as well as suburban neighborhoods.

Use the interactive touchscreen telescopes to focus in on sites of interest. The screens hold intriguing information about roughly 200 landmarks. Stay at sunset for a particularly romantic view of this historic city. Browse the Sky Boutique, which is one of the highest shops in London, for guidebooks, souvenirs and other items.

Stay in the exclusive Shangri-La Hotel that occupies many of the floors. Office space and luxury apartments also take up much of the skyscraper’s space. Peruse the range of stores in the Shard Arcade at the foot of the tower.

Dine at one of the Shard’s ritzy restaurants, some of which belong to the hotel. Enjoy drinks at the Aqua Shard on the 31st floor and go for Chinese food at Hutong on level 33.

Book tickets to the View from the Shard online. The observation deck opens daily, though times vary so check ahead. If clouds obscure views of major landmarks during your visit, check with staff as you may be entitled to a free return visit.

The Shard is in southeast London. Ride the London Underground to London Bridge, Borough or Monument stops. Take the train to Cannon Street railway station and walk south over London Bridge or get a bus.

Tours & day trips

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London Hop-On Hop-Off Open-Top Bus Tour & Thames River Cruise

London Hop-On Hop-Off Open-Top Bus Tour & Thames River Cruise

Activity duration is 1 day
8.0 out of 10 with 1686 reviews
Free cancellation available
The previous price was S$61 and current price is S$55 per adult
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Private & custom tours

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London Sightseeing Private Black Cab Tour with Hotel Pick Up

London Sightseeing Private Black Cab Tour with Hotel Pick Up

Activity duration is 4 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is S$552 per traveller*
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Food, drink & nightlife

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London Afternoon Tea Bus with Prosecco

London Afternoon Tea Bus with Prosecco

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
8.4 out of 10 with 12 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is S$85 per adult
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Attractions

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Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter with Return Transfer

Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter with Return Transfer

Activity duration is 8 hours
9.4 out of 10 with 2212 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is S$106 per adult
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Shows & concerts

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London: Comedy Horror Ghost Tour on a Bus

London: Comedy Horror Ghost Tour on a Bus

Activity duration is 1 hour
8.0 out of 10 with 7 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is S$49 per adult
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Reviews of The Shard

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
203
5 - Excellent 48%
4 - Good
162
4 - Good 39%
3 - Okay
40
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
4
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
10
1 - Terrible 2%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Order a cocktail

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Have afternoon tea at the Gong in the Shard. A special treat, spectacular views, excellent staff and although it is in the upper price range it was good value for money.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice walk across London Bridge

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Wanted to visit at night. It looked lovely in the distance all lit up. We had walked for miles & decided against it as others had told us it wasn’t worth trekking the distance. Sadly we never ended going!

Popular places to visit

View of the Shard and Guy's Hospital with Canary wharf in the distance.

Guy's Hospital

If Guy's Hospital is what brings you to town, hopefully you'll have a chance to explore more of London.

Guy's Hospital
London showing a square or plaza and a statue or sculpture as well as a large group of people

Hay's Galleria

During your trip to London, you can do some window-shopping at Hay's Galleria. Experience the fascinating museums and acclaimed art galleries in this vibrant area.

Hay's Galleria
#Aquatrove on the Thames, with HMS Belfast, the tower of London & Tower Bridge in view.

London Bridge City Pier

After visiting London Bridge City Pier, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in London. Discover the fascinating museums and notable monuments in this vibrant area.

London Bridge City Pier
Borough Market featuring markets and street scenes as well as an individual male

Borough Market

Get tips from traders and browse the artisanal food and healthy smoothies packing the stalls of this London stalwart that dates back more than 1,000 years.

Borough Market
Southwark Cathedral which includes a church or cathedral, heritage elements and interior views

Southwark Cathedral

The founder of Harvard University was baptized in this oldest Gothic church in London. Marvel at its stained glass and opulent chapels.

Southwark Cathedral
The Golden Hind in dry dock , London

Golden Hinde

You can browse the exhibits at Golden Hinde, a museum with a story of its own, during your holiday in London. Visit the shops and notable monuments in this vibrant area.

Golden Hinde

Top The Shard Hotel Deals

The Tower Hotel, by Thistle

The Tower Hotel, by Thistle

4 out of 5
St Katharine's Way London England
The Tower Hotel, by Thistle
Shangri-La The Shard, London

Shangri-La The Shard, London

5 out of 5
31 St Thomas Street London England
Shangri-La The Shard, London
Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge

Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge

4 out of 5
200 Westminster Bridge Road London England
Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge
Apex City of London Hotel

Apex City of London Hotel

4 out of 5
1 Seething Lane London England
Apex City of London Hotel
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus

Zedwell Piccadilly Circus

3 out of 5
Great Windmill Street London England
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
Strand Palace Hotel

