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Popular sites also include newer observation decks such as the London Eye and The Shard.
During prime tourist seasons, these attractions can be extremely crowded, which makes for long wait times and obstructed views.
London: home to red phone booths, Big Ben, and, of course, Queen Elizabeth.
The capital of the United Kingdom remains one of Europe's top tourist destinations. The city is rich in literary history, having been home to writers ranging from William Shakespeare to T.S. Eliot, and is also full of art in museums such as the National Gallery, the British Museum, and the TATE Modern.
Along with its royal family, London is known for its gorgeous parks. However, much like other capital cities, London's top attractions are often crowded by tourists during peak visiting times.
Since 2017, the iconic Elizabeth Tower - more commonly nicknamed "Big Ben" - has been under construction and will remain scaffolded until 2020. While these repairs are necessary to preserve the landmark's architectural beauty, unprepared tourists may be disappointed upon arrival.
Regardless of the repairs, hordes of tourists will still flock to see Big Ben along with other attractions. To avoid these crowds, it is best to visit during colder months, when fewer people are apt to visit.
Keep reading to see photos from a tourist's point of view, as visitors navigate one of the largest cities in Europe.
However, if you're planning on visiting during prime tourist season, it's best to know what you might be getting into, crowd-wise.
The past few years have shown record numbers of visitors. According to The Guardian, 2017 saw 39.9 million tourists, and numbers are expected to continuing rising over 40 million.
Regardless of construction, getting a perfect photo without other tourists in it may prove difficult. If you were expecting Westminster Bridge to look like this ...
... you may be surprised to find it looking more like this.
Across the Westminster Bridge, on the other side of the River Thames, you may find sidewalks just as crowded …
... due to tourists waiting to ride the London Eye. Originally constructed as a temporary attraction with a five-year lease ...
But if you were expecting to just walk aboard, you may be surprised to find lines of an hour or more during peak times. That being said, you can shorten your wait time by pre-purchasing tickets, or by paying extra for a fast pass.
Similar to the Eye, The Shard is another observation spot, opened to the public in 2013 and equally as expensive. The cheapest ticket package for adults is £32 (approximately $42).
You may want to consider spending the money on a drink at the building's upscale bar or restaurant instead, which feature similar views as the public deck.
But oftentimes, you'll have to fight your way through tour groups with selfie sticks to snap a good picture.
Luckily, there's space to walk around the plaza ...
… but if you were planning on watching the Changing of the Guard during the summertime, prepare to arrive early …
... especially if you don't want other people's cameras in your shot.
Her Majesty does not always stay at Buckingham Palace, which may be a disappointing realization for some. But here's a tip: Visitors can tell if the Queen is inside if the royal standard is being flown instead of the traditional British Union Flag.
To avoid these crowds, veterans actually recommend visiting late at night. Staff members remove the props from the trolley display, but if you bring your own, the photo will look nearly the same.
