Instead of the London Eye, visit Horizon 22: top 10 tourist traps to avoid in London
There are many common tourist traps in London, but there are also alternatives: skip the crowded Buckingham Palace for a more authentic experience at the Horse Guards parade during the Changing of the Guard. One of the most expensive and crowded attractions in London is the London Eye. Visit Horizon 22 to enjoy a free panoramic view of the city.
Although some visitors claim that popular places like Buckingham Palace or Westminster are a must-see for tourists, the truth is that these places (and many others like them) are over-publicized, overcrowded, overpriced, or simply not worth seeing, writes TheTravel. For example, don't waste your time at the Madame Tussauds, instead visit the Warner Bros. Harry Potter studio tour for a unique experience.
Changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace
Less crowds and a more authentic experience with the Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall
When most people think of London, the first thing that comes to mind is Buckingham Palace and the famous Changing of the Guard. This ceremony has existed since 1660 and takes place every day at 11 am. It is certainly interesting because of the history behind the changing of the guard, but today it is a crowded and highly publicized tourist attraction with a marching band.
If tourists still want to see this British ritual, a better alternative would be the Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, which usually attracts smaller crowds and is much more interesting.
Where is it: Whitehall, London, UK
Cost: free of charge
Opening hours: Horse Guards parade takes place at 11 am daily
The London Eye
Climb Horizon 22 for a free panoramic view of London
Let's just say that the London Eye Ferris wheel is best seen from afar. This popular London attraction promises a bird's-eye view of London for £42 (about $53.32), a long wait in line, and more than 30 minutes in a cubicle with many strangers. Skip the expensive and crowded London Eye and head to Horizon 22, London's highest free observation deck! Travelers will get an epic panoramic view of London without paying a dime.
Location: 22 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AJ
Cost: free of charge
Opening hours: 10 am - 6 pm.
London Dungeon
Learn about British history (for free!) at the British Museum instead
One of London's biggest tourist traps to avoid is the London Dungeon, which is a more or less unscary haunted house. Don't waste your time here! Instead, visit one of the best museums in London to enrich your experience - the British Museum.
The British Museum has an extensive collection of artifacts and cultural objects that date back thousands of years. Every month, the museum hosts exhibitions and events that are definitely worth seeing. Besides, the British Museum is free to visit!
Location: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
Cost: Free of charge
Opening hours: 10:00 - 17:00
Madame Tussauds.
Warner Bros.' Harry Potter Studio Tour is a better alternative!
Of all the great tourist traps in London and their alternatives, Madame Tussauds is probably one of the most famous. Just as Madame Tussauds is one of the most common tourist traps in New York, it is also a huge tourist trap in London that should be avoided. Why: It's simply not worth paying £33-60 ($41-75) to see 3 floors of typical wax figures!
Instead, travelers will find a more unique experience (and better use of their money) on the Harry Potter Warner Bros London Studio Tour.
This immersive experience takes visitors into the heart of the Harry Potter films and gives them a look at the sets, original costumes, props, and even behind the scenes of special effects and visual effects. What better way to spend a day in London than walking through the Great Hall or Platform 9 3/4?
Location: Studio Tour Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LR
Cost: £53.50 ($67.64) per person
Opening hours: 9:30 - 20:00
Piccadilly Circus
Visit the colorful streets of Soho instead
Piccadilly Circus is one of the classic tourist traps that visitors to London always try to see, especially if it's their first time in the British capital. In fact, Piccadilly Circus is always crowded and overwhelming. Why not explore one of London's most hidden gems instead?
Soho is a vibrant and colorful neighborhood in London's West End, filled with trendy shops, delicious restaurants, and lively bars that give tourists a unique blend of cultures and British charm. There's so much to do in Soho, but visitors can easily see everything in half a day or less, while avoiding crowds half the size of the Piccadilly Circus.
