10 Tourist Traps In London, Plus Alternatives

Like other popular, touristy cities such as New York City or Los Angeles, London also has its fair share of tourist traps that travelers should avoid. While some visitors would argue that popular areas like Buckingham Palace or Westminster are must-sees for tourists, the truth is these spots (and many others like them) are overhyped, overcrowded, overpriced, or just simply not worth seeing.

Those who are traveling to England for the first time or only have a few days in London shouldn’t waste their precious time and money on tourist scams or waiting for hours just to get a picture in front of a landmark. Visitors should make the most of their time in the British capital by skipping these common tourist traps and visiting these alternative London attractions instead for a more unique experience!

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10 Changing Of The Guard At Buckingham Palace

Find fewer crowds and a more authentic experience at the Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall

Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, London, UK

When most people think about London, one of the first things that come to mind is Buckingham Palace and the famous “Changing of the Guard”. It’s a ceremony that has been around since 1660 and takes place every day at 11 a.m.

It’s certainly interesting considering the history behind the Changing of the Guard, but today, it’s an overcrowded and overhyped tourist attraction with a marching band.

Royal Guards parade at the Admiralty House at Whitehall in London, England, United Kingdom

If tourists are still keen to see this British ritual, a better alternative is to see the Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall, which usually has fewer crowds and is far more interesting.

• Location: Whitehall, London, UK
• Cost: Free
• Hours Of Operation: The Horse Guards Parade takes place at 11 a.m. daily

9 The London Eye

Go to Horizon 22 for free panoramic views of London instead

London Eye in London, England, UK, United Kingdom

Let’s just say that the London Eye Ferris wheel is better seen from a distance. This popular London attraction promises a bird’s eye view of London all for a £42 ticket (around $53.32), a long wait in line, and over 30 minutes in a pod with lots of strangers.

Horizon 22, the highest viewing platform in London at 22 Bishopsgate near Liverpool Street station, London, UK

Skip the expensive and crowded London Eye and go to Horizon 22 – London’s highest free observation platform! Travelers will get epic panoramic views of London without having to pay a dime.

8 The London Dungeon

Learn about Great Britain’s history (for free!) at the British Museum instead

The London Dungeon exhibit entrance, England, UK

One of the biggest tourist traps in London to avoid is the London Dungeon, which is more or less a non-scary haunted house. Don’t waste time here! Instead, explore one of the best museums in London for a more enriching experience – the British Museum.

The British Museum in London, England, UK

The British Museum has an extensive collection of artifacts and cultural objects that have thousands of years of history. The museum also holds exhibitions and events every month that are definitely worth seeing. Plus, visiting the British Museum is free!

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7 Madame Tussauds

The Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour is a better alternative!

Entrance of Madame Tussaud’s museum in London, England, UK

Out of all the big tourist traps in London and their alternatives instead, Madame Tussauds is perhaps among the most famous. In the same way that Madame Tussauds is among the most common tourist traps in New York City, it’s also a huge tourist trap in London to avoid. Why? It’s simply not worth the £33-60 ($41-75) to see 3 floors of generic wax figures!

Instead, travelers will find a more unique experience (and better bang for their buck) on the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London.

Buildings from the Harry Potter films on the Warner Brothers Studio Tour ‘The making of Harry Potter’, Leavesden, London, England, UK

This immersive experience takes visitors into the heart of the Harry Potter films and gives them an inside look into the sets, original costumes, props, and even behind-the-scenes special and visual effects. What better way to spend an afternoon in London than walking through the Great Hall or Platform 9 3/4?

6 Piccadilly Circus

Visit the colorful streets of SoHo instead

People and traffic at Piccadilly Circus in London’s West End, London, England, UK

Piccadilly Circus is one of the classic tourist traps London visitors always cram to see, especially if it’s their first time in the British capital. In truth, Piccadilly Circus is always overcrowded and underwhelming. Why not explore one of the more hidden gems in London instead?

The streets of Soho in London’s West End, London, UK

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 are so many fun things to do in SoHo, but visitors can easily see everything in a half day or less while avoiding half the crowds in Piccadilly Circus.

