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London skies are not often filled with sunsets, but when they are, it’s important to know where to find them. East London in particular has some gorgeous spots to catch a good sunset.
After visiting London tens of times, I have found the best places to watch it in every part of the city. Whether you want to catch it in front of the Thames or on the top of a hill, East London has you covered.
Before you start your sunset chasing, there are a few things you need to know.
Before you go sunset chasing in East London
London weather is always unpredictable, so be prepared. Make sure you always check the weather before you go sunset chasing in London. It might look great one minute, and awful the next.
If the weather looks alright, or you’re going to try to catch it anyways, then make sure you arrive early. Sometimes the best part of sunset is 30 minutes before or after the sun dips below the horizon.
The best way to plan a sunset in my experience is to bring some snacks, maybe a few drinks, and plan to stay a while.
If you’re visiting East London, make sure you check out the Bethnal Green area too. It’s an adorable spot with a mix of local and touristy. Want some more ideas too? I share all the can’t miss things to do and places to eat in London here.
Now that you’re prepared to find a good sunset, let’s talk about where in East London is the best to look.
1. IFS Cloud Cable Car from Royal Docks
First things first, the best way to catch the sunset in the East of London is to go up. Since the sun sets in the west, there are tons of buildings that block the views. The best way to avoid them ruining your view is to get to their level.
My favorite way to do that is on the IFS Cloud Cable Car. There are a few ways to go on it, but for the best sunset views, start at the Royal Docks. You can even get a cable car with a glass floor to see below you!
The ride only lasts about 10 minutes or so, so make sure that you time it right. If you get on about 5 minutes before the sun sets, you should catch the best part of the sun set.
Watching the sun set from these cable cars is probably the most unique perspective you’ll get in East London. Keep in mind, it can fill up in advance, so make sure you book ahead.
Now if you want a longer chance to see the sunset, then it’s a great choice to get on a boat. On the water, there aren’t buildings blocking the view for most of the ride.
There aren’t many sunset cruises in London, especially in the East of the city, since it is known for its rainy weather. Luckily, there are some cruises that take place at sunset, as long as it’s the right time of year.
That’s where this sunset cruise comes in handy. This cruise includes snacks and a drink, and takes place just in time to catch the sunset. While you can take this cruise anytime, it’s especially great for celebrating a special occasion.
3. Crossrail Place Rooftop Garden
On my countless visits to London, there has been one constant: finding a rooftop to watch the sunset. If I’m visiting East London, one of the nicest spots is Crossrail Place Rooftop Garden.
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The sky needs to light up for you to have a really good view of it, but the garden in general is nice to see the sunset from. This is a huge free space full of lots of greenery located in Canary Wharf.
If you’re looking for a free place to watch the sunset, and don’t mind some plants in the way a bit, then this is a great spot for it!
4. Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill is a bit outside of East London, but trust me, it’s worth it. You might’ve heard of this iconic place, but if you haven’t, here are some details. Primrose Hill offers an unobstructed view of the skyline of London.
Depending on the time of year, you might not see the physical sun setting on that side. Luckily, you can always see the colors from the hill if the weather is good. If you want to see the physical sun, you can go to the other side of the park where it sets beyond a few buildings.
Primrose Hill is a great spot to pack a picnic, bring a friend, and watch the skyline change colors. It’s a local favorite, and it’s super easy to see why.
5. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
Not many people know that Uber actually offers boat rides in London, which offers a unique perspective of the city. To do this though, you need to make sure you plan it right so you don’t miss it or go the wrong way!
Start from anywhere East on the river, and go west, towards Westminster. This riverboat service is a great way to see the sunset from the water, and it’s super affordable. Just make sure you don’t start too early, or you’ll be off the boat before the sun even sets!
You can book the Uber Boat ride here, and enjoy the sunset.
6. The Tide
The Tide surprised me as a great place to watch the sunset in East London. From the top of the Tide, you can see the sun clearly setting behind the London skyline.
The Tide is an art installation at Greenwich Peninsula. It includes walking trails, some seats, and river views. It’s a relaxing spot to sit down and watch the sun set behind London.
To get to the best spot, you should walk up the colorful stairs, then you can sit at the top and take in the beautiful view.
Bonus: Zip World London
Another spot that has opened up quite recently is Zip World. They are located in East London and have a huge structure with great views of the sunset. I haven’t visited yet, so they’re a bonus spot, but it looks like a great view!
Zip World claims to close early, but according to the website they offer “after hours” options that let you do it during sunset. If you try it out, please let me know, because I’ll definitely check it out next time I’m in the city.
After many, many visits to East London, I have discovered all my favorite places to see the sun set. Hopefully you love them too!
If you’re visiting the whole city, make sure you check out my full London sunset guide for spots throughout the whole city.
Whether you are excited to catch the view from a boat, from above or right on the ground, there are plenty of options. Hope you get lucky with great weather, and enjoy your East London sunset!
For other tips on London, you can check out my full London guide which offers hundreds of things to do, see, and eat in the city.
If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or send me a DM at @LizsGreatPerhaps.
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