Where to go for the best photos at the London Marathon 2026

London’s hottest sporting event takes over the capital this weekend, with a record-breaking 59,000 runners set to race in the 2026 edition of the London Marathon. Whether you’re taking on the 26.2 mile challenge yourself, supporting a loved one or simply planning to bring some feel-good spectator energy, knowing where to position yourself can make all the difference – both for capturing a frame-worthy shot and for swerving the crowds. 

To determine this list, we’ve analysed millions of customer photos using a data science-led approach to pinpoint the locations that Popsa users loved at the London Marathon in 2025. We’ve excluded Greenwich Park, Blackheath and St James’s Park as these serve as the race’s start and finish points respectively. Canary Wharf claims the top spot, its soaring skyscrapers providing a striking backdrop, while the Cutty Sark and Tower Hill draw crowds for good reason with their historic landmarks.

For those keen to avoid the busiest areas, we’ve highlighted a handful of quieter locations – including spots north and south of the Thames – that saw far less photo activity on race day.

Find out how the data was analysed in the methodology at the end of this article.

1. Canary Wharf

Photo index score: 100

Canary Wharf tops our list, covering miles 18 to 19, with its skyscrapers and the tranquil Eden Dock making it the most photographed stretch on the course. The route loops from Heron Quays through the heart of the financial district to West India Quay before stretching out towards the Isle of Dogs. This is where fatigue begins to set in, so runners need all the support they can get. For the best shots, head to Water Street or Churchill Place, which offer views across the dock. Or duck away from the crowds and head to the quieter vantage point of Trafalgar Way – though expect to share it with runners grabbing a Lucozade gel.

2. Tower Hill 

Photo index score: 57

No London Marathon is complete without a shot from Tower Bridge – its striking blue-and-white livery the most recognisable backdrop on the entire course. Tower Hill covers miles 12 and 22, with runners heading out towards Wapping before looping back alongside the Tower of London. If you can secure a spot on the bridge itself, the left side (from the north bank of the Thames) frames the Shard in the distance, while the right looks back towards the Tower of London. For a prime position on the outward leg arrive early on East Smithfield, and for a less crowded alternative on the return, make tracks to Byward Street.

3. Limehouse 

Photo index score: 41

Limehouse is one of the few spots where you can catch your runner twice without having to hop on the Tube. The stretch along Narrow Street covers mile 14 on the outward leg towards Canary Wharf, with runners returning on the north side of the canal along Commercial Road for miles 20 and 21 on the loop back. It’s also home to Run Dem Crew’s legendary cheer station, a fixture of the route outside Limehouse town hall since 2012 – picture confetti, good-vibe signs and a soundsystem that hypes up spectators and runners alike. Crowds are thinner here than at the headline spots, making it easier to move around and pick out your loved ones as they pass.

4. Embankment 

Photo index score: 38

Embankment catches runners at miles 24 and 25, which is close enough to the finish line that the emotion makes for some of the most memorable photos of the day. Victoria Embankment offers a long, open stretch of road with the Thames and London Eye as a backdrop, presenting a clear line of sight as runners dig deep for the final push towards Westminster. It’s also one of the most practical spots on the course with Charing Cross and Waterloo both within easy reach, as well as nearby Soho and Covent Garden providing plenty of food and drink options while you wait. The best bit? The finish line is a short walk away, so you can cheer everyone through before heading straight to The Mall.

5. Canada Water 

Photo index score: 27

Canada Water covers miles 9 and 10, catching runners at a point where the field is still tightly packed and energy remains high – making for lively, crowd-filled shots. It’s an ideal base for supporters based south of the river, with Canada Water station on the Jubilee line putting you within easy reach of the route (Rotherhithe and Surrey Quays are quieter alternatives). Unlike the headline spots further east, the atmosphere here is more relaxed, giving you room to move around and find undisturbed photo opportunities. When you’re done cheering, Bermondsey’s bars and restaurants and Southwark Park are both nearby – perfect for a picnic while you track your runner to the next milestone.

6. Cutty Sark 

Photo index score: 25

Despite ranking lower on our photo index, don’t be fooled – Cutty Sark at mile 6 is one of the most high-energy spots on the entire course, with the Victorian tea clipper providing a showstopping backdrop. Runners are still fresh, the crowds are loud and the atmosphere rivals some of the hottest areas on the route. For the classic ship-and-runner shot, position yourself on the south side of Greenwich Church Street or Nelson Road looking towards the vessel, or head to the corner of Romney Road to capture both the Cutty Sark and your runner in a single frame.

7. Monument 

Photo index score: 25

Monument covers miles 23 and 24, passing behind Cannon Street and Mansion House on a flat stretch where runners are digging deep with the finish line firmly in their sights. The towering column commemorating the Great Fire of 1666 looms nearby, lending this corner of the City a distinctly historic feel that sets it apart from elsewhere on the course. Crowds are manageable here, giving you a decent chance of spotting your runner and capturing a clear shot. Monument station puts you right on the doorstep, and with Embankment just a mile further on it’s easy to cheer here before jumping back on the Tube to catch them again.

Where are the less crowded spots at the London Marathon?

• Miles 9 to 11: Rotherhithe

• Miles 11 to 12: Bermondsey

• Miles 17 to 18: Mudchute

Methodology

To determine the most photographed locations at the London Marathon, Popsa’s data science team analysed millions of photos uploaded by customers in 2025. Using location metadata, we identified images taken within the boundaries of the race route and ranked by total photo volume.

Each location was assigned a photo index score reflecting its relative share of images within the dataset. Scores were then normalised on a scale of 0-100, with the most photographed spot set as the benchmark. The result is a ranking that reflects real traveller behaviour, highlighting not just where people visit, but where they are most inspired to capture their memories.