Location: Soho, London, UK
Cost: free of charge
Opening hours: 24/7
Oxford Street
Take a stroll down Regent Street instead for a classic British experience
Undoubtedly, Oxford Street is beautiful and a great place to shop in London. However, as a rule, Oxford Street is one of the best places to visit in London during Christmas. Throughout the rest of the year, this main street in London's West End is crowded with people and not much going on, so it easily becomes one of London's many tourist traps to avoid. For a better, more authentic British experience, which is generally considered one of the less crowded alternatives in London, visitors should head to nearby Regent Street.
Regent Street is the perfect place to shop, visit iconic brand stores, and enjoy traditional English cuisine, where crowds are much smaller than on the more famous Oxford Street. In addition, during special events, particularly every Sunday in July, traffic on Regent Street becomes free so that pedestrians can enjoy events and entertainment along the street without noisy cars and buses.
Location: Regent Street, London, UK
Cost: free of charge
Opening hours: 24/7
Sherlock Holmes Museum
Instead, go for a cold beer at the Sherlock Holmes Pub!
The Sherlock Holmes Museum, located a stone's throw from Madame Tussauds, is another contender for the top spot among London's tourist traps to avoid. Although Sherlock Holmes is an iconic English character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, having a museum dedicated to a fictional character is quite strange and designed to generate a certain tourist hype.
Tourists are better off skipping the Sherlock Holmes Museum and instead eating a plate of fish and chips and a cold beer at the Sherlock Holmes Pub on Northumberland Street. This Victorian-style pub in London pays homage to Sherlock Holmes in a fun and authentic way without being a knockoff. There's even a full-scale model of the famous apartment 221B above the pub for fans to tour!
Location: 10 Northumberland St, London WC2N 5DB
Cost: on average 2-15 pounds sterling ($2-19)
Opening hours: 12-11pm
Phone box near Big Ben
Instead of taking classic London photos for Instagram, visit the phone booth near St. Paul's Cathedral
Everyone has seen the famous London photo on Instagram - tourists posing by a red phone booth with Big Ben in the background. This is a classic British image. However, this particular place is always crowded, and travelers can hardly take a picture without other tourists in the background.
Travelers who dream of taking a photo of a phone booth in London will have better luck at St. Paul's Cathedral. There are practically no tourists here, and visitors can get better photos with the red phone booth and the beautiful cathedral in the background!
Where is it: St. Paul's Cathedral, London EC4M 8AD
Cost: free of charge
Opening hours: 24/7
Afternoon tea at The Ritz
Enjoy afternoon tea at The Wallace restaurant at a much more affordable price
Another classic British experience that most travelers dream of is afternoon tea at The Ritz Hotel in London. The idea is certainly romantic and luxurious, but in reality it is incredibly expensive. We're talking about £75 ($95) per person "expensive"!
There are plenty of other places in London where you can try a classic afternoon tea where travelers will get the same, if not better, quality without spending extra money. The Wallace restaurant is a good place to do that.
Wallace Restaurant in Manchester Square is a great alternative to afternoon tea at The Ritz. The atmosphere is breathtaking, and the food is simply delicious. Visitors can choose from a variety of teas and sandwiches and even add a glass of champagne to their afternoon tea.
Location: Hertford House, Manchester Square: Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
Cost: 45 pounds ($57.20) per person
Opening hours: 10:00 - 16:00
Fake bookstore for travelers in Notting Hill
Visit the Notting Hill bookstore at 13 Blenheim Crescent, which was the real inspiration for the 1999 movie
Sorry, Notting Hill fans. Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts will not be appearing in the Notting Hill bookstore on Portobello Road. Although it was a filming location for the movie, it soon became one of London's great tourist traps to avoid and is not really a travel bookstore, just a souvenir shop.
Don't fall for this tourist scam! Travelers who want to experience the true inspiration of a bookstore in Notting Hill should walk a few streets to The Notting Hill Bookshop at 13 Blenheim Crescent. Here you can buy books and some cute souvenirs to remember Notting Hill by.
Location: 13 Blenheim Cres, London W11 2EE
Cost: On average 1-25 pounds sterling
Opening hours: 9 am - 7 pm
