April 6, 2026
Tourists visiting London already know all the hotspots and must-see sights. All the places in the city are mostly full of heaving crowds which can inevitably lead to disappointment on a trip. So, what areas of London should tourists avoid?
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So often we get way too excited about visiting a new place that we forget to plan properly. Not doing your due diligence about a new place leads to defaulting to the tourist traps.
This guide will help tourists delve deeper into one of the greatest cities in the world.
It will highlight the places to avoid in London and instead offer alternatives. This is handy if you’ve already covered the main sights on a previous visit, too.
Attractions & Places to Avoid in London
DON’T
Eat in Leicester Square
London’s theatreland and film premiere centre is a major tourist attraction but is in fact at the top of my list of London areas to avoid. Why? Because many of the restaurants in Leicester Square hike up the prices for tourists due to the location. The majority of restaurants are also major chains, so generic and exactly what you’d find on your own High Street or hometown.
INSTEAD
Head to Soho
A hub for creative, independent businesses and iconic restaurants. No matter what your taste is, you can eat like a Londoner at Soho. From authentic Asian buns at Bao, French fine dining classics at L’Escargot, and traditional trattoria fare at Lina Stores, to name a few favourites.
Pro Tip: Book a tour to get the full Londoner food experience in Soho.
Read Next: Ham Yard Hotel Review in Soho
DON’T
Go on the London Eye
The cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames certainly delivers spectacular views. However, why pay for views from the London Eye when you can find them for free.
Plus, who wants to stand in a long queue? So go ahead and tick this off as one of the parts of London to avoid.
INSTEAD
Take your pick from these free viewpoints
Sky Garden
The Walkie-Talkie in the historic financial district is home to a public indoor garden on the 35th floor. Offering 360-degree uninterrupted views over the city of London and some great top-floor restaurants. Entry is free, but you do need to book an allocated time slot online.
Read Next: Fenchurch Restaurant Review
Tate Modern
The Tate Modern on Bankside is a must-do on a visit to London. It offers more than impressive art and exhibitions (which can be viewed as part of a guided art galleries tour). Visit the viewing level and enjoy spectacular views. Don’t forget to stop at the Millennium Bridge for the absolutely perfect visual of the Bridge’s design leading to St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Read Next: Tate Modern Switch House
Primrose Hill
The strategically located hill offers breathtaking views of London’s cityscape. Popular with celebrities too, the panoramic landscape is one of London’s protected viewpoints.
Look out for the stone edging at the top inscribed with the words of William Blake ‘I have conversed with the sun. I saw him on Primrose Hill.’. Since it’s nearby, why not do a tour with a local from Camden to Primrose Hill and get an insider’s view of London’s most exciting boroughs.
DON’T
Go to Madame Tussauds
The world-famous waxwork emporium on Baker Street is not unique to London and the queues for this attraction are horrendous. I’ve personally never understood the baffling fascination of staring at what is essentially mannequin celebrities. This is another firm ‘favourite’ on this list of areas to avoid, London.
INSTEAD
Head to the Natural History Museum or V&A
London has a museum for practically everything. There are so many incredible free museums to immerse yourself in for a cultural fix.
The Natural History Museum in South Kensington impresses even before walking through the doors with its towers, spires and cathedral look. Home to around 80 million natural specimens and currently Hope, the giant blue whale. You’re guaranteed to get lost wandering
the spectacular halls. A good thing as you’ll never want to leave.
A hop, skip and jump across the road is the V&A, one of the world’s largest art and design museums (probably London’s most glamorous). Immerse yourself in some of the greatest collections of decorative art, design, fashion and textiles from around the world. This place will need more than one visit to see all the amazing exhibitions.
DON’T
Hop on a sightseeing bus
London bus tours will present a whirlwind tour of the capital’s iconic landmarks. Although expect to spend the majority of your time stuck in traffic.
Read Next: 5 Hidden Gems To Discover In London
INSTEAD
Get on a bike
Check out the London public bicycle scheme. It’s a great way to travel around the city and the first half an hour is free. There are seven superhighways and 11,500 bikes in circulation.
