Photos of famous London landmarks like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace in real life look nothing like you'd expect
The third largest city in Europe, London is a popular urban destination for travelers.
… and multitude of historical sites.
The city also has noteworthy museums such as the National Gallery …
… and the British Museum.
In addition, the city is famed for its lively pub culture.
London is a major meeting spot for business trips ...
... and with five major airports, the city is often a launching point for broader UK or European travels, too.
Source: Visit London
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.
Source: The Guardian
Crowds can get dense in the big tourist hotspots …
… causing locals to stay far away from the city's famous sites, especially on weekends.
Arguably the most iconic London site, the Elizabeth Tower, is in Westminster ...
... near the equally famous Westminster Abbey.
Renamed in honor of Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee in 2012, the landmark was originally called "Clock Tower."
Source: BBC News
Completed in 1859, the structure remains one of the city’s oldest and most well-known attractions …
Source: Parliament.uk
… but not everyone knows that Big Ben is actually the name of the bell inside the tower.
Source: The Telegraph
The bell made headlines in 2017 when it was announced that it will be silent for four years ...
Restoration of sites like this is necessary, but it makes for disappointing photos ...
… as scaffolding now covers most of the tower …
... and the clock's hands were briefly removed, so the face no longer told time.
Source: BBC News, Parliament.uk
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 ...
Source: The Londonist
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.
Source: Coca-Cola London Eye
The view is impressive, but it's worth noting that you will have to share the car with up to 28 people.
Source: Coca-Cola London Eye
Even if you are visiting during the slow season, be sure to check the calendar: The Eye is closed annually for maintenance for a few weeks in January.
Source: Coca-Cola London Eye
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).
Source: BBC News
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.
Source: TripAdvisor
Since 1837, Buckingham Palace has been the official residence and administrative headquarters of the monarchy, making it a popular tourist attraction.
Source: Royal.uk
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.
Source: The Telegraph, Royal Central
Similarly, prime shopping areas such as Oxford street can also be crowded, especially at rush hour.
Source: Time Out London
Perhaps the smallest tourist attraction in London is also one of the most crowded: Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station.
A dedication to the famous Harry Potter series by British author J.K. Rowling, the attraction is beloved by fans from around the world.
However, fans be warned: The wait line to get your photo taken can be upwards of an hour long ...
Source: TripAdvisor
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.
Source: TripAdvisor
Regardless of the crowds, London is still an incredible place to visit.
With so many side streets and restaurants off the beaten path, it may be worth skipping some of the long wait lines ...
… or doing your research to ensure you make the most of your UK stay.
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