Rise ‘n’ shine: the best sunrise spots in London

If you’ve ever wondered what the UK capital would look like without the usual caffeinated chaos, the best sunrise spots in London provide an answer. Before the morning rush sets in, London is a different place entirely. Glass towers catch the first sunbeams as if blinking themselves awake, urban foxes slink through quiet streets, and even the Tube’s squeaky chug sounds romantic.

From Parliament Hill’s sweeping vantage to the calm riverside along the Thames, these are the best places to watch the sunrise in London — each offering a fresh perspective on the city’s quieter side.

1. Primrose Hill, North London

Primrose Hill is where Londoners come to swap the city’s clatter for skyline poetry. From the top, you’ll see the Shard catch first light, the BT Tower keeping watch, and the city’s rooftops layered like a haphazard quilt.

Locals turn up with flasks and dogs that seem to know the sunrise schedule better than anyone. There’s no rush — just a gentle buzz of feet on grass, quiet conversations, and the kind of soft light that makes you forget there’s a Tube station just down the hill. It’s one of the best sunrise views in London, and kind of feels like the whole city pressed pause just for you. Unsurprisingly, it’s one of the city’s top sunset spots too.

Address

Primrose Hill, London NW1 4NR

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

2. Greenwich Park, Southeast London

Greenwich Park is hands-down one of the best places to watch the sun rise in London. Stand near the Royal Observatory and you’ll get that postcard-perfect view: the river twisting below, Canary Wharf lit up like a sci-fi skyline, and the Old Royal Naval College dusted in gold.

Deer wander near the edges if you’re quiet enough, and the whole place feels like it’s holding its breath, waiting for the city to wake. It’s London’s layered history at dawn — a story that starts with the meridian line and ends with a fresh croissant from a nearby bakery.

Address

Greenwich Park, London SE10 8XJ

Opening hours

Daily from 6:00 AM – dusk

3. Parliament Hill, Hampstead Heath

Parliament Hill is where the city’s skyline meets its wilder heart. At dawn, the morning sun slants across open meadows and tangles of oak, lighting up the Shard and St Paul’s like distant beacons.

You’ll share the hill with runners, photographers, and the odd hedgehog trundling through the brambles. There’s no better place to see the city’s contrasts in one sweep: ancient trees, new towers, and everything in between, caught in the quiet glow of sunrise.

Address

Hampstead Heath, NW5 1QR

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

4. Hyde Park, Central London

Hyde Park is a London sunrise spot that combines calm waters, open skies, and the feeling that you’re in the center of it all. As dawn breaks, the artificial lake known as the Serpentine glows in soft watercolors, and early birds (both feathered and human) stir to life.

Wander along the tree-lined paths and watch the day begin with a chorus of birdsong, or find a quiet bench near the lake’s edge for your own moment of reflection. Afterwards, stroll around the Rose Garden, have afternoon tea, or go rowing — Hyde Park a classic London spot stuffed full of fun things to do.

Address

Hyde Park, London W2 2UH

Opening hours

Open daily from dawn until dusk.

5. Millennium Bridge, Thames Path

The Millennium Bridge usually hums with footsteps and camera shutters, but at dawn, it’s almost yours alone. Stand in the middle as the sun lifts behind St Paul’s — the dome framed perfectly in that long steel span.

The river below is still and glassy, and the city’s towers flicker awake one by one. Even the Tate Modern seems to lean in for a better look. It’s a spot that’s both central and secret, where the only noise is the river’s quiet hush and the creak of your coffee flask opening. London’s soul, lit by first light.

Address

Millennium Bridge, SE1 9JE

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

6. Alexandra Palace, North London

Ally Pally, as locals call it, is an old Edwardian palace — and from its hilltop, the sunrise is a showstopper. The city sprawls below, and as dawn breaks, you get a sense of just how far London stretches.

The air up here feels cleaner, the skyline simpler, and the whole scene — from the distant towers of Canary Wharf to the birds wheeling over the park — is a gentle reminder that London’s grandeur starts with moments like this. Stay for the sunrise; linger for a wander through the woods and maybe a coffee at the palace cafe when it opens.

Address

Alexandra Palace, N22 7AY

Opening hours

Alexandra Park is open 24 hours

7. Little Venice, Paddington

Little Venice at sunrise feels like London’s secret garden — a hushed, almost cinematic scene that only a few early risers ever see. As the first light spills over the water, the moored houseboats and quaint bridges of this canal-side neighborhood become silhouettes in a soft palette of pink and amber.

It’s a spot for those who like their sunrises tranquil and a little poetic. Wander along the towpath, cross the whitewashed footbridges, and watch the city’s hustle slowly begin in the distance. If you’re up for it, a longer stroll towards Regent’s Park makes for an ideal dawn adventure.

Address

Blomfield Road, London W9 2PF, UK

Opening hours

Open 24 hours