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.

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!

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.