Londoners Have Never Visited These Top Tourist Attractions

New research has revealed that Londoners are missing out on their own city's iconic attractions. According to a survey by City Cruises, the average resident has not visited at least three of the capital's most famous tourist spots.

Attractions Londoners Avoid

More than a quarter (27%) of Londoners have never been to the London Eye, followed by the Sky Garden (24%), The Shard (23%), and the Tower of London (23%). The survey also found that 24% have put off visiting a local attraction for at least three years, while 4% have had a site on their bucket list for more than a decade.

Crowds are the primary reason: 58% of residents avoid major attractions because they are thronging with tourists.

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Insider Tips from a Local Influencer

Sara Di Filippo, known to her 1.5 million Instagram followers as @prettylittlelondon, shared her hack for enjoying the city without the crowds. She noted that tourists often experience London better than locals. “We tell ourselves that ‘we’ll get round to that attraction at some point’, but somehow it never happens, because we’re terrible tourists,” she said.

Her top tip is to see the city by river. “Whether you’ve lived in London for six months or sixty years, seeing the city from the Thames brings a completely fresh perspective to the city’s major landmarks,” she explained. “It’s one of those experiences that remind you why you fell in love with London in the first place.”

River Tours Offer a Solution

While 64% of Londoners have taken a sightseeing tour, 27% have never seen the city by water. Ian Hailes, commercial director at City Cruises, said: “London is one of the most-visited cities in the world, but our research shows that locals need to adopt the tourist attitude in their own city. We may all be guilty of getting caught up in our own routines, but sometimes it can take seeing the city from a new perspective to reignite your love for exploring your home.”

He highlighted the Thames as a prime vantage point: “Where else can you find yourself up close with the London Eye, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London within the space of an hour?”