Photos of famous London landmarks like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace in real life look nothing like you’d expect

• 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.

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The third largest city in Europe, London is a popular urban destination for travelers.

Source: World Atlas

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It is known for its easy-to-use and efficient public transportation ...

Source: CNN Travel

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.. iconic red phone booths ...

Source: BBC News

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… and multitude of historical sites.

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The city also has noteworthy museums such as the National Gallery …

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… and the British Museum.

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In addition, the city is famed for its lively pub culture.

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London is a major meeting spot for business trips ...

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... and with five major airports, the city is often a launching point for broader UK or European travels, too.

Source: Visit London

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However, if you're planning on visiting during prime tourist season, it's best to know what you might be getting into, crowd-wise.

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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

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Peak months are usually considered the summertime ...

Source: U.S. News & World Report

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... as are major holidays.

Source: U.S. News & World Report

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Crowds can get dense in the big tourist hotspots …

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… causing locals to stay far away from the city's famous sites, especially on weekends.

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Arguably the most iconic London site, the Elizabeth Tower, is in Westminster ...

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... near the equally famous Westminster Abbey.

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Renamed in honor of Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee in 2012, the landmark was originally called "Clock Tower."

Source: BBC News

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Completed in 1859, the structure remains one of the city’s oldest and most well-known attractions …

Source: Parliament.uk

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… but not everyone knows that Big Ben is actually the name of the bell inside the tower.

Source: The Telegraph

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The bell made headlines in 2017 when it was announced that it will be silent for four years ...

Source: NY Times, BBC News, TIME

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... with the exception of New Years.

Source: BBC News

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Restoration of sites like this is necessary, but it makes for disappointing photos ...

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… as scaffolding now covers most of the tower …

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... and the clock's hands were briefly removed, so the face no longer told time.

Source: BBC News, Parliament.uk

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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 ...

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... you may be surprised to find it looking more like this.

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Across the Westminster Bridge, on the other side of the River Thames, you may find sidewalks just as crowded …

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... due to tourists waiting to ride the London Eye. Originally constructed as a temporary attraction with a five-year lease ...

Source: The Londonist

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... the attraction was made permanent, and is now sponsored by Coca-Cola.

Source: BBC News

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Since 1837, Buckingham Palace has been the official residence and administrative headquarters of the monarchy, making it a popular tourist attraction.

Source: Royal.uk

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But oftentimes, you'll have to fight your way through tour groups with selfie sticks to snap a good picture.

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Luckily, there's space to walk around the plaza ...

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… but if you were planning on watching the Changing of the Guard during the summertime, prepare to arrive early …

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... especially if you don't want other people's cameras in your shot.

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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

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Similarly, prime shopping areas such as Oxford street can also be crowded, especially at rush hour.

Source: Time Out London

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Perhaps the smallest tourist attraction in London is also one of the most crowded: Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station.

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A dedication to the famous Harry Potter series by British author J.K. Rowling, the attraction is beloved by fans from around the world.

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However, fans be warned: The wait line to get your photo taken can be upwards of an hour long ...

Source: TripAdvisor

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... and the tiny gift shop tends to be crowded.

Source: TripAdvisor

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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

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Regardless of the crowds, London is still an incredible place to visit.

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With so many side streets and restaurants off the beaten path, it may be worth skipping some of the long wait lines ...

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… or doing your research to ensure you make the most of your UK stay.