Strand Palace Hotel

4 out of 5
372 The Strand London England
Strand Palace Hotel
The Lalit London

The Lalit London

5 out of 5
181 Tooley Street London England
The Lalit London
The Royal Horseguards, London

The Royal Horseguards, London

4 out of 5
2 Whitehall Court London England
The Royal Horseguards, London
citizenM Tower of London

citizenM Tower of London

4 out of 5
40 Trinity Square London England
citizenM Tower of London
See all 27,522 properties in The Shard
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Things to do near The Shard

At The Shard, visitors can indulge in a variety of activities, including pampering spa days and breathtaking views from the viewing gallery. Take in the stunning London skyline while enjoying sightseeing opportunities nearby. Additionally, immerse yourself in the vibrant local arts scene, catch a captivating theatre performance, and explore excellent shopping options in the area, making for a well-rounded experience during your visit.

Shopping

Experience vibrant shopping at Borough Market, just 322m from The Shard, offering fresh produce and local delicacies. Royal Exchange, 966m away, combines luxury shopping with a lively atmosphere. If you're up for a drive, Southbank Centre Book Market, 1.6km away, is perfect for book lovers.

Recreation

Experience the vibrant atmosphere at the Globe Theatre, only 805m from The Shard, where romance and culture intertwine. 1.6km away, the Royal National Theatre offers captivating performances for all ages. For a classic evening, enjoy the London Palladium Theatre, situated 3.2km away, rich in entertainment and family-friendly shows.

Adventure

The London Eye, situated 1.6km from The Shard, offers thrilling views of the city from its iconic ferris wheel, perfect for families seeking adventure. Nearby, All Star Lanes, also 1.6km away, presents an exciting arcade experience, blending fun and competition for all ages.

Nightlife

The nightlife around The Shard is vibrant and inviting, with The Den offering a charming pub atmosphere just 3.2km away. Enjoy a romantic evening filled with entertainment vibes, making it a perfect spot for drinks and socialising with friends.

*Distances are measured in a straight line; actual driving distances may vary depending on the route.

Find the best attractions near The Shard

When visiting The Shard in London, you'll find a variety of attractions to suit every traveller, from cultural experiences to family-friendly activities. Explore nearby streets, churches, and piazzas, while taking in the breathtaking views of London from the viewing point. Don't forget to purchase your tickets for The Shard to fully enjoy the stunning sights of the city.

  • Tower Bridge: This iconic drawbridge, located 805m from The Shard, offers a stunning blend of Victorian engineering and breathtaking views of the Thames. Its glass-floored walkways provide a unique perspective of the river below, while the rich history and culture surrounding the bridge create a captivating atmosphere.
  • London Bridge: Situated a mere 322m from The Shard, London Bridge is a modern marvel that showcases the vibrant energy of the city. Its sleek design and urban surroundings make it a fantastic spot for photography and offers an excellent backdrop for exploring nearby attractions.
  • Tower of London: This historic castle, located 805m from The Shard, is steeped in British history and romance. Home to the Crown Jewels, its dramatic architecture and intriguing tales of royalty make it a must-see for any visitor.

Best time to go to The Shard

The best time to visit The Shard is dependent on what kind of holiday you are seeking. July is its hottest month on average. At this time, visitor numbers are slightly high and weather is mostly cloudy with light rain. January is its coolest month on average. At this time, visitor numbers are average and weather is mostly cloudy with light rain.

calendarCalendar MonthtemperatureTemperaturerainPrecipitationmostlyCloudinessoccupationOccupancypricePricing
January40.5°F (4.7°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly Low
February41.7°F (5.4°C)No RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly Low
March45.0°F (7.2°C)No RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly Low
April49.5°F (9.7°C)No RainMostly CloudySlightly HighAverage
May55.0°F (12.8°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly LowAverage
June61.0°F (16.1°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly High
July64.9°F (18.3°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly HighSlightly High
August64.6°F (18.1°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageAverage
September60.4°F (15.8°C)No RainMostly SunnySlightly HighSlightly High
October54.5°F (12.5°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly LowAverage
November47.1°F (8.4°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly LowAverage
December42.8°F (6.0°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageAverage

Tips to save on your trip to The Shard

  • Combine your flights, hotels and car rentals on Expedia—bundling can result in significant savings.
  • Consider traveling to The Shard during the low season (January to March) for more affordable options.
  • Use the Price per traveler filter on Expedia to find a package deal that suits your budget.
  • Check the VIP Access properties filter to discover outstanding hotels with added member perks at select properties.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

* Savings based on package bookings compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings not available on all packages. Book Flight + Lodging, save up to 100% of flight price - Savings based on flight + lodging package prices as compared to the price of the same components available for booking separately before all discounts and rewards applied. Your bundled savings cover up to 100% of your flight. Savings vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and travel suppliers. Savings not available on all flight + lodging package bookings.