Bikes can be hired by bank cards at the docking station or using the official app, at a cost of £2 for 24 hours. Or you can join an organised London city bike tour.
DON’T
Go to Hyde Park
Looking for peace and quiet? Then Hyde Park is where not to go in London and must be avoided on your next trip there for sure.
INSTEAD
Go to Richmond Park
The 17th-century deer park created by Charles I in the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames is well worth a visit. It’s the largest of the eight Royal Parks and home to the beautiful Isabella Plantation, Pembroke Lodge as well as herds of Red and Fallow deer.
Insider’s Tip: The best way to see the park is on a bicycle. Book a bike tour of Royal Deer Park to get the most out of your visit.
Read Next: Nature Reserves You Must Visit In London
DON’T
Go to the London Dungeons
The tourist attraction along London’s South Bank recreates a medieval dungeon with gory historical events portrayed by actors.
INSTEAD
Head to the Tower of London
This is the real deal. The Tower of London on the north bank of the River Thames has held prisoners for centuries (although not anymore). Her Majesty’s 1000-year-old fortress has also been the Royal Mint, but today it is the home of the Crown Jewels and seven ravens. Legend has it that if the ravens leave the Tower of London, the kingdom will fall.
There are many fantastic tours of London Tower. Some are suited for small groups (one tour even offers a complimentary Beefeater gin), while others are more exclusive like the VIP early access tour.
Read Next: Visit The Tower of London & Enrol at Knight School!
DON’T
Go to Portobello Market
The famous street market in Notting Hill has lost its unique charm over the years with an influx of generic stalls. Still very colourful; it’s a firm favourite with Instagrammers trying to get pictures though. This is very much one of the areas in London to avoid.
INSTEAD
Go to Holland Park and to Kyoto Gardens
A 20-minute walk away is an oasis of calm in the heart of Kensington’s Holland Park. The charming Kyoto Gardens is an unexpected pocket of zen in the city. It was a gift from the city of Kyoto to commemorate the long friendship between the people of Japan and Great Britain.
It contains colourful plants, shrubs and flowerbeds surrounding a central pond containing carp and other fish beneath a waterfall over rocks. Avoid the area of Portobello Market in London and visit Holland Park instead.
READ NEXT: Best Parks & Green Spaces in London
DON’T
Go to Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross
Unless you want to queue for an age to take your own picture or pay a small fortune for a VIP pass and professional shot, add this to your list of places to avoid – London edition. Trust me, there are better wizarding locations in the city.
INSTEAD
Go to Leadenhall Market: home to Diagon Alley
Leadenhall Market in the City of London was used for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The entrance to the wizard’s pub, the Leaky Cauldron, is in real life an optician in Bull’s Head Passage.
This iconic location is one of the stops on this historic walking tour of London if you’re looking for a more touristy experience.
Read next: Harry Potter Filming Locations In London
DON’T
Go on the EmirateS Air Line
This cable car takes you from the middle of nowhere near the O2 arena to the middle of nowhere near the Excel arena. This makes it not only a waste of time and is certainly an example of where to avoid in London. To top it off, it travels over the least interesting parts of the Thames (Epic).
INSTEAD
Go and climb the Monument for better views
At the junction of Monument Street and Fish Street Hill in the City of London stand the Monument. Built between to commemorate the Great Fire of London and the rebuilding of the City. For less money and a good old bout of exercise (311 steps up a narrow winding staircase), enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city.
Final Thoughts on Areas of London to Avoid
While there may be a couple of places to avoid in the UK, do not avoid London. There are, however, some places in London that have better (and less busy) alternatives. Now that you have been equipped with all the necessary information, you can make the most of your London trip.
Where are your favourite areas to visit in the city? Is there a place you would avoid in London that is not on this list?
Let me know in the comments box below.
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Rebecca Blakey says:
Your posts are so useful!
Sima Sthanakiya says:
Thank you Rebecca!
Anonymous says:
This was very helpful, Thank you.