Visitors gather to see London's famous Elizabeth Tower, which is currently under construction.
- London has recently seen about 40 million visitors per year.
- The capital is well known for its many famous attractions, including the historic Buckingham Palace and Elizabeth Tower.
- 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.
Read more: 34 under-the-radar things everyone should do on a weekend in London, according to Londoners
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.