How to spot (and AVOID) tourist traps in London

If you're visiting London soon, you are VERY likely to run into some major tourists traps. Sure, some are easy to spot, but others... not so much. In this video Jess is telling you what to look out for so you can spot tourists traps in London easily and AVOID THEM like the plague! You'll save your money and have a much better London trip.

Skip to a section:
00:00 Introduction
00:41 What is a tourist trap?
01:04 It’s made for the Instagram pic
02:20 You literally can’t move
03:08 Sim Local (advert -- thanks for supporting!)
04:12 They’re trying to get your attention outside the major tourist attractions
05:24 The menu is… off
07:44 Museums with performers

♥️ MORE LONDON HELP ♥️ (some links are affiliated and help us keep producing these videos)

About Love and London:
This channel is a London travel guide for anyone visiting the city that wants to experience it like you live here. Beyond talking about the usual London attractions, our founder Jessica Dante and our team show you some of the cooler things to do in London, that most travel guides don't mention. Watch our videos and you'll feel like you've got a Londoner friend telling you the best kept secrets in the city.

👇🏻 Mentioned in the video 👇🏻

[abdulrahmanalnajdi]

I recently visited London and watched most of your videos and they were very useful and I was not robbed or scammed. Your videos are a comprehensive and complete guide for visitors. I wish you would talk about the laws that are hidden from tourists and clear to you, such as the smoking law and how they treat smokers, ect..

[stevenmurray]

Great to see you back Jess. Never underestimate how much you bring to this channel, along with the content, your engaging and enthusiastic style is the main reason people subscribe to this channel…

[AVintageNerd]

Some immersive places are a no go but London Dungeon has historical education in it & can be fun or kids & teens. Keep in mind not everyone is traveling to London solo or childless. Many have families & although your tips are spot on-not all of it can apply to those with kids esp younger ones. 👍🏻

[Amalthea]

I LOVE to see you back Jess ❤ That eSim card is really useful tip!

[robhamilton]

Spent 2 weeks in England in 2018. About 5 days with friends who live there. They took us to places that locals go to and we’re great showing us London. They brought us to Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurante. If u ever get a chance go there. Fantastic. Giuseppe was an amazing host. Also The Crypt was interesting.

[peritapugnandi]

Besides youtube, I don‘t have social media. So I‘m not the kind of person, who is chasing after the big pic. But I love baking and I have a baking book from Peggy Porschen without knowing, she has shops in London. When I was in London and found out about the shop, I went there. It was a really good lunch and a very delicious cupcake in a new flavour, which wasn‘t in my book. So it was a really good experience for me ❤

[LondonerbyYaroslavaKirichok]

As a fellow YouTuber, I appreciate your work, but I think it’s not that simple when it comes to London’s food scene. While some places may not value social media promotion, many do understand its importance. But, it’s crucial not to judge food solely by how it looks on Instagram. Take EL&N, for example - it may be pricey, but I personally know people who absolutely love it. And regarding Peggy Porschen, have you tried their cupcakes? They’re heavenly!

Bold statements like this can lead people to miss out on genuinely great spots just because they’re popular on Instagram. Everyone has different tastes, and it’s a shame if they skip places that might actually be a perfect fit for them.

[richardhiggins]

I have been travelling to London from Australia on and off for more than 30 years, split between work and leisure, so I kind of feel somewhere between a tourist and a local. Some really good tips on this channel, but you shouldn't feel pressured into not seeing the things you might have have always wanted to see. If you want to go to Madame Tussauds, do it (actually that is one I probably would recommend to a wide range of ages). Or if you want to do the London Dungeons, do it (there is actually some decent education provided throughout). Taking kids here will be much more enjoyable for them (and therefore you) than a museum. Not everyone needs to have a cultural experience on their holiday. Mind you, I do fully support Jess's opinion on Leicester Square. The place is a trash. IMHO.

[chrissy]

You give the best advice, Jess, and I love your videos! Bingeing on as many as we can beforehand we visit London this Christmas. We changed our accommodation from Leicester Square to St James (the more we thought about it, the more it made sense), and we are so glad we did! Thank you so much!

[StephenRobertd]

Thanks jess for sending us safe travel advice always 🙏 😊

[bb]

Happy is a Bulgarian chain restaurant which does everything. It’s like their version of TGI Fridays or harvester

[lushedition]

I am a Londoner and I agree with you, however, I recently went to eat to Happy London and the food was pretty good. I was impressed 🙂

[rebeccajohnson]

I watched your videos before our trip to London in May of 2023. Thank you. We steered clear of all those places you mentioned in this segment. We preferred to immerse in local favorites and just walking around and taking in the energy. There's a Pub near Waterloo Station, under a bridge, behind the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (where we stayed) that became a home away from our favorite drinking place in California. We are planning to return in 2026.

[johnbarclay]

Was that a Poppie's fish & chips plate I saw? Hands down the best fish & chips I've had there.

[amocchionderway]

Peggy Porshen is so good thoooo, i didn't have a long wait either. IT's one of those that of course might seem touristy but it was a vibe still!

[menwaralanazi]

" When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life, for there is in London all that life can afford "
Samuel Johnson

[StephenRobertd]

Great vlogg jess great to see you back again a happyvhumble American lady always

[unbotheredcat]

Jess! I am so happy to see you again 😍 I am not even exaggerating but i love your energy so much 🥹🥹🥹

[The_Mace]

Great video, Jess! Can't wait to get back to London.

[karenstitchygirl]

This tips also great for NYC, and any big tourist city in the USA as well. 👍🏻