These Hilarious Photos Show What Iconic Tourist Attractions Actually Look Like

It seems our fair planet’s most iconic tourist attractions aren’t exactly what you thought they were…

Since you were a child you’ve dreamt about exploring the colossal pyramids of Giza or climbing up to the top of the Eiffel tower. You’ve got that wonderful magazine spread of your most favourite place in the world in your head. Without a care in the world, you can’t wait to take a selfie in front of the Sistine Chapel without a person in the world. Then reality hits. Ten million other people also had the same dream and you’re all battling for oxygen trying to get out.

Life lesson? All that glitters is not gold, and those mag pics and your friends on Instagram are all liars.

Before you book your dream trip to see Big Ben, take a look at what visiting these 11 famous sites are actually like. Spoiler alert: hell on earth.

1. The Mona Lisa, Paris, France…

Just look at her, looking all perfect and innocent.

Not so perfect or innocent now, is she? Good luck getting to it…

2. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt…

Oh, just look at them. Beacons of historical beauty and culture.

Sorry, you were saying?

3. The Little Mermaid, Copenhagen…

Flounder, Ariel, swimming in the sea – calm, collected and without a care in the world.

Looks like Flounder legged it, so to speak.

4. The Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, Italy…

Michelangelo’s stunning ceiling commands hours of your attention.

And here comes the mosh pit.
A post shared by Cristian (@oldnc.xms) on Jul 27, 2017 at 12:30am PDT

5. The Eiffel Tower, Paris…

Of course France’s most famous structure deserves a place on your Instagram feed.

Maybe not. That’s the line just to go up…

6. The Great Wall of China…

Just look at that big snake, winding its way through the glorious Chinese landscape with not a person around.

Let’s just amend the previous sentence, shall we?

7. Elizabeth Tower (AKA Big Ben), London, United Kingdom…

BONG. BONG. BONG. Ah, from Westminster Bridge, Big Ben looks like a pure delight.

Sorry, what?
A post shared by Santanu Ganguly (@gangulysantanu) on Dec 22, 2016 at 10:22am PST

8. Versailles, France…

There it is. The perfect Instagram shot.

You might have to wait a few hours for it, though.

9. The Peeing Statue (Manneken Pis), Brussels, Belgium…

Relieving himself in absolute privacy.

Of course he isn’t.

10. Niagara Falls, Canada…

Dreamy in every way imaginable, just as nature intended.

Not that dreamy, after all.

11. The Forbidden City, Beijing, China…

Just look at that sky. Those clear, empty paths. Pure artistic perfection.

If only it really was that deserted…

Need more humour in your life? A trio of sheep accidentally ate pot and went on a rampage through Wales!

About the author

Luke Abrahams

Luke Abrahams is a born and bred Londoner and is proud to call the capital his home. He mostly writes about popular culture trends and pugs but isn’t afraid to tackle food, art and style from time-to-time.