When we decided to visit the Eye, a friend told us that it was best to go at sundown so you get to watch the sun set on London. It turns out they were right! We walked into the giant glass pod that would carry us around the Eye, found our seats and watched London unfold from a totally new perspective. The massive “ferris wheel” type contraption was slower than I thought it would be, taking us almost 30 minutes to get around the entire thing! Another thing you should know is that you might think it’s cool to score a seat on the bench, but if you do, people might block your view. My advice is to stand to the left side of the pod and toward the end; your legs will get a bit tired, but that position gives you the best possible view all the way around.

My favorite part was when we were at the top, looking down on Big Ben and the rest of London, as the sun was setting in the distance as the city lights came on! REALLY COOL!! It may seem tedious at times while on the “ride,” but it is totally worth it. Again, doing it near nighttime will drastically change your experience.

Big Ben

Sometimes it feels like London comes to life at night, with all the buildings lighting up. If you take a ride on the Eye, you can get some great pictures of Big Ben (and more) from the top. Big Ben is definitely at its best at night, when the city lights brighten the famous clock tower. I didn’t go inside Big Ben, but The Eye gives you a very cool view of it. (If you’ve been inside Big Ben, will you comment below? I’m curious what there is to see. Apparently you can climb the 334 steps inside. Worth the climb?)

Big Ben is one of the most well known travel icons in the world, but not many tourists know that the best time to visit is at sunset. This definitely changes your experience, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly.

Have any comments to add about the fabulous Eye or Big Ben? Or what was your favorite stop in London? Talk to me about it below.