Up at The O2 Tours

Extending for 1,247 feet (380 meters) across the curving dome of London’s landmark O2 Arena, the Up at The O2 rooftop walkway promises far-reaching vistas and open-air thrills. Equipped with climbing suits and safety harnesses, visitors traverse the fabric walkway with a guide, making their way up to an observation platform where spectacular 360-degree views of the River Thames, leafy Greenwich, and the glinting skyscrapers of Canary Wharf await.

 

You can access the O2 Arena rooftop only during an official guided climb. The whole experience, including a pre-climb safety briefing, takes around 90 minutes. A maximum of 16 people can take part in each climb. Purchase tickets in advance to ensure a spot at your preferred time slot. After having ascended to the O2 viewing platform and taken in the bird’s-eye panoramas of London, if you want a different perspective on the city, consider embarking on a Thames cruise. Hop-on hop-off river boats depart from nearby Greenwich Pier. 

 

 

The nearest tube station is North Greenwich (Jubilee line). MBNA Thames Clippers run regular river bus services to North Greenwich Pier. You can also reach the O2 via the Emirates Air Line, a 0.6-mile (1-kilometer) cable car route spanning the River Thames. Find Up at the O2 to the left of the main arena entrance.

 

The best time of the year to embark on an ascent is during summer, when clear skies are more likely. Book a sunset climb for epic selfies, or try an evening twilight climb to see the city’s lights sparkle in the night sky. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled climb to allow time for the check-in process.

 

Scaling one of London’s premier concert venues is appetite-inducing work. If you need to refuel after, the arena complex has lots of tempting options. You’ll find plenty of places to dine and drink on the palm-lined Entertainment Avenue inside the O2, including Thai restaurant Busaba Eathai, burger franchise Five Guys, and Portuguese chicken chain Nando’s.