London, England has some of the best museums and tourist destinations in the world. Filled to the brim with incredible history and food that’ll make you forget every British cuisine stereotype you’ve ever heard, London is easily one of the best places to visit in the entire world. But like other major European destinations, it has areas specifically designed to drain your wallet while delivering the most generic, boring, and disappointing experience possible. Locals avoid these places like the plague, and you should too.
Leicester Square Is An Absolute Nightmare
Leicester Square is universally hated by Londoners, and you’ll probably end up hating it too if you visit. The Telegraph literally ranked it as one of the worst tourist attractions in all of Europe, comparing it to “a vision of what Las Vegas would be like if it was run by Ryanair.” That’s one of the saddest and most pathetic descriptions we’ve ever read. The square is packed with terrible chain restaurants like Hard Rock Cafe, overpriced theaters, casinos, pickpockets, and tourist traps like M&M World.
Seriously, you’re going to one of the most beautiful and diverse cities in the world and want to spend your time at this discount Times Square knock-off? And if you’re hungry, walk just a few minutes into Chinatown for actual good food at reasonable prices. There’s plenty of options there. If you want a charming, classic London square, head to Sloane Square in Chelsea instead, where you’ll find gorgeous architecture and some of the best cafes in the city along Pavillion Road.
Camden Market Lost Its Soul Years Ago
Every travel guide written by someone who hasn’t actually lived in London will tell you Camden Market is “eclectic” and “cool.” It’s not. It’s barely even worth thinking about, and you should feel grateful that we’re telling you to skip it. The market has turned into a soulless, corporatized shell of its former self.
Camden Market was bought out about a decade ago, which led to rent prices skyrocketing, and all the interesting independent traders getting pushed out. Now it’s just overpriced junk shops selling the same tie dye pants and bongs to clueless tourists. Funnily rough, the crowds are unbearable, especially on weekends. As expected, it’s the TikTok crowd that leads tourists there like pigs to a trough. Want an actual cool market experience? Visit Camden Passage near Angel Station instead. Despite the name, it’s nowhere near Camden. It’s a charming alleyway filled with independent shops and cafes that locals actually frequent.