5 Oxford Street

Take a stroll down Regent Street instead for a classic, British experience

Oxford Street in the West End of London, UK
 

There’s no doubt that Oxford Street is beautiful and a great place to shop in London. However, Oxford Street is typically one of the better things to see in London during Christmas.

Throughout the rest of the year, this major street in London’s West End is overcrowded with not much going on, easily becoming one of the many tourist traps in London to skip. For a better, more authentic British experience, one that’s generally considered among the less-crowded alternatives in London, visitors should head over to neighboring Regent Street.

Regent Street in London at night, UK

Regent Street is the perfect place to enjoy a spot of shopping, visit iconic brands, and indulge in some traditional English cuisine with fewer crowds than those seen on the more famous Oxford Street.

Plus, for special events, including every Sunday in July, Regent Street goes traffic-free to let pedestrians enjoy activities and entertainment along the street without noisy cars and buses.

4 The Sherlock Holmes Museum

Head for a cold beer at the Sherlock Holmes Pub instead!

The Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street in London, England, UK

Just a stone’s throw away from Madame Tussauds is another contender among the top tourist traps in London to avoid. While Sherlock Holmes is an iconic English character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, having a museum dedicated to a fictional character is pretty strange and is designed to be a bit of a tourist hype.

Tourists are better off skipping the Sherlock Holmes Museum and having a plate of fish and chips with a cold beer at the Sherlock Holmes Pub on Northumberland Street instead.

Facade of the Sherlock Holmes Pub in London, England, UK

This Victorian-themed pub in London pays homage to Sherlock Holmes in a fun and authentic way without being a rip-off. There’s even a full-scale model of the famous 221B apartment above the pub for fans to check out!

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3 The Telephone Box Near Big Ben

Get classic London Instagram pics at the telephone box at St. Paul’s Cathedral instead

The iconic British telephone box with Big Ben in background in the center of London, England

Everyone’s seen the famous London Instagram photo – tourists posing next to the red telephone box with Big Ben poised in the background. It’s a classic British image. However, this particular spot is always crowded and travelers can hardly get photos without other tourists in the background.

Traditional red telephone box at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England, UK

Travelers yearning for a telephone box photo in London will have better luck at St. Paul’s Cathedral. There are practically no tourists here and visitors can get better photos of themselves with the red telephone box and the beautiful cathedral in the background!

2 Afternoon Tea At The Ritz

Enjoy a much more affordable afternoon tea experience at The Wallace Restaurant

Classic afternoon tea at The Ritz Hotel in London, England, UK

Another classic British experience that most travelers dream of is having an afternoon tea session at The Ritz in London. The idea is certainly romantic and luxurious, but in reality, it’s incredibly expensive. We’re talking £75 ($95) per person “expensive”!

There are plenty of other places in London to experience a classic afternoon tea where travelers will get the same, if not better, quality without breaking the bank. The Wallace Restaurant is a good spot to do just that.

The Wallace Restaurant in Manchester Square is a great alternative to afternoon tea at The Ritz. The atmosphere is breathtaking, and the food is absolutely mouthwatering. Visitors can choose from a variety of teas and sandwiches and even add a glass of champagne to their afternoon tea experience.

1 The Fake Notting Hill Travel Bookshop

Visit 13 Blenheim Crescent’s Notting Hill Bookshop, which was the real inspiration for the 1999 film

The Travel Bookshop in Notting Hill, London, UK

Sorry, Notting Hill fans. Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts won’t make a special appearance at the Notting Hill Travel Bookshop on Portobello Road. While this was the filming location used for the movie, it soon became one of the huge London tourist traps to avoid and is not actually a travel bookstore, just a gift shop.

The real Notting Hill book Shop on Blenheim Crescent, London

Don’t fall for this touristy scam! Travelers who want to experience the real inspiration for the bookshop in Notting Hill should walk a few streets down to The Notting Hill Bookshop on 13 Blenheim Cres. Here, people can actually buy books and some cute Notting Hill memorabilia.