If you’ve ever been to London, you’ve likely seen it—even if you didn’t ride it. The London Eye. That big, slow-moving, spaceship-like wheel is parked right on the South Bank of the Thames. At first glance, it looks like a simple tourist attraction, but once you step on and rise into the sky, you realize it’s much more than just a ride. It’s a panoramic love letter to London—wrapped in glass, steel, and a little magic.

Let me tell you why the London Eye is still one of my favorite experiences in the city, even after countless visits.

So, what exactly is the London Eye?

Let’s start with the basics, just in case you’re new to it. The London Eye is a 135-meter-tall observation wheel (that’s about 443 feet), and it was once the tallest of its kind in the world when it opened in 2000. Technically, it’s a cantilevered observation wheel, meaning it’s supported on only one side. It doesn’t go fast—it’s not meant to. A full rotation takes about 30 minutes, and that’s the whole point. You get time to soak everything in.

Each capsule is enclosed and air-conditioned (thankfully), and it fits around 25 people. You can move around inside and take photos from every angle—unless you get a bit wobbly with heights, in which case, maybe stay near the center!

The view? Unreal.

Once you’re up there, wow. That’s the word everyone seems to whisper—or say loudly—when the city slowly unfolds beneath you.

From the top, on a clear day, you can see for up to 40 kilometers in every direction. Big Ben is ticking away just across the river, the Houses of Parliament standing regal, St Paul’s Cathedral with its iconic dome, and if you squint eastward, you might catch a glimpse of the towers at Canary Wharf or even Wembley Stadium in the distance.

What I love most, though, is that you get perspective. The Thames snakes through the city like a lazy dragon. The city isn’t as flat as it seems from street level. And the skyline? It’s a beautiful mess of history and modernity—shards of glass skyscrapers rising next to ancient stone.

It reminds you that London isn’t just a place. It’s a living, breathing organism. And you’re right in the middle of it.

A brief (but fun) history

Here’s a cool fact: the London Eye wasn’t even supposed to be permanent.

It was built to celebrate the millennium, part of a wave of futuristic ideas and optimism around the year 2000. The team behind it included husband-and-wife architects David Marks and Julia Barfield, who originally entered the idea into a design competition that was later cancelled. But they didn’t give up—they decided to push the project themselves.

It opened in March 2000, a bit later than planned, and guess what? People loved it. So much so that what was meant to last just five years is now a permanent fixture—and one of the most visited attractions in the UK.

Is it touristy? Yes. Should you still go? Absolutely.

I know what you’re thinking. “But isn’t it just for tourists?”

Yeah, sure. It’s touristy. So is the Eiffel Tower. So is the Colosseum. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing. In fact, the London Eye does something really unique—it shows you London without the chaos. From up there, there are no honking buses, no crowds, no Tube delays. Just a slow, gentle glide above the madness.

It’s also surprisingly peaceful. Despite the number of people they cycle through every day, the experience feels calm. You’re in this pod with a handful of strangers, yet it never feels crowded. Everyone’s too mesmerized by the view.

Pro tips for visiting

If you’re planning to go, here are a few things I’ve learned:

• Book online – It’s cheaper and saves time. Walk-up queues can be long, especially in summer.
• Go at sunset – If the weather cooperates, the golden hour from the Eye is something else. The city turns into a soft orange canvas.
• Consider the Fast Track ticket – It’s a bit more expensive, but if your time is limited, it’s worth it.
• Try the Champagne Experience – Yes, there’s a VIP pod where they serve champagne while you ride. It’s indulgent, sure, but it makes for a memorable date or celebration.
• Combine it with nearby attractions – The London Dungeon, SEA LIFE, and Shrek’s Adventure are all right next door (literally), so if you’re traveling with kids—or just a big kid at heart—it makes for a full day out.

The best time to go? That depends.

Spring and autumn are great times to visit because the weather is mild and the skies (fingers crossed) are clearer. Summer is the busiest by far, so expect longer lines. Winter has its charm too—the city sparkles with lights, and you can sometimes see the frost-covered rooftops from above.

But honestly? There’s never a bad time to ride the Eye. London changes every day. Seeing it in the rain is just as London-y as seeing it under a perfect blue sky.

Final thoughts: It’s not just a ride—it’s a memory machine.

The London Eye is more than a giant Ferris wheel. It’s a 30-minute pause button. A way to see one of the busiest cities in the world without rushing. A place where people propose, where kids press their faces to the glass in wonder, and where jaded locals remember why they fell in love with the city in the first place.

I’ve ridden the Eye alone, with friends, with family, and once even on a work trip—and each time, I saw something new. Or more accurately, I saw something old in a new way.

If you’re in London and have even a sliver of time, do it. Take the ride. Step into that glass capsule, let yourself float above the rooftops, and just… breathe.

Because sometimes, the best way to understand a place is not to walk through it but to rise above it and look back down.